Exiled in Texas

Mindless Center Back passing. You see it all the time....CB passes to CM, but they are facing the CM and pass right back to the CB. CB then passes to other CM who is also facing the CB and passes right back to them . CB then passes out to outside mid, who passes right back to him. Not sure if it crappy decision making by the CB who passes to players who are already being closed down, or bad skill by the Midfielders who cannot take posession. And then to make it worse....the commentator Ooohs and Ahhhh over the fabulous string of passes. Meanwhile they have made no progress up the field, haven't beaten anyone and then hoof it up field as they are out of ideas.

I read that Krul came on in 2nd half - what happened to Harper?

Too funny.

That's absolutely fair enough, its when they're 10 yards away in a great position and make ridiculous decisions. Same goes for linesmen. Assistant Referees OK - I'll stop now. I'm just kidding.

Clearly, you've never refereed a game. Try it, because it's really an eye-opener. Not picking a fight, just saying that until you try it, it looks much easier than it really is. I meant in the grand scheme of things. As in like comparison to I dunno, working in Primark on the Saturday before Christmas. I've never done that either mind, but I imagine it's harder than refereeing a Premier League match. Maybe, but Primark workers don't have instant replay with national coverage when you get the price wrong or drop an item. Even for me only doing youth games (U10 through U19) and high school games here in texas you always have moments where you think "what is the exact call and restart that I need to make", did I really make the right call. Lot's of judgement calls about what it/is-not a foul, offside or infringement. Should you, shouldn't you, call it, don't call it, what if I do, what if I don't. It's really fun to get some good games in, but there are lots of times when you know that "everyone" hates you no matter what you call. That's why the referee always back's into their parking spot, so they can have a quick get-away.

Clearly, you've never refereed a game. Try it, because it's really an eye-opener. Not picking a fight, just saying that until you try it, it looks much easier than it really is. {edit} need better smilie :-)

Maybe as a certified ref, I see things differently. My pet peeves.... Commentators (well, mainly Tommy Smythe) calling for every ball touching a hand in the Penalty area a hand ball. No concept of judging the "Intent". Pundits who don't know the laws of the game. Nothing worse than them ranting and raving about something, that is completely wrong in LOTG.

Think once, think twice, think......

Everton FC did a similar event in Canada. It was on Fox Soccer Channel, and was typical reality TV fare. Showed them having open trials in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, selecting their call back list, then picking 30 or so players to enter the training camp. They whittled down the players, with several games (both intra-squad, and against local opposition) before selecting their winner. The winner was offered a scholarship to the Everton Youth Academy in England. It probably ran as a TV series for 6 or 8 shows. Quite interesting show for those interested in the game.

"Pet" stars in tribute to Sir Bobby - From BBC.co.uk http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8342961.stm Stars of the television programme Auf Wiedersehen Pet have reformed to make a charity record in aid of the late Sir Bobby Robson's cancer charity. Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy have recorded a new version of the Geordie anthem The Blaydon Races. It has a new verse in honour of the County Durham-born former England, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town manager, who died in July aged 76.

Nike or Puma. I don't think that Adidas kits suit Newcastle because of the clash of stripes. Adidas are desperate to put their three-stripe trim on all their kits, and it clashes with our own stripes. I think that's why the Nike "inter" style kit was such a big hit here, because it was a really clean looking design.

Well played offside trap Being a referee

Bar Newcastle United, who is your favourite team? Arsenal, Juventus and Boca Juniors Which team do you hate the most? Chelsea Who is your favourite player? Camoranesi and Amauri Which player do you have the most hatred for? Drogba

The passion of the city towards it's team, and the matchday buzz that affects the whole town on a Saturday.

Done. Well worth it.

As for celebrations....was always a big fan of Mick Channon's one arm windmill. Of course back then there wasn't much footy on the TV so you didn't get to see too many, and there certainly wasn't all the planned "look at me" celebrations. I did like my son's celebration when he was first playing footy in Texas aged about 4. Broke through, sloted home and without breaking stride peeled away in a nice aeroplane. Got a nice laugh from the parents that day.

And the guy in blue next to him is saying "Hey, smell this!!"

So what happens if they get relegated from the Premier League - down to the championship they should go, and not back to SPL. Once they leave the Scottish leagues they should have not route back. But it does raise the question (as noted above) about Hibs/Hearts and the Dons.

Could someone make that a emoticon? Here you are! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/pmrye/Smilies/clapping.gif

I see Red X, but I'm guessing it's Katherine Jenkins from the Ronnie Gill. Yup, great set of pipes on her. Eh? Pretty sure she's never been a reporter for the Ronnie like! OK, Katherine Jenkins photo from the chronicle. Some people....so picky..

I see Red X, but I'm guessing it's Katherine Jenkins from the Ronnie Gill. Yup, great set of pipes on her.

I'd love to see both those if they are YourTube etc. I bet they were truely hair raising.

Agree about the timekeeping. I referee in Texas both Highschool games and local youth leagues. In youth leagues the referee always keeps time, and adds whatever is appropriate. It's also the norm to let an attack finish (within reason). When I do highschool games, some use the stadium scoreboard to show time (and we signal start/stop to the timekeeper, as well as keep time on our own watches). In which case, when time it up, time is up. And you have the buzzer going for the end of the game right as an attack is going on or even as a shot is made. Makes for some fun moments at the buzzer. The funny thing is that coaches/players etc accept the official time on the scoreboard and the ending of the game to the second if it's on the board. But give you grief if it's kept by the referee. As much as I like the official time being kept on the stadium scoreboard (under the direction of the referee), there is something exciting about not knowing exactly how much time it left. Can you hang in there to keep the win? Can you get one more attack? It's more fun that teams knowing exactly how much time is left and running the clock out at the corner flag etc.

Ahhh, the world as we knew and loved it....

Stung by criticism, even though it was true....so here's my original composition. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/pmrye/italianmannequinspaint.jpg