Tag Archives: Soccer

Sportsthoughts (46) – Defending a Fish Supper

Posted on September 26, 2012 by John S

So “Big Sam” Allardyce was angry as his – my – team, West Ham, crashed out of the Capital One League Cup, losing 4-1 at home to Wigan. Wigan! You bet he was angry – with the team of course. The … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (42) – Whay-ay, the Big Man joins Big Sam at West Ham!

Posted on August 31, 2012 by John S

I’m surprised and rather delighted that Andy Carroll has joined West Ham on a season long loan, with an option, I think, to make it permanent. He’s a high quality player, a bit of a throwback to the days when … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (40) – FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou

Posted on August 23, 2012 by John S

On Sunday I fulfilled an ambition and went to the Camp Nou in Barcelona, to see the mighty FC Barcelona play.  To see the great Lionel Messi. We were holidaying up the coast on the Costa Brava, near a town … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (39) – The Return of the Premier League

Posted on August 18, 2012 by John S

So soon after those feelgood Olympics, all those supremely talented athletes, at once successful and humble, in tune with the crowds who roared them on. After all the smiles, the friendliness, people of all nations happily mixing, celebrating, drinking in … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (35) – Olympic highlights so far

Posted on July 31, 2012 by John S

Day 4, Tuesday 31 July. I’m at work so I can’t get intimately involved with canoe slaloming, or archery, or Grecian wrestling, or whatever, during the day.  That is always fun – the way you rapidly become expert on obscure … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (31) – Euro 2012: the denouement

Posted on July 4, 2012 by John S

There was an odd news story today. England have risen two places to fourth in the FIFA world rankings.  That’s England, knocked out in the quarter finals, outclassed in normal time, by Italy – now sixth. Suggests the rankings don’t … Continue reading →

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Wembley Stadium on a cloudy June day

Posted on June 26, 2012 by John S

Yes, it was 23 June, the height of the English summer, and the grey clouds lay thick in the sky. It was windy, cool, not cold, from time to time a drizzle falling.  But Wembley and its arch looked magnificent. … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (30) – the Euro quarter finals

Posted on June 26, 2012 by John S

And so to the stage when class really begins to tell. You can play for the draw and penalties, but really you have to want to win. Without that mindset, you begin with a handicap, and it’s not often that … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (29) – the Euros move into the quarter finals

Posted on June 21, 2012 by John S

Twelve successive days of quality football. Brilliant – if you like football. The female side of my family have been tolerant about the evening TV monopoly – for which I am very grateful! Looking back at my predictions (Sportsthoughts 27) … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (28) – Bobby Moore, the Maestro

Posted on June 8, 2012 by John S

Last Saturday, 3 June, I went to the new Wembley Stadium for the first time.  England were playing Belgium in a friendly.  We won the game 1-0, rather against the run of play. It wasn’t the most scintillating of games … Continue reading →

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