Soccer Sequence No.17

The Soccer Sequence below relates to a very enjoyable, but rare, phenomena. The figures relate to seasons since the launch of the a 20 team top league in England:-

14, 19, 13, 16, 12, 16, 12, 13, 14, 7, 13, 10 , 8, 7, 3, 15, 6

Some teams have contributed more to the tally than others. Arsenal players have contibuted twenty eight times to the tally.

For some more number puzzles, click on Soccer Sequences.

After the Wire No.1 - Idris Elba

I enjoyed reading Miranda Sawyer's interview with Idris Elba in last Sunday's Observer.  The Hackney son, who played Stringer Bell in The Wire, discussed his acting and musical career in a very interesting piece. Elba played the ruthless vice president  of Avon's crime operations.  As noted on a recent Football on the Wire post, Elba is the lead in a new British crime series called 'Luther'. He also has two blockbusters coming out this year (Takers  and  The Losers) and a new EP called 'High Class Problems Vol 1' under his DJ name Driis. Elba keeps himself very busy. However, it’s not always been an easy career. His first credited TV role was in Absolutely Fabulous!

Week 19 Football Flutter

My choices for my Super 5 accumulator :-

• Manchester City
• Southampton
• Liverpool
• Leeds
• Notts County 

My score predictions for the Small 3 are:-

Fulham 0 v 2 Aston Villa
Manchester City 4 v 0 Portsmouth
Liverpool 3 v 0 Bolton

I'm quietly confident about my accumulator. Can you please stop laughing.

Best by Far

Nice piece on the BBC website recording the discovery of thousands of previously unseen photographs of  George Best. Touching but also quite sad. A brilliant footballer as recorded in the youtube montage below.

A Pun too Far

I love newspapers. Broadsheets or tabloids? I don't mind. And I really enjoy a good football headline. Doesn't seem that difficult, so I have tried to write some headlines for Wednesday's  Carling Cup second leg. If City lose will they be 'Tevez-tated' or if they win, will they be 'In Good Kompany'? Ok, I need to try harder......But I don't think I can beat  the Sun's classic headline after Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Celtic.

'Super Cally Go Ballistic, Celtic Are Atrocious'

Brilliant. The Guardian has some other great football headlines. Why not send your predictions for Thursday mornings back page headline.

Too Clever by Half (-Time)

Some people are so creative. South Korean designers 'Unplug Design' have developed relief packages that can be reshaped into footballs. Have a look at the  designs on  the PSFK site.

More importantly, please contribute money to the one of the many charities offering support to the  international disaster relief effort in Haiti. They need our support. In the UK, you can donate on the DEC website.

Profit and Loss for Week for Week 18

Accumulated Total Outlay	Accumulated Winnings	Profit/(Loss)
£52.70	£17.12	-£35.68

I predicted the Manchester United score but that's about it.

World Cup Bid to the Wire

Eighteen cities have been selected as the official host cities for the USA’s bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. And Wire fans will be proud, and maybe slightly surprised, to learn that one of these great 18 cities is Baltimore. For non –Wire fans, the series is mainly based on Maryland's largest city.

The city has some football history. In the 1970’s it was home to NPSL charter team Baltimore Bays. Currently, Baltimore is home to the Baltimore Blast of the NISL, Maryland Tigers of the PASL, Charm City FC of the NPSL and Crystal Palace Baltimore. Chelsea sponsor Baltimore Bays youth programme and last year, they beat AC Milan in the first professional football match at the M&T Bank Stadium. The game was played in front of 71,000 fans.

The football and ‘The Wire’ connection continues as Spike Lee is on the bid committee. The Inter Milan fan directed the excellent ' Clockers [DVD] [1996] (why does this film only get 6.9 on imdb.com? Please watch and add at least one point). The screenplay was written by Lee and Richard Price, based on a book by Price. And yes, Richard Price is one of the great writers who have worked on the Wire. If you know any other connections between Baltimore and football, please let me know.

Week 18 Flutter Predictions

My choices for my Super 5 accumulator :-

• Manchester United
• Spurs
• Liverpool
• Leeds
• Huddersfield

My score predictions for the Small 3 are:-

• Bolton 1 v 2 Arsenal
• Manchester United 3 v 0 Burnley
• Spurs 3 v 0 Hull

Mid-table Confusion

Guardian's TV writers have chosen their top 50 TV dramas of all-time. And to everyones surprise 'The Wire' comes in at No.14. This is a disgrace. We need a recount. Twelve places below 'Brideshead Revisited'? You must be joking. In today's currency, fourteenth place would make 'The Wire', the Burnley of the Premier League. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with been associated with the Clarets, but 'The Wire' is an old fashioned European Cup winning team. Check the Guardian's top 50 TV drama list for some other shocking choices.

Canales - Racing to Success

With very few games taking place in Britain over the weekend, I decided to watch the Spanish football on Sky. Barcelona were not at their best, even though they won 5-0 win against Tenerife. However, at times, Messi was sensational. I also watched Racing Santander dent Sevilla's title challenge with a 2-1 away win. I was really impressed by the performance of Sergio Canales. The talented 18 year old scored two exquisite goals (the second can be seen below). His balance and touch is excellent. It is easy to see why a number of big European clubs are tracking his progress. I hope he stays at Satander and develops rather than get in lost in a large club's squad.

Snow Flutter

With so many games postponed this weekend, there will be no flutter this week. Please. There is no need to cheer. This was going to be my week. Never mind, it's back to building snowmen.

The Little Road to Wembley

Michael K Williams is playing a cameo in 'The Road', the new film based on Cormac McCarthy's novel. Williams is best know for his role as the great anti-hero, Omar Little in The Wire. The film has received some excellent reviews. It has been described as harrowing yet ultimately life-enhancing. Sounds like the experience of most football fans on a Saturday afternoon.

Actor Michael K Williams with fellow Wire actor, Donja Sohn

The Genius Of Eric

I was lucky enough to catch Bob Golding's performance as Eric Morecambe last week at the Duchess Theatre, London. It is a brilliant, joyful show that I would highly recommend that you catch. It finishes on the 17th January. The show reminded me of Eric’s love for Luton Town. Unlike Eric, most celebrities seem to jump on the band wagon in choosing a club to support. Eric’s warmth about Luton was genuine and always evident in the ‘Morecambe and Wise Shows’. Is he the greatest celebrity fan ever?

Soccer Sequence No.16

On this great day in the English football calendar, can you work out the link between the following years:-

1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005

For some more number puzzles, click on Soccer Sequences.

My Tip is Matip for the Future

Joel Matip, the Schalke defender, is receiving some rave reviews. After a good performance (including a goal) against Bayern Munich, he was named in Cameroon's squad for the African Nations Cup. However, it is reported in the Independent this morning that Germany's hierarchy are trying to convince him to commit his international future to the country of his birth. Matip was born in Bochum, but his father is from Cameroon, making him eligible for both nations. Which country do you think he should choose? Please note the maker of the video below assumes that Matip has already made the choice.



And a very happy and healthy 2010 to everyone.