Azzurri Power and English charm?

The Mighty Italians - I have the right to say that as they top the world rankings and are the World Champions as well - took on the travelling Scots in Bari for their Euro 2008 clash. The Italians have not been as convincing as they had been in the world cup and were in a sort of a slump, but with Donandoni at the helm and with the likes of Gattuso, Pirlo, Toni and Buffon in the field, it probably was a slight slip, one would guess. And they wasted no time in assuring their fans of their skill by opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a quality header from none other than Luca Toni. The Scots fielded an attacking line up, but Zambrotta and Oddo were causing all sorts of problems for the Scots with running attacks on either side. And with 20 odd minutes Toni settled the game with his second strike of the night and brought the high flying Scots crashing down to earth.

Elsewhere, in Barcelona, Woeful England started the game against Andorra with the critics waiting on the aisle to kill them with words the following morning. As it is, there was nothing to really harp about England based on their performances in the recent past and with the goals drying up bug time, the lads had to 'stand and deliver' or else face the scathing attack day in and day out. After another lacklustre first half, they were deservedly jeered off the field for half time. Immediately after the restart, Gerrard saved England the blushes and sent in a a low 20 yard drive and then slid in to get his second with 15 minutes remaining. Unconvincing England were finally scenting a win after a long time (since the dark ages??!). David Nugent tapped it in from close range in extra time to get a goal on his debut, though it was rolling towards the goal after Defoe's shot was partly-saved by the Andorra keeper. This game showed (as I earlier stated in an old post) that you have to sacrifice a few good men to get the results. Gerrard was in his preferred position at the centre (with Lamps on the injured list) and it reaped in the results. Think Steve, think!

Anyway, a good day's work for the Italians and the English, I must say.

Sigh..Still the same!

Sigh!...After managing a draw against Southend, with Luton being defeated elsewhere, we still find ourselves propping up the ladder! But the draw draws us level on points with fellow strugglers - Luton - and with just a handful of games remaining, Wise and Poyet will have to make 'wise' team selections to try and save the sinking ship called Leeds United.

The goals are starting to come slowly and that - My God - is a big big morale booster. Though the Premiership looks like a long walk back, League 1 has it's arms wide open in welcoming a club -which could very well be an example as 'How not to manage a Premiership Club'. League 1, 2 and the conference is not the way Leeds should be looking...it's the other way...up the championship table, the Premiership and then ultimate glory...in the Champions League!

Rock Bottom

With Leeds languishing at the bottom of the Championship table, things look rather gloomy and overcast over Elland Road. Will the not-so-late Champions League Semi-Finalists complete the journey and end up in League 1? This weekend's game against Southend could be the key!

Born to Run.

...Was reading, or rather continuing to read 'It's not about the Bike' which is about Lance Armstrong's 'Journey back to life' after he was diagnosed with Cancer, was under chemo for a long time and then bounced back into the limelight. Anyway, not to digress, there was this chapter called 'Survivorship' which was about how he lost all hope in cycling, gave it up almost for good and then how he found motivation (with help from fading 'Go Armstrong' and 'Viva Lance' scribbled on Beech Mountain) and started on his return to Glory! As I was reading this particular chapter with profound interest, the music in the background (my headphones!) added more weight to it! It was the boss singing 'Baby, we were born to run....'

'Born to Run' , by itself, is one heck of a song, but coupled with this read it produced an immense effect which sadly cannot be explained in words! In short - it has to be lived! :)