Max's Blog
Object of my desire
Darren Bent knows it's the balloon's goal...
Last updated: 20th October 2009
I've never been compared to a beach ball/balloon/space hopper. Until Saturday, I would have been disappointed with such a comparison. But now, a large red round thing has scored a goal in the greatest league in the world.
Max Rushden
Quotes of the week
I've been compared to a few things in my footballing career. A Brazilian on Copacabana told me I played like Teddy Sheringham during the summer. I was pleased about that.
But normally, I'm likened to either inanimate objects, or - if my mates are feeling more generous - something with a slow and large turning circle: aircraft carrier, milk float, ferry - take your pick.
But I've never been compared to a beach ball/balloon/space hopper. Until Saturday, I would have been disappointed with such a comparison. But now, a large red round thing has scored a goal in the greatest league in the world for Sunderland - putting them seventh.
My fellow defeated Twitter competitor Darren Bent may claim it, but we all know that the goal should be attributed to the giant balloon or whatever it was.
Clearly played onside by Glen Johnson, it's now level on goals scored with Paul Scholes and Deco - and is above Robinho. For the record I have three this season. So barring some curious squad rotating, that should see me finishing ahead of inanimate objects.
I wonder if fans will start to think of more creative stationary things to place on the pitch. A well angled book shelf, or dresser, in the box might do significantly better than a few centre forwards I've seen playing for Cambridge over the years (none of the present crop I might point out).
Providing the delivery from the flanks is half decent, I imagine the vidiprinter working away under Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday might have to say 'GOAL: SHELF B (29)' on the odd occasion.
So well done the balloon, or whatever it was.
Look-alike
Also, and without wanting to compare him to a balloon, I think it's worth saying well done to Heurelho Gomes. This time last year he was widely regarded as the worst footballer on earth, and Spurs fans had to make do with the fact he looked a little bit like the smallest man on earth. (see picture, on the right)
But watching the highlights through a wedding hangover on Sunday morning, I was surprised that none of the pundits made more of what looked like the best save I've ever seen.
A free kick going in the bottom corner takes a massive deflection. It's clearly going in but for an arm to appear from nowhere - a move that Inspector Gadget (or even Dhalsim from Street Fighter 2) would be proud of. It just shows that a, confidence is everything in football and especially goalkeeping, and b, professional sportsman need so much self-belief in order to rise above the criticism that might be thrown at them.
Race
In other news, early on Sunday morning I discovered that Andy Burton beat both me and Darren Bent to the 10,000 followers race on Twitter. He managed this by brute force and erosion, by getting every A, B, C, D and E list celebrity to follow him for five minutes.
It wasn't quite how I envisaged the contest to run - and already he's fallen below the 10,000 mark. But fairs fair - I will pay up. A day's wages to the Lily foundation. And fair play to Darren who's doing the same. I should never have entered the race in the first place.
Have a good week,
Max
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Comments
Paddy Harte (Torquay United fan) says...
Hope you sent a crossbar challenge shirt to the Peru player who smacked the bar from kick-off in injury time vs Argentina - missed last weeks show so not sure if your way ahead of me on this one !!
Posted 19:50 21st October 2009
Dean Mears (Chelsea fan) says...
The Gomes comparison is quality!
Posted 17:18 20th October 2009
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