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Friday, November 30, 2012

Episode 10

On this week's episode, I talk about the latest moves in the wacky world of conference realignment, the quarterback situation of the 49ers, and the Antonio Cromartie Straight Shooter of the Week.

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Music Courtesy of the following: 
Ego Grinding (Megatroid) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
contemplate jat (Katrah-Quey) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
one last try (Chicken Jones) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Friday, November 16, 2012

Episode 9

On this week's episode, I talk about the Lakers coaching moves of the last week, the trade by the Miami Marlins and why the public should not pay for stadiums, and a special Antonio Cromartie Straight Shooter of the Week.

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Music Courtesy of the following: 
Ego Grinding (Megatroid) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
contemplate jat (Katrah-Quey) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
one last try (Chicken Jones) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

EPL Liverpool 1 Newcastle 1 11/5/12

What Went Well: Yohan Cabaye scored an impressive goal, controlling a Hatem Ben Afra cross and volleying a shot in. Vernon Anita played well in central midfield after being moved there after an injury to James Perch. Steven Taylor was a rock in central defense.

What Did Not Go Well: Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul could have done better on the Luis Suarez goal. That would not have been an issue if Jonas Gutierrez did not lose the ball in midfield and if someone chased down Jose Enrique instead of allowing him to pass the ball forward.

What Else: Newcastle have a terrible record at Anfield. In the Premier League, they have only won once and have scored very little. If you told me at kickoff this game would be 1-1, I would have taken it. At the end I was happy with the result, though I feel Liverpool was there for the taking. Liverpool took the impetus at the start of the game and put Newcastle on the back foot. But Liverpool did not manage any shots on target. A lot of noise from the crowd but no end product. Then Newcastle got the goal and you could see the steam coming out of the Liverpool side. They are not good defensively and Newcastle can be great on the counter attack. Half time saved Liverpool in my opinion.

Liverpool came out fast again in the second half but Newcastle failed to adjust as quickly. James Perch succumbed to injury in the first half and Demba Ba joined him on the treatment table soon after the restart. Cabaye was also injured which may have led to the uncertainty over where Gutierrez should pass the ball and no one challenging Enrique. The goal by Suarez was fantastic but could have been prevented if there was no bad pass, Enrique was chased, or Krul or Coloccini read the danger faster.

One of the things I love about the English Premier League is that you have to earn your keep every year. If you don't produce the goods you are out. This happened to Newcastle when they were relegated after the 2008-09 season. But some teams have a favored status from the media no matter how good they are or are not. Liverpool is in this situation. They are an average side but because of their history they have a lot of fans in the media and there is a belief that they should be at the top of the table. Liverpool showed in this game all the reasons why they are a mid table side and the irony was not lost on me that their goal was scored on a hopeful punt up the field. Not part of the Brendan Rodgers style. But the media hails their effort even if all their possession only lead to one goal. I thought goals won games but I guess possession statistics are more important.

Should Coloccini have been sent off? By the "letter of the law" I guess except "letter of the law" did not apply in other situations. Nuri Sahin constantly committed fouls and did not receive a yellow card. He was taken off by Rodgers before he could be cautioned. Raheem Sterling made a similar tackle on Papiss Cisse and only got a talking to by the referee. Sterling also kicked out at Danny Simpson after Simpson fouled him. No Sky inquiry, no big deal. Referee Anthony Taylor seemed to let play go in all aspects of the game but the Coloccini tackle was taken out of his hands by a furiously flagging assistant referee who was yelling red. If only he was so upset at the other tackles.

Now What: A quarter of the season has been played and Newcastle is in 10th place. I am alright with this position because there are a host of teams bunched together. Newcastle has the capacity to play better and I believe that they will in the next few games. The fixture list is decent and they can pick up points. Unfortunately injuries have taken its toll on the team. Perch is added to long term absentees Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling and Haris Vukic while Cheick Tiote and Coloccini are suspended for West Ham. All Newcastle fans have yelled that the squad is too small but this is an opportunity for the young and fringe players to get out there and show something. Newcastle has a game away to Club Brugge in the Europa League followed by the returns of Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll, and Sam Allardyce to St. James Park. Two winnable games. Howay the lads!!!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Episode 8

On this week's episode, I talk about the Jets at the mid point of the NFL season, the new US broadcaster for the EPL, and a throwback Antonio Cromartie Straight Shooter of the Week.

Right Click to Download

Music Courtesy of the following: 
Ego Grinding (Megatroid) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
contemplate jat (Katrah-Quey) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
one last try (Chicken Jones) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0