Colin’s back

Who’s creating chances?  Colin knows.  Possibly.  Not sure that it tells us too much yet, but something to keep an eye on.  As with most of these statistical looks, it’s another small insight into a big game, but the more we know the more we know, right?

Shouts, etc

Big day today.  Barack and I both started new jobs, although he has until January befoe he officially begins his.

I wasn’t so fortunate, and started my new gig this morning.  So far so good.  I wore a suit jacket that didn’t match my suit trousers, but they were the same colour (near enough) and I don’t suppose anyone noticed.  I blame the… stupidity of me.   Never mind.   But serious work starts here.

Some important shouts:

Our old mate Brian has started a site about Minnesota Soccer.  I’m supremely envious of what Brian’s doing, getting in on the ground and chronicling everything as the sport develops in the region.   He has some impressive contacts and access already, and while a lot of the detail is not remotely relevant to folks in the UK (Brian covers everything!), you can’t help but admire his passion for the game.  He was there when the game was big in the 70s and he’s there on the spot as it grows again.  Top work.

Also notable, Matt and Adam at Crockatt & Powell are in Vogue magazine again.    Read those words… I mean…. Vogue?    Life never ceases to surprise does it?   The lads were listed as the best bookshop in the country by the Independent, now they’re in Vogue.   I shall leave it there, but seriously impressive.  If you didn’t know already, they have a shop in Lower Marsh near Waterloo, and a shop on the Fulham Road.  Go there.

Otherwise, nowt much to declare.  My sister’s coming to the Newcastle game on Sunday, so that’s good news.  Last time she watched Fulham Claus Jensen scored and we beat Everton, so that’s a fair omen from where I’m sitting.

Finally, I should pass on that about ten people a day are reaching this site having googled “Merry Christmas”.  How about that, eh?  I must have some kind of ties to Lapland or something.

That’s all for now…

Bend it like Bullard: SoccerPro, Copa Mondial, etc

I remember reading a David James Guardian column about football boots.  He talked about how in the current game players end up with all kinds of spurious boots technologies, none of which may make the slightest bit of difference.  He concluded by saying that according to most pro’s, the Adidas Copa Mondial boots are the best available, and cost about £70.  So why do manufacturers keep bringing out new technologies at higher and higher prices?

Money, of course.  You can pay well over a hundred quid for a pair of boots, and most of them seem to be made of weird plastic materials now.  This strikes me as being a bit strange, but then I don’t really understand these things.  I prefer the old school black boot.

So does Jimmy Bullard.   Here he is wearing some old school adidas boots during an England training session.  Pretty good, eh?

Despite being a terrible footballer, I am attracted to very good things, and have just received a pair of Copa Mondials in the post.  They’re softer than any football boots I’ve used before, and have a certain flexibility to them that would make better players than me drool.  Cliche perhaps, but wearing these boots is a bit like wearing slippers.  Seriously good.  They have a wonderful retro look, they’re great to play in, and, as David James says, they’re great value.  Now all that’s missing is the talent to make best use of them.  Oh well…

Some photos!

Aren’t they nice?

Made in Germany!

Rubber sole

You can get these from SoccerPro for $89, which is about £50 over here.  That’s serious value.  SoccerPro also sells a complete range of balls (I got a Diadora one), indoor football boots, kits, goal posts, everything really, all at good prices.  Have a look!