Let me tell you story of one Friday afternoon in the near future. Despite much hope going into the 2026 World Cup, my Argentina side promptly walked Group B, beating USA 2-0, and Australia and Czech Republic 3-0. This was followed by a comfortable 4-0 victory over Chile in the second round before a match against England in Monterrey. I had previously been sacked by England, so was looking for a bit of revenge over them.
It was looking good, right till Tim Hansen, the referee, decided to, wrongly, send off my left back Leonardo Torres in the 40th minute. From then on, I had no hope, England kept knocking, being denied by a brilliant performance from Julio Gorosito. And then, in the 86th minute, Paul Casey headed home to make it 1-0 to England. Despite a fantastic defensive performance Argentina were now down, typically, we would go on to hit the post in the 93rd minute. Out, despite my Argentina side being joint top scorers and having conceded only one goal.
Football Manager is a stupid game and I hate it. I can tell you now I will never play that idiotic and pointless game ever again.
What's that? Football Manager 2012 has been announced? With improved transfers and contracts? And scouting reports look like they've been done by Andre Villas-Boas? And it's out before Christmas? Where can I pre-order?
I suspect none of you care about that, but it was one way of getting into a link about the new Football Manager game.
Anywho, I have once again returned as a substitute daily writer as my days are currently revolving around doing very little and panicking about my AS results on Thursday. Your normal Tuesday (still not as good a day as Monday) writer, Simon, is in Edinburgh, being one of the key members of a production called Moll Flanders at St. Ninians Hall. There is still time for you to go and catch it if you fancy. And if you go on Thursday, you can do a double with that, while watching the mighty Spurs stutter against Hearts in the Europa League.
So lets have a look on the blog front. From Saturday we've seen a lot of blogs be a part of VivaF1's Swap Shop, and yesterday a further two posts went live. From myself, I wrote about about my second favourite thing in Formula 1, the backmarkers, and some of their very best performances for WTF1. While Gavin has wrote for VivaF1, asking how much we would all miss Formula 1 when it goes off to Sky.
In other things, Gavin has put up his images from the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix, Lou has been making some rather lovely looking cupcakes and Alex asks, what is your favourite thing about Formula 1? An excellent question with so far, some very good comments. Do go on and join in.
Of course at the weekend it was the final golf major of the year, the PGA Championship at Atlanta, where virtual unknown Keegan Bradley beat off the unknown Jason Dufner in a playoff, after a spectacular collapse from unknown Brendan Steele. Dufner himself collapsed, after being 5 shots in front with three holes to play. This was all after Rory McIlroy managed to injure his wrist on a root of a tree, in the third hole of the first round. Foolishly playing on, coming well behind the eventual winner. Now, I'd hate to go all gossipy on you, but apparently there's something between him and Caroline Wozniacki. I'm surprised, I imagine Wozniacki would prefer Luke Donald, being World Number 1 despite never having won a major and seemingly on on top because he plays every week. It might be down to Donald being married, but I can't be sure.
And finally, while riders are being banned for tampering with silencers, I'll leave you with something showing speedway in a good light. This is the final of the 2011 Scandanavian Grand Prix in the Speedway Grand Prix, which took place in Malilla, Sweden. This features the second best Polish rider Jaroslaw Hampel (yellow), home boy and winner of the previous round Andreas Jonsson (white), Dane Kenneth Bjerre (red), and fiesty, punchy, young Russian Emil Sayfutdinov (blue). Sadly the commentators make it sound deathly boring, but trust me it wasn't. Sit back and enjoy.
i've missed something... an rg daily? awesome.
England beating Argentina in the world cup? Surely not even in a game
Probably because I was managing.
i need to know if goal-line technology is allowed in 2026?
Sadly it isn't.
bah!
Odd things happen in those games. I keep spending fortune on players who turn out to be useless. Then I sell them off for a fraction of what I paid usually to rival clubs only to be told by scouts that they are now world class players and they play far better against me than they ever did with me
how does the guy who understeers off the track maintain enough speed to win?!
He is describing a bigger radius so he can carry more speed. The guy on the tighter line can't get his throttle open as early.
Not that I know anything about how speedway bikes work.
I'll go with that.
speedway is speedsporting. i should pay more attention to it.
It is an ideal sport for you. Races last a couple of minutes and you can get a full championship in, in a couple of hours
i've read all about it in RG's dailies. not sure i've ever seen a race though.
We need to find a stream and live comment a big speedway event. When is there a suitable event RG?
Well, the next round of the GP is on the 27th in Poland, and the Poles love their speedway.
Though the biggest events have probably gone this year, British GP was in June and the World Cup in July.
does it clash with spa qually?
I wonder if we can find a stream for that
Nah, races are always on a Saturday evening.
The odd thing is I always hated speedway when it was on TV all the time but now I fancy watching an event
My plan is coming together...
:)
if there's a stream, let's do it.
Great!
remind us though, cause i'm both stupid and forgetful.
We must be able to find one. I look forward to it
Sure thing. I'll be looking forward to it :)
Morning all
How well do you know your Formula 1 history?
The book That'll be the Day: 365 F1 Stories takes a look at significant moments or quirky happenings on this day in Grand Prix history. Can you guess what event the following describes?
Hey guys.
Thanks for the links RG - I do hope you guys enjoy my post and my pics - so far the comments underneath have been very interesting.
That Speedway clip is awesome. Regarding the commentators, although that is in Swedish, the style is very similar in Danish. Very matter of fact and never raise their voices. That race is the precise reason why I avoid Danish TV coverage of F1!
Morning Gavin,
Hope you are feeling well today sir.
Hey man. I'm at home resting. I have a little cold and I didnt sleep, so I decided to stay home because the air con in the office is freezing (colder than outside, in fact) because they are still fixing the heating after the water damage. I feel much better after a 12 hour sleep though!
Oh get well soon mate.
Oh no, I'm fine now, just needed a reset and recharge. You can so tell it's autumn here now though - I've switched to long sleeve shirts and to the horror and surprise of everyone I'm wearing a V-neck cardy!
:D
It's definitely beginning to get a l;little cooler here. Thankfully, the weather is supposed to be good for World Series this weekend
:)
I don't wear jumpers at work!
First time for everything
I have one remaining question about Sunday's IndyCar race. How did Tony Kanaan manage to hit a portable toilet and what was it doing virtually trackside in the first place?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMi5GrxwXw8
Who says men always miss the toilet!
Eyy-ohhh!!
afternoon, sir
Afternoon Mr Mav,
How are you today?
i'm well and free of all cardigan/pullover/jumper wooliness, yourself?
he was sitting down at the time ;)
Exhausted more than anything else. In a constant state of being shattered at the minute.
Otherwise fine
Ooooohhh...
;)
marshall's use no? and they'd know better than to use it during the race
not sure what bernie would think of such a thing given how messy he thinks the team trucks are
Most likely, but it's essentially unprotected from the track. It's in front of an inner catch fence.
Does one send flowers to the funeral? Or air freshener blocks?
Fresh toilet roll should suffice I think
Leigh, you're off to WSbR this weekend aren't you?
I approve of new gadget :D
http://amyfulton.posterous.com/new-toy
Yep, but only on Saturday. Are you heading up?
i got my tickets today! and dad says i can go! so hopefully i'll be heading up there too!
Sweet
thanks for pointing me onto it. am very excited! yaaay silverstone! eeekk!
The weather forecast looks OK too
wohooo!!
Yep, but only on Sunday
Boooo
Ahh I see. I don't particularly like our commentators for the speedway, but at least they have some emotion in it all.
F1Minute ping: http://www.f1minute.com/news/michael-schumachers-determined-to-race-on-in-2012
Guest post ping: http://sidepodcast.com/post/the-2014-engine-regulations-do-we-have-anything-to-fear
I think that's all our swap shop stuff.
I really love the Woz burn in this daily by the way :D
Yeah it's a good one!
Christine's Rankings day today, if anyone has spotted the teams or drivers doing anything exciting.
firefox 6 is out now: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/
faster than version 5, if you're a user.
Hello all!
I totally forgot it was GamesCom time. Lots of new game announcement goodiness.
Peter Windsor back on Speed as 'an insider'.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-peter-windsor-returns-to-speed-f1-team
But does this man look like an insider? (at Goodwood on the Friday, in sweatpants)
https://picasaweb.google.com/106400214729093018812/GoodwoodFridayShare?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKPqPSjuOzm5gE#5641489363003377970
The only insider there is a man Insider house too much.
Windsor said, “And, as F1 begins seriously to embrace new media, it's both a challenge and a thrill to be working with SPEED.com."
:D
Peter Windsor was such as good insider when he said James Key was going to be sacked wasn't he.
Ping --> "Breaking the Silence"
http://theformulaoneandmotorsportsarchive.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/breaking-the-silence/
thank christ for that. you're welcome to him.
doesn't sound like he'll be getting his paddock pass back though. i wonder if he'll ever be allowed.
Maybe this is the first stage of USF1 part 2
I am sure he could have one if he wanted it. Bernie controls the paddock and we know the how high his standards are
hehe. i can't wait for his first factory tour.
"so, do you have a picture of jim clark in your office... no."
joe said they wouldn't give him it back. i think.
You hope.
:D
no, please no. I can't even pick him over Will Buxton, and that's saying something. I do not like Buxton.
Maybe he bought a new one at goodwood
or maybe he'll just frame a goodwood program this time
I just can't see Speed and him not being allowed into the Austin paddock.
How come he's not allowed but Flav is?
Am guessing because him and bernie are best buds.
Woah. That video in the daily is awesome, RG!
Enjoy a little something from the Sidepodcast back catalogue.
- Germany 2010 - Team Standings
Originally published 25 July 2010.
It's quite clear Windsor is a far worse person than Flav, of course!
WHAT?
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the Pride of Norfolk ‘United’! Group Lotus enters the Premier League with Norwich City Football Club with the announcement of a five-season partnership
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=738517&id=135849009792886
In that case I suggest you read from http://sidepodcast.com/post/daily-16th-august-2011/comments#comment-1157110 to find out all about the sidepodcast speedway night complete with live commenting and maybe FBFB. Assuming we can find a stream
ohhh I'm so confused. This doesn't help with Tony Fernandes buying QPR!
group lotus though.
i don't get why dany is sponsoring a football club?!
And Norwich play in yellow and green which wont confuse which Lotus it is at all. I am sure Lotus was a shirt sponsor before
i can only assume it's too annoy tony in some way.
I think Bruno would make an excellent striker for Norwich
The English Premiership is broadcast to a huge worldwide audience including places like China. Dany Bahar has to sell lots of Lotuses to justify his existence so this is probably a good move provide he can ship the cars he has promised. He is not going to sell the numbers he needs to traditional markets so China etc has to be his target and English football is seen as prestigious in these places
Only the best stuff goes in the daily.
Are the Chinese likely to watch Norwich games in big numbers?
Meh, who cares? They're both going down by May next year anyway _P
I don't know how the figures vary from team to team other than no doubt a certain team in red will be top. But even small percentages in China are huge numbers of people
I see the home page is still showing Bridget's daily. I assume RG didn't check the daily box when posting.
Doesn't that happen automagically? Seems to when I save it as a draft?
The link is correct, I think the preview is a standard message now?
No, it's checked?
I didn't realise the excerpt had gone
You need to check daily box or it won't know it;s a daily
The link works as Pat said so the box is checked. I just saw the excerpt hadn't changed and assumed there was an error. Well there was an error but it was mine
sorry, changed it the other day. one less things for us to worry about keeping an eye on.
It slightly reduces the admin for the C's to not have to check it, and for the writers to not have to think of something to put in it. :) I quite like it.
That makes sense.
It's something I always managed to forget!
#sidepodspace
Buky balls 15 times the size of the moon? Impossible?
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/news/spitzer20110815.html
We watched the launch of the Juno mission to Jupiter a few days ago. Despite being only a few days into a five year journey to Jupiter things are going so well that planned course correction burns are not needed. This is good because it means things are going well and because saving fuel now may allow it to do some extra manoeuvring once it reaches Jupiter.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av029/110815junoupdate/
So Steven, can I persuade you to write a guest post for RG?
Sorry Jackie. I can't
I had to try :-) I shall just have to try and volunteer someone else, any suggestions?
Lou
I'm really confused why they have turned Glasgow into Philadelphia for a film. Surely if you want sonewhere to look like Philadelphia you would shoot it there!
Ooh, I see she is planning on going to Silverstone at the weekend so she might if she has the time,
It's because Glasgow city centre is arranged in long avenues like the states and they probably got some sort of grant to go there
Glasgow is cheaper
And she always volunteers me
Payback?
I have a couple of spare tickets if anyone is interested in going to silverstone on the sunday
:)
If it wasn't such a hassle to get there I would happily come
No chance you could get to Lou's and get a lift?
Guess I'll have to do a post meself.
Wonders if I can volunteer Mr Mav
*strokes beard of idea-ness* not a bad idea ms jackie but we'll have to see.
Is it not a much longer journey to Lou's than to Silverstone?
Well if you can get there and need a ticket, gimme a shout
The problem with travelling on a sunday for me is trains more than anything
It's why I could only do one day for Goodwood
Blame Branson
I'll take a look jackie and see though, and get back to you as soon as possible
Ping: http://sidepodcast.com/post/rescuing-nature-and-teaching-children-is-on-the-cards-for-christines-rankings
Ping 2: http://sidepodcast.com/post/football-talk-and-twitter-questions-in-the-team-rankings-this-week
Evening
Giorgio Pantano in Justin Wilson's car for the next two races
http://twitter.com/#!/BadgerGP/status/103575419680329729
Interesting tweet from Pressdog. Can't imagine anyone in F1 showing similar sense in avaoiding conflict of interest. Although the F1 procedures cover just about every eventuality because of years of complaints/protests about everything.
http://twitter.com/#!/pressdog/status/103584651842568193