Back From The Wilderness

I guess apologies are in order for being MIA for such a long time. Sorry for not posting even an update but I was on a vacation over the last week and ended up without an internet connection for large periods. Things got further complicated as I forgot my phone charger and it left me completely out of touch with the world. Of course, I could have found options if I really wanted to, but this experience of just being close to nature, with people who really matter in my life near me, and without caring about too many events around the world, was actually quite a pleasant one.

Consequently, I missed the game against Blackburn and other Premiership fixtures, the Cricket World Cup final, the mid-week Champions League ties, and a lot more. But to be honest, now that I’ve missed these games, it feels good.

There was just too much noise. Every single event was being twisted into title talk. Over simplification and trivialization of issues was compounding the frustration of certain performances. This break helped me in getting my head clear of all the negativity. For a while it was affecting my mind but now I have rediscovered the, dare I say, mental strength to see through it and ignore the noises, however loud and repetitive they might be. I wholeheartedly recommend a complete break from events, at least football-wise, to all who are tired of the internet pollution.

The usual pre-game thoughts will return tomorrow with the focus on Blackpool. I expect that to be one of the most entertaining games of the season and hopefully most fans will be able to enjoy a football match for what it is, a football match, instead of losing the joy by looking at it as a piece of the mind-boggling silverware jigsaw.

I will also try to cover some of the events of the past week after I catch up with the news. There seems to be a lot going on. Fergie is showing real class with his comments about the Police Superintendent.

There is a wee guy, sitting down there in the Midlands, probably never been recognised in his life, managed to elevate himself to whatever it is in the police force.

Even though I don’t know the whole story, it’s difficult to see any sense behind those words. If the Superintendent is a ‘wee guy’ what do you guess Ferguson thinks of the rest of the police force? The United manager might have a point but I’d expect more composed communication from someone of his stature. Perhaps such an attitude comes from years of having things going your way. After all, if your players can get away with kung-fu kicks on opponents and don’t even get cautioned for running at and shoving a ref, you’d feel a sense of entitlement.

Before ending, I do want to take a moment to send my commiserations to all the Tiny Totts, especially the ones who visit this site regularly. I missed their heroics at the Bernabeu but hopefully we will get a DVD of that soon. Such games put the criticism Arsenal received after the Barcelona tie into stark perspective. For that, heartfelt thanks go to ‘Arry and his boys. I can never understand how Spuds receive so many plaudits while Arsenal get attacked left, right, and centre. But that does help me in ignoring, even laugh at, the analysis and opinions rife with double standards, jealousy, and bigotry.

More in the coming days…