Parade No, Valley Yes

So I was four days late for the real drama – still that was for the true Bantams fan and not the odd 92er. So a cold January in Bradford, would it play host to more drama? Well, yes just not of sort the locals were after.

For me this was also a family visit day. We started at the National Media Museum with some elevenses (actually lunch for the others) in their café having parked in a public car park behind it. They went off to see 'The Hobbit in IMAX 3D loveliness while I went around the photography galleries. I've been before but nevertheless it was an entertaining couple of hours.

I walked up to the ground in twenty minutes. Nestled on the valley side the ground looks an impressive stadium. Ticket bought from the office for the main stand I entered down into a cavernous hall of food stands, TVs and fans standing around talking in the warmth. Tea and giant sausage roll later I took my seat,again going down the hillside to row 'O'.

Inside the ground you see how unbalanced it really is. Two sides have stands worthy of any Premier League club. A third side boasts a stand typical of league one while the fourth has a two tiered stand maybe of a modest championship club. Between the three structures are gaps. Opposite me I could see out to the other side of the valley and over into the city centre. While around to my right I saw the nearby streets and into what looked the media centre with many lit up TV screens.

The football was pretty good though the Bradford goal was born of comical error by their defence. The United equaliser was a pearler of a shot and from on they looked the more likely to win. The Bradford keeper made several excellent saves. He was however unable to stop the penalty that ultimately won the match for the visitors.

The fans around me were disgruntled with their team's display and keen on the club getting a few more points on the board. The crowd itself was very large for this league and I imagine may surprise if not intimidate some visiting teams. But equally if may motivate others. It certainly did nothing to dampen Oxford's endeavours and they were worthy winners.

Bradford and its football club are both worth a visit.

King Power's Winter Wonderland

So Leicester City laid on a special Winter Wonderland with 'Snow Globe', 'Ice Rink', 'Giant Slide' and much more winter wonder. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to tempt my son to join me so a solo trip.
Anyway I parked at the Rugby ground for a mere £3 and walked a short distance to the stadium and then around it to find a ticket office.  I passed two sub ticket offices before heading back to the first one I found to purchase a £17 ticket to the south stand - magic.

The food was something to behold - 'Outdoor reared pork' was the meat choice; well only choice. Still a pork bap plus tea (PG) was £4.50 - nice.
Match was entertaining and I would go back.  The stadium is a bit bland but functions well.  No poor sight lines (no visible supports). Reasonable seats and good facilities and today excellent prices.  The crowd were typical of the modern era -  mostly quiet but occasional singing and the odd idiot standing up every now and again to shout expletives at his sides players.
The foxes went ahead and it looked like it would be a stroll in the park but two defensive mistakes and they were behind only to scrap a draw in the last minute. What winter wonder fun!

Spotted at Spotland

Well Rochdale town centre was doing its best to persuade me it was still open and free parking was promised. The first car park I tried told me, as I exited on foot, that it was closing at 5pm for a fireworks display so I had to move to another car park. Anyway I walked the mile to the ground no problem and got a ticket to the main stand. Tea was PG costing the usual £1.50 and a cottage pie that joined it was reasonable once you got through the crust on the mashed potato.

Not a large crowd; a couple of hundred over two thousands and I could have parked at the ground. Many others were parked on the streets locally but with congested streets after the whistle my get away from the town centre was probably easier and I was on my way back down the motorway by half five.

The match itself was a good contest eventually going to the home side.

 

Rainbows over Spotland

Three goals and two red cards but not a dirty match at all.  I sat pretty much opposite the away fans and they did their team proud.  The home weren't too shabby either. The ground has gaps in the corners allowing views of the wind turbine covered moorsides in one direction.

The stadium looks standard twentieth century build and could do with a lick of paint in places but it's not bad for a league two ground. I can imagine a great atmosphere when it gets bigger crowds.  I'd go back and enjoy some more football.

Treated like Royalty at the New Lawn

Well, in thirty years I have never before enjoyed a box at a football match but we did so last Saturday to celebrate my son's birthday. For one match we had a suite for ourselves. Lunch, TV, programmes and seats in the main stand - marvellous. Forest Green had done us proud. We had half dozen of his class mates with us and they all seemed to enjoyed the afternoon. Before the little man went off to join the team we all took part in a guided tour of the stadium; the gym, directors box, changing rooms, medical room, PA facilities room, timers workplace, all the other stands - a good set-up.

Burying Bury at Broadfield

Finally back on the road again. Timing was about tight because of a fuel spill on the M25 but I made to see an excellent match as Crawley Town just pipped Bury to the points. The ground does show signs of belonging to a recently promoted non-league side.  The stand I was in was a temporary looking affair but it worked and allows the locals to make some noise by stamping their feet.
I had a jumbo sausage roll and onions with some tea for four quid. Perfectly edible though I did hear other fans complaining of aggressive staff later I didn't have any such treatment.

I also just squeezed into the car park for three quid though I think I saw some free parking advertised as I drove past the ground.  Getting away wasn't too bad but the roundabout next to the ground was a long wait as most traffic wasn't going my way.  It seems most fans use a good and very close bus service.
I felt really sorry for the cheer leaders who after a brief 5 minute routine at half time got to stand as a guard of honor for ten minutes in the cold and rain. One decent scoreboard and the home fans were pretty quiet unlike the Lancashire travellers who kept up a good noise throughout and were hard done to by a very late winner after coming back from 2 down.  They didn't look like a bottom of the table side but it was entertaining.

Second hand Lawn

There are moments in life that are considered milestones. Last Saturday was one in that I took my son to his first (semi-)professional football match.  We both went to our local team, FGR, at the New Lawn to cheer them on. 
I have visited the ground before but was in the away end. This proves that a different experience can be enjoyed as a home supporter. In the main stand we enjoyed a decent under cover bar and Sky Sports TV.
Rovers were robbed of a victory by an eighty nineth minute penalty but otherwise looked good.  My son enjoyed it and we saw several other folk we know.  I think I might be able to get him along to another match sometime! :-)

Gulls, Rain but no Plain Moor here

Some grounds you can see and hear from a long way off. Then as you get nearer the crowd are thronging the surrounding streets – not Plainmoor. I arrived walking at the ground some fifteens minutes to go and didn't see a fellow crowd member until I was stood next to the ground – weird. Anyway a nice enough ground for League Two. The crowd was pretty fair given the distance the opposition had traveled and the rainy bank holiday. A real contrast from last weekend; this was a much more old fashioned ground but it has been updated.

So the cheapest tea I have enjoyed at any football ground at a quid. Unusually no seat allocations so I chose a seat near the front but still under cover, though the rain was blown in on us. Locals seemed to enjoy their chips with cheese on top; not for me.

The game itself was very entertaining. Six goals, a missed penalty and sending off plus a few bars hit. The visitors looked ominous at first going one up and then after brought back level hitting the bar but from that point on Torquay took over.  They scored the next four goals but Rochdale pulled one back.

I had brought my family with me and arriving mid morning we had enjoyed a visit to the museum and Dinosaur exhibition before the football, parking easily enough in the harbour multi-storey (7.10 for 8 hours, could have been 24 hours).

Great day, worth a visit. We will go back.

New York Blues

Well this ground says something about the intent of the Millers! It is certainly impressive from the outside. Weirdly though when you are inside it seems to shrink and more typical of a championship or league one ground which is still impressive for a League Two side and demonstrates their ambition.

I don't do well with season openers and this season is no different. Watched my home town team go two down inside ten minutes then later get a man sent off and lose a further goal.

I parked in a multi-storey next to the bus station; The Interchange.  Not bad at £2-80 for four hours.
Anyway the ground is very impressive from the outside and looks more premier league than league two. It somehow shrinks though when you're inside. Capacity is twelve thousand, on the large size for a side in the lowest league division. I parked in the town centre and walked to the ground, found, unusually for a new stadium, still in the centre. Clearly some work is still required to complete the build and my ticket wasn't wholly right on its statement of the turnstiles for entry. And even at the correct turnstile the bar code readers weren't working so a visual ticket inspection was done through a perspex window.

Our away contingent was in the hundreds I'd guess and there were a few gaps in our seats. The game though was a sell out supposedly but attendance was recorded at 11,441. The facilities were average. We had two refreshments bars and one tv in our section. Tea and a large sausage roll cost me £4-50 and was perfectly fine. The seats were okay, clear view and enough foot room.

I don't know if it will be normal but we had cheerleaders and a pipe band, plus the standard loud pa playing music to entertain before the football.

Nice ground, and would happily visit again.

Back to football

At last football is back!

Football fixtures

Prenton Park draws another season to an end

While many could enjoy the FA Cup final some of us journeyed to Birkenhead to enjoy Tranmere's end of season run out. A bit of sun always helps to make for a happy event but the cold still took the edge off the day. The journey up was easy enough and I parked next to the ground in a nearby sports centre for £3 (the average so far has been a fiver).
With a ticket bought from the portacabin ticket office I entered the mainstand. I was surprised to be in a small area with both food and drinks bars, two tvs and toilets. This area did not connect to other areas under the stand but was quite small and served maybe a couple of hundred fans only.
The ground is an eclectic mix of stands, mainly of some age.

Each side managed a goal to keep both sides from great joy but also from end of season dismay.  I enjoyed the game and would happily visit again.

Raining Shots and Millers

Well Aldershot Town provided some good football in a ground that has character. It was a very wet day and I arrived early so parking was fine; using a public park near the ground as advised by the road signs.

I started my football standing to watch so chose the Central Terrace to watch the game and quickly sought some warming refreshment. Reasonable cheeseburger and tea set me back a fiver. And some good chips and tea at half time were also welcome in the the continuing rain.
The football was entertaining, especially considering the stage of the season meaning there was little hope the result would lead to anything of great note.

Needed more than a moat :-(

This match was amazing but unfortunately for the home fans not for the right reasons. I arrived at the Keepmoat Stadium whilst my team were still tussling in the FA Cup semi so superstitious as us football fans are I vowed to avoid the match until it was over.  This meant standing out in the wet and cold for an hour. Anyway to this game. The tea and pie were average but well appreciated. My seat had padding! More amazing Doncaster quickly went two up within 6 minutes. There was hope! Unfortunately some interesting refereeing in the second half and Portsmouth were given two penalties that they converted to level and leave Rovers with only ten men.

A brilliant third goal then gave Doncaster the lead back! Surely that was it but no, Portsmouth managed two late goals to clinch faint survival hopes and condemn Rovers. Sad end to the match.
The stadium is nice enough modern affair.  It lacks much in originality but no-one should hold that against it. I parked easily enough in main car park so had a short walk to find the ticket office and buy a (cheap) ticket for a decent seat and excellent view under cover from the elements.

Ram Raid

I never leave a match early but this time I was late. Late enough to miss the first goal but there were more to come as Derby won; one particularly strange and caused much angst amongst the home crowd.

 The ground itself is typical of new stadia, functionally fine but lacking any charm, still the staff were very friendly and helpful. I sat with some of the older fans but the banter was no less lively for that. One chap in front of me was very vocal and forthright in sharing his opinions on the goings on.
Despite my late arrival I parked next to the ground and getting in and out of town was straight forward and pretty quick.
Derby play some decent football and but for a little excitement at the end had an easy victory. The incident followed on from a 'back pass' from which the visitors took a very quick free kick or straight into the Derby goal to much complaints from home fans.  All made worse when they scored again to peg the Rams back to 3-2 but they held on for the win. A decent crowd of 25,222 saw a good match.

So Blue for Hornets

I was surprised that St Andrews is up a hill. Somehow I never think of Birmingham as being hilly or high up but I believe West Brom's ground is the highest League ground in the country. Anyway, not much of a crowd so easy to get a seat in the main stand. Sold out of pasties so I had to have a Balti Pie instead with my Fanta (robbed of its top by the refreshment bar staff).

The ground itself is unbalanced with the stand opposite me very much the odd one out.  Smaller and older it looked more nineteenth century than twenty century and definitely not twenty first century. Still a pleasant ground with reasonable atmosphere considering the cold and wind in the January afternoon.
The football itself was fair and the most memorable element was the abuse Zigic was getting from those around me and I would have to agree he had a bad match at least. The other strike wasn't much better but The Blues still managed to score three goals to Watford's none.
Fifty third English League ground for me; not the best but not the worst.

Back Again at the First and only Ground!

Managed to get a ticket to see the boys live.  Not the best football match but the event was brilliant, loved it. A good few years since I have been in the Anfield Road end; excellent view and good atmosphere.

There have clearly been some minor changes since my last visit when I held a season ticket (what you give up for love!). The ticketing system have been updated but the prices are still very reasonable for the Premiership.  The music still stirs the heart.

A Forest Girl's Dream Comes True

Pre match entertainment included talking to the match mascots.  One local girl had dyed her hair red and predicted the scorleine accurately, 3-2. The City Ground is a nice stadium beautifully situated next to the Trent and sat in the Brian Clough stand before the match I was bathed in sun.
I parked in the station car park and walked with the throng to the ground. Once in I enjoyed a beverage and hot dog; nice enough and not too bad at £4.80.

We lost sight of the sun as kick off arrived. While the temparature dropped the football did little to warm the hearts until Andy Reid came on late to turn the match in favour of the reds. The crowd was a good size and reasonably hearty if a little doubting in a good result (not without reason). I recommend a visit.

London Road Blues

I was joined by my brother-in-law for this one.  We stood on the terraces to see the local team lose to the League leaders as Southend visited Macclesfield Town. First gam I have been to where no ticket was issued. There was also confusion on where to get in and buy our tickets from but we managed it; joining the home fans standing along the side near the dugouts. This is definitely a lower league ground. Many features belong to the last century; and many of the spectators around us but friendly folk. The southerners ruined the day for the locals and we witnessed a rare home defeat but they then the visitors were league leaders.

London Road

Frattonising with the Enemy

A real old fashioned ground, which has clearly seen better days, that day enjoyed some football that was welcomed by the Blue Army. I parked just outside the gorund but it was costly; double the more usual fiver at ten quid! Still virtually in the ground. The stand where I sat was high and sunny but the roof impinged to make things seem very dark and kept the sun from warming us on this cold day. Refreshments were fine and easy to get before the match. Heathly atmosphere around me and the home fans enjoyed a rare victory.

The Real St James Park

I got to the ground really early as I hoped to bump into a friend but didn't so enjoyed a walk around town.  St James Park is a lovely ground.

I enjoyed good local fayre before the game and parking at a car park in town was easy if not cheap. The ground has a three sides feel to it with the side opposite me being more fence than viewing space. The main bulk of the home contingent occupied a large open plan stand to my right and were vocal in their support. I enjoyed the visit though seeing Huddersfield triumph away from home again did dampen it for the lcoals.

Some Say Meat is Murder

Earlier this month I went with relations to see Grimsby score a one-nil win over Forest Green Rovers.  The New Lawn is currently famous for serving no red meat at the ground.  This was certainly a cuase for many chants from the visiting fans, some amusing.

The football ground is a lovely non league ground with good stands on three sides.  We travelled by bus from the main town nearby, Stroud and thanks to crowded roads had to chase the bus down the road on the way because it failed to make the same stop we had disembarked from earlier.  Still the Cotswolds are nice to look at while you slowly inch down the hillside; the ground is on a hill top.  It was a reasonable match was fought out in excellent spirit.

No Cherry on the cake today!

Despite the furvent support of the home fans the Cherries lost this one after a red card lost them their man of the match.  Another of the three sided grounds in a leqafy part of the outskirts.  The ticket office was busy before the game but I made it into the North Stand with about 12 minutes to spare.

The ground is set in Kings Park and has recently been turned around.  Inside its nothing special but the fans are keen and loyal.   My first evening match for some time and pleasant enough for that.  Food and drink were fine and averagely priced.

Home Park welcomes The Millers

So Home Park is a ground of new and old. The old , the main grandstand, still has wooden seats - not too comfortable and my view of one goal was obscured by a stand pillar. The crowd were loyal, respectful and not impressed by their team on the whole; especially No2. who could dribble well enough but failed to get a single decent cross into the box - wasting the open space he had on Argyle's right flank.

 The Pilgrim Himself?

Tea and a burger was £5.30, PG Tips and a home made job with onions. Both okay and the staff were pleasant if slightly deaf.
The match was interesting if goalless for 45 minutes. Argyle were lucky to escape a couple of times and made no clear chances themselves. The second half was a different affair and goals came quickly. The Pilgrims opened the score with a solo effort from no.21, a new signing apparently. This only angered The Millers who quickly equalized and then just carried on scoring eventually running out 4-1 winners.
There is a construction site next to the ground for some Life Centre. Also nearby is park and ride car park free to football fans. The journey was easy enough, some delay on the M5 due to an accident and holiday traffic. Didn't take too long to escape the car park and back up the A38 and M5 was free flowing. Recommend a visit.

Sixfields - No Goals

Tidy little lower league round in amongst some industrial developments and close to other sports developments, Sixfields is a fairly standard affair.  The atmosphere was a bit limp for an opening season fixture but then Stanley only brought about fifty supporters.  Both sets of fans made some noise but then the match never really got going and lacked any goals.  The cobblers had a few thundering shots but all over the bar and Accrington had one attempt disallowed.
I sat in a family stand though it was difficult to tell.  Tea was an average two quid and the Chicken Balti - was it the famous one?  I couldn't tell but it was very edible for its £2.90.

I booked my ticket online and picked it up from a portacabin as advised by the football ground guide website but poorly advertised by the club itself (it did say once you got into the ticket office).
Thanks to my family enjoying entertainment in Milton Keynes I traveled up from there on the train and walked to the ground (25 minutes), no problems.

It's back, again

It always seems an age but finally Football returns and so does my quest!

Down in Essex for the Brewer's survival

The trip to Southend was my longest so far. Over three hours and over 150 miles including a trip halfway around the M25 (they are still widening it in places.

The away supporters enjoy their own cafe and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The game was as expected, some tension on the Brewers side, but eventually the points were shared; enough for Burton's safety.
I liked this ground it has character, friendly staff and reasonable facilities.

A Meadow Barren of Goals

So the Greenhous Meadow Stadium was a modern one on the outskirts of town and lacked much character or originality but does it job well enough.  I must say the catering was excellent. Tea with real milk you added yourself and a fresh tuna baguette to munch on, nice.

The match was a closely fought stalemate goalless affair and the home crowd were a quiet lot. Both clubs look likely to make the play-offs but no more. Shropshire is a real country county and we ha a pleasant day.

No Dons of Football today

So Milton Keynes Stadium and the Dons.  A scorching hot day and probably not one to bext enjoy from seats firming in the sun all game. Still the shelter of the wonderful concourse was available.  More interesting than some of the recent modern grounds I have visited.  Very obvious scope for expansion though on te day current capacity wasn't filled.  Padded seats, good visibility, easy access and clean facilities makes this ground a nice place to see football. The away fans, from Huddersfield, were a very happy and vocal bunch.  For most of the game they drowned out an local support but given their team were winning easily maybe not surprising.

 All in all definitely liked the ground and it was a pleasant experience.

Leafy Lamex

Stevenage Boro have a ground with modest pretentions from the road view.  Once in though it is a lovely little ground with very friendly locals.  The football was good, both home and away teams were playing vibrant football.

A definite feel of its non-league roots but nice enough, enjoy.  The ground has a convenient free car park over the road.  The team played some nice football.

Molineux Jollity

Great match and lovely fans.  Six goals and a draw but what a great game for Deano to be remembered by.  The ground was full and I enjoyed some good football to boot.
The locals joked about another victory but seriously hoped for a single point. The ground was full and the atmosphere was good. The view was good and those around me were jovial even after some lamentable defending cost them their lead and then again their draw.
Before the match in the stand facilities were cramp compared to more modern stadiums I visited this year. I had to queue for toilets and though I got my hot tea easy enough the refreshments bar was singular unlike the female loos.

Curiously one of the home songs seemed to be a jibe about the Premiership itself. The pitch seemed to play well enough but looked muddy in places. Half time entertainment was the best I seen.  Not just one kids team demonstrating their skills but simultaneously an adult competition too.  The away fans seemed to be in the lower tier below us in the east stand rather at one end.   Definitely recommend a visit.

Well into the Millennium

The new Cardiff City Stadium has no unique character as a building.  It does it job well but is like many new stadiums around the Leagues of this size.  My visit coincided with a family visit to the Doctor Who exhibition in Cardiff Bay.

I walk to the ground from the Bay area and arrived in about 40 minutes with no difficulties.  With 10 minutes to spare I went straight to my seat - I like to see the whole game. (Why do fans leave with minutes to go? Some around me missed the only goal!)
The ground was pretty full; only a few thousand off capacity (21,406 compared to 26,828 capacity).  The away side were clearly after a draw and we had to wait until the 88th minute for a goal.  I would though choose a different stand; I was with the vocal Cardiff fans who were apt to stand up too often for my liking.  Some nearby stood for the entire game which I could have handled - like the old days you know ;-)
With a better contest I can imagine this being a great place to see football and Cardiff has much to recommend it.

What a Swan Song!

Captain calamity ruined the day for the locals and difficult to say the O's deserved a victory but the scoreline said they did so on the roll.  The drive down the M4 was a nice easy drive and parking at the stadium was no problem (though a bigger crowd would change that).  The Liberty Stadium is a nice modern structure shared with the Ospreys.  I had an excellent view from right at the back of the West Stand.  Food and drinks were average; PG Tips and burger for under a fiver by 40 pence.

I got my ticket at the ground on the day for £15 so a reasonable price.  The atmosphere was fairly limp but with the ground two thirds empty perhaps that wasn't surprising.  I think S4C had the match live and it was freezing early doors.  All considered though it was a ground I would recommend.

Boing, Boing Baggies!

First live Premiership match for years and it was a good one.  Five goals and a home win. The ground was packed and the atmosphere very good.

Once through the turnstiles the area under the stands wasn't big in that the West Stand was clearly partitioned along its length.  PG Tips for the tea so that was nice.  I didn't try the food as I had eaten with my family in town before catching the train out from Snow hill.  The trains were good, £1.90 return and a 7/8 minute journey then a five minute walk.
Its not the biggest ground but that probably helps with the atmosphere because it was close to being full with some twenty five thousand watching.  The away fans were vocal except when they were behind.  The locals were fine though slightly cynical about the Baggies actually getting a win but that might be more down to their poor recent form (five straight defeats).  Another ground I would return to for good football and average facilities.

Madjestic Reading?

Another Park & Ride experience.  The football stadium is a new one rather than nineteenth century affair.  It is nice enough but no longer anything special and empty; I'm not sure I would be able to pick it out from a bunch of other recent builds.

Inside the food doesn't rate well but the tea was real PG Tips.  A cold winter's bank holiday and good opposition should have meant a good crowd but Burnley only brought 1,000 fans (was that Reading restricting the number? - because they filled their area).  Anyway there were some six thousand empty seats.
The home fans did muster a multi drum band.  Also some vocal locals with incredulous bias.  And the music build up to the team coming on was a some piece of work.  I doubt the impact lasts and it certainly didn't work for Reading as they went behind, starting badly but I was impressed at the effort.
The Clarets played their part well and if Marney could have shot right he'd have wrapped up the result all by himself with three good chances.  He took none of them, Shane Long however took his and Reading ran out eventual winners.  I had to wait for about quarter of an hour for the return bus but still a good day's football.  I'd be happy to go again.

Frozen out at St Marys

Well if Cheltenham Town were hoping for a warm welcome to Hampshire they didn't get it.  Instead St Marys was a very cold place and only the hopeful singing of the away fans gave the game any warmth.  Three-nil down with minutes to go and the cry went up "Let's pretend we've scored a goal, hooray!".
The ground was a nice modern affair with no columns blocking anyone's view of the pitch.  Less than ten thousand saw the match.  The Robins gifting the home team an early goal and from then on the result was in little doubt.
I used the Park and Ride for away fans; five pounds for a parking spot and safe ride to the ground and back.  We all got away before five thirty with no trouble.

The food bar was offering hot drink and a Yorkie for two quid; but I needed warm food first and indulged in a hot chicken pasty which was fine.  Because of the inclement weather I had decided on getting a ticket on the day which costs you two pounds extra but still £17 isn't bad.  I didn't see much of the town but it looked typical rather than special; the port being the main attraction.  Just a pity the game wasn't more of a contest.

Adams Family Horrors

Wycombe's ground, Adams Park, is very much at the end of an industrial estate but nice enough for all that.  I had a seat up in the gods to watch a match devoid of much goal mouth action but early on a lot of shooting from outside the box for the Chair Boys.

The early dark nights doesn't help you keep warm; and it is that time of year where extra layes of clothing are vital with those of with no body fat to keep us warm.
As recommended by their website I used the Park and Ride, walking back to the car to keep warm.  A brisk half hour walk did the job nicely.  The P&R is well sign posted and just off the M40 so easy to find.  With a petrol supermarket station the fuel costs were good too.
The facilities in the ground are the usual affair and the locals were saprse on this cold autumn game; the crowd a mere 4,077.  Bradford brought a impressive number of fans considering the distance and they generated some noise too.

Breezy football at the County Ground

The County Ground has four sides but, as I am finding, for lower league sides only three were occupied.  It was a feisty game ended with a ninetieth minute winner for the home side over the league toppers. I would not recommend the tea but otherwise nothing special to note.

The ground is nice and close to the train station though the car park seem to have spare places. The crow of eight and a half thousand wasn't big; the main stand look noticeably sparsely populated.

Brewers draw with Alex

The Pirelli Stadium is new, small and apt.  The food was excellent; many fellow fans were enjoying mushy peas and chips; I stuck with a burger.  I was too late for a car park place but found parking on a nearby road easy enough.  Tickets were the cheapest I have encountered £15 for an Adult seat.

The ground looked well filled but was half capacity; I guess because many sides are standing and they were comfortably spaced shall we say.   Another good lower league ground.

Three sides but four goals

The Kassam Stadium, home of Oxford United, is quite an impressive League Two ground - at least on three sides!  Parking was good and free despite the reasonably large crowd.  The tickets were average prices and the refreshments okay inside the stands.

Oxford played well excepting a bad period where Morecambe nearly got a goal that would have enabled a fight back but it didn't happen.  Instead Oxford added two late goals to flatter the scoreline after a sending off.  As I say often, worth a visit.

Oranje brings the blues to Huish Park

Not a big crowd but then the visitors would have had to travel a long way down from Hartlepool to reach this corner of Somerset. Still those few that did no doubt enjoyed the viewings with an easy two nil win.

Huish Park is tidy and has seated stands on three sides that today were fairly full. The fourth side, for standers, was empty.  The Glovers were not having a good day at the office.
I missed the first three minutes thanks to traffic on the M5 but parking was easy enough and I only needed to turn around twice when following the traffic sgins directing me to the ground.  The locals were pleasant even through the display put on by their team.  Well done to the crowd and the club; I am sure the players will improve.  Worth a visit.

Bully comes to Alex

Gresty Road is very much an unbalanced stadium. One stand is massive and dominates the ground.  We, in-laws and me, joined the away fans and enjoyed a lively season opener.  The half time fayre was average and the bonny girls serving caused some banter as one ambitious fan tried to elicit a phone number.  His colleagues didn't appreciate the extra queuing time and let him know.

 We stood most of the game because others around us did too; well they stood so we had too.  Small crowd for such a large stand which was a shame for the home team.  I am afraid Crewe never looked like getting much from the game but a good place for seeing some football.
Map to get there:

View Crewe Alexandra FC in a larger map

The plans they are a changing

Thinking Torquay a bad idea, given it is the summer vacation time, so now focusing on Crewe; not a usual holiday destination.  Thanks to the world cup it has come around so quickly.  Deep joy!

The friendlies are in full swing

Never actually been to watch a preseason friendly and this season looks no different.  I have started planning the first venues I hope to visit next month and it promises to be an interesting time if all goes well.  First should be a few train trips so no worries about parking.  One trip I hope to make it down to Torquay and the seaside.

Ashton Gate proves Bristol is always sunny!

Another trip to Bristol to see City play Derby and welcome Steve Coppell as their new manager.  The visitors were clearly asleep at the kick-off as the home team went one up in the first minute!
Twenty five pounds for a seat in the sun after an excellent burger and tea made for a good experience and the two mile walk from the city centre was pleasant and no problem.  The fans were a fair bunch though they were keen of giving Mr Savage, the Derby captain, some verbal abuse.  After the game I met my family in town for a pizza at the Millennium square Pizza Express.

Second half and a penalty to the home side followed by a Derby goal kept things interesting on the pitch for a pleasant spring time event.  Bristol is definitely worthy of a visit.

Pirates Ahoy!

Okay so there were no goals but there was action At the Memorial stadium on Saturday.  I stood, yes like old time, in the West Terrace to see Brentford just about deserve their point.  The ground was in sun but our side very much in the shade.  Easy ground to get to and a reasonable crowd.

Breaking a voodoo in Hereford

Edgar Street was the scene of my first time seeing Grimsby Town win a match! And what a delightful goal it was - nice one Jamie (Devitt). I didn't go to see the Mariners more the ground so to that then.
Next door is a large car park which did fill even though the crowd barely broke 2,100 - not big.  Still a pound to park was welcome and £15 for a seat wasn't terrible.  The view was good, the scoreboard clear and the Bulls fans were vocal. 

Pretty good atmosphere for game so close to the end of a middling season for them; though a desperate one for the 300 who travelled from eastern coast. I didn't try the local fayre or facilities but others seemed to be coping with no complaints.  Post match locals were complementary of the football and there was no trouble. Herefordshire is green and hilly countryside with little interruption.  A nice experience all around; try it yourself.

More misery for my teams in League Two!

Predicting for L2 Monday 5th April
1. Accrington 3-1 Grimsby (Home win)
2. Aldershot 2-0 Rotherham (Home win)
3. Barnet 2-0 Chestrf'ld (Home win)
4. Bradford 2-0 Macclesf'd (Home win)
5. Bury 3-2 Burton (Home win)
6. Crewe 1-0 Cheltenham (Home win)
7. Darlington 2-3 Hereford (Away win)
8. Lincoln 0-2 Morecambe (Away win)
9. Northmpt'n 3-2 Torquay (Home win)
10. Port Vale 0-1 Dag & Red (Away win)
11. Rochdale 2-0 Bournem'th (Home win)
12. Shrewsbury 0-2 Notts Co (Away win)

It's cold outside

No football - more health and safety lunacy ruining my entertainment. Get a grip (sic) its only a bit of snow; the pitch is fine everything else is just a minor inconvenience. I want football to watch!

Bleak mid winter

Our Boxing Day match was postponed, shame! Today offered a 10 hour journey across the country which is one I will save until the summer when I expect Grimsby will be a bit warmer and merrier.

Exit stage right

I am guessing that whatever happens in tonight's match it is the Europa League for Liverpool. Ah, well, the only way is up.

This season has already passed its zenith

Okay one match doesn't make a season but it may save one because other than this one result nothing to shout about for any fellow red fan.

Rocking Robins 2-1

Waddon Road, or what is now Abbey Business Stadium, is small, neat, and in a nice residential area slightly north of central Cheltenham. Twenty quid to get in isn't cheap but the seats were good and we got in and out easy enough. And we had a roof over us - this time to protect us from the sun!

Grimsby on top in the first half but couldn't maintain their dominance, or put a second one past the Robbins' keeper. The proverbial match of two halves.

Bring on the new season

Well plans are afoot for the next game; friendlies ignored. And a mere five weeks to wait. Starting with a new ground for me but in the south; lower division of course. So counting the Saturdays!

Watch this space.

What a Deva

This stadium is small but does have ample parking around the ground (£3.00). I joined the away fans behind the southern end goal. The stand was nominally seated but everyone stood up during the football. Catering in this stand was outside the ground. Less than 3,000 watched the drawn match and nearly half of this crowd were away fans who certainly out sang the homers.



Less than 20 years old the ground is now at the end of a retail park and can be reached without going inot Chester at all. The stadium announcer, bizarrely a Man Utd fan, was easily heard but I couldn't see any scoreboard. Ticket prices on the day were all a tenner, dropped in an effort to persuade more locals in I think; Chester also in real danger of being relegated like Grimsby.

What a Gigg!

Gigg Lane is a late twenty century affair. A capacity of 11,000 was nearly filled for the local derby against Rochdale I saw. The tea was more expensive and hotter than at PNE up at £1.60.
I drove to the ground and parked some 15 minutes walk from the ground no problem, well actually I was lucky to drop on a place that close. Most side roads require resident permits. Getting out meant a 40 minute shuffle for the first 2 miles but otherwise fine!

The football was good and the crowd lively and the atmosphere friendly enough for such an important local tie. I sat with locals in south stand; in an unreserved seat.  I noticed some others changed seats at half time. Definite 7 out of 10, I would go again.

Goal fest at Deepdale

Deepdale is now a tidy Championship ground with all four sides renewed though it appears one side is not quite finished. Amazing I saw a goal in the first few minutes, a penalty but boded well for further entertainment as Ipswich were playing well. And so it was, I enjoyed a match with five gaols the lion's share going to the home side.

There is little to distinguish the ground from many others save maybe the portraits of famous players made in the seats at each end; Shankly and Alan Kelly; and of course of Sir Tom Finney where I sat. Outside the National Football Museum is part of the set-up and worth a visit.
The tea cost £1.50 and my seat £21.50. I arrived on foot after being dropped off by good lady but parking is possible. Buses to the centre are available and the rail station is on the west coast mainline so well connected.

Draws yes, but not where predicted

31 Jan 09
 1. Arsenal: 0 West Ham: 0 - Wrong
 2. Villa: 0 Wigan: 0 - Wrong
 3. Bolton: 3 Tottenham: 2 - Wrong
 4. Fulham: 3 Portsmouth: 1 - Wrong
 5. Hull: 2 WBA: 2 - Wrong
 6. Man Utd: 1 Everton: 0 - Correct result!
 7. M'boro: 0 Blackburn: 0 - Wrong
 8. Stoke: 1 Man City: 0 - Wrong
1 Feb 09
 1. Liverpool: 2 Chelsea: 0 - Wrong
 2. Newcastle: 1 Sunderland: 1 - Correct result!

A bad set of predictions then!

The Reds draws continue

31 Jan 09
1. 3:00pm Arsenal 2-0 West Ham (Home win)
2. 3:00pm Villa 1-0 Wigan (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Bolton 1-1 Tottenham (Draw)
4. 3:00pm Fulham 1-1 Portsmouth (Draw)
5. 3:00pm Hull 0-2 WBA (Away win)
6. 3:00pm Man Utd 2-0 Everton (Home win)
7. 3:00pm M'boro 0-1 Blackburn (Away win)
8. 3:00pm Stoke 0-2 Man City (Away win)
1 Feb 09
1. 4:00pm Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea (Draw)
2. 1:30pm Newcastle 2-2 Sunderland (Draw)

And a rare prediction for L2

1. Accrington 2-2 Brentford (Draw)
2. Aldershot 0-1 Wycombe (Away win)
3. Bournem'th 0-0 Chester (Draw)
4. Bradford 3-2 Dagenham (Home win)
5. Darlington 2-0 Rochdale (Home win)
6. Exeter 2-0 Lincoln (Home win)
7. Gillingham 4-0 Chesterfld (Home win)
8. Luton 2-0 Barnet (Home win)
9. Macclesf'd 1-3 Bury (Away win)
10. Notts Co. 2-2 Morecambe (Draw)
11. Port Vale 0-2 Grimsby (Away win)
12. Shrewsbury 2-0 Rotherham (Home win)

Well, if true some of my relations will be vary happy - c'mon you Mariners?!

ANy better this weekend?

Well Lawro says: predictions.

While Footy has:
Saturday 6th Dec
1. 12:45pm Fulham 3-2 Man City (Home win)
2. 3:00pm Arsenal 1-0 Wigan (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Blackburn 0-2 Liverpool (Away win)
4. 3:00pm Bolton 0-2 Chelsea (Away win)
5. 3:00pm Hull 0-2 M'boro (Away win)
6. 3:00pm Newcastle 2-0 Stoke (Home win)
7. 5:30pm Man Utd 5-0 Sunderland (Home win)
Sunday 7th Dec.
8. 3:00pm WBA 0-2 Portsmouth (Away win)
9. 4:00pm Everton 0-0 Villa (Draw)
Monday 8th Dec.
10. 8:00pm West Ham 0-1 Tottenham (Away win)

And the fun (tension) continues

Lawro's Predictions
Saturday Oct 25
Everton v Man Utd (12:00) 1-1
Sunderland v Newcastle (12:45) 2-2
West Brom v Hull (15:00) 2-0
Blackburn v M'bro (17:30) 2-0

Sunday Oct 26
Chelsea v Liverpool (13:30) 0-0
Man City v Stoke (15:00) 2-0
Tottenham v Bolton (15:00) 2-0
Wigan v Aston Villa (15:00) 1-2
West Ham v Arsenal (16:00) 0-2
Portsmouth v Fulham (17:00) 2-1

Footy's predictions
Sat 25 Oct 2008
12:00pm Everton 0-2 Man Utd (Away win)
12:45pm Sunderland 2-0 Newcastle (Home win)
3:00pm WBA 0-1 Hull (Away win)
5:30pm Blackburn 2-0 M'boro (Home win)

Sun 26 Oct 2008
1:30pm Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Draw)
3:00pm Man City 4-0 Stoke (Home win)
3:00pm Tottenham 2-3 Bolton (Away win)
3:00pm Wigan 0-2 Villa (Away win)
3:00pm Wigan 3-2 Newcastle (Home win)
4:00pm West Ham 2-4 Arsenal (Away win)
5:00pm Portsmouth 2-0 Fulham (Home win)

How did we do?

Sat 04 Oct 2008
1. Blackburn: 0 Man Utd: 2 (Me - spot on)
2. Sunderland: 1 Arsenal: 1 (Both wrong)
3. WBA: 1 Fulham: 0 (Both wrong)
4. Wigan: 0 M'boro: 1 (Both wrong)

7:16 PM, Sun 05 Oct 2008
1. Chelsea: 2 Villa: 0 (Lawro - correct result)
2. Everton: 2 Newcastle: 2 (Both wrong)
3. Man City: 2 Liverpool: 3 (Me - correct result)
4. Portsmouth: 2 Stoke: 1 (Both correct result)
5. Tottenham: 0 Hull: 1 (Me spot on!)
6. West Ham: 1 Bolton: 3 (Both wrong)

Footy: 4 out of 10 correct results, 2 spot on!
Lawro: 2 out of 10 correct results

Better off with a flip of a coin! But no - it would need three sides so I beat the monkey with a three sided coin; home win, draw or away win. He would have got 3.34 results correct.

Lawro's Prediction for comparison

In full here.

Sat 04 Oct 2008
1. 3:00pm Blackburn 2-2 Man Utd - major difference!
2. 3:00pm Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal (Away win)
3. 3:00pm WBA 1-1 Fulham (Draw)
4. 3:00pm Wigan 2-1 M'boro (Home win)

Sun 05 Oct 2008
1. 3:00pm Chelsea 2-1 Villa - major difference!
2. 3:00pm Everton 2-0 Newcastle (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Man City 1-1 Liverpool - major difference!
4. 3:00pm Portsmouth 2-0 Stoke (Home win)
5. 3:00pm Tottenham 2-0 Hull - major difference!
6. 3:00pm West Ham 2-0 Bolton (Home win)

Hmm, interesting, a few major differences of opinion. His predictions were done Thursday so after the Champions League matches. Chelsea had a few injuries so Mark's prediction seems optimistic for blues fans. And both Manchester teams drawing is different. So who will be more accurate Footy or Lawro?

First Footy Predictions of 2008

Sat 04 Oct 2008
1. 3:00pm Blackburn 0-2 Man Utd (Away win)
2. 3:00pm Man City 0-2 Liverpool (Away win)
3. 3:00pm Sunderland 0-4 Arsenal (Away win)
4. 3:00pm WBA 0-0 Fulham (Draw)
5. 3:00pm Wigan 2-1 M'boro (Home win)
Sun 05 Oct 2008
1. 3:00pm Chelsea 0-0 Villa (Draw)
2. 3:00pm Everton 1-0 Newcastle (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Portsmouth 3-2 Stoke (Home win)
4. 3:00pm Tottenham 0-1 Hull (Away win)
5. 3:00pm West Ham 2-1 Bolton (Home win)

Will it manage better than the monkey with the coin - low hopes to be honest.

Christie Park - Morecambe 1-1 Grimsby

If you've seen this ground on TV (like I had) the reality isn't as impressive. Still a nice lower league ground with stands on three sides and a chance to stand! Away visitors car park was under used as most probably joined us on the local roads. As seems usual in Lancashire we had entertainment from local kids dancing before the match in the form of the Shrimpettes.

Game was usual fare. Annoyingly my tea didn't come with any milk? The half time presentation was awful - who was that guy? Still we were bathed in sun - actually no we weren't because we have a roof over us for a change. Anyway another one on the list.

Get in there!

Now that's what I call a football match. About time on two counts, the result and a decent performance this season. Usual mind games from Sir F before hand. I wonder if he thinks it worked?

The Mancs are coming to town

Never much enjoyed this fixture.  It doesn't usually end well and too often includes some controversy against us.  I fear a dour nil-nil draw ruined by a later winner for them.

Back but not firing

I reckon many of the clubs with players in either or both the Euro Championship or the Olympics will continue suffering for a few weeks to come yet. It's the points that matter; oh, ad it is a marathon not a sprint - I believe ;-).

It'scoming back

At last we have something to save us from the endless repeats on TV - football is back. i even listened to Championship football yesterday. Nice one Liliwhites.

The Closed Season

What no football?

So what of the end of season

And so how will it all end? Well this is what Footy thinks (sucess rate just over 50%! not good hey, why not just flip a coin?)

Sun 11 May 2008
1. 3:00pm Birmingham 0-2 Blackburn (Away win)
2. 3:00pm Chelsea 5-0 Bolton (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Derby 0-2 Reading (Away win)
4. 3:00pm Everton 1-1 Newcastle (Draw)
5. 3:00pm M'boro 0-2 Man City (Away win)
6. 3:00pm Portsmouth 0-2 Fulham (Away win)
7. 3:00pm Sunderland 2-4 Arsenal (Away win)
8. 3:00pm Tottenham 2-4 Liverpool (Away win)
9. 3:00pm West Ham 0-3 Villa (Away win)
10. 3:00pm Wigan 0-2 Man Utd (Away win)

Penalties

Data supplied by Footy

Penalties scored by team
1st	Chelsea	7
2nd	Birmingham City	6
3rd	Arsenal	5
4th	Aston Villa	5
5th	Blackburn Rovers	5
6th	Liverpool	5
7th	Manchester United	5
8th	Portsmouth	4
9th	Tottenham Hotspur	4
10th	Wigan Athletic	4
11th	Fulham	3
12th	Newcastle United	3
13th	Manchester City	2
14th	Reading	2
15th	West Ham United	2
16th	Middlesbrough	1
17th	Sunderland	1
18th	Bolton Wanderers	0
19th	Derby County	0
20th	Everton	0

Easy to surmise why Derby never had a penalty but Everton?

Footy predictions: for April showers!

Sat 12 Apr 2008
1. 3:00pm Birmingham 0-2 Everton (Away win)
2. 3:00pm Bolton 1-2 West Ham (Away win)
3. 3:00pm Chelsea 2-0 Wigan (Home win)
4. 3:00pm Derby 0-2 Villa (Away win)
5. 3:00pm Liverpool 2-0 Blackburn (Home win) - Hmm, no so sure myself.
6. 3:00pm Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal (Home win) - this is a title decider (one of several though)
7. 3:00pm Portsmouth 3-1 Newcastle (Home win)
8. 3:00pm Reading 3-2 Fulham (Home win)
9. 3:00pm Sunderland 1-1 Man City (Draw)
10. 3:00pm Tottenham 3-1 M'boro (Home win)
Sat 19 Apr 2008
1. 3:00pm Arsenal 2-0 Reading (Home win)
2. 3:00pm Blackburn 0-2 Man Utd (Away win)
3. 3:00pm Everton 0-2 Chelsea (Away win)
4. 3:00pm Fulham 0-2 Liverpool (Away win)
5. 3:00pm Man City 2-2 Portsmouth (Draw)
6. 3:00pm M'boro 2-0 Bolton (Home win)
7. 3:00pm Newcastle 0-0 Sunderland (Draw)
8. 3:00pm West Ham 2-0 Derby (Home win)
9. 3:00pm Wigan 2-0 Tottenham (Home win)
Sun 20 Apr 2008
1. 4:00pm Villa 2-1 Birmingham (Home win)
Sat 26 Apr 2008
1. 3:00pm Birmingham 0-2 Liverpool (Away win) - would be nice but doubtful
2. 3:00pm Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd (Draw) - another title decider!
3. 3:00pm Derby 1-2 Arsenal (Away win)
4. 3:00pm Everton 2-0 Villa (Home win)
5. 3:00pm Man City 2-1 Fulham (Home win)
6. 3:00pm Portsmouth 4-2 Blackburn (Home win)
7. 3:00pm Sunderland 0-0 M'boro (Draw)
8. 3:00pm Tottenham 2-0 Bolton (Home win)
9. 3:00pm West Ham 1-1 Newcastle (Draw)
10. 3:00pm Wigan 2-0 Reading (Home win)

and then onto May and the final 2 games.

Race Course Ground Mk II

Back to the Race course on Saturday to lift my voodoo on Grimsby. The stadium is a nice little ground with modern stands on all sides. The pitch seemed more like a dessert with the plumes of sand being kicked up with almost every kick.
The crowd only just broke the four thousand mark but with the home side at the very bottom of the league and Grimsby some distance away perhaps understandable. Last time I was here, late eighties, I think the stands were wood and I was watching an international match. The fare that day was better with the Welsh taking on Holland I seem to recall. This time not a goal in sight. Classic case of ground is bigger than the team (for the time being).

Havant a chance?

Unbelievable they scored, twice. So our defending lets us down again. The recruit clearly isn't up to speed but then Vidic took his time and he was in close season two weeks ago. Glad they enjoyed their day, it was never going to our day unless we slaughtered them and that doesn't happen too often; especially when you're already having a rough time of it.

The Messiah?

He's back and I welcome his return after all I still treasure a couple of 4-3 scorelines! Meanwhile can we get back to the football and did you see that UEFA are talking about more officials on the pitch?

Prediction successes for w/e 12/13 Jan

Sat 12 Jan 2008
X Arsenal: 1 Birmingham: 1
RR Villa: 3 Reading: 1
RR Chelsea: 2 Tottenham: 0
CS Derby: 0 Wigan: 1
RR Everton: 1 Man City: 0
RR Man Utd: 6 Newcastle: 0
X M'boro: 1 Liverpool: 1
RR West Ham: 2 Fulham: 1
Sun 13 Jan 2008
X Bolton: 1 Blackburn: 2
X Sunderland: 2 Portsmouth: 0

So 5 right results, 1 correct scoreline and 4 wrong. No brilliant but better than spinning a coin.

FA Cup replays are fun

Unless you lose of course! I am not sure about second and third replays though. Not that they were ever frequent, most big teams prefer to risk losing rather than another game. Ah, well - still 0-0 in tonight's game!

Champs elect again?

So do you believe Footy's prediction?

Pos.	Team	Pts	plus	(from)	Total	[Max]
1st	Manchester United	51	+46	(16)	=97	[99]
2nd	Arsenal	51	+42	(16)	=93	[99]
3rd	Chelsea	47	+46	(16)	=93	[95]
4th	Everton	39	+40	(16)	=79	[87]
5th	Aston Villa	39	+35	(16)	=74	[87]
6th	Liverpool	39	+34	(17)	=73	[90]
7th	Portsmouth	34	+27	(17)	=61	[85]
8th	Manchester City	39	+19	(16)	=58	[87]
9th	Tottenham Hotspur	24	+29	(16)	=53	[72]
10th	West Ham United	32	+20	(17)	=52	[83]
11th	Blackburn Rovers	33	+19	(17)	=52	[84]
12th	Bolton Wanderers	20	+25	(17)	=45	[71]
13th	Reading	22	+18	(16)	=40	[70]
14th	Wigan Athletic	20	+19	(16)	=39	[68]
15th	Newcastle United	26	+9	(16)	=35	[74]
16th	Middlesbrough	21	+14	(16)	=35	[69]
17th	Birmingham City	20	+6	(16)	=26	[68]
18th	Sunderland	17	+5	(17)	=22	[68]
19th	Fulham	15	+5	(16)	=20	[63]
20th	Derby County	7	+0	(16)	=7	[55]

Back to home glories

More predictions from Footy:

Sat 12 Jan 2008
1. 3:00pm Arsenal 3-2 Birmingham (Home win)
2. 3:00pm Villa 4-2 Reading (Home win)
3. 3:00pm Chelsea 3-2 Tottenham (Home win)
4. 3:00pm Derby 0-1 Wigan (Away win)
5. 3:00pm Everton 5-0 Man City (Home win)
6. 5:15pm Man Utd 2-0 Newcastle (Home win)
7. 3:00pm M'boro 0-2 Liverpool (Away win)
8. 3:00pm West Ham 3-1 Fulham (Home win)
Sun 13 Jan 2008
1. 4:00pm Bolton 1-1 Blackburn (Draw)
2. 1:30pm Sunderland 0-2 Portsmouth (Away win)

I have to say where my team is concerned these prediction are not reliable but then that's football for you!

Vale Park

So I made it to Vale Park on Boxing Day. This is a nice little ground but currently the football doesn't do it justice. The Valiants went ahead with a great strike in the first half but Walsall always looked dangerous. Even in the second half when the visitors went down to ten men Vale were playing it cautious, far too caution for a home side one up and with a man extra. I counted nine shots at goal by the home side but a mere two on target; one of those being the goal. the Saddlers duly equalized in the ninetieth minute.

Predicting away wins galore!

I have this program i wrote that does predictions. Laugh at these for this weekend in the Premiership:

Sat 15 - Sun 16 Dec 2007
1. Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea (Away)
2. Birmingham 0-1 Reading (Away)
3. Derby 0-1 M'boro (Away)
4. Fulham 3-3 Newcastle (Draw)
5. Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd (Home) (No way! after Reading?)
6. Man City 2-0 Bolton (Home)
7. Portsmouth 2-2 Tottenham (Draw)
8. Sunderland 0-2 Villa (Away)
9. West Ham 0-2 Everton (Away)
10. Wigan 0-2 Blackburn (Away)

Compare to Lawro's predictions.

Throught the wind and the rain

And boy is it windy at present. Attempts to see some football on Boxing Day have met the wall that is Premiership demand and availability. Forty quid to see the reds at Derby but little chance of a ticket! Looks like we will have to consider another match. It use to be so easy. Only for the odd cup match and a very few league was it necessary to get a ticket in advance; and two quid to get in! I am showing my age. Still the access via TV is loads better, if not free.

Feisty Football

Derby matches can be dreadful either because the football is not pretty or because the result is the wrong way. You takes you chances and I have come away from many happy but with friends supporting the opposition so celebrations have been muted and very down when they prevailed. But so much better to be there than stuck by a radio. Today's Liverpool derby was battle of penalties and still Liverpool have to concede a goal from open play; today's we scored for them. I reckon Rafa is missing his side kick - well something must explain some of the strange decisions to date but we will take the luck this time.

Anyway illness is still plaguing the family and restricting movement which is a shame as I love this time of year. Must make some firm plans very soon or I will retired before I am half way to my target!

Autumn browns

Its mad this season. Numerous 1-0 Premiership scorelines and then we get the other extreme of 7-4! It's all gone nuts.

Thoughts of visiting Elland Road today until a recent illness downed me. Try again in a few weeks or maybe I'll try mid week somewhere close.