The Day I Caught The Train

Trains. I've always liked them ever since I was a little boy. It's probably because it reminds me of how a long, uncomfortable journey by car to my grandparents' homes in rural Malaysia could appear to be cut short and made bearable.

In recent years, trains have also reminded me of one of Ocean Colour Scene's more popular songs...

Should make a good song to start off my journey by rail next week.

Explaining Liverpool's Latest Acquisitions (Through Baseball)

Moneyball, based on Michael M. Lewis's book of the same name should be essential viewing for the Liverpool supporter (and all football fans interested in the way the game is managed) whenever it's released later this year. 


What's baseball got to do with the beautiful game and especially Liverpool's recent acquisitions?


Not much really except that Liverpool's current owners are avid followers of the basic principles employed by Billy Beane, the main focus of the book. Like baseball, football is also an unfair game and this is where Liverpool stands at the moment. At present, the club is clearly losing out to clubs that have the financial upper-hand so, a bit of objective thought could just be what the club needs to punch above its weight. It certainly paid off with the Red Sox when in 2004, they won their first World Series since 1918.


And, even if the principles of Moneyball don't actually win Liverpool its first championship in over two decades, then at least, we'll know that the club will always act responsibly and not buy a previously homeless Bébé based on a very subjective hunch.


Anyway, just in case anyone gets the wrong idea, the movie isn't about Liverpool but it will give the average Liverpool supporter (who might not have the time to read the book) some insight into this re-thinking that's happening in Liverpool's football management. Questions like why Downing is still considered undervalued over the obvious options like Young or Mata might be more explainable. Or, why Charlie Adam is preferred over the someone somebody's seen on YouTube and thinks he could do the job Xabi Alonso once did for Liverpool. Well, at least to most of us.

Scooter Sighting: August Bank Holiday Weekend

The now globally famous Dublin-based Evening Herald riders.

The Vespa's modifications certainly beats my Vespa's puny rear rack in terms of luggage-carrying prowess. Would definitely be handy whenever the wife has a longer than usual grocery shopping list.





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