'I'm Not Reading It ... It's All Football'

So, it was a case of back to work this past week - working on those tasks that for two weeks before Christmas I had managed to put-off, speaking with those people that frustrate me so much that I find myself walking around my home muttering the things that I'd love to say to them but know that I won't have am opportunity until my last day with the company ...

Anyway, onto my week:




Rubbish
Watching last weeks Celtic v Rangers football match last weekend I was reminded just how poor the quality of Scottish football is at the moment when I singled-out Georgios Samaras as my man of the match. As rubbish as the two teams were, they were well matched and as such contributed to a very watchable game of football.

Slippery Slope
Later that evening ITV Sport managed to drag the FA Cup down to new depths last week by inviting 'comedian' Frank Skinner to Wembley Stadium to take part in the draw for the next round. Former professional footballer, charity worker and anti-racism campaigner Paul Elliott drew the home teams, West Bromich Albion supporter Skinner the away teams.

It surely can't be long before we get Ant and Dec presenting the draw, which will be decided by a public telephone vote, with the ultimate choice of venue for the final being decided by Simon Cowell.

I'm kidding of course. It'll never happen. Will it?

New Year, New Pro Cycling Season
As a recent convert to the sport of professional road cycling (watching you understand, the list of sports that I still have a chance of competing professionally in dwindles by the day ...) I was excited by the public launch of Team Sky on Monday morning. The professional riders were joined by 300 or so members of the (London) public - a nice touch I thought - as they rode through the capital to the media presentation. At the presentation the riders and team staff were introduced in turn by Sky's very own Dermot Murnaghan and as he called out their names I was reminded what a very good news-reader he is.

Although, surprisingly, I was a little disappointed by the television coverage of the event I have been impressed already how the team have embraced 'new media' - a great website and a busy, and sensible, twitter feed bringing the riders closer to the public than most sportsmen will ever be: keep it up!

I'm looking forward to following the team throughout the season starting at The Tour Down Under later this month - live on Sky Sports I understand: great news. The broadcaster doesn't, I believe, have much experience screening cycling and I just hope the coverage avoids going down the 'Jamie Redknapp' route. I really enjoyed following the sport on British Eurosport throughout last summer and I'd suggest their somewhat understated approach is the model to follow.

Best wishes to the team - we'll be following their progress at The Savage Rabbit throughout the season.

The New Didier Drogba
During the Birmingham City v Manchester United game on ESPN last night the commentator introduced the young Manchester United substitute Mame Biram Diouf by comparing him to Didier Drogba.

Thankfully the young man avoided throwing himself to the ground theatrically and disgracefully swearing at the camera during his 15 minutes or so of action.


Have a good week.