Dear Football Scholars,

I am just gonna ramble on today and see where it takes us....First of all, it seems too good to be true.  Like the start to a new season with several fresh signings and last year's losing record erased.  Suddenly new kits, new attitude, fresh legs, and a new manager.  Isn't that the feeling in the air...?  From Menteng to the White House, Barack Obama is the 44th leader of the free world (Americans like that title for their fearless leaders).  Personally, I never thought anybody with a name like that would be able to win the White House.  But, apparently, what's in a name?  And speaking of names, my old buddy and fellow veteran of the ancient (but justified) American soccer wars dating back to the 80's-90's, Zoran Savic (in the photo), once said to me in his Yugoslavian accent, 'Never forget, my friend, people want to be led.  They want and need a leader'.  There were other good sayings of his that have also stuck with me over the years but that one always stands out amongst them.  And now, the world is crying for a new leader.  Here is my personal bit of advice for the new man:  Give us hope, sir.  Please don't disappoint us.  Just recall for a moment the last three administrations over the last 20 years and what they have done with all of their KKN and disasterous shenanigans.  And they call Indonesia corrupt?  Please.  Now try this little diddy using the melody from the song Johanna by Jimmy Cliff: 'Give us hope Obama, hope Obama, give us hope Obama 'til the morning comes'.  It's catchy.  Once you start singing it it will stay inside your head all day.  I'm warning ya... 

Finally, it seems that we might have found a person who comes equipped with a range of thoughtfulness and the ability to express it.  I watched the democratic convention 4 years ago when he first burst onto the scene and gave that speech that electified everybody who watched it.  And I knew.  I knew then that they were going to prep him and position that man to lead the Democratic Party.  I just had no idea that it was going to come that fast and, before you know it, he is elected.  Wow, what a whirlwind.  But considering him again, he seems to be an Arsene Wenger type of manager who considers things first before he jumps in with an ever ready sound bite.  And although most of us enjoy sound bites and it seems that everybody wants to be known for a famous quip after they leave this planet to go on to kick the great football in the sky, we have to realize that sound bites are no substitute for true wisdom.  Sound bites have become the enemy.  They are not witty.  They just buy time and pacify the lazy minded.  They pretend to be clever but actually they simply just point out the obvious and not much else which brings me to another observation that I want to question.  Why is it that many players will erroneously say 'great shot' to their teammate but when, in actuality, the shot misses the goal?  Or 'excellent pass' when he over hits his teammate by 5 meters and the ball goes flying out of bounds?  Those are not good shots nor good passes.  What those actually are is a good idea manifested in poorly executed attempt wrapped in a meaningless word combination and spoken thoughtlessly in an attempt to be or appear empathetic.  If the shot on goal actually scores as intended then it is a great shot.  If the pass is properly weighted and slotted to the exact future point so that opponent cannot disturb it and our teammate can easily take it then that is actually an excellent pass.  There is a difference, in fact, a big difference between the two.  Just like when we say, 'sorry' after we make a bad pass or mistake on the field, for some people, it becomes habitual.  They are always saying 'sorry' to their teammates.  Isn't it more accurate to say, 'excuse me for my lack of skill' or 'excuse me for my lack of impulse control'?

I just noticed something.  I seem to be giving a lot of lectures lately.  It might be symptomatic of me missing my former teaching days when I taught Chaos Theory in the education system.  If you don't like these monologues and would rather that I talk about the league then please let me know by sending your rants and raves to the the following address.  Click on this link, tell me off and send it to me.  I would like to receive your comments so that, like in the old days, I can post them up and publicly make fun of you in the next Newsletter.  Remember when I used to do that?  What happened to me?  Perhaps I lost my sense of humour.  I wonder where it could be?  Maybe it is sitting next to wherever my sunglasses are.  Have you seen them?  Somebody out there has them. 

Anyways... I look forward to your hate mail but if love is all that you can send me than that will do too.  I will just have to accept it.  Meanwhile, see you live on the pitches!

Best,

Your Hero   


Announcement