A right kick in the.....

you know where. Thoroughly enjoyed my few days in Rome despite a horrendous performance by United on the night. Atmosphere on the Tuesday night and all day Wednesday was terrific with no obvious signs of trouble in the city, though one poor sod was stabbed on Tuesday night by some very "courageous" local.

Rome itself is a incredible city, history seems to seep out of every inch of the place. Myself and a mate managed to get a couple of the sights in before the game on Wed, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are genuinely incredible. I will definitely head back to Rome again for a weekend to take in the remainder of the city. May take in a game at the Stadio Olympico but will probably bring back bad memories! Three times I've been to Italy to see United and we haven't won once. I hope my perseverance pays off one day.

The journey back was long and draining. Flew from Rome-Milan-Paris-Dublin which included a very close call at Milan Malpensa in making my flight to Paris as we had to dodge a thunderstorm in Rome after take off!

In a few months time the merry-go-round starts again. Bring it on.


Currently reading the David Simon book, The Corner, which is a follow up to his book Homicide on which much of The Wire was based. Early days so far but its gritty and insightful. Finished another Henry Rollins book, "Do I Come Here Often". A great collection of Rollins journal entries across the 1990s (including a hilarious account of his time on the 1991 Lollapolooza Tour) mixed with great interviews he's done for a number of US magazines with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Isaac Hayes and John Lee Hooker. Like or loathe Rollins, you can't ignore his writing. The man tells it like he sees it, which is often 100% negative and seen completely from his own point of view but I find it great material nonetheless.


Music wise, I just picked up the Hatebreed live DVD released late last year. Good viewing so far.

The big countdown.....

Well, only a couple of days till I set off for Rome. Cannot wait at this stage. Weather looks great as well, in or around 30 degrees from Tuesday to Thursday. Have everything sorted including a match ticket. I'm on a 0620 flight to Paris on Tues morning and should be in Rome around 3pm. Will then head to the hotel to hopefully meet up with my mate Dave (thats if he's sorted his flights out!!).

Plotting a trip to New York with a possible stop off in Toronto in September, hope to take in a game or two at the new Yankee Stadium (thats if I can afford a ticket!). Never tire of New York, possibly my favourite place on the entire planet. I always have a list as long as my arm of things to do each time I go back, its that packed full of sights, museums, bars, etc. If I won the lottery tomorrow, one of the first things I'd do is buy an apartment in Manhattan. I live in eternal hope!

Music wise I am currently listening to some vintage hip hop (Big L) and Ian Brown (Solarized, Music of the Spheres). Manchester music seems to be quite fitting with such a monumental week on the horizon.

Now to get back to reading my Rome Lonely Planet Guide.........FORZA UNITED!

The Italian Job.......Rome here I come

27th May, 2009.


Flights? Booked. Hotel? Sorted. Match ticket? Time will tell.

"If The Reds Should Play......"

Just started on a book put together in 1997 by some of the lads in the Red News United fanzine entitled, "If the Reds Should play in Rome......or Mandalay: Travelling across Europe with United." Word for word accounts of over 30 plus contributors from all walks of life of their experiences watching United up until 1997.

I am roughly 5 chapters in at this stage and it is a cracking read, warts and all. Some hilarious stuff so far but also some absolutely crazy accounts such as the trip to Valencia in 1982 where it seems it was a miracle that nobody was killed either before, during or after the game.

I never tire of reading these kinds of books. I guess hearing accounts from genuine life-long football supporters make for a more interesting read, I think you can identify with a lot of what they recount, though yours truly has quite a few trips to do to make up the difference with the likes of Phil Holt or the truly remarkable Mike Dobbin (RIP) - I hope to put some further dents in this over the next few years, fingers crossed.

A great read so far, if you're a United fan (or a fan of any persuasion) and enjoy hearing about the often crazy side of following a football team in Europe, get a hold of a copy (currently available from www.rednews.co.uk/shop for a bargain £8.99 + postage).

Its never dull is it?!

Jesus, if the above title was ever true it was yesterday at Old Trafford.

Yours truly didn't get to go to the game despite having travel and accomodation sorted as I came down with a bout of flu on Friday. However, the lads decided to put me through the ringer on top of my illness with two halves of football so contrasting in the level of performance that I was knackered (but exhilarated) at the final whistle.

No other team (and let me repeat this), NO OTHER TEAM could pull off what United did yesterday. 0-2 down at half time, displaying half fits of attacking verve and yet more shambolic defending to gift Spurs a two goal lead. Move to the second half, 5 goals in 23 minutes and the game and our title fortunes are completely reversed. Unbelieveable. The penalty may have been a tad controversial. When I saw it in real time I screamed for a penalty. Gomes did get a touch to the ball but these calls you sometimes get, other times you won't (our stonewall penalty vs. Everton at Wembley the previous week being a prime example). However, to go on and hit Spurs for 4 more shows the ridiculous will of this team once they get the bit between their teeth. Once the equaliser went in you could smell the winner coming. Fair play to Ronnie for showing some true passion after he scored, he looked like a man possessed when throwing his shirt skywards after scoring in front of K-Stand. I would also like to give credit to our support yesterday. We started a little flat but by god, the support from the kick off to the second half was fantastic, I genuinely feel it spurred (no pun intended!) the lads on to the win.

Now for Arsenal on Wednesday. Looking forward to this immensely, have a feeling the Stretty will be rocking for this one.

WATPOAE

Champions of the World

Just to finish up a truly remarkable year, Rooney bags the winner for United against Quito in the World Club Championship! I'm absolutely buzzing!

Champions of England. Champions of Europe. Champions of the World.

Update

Haven't been on here in a while. Work seems to be taking over my life at the moment. At Old Trafford yesterday for game against Sunderland. 90 minutes of sheer frustration turned to absolute pandemonium when Vidic banged in the winner in injury time. A great end to a very cold day in Manchester.

About to start reading Jim White's new book on United, should be a good read as his writing whether in the Telegraph or in UWS is always top notch.

Other happenings of late include planning travels for next summer, probably back to the USA. The 2009 baseball schedules have been released and the Jays are playing in Philly and Washington in the middle of June......me thinks I'll go on the road with them and maybe hit New York on the way back. To hell with this credit crunch shit I say!

West Ham

Was at the game vs. West Ham last night, good result with some astounding skill from that new Bulgarian of ours. Could of and should of won by a bagful but we never seemed to get out of 2nd gear all night.

Atmosphere in our end was fairly muted, not sure why. Probably cause it was f**kin freezin and its only the end of October. And that lad Ronaldo even managed to acknowledge us as he walked off the pitch at full time....how lucky were we. I said during the summer that we should have shown him the door, I'm getting sick of his petulant behaviour while he's playing and also his severe lack of respect for us schmuks who happen to pay his bloody wages. Its no wonder he's not getting the same backing as in previous seasons.