Maple Lions

In spite of their uneven performance overall, Boro may be shaping up for the role of occasional giant-killer that Blackburn has carved out in recent years. Even after letting a lead slip away through lack of discipline, Boro held up against a furious comeback from the Finsbury Park garrison of la Légion Étrangère.

And the pained expression on Arsène Wenger’s face made the whole day worth it.

Paul Canniff 

Comments(0)

It’s almost too early in the season for a big derby game, as far as I’m concerned. I’m not sure my nerves are quite ready. Oh well, not much to do but watch and enjoy!

It’s the early game on Saturday and is therefore being aired on Sportsnet in Canada. I was dreading them not showing this one. Everton will have to keep its discipline if it hopes to be able to show its new-found form, particularly on the heels of March’s loss in a card-filled affair. Perhaps Mr. Poll will adopt his three-yellows-and-you’re-out policy to compensate.

Carragher and Riise appear to be out for the Reds, with Stubbs and McFadden out for Everton. I would not have expected the Everton scratches to start any way. There are rumours of Gary Naysmith playing as a winger following Kilbane’s departure to Wigan. Hmm, not sure if we’ll see him, but you know Moyes and his Scottish players.

A big question mark for the Toffees is Andy Van der Meyde. Will he start or play? With all his recent problems and seeing red in the last derby, one wonders if Moyes will start him. Will we see Davies as well? Some underperforming acquisitions that should be itching to get out there. Hibbo-Yobo-Lescott-Valente across the back would be nice.

Pip-Leon-Timmate-OurTater would be my guess across the mid field with Beattie and AJ up front. I’d like to see young Victor Anichebe sub for Beattie at some point as well.

What about Liverpool? The Kuyt and Bellamy pairing did look dangerous against West Ham, accounting for an offside goal which was not counted. It was Liverpool’s old boys that worked up Crouchie’s goal. We can probably expect a Crouch-Bellamy start though.

Whatever - we can expect a rip-roaring affair and I hope the ‘06/’07 Everton side shows up and not the ‘05/’06 one.

Looking forward to ManU and Spurs which is also on tv tomorrow; we’ll see if Jol can get his boys reorganized.  Tough match to try to get the accomplished, though.

Mikel C.

Comments(2)

Bans from the pitch have not dulled Wayne Rooney’s combative spirit, as he cold-cocks Blackburn defender Michael Gray after a round of verbal abuse against his missus in a Manchester nightclub.

With one blow.

While sitting down.

I’m not making this up.

Paul Canniff

Comments(0)

Liverpool’s city council has given its approval to the construction of a new football stadium at Stanley Park; it’s now up to LFC to pull the funding package together by month’s end.

The new pitch will accommodate 15,000 more supporters, putting Liverpool into the seating ranks of Arsenal and Manchester United, and is but 300 yards from Anfield. Let’s pray that the Reds do not succumb to the easiest offer for naming rights. Who wants to hear matches called from the ‘historic’ X-Box 360 Stadium?

Paul Canniff

Comments(0)

In the wake of Italian football’s match-fixing imbroglio, the Premier League awaits the arrival on October 2 of Lord Stevens’ report on transfer payoffs.

Paul Canniff 

Comments(1)

Well, not so bad, in this case; very good, in fact. I note that GOL-TV is free viewing from my cable provider this month (good retrospective/lament for the NASL on today). Also, I was very happy to note a week or so ago that Sky Sports News is on FSWC weeknights.

Good stuff.

Mike C.

Comments(1)

TSN is one tough school of TV love. Winning the Premiership two times in a row and making the CL semis and group of sixteen in the same period just isn’t enough to merit getting on the schedule. Another English team gets that privilege without even approaching those benchmarks in the EPL and the Champions League.

Thank you, TSN and CRTC: how ever could we survive without you?

Paul Canniff

Comments(0)

In escalating his fight with Chelsea over his playing future, William Gallas threatened to score an own goal if he was picked to play in the season opener. One trusts that this go-to attitude will serve him well at Emirates Stadium as the latest recruit in the Légion Étrangère de Londres-Nord.

A bit of advice to Monsieur Gallas: a hostage-taking doesn’t play out well when you put the gun barrel to your own head. Even worse if you survive the ordeal, at least as far as your reputation is concerned.

Wanker.

Paul Canniff

Comments(0)

Population of Andorra, who England beat 5-0 in today’s Euro 2008 qualifier: 71,201.

Population of Prince Edward Island: 138,100.

Damian P.

Comments(0)