Theo, don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Theo and the "the one that got away"

November 25th, 2002, the Boston Red Sox raised eyebrows by hiring, then 28 year old Theo Epstein as their General Manager. The Yale graduate was hired to work under CEO Larry Luchinno, but after interim GM Mike Port's tenure ended, the youthful, new age thinker Epstein was given his time to shine.

Under Epstein's guidance, famous acquisitons such as "Big Papi" David Ortiz and Curt Schilling were instrumental in the team ending their 86 year title drought, and ending the "curse of the bambino". With his eye for shrewd, low-risk high-reward deals, Epstein quickly rose to one of the games elite GM's, and in 2005, on Halloween Epstein resigned from his post. Walking out in a gorilla suit, in some sort of "Fever Pitch" meets "King Kong" crossover, Epstein said he "decided he could no longer put his heart and soul into it". A resignation speech that would be a legitimate candidate for "flimsy excuse of the year", runner up to "the dog ate my homework".

Less than three months after the acrimonious split, Epstein returned to Fenway Park, with a new title of "Executive Vice President and General Manager". The terms of the new contract were never disclosed, so whether money was a signifcant reason for his return remains a great mystery.

The past few years, perhaps since the 2007 World Series victory, Epstein's record in the free agency market has progressively worsened, from 36 million dollar mistakes like Julio Lugo being previous horrendous acquisitions, the 220 million committed to John Lackey and Carl Crawford makes Lugo's deal look like cents and nickels.

For all Epstein's failings when it comes to big money free agents, his shrewd deals, and eye for bargains in the trade market is what has always seperated him from average or even above average general managers. Whether it be shipping out the "clubhouse cancer" Manny Ramirez, letting him go to L.A and try not to get pregnant, or sending a bucket load of prospects to San Diego. Them deals saw Jason Bay and Adrian Gonzalez arrive and thrive at the "fens".

For all his faults, and everytime Carl Crawford swing at strike 3 in the dirt, we remember their has been a few, Theo Epstein has certainly cemented himself as one of the game's best, rivalled only in my opinion by Andrew Friedman in Tampa. Epstein was voted #3 in SI's top "10GM's/Executives of the decade"(in all sports)

Now if I was the 2011 Red Sox, this is where i would quit and throw in the towel  (80%). Epstein looks set to go to Chicago and be the GM for the Cubs, who themselves are in the midst of a 103 year drought. A barren spellto top all others. For the Red Sox, after the dismissal of Terry Francona, perhaps the worst decision in sports since LeBron James Tv extravaganza during last years NBA free agency.

For Epstein, the opportunity to orchestrate a championship calibre team in Chicago is a golden one.A world series win their would all but confirm him as a hall of fame GM. Breaking the games' two biggest championship droughts would thrust him into the pantheon of all time great sporting execuvtives. With a sizable budget and big, overrpaid players in contract years, Epstein will have a lot of flexibility with his budget, and could ruffle some feathers early. A certain number 5 perhaps?

For Boston however, a very good, perhaps great team is already assembled, but the annual decimation from the DL, and the odd disastrous signing is what shot the team in the foot again. Perhaps it's time to freshen things up again? A new manager/GM team. Maybe owneship has gone mad? For Theo Epstein, and for the Red Sox, this is the perfect time for a harmonious split.

THe big NFL preview

After weeks of negligence followed by a stamina-reducing, sleep-deprivating holiday to the cypriot island of Ayia Napa...the one with the night life, i've returned to my native shores and subsequently returned to this blog, which has been left emptier than a roadside little chef in the month of September. No more!

With the calendar flickering over to September, this means the sporting world is undergoing many exciting rendezvouz's, with the Football season now a month in, and Oxford looking like their in the the pack of contenders. The Red Sox after their Paris Hilton-esque shopping spree in the winter are now in the business-end of their pennant chase, fighting off the pesky, irritating Rays. To go along with that, Novak Djokovic continues to defy the odds, and is still in the midst of a sporting year, that could thurst him up into the pantehon of great years.

However, after months of labour negotiations, bickering, arguing nd debating the distribution of alot of dollars, the NFL lockout monopolised the ESPN homepage. NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith, a silky suit-wearing man supporting the players, who in my film idea for the lockout, would be played by Alfonso Ribeiro, who would co-starr alongside Stellen Skarsgard playing Roger Goodell, (it would be a low budget movie). The two would be sworn enemies whio have to negotiate a new deal before millions of people become unemployed, and the two fo them are forced to work together in the film "Millionaires and Billionaires".

Aside from fictional movie plots though, the NFL season is back, all 32 teams are back, the schedule is going to be played outright, sytmying the fear that games would be missed, and for everyone in the NFL, involved in some form, the dollars will be rolling in again.

Despite the support for Boston in the 3 other major U.S sports, the geographical connection ends there, as since 2003, the San Francisco 49ers were my adopted team, and having undergone Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey and JT O'Sullivan with them, the teams been lower than any team not called the Detroit Lions.

Last season, in the weight of intense optmism, the team heavy favourites for the NFC west, the Niners floundered behind the Quarterback tandem of Alex Smith and his namesake Troy. THe two quarterback consistently put up hideous numbers, to go along with coach Mike Singletary, arguably the worst coach in franchise history, with his extreme opinions, old-school methods regardign discipline and erroneous play-calling, his tenure was worse than the Mike Nolan era, worse than the Dennis Ericksson era. He surpassed the lot, all he gave the Niners was one memorable rant. (above)

Last season saw the dismissal of Singletary after a humiliating 21-0 defeat at home to the Tampa Bay, the first time the 49ers had been shutout at home since 1977, highlighting the anaemic offence the team were throwing out week after week. The team finished 6-10 last year, and missed the playoffs.

New season, new optmism, and with the youthful, highly-touted Jim Harbaugh departing Stanford to coach the 49ers, hoping to replicare his brother John's success in Baltimore. The team still has defensive powerhouses Patrick Willis and Justin Smith, the 49ers two perennial pro-bowlers, Willis, arguably the best defensive player in the league. The much-maligned secondary has undergone a change, the team brought in Carlos Rogers to replace the constantly frustrating, overpaid, turned liability Nate Clements at cornerback. Then the team brought in safety Donte Whitner, rated as high as the #5 safety in the NFL by some scouts. Whitner came into replace the youngster Taylor Mays (who joined Clements in CInncinatti). Whitner partners Dashon Goldson in the safety position after Goldosn spurned the Patriots advances and re-signed with the red and gold.

The defence itself, like lastyear looks fairly solid, and could potentially rise to the upper-eschalones of the games, espceically if the new acquistions can perform to the standards they created for themselves at previous teams. The questions were never about defence however, they have been, they are, and they will continue to be about #11. the signal-caller, the 2005 #1 draft pick. Alex Smith. Anyone who follows the NFL can tell you how important a number 1 draft pick is, yet if it's a quarterback, that player becomes the franchise for the future. The 49ers treated their future with a nonshalant, care-free attutude, changin head coach and offensive co-ordinator annually, stunting Smith's progression, and setting his career off the wrong path, where Smith took the wheel, and started driving further off, then a bit more off, until he's almost at the point of no returns. This year becomes his last chance. One shot at salvation.

This year, like most years, Smith, who carries a 72.1 qb rating into the season, will rely heavily on running back Frank Gore, Gore, on the verge of becoming the all-time franchise leader in rushing, had a turbulent off-season, where the league-wide lockout, was succeeded by contractual negotiations, which at one point, looked like it could get bitter. A 3 year 21 million dollar deal was eventually reached, and hopefully puts to bed any talk of the "inconvenient truth" leaving the Bay area any time in the near future.

Other notables include veteran kicker Joe Nedney being released in favour of another lefty, David Akers. The team also added Jets receiver Braylon Edwards to lineup with Michael Crabtree and create agood 1-2 reciever tandem.

Predictions.

AFC East

Ok, we all know the story in this division, the Patriots and the Jets will come 1st and 2nd, both will make the playoffs, it's all but guaranteed. The Dolphins and Bills are here to pay spoilers, and to the chagrin of the Pats and Jets, Miami manages to upset them quite often.

Patriots

Jets (wc)

Bills

Dolphins

AFC North

This division consists of the AFC champions from last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team who consistently win about 12 games, make it deep into the playoffs, and are always a threat to win a championship. WIth their great defence and clutch quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, i give them an ever so slight edge over hated rivals, Baltimore.

In the lower reaches i see Cleveland outlasting the Benglas for 3rd place, with young Colt McCoy calling plays, i think the Browns can surprise a few teams along the way this season.

Steelers

Ravens (wc)

Browns

Bengals

AFC South

This depends on the health of Peyton Manning, no player in pro sports is more vital to his team than Peyton Manning is to the Colts, with him, the teams a contender for the Vince Lombardi trophy. WIthout him, they migh tnot finish .500. It looks like he will be out for a few games, and i think they'll start the season with a defeat in Houston, and i don't think they'll recover.

The Jaguars and Titans will battle it out aswell, both having decent teams, with toung quarterbacks at the ready in case a veteran struggles, or they want to look to the future. The Afc south, is a pretty balanced division, where it  wouldn;t be surprising to the see any team win it...except maybe the Titans.

Texans

Colts

Jaguars

Titans

AFC West.

The Chargers have Phillip Rivers, the best quarterback without a superbowl ring, they have his biggest weapon Vincent Jackson back for a whole year. The Chargers will win alot of games, and are a genuine superbowl contender. Below them, the division isn't that tought, I expect the Chiefs to regress substnaitally, after their fluke season of a year ago, Denver's QB carousel, and Tim Tebow drama will thwart them, and you can almost guarantee Al Davis being detrimental to the Raiders. Chargers by a landslide.

Chargers

Raiders

Chiefs

Broncos

Playoff seedings - (1) Patriots (2) Chargers (3) Steelers (4) Texans (5) Jets (6) Ravens

NFC East.

In case you aren't aware, the Eagles have all there chips in this year, they signed Nnamdi Asomugha, the best cornerback in the league. Jason Babin, rejoined the team, Dominique-rodgers Cromartie, and the small matter of Michael Vick, the enigmatic, excitable quarterback. The Eagles have astronomical pressure weighted on their shoulders, and I personally don't see it all being lived upto. With that being said, i still see them edging the division past the Cowboys.

The Giants and Redskins will scrap it out, epitomising mediocrity, with the Giants being slightly better then the Redskins, as the genral rule of thumb, "Don't trust a team starting Rex Grossman"

Eagles

Cowboys

Giants

Redskins

NFC North

Don't look now, but this is the best division in the NFL. And you want to know a secret. It isn't even close. The Packers are the superbowl champions, perhaps the favourites to win it again. They have Aaron Rodgers, who elevated himself into the games elite quarterbacks. Clay Matthews is still carving up opposing quarterbacks, and creating havoc for offensive co-ordinators.

Elsewhere for the first time in...well, maybe ever, the Detroit Lions are legit. They have the human wrecking machine Ndaumkong Suh, now partnered up by Auburn stud Nick Fairley, creating they best defensive tackle paiting in the NFL. Add in the fact that Matthew Stafford looked stellar when healthy, and Calvin Johnson is ready to become the best receiver in the league. The Lions looked poised to just pip the Bears, and their great defence to a wild card spot.

Packers

Lions (wc)

Bears

Vikings

NFC South.

Now i know my friend Tom will undoutedly scan straight to this division to see where i place his beloved Falcons. Well bad news. The Saints are better. The Saints have abandones their pass first, pass second, run if we have to offence, drafted Mark Ingram and are now as offensively explosive on the run and the pass. This team could be a threat to reclaim the title that they failed to defend last year.

The Falcons will outlast the young, talented Buccaneers, and the Cam Newton led Panthers, and the man with the receivers, the nickname and the fountain of youth (Matt Ryan) will take the Falcons back to the playoffs, but with a considerably inferior record to last years' 14-2.

Saints

Falcons (wc)

Buccaneers

Panthers

NFC West

Undoubtedly the worst division in the game, yet last year the Seahawks, who finished sub .500 managed to make use of their home game in the playoffs, and stunned the defending champion Saints at Qwest field. This year, the Seahawks will regress, and regress a fair bit.

The Cardinals this year will have Kevin Kolb at quarterback, and not Max Hall, Derek Anderson or John Skelton. The consistency will bear them well, in the futute, this year, Kolb hasn't had enough time to learn the system, and will struggle early, but will come good in the latter stages of the season, perhaps mounting a late surge.

The Rams still have Sam Bradford, the best quarterback in the division, Steven Jackson still running the ball and defensive playmakers like James Laurainits, the Rams are in primes position in my opinion to pip the 49ers to the post, and squeeze their way into the playoffs.

Rams

49ers

Cardinals

Seahawks.

Seedings (1) Packers (2) Eagles (3) Saints (4) Rams (5) Falcons (6) Lions

Despite it being 5 months away, i'm going to predict the superbowl winner, enabling us to look back and laugh at my embarassing predictions in February.

Wild Card

AFC     

                                                                                  

(3) Steelers - (6) Ravens (20-23)

(4) Texans - (5) Jets (17-27)

NFC 

(3) Saints - (6) Lions (24-13)

(4) Rams - (5) Falcons (14-17)

Divisional Playoffs

AFC

(1) Patriots - (6) Ravens (31-21)

(2) Chargers - (5) Jets  (21-24)

NFC

(1) Packers - (5)Falcons (34-10)

(2) Eagles - (3) Saints (27-30)

Championship

AFC

(1) Patriots - (5) Jets (23-21)

NFC

(1) Packers - (3) Saints (27-9)

SUPERBOWL

PATRIOTS - PACKERS ( 24-7)

So my prediction is that the Green Bay Packers return to the big game, but are thwarted as Brady and Bellichick secure their 4th championship, and a place in football lore.

Red Sox - Yankees - The prequel

Think of the greatest rivalries in sport. Duke-UNC, Celtic-Rangers, India and Pakistan. Along with the greatest rivalries, a place must be set aside for baseball’s greatest rivalry, and maybe the biggest rivalry in sport across the pond. The “Yankees” and the “Red Sox”.

This week (Tuesday –Thursday) the two teams square off in a three game series, with just 1.5 games separating the two sides in the “AL East” standings. However, with both teams almost guaranteed, bar a minor miracle to achieve a postseason spot, it begs the question, does this series matter? The answer, truthfully, from a baseball viewpoint, no, it doesn’t matter, especially for the Red Sox who hold a 10-2 advantage in the season series thus far.

For the Yankees, from a psychological stance, their maybe something residing over this series for the “Bronx Bombers”. The aforementioned losing record against Boston, staff ace C.C Sabathia having astronomically inflated numbers against the Red Sox in comparison to the rest of the league, and as has been the case for months now, the rest of the Yankees starters audition for the role of number 2 starter, behind Sabathia.

For Sabathia, his numbers against Boston read 0-4, 7.20 ERA in 4 starts. Compare these numbers to his 17-3, 2.80 he’s surrendering to the rest of the teams combined. With Sabathia’s abysmal postseason numbers (prior to his move to New York in 2009) in addition to these numbers against Boston, it would appear he may have a small case of “Lee Westwood syndrome”. A syndrome known to deteriorate your sporting skills on the biggest stage, or a bigger stage. The Inability to perform, or a consistent stumbling block in the way of a specific goal. For Westwood it’s “Golfing majors”. For Sabathia, it’s Boston.

The Yankee ace will pitch game 1 of the series, where he takes on John Lackey, whose season has been a replica of Sabathia’s 4 starts against the Sox. Lackey’s 5.98 era, is indicative of how poor Lackey has been. Lackey, who signed a lucrative 5 year $82million in the winter of 2009 is in his second year, still finding it difficult to settle into a park, where he failed to have much success as an Angel.

Game two, sees the complete paradigm shift, with Josh Beckett (10 wins 2.58 era) taking the mound for Boston. Beckett whose overwhelmed the loaded Yankee lineup on 4 separate occasions, the first meeting providing the stepping stone to kick-start the Red Sox season back in April. Beckett’s 8 inning, 4 hit shutout of the Yankees gave the Sox their 2nd win of the season, propelling them to 2-7 on the year.

A sub-plot for the series is the race for American League MVP, with Yankees Curtis Granderson (leads the league in Home runs, RBI, runs), and the Boston duo of Jacoby Ellsbury (and Adrian Gonzalez (leads the league in Batting average, 2nd in RBI) all squaring off in a bid to cement their position as the frontrunner for the award.

To many, especially Sox manager Terry Francona, winning the division isn’t imperative in a division where you’re all but assured of the wildcard. For the Red Sox, who won the World Series from the wild card in ’04 and the won it again in ’07, this time after winning the division. For Francona, creating your rotations for your pitchers, and keeping players fresh for the postseason is the more important in this seasons’ final weeks.

With all that being said. It’s always fun to beat the Yankees.



* Apologies for the lack of advanced statistics, due to limited internet connectivity, could only use statistics from memory.

Have the people Cena nuff?

At any WWE event, whether it be a house show in Louisiana, or Wrestlemania in front of 93,000 people, you can almost guarantee that bar injury, the biggest reaction of the night will be for one man. John Cena. Never in wrestling history has one man provoked such emotion from crowds. Cena, who always engages the camera with a wry smile everytime he hears the reactions, he then salutes the crowd, and like a maniac sprints to the ring before enticing the crowd a little bit more by performing his signature gesture. (Pinky, middle and ring finger up whilst thumb and fore finger make an O shape).

Cena's matches often, if not always will consist will see the crowd engage in dual chants. With all the children, sporting there replica t-shirts, wristbands, headbands, title belts etc will begin the chant with a high-pitched, yet somehow very vociferous "Lets' go Cena". Instantaneously after, all the adults (specifically men) over the age of about 15 will respond with a deeper, somewhat angrier "Cena sucks". "Lets go Cena"... "Cena sucks". Rinse...lather...repeat.

For the International wrestling community (IWC) Cena has often displayed wrestling skills, very unorthadox, but to many subpar to great performers of the past like Eddie Guererro, Kurt Angle and more recently Chris Jericho. Many also believe younger wrestler like The Miz, Wade Barret and the new superstar of the business CM Punk all display superior wrestling skills to Cena. The "five moves of doom" that Cena quoted this Monday on Raw are a criticism of his lack of versatility, yet in his defence, Cena has been involved in matches with Triple H, Shawn Michaels and the aforementioned CM Punk, that have left many, myself included marvelling at some of the abilities we don't always see.

Other criticisms of Cena are that he is never booked to lose cleanly, and a defeat of his will always be subject to disqualification, cheating or interference. Again, how often do you read a comic book and see Superman, Spiderman or Captain America lose fights. If Cena is to be booked as the superhero to the youngsters in the audience, WWE must surely know that kids won't thorw all there support to a superhero that loses. Children are fickle, so Cena's invincibility is a must to keep him atop the metaphorical tree.

This leads us into the notion that he's the poster boy of the "PG era", and in turn takes the brunt of the venom elder fans have that they get overlooked in favour of a friendlier, less brutal product, seen as being more beneficial and less harmful to kids. WIth no ECW anymore and TNA's product becoming worse and worse every given week, the monopoly on the market for the "E" gives wrestling fans no where else to turn.

Outside the ring Cena, in my opinion receives unfair criticism and abuse for lack of a better word, a prime example being the wrestlemania press conference where every time he tried to talk, he would be loudly booed , to the extent where nothing he said could be comprehended or understood. For a man whose good-ature and friendly personality on-screen more than reciprocates it away from camera aswell. Cena to this day still has granted more wishes to the "Make a wish" foundation than any single person on the planet, helping kids make there biggest dream come through.

Back inside the squared circle, Cena's gimmick is heavily scrutinised, having started out as a Vanilla Ice meets 8 mile freestyle rapper, cutting strong heel promos garnering heavy heat from audiences he performed a "face" turn, (wrestling speak for becoming a good guy). He kept the rapping gimmick up until he was in the movie "The Marine", where he then went on to be a marine on screen for a period of time. Since then his promos have got more cliched and corny, his t-shirts get brighter and more eye-popping, but still he generates obscene amounts of money for the company. Now in his super-hero, cant-be-defeated gimmick, one which has existed for nearly 4 years, to many has become very stale, and in need of change.

The future for Cena looks to be more of the same, yet the thought of him taking the heat he receives from the crowd and turning into a full-on villain similar to the "Hollywood Hogan" heel turn back when he was in the NwO is a mouthwatering prospect, it seems incredibly unlikely, especially has Cena adressed all this in his contract signing with CM Punk this past Monday on raw. He spoke on the "Five moves of doom", "heel turns" amongst other things, and it seems clear that we will see alot more of the same from Cena, who if we similar performances to last months "Money in the bank" pay-per-view, may not necessarily be a bad thing.



<>

"We hate Cena guy"



For many, especially the "We hate Cena" guy, John Cena is a stale, stagnant character who is in dire need of dramatic change to maintain interest and any kind of support from the older wrestling fan. However, the question of people having enough of him, the reaction speak for themselves. Whether people love him or hate him, they let him know.

Im wrestling the old saying is "the day to quit is the day you get a reaction from the crowd". If that;s the case, John Cena isn;t going away anytime soon.

The Carling cup has us hungover.

Whilst looters and mobsters and various "Grand Theft Auto" impersonators entrench this week into British lore, most football clubs are preparing for the 1st round of the "carling cup" (West Ham, Bristol CIty, Charlton and Crystal Palace have all had games postpones). A cup competition, which over the years has provided football fans with joyous, life-affirming moments, for my club (Oxford) up until last year, the "Milk Cup" win of '86 was far and away the pride and joy of the football club.

I beg the question though, is the Carling Cup dead? Or if not dead, is it on life support?

Last season, we saw a thoroughly entertaining final, a final in which Arsenal tried to break their 5 year duck of trophyless seasons. For Arsenal, only winning a pre-season cup which they host is all the trophy cabinet has had added to it since 2005, so against Birmingham, as odds-on favourites, it seemed a formality.

What ensued was a well fought, even encounter where Birmingham's Serbian giant Nikola Zigic opened the scoring only for that to be cancelled out by Robin Van Persie, who squared things up just before the half. A nervy second half, where every pass was met with a bouquet of jitters frome ach set of supporters before like every great, the dramatic late twist stunned the audience to there core. In this case, it was a piece of calamitous defending from Laurent Koscielney which led to former Newcastle striker Obefami Martins the simplest of finishes, as he stroked the ball into the open, gaping net, where the ripples of said net was met with a pure, euphoric roar from 35,000 screaming "Brummies". The final will always have magic!

Whilst the latter stages, and the final will always be special, as winning is always special, what about the prize, the place in the Europa League. A tournament with dwindling attendances, lots of games, and an excuse to play fringe players and youngsters, yet still charge the same, astronomical prices. Similar to the carling cup.

My biggest problem with the competition is the new rule the football league implemented to seed and regionalise the draw. I understand, and wholeheartedly agree with regionalising the first two rounds, due to the games being mid-week and trips to Carlisle, Newcastle, Middlesbrough probably aren;t sought after by Torquay, Exeter and Plymouth, to name a few. So, dividing the draw into regions is understandable, smart and a very clever way to try increase said dwindling attendances.

However, the seeding of the draw is what, to me, is killing this cup. In what must be the worst change since "Saved by the bell" brough Tori in at the end of the fourth series, the football league have attempted to protect the bigger clubs in the draw. Once again, the smaller clubs in the draw, wildly overlooked are being forced into playing the better teams in the draw, which in turn, costs alot of them a shot at a real "glamour tie" in the 3rd round. For Oxford, we face Cardiff at home. Cardiff, a pretty standard championship club, decent support, very good squad and will be in the top 10 in the championship judging by previous seasons. For Oxford, bar an upset, the chance of defeat seems very likely, meaning we would be out of the cup, without making any serious money, and no chance of a Tottenham, Chelsea or Arsenal in round 3.

The carling cup isn't dead, but does anyone know CPR, because it definately needs new life.

A view from the Emirates

This past Sunday, the second day of the aptly named "Emirates Cup", 60,000 football fans all packed the Emirates stadium, all back to see one man, Thierrey Henry! The French striker, arguably the greatest player in Premier League history was back after 3years. After leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona, Henry completed his cycle of accolades winning the Champions league (the final trophy after the World Cup, Premier League and the F.A Cup). Now in New York, plying his trade for the Red Bulls, becoming third memeber of the trio (Beckham and Donovan) as the three big names to help to promote the game of "Soccer" across the pond.

Arriving at the Emirates after the patented crowded London tube system where oxygen and space are seldom to say the least, and passing the street vendors and fanzine sellers, the concourse of the marvellously constructed stadium lies in front. A spacious, state-of-the-art arena, more than an upgrade visually on the decrepid, yet somehow charming surroundings of Highbury was entering it's 6th season as the home of Arsenal.

Onto the games themselves, the first of which pitted the Argentine giants Boca Juniors, the 23 time champions of Argentina matched wits with Paris-St Germain, who with there new middle-eastern investors find themelves as a Machester City type figure in French football. The game itself, not much of a contest, as when i got too my luxurious, padded seat (wasn't in a executive seat, just the norm) 2 minutes into the second half, the side from the Fremch capital were 2-0 ahead, and cruising to a comfortable victory.

With the match almost a non-entity, which with all truth, these two teams were in regards to this tournament, it was the small troop of Boca Juniors fans wildly cheering and celebrating there team with a consistent 45 minute chant partnered with the twirling and bopping of umbrella's creating a lively, colourful atmosphere doused in blue and yellow. For the Arsenal fan's unsure of how to react, they stared at these fans like they were a crying child, as if they were the outcast of the supporters at the ground.

As the match drew to it's conclusion, and PSG notched a 3rd goal to complete the dominant outing against there South American counterparts. Then onto the main event, Arsenal against the favourite son, the son garnering a monumental ovation as he ran onto the pitch for his pre-match warmups. The warmups ran there course, the player exited stage left to the tunnel and the crowd prepared for the two teams retake the field.

Before the players could enter the field, I underwent a wave of shock, met with embarassment and comedy as the Emirates announcer started announcing the Arsenal 11. When announcing the players starting, the PA would call the first name, then leave the crowd to shout the surname of the specific player, a intricacy questionable on it's own, let alone when they got to new Ivorian attacker "Gervinho" and the hilarity of splitting his name into two. The speaker roaring a "number 22..GER-VEEN" met with a shameful "YOOOOO" from the gooner faithful,

As the game started and the pre match love-in with King Thierrey ran it's course, the Arsenal fans, not notrious for their atmospheric, decibel-smashing ways tried to start there inventine chants of a montonous "Arsenal", followed up with "Come on Arsenal" before stealing the show with the totally unique " Stand 'ap if you 'ate Tottnum",  in my best attempt to write a cockney accent.

Arsenal scored just before half time, Dutch talisman Robin Van Persie (who then got a chant of his own) found the net with a header, although, without heaping too much praise, it should be noted the Red Bulls' goalie was so out of position, he may aswell have been in Scotland with his pathetic jusdgement cllecting the cross.

In the blaring sunshine, the Arsenal stewards surpassed any before them, and soared to the top of the pantheon of "idiotic set/mind-numbingly stupid" as three men were jettisoned from the stadium for removing there shirts in the intense London heat. Rather than asking the gentleman to put their shirts back, the stewards, two of them, strolled down with a unnecessary sense of importance and removed all 3 for an offence, that if Van Persie committed after his goal, would've seen him cautioned, not sent-off.

After a quiet game, Thierrey Henry who with an array of intelligence and skill put a through ball on a plate for tricky, pacy winger Dane Richards whose cross was converted by Kyle Bartley into his own net, to give Red Bulls' an equaliser, and what turned out to be the tournament-winning goal. Undoubtedly a bittersweet moment for Henry, was met with fans in two minds of wheter to celebrate or voice there frustration on what was unfolding before them, they did both!

The whistle went on the game, and the Arsenal fans further embarassed themselves with a chorus of boo's, a sign of discontent on the goings-on at Arsenal. Arsenal fans, depreived of any real trophies, as a friendly tournament they host against a clusterfuck of average teams doesn't count in any shape or form as success.

On the whole, a magnificent stadium, with astronomical pricing, being occupied by a teamand a set of fans who don't seem up to the task of doing justice to what came before it...sounds a bit like the national team, doesn't it?

WWE just got Punk'd

Punk

For months, speculation has been rife regarding the future of WWE "superstar" CM Punk. With his contract expiring this summer, for the past few months, wrestling insiders have been debating the likelihood of him resigning. However the WWE saw a potential storyline, and decided to embed the real-life contract negotiations, and transform them into an ongoing storyline.

A few weeks back, after being named number 1 contender for John Cena (everyones' favourite white rapper turned marine turned superhero) WWE championship at the Money in the bank pay-per view (Sunday 1am BST), Punk intruded on a tables match between Cena and the recently turned schizophrenic headcase R-Truth. After costing Cena victory, it's what happened next that shocked the "WWE universe" to it's very core.

After the match, Punk strolled up the ramp, sat down (his way of proclaiming his faith, a common trait in his Nexus faction) and unleashed a verbal tirade, inwhich he didn't just break the fourth wall, he smashed it. Punk began by saying his contract is up on July 17th, and that he would be leaving the company, and would be doing so with the world title. He went on to refer to his opponent Cena, adored by the young, despised by the old, an "ass-kisser". He questioned why the marketing from the top of the company limited his endorsement and advertising opportunities. After saying he wouldn't leave wrestling, stating that he could defend the title in "New Japan Pro Wrestling" or "Ring of Honor", where he originally made a name for himself, Punk went on to lambast the "chairman of the board", and owner, Vince McMahon.

Punk teased the idea that perhaps giving McMahon's ego and strong-armed ways that the company would be "better off after Vince McMahon was dead", however then pondered the implications of it being taken over by his daughter (Stephanie McMahon) and "doofus son-in-law" (Triple H). After having his mic cut off to end the show, WWE.com almost immediately announced that Punk had been suspended indefinately. Although the suspension was lifted the following week after Cena castigated McMahon for his inability to to accept Punk's freedom of speech.

This past Monday on Raw, the last prior to the pay-per-view, Punk, back on the microphone, and Vince were partaking in "live contract negotiations", only to be interrupted by Cena before both could sign the agreement. Cena came out and called Punk a "hypocrite", leading Punk into another of his now signature, and always entertaining verbal tongue-lashings. This time Punk called Cena- a 10 time world champion, a "hypocrite" also, citing he had become everything he had hated. After claiming he was the underdog, and Cena no longer was the underdog, just like the Boston Red Sox (which did little to endear him to the Boston crowd) he went on to say that Cena had become a "dynasty", that he'd become the "New York Yankees".

Cue a minor brawl.

The sign from Hammersmith ballroom.

This Sunday's pay-per-view will undoubtedly see the most partisan crowd in the company since "ECW One Night Stand" where Cena, who was as wildy unpopular with adults then, as he is now took on "ECW original" Rob Van Dam. The crowd that night chanted obscenities at Cena, threw objects from the seats, and then a comedic moment where Cena threw his t-shirt in the crowd, several times, with it being thrown back every time. Van Dam won the match, and the championship, meaning the sign in the crowd "If Cena wins we riot" didn;t have to come to fruition.

This Sunday, Punk, a Chicago native will have hometown advantage,and with his unrivalled mic skills, and perfect balance of pure mat-based wrestling and brawling style will see a conversely different style to Cena's pure brawling style, with his "Wrestling skills" long been in question, this has all the ingredients to be a match where opposites would attract.

If Punk does leave after this ppv, WWE would be missing a chance to smash open a cash pinata, as Punk, who is the most valued commodity in the company right now, the hero the elder fans, and the anti-hero to the young ones. WIth the WWE short of marketable wrestlers at this point, Cena will always sell merchandise, as the crowds any city in any country will be painted with his unique t-shirts (usually a bright coloured t-shirt doused in motivational words, hustle, loyalty, respect long being his slogan).

For the first time in years the IWC (international wrestling community) have a vesting interest in the outcome of a match, maybe since Van Dam won. As, even though scripted, this is a chance for the WWE to keep Punk by giving him an extended run with the title, something he;s never had (just 3 short reigns) and finally showing that Cena isn;t unbeatable and giving him some time off the show (something that's rumoured is both are looking for a bit of time off to nurse injuries).

Elsewhere on the pay-per view, the "Apex predator" Randy Orton takes on Christian in what is becoming hte most...only intriguing aspect of "Friday Night Smackdown". After Orton won the World Heavyweight championship off Christian 5 days after he won it, "Captain Charisma" has undergone a personality change (or a "heel turn" in wrestling terminology) and become a full-on villain. The two have undergone some brilliant matches in the previous two pay-per views, and i'd expect to see Christian win this match.

The two signature "Money in the bank" matches, an 8 man ladder match where the winner pulls a briefcase down that contains a contract for a championship match any time they want. Everyone MITB winner has gone on to win the title. This year I would expect to see the Mexican aristocrat Alberto Del Rio to win the Raw ladder match, and British brawler Wade Barrett, who has been buried from the booking, going from WWE title matches last November to being defeated in an Intercontinental title match, a title with almost no relevance anymore.

The early parts of the show will pit "The Worlds Strongest Man" Mark Henry against "The Worlds Largest Athlete" Big Show, with a combined weight of around 800 lbs (roughly 55stone) will see a unique match, and will be an exhibition of power and strength, although those who love technical wrestling, maybe go get a drink during this one.

With this being of the most anticipated wrestling events in recent memories, I would recommend not missing it, especially as it's free on sky sports to sky subscribers.

Gonzo!!

The Next AL MVP?

Mark Teixeira, Miguel Cabrera and Paul Konerko. One thing besides being in the elite class of first baseman, they have all shared something this year. They've all been in the shadow of Adrian Gonzalez in baseball's first half. Since being acquired in the winter, for a package of prospects, headlined by Casey Kelly (#23 ranked prospect in the majors), Gonzalez has transcended the Red Sox lineup, taking over the number 3 spot, and putting up astronomical numbers.

Along with his 17 home runs, "Gonzo" has 77 RBI's and is hitting at a .354 clip, both of which are first in the AL. Leading two out of the three triple crown categories, and having just inked a 7 year 154 million dollar contract, it's still rare to hear or see Adrian talking to the media, and when he does, still remains a humble, grounded individual with the hunger to improve further.

To go along with the triple crown stats, new-age sabermetrics display the break-out, dominant season Gonzalez is having.

4th in WAR (Wins Above Replacement)
3rd in OPS (On-base plus Slugging)
4th in WRC+ (weighted runs created)

With numerous sabermetric stats showing Gonzalez is having, arguably the best season since David Ortiz in 2006, the seven years Gonzalez is due to have at Fenway Park seem to be a match made in heaven.With his swing so elegant and graceful, deceiving pitchers with his ability to hit any pitch in any location, it seems likely that Gonzalez is likely to win the MVP this year, and igniting, somewhat premature comparisons to former Red Sox great, Carl Yazstremski.

My ten greatest sporting moments.

Scanning through "Twitter" yesterday as i battled the realms of boredom, i noticed that trending on the site was the caption #1goaluwillneverforget. Immediately I thought of one certain goal, the standout if you will, which will be revealed later in the list, although anyone who knows me could tell you.

However this got me to thinking, why limit to football, and why limit to goals, so with that in mind, I decided to devise my list of sporting memories. I stuck with just 10, shuffling the order in the duration, but these are my top 10 memories.

10) Everton 0-1 Oxford

Despite this being a great moment following Oxford, one of the first times following Oxford wasn't full of bitter disappoinments and flattering to deceive, it starts sour. The home game prior to the trip to Goodison, the half-time break consisted of a prize draw, between me and another kid. The prize- being mascot and leading the team out. I lost a 50-50! Typical!

The game itself was miraculous, back when the Carling Cup was called the Worthington Cup, and back when the 2nd round was played over two legs. The early 00's, not the dark ages. The first game ended 1-1 at the Manor, a game if i'm being completely honest, I don't have any memory of. The 2nd leg, a Joey Beachaump wonder strike went past the goalie (Thomas Myhre if i remember rightly) and the floundering Division 1 side (Championship to anyone under 15) stun the Premier league big-wigs. The real win is that this got "giant killing of the month" in the Sky sports annual.

9) Twice is nice.

Although I don't support the New England Patriots, i've always rooted for them after the 49ers season deflates into nothingness, after more bad coaching, ownership, drafting...rinse, lather, repeat.

After the Pats beat the Rams in 2001, behind young, unproven Quarterback Tom Brady (amusing looking back), in was the single-greatest underdog victory in Superbowl history (Vegas had Rams 14 point favourites) the Patriots had to prove it wasn;t a one time thing.

Two years later, the tables flipped one-eighty as the Patriots were heavily favoured over the resurging Carolina Panthers (a team who finished 1-15 the previous year, hope for next year for them then?) The game itself, a remarkable game, a game in which Mike Vrabel, a hard-tackling defender showed slick hands filling in at tight end to catch a touchdown (the football comparison is the Tony Adams 1998 goal to seal the title against Everton). The Pats won a high scoring game 32-29 and for the second time in three years, it was Adam Vinatieri's boot whoch won the Patriots the Vince Lomardi trophy.

The following year they repeated, and it officially became a dynasty.

8) Wales 2-1 Italy

After a win in Helsinki to kick-off the Euro 2004 qualification, Wales faced a great test against an Italy team full of world class talent, Nesta, Buffon, Maldini, Totti, etc. I was at this game, and like most times watching Wales (co-incidentally this may be the last time Wales played well), a thought of a win was more pipe-dream than a hint of reality.

After 11 minutes, the world underwent a paradigm shift when Simon Davies put Wales in front, and left the Millenium Stadium in a combination of ecstacy and shock. Twenty minutes later order was somewhat restored when Alessandro Del Piero put the ball in Paul Jones net and the inevitable Italian was seeming increasingly likely.

As the second half progressed, Wales playing way way above themselves (like a 6 chatting up a solid 9 in the bar and the charm working), and when Craig Bellamy scored what ended up being the winner with twenty minutes remaining.

A great win for Wales, the poster win of the great 2004 run, which ended in a playoff defeat to Russia.

7) The comeback!

Late on a Sunday night, with school looming the following morning, a Monday, with the inability to fall asleep I went downstairs and flicked the TV on. Working my way through the channels, finding less than nothing on to fill the void of sleep. Going through the sports channels I settled on "Live NFL", and a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants. The game, midway through the third quarter, saw the 49ers trailing 38-14, in what the commentators were referring to as an "unassailable lead".

The 49ers began the 4th quarter 38-22 behind and still searching for somewhat of a miracle, and found it with a 17 point quarter, failing a 2 point conversion on their last score to make it a 3 point game. I remember the Giants driving  to end the game and getting into field goal range only to botch the snap and lose the game.

From that moment, I signed myself up to the life of torment and followed the 49ers.

6) Beating the Scum.

Something you learn very young supporting Oxford United is to detest Swindon Town, detest the club, the fans, the players, the staff. That's the theory and the first Oxford-Swindon game you attend is like a rite of passage.

In my years of this rivalry, i've had the opportunity to go to one game between the two teams (until August 20th). The one game, an FA Cup 2nd round tie, live on BBC, full house at the Kassam Stadium, a deafening, partisan atmosphere. Swindon, who were a league above Oxford were favourites heading into the game, led by striker Danny Invincible (by name, not nature).

I remember it as a nip and tuck game, with precious few chances, the solitary goal scored by Jefferson Louis, although Steve Basham claimed it, cue wild celebrations and a nervy finish to the end. Relief and pride circled around Oxfordshire after the win...oh, and the small matter of Arsenal in the third round would of been a welcome bonus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hce7oyZ7__E (highlights from the second half)

5) Seventeen!

For the Boston Celtics, there had been very little to cheer about since Larry Bird retied in the early 1990's. In 1998, the Celtics drafted forward Paul Pierce out of Kansas. Pierce spent the first 8 years of his career being the "franchise player" for the Celtics. However, with not much support, and few playoff appearances, it was no surprise when there were rumblings of a disgruntled Pierce wanting out of Boston after a terrible season, where they earned a lottery pick in the draft.

With that in mind, the front office got to work, acquring Ray Allen, a three point shooting machine (who become the all time 3 point king this past season) . They didn't stop their however, and sent ripples all across the NBA when they shifted pieces to Minnesota and packaged a deal to the Timberwolves for "The Big Ticket" Kevin Garnett. With the newly named big 3 in toe, the Celtics stormed out the blocks, going 20-3 in their first 23 games.

Ending with 66 wins, the Celtics struggled early in the postseason, needing 7 game to get by the Atlanta Hawks. They needed 7 more games to beat LeBron James and some other guys who made up the Cleveland Cavaliers (The Pierce-LeBron battle which was severely underrated). In the conference final, they got past the Detroit Pistons in 6 games, booking a date (or 6) with the old enemy Los Angeles Lakers.

After the first three games went with home court (Celtics 2-1), the C's won game 4 in the "Staples Centre" before winning there first NBA title in 22 years with a 39 point massacre in game 6 back home in the "TD Garden". The win was the Celtics 17th NBA Championship, and fitting that Paul Pierce was the Finals MVP.

4) 90 minutes away!

After the heartache of the Exeter play-off semi final 4 years previous, where Exeter beat Oxford on penalties after recovering from a 1-0 first leg deficit to win 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium and reaching Wembley on penalties.

Fast forward to 2010, after a 1-1 draw at Nene Park, Oxford and Rushden did battle again for the right to go to Wembley to play in the play-off final. Like all games of this magnitude, it was tense all around the ground, moreso for Oxford fans, for whom promotion was far more crucial for than Rushden & Diamonds (those reading in the future, Rushden and Diamonds are a football club who used to play in Irthlingborough

and at one point made the 3rd tier of English football).

With the game still all square early in the second half, two goals in 4 second half minutes from James Constable, then Matt Green (those two combined for 36 goals that season) put Oxford within touching distance of the playoff final.

When the final whistle went, a pitch invasion ensued, however with the sceptic in me taking over, I didn't celebrate this game, as winning a semi final is pointless unless you win the final, it's like watching a movie, and leaving just before the end.

3)  Lord Stanley's return.

Our most recent addition to the group. The whole playoffs for the Bruins was like the Rocky saga (well the first 5). The first round, they finally overcame the old foe, the Montreal Canadiens, or the Apollo Creed of this metaphor. Moving on to the Philladelphia Flyers, who like Clubber Lang won the first fight/series, only for the Bruins/Rocky to gain vengenance and retribution.

Next should be Drago, but this metaphor isn't chronologically accurate. Next it's Tommy Gunn, or the Tampa Bay Lightning, the young up and coming superstar(s) (ok, maybe not Marty St.Louis) took the first blow, only for the wily elder veteran to step up and put the kid in his place.

Last up, the Drago, or the Vancouver Canucks. To be more specific, I thought up this metaphor thinking about Luongo's transition from home to road games, I found it to be similar to the part in Rocky IV when Rocky hits Drago, and once he's hit, he's easy prey. For the first two games, Luongo beat up on the Bruins, and looked set to be difference-maker in the series, but once the Bruins hit him once, they didn't stop hitting, and eventually put the knock-out blow on the Canucks.

The Bruins parade garnered the support of 1.5 million people in the streets of Boston, the most attended parade of all 4 of the major sports in the New England area.

2) ...Back to Foulke

For 86 years, Red Sox fans had to suffer, watch the Yankees win numerous titles, and listen to ramblings and rumblings of "The curse of the bambino". I started supporting the Red Sox in May 2003, so my first postseason was that season, or as Red Sox fans remember it, "Grady f*****g Little and Aaron f*****g Boone".

The following year, the Yankees and the Red Sox met again in the ALCS, the Yankees took two close game at Yankee Stadium (the old charismatic one, not the bandbox they play in now), with Mariano Rivera getting the save in both. Game 3, looked like it was the death warrant for the Red Sox, after they were humilated 19-8 at Fenway Park.

The next night down a run in the 9th inning, Rivera on the mound, it looked curtains. The rest of the series, why don't i just quote the abominaton that is "Fever pitch" to tell you the rest of the series.

"Rivera walked Millar...Roberts pinch runs and steals second...Mueller drives him....Ortiz wins it in extra innings.... Ortiz in extra innings the next night...Lowe and Pedro find there form....Schilling's bloody sock in New York...Damon's grand slammy...Bye Bye Bambino."

Yes, the Red Sox became the first team to overturn a 3 game deficit, and rallied to win four straight and go to the "World Series" and face the St.Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox swept the Cardinals in a series where game 2,3 and 4 were dominated by Red Sox pitching, and the superhuman effort by Keith Foulke, the closer , who fielded the bouncer right back at him, which led to Joe Buck calling this bit of commentary...

"back to Foulke....Red Sox fans have longed to hear it, the Boston Red Sox are the world champions"

For Red Sox fans who thought they wouldn't ever live to see it, the odyssey was over for them.

The Red Sox won the Championship again in 2007, and this could easily have slotted in th top 10 (around 5 or 6) but I thought I would group them together. The Red Sox had antoehr comeback in the ALCS in '07 (from 3-1 down to the Cleveland Indians) then sweeping the Colorado Rockies.

The days of curses are long gone, like a decent Adam Sandler film.

1) Oxford United are back in the Football league !!!

The game that followed the Rushden game, at Wembley, in a sea of yellow and blue, 33,000 Oxford United fans taking over London. Everything about the day, from the train ride, to the pre match, to the game itself was nerves personified.

Oxford scored two early goals, a great strike from Green and an accomplished finish from Constable had Oxford 2-0 up within 20 mins. The delirioum in the stands was reciprocated all throughout the yellow half of the ground, although a shock to the system occured when 'keeper Ryan Clarke dropped a Ben Purkiss cross (who ironically signed for Oxford about 6 weeks later).

2-1 half-time

Second half saw York have the majority of chances and possession, and had a golden opportunity to level through Michael Rankine, but he blazed over. Then in injury time, from a york corner, Rhys Day won a header and...well this is the ogal i won;t forget, my dad won;t forget, no Oxford fan will forget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fvMtHhhr5I&feature=related - Just note the crowd reaction to note the amount of relief.

For me, who had held my dad accountable for his "come and watch Oxford" talk when I was 5. 5? What could I say, "no Dad, i'd rather watch "countdown". I went, I become an addict, he told me it wasn't always great, but it wasn't always bad. For 12 years thought it was mainly bad, three relegation, from the second tier, to the third, to the fourth, in the midst of anonymity, we fell further, completely off the football radar.

Well all this was happening i was envious, envious that all older Oxford fans had a promotion in the mid 90's, the Milk Cup in 1986, the days in the top flight. I watched other teams have success, sat waiting for it to us.

For a long spell, in the drab months of the football season, the ones where you go to places like Grays and Tamworth, because you can, when you're in mid table nothingness playing the seaosn out. Those months felt longer, there was neve rmuch to shout and sing about, but finally that's begun to change, from winning at Wembley, to being back in the league, and even being tipped for another promotion. I can now say, my Dad made the right decision taking me to the Manor.

*Sidenote, if the day comes where Oxford gain promotion to the premier league, or the 49ers win a superbowl, this list should, I imagine remain the same. And given the two examples i've given, it seems more likely we see Amy Winehouse sober and Lindsay Lohan in a stable home-life before either of my examples come through.