I have thought about blogging for some time. There is a lot of that goes through my noggin and I have aspired to get it down in writing for some time, making it accessible to whoever is interested. I hope you enjoy.

Dec 25^th – Jan 2^nd 2010

I love Xmas. Well I love the Christmas stretch. I actually dislike Christmas Day, no football. 26^th, 27^th, 28^th, 29^th was packed full of games, and some cracking fixtures. I still get that greed-induced excitement from opening copious amounts of presents on Xmas morning, however following the ritual frivolities of bucks fizz, gathering of friends and family and smashing the roast of the year, I am done with Xmas by circa 1600. This is the depressing period when you feel compelled to watch Dr Who as there is no football in sight; one becomes restless.

Those four special days made up for that agonising wait......and is a crucial period in the Premiership 2010/11. Teams can fall out of contention and do irreparable damage with 12 points on offer in 11 days.  From the new year onwards every point becomes that little more important and the pressure and tension heightens, with the onset of mind games characteristic. The team that can best cope with such demands and adapt to settle as a solid, fluid and functioning unit that can grind out results at critical times will end the season victorious.

Man Utd came a cropper at Birmingham as their unconvincing away performances continue to hinder their charge towards yet another Premiership crown. Arsenal put in their performance of the season, albeit against a lacklustre Chelsea (who continue to plummet quicker than a Nick Clegg popularity rating) however followed that majesty up with a somewhat predictable dropping of points at Wigan. Then there’s Man City who, well, it’s hard to tell where they are at. Only at City can their star striker want to leave, they are out the title race, their manager faces the chop, they are back in the title race and Mario actually turns that frown upside down (I kid you not), all in the space of a week.

In those 4 days the Premiership came to life in which so much occurred in such a small period of time. This was symbolised by a typically blunt Alex Ferguson interview following the late drama at St Andrews, in which United were deprived another ‘win-to-nil’. The team is not playing to a standard that echoes their unbeaten run, however with Ferdinand and Vidic united they are so tough to beat. With this class duo marshalling, the Red Devils have conceded only 7 goals in the 12 games they have started together. With enough class in the squad to nick a goal United are a tasty ‘win-to-nil’ betting proposition in the Premiership, and I believe they will add such results to their away performances as long as these two stay fit.

Birmingham have to be the least creative team in the Premiership and despite their huffing and puffing looked odds-on to draw a blank against United on the 27th; that was until a classic ‘foul and handball’ combo by the giant Zigic. The ball found its way to the marauding ‘Busy’ Bowyer, and Sir Alex’s Xmas was ruined. Fergie’s post-match interview came as no surprise; the tone was stern, the dialogue repetitive (‘if the ref can’t see that, then what chance have you got’ x 3) and the face beet-red. You got the impression that he was willing to unleash proper hellish fury echoing that of an interrupted Christian Bale scene, a reaction no doubt exacerbated by Arsenal’s performance and near completion of a fully-fit squad, City’s refusal to go away and even Spurs’ consistent accumulation of points. Rafael van der Vaart is a stand-out 10/1 with Paddy Power to win PFA Player of the Year. At least for Sir Alex Chelsea look toothless and unusually bereft of confidence and ideas.

There is no doubt that we have a new character in the Premiership with Mario Balotelli and for this reason and the potential for ludicrous antics and misdemeanours I have decided to dedicate a section to the man himself. 

Despite his incessant sultry demeanour (I have seen a Chilean miner enjoy a day at work more), undoubted arrogance (‘’only Messi is better than me’’) and child-like temper (his petulant reaction to being subbed at West Ham) ‘Super’ Mario Balotelli has gained a couple of notches this week with the fashion item of the year.......

.....and the ‘slick-rick’-ness of his two penalties against the free-falling Villains. His non-appearance against Blackpool kept him uncharacteristically out of the spotlight for a few days. 

There are numerous footy-related topics that I wish to commentate on (Chelsea’s plight, the current state of football, post-World Cup 2018/2022 selection drama, lists, managers etc) but there isn’t enough time this week L.

Next update will be on Thursday 6^th January. Happy New Year folks.