Category Archives: Uncategorized

To Ell and Back

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve spent the last two weekends in Leeds so now seems as good a time as any to update on the fortunes of my football (soccer, I don’t understand American Football) club, Leeds United. On Saturday, we played Huddersfield Town in Football League One (old third division) in a game which because of the geographical nearness of the two opposing teams drew over 32,000 fans, making it the 5th best attended game in England on the day and 6th best attended in the whole of the UK. Only 4 premiership games , none in the Championship and only Glasgow Rangers’ home game in Scotland, had a larger crowd. Football, then, is very much alive and kicking in Leeds but the team is not what they once were. But the hard times seem to be lifting. Prior to the game, we were third in the division, compared to Huddersfield’s standing in 16th. Despite this apparent advantage and the promise that a win, in this early kick-off, would take Leeds to the top of the division (at least until later in the day), we managed to lose 2-1 as Huddersfield scored in the last minute. Leeds had taken the lead through Snodgrass in the 4th minute but couldn’t hold on to the lead despite having the lion’s share of the quality individual performances.

What did this game reveal about the team?

Goalkeeper

1. Casper Ankergren. Ankergren has been sharing ownership of the goalkeeper’s jersey with David Lucas despite being the hot favourite to be the regular between the posts at the start of the season. His momentous error which led to the first Huddersfield goal undid an otherwise reasonably solid performance and did nothing to guarantee he will be in the side in a week’s time.

Defence

2. Frazer Richardson. Long serving captain, Richardson, looked more confident pressing forward than in his defensive duties. He provided a good overlapping presence on the right side with winger, Robert Snodgrass and the two gave the Huddersfield full-back a torrid time in the first half.

19. Ben Parker. Left back is a problem position for Leeds and Parker is the current incumbent. Again, better going forward than anything else and the Huddersfield attackers could have made more of the Leeds’ lack of enthusiasm to work on the left, particularly in the first half.

6. Lubo Michalik. The Slovakian central defender is good in the air and clears his lines well but doesn’t contribute much more than that. He will do at this level but it is hard to see him continuing in the team if they were promoted to the Championship.

26. Paul Telfer. The 37 year old central defender looked out-paced and wobbly on Saturday. There are more capable defenders in the squad and it is hard to see why McAllister is favouring him.

Midfield.

4. Jonathan Douglas. Douglas looked a class apart from most of the others on the field for most of the game. The manager replaced him and Delph just at the point when we seemed to have Huddersfield pinned in their own half. His maturity and vision were outstanding but he is let down by a suspect temperament. Our hopes of winning disappeared when he was removed.

15. Fabian Delph. Delph has silky skills and is fast developing into a great young player. I’m not sure who was meant to be playing on the leftside of midfield on Saturday but nobody seemed to fancy that role. Delph, particularly, had a tendency to cut inside when he received the ball rather than being tempted to explore the left side of the pitch. Good game otherwise, if a little too easily knocked off the ball and another regrettable substitution in the late stages.

8. Neil Kilkenny. I spent most of half time trying to remember who was the 11th player on the Leeds side (there is no scoreboard at Elland Road at the moment!). Kilkenny was that invisible presence and, thankfully, he was removed early in the second half, having contributed nothing I could remember.

Forwards

18. Andy Robinson. Robinson played wide on the left side of the forward line. He suffered from lack of support and got himself needlessly cautioned. He has a tendency to appear a little lazy when disposessed and didn’t chase back well on Saturday. Having said that going forward, he appeared to be one of the more solid Leeds players and can shoot from distance.

23. Robert Snograss. Wide on the right, Snodgrass was Leeds’ best player on the day. He scored Leeds’ only goal. Skilful, with a good touch and willing to run at opponents with vigour, he was our brightest hope – particularly in the first half.

10. Luciano Becchio. A lone central forward for most of the game, Becchio was persistent and solid. When Beckford was brought on, Becchio had more freedom, showed more flair and might have scored.

Substitutes

9. Jermaine Beckford. Top scorer, Beckford, entered the game very positively, early in the second half. In truth, he might have scored within minutes of his arrival. However, his contribution lessened after a couple of heavy challenges knocked him to the ground and the midfield line behind him was rearranged. The sooner he is fully match-fit and can start every game, the better.

7. David Prutton. Suffered by comparison with the players that he and Howson were required to replace, but in truth did well and looked sparky and bright. A poor free kick from him was our last scoring chance.

14. Jonathan Howson. Like Prutton, he was solid but not spectacular. Tried in difficult circumstances.

Unused substitutes: 12. David Lucas. 21 Enoch Showunmi

So a disappointing result before a large crowd. Danny Cadamarteri had something to prove when he came on as Huddersfield’s last substitute and he was responsible for single-handedly creating the chance which led to the second goal but the changes in midfield ended Leeds’ dominance and it wasn’t only the players on the field who had reason to blush.

This looks like another season when we will make the playoffs – and then anything can happen.

Maybe this lad could do a job for us – Lucas the Kop Kat turns away having slammed in a penalty during the warm-up

Darren & the late Billy Bremner

Soon, the horse will take us to Durango

Posted on by
Reply

Today, I woke up in a hotel in Leeds. Back in the day, I used to come to comic fairs here. Buying up back issues of Batman and the Flash. Then it was called the Griffin Hotel. Now it is called the Discovery. Last night, I lay in my bed reading a back number of the Justice League of America fron the 1960s. Nothing much has changed. I’m in town for the John Foxx performance of the Quiet Man which happened last night at the Leeds Town Hall. Ate at Wagamamas and then went on to the show.
So what is the Quiet Man? In 1978, when he was lead singer in a band called Ultravox!, John wrote a song called "The Quiet Men" around the concept of shadowy individuals in grey suits who drift through cities unseen and unnoticed – the ordinary man on the street , if you like. He then began work on a book of short pieces of prose about the Quiet Man which he has been working on to this day and which remains unpublished. Last night was the debut performance of a film designed and developed around the concept of some of these short "stories" which John accompanied on acoustic piano (albeit accompanied by synthesised strings) whilst a pre-recording of a reading of one of the prose pieces was played. It was a privilege to be there.
In total, three pieces were performed and portrayed. The first was simply acoustic piano, film and pre-recorded reading and I found it the best of the three. The Quiet Man is seemly alone in a broken down culture, exploring and re-ordering its pieces as nature takes back the land. Fascinating.
The second had Foxx on Synth, whilst John ‘Karborn’ Leigh remixed and overlaid video clips live from the stage as the reading progressed.
The third was read ‘live’ by Foxx from the stage as the video played in a linear fashion.
The performance lasted under an hour but seemed much longer. Rich, fruitful, thoughtful.
Questions and answers followed and I took a full part.
I’ll try to post some pictures later.

Yankees at first base … but not very safe

Posted on by
Reply

The Yankees used 12 players at first base and still they couldn’t find anyone who was satisfactory.

Jason Giambi (145 games) played at first base during 113 of the 162 games in 2008. There were times during the season when his offense was invisible. During April, he batted .148 with 0 home runs. It was hard to see why the Yankees were persisting with him giving the infamy of some of his actions in previous years. In May, he looked like a different guy. He hit with .353 albeit still with only 3 home runs. His power had kicked in by June. He reached 9 home runs by the end of that month. That power stayed but his ability to hit for average declined as the season went on. He made 9 errors during the season and his ability in all areas has withered with age. His 32 home runs shine but his .247 was simply not good enough. The Yankees have declined their option on his contract and they shouldn’t get into negotiations to bring him back. Time for a new face at first base.

Wilson Betemit (87 games) played at first base during 35 of the 162 games in 2008. I would have released Betemit at the end of 2007 and I had no bright hopes for his contribution this year. His early season injury and eyesight problems didn’t seem likely to help but somehow or other, he came back stronger. I expected his contribution such as it would be to be in the middle infield positions off the bench but most of his games whether as a starter or more commonly as a substitute came at 1b. He had a positive contribution to make which leaves me asking to see him as the key member of the bench in 2009. He batted .265 with 6 home runs and only a handful of errors in the field. No mean achievement given that he was put into a number of different fielding situations and that he had no regular role. Bring him back as a back-up.

Cody Ransom (33 games) played first base during 19 games of the 2008 season. Ransom didn’t arrive in the Bronx until August. He had a little major league experience but not much. His first two at-bats were home runs. He played all the infield positions but struggled at the middle infield position. He needs a good spring training but I could see him as the back-up first baseman with Betemit taking on the bench role for the other infield positions. A chance of being in the Bronx on opening day.

Richie Sexson (22 games) played first base during 18 games of the 2008 season. Sexson was meant to have been brought in to add power – he hit one home run. His signing was a big mistake – no other team took him up when he was released by the Yankees in mid-August and it is hard to imagine that his career isn’t over. Already gone.

Shelley Duncan (23 games) played first base during 16 games of the 2008 season. Duncan was the late blooming, bright young hope. That hope disappeared quickly and he wasn’t even called up in September. I have higher hopes of being in the Bronx in April than he has.

Jorge Posada (51 games) 7 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to the catchers.

Morgan Ensberg (28 games) 7 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to third base.

Juan Miranda (5 games) played first base during 5 games of the 2008 season. Miranda didn’t look that convincing when he arrived in the Bronx but he has gone on to hit extremely well in the Fall League since the season finished. At the moment, he has an outside possibility of being the opening day first baseman, if a big name signing doesn’t materialise at this position. Alternatively, he’ll end up back in Scranton as a prospect for 2010. Wait and see.

Xavier Nady (59 games) 3 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to the outfielders.

Chad Moeller (41 games) 2 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to the catchers.

Johnny Damon (143 games) 1 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to the outfielders.

Jose Molina (100 games) 1 at 1st base. I’ll say more about him when we get to the catchers.

Summing up, there is a slim possibility that Juan Miranda could be first choice at first base. There is a slim possibility that if his problems continue Jorge Posada could play more games at first base than anyone else but it won’t be that way on opening day and the chances beyond that are wafer thin. Cody Ransom and Wilson Betemit look possibles to be coming off the bench. Frankly, we need to sign a free agent to fill the first base gap.

Tired of being alone……

Posted on by
Reply

There is a time when a man’s heart yearns for a little Soul and R’n’B (old meaning of the term). So last night, it was off to the Royal Albert Hall of all places – the least likely Soul venue in the whole world – for an Al Green concert. Accompanied by UK singer, Gabrielle, as support, Reverend Green was stopping off for two nights in London on his world tour which has been running since April and has yet a few more nights to run.

Gabrielle opened the show with a set that included most of her hits – Dreams, Give Me a Little More Time, Rise, Sunshine and so forth. Her band were allowed half of the stage and the volume was lower than it needed to be and the Albert Hall has a habit of swallowing sound anyway. Her set was perfunctory, pleasant and not very exciting.

Before the show, I tried to count how many times I’ve seen Al Green perform in concert. I’ve seen him in London, New York, and Birmingham and I stopped counting when I got into double figures. So I’m used to all those parts of the show which a master showman like Green manages still to make seem spontaneous but are actually very well-rehearsed and have been going on in this way for many years. Given that factor, this was still full of energy and a good show. Reverend Al included songs from his new album "Lay it Down" (the title track and "Stay With Me") and 1 track from his 2004 set, "I Can’t Stop" (title track). Aside from that it was the hits ("Let’s Stay Together", "Tired of Being Alone", "Love and Happiness", "Let’s Get Married", "Take Me To The River" etc, etc.), some gospel ("Everything is going to be alright", "Amazing Grace", Nearer My God to Thee") and a medley of covers.

Green has a warmth with his audience, he has a vocal range which is still astonishing and a band which is tight but fluid.

Shame about the venue. I would like to see him cut loose with the set list rather than just give the appearance of that. But all-in-all given the longevity and varied nature of his career, I think this guy is amazing.

Back to baseball……

Posted on by
1

Well, the baseball season is over. In case you hadn’t noticed the Phillies swept the board. They deserved it, I think. Certainly one of the most consistently impressive teams throughout the year. For me, it was one of the most enjoyable years in baseball. The Yankees only ran in third in their division but I think the basics are there for a successful year in 2009 with only a couple of big signings required.

 I’m going to review the Yankees’ season. I’m going to begin by looking at the players. Position by position – beginning at first base.

 At the end of the review (however long it takes), I will announce the TWI-D Yankees awards based on my rating of players during the season. That’s right not the TYIB (This Year in Baseball) awards, or the TWIB (This week in Baseball awards) but the TWI-D (Twilight Dawning) awards.

 The baseball world waits with baited breath………

William, it was really nothing…….

Posted on by
Reply

Tomorrow is the first part of my two-legged consideration of David Tennant’s role in the works of William Shakespeare. Any one who reads this journal on a regular basis (there must be someone!) will know that I’m pretty committed to the RSC and try to take in all of their productions. So Thursday, I journey to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the latest production of the rather slight "Love’s Labours Lost". Then in December on its London transfer I have the rather more substantial "Hamlet". Anyone who follows the papers (tabloid or broadsheet) will know that the good Doctor takes the lead in these two – indeed in Hamlet, he is paired with that other star-crossed traveller, Patrick Stewart. Don’t know what I think about this. I’m not keen on the RSC doing productions where the lead actor outranks the play – even before its opened. When Patrick Stewart works with the RSC normally it barely raises a ripple of interest unless the production is really good so this is obviously about Tennant. I hope by the time I return on Friday, he will have done Shakespeare proud……..

Natural Progressions

Posted on by
Reply

Natural Progressions is a magazine that I edit and also write for. You won’t see it in your newsagents as it is mail order only. It will appeal to people who like a certain kind of music. Issue 38 is now available.


It features:

Full coverage and reviews of the Eagles on tour.
Coverage of recent interviews with Don Henley and Joe Walsh
An interview with Poco founder and solo artist, Richie Furay
Bernie Leadon of the Eagles and Flying Burrito Brothers writing about the rivalry between his band and Poco
An interview with Michael Georgiades of the Bernie Leadon – Michael Georgiades band and Zoe

44 pages, colour when appropriate.

Drop me a line if you want more details or a subscription.

Comic Cuts

Posted on by
Reply

I have always add an interest in graphic novels, comics and related art. This dates back to a childhood spent reading Batman in DC comics. One of my current favourite writers and artists in the field is Paul Grist. Paul has had several titles published, first by his own independent imprint, Dancing Elephant and now by the good folk at Image.

I commissioned Paul to do a piece for me featuring the 3 principals of his comics: Burglar Bill, Jack Staff and Kane. Here it is:

I think it’s rather good!!

Dylan Days

Posted on by
2

Spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks listening to this "new" Bob Dylan cd "Tell Tale Signs" which is proving a very worthwhile experience. More than anything this compilation of outtakes from 1989-2005 has made me realise how much I appreciate Dylan’s back catalogue. I have a fairly unusual take on Dylan’s albums in that against the prevailing trend I see a lot of worth in his albums of the early to mid Eighties – seeing only the period around "Down in the Groove" as the time that he really lost his vision of his music. Couldn’t choose which of his albums I’d take to a desert island so here’s a complete list of what I think of as his crucial records, in chronological order:

The Times They Are A-Changin’
Another Side of Bob Dylan
Highway 61 Revisited
Blonde on Blonde
Blood on the Tracks
Street Legal
Slow Train Coming
Saved
Shot of Love
Empire Burlesque
Oh Mercy
Time Out of Mind
Live 1961-2000 (Japan only)
Modern Times

If I was going to round it out to 15, then the contenders would be "Bringing it All Back Home", "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid", "Infidels", "Knocked Out Loaded", "World Gone Wrong", and "Love and Theft". Oops, that makes it 20. Really poor Dylan albums: the aforementioned "Down in the Groove", "Desire" (sorry, awful production), and a number of the official live albums.

More on Tell Tale Signs when I’ve lived with it a little longer – and yes, I do have the three cd set and don’t feel I was robbed……..