Followers

Friday, August 29, 2008

Liverpool's Early form 2008

The Postman’s Question of the Weekend:
Why do you think Liverpool’s performances so far has been less than impressive, despite the results?

30 August 2008

Like an army, Liverpool seemed to have a good general (Rafa Benitez), military budget ($$$ to spend on players), great captain on the field (Stevie G) and great guns in front (Torres, Keane, Babel) and yet they struggled. In the past, it could be finger pointed at Benitez’s squad tinkering policy. Now, I felt that the RED lIVERPULLIAN heart is missing in many players. one which bleeds red blood whenever they put on that red jersey. They felt vulnerable and uncertain instead of feeling that they are an all-conquering RED ARMY, that is above it all with a subtle lthreatening message - THIS IS ANFIELD. Not many clubs are afraid of them. Clubs ranked below them knew that, so they do not look for a stalemate at Anfield. Clubs ranked above them felt superior even before tha battle begun.Jose Mourinho may be the one who could shake them up and bring glory back to Liverpool!

ABU vs NBU

Calling all ABUs (Anything But Man United fans) and NBUs (Nothing But United fans)
John Molina, lead singer of Krueger, which performs at Thumper, is a Liverpool fan who, more than hoping his team will win the Premiership, does not want Manchester United to win it. Rod Monteiro, DJ of Radio 91.3, believes his Manchester United will make it three in a row.

27 August 2008

Have John Molina watched how Chelsea struggled against WIGAN in the second match?? He forgot to mention that game. The Blues are supposed to be all-conquering, playing attractive football with the expensive players they had…what happened? It is always the case that the Red devils starts slow and before you know they are ahead of all pretenders, Chelsea and Liverpool included. John would have to wait long long before Rafeal Benitez got it right at the rarte that they are playing. Even their Champions League qualification is at risk this moment at the hands of Belgium’s Standard Liege.Please don’t clutch on straws!

Monday, August 25, 2008

EPL 2nd Week

After the weekend’s games shown, tell us what you think of the teams or players who left you with a high.

25 August 2008

What is going on in White Hart Lane?? The team played without any sort of formation as the players have no clue on what is to be done ie stick the bloody ball into the net!!. If this is the way to go, forget about top 5 you Cockerels. Ramos have a lot to do.Shocker of the week : Stoke City. After being thrashed by Bolton in their debut, they stole the win against the highly rated Aston Villa who thrashed Man City in the first week. The latter woke up to thrash West Ham…what a circus!!! This showed the unpredictability of the EPL, at least in the first few weeks where the pretenders rise to the top for some fresh air.Chelsea?? Well, they will continue to grind out results like 1-0 over Wigan. Last week, they had the Pompeys for supper as the latter was still on holidays.

EPL 2nd Week

After the weekend’s games shown, tell us what you think of the teams or players who left you with a high.



25 August 2008



What is going on in White Hart Lane?? The team played without any sort of formation as the players have no clue on what is to be done ie stick the bloody ball into the net!!. If this is the way to go, forget about top 5 you Cockerels. Ramos have a lot to do.Shocker of the week : Stoke City. After being thrashed by Bolton in their debut, they stole the win against the highly rated Aston Villa who thrashed Man City in the first week. The latter woke up to thrash West Ham…what a circus!!! This showed the unpredictability of the EPL, at least in the first few weeks where the pretenders rise to the top for some fresh air.Chelsea?? Well, they will continue to grind out results like 1-0 over Wigan. Last week, they had the Pompeys for supper as the latter was still on holidays.

EPL newbie

The Postman’s Question of the Week: Which of these new EPL recruits impressed you the most, and why?
19 August 2008

It got to be DECO. Not someone who is all wet behind his ears but what a performance he gave in his first EPL game for Chelsea. He slotted seamlessly into the midfield as though he was there since Jose Mourinho’s time. He showed that he could stand up to the hurly burly play expected in EPL games. He even showed his studs to Lassana Diara. Of course, he ended the day by scoring Chelsea’s fourth goal to round off an extremely satisfying debut.

England's Captain

The Postman’s Question of the Weekend:
Do you think John Terry should remain as England’s captain, or are there other worthy skippers in the team, and why?

August 23rd 2008

It not difficult to see that it was a close call between John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for England’ s captaincy. J T is captain of Chelsea and it is only time that Rio will take over Gary Neville or Ryan Giggs at Man Utd. However, it seemed that Fabio Capello is not making wholesome sweep which he could have done. He is still relying on the same group of players who failed miserably under Steve McClaren. Much as both JT and RF or even Stevie G are much respected figures, the captaincy should have been conferred to a younger player with potential and who would be one of the regulars. I am talking about Wayne Rooney.Rooney may be temperamental but you can see that he is a team player, someone who will bring out the buzz in the team when they are down, by his all action display in the field. He is one who you would want to be with in the heat of a battle.Fabio Capello should make that momentous decision and not stick to the tried and tested to be safe.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Postman Question on 080808

The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Do you think players should be allowed to compete in a tournament such as the Olympics, or do clubs have the right to play their stars, whose wages they pay? 8 August 2008

The club vs conutry issue is not new. That is why Fifa had drew up a calendar which sanctioned international competitions in which the clubs must release the players. Olmypics is not one of them.The clubs have every right to claim ‘possession’ of the players as they pay the dough. They have to answer to the stakeholders ie the owners and the fans. However, they should have a much wider view and understanding of the player, the very person which they valued so highly, that he placed playing for his country is a greatest honour which money cannot buy especially in competitions like the Olympics which has no monetary value. The club must realise that such players could translate this value to the club personally ie being loyal and remember your roots. The clubs should see it as a win-win situation in that way rather than focussing on who needs the player more, club or country.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Postman’s Question of the Week 5 August

The Postman’s Question of the Week: Do you think Team Singapore will be able to bring back an Olympic medal, and if so, what colour would the medal be and why?

Of all the Singapore’s NSA, Singapore Sailing has the most comprehensive developmental plans for their sailors. Their short and long term goals were clear. The infrastructure is there, the coaches are qualified and motivating. Moreover, the present crop of sailors have been through numerous trainings and competitions around the world. There seemed to be an endless stream of new sailing talents and there is little need for foreign talents. Now, at Qingdao, China, is their time to reap the rewards.Forget about the lady paddlers. China and S Korea will sweep it all.Badminton, Shooting, Atheltics? Not this time. Swimming?The swimmers seemed to be only interested in bettering their personal best.With some wind luck, our sailors could be the first athletes to bring back an Olympic gold.

Published in New Paper on 8 Aug 2008

Friday, August 1, 2008

ASIANS are simply not good enough for the English game.

Posted on August 1, 2008Filed Under Weekend Question
ASIANS are simply not good enough for the English game.
So says Peter Kenyon, chief executive of England’s Chelsea Football Club.
And looking at the number of Asian stars who are flourishing in the Premiership, it seems like the Blues supremo’s declaration may hold some truth after all, however controversial it may seem.
The Postman’s Weekend Question:
Do Asian players have what it takes to succeed in the rough and tumble of the English Premiership?

Very few Asians made it to the European leagues and there won’t be many in the future. The odd successes like Park Ji Sung, Nakamura, Nakata were the only gems from Asia. Why?First, the physique. Asians playing Asians, no problem. Asians against Europeans or South American, BIG problem. Skills alone would not get you out of the crunch situations.Second, the mentality. In Europe or S America, footballers are born to eat, sleep and play football from a very young age. In Asia, there is still the niggling doubt that football will provide food on the table.Third, infrastructure. In the football academies of Englsnd, Holland, Spain, the boys are taught proper skills and attitude from young. The clubs prided themselves for nurturing their own players. In Asia, only Japan or S Korea have such established infrastructures.With all these factors stacked against Asians, no wonder few of our players make it to the European leagues.

Published in New paper on 3 Aug/4 Aug