Well I hope all you guys had a good Christmas, and that your New Years celebrations will be even better. I did, I think; judging by all the empties on Saturday morning, and the fact that I vaguely remember either Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
One thing that has been evident (throughout December for me) is the fact that this time of year really does drain the finances, credit crunch or not. When a quiet night out costs near enough £50 in the pub and you leave still sober you realise it's time to change tactics; similarily when a taxi fare costs £20 you know you're in the wrong line of work, being taken for a mug, or probably both !
For this reason, after the holiday period finishes (January 5th for me), it's time for belts to be tightened, and money saved for the summer months when I intend to do a lot of motorcycle racing. I'm not quitting the booze altogether like Will plans to do for the best part of two months, just I'll be drinking carry outs from the supermarket. I know pubs are only trying to stay afloat, but I'm going to look after number one and stretch my finances further.
I also intend to play online poker regularly and seriously, with a view to making some steady, if not spectacular, profits. I still have a small roll in PokerStars, so that is probably the best place for me to resume. Regular updates will hopefully see my participation in this blog become more prominant.
Other plans for this year are still in the pipeline, I have 3 options for early Spring, with DUSoP being amongst them; but more of that nearer the time.
A quick reflection over the past year throws up a mix of emotions and memories for me, but it's safe to say 2008, whilst low key, has been a better one for me than any other since around about 2005. I had memorable visits to DUSoP in March, Dundee in November and also attended numerous motorcycle race meetings. My operation, while a time of great stress has been a resounding success, and I can proudly declare that in the 6 months and 1 week (to the day) since the surgery was performed, I have lost just over 12 stone ! That's more than the mass of most of the other Troop members !
I'll finish off there for now, but thanks to everyone who has participated in writing or reading the blog during its first year; let's hope 2009 will see more Scooping, and here's hoping one or more of us could carry off a big scalp down the bookies or at the casino in the near future.
Mountain Man
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Happy New Year & 50 Day Challenge
Well another year is almost at an end and for me it has been a great year in many ways, possibly my best ever in terms of fun and enjoyment. It's a good time to be me!
I have however decided to quit alcohol for 50 days from 3rd January and will resume on Saturday 21st February. It will be tough and no-one gives me a prayer but I am confident I can last the duration and do it. This is welcome news for the Hat who can look forward to peaceful Saturday nights without drunken texts from me telling him I was chatting up his girlfriends mate in fatties! I look forward to losing lbs and gaining £££'s as a result. Others are welcome to join in the challenge although admittedly it is an impossible one to police!
Anyway here's to a happy, prosperous and profitable new year to all!
I have however decided to quit alcohol for 50 days from 3rd January and will resume on Saturday 21st February. It will be tough and no-one gives me a prayer but I am confident I can last the duration and do it. This is welcome news for the Hat who can look forward to peaceful Saturday nights without drunken texts from me telling him I was chatting up his girlfriends mate in fatties! I look forward to losing lbs and gaining £££'s as a result. Others are welcome to join in the challenge although admittedly it is an impossible one to police!
Anyway here's to a happy, prosperous and profitable new year to all!
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Welsh National - Chepstow 2.05
Don't have much time to write something up because heading off to a friend's for an Old Firm party - going to be very messy I think.
So anyways, got a extra bit of loose change after Harchibald won yesterday (got 9.8 on BF - thanks to boldie on blonde for highlighting Harchibald in this race so I had a look.
Pretty brutal going yesterday for Will below but I plan to help boost the Xmas wallet with:
High Chimes 10/1 BlueSQ (12.5 on BF)
Sea Diva 50/1 SkyBet (65 on BF)
GL everyone/anyone.
So anyways, got a extra bit of loose change after Harchibald won yesterday (got 9.8 on BF - thanks to boldie on blonde for highlighting Harchibald in this race so I had a look.
Pretty brutal going yesterday for Will below but I plan to help boost the Xmas wallet with:
High Chimes 10/1 BlueSQ (12.5 on BF)
Sea Diva 50/1 SkyBet (65 on BF)
GL everyone/anyone.
Friday, 26 December 2008
Boxing Day Bonanza
Merry Christmas all. Hope everyone had a good one.
Its a bumper day of racing today with 8 UK meetings and 3 Irish.With so many meetings though I always think it is best to avoid the junk racing at the likes of Sedgefield and concentrate on the big meetings. I've had a look at Kemptons big meeting and I have 2 selections for today.
2.05 Kempton - 3pts win Punjabi at 2.52 (Betfair)
This horse has the Grade 1 form in the race and comes into the contest in the form of his life. In his last four runs he has notched 2 Grade One hurdles victories and 2 flat victories inbetween. Add to that the trainer is in ridiculously good form. There are some decent rivals but the likes of Snap Tie and Pierrot Lunaire have a lot to prove and other like Blue Bajan, Harchibald and Straw Bear are all held on form. At this price things look perfect for me and anything above Evens is a good bet.
2.40 Kempton 3pts Lay Kauto Star@2.26
OK so Kauto Star has won this race the last two years and has won a Gold Cup. However there are a number of doubts against him for me. He was beaten when he fell last time and whilst he won the time before look at the horse that he beat that day - Light on the Broom and you can disregard the form as worthless. His last 2 runs when second in the Gold Cup and at Aintree proved his best days are gone. Normally in this situation it can be hard to find viable horses to beat it but I think there are at least 5 horses capable, not least of all Voy Pur Ustedes who at 5.3 himself is great value.
Happy punting all.
Its a bumper day of racing today with 8 UK meetings and 3 Irish.With so many meetings though I always think it is best to avoid the junk racing at the likes of Sedgefield and concentrate on the big meetings. I've had a look at Kemptons big meeting and I have 2 selections for today.
2.05 Kempton - 3pts win Punjabi at 2.52 (Betfair)
This horse has the Grade 1 form in the race and comes into the contest in the form of his life. In his last four runs he has notched 2 Grade One hurdles victories and 2 flat victories inbetween. Add to that the trainer is in ridiculously good form. There are some decent rivals but the likes of Snap Tie and Pierrot Lunaire have a lot to prove and other like Blue Bajan, Harchibald and Straw Bear are all held on form. At this price things look perfect for me and anything above Evens is a good bet.
2.40 Kempton 3pts Lay Kauto Star@2.26
OK so Kauto Star has won this race the last two years and has won a Gold Cup. However there are a number of doubts against him for me. He was beaten when he fell last time and whilst he won the time before look at the horse that he beat that day - Light on the Broom and you can disregard the form as worthless. His last 2 runs when second in the Gold Cup and at Aintree proved his best days are gone. Normally in this situation it can be hard to find viable horses to beat it but I think there are at least 5 horses capable, not least of all Voy Pur Ustedes who at 5.3 himself is great value.
Happy punting all.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Blades vs Palace - Preview
Sheffield United take on Crystal Palace tomorrow, with Neil Warnock returning to the club he supported as a boy and managed for seven years. His first match at the Lane since his departure was a scruffy, dismal game of football in the midst of the Bryan Robson era and he departed with a 1-0 win. This time, things should be even tastier, with United managed by Warn
ock’s long time number two, Kevin Blackwell – neither will want to lose, so expect a well fought, close battle.
Palace are the in form side, topping the form table with five wins and a draw from their last six matches, while United have struggled of late, losing three home matches in a row (albeit to Reading, Wolves and Burnley) – something which hasn’t happened since before Neil Warnock was at the lane – and scraping a last gasp point at Swansea, after a poor performance. It’s worth considering though, that Palace’s last game was a bit fortunate, a 2-1 win over ten man Doncaster, with a last minute winner and an earlier penalty, while other wins have come against Southampton, Norwich and Derby – four of the bottom seven sides - which slightly undermines their form.
I’ve always viewed Palace as a bit of a bogey side, but it seems we have an edge over them in recent years. In the last ten meetings, United lead six wins to three, with a single draw and if you consider two of those wins were last season, when Robson was in charge, the record doesn’t look so bad. However, in the last five league meetings at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, Palace have managed three wins to United’s two, in a WLWLW pattern.
The teams are very similar this season, in that neither scores a huge amount of goals, often relying on set pieces and that we are in seventh, one place ahead of them by virtue of a marginally better goal difference. Their top scorer (Kuqi) has scored a paltry six times in the league and Beattie has scored ten, but four of those have been penalties – the stats suggest this is going to be a very even, low scoring contest, probably decided by a refereei
ng decision or a jammy set piece. I also expect Warnock to line up with a 4-5-1, making it tricky for us to score – they’ve been playing an attacking 4-5-1 of late, but Warnock always likes to flood the midfield away from home and be a little more negative, so they’ll likely dig their heels in and defend for 60 minutes, before opening up a bit if they’re still level. As we’ve struggled this season to break down sides attempting this, I really can’t see many goals in this one.
It is disgraceful that Palace can be snapped up at a best price 13/5 on the high street (Ladbrokes) and a gargantuan 3.9 on Betfair; it really is a massive insult to Neil Warnock’s side and any gambler worth his or her salt should be considering gobbling it up on principle. I wanted to lay United when I saw that we were evens with William Hill (a ridiculously short price) but it seems we’re 2.16 on the exchanges, which is a bit more fair. I still think it’s a bit short, but as I’m skint, I’ll be leaving it. If I could be certain Kuqi will start (hamstring niggle, late fitness test) I’d likely back them.
Of the last ten meetings, just three have finished with fewer than 3 goals, but for the reasons stated previously, I just can’t see where the goals are coming from in this and I’m snapping up a good chunk of the 1.9 on Betfair for the under 2.5 goals market. I’m also going to do something I NEVER do and have a cheeky fiver on the draw, because at 3.5 it looks pretty juicy to me.
Good post again by Scott, looking forward to seeing how his bets pan out. Good luck all!
ock’s long time number two, Kevin Blackwell – neither will want to lose, so expect a well fought, close battle.Palace are the in form side, topping the form table with five wins and a draw from their last six matches, while United have struggled of late, losing three home matches in a row (albeit to Reading, Wolves and Burnley) – something which hasn’t happened since before Neil Warnock was at the lane – and scraping a last gasp point at Swansea, after a poor performance. It’s worth considering though, that Palace’s last game was a bit fortunate, a 2-1 win over ten man Doncaster, with a last minute winner and an earlier penalty, while other wins have come against Southampton, Norwich and Derby – four of the bottom seven sides - which slightly undermines their form.
I’ve always viewed Palace as a bit of a bogey side, but it seems we have an edge over them in recent years. In the last ten meetings, United lead six wins to three, with a single draw and if you consider two of those wins were last season, when Robson was in charge, the record doesn’t look so bad. However, in the last five league meetings at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, Palace have managed three wins to United’s two, in a WLWLW pattern.
The teams are very similar this season, in that neither scores a huge amount of goals, often relying on set pieces and that we are in seventh, one place ahead of them by virtue of a marginally better goal difference. Their top scorer (Kuqi) has scored a paltry six times in the league and Beattie has scored ten, but four of those have been penalties – the stats suggest this is going to be a very even, low scoring contest, probably decided by a refereei
ng decision or a jammy set piece. I also expect Warnock to line up with a 4-5-1, making it tricky for us to score – they’ve been playing an attacking 4-5-1 of late, but Warnock always likes to flood the midfield away from home and be a little more negative, so they’ll likely dig their heels in and defend for 60 minutes, before opening up a bit if they’re still level. As we’ve struggled this season to break down sides attempting this, I really can’t see many goals in this one. It is disgraceful that Palace can be snapped up at a best price 13/5 on the high street (Ladbrokes) and a gargantuan 3.9 on Betfair; it really is a massive insult to Neil Warnock’s side and any gambler worth his or her salt should be considering gobbling it up on principle. I wanted to lay United when I saw that we were evens with William Hill (a ridiculously short price) but it seems we’re 2.16 on the exchanges, which is a bit more fair. I still think it’s a bit short, but as I’m skint, I’ll be leaving it. If I could be certain Kuqi will start (hamstring niggle, late fitness test) I’d likely back them.
Of the last ten meetings, just three have finished with fewer than 3 goals, but for the reasons stated previously, I just can’t see where the goals are coming from in this and I’m snapping up a good chunk of the 1.9 on Betfair for the under 2.5 goals market. I’m also going to do something I NEVER do and have a cheeky fiver on the draw, because at 3.5 it looks pretty juicy to me.
Good post again by Scott, looking forward to seeing how his bets pan out. Good luck all!
Friday, 19 December 2008
Football Crazy
Had a brief look at the games for tomorrow and a few stand out bets as I believe the bookies continue to price up some of the Scottish league games wrongly.
Kilmarnock v. St. Mirren 11/10 Betfair
Kilmarnock should be odds on here. Kilmarnock are decent at home, winning 4 of 8, whilst St. Mirren have a fairly poor away record this season having lost 6 of their 9 games. A lot of people point to the draw in these types of games but Killie haven't drew any of their home games this season and St. Mirren likewise in their away games. Should be a fairly comfortable home win.
Dundee v. Partick Thistle 6/5 totesport
My home team have been going well since Jocky Scott took charge. Dundee have won the last 3 encounters between these sides at Dens and should be taken to continue that trend. Dundee's home form this season has been good with a recent win over a strong QOS side and a draw against top of the league St Johnstone. Partick have only one 1 of their away games this season.
Morton v. Ross County 13/10 bet365
Think you can get 6/4 on Betfair if you ask and that is simply ridiculous. Neither team going great guns this season in a tight division where home advantage is a major factor. Morton have had some strong home results this season and will beat County.
Will also be having a piece of Blackburn (10/11) and Sunderland (11/4).
If anyone else has any fancies please post them in the comments.
Kilmarnock v. St. Mirren 11/10 Betfair
Kilmarnock should be odds on here. Kilmarnock are decent at home, winning 4 of 8, whilst St. Mirren have a fairly poor away record this season having lost 6 of their 9 games. A lot of people point to the draw in these types of games but Killie haven't drew any of their home games this season and St. Mirren likewise in their away games. Should be a fairly comfortable home win.
Dundee v. Partick Thistle 6/5 totesport
My home team have been going well since Jocky Scott took charge. Dundee have won the last 3 encounters between these sides at Dens and should be taken to continue that trend. Dundee's home form this season has been good with a recent win over a strong QOS side and a draw against top of the league St Johnstone. Partick have only one 1 of their away games this season.
Morton v. Ross County 13/10 bet365
Think you can get 6/4 on Betfair if you ask and that is simply ridiculous. Neither team going great guns this season in a tight division where home advantage is a major factor. Morton have had some strong home results this season and will beat County.
Will also be having a piece of Blackburn (10/11) and Sunderland (11/4).
If anyone else has any fancies please post them in the comments.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Wimbledon 9.45 - Oaks Final
Tonight sees the final of the Oaks at Wimbledon and I've picked out a decent priced selection to hopefully make us a bit of cash. Ravello Drive comes from trap 5 tonight and has been improving throughout the heats. Indeed in winning her semi-final she managed to post the fastest time of the round, and in the quarters ran a fast 28.66 managing to beat Droopys Quinta (T1 tonight) despite crowding at the first corner.
In tonight's race there isn't much to separate the early pace of traps one to three and I forsee slight crowding at the start there leaving opportunity for the wide traps to take advantage. T4 Adamant Mojo boasts probably the best early of the six and it could lead up but I expect both the selection and the favourite in T6 to get a good run in behind.
Ravello Drive has very good middle stage pace and I expect she will quickly assert her authority over T4. There is the chance that T6 could nip ahead of the selection at the first but only a small chance and even still I believe Ravello Drive will have the power to get by Dangerous Lady round the final bend.
Selection:
Wimbledon 9.45 - T5 RAVELLO DRIVE
4.7 on Betfair at time of writing
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Saturday Soccer
Aberdeen v. Falkirk 1.98
Ross County v. Livingston 2.04
Peterborough v. Oldham 1.95
Rochdale v. Bournemouth 1.74
Nottingham Forest v. Blackpool DRAW 3.22
Obviously going to win the lot on these. Especially big on Aberdeen. Banker imo.
Real Madrid are upwards of 5/1 tonight - just like Arsenal the other week you simply have to have something on them at that price against anyone.
Ross County v. Livingston 2.04
Peterborough v. Oldham 1.95
Rochdale v. Bournemouth 1.74
Nottingham Forest v. Blackpool DRAW 3.22
Obviously going to win the lot on these. Especially big on Aberdeen. Banker imo.
Real Madrid are upwards of 5/1 tonight - just like Arsenal the other week you simply have to have something on them at that price against anyone.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Classic!
Thanks to Amatay for posting this on blonde. There is a very decent chance this could be the greatest...
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Winner!
I am the winner of the Scoop Troops £10 Betdaq Challenge!
Woot!
Now if they would only let me withdraw, bastards.
Woot!
Now if they would only let me withdraw, bastards.
Day 8 ...........All In!
Yes it has come to an all in for my balance of £9.33. I'm feeling good about this one and have gone all in on the below:
Werder Bremen Vs Inter Milan - Over 3.5 Goals@3.30
A win would take me up to around £30.00 and bring me back in the game. If I lose then Kenny will surely be crowned winner.
Werder Bremen Vs Inter Milan - Over 3.5 Goals@3.30
A win would take me up to around £30.00 and bring me back in the game. If I lose then Kenny will surely be crowned winner.
Day 8 Kenny
You knew this was coming, my best strategy is to play for cheaps at the moment, so I went with:
Notts Forest 0 - 1 Sheff Utd.
50p bet at about 8.
(since i'm now an expert at picking scores)
Notts Forest 0 - 1 Sheff Utd.
50p bet at about 8.
(since i'm now an expert at picking scores)
Monday, 8 December 2008
Day 6/7.........Desolate
After £3 bets on draws in yesterdays Everton/Villa Game and then tonights West Ham/Spurs games I am down to £9.33. I guess I need to go all in tommorow to stay in the game as £1 bets are no longer good enough after Kennys outrageous luck. This ain't over by a long shot though.
One Time Please
I'm All In....
Roma ((Tue) Roma v Bordeaux (Sky) - Match Odds) - (Not settled)
Over (2.5) ((Tue) Panathinaikos v Anorthosis Famagusta (Sky) - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
Barcelona (-1) ((Tue) Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk (Sky) - Asian Handicap (-1)) - (Not settled)
Pays about 7.5
Roma ((Tue) Roma v Bordeaux (Sky) - Match Odds) - (Not settled)
Over (2.5) ((Tue) Panathinaikos v Anorthosis Famagusta (Sky) - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
Barcelona (-1) ((Tue) Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk (Sky) - Asian Handicap (-1)) - (Not settled)
Pays about 7.5
Scott's Round-Up
Was sure the Everton v. Villa game would be an unders. Obv not. That cost me a bit. Had a bit on 1-1 tonight, nope.
Left with £2.50. I'll be all in 2moro.
Looks like it's a 2 horse race now - rich boy Ken v. Will.
Left with £2.50. I'll be all in 2moro.
Looks like it's a 2 horse race now - rich boy Ken v. Will.
Day 6/7 Kenny
I forgot to put a bet on yesterday - oops!
So that means I must put a bet on at 5-1 or greater.
I've went with Spurs 2-0 vs West Ham for £4.06 at 15 something returning over £50 profit!
Highly unlikely - but still - It'd be awesome if it happened!
So that means I must put a bet on at 5-1 or greater.
I've went with Spurs 2-0 vs West Ham for £4.06 at 15 something returning over £50 profit!
Highly unlikely - but still - It'd be awesome if it happened!
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Day 5
Had a quid on 2-0 Man Utd, no good.
Balance is £10.21. Will have the bet wrapped up if Pacman wins early tonight.
Balance is £10.21. Will have the bet wrapped up if Pacman wins early tonight.
Day 5 - Torrid
I put a £5 double on Liverpool and Stenhousemuir. OF course its no good, bringing my balance to £4.06 and a desperate situation.
Day 5.....back in business
Just the one bet for today and after starting the day on just £7.63 I knew I needed to make it count. My bet was £5 on over 3.5 goals in the Barcelona-Valencia match. Final score 4-0 Barca scooping me £7.66 and taking my balance to £15.33 and hopefully the top spot back after relinquishing it yesterday.
Friday, 5 December 2008
My Birthday Bet - Scott
It's my birthday so obv not got time to stidy anything cos drinking and shit so looked at the next market and picked the favourite....
19:50 Wolverhampton - Win Market BACK 9 Rag And Bone 2.59 £1.00
19:50 Wolverhampton - Win Market BACK 9 Rag And Bone 2.59 £1.00
Kenny Day 4
For some reason I was only able to put a minimum of £1 on this treble:
1. Montpellier (19:00 Montpellier v Guingamp - Match Odds)
2. Troyes (19:00 Dijon v Troyes - Match Odds)
3. Fc Eindhoven (19:00 Fortuna S. v Fc Eindhoven - Match Odds)
anyway - Its 17-1 so lets hope it comes in shall we?
1. Montpellier (19:00 Montpellier v Guingamp - Match Odds)
2. Troyes (19:00 Dijon v Troyes - Match Odds)
3. Fc Eindhoven (19:00 Fortuna S. v Fc Eindhoven - Match Odds)
anyway - Its 17-1 so lets hope it comes in shall we?
Day 4....... on the verge of tilt?
OK so I thought having a nice lead I would easily extend that by backing On Raglan Road in the Sandown 2.00 for £4 at 1.72 to win an easy £3. I should know better than to back a horse of Howard Johnson, a trainer with the most expensive yard of horses in the country, yet only one top class horse. Hasten to say the old dog Junior beat him and away went my £4. I then placed 50p on Quaddick Lake in the Sandown 3.40 at 24.0 but that one is still probably running as we speak!
So my next move and last bet of the day takes me to Germany for some Bundesliga action:
Tsg Hoffenheim to beat Bayern Munich at 5.80 for £2. (also putting some of my own cash on this)
So my next move and last bet of the day takes me to Germany for some Bundesliga action:
Tsg Hoffenheim to beat Bayern Munich at 5.80 for £2. (also putting some of my own cash on this)
Thursday, 4 December 2008
The Troop's £10 Betdaq Challenge
Anyone nipping onto the blog over the last few days will be wondering what the hell is going on. Basically we're having a mini sports betting challenge where we start with £10 and have 2 weeks to win it alllllll! See here: http://thescooptroop.blogspot.com/2008/12/scoop-troop-betdaq-10-challenge.html
It's nearing the end of day 3 and everyone seems to be doing ok - well no one is bust yet!
Challengers edit this post with your end of day 3 balance in a league table styleeee!
-will should be ahead as his bet won.
1. Will £14.17
2. Scott £12.21
3. Kenneth £10.06
4. Dom 1.50
It's nearing the end of day 3 and everyone seems to be doing ok - well no one is bust yet!
Challengers edit this post with your end of day 3 balance in a league table styleeee!
-will should be ahead as his bet won.
1. Will £14.17
2. Scott £12.21
3. Kenneth £10.06
4. Dom 1.50
Wills Day 3 pick
After yesterdays tilt effort by Scott succeeding the pressure is on me to up my balance. Therefore today I placed a whopping £4 on Hamburg to beat Slavia Prague at 2.52. As it stands they are 1-0 up with 15mins to go. in which case my balance would be up to around £14. If not I'm down to £4 and scraps. Word out.
Scott - Day 3
Reference 522595618
Event 19:45 FC Copenhagen v Rosenborg
Market Match Odds
Selection BACK Rosenborg
£0.50 @ 6.8
Over (2.5) ((I/R) A Villa v MSK Zilina (Latest 1-2) - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
Over (2.5) (19:45 Valencia v Club Brugge - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
£1.50 Double
Event 19:45 FC Copenhagen v Rosenborg
Market Match Odds
Selection BACK Rosenborg
£0.50 @ 6.8
Over (2.5) ((I/R) A Villa v MSK Zilina (Latest 1-2) - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
Over (2.5) (19:45 Valencia v Club Brugge - Under/Over - Goals (2.5)) - (Not settled)
£1.50 Double
Kenny's Day 3
Seeing as though I'm in 2nd place at the moment, I think its time to get adventurous with a high odds bet:
(copy + pasted from BetDaq)
Reference 522538058
Event 19:45 Mansfield v Oxford Utd (Setanta)
Market Correct Score
Selection BACK Mansfield 1-0
Potential Profit £4.00
(copy + pasted from BetDaq)
Reference 522538058
Event 19:45 Mansfield v Oxford Utd (Setanta)
Market Correct Score
Selection BACK Mansfield 1-0
Potential Profit £4.00
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Dom's Day 2
Sorry I didn't get chance to post my selections up this morning. In truth, my picks were a bit rushed, I was tired last night and only had a quick skim and I got up late this morning, so I didn't have time to find much better. I took the worst of it odds-wise on a couple of them too.
Here's another shot at my Day 1 summary:
Here's what I had today:
19:50 Kempton - Casual Style - £0.87 @ 3.75 - Lose £0.87
I liked the look of this, though I know it's not usually sound to follow favourites at Southwell on the AW. I went for an 87p stake, I can't remember why. Watching th erace, it seemed to have a decent turn of foot but some other horse ran across it. It didn't seem brave enough then to go between the increasingly narrow gap. Given how comfortable the winner looked, I dunno if it would have got there or not, but I think it may have excuses.
Man Utd HT/FT - £1.25 @ 2.55 - Win £1.94
Was getting a little concerned about this, but Tevez broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, to a sigh of relief from me. He went on to get three more in a 5-3 win. Scoop!
Watford vs Spurs Over 2.5 - £1.26 @ 1.82 - Win £1.03
This was nailed on, for me. Most of the last few meetings between these have been ridic high scoring, Watford are awful at the back and through the team, Spurs have a dodgy goalie... if Spurs hadn't have been so wasteful today, it could have been like the Man Utd scoreline. I nearly took over 3.5 at a big price and am glad I didn't, as it needed a late goal for Spurs to secure a 2-1 win.
Commission: 6p
Balance at the end of day 2: £8.42
Here's another shot at my Day 1 summary:
Here's what I had today:
19:50 Kempton - Casual Style - £0.87 @ 3.75 - Lose £0.87
I liked the look of this, though I know it's not usually sound to follow favourites at Southwell on the AW. I went for an 87p stake, I can't remember why. Watching th erace, it seemed to have a decent turn of foot but some other horse ran across it. It didn't seem brave enough then to go between the increasingly narrow gap. Given how comfortable the winner looked, I dunno if it would have got there or not, but I think it may have excuses.
Man Utd HT/FT - £1.25 @ 2.55 - Win £1.94
Was getting a little concerned about this, but Tevez broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, to a sigh of relief from me. He went on to get three more in a 5-3 win. Scoop!
Watford vs Spurs Over 2.5 - £1.26 @ 1.82 - Win £1.03
This was nailed on, for me. Most of the last few meetings between these have been ridic high scoring, Watford are awful at the back and through the team, Spurs have a dodgy goalie... if Spurs hadn't have been so wasteful today, it could have been like the Man Utd scoreline. I nearly took over 3.5 at a big price and am glad I didn't, as it needed a late goal for Spurs to secure a 2-1 win.
Commission: 6p
Balance at the end of day 2: £8.42
Hopefully these pics will work this time.
Day 2 - Scott
End of Day 1 balance: £6
Only one bet today for me....
19:45 Standard Liege v Sampdoria - Match Odds BACK Standard Liege 2.44 £6.00
Gonna ship it all.
Only one bet today for me....
19:45 Standard Liege v Sampdoria - Match Odds BACK Standard Liege 2.44 £6.00
Gonna ship it all.
Kenny - Day 2
After failing to win against burnley, I may never back arsenal again.
Balance at the start of Day 2: £8
Todays bets: £2 Double on Man Utd (win) AND Under (3.5 goals) Tottenham v Watford.
If this fails I'll have to start 50p betting. A win will see me over the £10 mark.
Balance at the start of Day 2: £8
Todays bets: £2 Double on Man Utd (win) AND Under (3.5 goals) Tottenham v Watford.
If this fails I'll have to start 50p betting. A win will see me over the £10 mark.
The leader of the packs day 2 selection
I had a good look at todays racing and nothing really struck me as a good bet except the below:
2.05 Fairyhouse- Merry Cowboy - £1 @ 7.6
My balance before this bet was £10.39.
Possibly some football picks to follow later.
2.05 Fairyhouse- Merry Cowboy - £1 @ 7.6
My balance before this bet was £10.39.
Possibly some football picks to follow later.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Tonight's winners for the winner
19:45 Burnley v Arsenal (Sky) - Asian Handicap (+1) BACK Arsenal (-1) 2.49 £3.00
19:45 Stoke v Derby - Correct Score BACK Stoke 1-0 8.2 £0.50
19:45 Burnley v Arsenal (Sky) - Half-Time/Full-Time BACK Arsenal - Arsenal £0.50
19:45 Stoke v Derby - Correct Score BACK Stoke 1-0 8.2 £0.50
19:45 Burnley v Arsenal (Sky) - Half-Time/Full-Time BACK Arsenal - Arsenal £0.50
The adventure begins
Ok so you will have all got the smacktalk texts from me last night and I mean business. I plan on playing sensible for the first couple of days but may end up throwing in a £5 bet by Friday if results don't go my way.
I have placed a 50p bet on Arsenal to win 2-0 at 9.5 as my first bet.
For my second bet I have £1 on Under 2.5 goals in the Stoke - Derby Game.
Will post my balance tommorow once the winnings for the above are both paid in ;-)
I have placed a 50p bet on Arsenal to win 2-0 at 9.5 as my first bet.
For my second bet I have £1 on Under 2.5 goals in the Stoke - Derby Game.
Will post my balance tommorow once the winnings for the above are both paid in ;-)
Challenge Accepted
I've got my £10 in - and it isn't lasting long!
a £1 bet on trap 2 at Perry bar was unfortunately no good.
My saving grace might be if Arsenal win today, I'll finish at £9.84
If they don't - I'll be £2 down!
a £1 bet on trap 2 at Perry bar was unfortunately no good.
My saving grace might be if Arsenal win today, I'll finish at £9.84
If they don't - I'll be £2 down!
£10 Challenge - Dom's Day One
And they're off!
I had a little look at the racing last night, there's not a huge amount on but one took my eye at a good price. Spic 'n Span in the opening race of the day, the 11.50 at Southwell, looked huge at 6.3 so I broke out the ATR video archive. I wasn't hugely impressed with the front two in the market, Maid Of Ailsa and North South Divide and Spic 'n Span has some C&D place form, though is yet to win. As the place and e/w terms weren't available last night, I stuck 50p on to win and woke up to discover that a withdrawal had left my odds reduced to 5.86, but that's not so bad considering you can only get 3.9 as I type! I have decided not to back it to place, as it's hardly worth wasting one of my three bets, especially given the market move.
I also knew that Arsenal travelled to Burnley for the Carling Cup, as I changed the football display in the window at work yesterday :D I opted to put 4-0 to Burnley, which is 33/1 with William Hill, but I won't be backing that in the challenge. I will be half-rolling it on the Arsenal win though, as they had way too much for a Sheffield United side that was admittedly missing a couple of key players, but that was essentially full strength. I feel we're better than Burnley and it scans that the Arse shouldn't have a huge problem, even at Turf Moor.
For my third bet, I've gone for an early tilt at glory, with a £1 (min bet with Betdaq multiples) treble:
Satwa Street (14:00 Lingfield)
Titan Triumph (15:00 Lingfield)
Arsenal to win (19:45 vs Burnley)
The odds on that? 20.72!
Good luck, ladies.
I had a little look at the racing last night, there's not a huge amount on but one took my eye at a good price. Spic 'n Span in the opening race of the day, the 11.50 at Southwell, looked huge at 6.3 so I broke out the ATR video archive. I wasn't hugely impressed with the front two in the market, Maid Of Ailsa and North South Divide and Spic 'n Span has some C&D place form, though is yet to win. As the place and e/w terms weren't available last night, I stuck 50p on to win and woke up to discover that a withdrawal had left my odds reduced to 5.86, but that's not so bad considering you can only get 3.9 as I type! I have decided not to back it to place, as it's hardly worth wasting one of my three bets, especially given the market move.
I also knew that Arsenal travelled to Burnley for the Carling Cup, as I changed the football display in the window at work yesterday :D I opted to put 4-0 to Burnley, which is 33/1 with William Hill, but I won't be backing that in the challenge. I will be half-rolling it on the Arsenal win though, as they had way too much for a Sheffield United side that was admittedly missing a couple of key players, but that was essentially full strength. I feel we're better than Burnley and it scans that the Arse shouldn't have a huge problem, even at Turf Moor.
For my third bet, I've gone for an early tilt at glory, with a £1 (min bet with Betdaq multiples) treble:
Satwa Street (14:00 Lingfield)
Titan Triumph (15:00 Lingfield)
Arsenal to win (19:45 vs Burnley)
The odds on that? 20.72!
Good luck, ladies.
Monday, 1 December 2008
Scoop Troop Betdaq £10 Challenge
I will be joined by fellow Scoop Troopers Will, Ken and Dom in a small sports betting challenge to run for 2 weeks which should be pretty comedy. Rules and details below. If I miss anything or make mistakes then someone point them out asap.
1) The challenge will run from 00:01 on the 2nd of December and conclude at 23:59 on the 15th of December.
2) All players must deposit £10 into Betdaq. Betdaq has been chosen over Betfair as the min bet on Betdaq is 50p compared to Betfair's £2.
3) Each player must place between 1 and 3 bets on each day of the challenge on any of the markets available on Betdaq. Players who do not bet on a certain day must bet their remaining balance the following day on something 5/1 or bigger.
4) The aim of the challenge is to make as much profit from the initial £10 as possible.
5) Prizes: The person with the largest balance on Betdaq as at 23:59 on the 15th of December will be declared the winner. The winner wins 100% of the remaining players' Betdaq balances.
6) Players must post evidence of their balance and bets as much as possible.
Game on bitches!!!
1) The challenge will run from 00:01 on the 2nd of December and conclude at 23:59 on the 15th of December.
2) All players must deposit £10 into Betdaq. Betdaq has been chosen over Betfair as the min bet on Betdaq is 50p compared to Betfair's £2.
3) Each player must place between 1 and 3 bets on each day of the challenge on any of the markets available on Betdaq. Players who do not bet on a certain day must bet their remaining balance the following day on something 5/1 or bigger.
4) The aim of the challenge is to make as much profit from the initial £10 as possible.
5) Prizes: The person with the largest balance on Betdaq as at 23:59 on the 15th of December will be declared the winner. The winner wins 100% of the remaining players' Betdaq balances.
6) Players must post evidence of their balance and bets as much as possible.
Game on bitches!!!
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Saturday Football
Plymouth v. Blackpool 10/11 bet365
Aston Villa v. Fulham 4/6 Various
Millwall v. Aldershot 4/7 Various
Watford v. Doncaster 5/6 Stan James
Falkirk v. Hibernian DRAW 12/5 Various
Smashing into Plymouth. They'll no doubt lose knowing my form.
Like the massive Arsenal/Blackburn double tomorrow too.
GL everyone.
Aston Villa v. Fulham 4/6 Various
Millwall v. Aldershot 4/7 Various
Watford v. Doncaster 5/6 Stan James
Falkirk v. Hibernian DRAW 12/5 Various
Smashing into Plymouth. They'll no doubt lose knowing my form.
Like the massive Arsenal/Blackburn double tomorrow too.
GL everyone.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Some "Irish Jokes" No Offence To Anyone Intended !
Paddy & Mick go to London to donate sperm. It was a disaster! Paddy missed the tube & Mick came on the bus!!
Paddy calls Easyjet to book a flight. The operator asks 'How many people are flying with you?' Paddy replies 'I dont know! Its your f***ing plane!!'
Two Irish couples decided to swap partners for the night. After 3 hours of amazing sex Paddy says 'I wonder how the girls are getting on'
Paddy takes his new wife to bed on their wedding night. She undresses & lies on the bed spread-eagled & says 'You know what I want don't you?'' 'Yeah,' says Paddy. 'The whole friggin bed by the looks of it!'
Q. What's a Catholic priest & a pint of Guiness got in common? A. black coat, white collar & you've got to watch your arse if you get a dodgy one!
Paddy the electrician got sacked from the U.S. prison service for not servicing the electric chair. He said in his professional opinion it was a death trap!
Paddy, the Irish boyfriend of the woman whos head was found on Arbroath beach was asked to identify her. A detective held up the head to which point Paddy said 'I dont think thats her, she was taller than that!'
Paddy is said to be shocked at finding out all his cows have Bluetongue.'Be Jeysus!' he said, 'I didnt even know they had mobile phones!'
Mick & Paddy are reading head stones at a nearby cemetery. Mick says 'Crikey! Theres a bloke here who was 152!' Paddy says 'Whats his name?' Mick replies 'Miles from London!'
Paddy calls Easyjet to book a flight. The operator asks 'How many people are flying with you?' Paddy replies 'I dont know! Its your f***ing plane!!'
Two Irish couples decided to swap partners for the night. After 3 hours of amazing sex Paddy says 'I wonder how the girls are getting on'
Paddy takes his new wife to bed on their wedding night. She undresses & lies on the bed spread-eagled & says 'You know what I want don't you?'' 'Yeah,' says Paddy. 'The whole friggin bed by the looks of it!'
Q. What's a Catholic priest & a pint of Guiness got in common? A. black coat, white collar & you've got to watch your arse if you get a dodgy one!
Paddy the electrician got sacked from the U.S. prison service for not servicing the electric chair. He said in his professional opinion it was a death trap!
Paddy, the Irish boyfriend of the woman whos head was found on Arbroath beach was asked to identify her. A detective held up the head to which point Paddy said 'I dont think thats her, she was taller than that!'
Paddy is said to be shocked at finding out all his cows have Bluetongue.'Be Jeysus!' he said, 'I didnt even know they had mobile phones!'
Mick & Paddy are reading head stones at a nearby cemetery. Mick says 'Crikey! Theres a bloke here who was 152!' Paddy says 'Whats his name?' Mick replies 'Miles from London!'
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Blades vs Wolves - preview
I am feeling good about a United win Tuesday night. Wolves may be top of the table by six points, a comfortable twelve points ahead of Sheffield United, but I feel good about predicting that come Wednesday, that lead over us will be reduced to nine. Let me explain.Wolves aren’t that good.
Okay, that analysis was Scott-like, but it’s true. They aren’t that good. Look at their fixtures so far this season and you’ll see they’ve had a dream run, much like Reading in their last promotion season. They’ve played teams at the right time and have built confidence off the back off winning. They kick off scraping a draw at Deepdale, before scoring nine against a newly promoted Forest and an awful Wednesday side. A run of decent wins off the back off those confidence builders follows before they lose (at home) to the only good side they’ve played so far this term (Reading 0-3). They have also lost away to Swansea, who are no great shakes and they were pumped 5-2 at Carrow Road; Norwich sit proudly in 19th, four points above the drop zone. They haven’t played Brum yet, they haven’t played us yet, they were tonked by Reading, they were lucky to beat Ipswich by all accounts and the only other top six side they’ve played was Burnley, where they did get a decent 2-0 win - but anyone can beat anyone in this league, Barnsley beat Burnley tonight, so what does that say?
Wolves are overrated.
Sheffield United on the other hand are not. We were unlucky not to get a point against Brum, who will go up. We did also lose the other week to Reading, but we were out of sorts on the day, for several reasons which I won’t go into here. In the second half, we had chances to win the match, let alone get a point, but anyway, we put things right on Saturday by scoring five goals - I can’t remember the last time I saw United score five goals, but I have been saying for quite some time that with all the attacking stuff we’re playing, we were due to spank someone eventually.
Despite our defeat to Reading, we have still only conceded 13 goals in 18 matches and our home record is better still, conceding just four in nine (two of those against Reading, who will win the league in my opinion) . Wolves on the other hand are ropey as anything, shipping 25 in 18 games, 17 conceded in nine matches away from home.
Where they do excel, is goal scoring. They’ve notched 41 times in 18 games, which is impressive indeed. But hell, even we can score five times against bottom three sides, as Charlton discovered at the weekend. And our scoring record is exactly comparable to Birmingham, who are currently second, so we’re not desperately short of firepower ourselves.
Throw into the mix the fact that we have the hold over them in recent years at Bramall Lane and things look even rosier. In the last ten seasons, we’ve met fifteen times; United have won five, Wolves four times and six have ended all square – fairly even. But at the Lane, our ten season record reads P7 W4 D3 L0. It’s worth noting too, that one of the Wolves wins and one of those draws were end of season games with nothing to play for and players rested. Furthermore, one of the Wolves wins was in the Play-Off final of 2003, where Sheffield United cracked under the big match pressure at the Millennium Stadium. God, we even beat them 3-1 under Bryan Robson for fuck’s sake and we all know what a shitter of a season (and team) that was.
The best news of all, is that Iwelumo is fit and should start for Wolves ;-)
United are best price 13/8, which looks a good enough bet to me. I also predict goals – they score a lot, we score our fair share and we won’t concede many, but we’ve wobbled a bit with Ugo suspended (shipped four in our last two) and as I said in my Reading preview, Bramall Lane is ready to see some goals to get our average up. The last five meetings with Wolves at the Lane have ended 3-1, 1-0, 3-3, 3-3 and 2-2 – which bodes well for that theory. I reckon 3-1 could be the way to go with the correct score. Oddschecker has packed up, but William Hill go 20/1 for 3-1 and Betdaq offers me 23.0 at present – surely worth a cheeky couple of quid? Not sure if over 2.5 goals at 1.9 is any value, really. I’ll let you make your own minds up on that. I’d say it’s pretty likely, to be honest.
COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARDS!
Friday, 21 November 2008
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Quick Update From Me
I've had a pretty hectic week of it; which is something which I aren't really that used to these days ! Tomorrow morning I'm heading up to Glasgow for the weekend to enjoy my old mate Mo Golden's wedding. Then onto Dundee on Monday to enjoy some drunken banter, and then on Tuesday meeting up (hopefully) with fellow Scoop Troop members Scott and Ken for my first visit to DUPS since DUSoP earlier this year. I don't know what the event is yet, but I'm hoping the night will be remembered more for banter and socialising than the actual poker !
In other news, Christo aka Killer Chris aka McElgravy asked casually whether I fancied running in the Daily 30k on 'Stars tonight; but I'm starting to think it probably isn't a good idea given I've got a 6.00am start in the morning. Two years ago that would have been water off a ducks back, with late night poker / drinking / reading of "Asian Babes" was a staple diet of the Scoop Troop, and while other members would retire to bed, I would be opening up the Post Office in the seedy Charleston district of Dundee. How things have changed, lol.
Oh, and I had a token tenner on Germany -1 last night; along with an Argentina and Germany double. The less said the better on that; and also emphasising once more that betting on friendly internationals is rarely fruitful (for me at least).
I'll leave you with a random photo. Enjoy.
Wasn't 80's "fashion" tawdry ?
Thanks for reading
Mountain Man
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
IPO "Festival"
http://www.boylesports.com/sections/poker/d.asp?show=IPO2008_Online_Festival
For those who played in the event and dealt, Boyle poker are holding some tournies blah blah.
Anyway. I'm thinking cause I'm skint I may play the lower buy-in tourney on Friday.
I'm working on Sunday so can't make that ane. They are adding $5k to the prize pools with an initial buyin of $15+$1.50. I haven't paid the slightest bit of attention to all this stuff and plus im busy at uni these days, so if anyone else is in the same boat as me hopefully it'll mean that nobody else has noticed this "festival" either, and this could mean lower player turnouts.
If it looks like it'll be a nice bit of money for whoever cashes, and I can be arsed, I may play this.
For those who played in the event and dealt, Boyle poker are holding some tournies blah blah.
Anyway. I'm thinking cause I'm skint I may play the lower buy-in tourney on Friday.
I'm working on Sunday so can't make that ane. They are adding $5k to the prize pools with an initial buyin of $15+$1.50. I haven't paid the slightest bit of attention to all this stuff and plus im busy at uni these days, so if anyone else is in the same boat as me hopefully it'll mean that nobody else has noticed this "festival" either, and this could mean lower player turnouts.
If it looks like it'll be a nice bit of money for whoever cashes, and I can be arsed, I may play this.
Friday, 14 November 2008
LAERTES!
A Scoop Troop favourite runs tomorrow at Wetherby (2.55) in the shape of Laertes. We had a great time at Perth earlier this year cheering this one in at 10/1. EP suggests it should be around 10/1 and has a very legit shout. Get a bit on Troopers.
Few other horses for tomorrow:
Paddy Power Gold Cup (Cheltenham 2.35) - Barbers Shop c.7/1
Cheltenham 2.00 - Beat The Boys c.8/1
glglglgl
Scott
Few other horses for tomorrow:
Paddy Power Gold Cup (Cheltenham 2.35) - Barbers Shop c.7/1
Cheltenham 2.00 - Beat The Boys c.8/1
glglglgl
Scott
I'm A Celeb + Saturday Football Betting
I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here starts on Sunday and gives us some interesting betting opportunities.
In the 7 series so far winners have included Tony Blackburn, Joe Pasquale, Carol Thatcher and Christopher Biggins showing a trend of slightly older winners. There has also been second places for Jennie Bond and Paul Burrell.
This year there are a few who fit into the above category - Martina Navratilova, George Takei, Esther Rantzen and Robert Kilroy-Silk. However, I reckon we can rule out a couple of these. Kilroy is a former chat show host and I believe he is now running about as a politician - I'm ruling him out cos he is a douche fag. I'm ruling Esther out for similar reasons as she will definately be very annoying. That leaves us with Martina, perhaps the greatest female tennis player of all time, and George - some guy from Star Trek who I've never heard of!
My selection is George Takei. I'm led to believe that Ant & Dec suggested George to the show's producers after he starred on one of their shows in America. They are also quoted as saying he is their favourite and they definately have some sway over the audience.
The current favourite is ex-Eastender Joe Swash who played Mickey and he is a fair favourite as I imagine he'll be decently entertaining but is far too short atm. George Takei is best price 13/2 at Boylesports but I reckon you can easily get a better price on the exchanges if you ask.
Have a saver on Navratilova at 7s.a
Few early selections for Saturday's football:
Swindon v. Leicester 6/5 Ladbrokes
Cardiff v. Crystal Palace 11/10 Ladbrokes
Q.P.R v. Burnley DRAW 12/5 Ladbrokes
East Stirling v. Dumbarton 6/5 Coral
GL with any bets.
Scott
Sheffield United vs Reading
Off to Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane as ever on Saturday, so he’s a little preview for you punters.This looks a toughie to call on paper and the bookies have some wildly differing views on the matter, the high street offering prices ranging from 5/4 to 6/4 about United, 8/5 to 15/8 on Reading and 11/5 to 12/5 on the draw. I have to mention that my new employers William Hill are offering some of the worst odds on this match, they obviously know something …
Both sides are in good form, but ours is far better, results-wise. United’s 2-1 win over Barnsley (didn’t someone here predict that?) means they are now unbeaten in five, having lost just once in the last nine league matches, that match finishing 1-0 with the Blades having ten men for over two-thirds of the game. Reading have lost once in their last five matches but have scored seven goals in the last two matches. They are also second top scorers in the league, only one side has scored more away from home and Kevin Doyle leads the scoring charts with 13 goals (Beattie is United’s top scorer with seven, by way of comparison). Interestingly though, United are the league’s tightest defence, conceding just nine times in 16 matches, just twice in eight home fixtures – now you can see why the bookies and indeed the punters are struggling to call it.
Looking in more detail at Reading’s form cheered me up a bit. I came into this thinking I’d be predicting a Blades defeat (Reading are a serious bogey team, we never get anything off them – two draws and eight defeats in the last ten league matches and in the promotion season, we should have won both games but for ridiculous referees and luck, opinions backed up by most Reading fans I spoke to about it) but it seems Reading’s away form is incredibly patchy. Two wins, four draws, four defeats, 12 goals scored and 12 conceded – far from promotion form. Interestingly, they beat top of the league Wolves 3-0 away and spanked Bristol City 4-1, but then they drew with a poor Watford outfit (needing a fictional goal to get that point) as well as losing 4-2 to a terrible Charlton side, drawing 0-0 with newly promoted Forest and slipping up with poor results against Burnley and Ipswich.
My one concern about United’s defence, though rock solid of late, is that we could be shaken by the recent Chris Morgan affair. Coppell is a slimy toss-piece and they always target our players (remember Gillespie being sent off after a minute?) for dirty tricks. I fully expect everyone to be winding Morgs up, as well as diving about like the cheating filth that they are, which might knock him out of his stride. With Ugo suspended and no centre half cover, we could end up in trouble. Morgan is going to be the key for me; if he rises to it and plays well, we’ll win by the odd goal, but if he gets riled, gets an early booking and God forbid, gets sent off, we’re in trouble against a free-scoring Reading. With their recent “bogey side” history against us, I’d fully expect the latter.
Bramall Lane has not been the place to see goals this season, with just 14 in eight (1.75 a game). By contrast, Wolverhampton tops the table with 3.375 a game. I take this to mean that our average is due to climb a little, rather than suggesting another low scoring game and as Reading are second top scorers in the league, this is the game to target. But as I’ve said, if Morgan keeps his head and we don’t succumb to their tricks, keeping 11 men on the pitch, we do have the defence to keep them quiet. We’re also “due” a win against our old bogey side (gambler’s fallacy!) and at 6/4 (Coral, Betfred, Bet365, many more) I honestly believe we look good value.
If you’re just looking for a couple of quid at bigger odds, I am predicting another 2-1 home win. I’m feeling good about a win by the odd goal, I don’t think it’ll be 1-0 as we’re due some goals and we continue to create plenty of chances. It won’t be as high as 3-2 as our defence is simply too canny. William Hill again go best price at 10/1 and interestingly, the Magic Sign go as short as 7/1.
*** HEDGING ALERT ***
I will be reverting to superstitious type for this one and I can assure you I won’t be placing any bets. That’s only because it’s important for our promotion bid and I don’t want to jinx us, I reckon my punting logic is sound! Also bear in mind that I never talk United up and have done this consistently in the last fortnight or so, which means my dreams are soon to be shattered. I’m such a superstitious fool.
***STALKING ALERT****
After the match, The Bon Bon Club are playing a pub round the corner from the Lane. If I don't get at least a photo of me with Reenie (ex Long Blondes bassist), I'm going to cry. It's a small place, free entry and a few other bands on, should be a laugh.
<3
Monday, 10 November 2008
My goings On
It's been a while since my last post as I have been pretty hectic over the last few weeks but I'll let you know what I've been up to.
Unfortunately I couldn't make it to Dublin with the rest of the Scoop Troop but I did recently take a trip to Bremen for 4 nights. Why Bremen you may ask? Well I had booked a week off in late October and had hoped to get away somewhere sunny for the week. When I looked at Gran canaria and the likes though, the cost seemed so ridiculous for the time of year I ditched that idea. Then I saw Ryanair had some cheap flights and Bremen was one of the destinations so I thought why not!
We arrived in Bremen on Monday and headed straight to the Freimarkt - Bremens own Oktoberfest but with the focus more on the carnival rides and stalls rather than the beer. We soaked up a few beers and explored the fair. There was plnety to do there and the highlight of the Wednesday night was Mickie Krause < see video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaHB0zYoeQI&feature=related > It may sound crap but its one of those things that you had to be there!
We also took a game between Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen. It was a decent game with the hosts going down 2-0 despite some early chances. The stadium was impressive for one so old and the fans were extremely passionate, particularly those behind the goals who even when 2-0 kept waving their flags and singing. It was nice to have a beer during the game too. We were made to feel welcome and really got behind Werder.
The other highlight of the trip was a trip to the Becks Brewery where they produce Becks (obviously) and also various varieties of Haake Beck- a local beer only sold in the Bremen area. We got shown around and told of the processes. An amazing 7 million bottles of Becks are produced each day and many of them were on show outside with many other millions brewing in the tanks below. The tour was capped off with 4 glasses of Becks afterwards. I would reccomend the Haake Beck if anyone gets the chance to try it. I won't bore you with everything I did on the trip but all in all it was a really nice place to visit and there are far worse places you could choose if your looking for a couple of quiet days away.
Another rest of my time has been spent attending Dundee United matches. Anyone who remembers me a few years ago will know I was always a United supporter but made 1 game a season if lucky. The last couple of years though I have become hooked on the game. This season I have only missed 4 United games in total and the last few weeks especially have been great. The highlight was without doubt my 1st trip to Ibrox where we bravely earned a 3-3 draw only succumbing to a last minute equaliser. Despite only having a few hundred fans there we all sung our hearts out and saw one of the best games your likely to see in the SPL all season.
All this has meant it has been a bit quiet on the horse racing front for me but I'm sure that will all change soon. Oh I owe Scott a beer from a couple weeks back-I'm back in Dundee this Saturday if you fancy hitting the Union?
Things Could Have Been Worse
So, as I had planned yesterday; I attended the Pub Poker event, and although it was hardly organised or played in any such way that the World Series should be worried, it was certainly a cut above many home games I have attended. After arriving early, just before six, the signs did not look good. The pub was full of a mixture of elderly people who appeared to be stragglers from the Sunday lunch trade; and a couple of tables of student types who were making an early start on what has become a traditional student night in York city centre now. (Talk about starting the week as you mean to go on !)
After settling down on a bar stool with a very pleasant pint of “Roosters Yankee” (insert your own Dave Wilkie joke here, saves me a job) I got chatting to the amiable young chap behind the bar. It emerged that although the poker is advertised as starting at 7pm, it is actually nearer 8 by the time it gets going. After being used to more strict schedules of the casino and DUPS, I was already preparing myself for a shambolic farce, so to get chilled out and more into the mood for a more casual game, I knocked back a few more pints and perused a couple of well thumbed Sunday red tops while I waited for something to happen.
I kept my head down while one or two scruffy individuals made their way in, quite possibly for the poker. I raised a wry smile to myself as one of them requested a glass of water (insert another joke about D.W. here) which confirmed to me that they were here to take part in the evening’s festivities. Shortly after 7pm, a slightly flustered fellow clutching a cycle helmet, a rucksack and a cash tin, burst in; whom it appeared was the chair, cum secretary, cum treasurer of the poker club. Although I felt slightly inclined to help him when I heard the all too familiar sound of scraping chairs and tables being rearranged, I instead followed the examples of Iain Boxer et al, and skulked with my head down at the bar and ordered another drink !
Eventually, time came to get registered, and after the buzz of about nine or ten regulars, I went forward and paid my fiver, plus a token £2 administration fee which is apparently a one off payment, although there was no receipt of this, nor an expiry date; but I guess I can cope with £2 ! As it originally appeared, this was a one man show, and the guy, whose name incidentally was “Trev” (short for Trevor, most likely, how unfortunate !) was assuming the role of Tournament Director, as well as doing everything else. I did offer to help out (mumbling something about DUPS, which he really wasn’t at all interested in; but wasn’t in the slightest bit rude) but Trev assured me he could manage.
The table draw was made, and the twenty one players were all seated by 8.15pm around 3 tables. Surprisingly, the pub had a laptop, and the programme “Tournament Director”, which I hadn’t expected. I don’t know why I hadn’t expected it; but it was reassuring to see. Other plus points from the point of view of equipment was that the tables were all covered with a decent felt / baize, the chips were of good quality and there were adequate dealer buttons. Unfortunately though, there were no rulings regarding the placing of drinks on the tables (and given we were using ordinary pub tables, simply covered with baize there were no cup holders). Although I didn’t see any drinks being spilt, they could quite easily have been; and several times the cards were trailed through damp patches where drinks had stood. Which leads me onto the cards themselves; which were thoroughly hopeless. There were a couple of decks of cheap plastic cards which were probably the ones which had been supplied with the chipsets, many of which were marked and creased. The third deck was a set of Waddington’s playing cards, which probably cost something like 79p and were completely ruined after the first five hands. Although Trev had plenty of decks of these cards, they made for a detrimental aspect on the game. I won’t go on about the merits of KEM or Copag cards here; but for anyone organising a live game of poker, no matter how large or small the tournament is; good playing cards for all of the tables are a must !
So onto the tournament itself then. How did I do ? Well; let’s say I scooped for the first time in a while; but I was the first loser ! Yes I finished second, netting me £30. The prize structure was strange, I couldn’t see that any particular weighting was given; the top 5 paying out £50; £30; £10; £7.50; £7.50. With a blind structure to rival the worst ever seen at Abertay was also enjoyed with 50/100 to start, then doubling each time, from a starting stack of 5k. Inevitably, there was also a mix of players ranging from poor to very poor. I saw one guy call a massive pre flop bet in the second level with King-7 diamonds against pocket Queens. The continuation bet on the raggy flop from our man with the ladies wouldn’t drive the fish out; and of course the inevitable happened and he hit his backdoor flush. Suffice to say, they both ended up all in and that was that. Two incredibly torrid plays from what I could see. Of course there was the inevitable “I only called before the flop because they were suited and I thought I might get a flush !” What a simpleton. There was also a lack of proper etiquette; with the old Texan tavern quotes of “I’ll see your 500 and I’ll raise you another 1600” etc etc. I had already anticipated this and kept quiet about it; knowing although this was wrong, there is little point in educating people who don’t want to learn how to play the game properly, but just recreate scenes from Rounders ! However, I was less easy going with n00bs who were under raising, which happened a number of times. I quite enjoy teaching and helping people when it comes to poker, but only if they too show a willing to learn, and after the sixth time it happened I felt ready to implode, so I went outside for a breath of fresh air …
I played my hands hard and fast; selected them carefully and made a few disciplined folds, perhaps at times erring on the verge of caution. The four times I ended up in a race on the final table, I won three times with JJ holding up against AKo; (sorry mate I’ve got) 99 holding up against K10; and AKo flopping a king against 66. My pocket 5’s were not strong enough to take out the short stacks Q7 suited (oh dear, Dom) but he was a casualty in the next hand to get us down to the cash placings.
It all went pretty quick from then on; four became three a couple of hands in after a former neighbour of mine, Colin Garnham wound up crippling himself when he couldn’t lay down his 9 high straight against two flushes, despite there being four hearts on the board. His big blind saw him all in for the following hand, and although he didn’t look in bad shape with a suited queen; my 8-9clubs from the small blind was good on a board of 2c, 5s, Js, 8d, Ac. The third placed man fell about six hands later in an all in with my heads up opponent with his KJo proving to be the big underdog it was to AJo.
Although I have improved my heads up play, it’s still the weakest part of my game I feel. My opponent was ultra aggressive, and whilst we came into heads up reasonably equal in terms of chips, I found myself folding the first three hands. After he raised into me yet again, a combination of beer and the necessity to make a stand saw me push the rest of my stack in with Q9 offsuit. His instant call made me feel I was beaten fair and square, but was happy to see I had live cards, and to be called by “Sergeant Lobster” (K3) made me wonder if I had played a little more aggressively in the first hand or two of the heads up it may have been a different story. Of course, his K3 held up (the 3 appeared on the river) and the guy celebrated like he had just won the World Series Main Event. Personally, I was happy to have broken my duck of not cashing in a live event for longer than I would care to remember.
So to sum up. Pub Poker. I felt that the night had a lot of potential, but potential which, I’m afraid to say will not be fulfilled due to a lack of ambition from the organiser. A few tweaks here and there, such as a few decks of quality playing cards and a good set of concise house rules would speak volumes. But it is not just up to Trev, who it was clear to see was doing his best to run an event for little more than a couple of complementary beers. If more of the punters took the time to read up on the game, then it would benefit not only themselves, but their fellow players and the game itself. Will I be back ? I don’t see why not. A fiver is nothing for an evenings game, and being fairly soft, could be an earner for a few beers. Mind you, once I had deducted my entrance fees, a dozen drinks, a bag of chips and a taxi, I had still spent about £15 more than I had won !
After settling down on a bar stool with a very pleasant pint of “Roosters Yankee” (insert your own Dave Wilkie joke here, saves me a job) I got chatting to the amiable young chap behind the bar. It emerged that although the poker is advertised as starting at 7pm, it is actually nearer 8 by the time it gets going. After being used to more strict schedules of the casino and DUPS, I was already preparing myself for a shambolic farce, so to get chilled out and more into the mood for a more casual game, I knocked back a few more pints and perused a couple of well thumbed Sunday red tops while I waited for something to happen.
I kept my head down while one or two scruffy individuals made their way in, quite possibly for the poker. I raised a wry smile to myself as one of them requested a glass of water (insert another joke about D.W. here) which confirmed to me that they were here to take part in the evening’s festivities. Shortly after 7pm, a slightly flustered fellow clutching a cycle helmet, a rucksack and a cash tin, burst in; whom it appeared was the chair, cum secretary, cum treasurer of the poker club. Although I felt slightly inclined to help him when I heard the all too familiar sound of scraping chairs and tables being rearranged, I instead followed the examples of Iain Boxer et al, and skulked with my head down at the bar and ordered another drink !
Eventually, time came to get registered, and after the buzz of about nine or ten regulars, I went forward and paid my fiver, plus a token £2 administration fee which is apparently a one off payment, although there was no receipt of this, nor an expiry date; but I guess I can cope with £2 ! As it originally appeared, this was a one man show, and the guy, whose name incidentally was “Trev” (short for Trevor, most likely, how unfortunate !) was assuming the role of Tournament Director, as well as doing everything else. I did offer to help out (mumbling something about DUPS, which he really wasn’t at all interested in; but wasn’t in the slightest bit rude) but Trev assured me he could manage.
The table draw was made, and the twenty one players were all seated by 8.15pm around 3 tables. Surprisingly, the pub had a laptop, and the programme “Tournament Director”, which I hadn’t expected. I don’t know why I hadn’t expected it; but it was reassuring to see. Other plus points from the point of view of equipment was that the tables were all covered with a decent felt / baize, the chips were of good quality and there were adequate dealer buttons. Unfortunately though, there were no rulings regarding the placing of drinks on the tables (and given we were using ordinary pub tables, simply covered with baize there were no cup holders). Although I didn’t see any drinks being spilt, they could quite easily have been; and several times the cards were trailed through damp patches where drinks had stood. Which leads me onto the cards themselves; which were thoroughly hopeless. There were a couple of decks of cheap plastic cards which were probably the ones which had been supplied with the chipsets, many of which were marked and creased. The third deck was a set of Waddington’s playing cards, which probably cost something like 79p and were completely ruined after the first five hands. Although Trev had plenty of decks of these cards, they made for a detrimental aspect on the game. I won’t go on about the merits of KEM or Copag cards here; but for anyone organising a live game of poker, no matter how large or small the tournament is; good playing cards for all of the tables are a must !
So onto the tournament itself then. How did I do ? Well; let’s say I scooped for the first time in a while; but I was the first loser ! Yes I finished second, netting me £30. The prize structure was strange, I couldn’t see that any particular weighting was given; the top 5 paying out £50; £30; £10; £7.50; £7.50. With a blind structure to rival the worst ever seen at Abertay was also enjoyed with 50/100 to start, then doubling each time, from a starting stack of 5k. Inevitably, there was also a mix of players ranging from poor to very poor. I saw one guy call a massive pre flop bet in the second level with King-7 diamonds against pocket Queens. The continuation bet on the raggy flop from our man with the ladies wouldn’t drive the fish out; and of course the inevitable happened and he hit his backdoor flush. Suffice to say, they both ended up all in and that was that. Two incredibly torrid plays from what I could see. Of course there was the inevitable “I only called before the flop because they were suited and I thought I might get a flush !” What a simpleton. There was also a lack of proper etiquette; with the old Texan tavern quotes of “I’ll see your 500 and I’ll raise you another 1600” etc etc. I had already anticipated this and kept quiet about it; knowing although this was wrong, there is little point in educating people who don’t want to learn how to play the game properly, but just recreate scenes from Rounders ! However, I was less easy going with n00bs who were under raising, which happened a number of times. I quite enjoy teaching and helping people when it comes to poker, but only if they too show a willing to learn, and after the sixth time it happened I felt ready to implode, so I went outside for a breath of fresh air …
I played my hands hard and fast; selected them carefully and made a few disciplined folds, perhaps at times erring on the verge of caution. The four times I ended up in a race on the final table, I won three times with JJ holding up against AKo; (sorry mate I’ve got) 99 holding up against K10; and AKo flopping a king against 66. My pocket 5’s were not strong enough to take out the short stacks Q7 suited (oh dear, Dom) but he was a casualty in the next hand to get us down to the cash placings.
It all went pretty quick from then on; four became three a couple of hands in after a former neighbour of mine, Colin Garnham wound up crippling himself when he couldn’t lay down his 9 high straight against two flushes, despite there being four hearts on the board. His big blind saw him all in for the following hand, and although he didn’t look in bad shape with a suited queen; my 8-9clubs from the small blind was good on a board of 2c, 5s, Js, 8d, Ac. The third placed man fell about six hands later in an all in with my heads up opponent with his KJo proving to be the big underdog it was to AJo.
Although I have improved my heads up play, it’s still the weakest part of my game I feel. My opponent was ultra aggressive, and whilst we came into heads up reasonably equal in terms of chips, I found myself folding the first three hands. After he raised into me yet again, a combination of beer and the necessity to make a stand saw me push the rest of my stack in with Q9 offsuit. His instant call made me feel I was beaten fair and square, but was happy to see I had live cards, and to be called by “Sergeant Lobster” (K3) made me wonder if I had played a little more aggressively in the first hand or two of the heads up it may have been a different story. Of course, his K3 held up (the 3 appeared on the river) and the guy celebrated like he had just won the World Series Main Event. Personally, I was happy to have broken my duck of not cashing in a live event for longer than I would care to remember.
So to sum up. Pub Poker. I felt that the night had a lot of potential, but potential which, I’m afraid to say will not be fulfilled due to a lack of ambition from the organiser. A few tweaks here and there, such as a few decks of quality playing cards and a good set of concise house rules would speak volumes. But it is not just up to Trev, who it was clear to see was doing his best to run an event for little more than a couple of complementary beers. If more of the punters took the time to read up on the game, then it would benefit not only themselves, but their fellow players and the game itself. Will I be back ? I don’t see why not. A fiver is nothing for an evenings game, and being fairly soft, could be an earner for a few beers. Mind you, once I had deducted my entrance fees, a dozen drinks, a bag of chips and a taxi, I had still spent about £15 more than I had won !
Sunday, 9 November 2008
I Promised Never To Do This...
But tonight I'm going to ! One of the local pubs on my side of town hosts a weekly £5 NLH MTT freezeout. And after deliberating for a few months, I have finally decided that a fiver isn't really a lot to throw away if it is as appalling as I imagine it will be. The fun kicks off at seven, and even if I go out first hand I can still have a laugh as it serves some of the best pints in the city, and according to the landlord, side games generally start up if there are enough players kicking about. Nothing ventured ... nothing gained. Besides, I need some practise before my one-off return to DUPS on November 25th. A few beers that night, methinks... Scott ? Kenny ? Even Will if you could make it ?
I will report back on my findings in due course. I am omitting to name the venue as I aren't entirely clued up on the ins and outs of what is still a grey area to me in terms of the legality of hosting poker outwith a licensed casino or cards room.
I will report back on my findings in due course. I am omitting to name the venue as I aren't entirely clued up on the ins and outs of what is still a grey area to me in terms of the legality of hosting poker outwith a licensed casino or cards room.
Still Awake
sigh, obv gonna see the 1st round then fall asleep, always happens!!!
Here's a classic joke from Chris/Christo!/CHRISNI.....
What's the difference between a gay and a microwave?
A microwave won't brown your sausage.
Have added Blackpool Boy's blog to the links - have a look, it's an interesting poker and sports betting blog.
Immense tune from Late of the Pier - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz5Dei5O3xY
Scott
Here's a classic joke from Chris/Christo!/CHRISNI.....
What's the difference between a gay and a microwave?
A microwave won't brown your sausage.
Have added Blackpool Boy's blog to the links - have a look, it's an interesting poker and sports betting blog.
Immense tune from Late of the Pier - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz5Dei5O3xY
Scott
Comedy
Desperately trying to stay awake for the Calzaghe fight - might go grab a couple of hours shut eye now. Anyways....
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Fitba
Here’s a quick preview of Barnsley vs Sheffield United for the weekend.
Those of you who have listened to me talk about South Yorkshire derbies in the past will know that I always say it’ll be a draw. I would never back a draw, but the smart money in all South Yorkshire matches really ought to be on the draw. Barnsley are no exception, with half of the last ten meetings ending all square and four of the remaining five matches decided by a single goal. No matter what the form of the sides, the Blades vs Barnsley games are always scrappy affairs, though I have no idea why.
Barnsley will be buzzing after their 3-1 victory away to Charlton on the 1st, but Sheffield United are in excellent form. We’ve conceded just once in the last seven games, in fact just twice in the last eight games and have the tightest defence in the league. Barnsley have scored less than a goal a game, though their home record is marginally better, with nine goals from seven matches. United’s away scoring record is nothing to write home about, but consider that we’ve played Birmingham and Bristol City away from home already, along with the Sheffield derby where we had ten men for over two thirds of the game.
One defeat in the last eight is promotion form, but Barnsley have form of their own, losing just once in six matches. The bare form is largely deceptive though: two of those wins have come against Doncaster Rovers, who have really struggled to score goals so far this term, despite an attractive brand of football and Barnsley’s narrow 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday came just two days after the Sheffield derby, which saw Wednesday without FIVE key players due to fatigue and injuries and the reds looked far from convincing (the pigs were down to ten after 34 minutes and the deciding goal was a penalty kick). A 0-0 draw at to Bristol City was a good result but a 3-0 drubbing against a Palace side pulling up few trees is more like the real Barnsley.
United will win this, I’m pretty sure of that. Despite the history of draws and Barnsley’s confidence, they haven’t played a side as good as us since August 23rd when Birmingham won 2-0 at St Andrews and although it’s certain to be scrappy and heated, we’re simply far too classy for them.
There have been 16 goals in Barnsley’s last six matches and although only seven in United’s last six, we have been creating hundreds of chances. Their defensive record at home looks good, conceding five in seven, but they’ve conceded 12 in eight away from home and have played some poor sides at Oakwell this season. On paper, we should run riot, but the derby nature of the game will ensure it isn’t a comfortable win for us and I’m feeling really good about a 1-2 scoreline; my new employers William Hill are going 10/1, which is the best price. Sadly, I’m not legally allowed to bet with them, so it looks like I’ll be getting on at 9s!
Happy punting.
Those of you who have listened to me talk about South Yorkshire derbies in the past will know that I always say it’ll be a draw. I would never back a draw, but the smart money in all South Yorkshire matches really ought to be on the draw. Barnsley are no exception, with half of the last ten meetings ending all square and four of the remaining five matches decided by a single goal. No matter what the form of the sides, the Blades vs Barnsley games are always scrappy affairs, though I have no idea why.
Barnsley will be buzzing after their 3-1 victory away to Charlton on the 1st, but Sheffield United are in excellent form. We’ve conceded just once in the last seven games, in fact just twice in the last eight games and have the tightest defence in the league. Barnsley have scored less than a goal a game, though their home record is marginally better, with nine goals from seven matches. United’s away scoring record is nothing to write home about, but consider that we’ve played Birmingham and Bristol City away from home already, along with the Sheffield derby where we had ten men for over two thirds of the game.
One defeat in the last eight is promotion form, but Barnsley have form of their own, losing just once in six matches. The bare form is largely deceptive though: two of those wins have come against Doncaster Rovers, who have really struggled to score goals so far this term, despite an attractive brand of football and Barnsley’s narrow 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday came just two days after the Sheffield derby, which saw Wednesday without FIVE key players due to fatigue and injuries and the reds looked far from convincing (the pigs were down to ten after 34 minutes and the deciding goal was a penalty kick). A 0-0 draw at to Bristol City was a good result but a 3-0 drubbing against a Palace side pulling up few trees is more like the real Barnsley.
United will win this, I’m pretty sure of that. Despite the history of draws and Barnsley’s confidence, they haven’t played a side as good as us since August 23rd when Birmingham won 2-0 at St Andrews and although it’s certain to be scrappy and heated, we’re simply far too classy for them.
There have been 16 goals in Barnsley’s last six matches and although only seven in United’s last six, we have been creating hundreds of chances. Their defensive record at home looks good, conceding five in seven, but they’ve conceded 12 in eight away from home and have played some poor sides at Oakwell this season. On paper, we should run riot, but the derby nature of the game will ensure it isn’t a comfortable win for us and I’m feeling really good about a 1-2 scoreline; my new employers William Hill are going 10/1, which is the best price. Sadly, I’m not legally allowed to bet with them, so it looks like I’ll be getting on at 9s!
Happy punting.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
IPO and other stuffs
Dublin was braw. Was brutally expensive and I cried every time I handed over min five euros for a pint - about four fuckin quid. I'm used to £1.80 in the Student's Union!
Anyways, small trip report:
Left Dundee on the Thursday and made our way to the Airport thanks the Megabus where I became the champ at 'Chase the Ace' - a card game I'm sure Dom invented. We get to the airport and meet up with Neil Hairy who as always is good banter and the prop bets started with JJ Mac swallowing a one pence coin when he couldn't get 5 high or low right in a row. Kenny was also unsuccessful and I unloaded some vinegar and salt things into his mouth.
I go the worst of this though when Neil bet me he could name the capital of any country I named - went for Uzbekistan and he slowrolled me before naming 'Tashkent' correctly.
Flight takes 3 seconds and we're in Dublin, we get lost for a while and then find the tawdry Hostel - it was worse than I remember but still decent enough for the price and time we'd actually be there. We met with Cammy and Killer Chris before hitting a few pubs. Me, Ken, EPT Andy and Dom got separated from the rest and stumbled across a nice looking place called 'Mother Kelly's' (or something similar. We go in, I order some beers and then notice the guy next to me is wearing some leather trousers and the guy next to him a leather waistcoat! Then notice that there aint no girls in the whole place and to make it worse some guy gets up to the karaoke thing and starts blasting out some George Michael or similar gay tune. We parked our arses on the chairs, drank very fast then exited sharply. Thank god cos the old fat guy at the bar was giving Kenny the eye!
The rest of Thursday involved more beers followed by double quarter pounder from MacDs - they became my staple diet of the trip. Friday was the IPO Day 1A and all 9 or 10 of us were playing. No real stories as most busted super early and I hit a few gutshots to tilt a few Dutch monkeys. Standard was terrible and I built up to about 45K easily but bust when the only other stack bigger than mine found KK in the BB when I tried to isolate with JJ from the button against a serial 10bb pusher at 800/1500 level. EPT Andy bust shortly after me and we couldn't meet up with the other guys cos they'd went to some other part of hotel which was now a no go so bed time for me.
Briefly met blondes Horneris, ChipRich and LeKnave and they were good banter - would have been good to have had a few beers, another time. Horneris and LeKnave got pretty deep before busting 50-60th. UL guys. On a side note I went to Google Images and typed in 'Dublin IPO' to try and get a pic for this blog entry and all I get is pics of Rich and Brent!!!
Saturday was Kenny's birthday - Kenny wore the thong which can be seen a few posts down. We got drunk, put football bets on, drunk, lost football bets, drunk, watched UFC, drunk more, got poor, went to bank, went to McDonalds, went home.
Felt terrible Sunday so zombied about a bit and lost some football bets. Left on the Monday.
Report over. Go check out this newish band on youtube called Late of the Pier - they gonna rule. Possibly my fav tune at the mo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYuwGGqd0y4
Scott
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Andrew Murray
I'm going to start a craze - shit Andy Murray jokes.
What does Andy Murray order when he goes to a bar - deuce.
Andy Murray got charged with breach of the peace. The neighbours said he was making a racket.
Andy Murray's bebo page has 15-Luv on it.
Andy Murray was playing poker and kept getting Aces.
Andy Murray used to be a waiter. His favourite part was the serving.
Andy Murray was asked out by an older woman. He replied, "I don't do 40-Luv"
What does Andy Murray order when he goes to a bar - deuce.
Andy Murray got charged with breach of the peace. The neighbours said he was making a racket.
Andy Murray's bebo page has 15-Luv on it.
Andy Murray was playing poker and kept getting Aces.
Andy Murray used to be a waiter. His favourite part was the serving.
Andy Murray was asked out by an older woman. He replied, "I don't do 40-Luv"
Saturday, 1 November 2008
I'm waiting for my bus to the match...
...so I'm bored and writing this little blog.
I won’t be betting on this match, because I don’t bet on Sheffield United. Every time I do, the footballing gods conspire to ensure United pick up as few points as possible, coupled with me losing my bet. It is however worth pointing out some facts to you chaps, who may wish to have a punt.
Everything points to this game being very close indeed. Last season’s fixtures were both 1-0, United winning away and the Pilgrims winning at the Lane. Plymouth have scored one goal in each of their last four games, form which has seen them win two and lose two. They have scored eight goals away from home, in seven matches, at just over a goal a game.
United’s home form is excellent; we’ve won four and drawn three, unbeaten in seven, conceding just two goals. We are struggling to score though, we’ve only scored ten goals in those home games, 16 in 14 home and away and have scored just once in our last three matches. In addition, Plymouth are quite a physical side and although we have no problem beating passing, footballing sides (Bristol City 3-0, QPR 3-0, Doncaster Rovers 0-2) we struggle against the bigger sides. Add to that the fact that Plymouth are just a point behind us in the league and you should be able to see where I’m coming from about how tight this game looks to be on paper.
Now, I believe we’ve got enough to beat them. We may have scored once in three matches, a scrambled goal by a centre half, but our last two homes matches saw us create more chances than any other game in the season and away to Bristol City, it was only 0-0 because both keepers had fantastic games. We are creating chances and our home form is very good. It also helps that their form is WLWLW, it should be quite obvious what the next one in the sequence should be! They also travelled to Sheffield to play the filth on Tuesday; I don’t know if they’ve stayed here all week or if they went home, to come back, to go home again; either way, that has to be mentally and probably physically draining. Travelling is a bitch, as is staying away from home, I can vouch for both of these!
We’re best price 4/5 (BetFred and many others) to win and it’s also best price 4/5 to be under 2.5 goals (BetFred). I'm not sure I can take either of those prices, perhaps the win, but I'd still want a bit more. Maybe you could double it up, I dunno. The 1-1 draw is widely available at 6/1, as is United 1-0. You can get 15/2 about a 2/1 scoreline from Blue Square. As I said, I refuse to bet on United games nowadays but if you made me, I’d be ploughing into the 6/1 for a 1-0 win to the mighty red and white wizards.
Up the Blades!
Friday, 31 October 2008
Premier League Legends
On October 25th 2008, Ryan Giggs entered an elite club, becoming only the third player in the history of the Premier League to reach the 500 appearances mark. Inspired by this impressive feat, here are brief biographies of the five players with the most Premier League appearances under their belt. All information is correct as of October 31st 2008.
1) Gary Speed - Appearances: 535.
Clubs: Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
Currently plying his trade with Sheffield United in the Coca-Cola Championship, Gary Speed is the player with the most Premier League appearances to his name. A fantastic athlete, even today at the age of 39, he rarely fails to complete a full 90 minutes and is a vital part of the engine room at Bramall Lane. Gary was a member of the Leeds United team that won the old First Division title, shortly before the Premier League was created and he has 81 Premier League goals to his name, as well as 85 caps for Wales.
2) David James – Appearances: 520.
Clubs: Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
“Calamity James” may have a reputation for goalkeeping howlers, but he has managed to clock up 520 Premier League appearances in a career that has so far spanned 22 years. An excellent shot-stopper, James has also played 44 times for England and helped Portsmouth to lift last season’s FA Cup, conceding just one goal in six matches.
3) Ryan Giggs – Appearances: 500.
Clubs: Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs is a rarity in the modern era. A one club man who has also earned 64 caps for Wales, he is the most decorated player in the history of British football with twenty major honours, including ten Premier League titles. Giggs has 95 Premier League goals to his name as well as being the league leader in assists, with 227. At the age of 34 he is still an important part of Alex Ferguson’s squad at Old Trafford.
4) Sol Campbell – Appearances: 461.
Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Portsmouth.
Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell, better known as “Sol”, is no stranger to controversy. He famously crossed the North London divide with a high profile move to Arsenal, which led Spurs fans to label him “Judas” and in the 2005/06 season, he went AWOL for several days due to personal issues, the club having no idea of his whereabouts. That said, he remains a solid centre half with 73 England caps and two Premier League winners medals, playing an instrumental role at the heart of the Pompey defence.
5) Alan Shearer – Appearances: 441.
Clubs: Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.
With 260 Premier League goals, Shearer is the highest scoring player in the league’s history and remains seventh in the list of top scorers for the English national team, with 30 goals from 63 caps. His £15 million move to Newcastle, the club he supported as a boy, was a world record at the time. Now retired, he is prominent in the media, working as a pundit for the BBC.
1) Gary Speed - Appearances: 535.
Clubs: Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
Currently plying his trade with Sheffield United in the Coca-Cola Championship, Gary Speed is the player with the most Premier League appearances to his name. A fantastic athlete, even today at the age of 39, he rarely fails to complete a full 90 minutes and is a vital part of the engine room at Bramall Lane. Gary was a member of the Leeds United team that won the old First Division title, shortly before the Premier League was created and he has 81 Premier League goals to his name, as well as 85 caps for Wales.
2) David James – Appearances: 520.
Clubs: Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
“Calamity James” may have a reputation for goalkeeping howlers, but he has managed to clock up 520 Premier League appearances in a career that has so far spanned 22 years. An excellent shot-stopper, James has also played 44 times for England and helped Portsmouth to lift last season’s FA Cup, conceding just one goal in six matches.
3) Ryan Giggs – Appearances: 500.
Clubs: Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs is a rarity in the modern era. A one club man who has also earned 64 caps for Wales, he is the most decorated player in the history of British football with twenty major honours, including ten Premier League titles. Giggs has 95 Premier League goals to his name as well as being the league leader in assists, with 227. At the age of 34 he is still an important part of Alex Ferguson’s squad at Old Trafford.
4) Sol Campbell – Appearances: 461.
Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Portsmouth.
Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell, better known as “Sol”, is no stranger to controversy. He famously crossed the North London divide with a high profile move to Arsenal, which led Spurs fans to label him “Judas” and in the 2005/06 season, he went AWOL for several days due to personal issues, the club having no idea of his whereabouts. That said, he remains a solid centre half with 73 England caps and two Premier League winners medals, playing an instrumental role at the heart of the Pompey defence.
5) Alan Shearer – Appearances: 441.
Clubs: Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.
With 260 Premier League goals, Shearer is the highest scoring player in the league’s history and remains seventh in the list of top scorers for the English national team, with 30 goals from 63 caps. His £15 million move to Newcastle, the club he supported as a boy, was a world record at the time. Now retired, he is prominent in the media, working as a pundit for the BBC.
Monday, 27 October 2008
Pleased With This Loss !
For once in my life, I have been glad to have succumb to a massive loss. As most of you know, at the end of June, I underwent life changing surgery in order to attempt to shed some of my excessive weight ! After a period of 4 months, I can report that my total loss so far is 9 stone. To say I am surprised is an understatement; to say I'm delighted would be stating the obvious. After three very trying years, I am now finally feeling much better physically, but also mentally and have a more optimistic outlook on life. I hope to return to work soon after Christmas (when the Docs give me an all clear), and generally want to get on a bit more with things.
From a personal point of view, I'd like to thank all my mates and associates at Scoop Troop and DUPS for all the support and good wishes over what has been a traumatic year. The outcome, of course has been worth the effort, and it feels better than more or less anything, to have been given this new lease of life, and dare I say it ... a second chance !
(Sorry it's a bit off topic; just felt like sharing my news !)
From a personal point of view, I'd like to thank all my mates and associates at Scoop Troop and DUPS for all the support and good wishes over what has been a traumatic year. The outcome, of course has been worth the effort, and it feels better than more or less anything, to have been given this new lease of life, and dare I say it ... a second chance !
(Sorry it's a bit off topic; just felt like sharing my news !)
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Fuck me, another essay-length rant
Respect – noun; a feeling of admiration for someone because of their qualities or achievements.
I was tempted to write a piece about referees after the Sheffield derby, but I decided against it. Referees have a difficult job to do, they already get plenty of criticism and let’s face it, there are plenty of them that would just love the attention. I have however reversed my decision, unlike Mike Dean, after witnessing three of the most atrocious refereeing displays in my eighteen years of watching football.
The FA must be praised for their “Respect The Ref” initiative. I don’t have a lot of time for the FA, but they have the right idea with this one. It is however incredibly difficult to show respect to those who haven’t necessarily earned it, through their “qualities or achievements” (Oxford English Dictionary) which is a fairly gaping hole in the entire campaign. Imagine if you went in to work one day and dropped a series of clangers which not only messed up the office for the day, but the aftermath of which set the office back significantly for the next couple of weeks; would you then have the nerve to demand the respect of your colleagues? I think it’s fair to assume that you wouldn’t and you’d have to be quite arrogant to assume that they would continue to view you in the same light as before the incidents and that there would be no punishment forthcoming. So why is it the case then, that referees are allowed to demand such respect, despite horrible inconsistencies, week in, week out and are seemingly allowed to continue to underperform with no recognisable consequences?
Early in today’s match at Bramall Lane, one of the Preston players went into a challenge with high feet. I’m not actually sure who the offending player was, but it’s not relevant. The Kop were ironically chanting “off, off, off”, presumably in reference to the Matthew Kilgallon red card last Sunday. Noone seriously expected the player to walk, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a card to be produced for a reckless, high challenge. So why then did the offence go unpunished, save for a free kick? Matthew Kilgallon went in with eyes on the ball last week and though
reckless, was never intent on causing injury, yet Dean instantly flashed the red card, without even considering the opinions of his assistants. Today, a similar, arguably worse offence takes place and the player isn’t even booked. I could tolerate the odd poor, game changing decision if the rules were applied consistently, but they just aren’t and that makes it very difficult to find respect for the referees and their employers.
The appeal against Kilgallon’s red card failed. What exactly does a club from outside of the Premier League need to do to win an appeal? Even the opposition manager, the boss of United’s most hated rivals, said: “I have sympathy for Kevin because, from where we were, which was very close, it looked a yellow card”. Nobody I have spoken to on the matter believes it was a sending off offence. If it’s good enough for a John terry rugby tackle, it ought to be good enough for a clumsy Kilgallon challenge.
Paddy Kenny was booked for time wasting today, as he waited for Danny Webber (playing on the right hand side, the opposite side from the dugout) to leave the pitch and Greg Halford to enter the field of play. This substitution took up no more than a regulation amount of time, yet Kenny was accused of deliberately stalling the game and was given a yellow card. Perhaps Mr Whitestone would have preferred us to restart the game with our right winger out of position, thus leaving ourselves severely weakened? Presumably then this alleged stalling was a far nastier offence than the aforementioned high feet, which could have seriously injured another player, as Kenny was awarded a card and the Preston player wasn’t? Kyle Naughton was booked for simulation, despite one of the most blatant trips you’ll ever see, yards from the referee who had a perfectly clear view.
I could go on about specific decisions all day, but the point of this piece isn’t to whinge, it’s simply that basic decisions like these that are destroying games of football up and down the country for spectators, causing players to pick up suspensions and potentially costing managers jobs. When Kenny picks up four more yellow cards, he will be banned and we will be without a key member of our team. When the referee makes four more hideous blunders, what will happen to him? Sheffield United are without their star performer at the back (who incidentally has had just one yellow card and Sunday’s red card in sixty matches, a phenomenal record for a centre half I’m sure even Mr Dean would have to admit) and if we leak goals, it could derail our promotion push and ultimately earn Blackwell the sack. These men make massive, life changing decisions in matches with millions of pounds on the line, the very least they could do is apply the rules with consistency.
BBC Radio Sheffield interviewed Kevin Blackwell after the game and when pressed on the issue of the referee, he told us that the FA come down hard on managers who speak negatively about referees and therefore he wouldn’t comment. I don’t blame him, but what kind of world are we operating in where there is effective censorship around those in charge? Isn’t that bordering on fascism? Why shouldn’t a manager be able to comment on some horrendous decisions that 25,000 other people could see were wrong, when these blunders are affecting his own tenure? The officials are simply not accountable; they rarely do press interviews, they almost never come out and admit errors and it takes something very serious for them to be relieved of their Premier League responsibilities and even then they are simply moved to the likes of us in the Championship, which is no punishment at all. Why on Earth should we have to endure incompetent officials? I’d imagine that the argument would be that, should a premiership player underperform, he will eventually find himself plying his trade in the lower leagues, but if that player has a run of poor games, his club will remove him from the side entirely whilst a referee enduring a poor run continues to officiate on a regular basis and that simply isn’t good enough.
Noone seriously expects referees to get 100% of decisions correct, but in the last three games I’ve witnessed, I’ve seen basic decision after basic decision go the wrong way. What do these people do out there? Three men between them can’t tell that the ball has clearly crossed the line, from a few yards away? That it went out off one player rather than the other? James Beattie had to be substituted with an injury today and later had stitches, but when he was down, the referee not only let Preston bomb forward, but he let them take a corner too. Fair enough, it wasn’t a head injury so he doesn’t need to stop the game, but surely when the ball goes out for a corner, Beattie must be allowed to receive treatment and Brian Howard should not be booked for pointing out Beattie’s injury to the referee? On Tuesday night, the referee stopped the game on at least four occasions that I can remember for Southampton injuries to parts of the body other than the head. Consistency chaps, it didn’t ought to be that testing.
Speaking of consistency, how do football clubs ever expect to achieve anything when they constantly change the managerial staff? Iain Dowie is arguably the most overrated manager in the history of the game, I’d welcome someone informing me as to what he’s actually done as a manager to warrant his fabulous reputation, but the QPR top brass can’t seriously believe that fifteen games in all competitions is long enough to assess a manager’s worth? Especially when they’re in the last sixteen of the League Cup and are just a point outside the play-off places, it seems like madness to me.
I think there is possibly a wider problem with society, we seem to live in a “want it now” culture, the PlayStation generation demanding everything at break-neck speed. You can see it everywhere you look. Gone are the days of musicians working hard and earning their place at the top for example, why bother when they can just bleach their teeth and appear on the X-Factor? Celebrities famous for simply being famous, young girls genuinely wanting be “WAGs” when they grow up, TV “dumbing down” and not risking intellectually challenging programmes, instead opting for safe bet ratings winners. If you work hard and give it time, you will see the benefits, ask Alex Ferguson. He was on the verge of the sack in 1990 and what an error that would have proven to be.
I opened with the OED, I’ll close with the OED. Take note, FA.
Consistency - noun; the state of being consistent.
Consistent - adjective; conforming to a regular pattern; unchanging.
I was tempted to write a piece about referees after the Sheffield derby, but I decided against it. Referees have a difficult job to do, they already get plenty of criticism and let’s face it, there are plenty of them that would just love the attention. I have however reversed my decision, unlike Mike Dean, after witnessing three of the most atrocious refereeing displays in my eighteen years of watching football.
The FA must be praised for their “Respect The Ref” initiative. I don’t have a lot of time for the FA, but they have the right idea with this one. It is however incredibly difficult to show respect to those who haven’t necessarily earned it, through their “qualities or achievements” (Oxford English Dictionary) which is a fairly gaping hole in the entire campaign. Imagine if you went in to work one day and dropped a series of clangers which not only messed up the office for the day, but the aftermath of which set the office back significantly for the next couple of weeks; would you then have the nerve to demand the respect of your colleagues? I think it’s fair to assume that you wouldn’t and you’d have to be quite arrogant to assume that they would continue to view you in the same light as before the incidents and that there would be no punishment forthcoming. So why is it the case then, that referees are allowed to demand such respect, despite horrible inconsistencies, week in, week out and are seemingly allowed to continue to underperform with no recognisable consequences?
Early in today’s match at Bramall Lane, one of the Preston players went into a challenge with high feet. I’m not actually sure who the offending player was, but it’s not relevant. The Kop were ironically chanting “off, off, off”, presumably in reference to the Matthew Kilgallon red card last Sunday. Noone seriously expected the player to walk, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a card to be produced for a reckless, high challenge. So why then did the offence go unpunished, save for a free kick? Matthew Kilgallon went in with eyes on the ball last week and though
reckless, was never intent on causing injury, yet Dean instantly flashed the red card, without even considering the opinions of his assistants. Today, a similar, arguably worse offence takes place and the player isn’t even booked. I could tolerate the odd poor, game changing decision if the rules were applied consistently, but they just aren’t and that makes it very difficult to find respect for the referees and their employers.The appeal against Kilgallon’s red card failed. What exactly does a club from outside of the Premier League need to do to win an appeal? Even the opposition manager, the boss of United’s most hated rivals, said: “I have sympathy for Kevin because, from where we were, which was very close, it looked a yellow card”. Nobody I have spoken to on the matter believes it was a sending off offence. If it’s good enough for a John terry rugby tackle, it ought to be good enough for a clumsy Kilgallon challenge.
Paddy Kenny was booked for time wasting today, as he waited for Danny Webber (playing on the right hand side, the opposite side from the dugout) to leave the pitch and Greg Halford to enter the field of play. This substitution took up no more than a regulation amount of time, yet Kenny was accused of deliberately stalling the game and was given a yellow card. Perhaps Mr Whitestone would have preferred us to restart the game with our right winger out of position, thus leaving ourselves severely weakened? Presumably then this alleged stalling was a far nastier offence than the aforementioned high feet, which could have seriously injured another player, as Kenny was awarded a card and the Preston player wasn’t? Kyle Naughton was booked for simulation, despite one of the most blatant trips you’ll ever see, yards from the referee who had a perfectly clear view.
I could go on about specific decisions all day, but the point of this piece isn’t to whinge, it’s simply that basic decisions like these that are destroying games of football up and down the country for spectators, causing players to pick up suspensions and potentially costing managers jobs. When Kenny picks up four more yellow cards, he will be banned and we will be without a key member of our team. When the referee makes four more hideous blunders, what will happen to him? Sheffield United are without their star performer at the back (who incidentally has had just one yellow card and Sunday’s red card in sixty matches, a phenomenal record for a centre half I’m sure even Mr Dean would have to admit) and if we leak goals, it could derail our promotion push and ultimately earn Blackwell the sack. These men make massive, life changing decisions in matches with millions of pounds on the line, the very least they could do is apply the rules with consistency.
BBC Radio Sheffield interviewed Kevin Blackwell after the game and when pressed on the issue of the referee, he told us that the FA come down hard on managers who speak negatively about referees and therefore he wouldn’t comment. I don’t blame him, but what kind of world are we operating in where there is effective censorship around those in charge? Isn’t that bordering on fascism? Why shouldn’t a manager be able to comment on some horrendous decisions that 25,000 other people could see were wrong, when these blunders are affecting his own tenure? The officials are simply not accountable; they rarely do press interviews, they almost never come out and admit errors and it takes something very serious for them to be relieved of their Premier League responsibilities and even then they are simply moved to the likes of us in the Championship, which is no punishment at all. Why on Earth should we have to endure incompetent officials? I’d imagine that the argument would be that, should a premiership player underperform, he will eventually find himself plying his trade in the lower leagues, but if that player has a run of poor games, his club will remove him from the side entirely whilst a referee enduring a poor run continues to officiate on a regular basis and that simply isn’t good enough.
Noone seriously expects referees to get 100% of decisions correct, but in the last three games I’ve witnessed, I’ve seen basic decision after basic decision go the wrong way. What do these people do out there? Three men between them can’t tell that the ball has clearly crossed the line, from a few yards away? That it went out off one player rather than the other? James Beattie had to be substituted with an injury today and later had stitches, but when he was down, the referee not only let Preston bomb forward, but he let them take a corner too. Fair enough, it wasn’t a head injury so he doesn’t need to stop the game, but surely when the ball goes out for a corner, Beattie must be allowed to receive treatment and Brian Howard should not be booked for pointing out Beattie’s injury to the referee? On Tuesday night, the referee stopped the game on at least four occasions that I can remember for Southampton injuries to parts of the body other than the head. Consistency chaps, it didn’t ought to be that testing.
Speaking of consistency, how do football clubs ever expect to achieve anything when they constantly change the managerial staff? Iain Dowie is arguably the most overrated manager in the history of the game, I’d welcome someone informing me as to what he’s actually done as a manager to warrant his fabulous reputation, but the QPR top brass can’t seriously believe that fifteen games in all competitions is long enough to assess a manager’s worth? Especially when they’re in the last sixteen of the League Cup and are just a point outside the play-off places, it seems like madness to me.
I think there is possibly a wider problem with society, we seem to live in a “want it now” culture, the PlayStation generation demanding everything at break-neck speed. You can see it everywhere you look. Gone are the days of musicians working hard and earning their place at the top for example, why bother when they can just bleach their teeth and appear on the X-Factor? Celebrities famous for simply being famous, young girls genuinely wanting be “WAGs” when they grow up, TV “dumbing down” and not risking intellectually challenging programmes, instead opting for safe bet ratings winners. If you work hard and give it time, you will see the benefits, ask Alex Ferguson. He was on the verge of the sack in 1990 and what an error that would have proven to be.
I opened with the OED, I’ll close with the OED. Take note, FA.
Consistency - noun; the state of being consistent.
Consistent - adjective; conforming to a regular pattern; unchanging.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Scooping for the first time in a while!
So nobody likes that picture of me in my thong, boo hoo. I like it.
Anyway, my team won a competition at uni yesterday. It was the NCR's voice of the future challenge. We had to create a video of what life would be like in the year 2020. So we did, and we rocked the world.
And what did we scoop?
Just an Ipod touch each!!
At first I was all like, well I don't need an mp3 player I'll sell it I don't need it... but now... I've used it... and its... the greatest thing ever!! Its got wifi, insta-music from iTunes, email, photos, its brilliant!
So thats a major scoop!
I may post up some of the videos at some point, and I'll definately have to give my thoughts of el Dublino trip too.
In the meantime, keep on scooping, in whatever way you can!
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Dublin!
I'm amazed that I'm the first to comment on this blog since the return from the IPO. I was up early this morning for my train from Dundee to Sheffield and have been out and about all day, I haven't been back from the Southampton game all that long. We were fucking unlucky tonight mind, poor in the first half and created about 10 or 12 chances in the second half, no idea how we didn't win. Anyway, I'm absolutely shattered so I'll maybe post some more stories at a later date but for now, here's a few comments, pictures and a bit of video footage.
Perhaps someone else could explain the jokes (the thong and the coke jump to mind) while I go and catch some ZzZzZ. Oops, nearly forgot the vid!
Oh and Adnan? You're fired for posting like one thing ever and generally being lame.
Perhaps someone else could explain the jokes (the thong and the coke jump to mind) while I go and catch some ZzZzZ. Oops, nearly forgot the vid!
Oh and Adnan? You're fired for posting like one thing ever and generally being lame.
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