Owned

*Listening to Shout Out Louds – Normandie*

This whole Liverpool ownership debacle has got me a-thinking. The sight of the bemused new owners sat in the directors box at Goodison asking Martin Broughton to explain what is actually going on got me thinking a bit more.

They know nothing about football apart from the fact that it’s not the same as their football. But is that a good thing for an owner? They’re not exactly going to abuse their power and start meddling in their manager’s plans.

They’re going to run the club, and allow their manager to do the work on the field and buy they players he would want by merely providing the funds. Not going out and providing the manager with a batch of players they wanted and expect him to make them into a functioning squad somehow. Sacking him when he can’t.

Then we have the likes of Milan Mandaric. A man who believes football began for him.

Then there’s Delia. An owner who cares almost too much. Her decisions are done not by her head but with emotion. This can/has result(ed) in managers being given too much time and the ruthlessness required to be truly successful being left at the door.

Use Your Head

*Listening to Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains beyond Mountains)*

I’m getting so sick of this analogy that is spouted week in, week out. I’ll admit it’s harmless, no wars will be started from using it. But still.

Watching Northern Ireland struggle to get a point at the mighty Faroe Islands, it was every other uttered sentence.

“He’s good with the ball for a big man.” or something to that effect.

Like I said, harmless. But in the 23 years of Kyle Lafferty’s 6 foot 4 life I would expect him to be able to control his feet. It’s not as though at that height there would be some sort of lag resulting in his foot moving a split-second too late leaving him, and consequently all tall footballers quivering, crying, cursing their ill-luck in being too tall to play football.

It’s just standard motor skills. Head wants to move feet in a certain way, so feet do as told.

How Much A Seat?

*Listening to Kings of Leon – Radioactive*

Next season’s F1 grid is going to a young one.

With the likes of Jaime Algersuari, Kamui, Buemi, Hulk, Vettel and, stretching it a little with Hamilton and Rosberg already in F1 and impressing, another has been added.

His name? Sergio Perez. His rep? Second in this season’s GP2 behind the unlucky-in-F1 Maldonado and has been team-mate to Petrov in earlier years.

For a change we can firmly say F1 has a bright future. New teams are growing some adult teeth, and some testing their bite, this season’s title is not going anywhere yet and the next generation are getting their chances. The rumours of Villeneuve’s return feels like a distant memory.

But then there is the second announcement made by Sauber on Monday. This is a team, lest we forget, with nothing on their car but for a discreet Burger King bumper sticker. But that’s about to change, Mexican telecom giant Telmex will be lead sponsor next season.

Oh, I forgot to tell you all Perez’s nationality. Unsurprisingly, he’s Mexican.

How big a factor was this in Perez making the leap into the highest form of motorsport? It would be naïve to believe it to be none. This is nothing new, and it won’t be the last such appointment. Talent should outweigh any other factor in this game. But if Driver A is competent with a big sponsor or two then he will get the vacant seat ahead of Driver B who is more talented but can’t get a sponsor other than his local chippy and second-hand garage.

I don’t doubt Perez’s ability but there are many a-driver being overlooked for no other reason than money. There are only so many seats at Le Mans for those overlooked to make their name in.

But if Sauber bring back the blue on blue colour scheme I’ll forget all about this whole thing.

Flying High

*Listening to Ray LaMontagne – When The Sun turns Black*

I know I said I had turned over a new leaf this season and I would be optimistic. And I am. I have.

Ish.

After today’s three-goal win at Ashton Gate Norwich now sit in third, a point off the dastardly borrowing/spending Cardiff. Now I am delighted by this, after all there are 20 teams below the mighty Yellows.

It does mean though that we will now have those Norwich fans who are expecting us to only go upwards this season. These people also think Chris Martin is over-rated, Paul Lambert is tactically inept (although he could sub 10 minutes earlier, but its worked) and that ticket prices should be the same price as a Freddo and Dip Dab.

Oh and that Bryan Gunn made this team and we would be 10 games played 10 games won. Or 10 and 0 if we’re in Yankland.

The feel good factor is big, and of course I do like it and I’m not putting a downer on things. It’s a superb start and the best for years. But I don’t like the thought of fans believing that playoffs would be a disappointment. It’s the opposite. Granted the media don’t help.