Tuesday 30 June 2009

Has Michael Jackson died?

A little off my normal topic but this made me laugh. John Campbell's take on the media perception of celebrity deaths. So true. Check out John's other cartoons at Pictures for sad children.





Don't worry, it will all be over soon, there's the final of Big Brother to write about and it won't be long before the football season starts up again.

Friday 26 June 2009

Top 5 Flags of the World

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I've had the joy of a managerial training course at work and a long weekend of decorating at home. With the school summer holidays on the horizon my posting may get a bit sporadic but bare with me and I'll do my best to keep the top fives coming. Something quick then to get me started again, this list based largely on aesthetics.

1. South Africa



2. Spain



3. United Kingdom



4. Croatia



5. Brazil


Monday 1 June 2009

Top 5 French footballers

Last week I was able to capitalise on my "Internet fame" by attending a screening of the new Ken Loach film "Looking For Eric". It features Eric Cantona (as himself) providing some psychotherapy to a Manchester postman whose life has gone off the rails. Well worth a watch if you get the chance. Anyway, as these things do, it got me thinking about my favourite French footballers. To avoid being desperately predictable I've excluded any of the Frenchman that played for Fulham (Louis Saha, Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque would have been shoe-ins otherwise).

1. Eric Cantona
King Cantona. Without a doubt the Frenchman I would have most enjoyed seeing in a Fulham shirt. He grabbed my attention at Leeds and then moved to another level with Man Utd at a point when they were just beginning their domination of British football.



2. Michel Platini
Silky skills that caught my eye during the '82 World Cup and lay the foundations for the great French team that was to eventually win the World Cup in '98. Played in the magic square midfield anchored by former Fulham manager Jean Tigana.



3. Thierry Henry
Set the Premier League alight for several seasons. Goals, goals, goals. I can't resist a goal scorer and Henry was one of the best.



4. Zinedine Zidane
As with so many overseas players, it took me a while to fully appreciate Zizou but oh what a player.



5. Patrick Viera
Fabulously talented "defensive" midfielder who turned out to be so much more. One of the first of the game's modern athletes and a player Arsenal still really need to replace.