Jermaine Pennant For Madrid?

Whilst watching Sky Sports News today I noticed that Real Madrid would be interested in signing 'out of favour' Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, that's if they don't sign Antonio Valencia of Wigan.

Why would a prestigious club like Madrid swoop for Pennant? Yes, he's a good player and I'd be glad to see him playing for Madrid... but this is the last player that I thought they would target, due to him having limited games at Liverpool.

Even the Valencia (who has had a rather successful season) rumour, was perceived by me as a slight shocker. Both Pennant and Valencia are good players, but for them to be linked to moves to Real Madrid, for me, seems a bit far fetched...

These rumours follow the signing of Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth, which wasn't envisaged. Does this mean that Madrid are struggling to attract the big name stars? Or are they just holding their funds for a substantial bid for Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer?.. It sure seems a bit fishy.

The text before was written a couple of hours ago. I have now just read from Times Online that Valencia has agreed to join Real Madrid in a deal worth £14 Million. Pennant seems to be set to join Wigan, to replace Valencia. Now that sounds slightly more realistic...

Here's the link to the Times Online story:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article5415823.ece

Steven Gerrard Arrested?

According to BBC News Steven Gerrard has been arrested after an assault at a hotel bar in the early hours of this morning.

Wow!.. I never could imagine Gerrard doing such a thing. In his post match interviews, he seemed to be the innocent type, plus I've never really seen him get angry on the pitch. Well I guess football and his personal/outside life aren't intertwined.

All this comes after he has put some remarkable displays in for Liverpool over the past couple of weeks. Will he get sent down? Banned for a few matches?.. Or will he most likely just get away with it?.. Only time will tell...

Here's the link to the story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7802932.stm

Fully Deserved For Chris Hoy

Yesterday saw Chris Hoy win BBC's Sports Personality. It was fully deserved because he had a remarkable Olympic games. Off the top of my head, he won the most gold medals for team GB.

It is not just his success alone that makes him worthy. Even though he won, he still respected the achievements of both Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington who finished second and third respectively. The speech was both emotional and inspiring. It was defiantly well said.

Well done Chris Hoy.

Same Old Forest

Proceedings yesterday saw Forest come close a number of times. Wes Morgan had two chances in the first half, one being a header which looped onto the top of the bar, the other a close range, 'smash' of a shot, which Rachubka, the Blackpool keeper, remarkably held.

Forest, including the under par Joel Lynch made a series of mistakes. Joel Lynch was subbed off early on in the first half, to be replaced by Julian Bennett who was making his comeback.

Overall, Forest missed a ton of chances, another notable effort seeing Garner's header being well saved by the Blackpool keeper. Even though Blackpool were never really in the game, I honestly thought they would have snatched the win. The draw wasn't good enough as we are still four points off safety. Forest should have won the match.

For me, Brendan Moloney has to be Forest's man of the match. He showed a drive to win that very few of our players seemed to possess yesterday. He made attacking, darting forward runs and took on their defence.

Is This For Real

People have had their opinions on Alexandra's rise through X Factor this year... A person who I'm not going to name said that "She always makes victory speeches before she has actually won... like she's going to defiantly win..."

After her performance tonight she starts crying and explains how she couldn't have done it without her mentor Cheryl Cole, plus other things that I have now forgotten.

Well, I believe that she will now get a substantial number of votes just for crying. And I wondered why Ruth Lorenzo got booted off the show last week...

Shakira My No 1

Shakira finally got some recognisable recognition that she deserved on the Top 50 Bootyshakers by Alesha Dixon.

She was placed second in the list... behind Beyonce Crazy in Love... No real surprise. If it was my list Shakira would be number one for sure.

Here's the video for Hips Don't Lie:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ygctbqBijFk

Kaiser Chiefs Hit The Spot

Kaiser Chiefs, for me, have hit the spot with their new single 'Never Miss A Beat'. It's difficult to describe, the song seems well worked, plus the track possesses the usual quality in the voice of the lead singer Ricky Wilson. It's typical Kaiser Chiefs.

Here's the link to the video:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wz40P1hFvWs

Forgive Me, I Tried To Walk Away

Leona Lewis and Boyzone. These were two acts, that as soon as they would come on radio or TV I would attempt to turn the channel over. With Leona releasing the catchy 'Hope you Forgive Me' and Boyzone bringing out 'Love You Anyway' that isn't the case anymore.

Both Leona and Boyzone are a few of many artists or bands who, for me, have recorded one great song, only for the rest of their music to be 'not to my taste'.

Both songs have that 'spark or edge' about them. They are both catchy tunes.

Here's the link for Boyzone - Love You Anyway: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=85yYAf4EMT0

Watch out for Keith Duffy who is second from the right in the dance routine at the end. In my opinion he can't dance and looks out of place. Saying this, the rest of Boyzone aren't much better themselves.

Here's the link for Leona Lewis - Forgive Me:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TbObeE6s1I8

I've actually realised that despite her rather unlucky nose shape (apparently she's had a nose job, but I haven't noticed), Leona has a better body than I thought. She looks good in jeans. On another note, the video is really bright, too bright in my opinion.

Derby 1 Forest 1

What a bloody entertaining last few minutes!

Don't get me wrong, the first half was dull... but Commons' first touch was rather comical. As soon as the booing started, he was probably startled and gave the ball away. This was the best action of a dire, but satisfactory first half for the Reds.

The second half, however, was more of a spectacle. Forest took the lead after 54 minutes of the match with a Garner nod on which deflected in off Emanuel Villa's shoulder, a goal which was the result of a cross in from the right. Just 11 minutes later though, Derby equalized when a, lets face, perfect Commons delivery was flicked on by the substitute Barazite, for Villa to knock in.

Lewis McGugan was sent off with a straight red in the 74th minute after he slid in studs showing, taking out Derby midfielder Paul Green. The replays showed that he won the ball, but it was a reckless challenge. Saying this, I think it was only worthy of a yellow card.

The real drama of the match came in the last few minutes though. It all started when Chambers apparently handled in the box. The referee gave a penalty to the Rams even though Addison had converted a header. Lee Camp remarkably saved the spot kick, then made a fantastic save to deny another on target header from Derby.

The official Nottingham Forest website stated that "Camp had joked to the media in the build-up to the game that he would save a last-gasp penalty. It ultimately proved to be an uncanny prediction".

The drama continued when, from the resulting corner of Camp's second save, Addison scored again, but for the referee to disallow it for an apparent push, even though, to be honest, I didn't see anything wrong with the goal. Forest charged forward whilst the Derby players were still protesting. At one point Forest had two against one (at this point I was screaming at the TV). The Forest striker literally passed the ball into Bywater's arms. After this counter attack however, the referee Stuart Attwell pulled it all back to Forest's box, so the potential goal wouldn't have counted anyway. Attwell had a tremendously shocking game.

To watch highlights of the match, along with the 'legendary' Colin Fray's commentary, follow this link:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_PPAOh5Q_2s

Cloverfield Is Some Scary $#!@

Turn the lights down, pump the volume up... and enjoy... or jump behind the sofa. What a film! When this came out quite a while back I thought, yeah, the usual action blockbuster, only focusing on big explosions. This epic (saying this, it only lasted around 1hr 10mins) did have explosions, but there was also much more to it...

The 'handheld' cam element of the film worked really well. It made you feel like you was in the action, it was so intense. For example if a missile came the way of the camera guy, the viewer would find themselves in the rubble. This made the movie feel extremely realistic. As a result you really felt for the characters and cared about their safety.

The two reasons why I decided to watch this film were because it was quite short and more importantly because it was in the FilmFlex Recommends folder. Every once in a while I come across a great film like this through the recommends folder. I advise you look through this folder, plus if you haven't done already, watch this film. Late at night of course...

Follow this link to watch a trailer for Cloverfield:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IvNkGm8mxiM

Ruth Lorenzo Reminds Me Of...

After listening to Ruth Lorenzo speak after her performance on the X Factor tonight, I clarified something about her... She reminds me of Shakira.

I've thought this for quite a while actually. She, of course, has relations with Shakira due to them both being Latin, in one form or another. Ruth is from Spain, whereas Shakira is from South America, Colombia.

It isn't just these two connections, however, that, for me, links the two. I also believe that Ruth looks like Shakira, if only a little.

I hope that Ruth gets through tonight. Like Simon Cowell has said, she's a real woman, plus she is Spanish. For me, seeing a Latino on the X Factor, is a breath of fresh air...

The Foreigners 4 The English 4

Well... what a remarkable match. With only two minutes left on the clock, Arsenal were cruising. To be honest, even I thought that there was no way back for Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur.

Jermaine Jenas' finely placed shot started the comeback. When this goal went in, I thought, well... could this happen. Even though I support Arsenal, due to their exquisite passing and flair they possess, I wanted Spurs to make the comeback. Aaron Lennon remarkably finished the comeback when Modric's shot came back off the post. The funny thing was all of the Arsenal scorers were foreign, whereas the Spurs scorers were English!

To watch highlights from the match, go to this page: http://www.football.virginmedia.com/ then follow the links.

The Electric Laura White

Laura White's performance on the X Factor tonight was absolutely electrifying. The other contestants who performed after her, must have been petrified. How could another act beat that?

Louis Walsh said "...it was world class."

Dannii Minogue said she "...would buy it tomorrow."

Simon Cowell said "...it was incredible", by any standard he heard.

Laura looks confident... she already looks like a star. At the start, when she was laying on the white rug, she looked exceptional... Even though I thought it was special treatment (I mean... on a rug, come on), I still have to praise her for it.

She may be the one to beat... Now lets see what Ruth Lorenzo can do!

(The photo is from the second live show).

Terrific Trump

Today witnessed an emergence of a 'teenage sensation', a 19 year old snooker player called Judd 'Terrific' Trump.

When I saw this on the headlines for snooker on BBCi, I must admit it left me thinking about other things.

On another note, the match was laughable in one sense. Trump had almost ten chances in the last two frames to win the match. O'Sullivan bizarrely missed easy chances (by his standards). It was one of those which made you think "It's like I'm playing..." Maybe that is over exaggerating it a bit, but still it was shocking. Willie Thorne in the commentary box couldn't believe it...

 

(This post was written on October 17th).

The Snooker Announcer

The current announcer for World Snooker is such a character. He's such a character that he gets me shouting 'SHUT UP' at the screen. When he introduces the players, it's so reminiscent of a boxing match, it's unbelievable. Earlier tonight, Ryan Day actually flexed his neck from side to side before coming out onto the bay, as the announcer calls it.

I think it's hilarious, the fact that if a person was to turn it on and they have never watched snooker before, they may think it was exciting. Don't get me wrong, it can be exciting at times, and I do regularly watch it (when it's on), but it isn't as thrilling as he introduces it to be.

Like I've said, he's a great character, however I don't know his name, and can't find it out...

QPR v Forest

"If you see Morgan and Chambers in our starting eleven, tell Dexter to fill his boots."

... These are the views of Kevin Finnegan on Forest's chances against QPR tomorrow. I totally, 100 percent agree with this statement because both Chambers and Morgan have made far too many mistakes this season. I personally hope Forest can get a draw, plus it will be good to hear Anderson, Earnshaw, and McGugan playing.

Here's a link to the Kevin Finnegan interview:

http://www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=128501

Lewis Hamilton

I read something in The Sun today, something that I've been thinking for a long time. Lewis Hamilton's driving is too aggressive. Robert Kubica, who is a good friend of Hamilton, called him a 'cocky track bully'.

I totally agree with what Kubica is saying. When watching the race a couple of weeks ago he was far behind after being unlucky with a safety car incident. When Hamilton overtakes his rivals, he always seems to push them into a certain situation where they have to let him past. For example there was an overtaking move on Timo Glock where he almost forced him off the race track. Glock had to give up his position to ensure his safety.

Hamilton, in my eyes, is also overrated. He seems to constantly get all the attention in the McClaren team, whereas Kovalainen has to settle for second best. Hamilton also began his F1 career at a top team, whereas every other driver I've heard of needed to work their way up, besides probably Alonso. I would love to see what Hamilton would do at a lower team...

Big Sam for Forest?

I've heard rumours, or seen rumours that Sam Allardyce is on the verge of becoming the manager of Nottingham Forest, that's if they sack Calderwood. I understand why Forest would go for this option. He had good success with Bolton, managing them to the top half of the Premier League and the Uefa Cup. He was also, at one point, considered for the England role.

However, he didn't get the England job, instead Steve McClaren got the post. After leaving Bolton, he had a short break from the game, where after he joined Newcastle United. The Newcastle fans are passionate, and enjoy their team playing attacking football. In my time supporting Forest, I've come to realise that we also (me included) like to see Forest attacking, not defending.

I believe that if Allardyce becomes manager at Forest, the style he would have the players playing will not be sufficient for the Forest fans. We have to respect him for what he did with Bolton, but I would like Colin Calderwood to be given more time to resurrect the situation that Forest are currently in. Give him until maybe December to get the team playing, and if it still isn't happening, think about a replacement...

Shakira is 50!

I switched over to TMF before the re-run of the F1 qualifying. I was startled by the fact that Shakira was on TV. I thought... wow... she's being admired for her 'hip' work!

I then realised that she was in actual fact number 50 out of this countdown of 'ULTIMATE 50 21ST CENTURY NUMBER ONES'. I felt that this was just taking the piss.

Now I know why I never see her in these countdowns... because I would normally turn over when it's about to hit the top 20... She clearly isn't appreciated enough.

Big Cat Live

After watching Eastenders one night, possibly on Tuesday, I decided to continue watching BBC1. Big Cat Live was on, a show where wildlife lovers watch lions/tigers/cheetahs etc. I expected to see them sleeping, but I was so mistaken.

The show was action packed. The way the cheetahs pursued their prey was immense, and the lions were massive. This is the first real time I'd watched a wildlife program, meaning it was interesting to see how these predators lived. It was also a very relaxing show to watch. The apparently traumatic lifestyles of these animals makes you realise that your life isn't so bad. I mean, I'm not having to fend off lions every step that I walk, every day that I live.

There was one moment where a lion was walking around the 4x4, marking it, checking it was ok. I wondered what would happen if the lion was to jump onto the vehicle... What would the guy do?

A peculiar thing about the show was the fact that one of the cheetahs was called Shakira. I guess the thing that kept me hooked for the first fifteen minutes or so was this. I kept on repeating 'The cheetah's called Shakira!' I couldn't get over it. There was one particular funny moment where one of the wildlife experts said 'Shakira.. she's the girl.. she really is!' I certainly agree with this.

Now that's the third time I've come across the name Shakira!

I had a dream!

I had a dream on Sunday night/Monday morning... It was weird because I was in ICT, when I suddenly asked the teacher (not sure which one) if I could go to the toilet. They said yes. When I got out of the class I suddenly thought I want some chips, so I walked down to my local chippy, which is about a ten minute walk. Firstly I went to my house to get the money to pay for them. My mum gave me a look, as if to say "What are you doing here?"

After finding the money, I rushed out of the house and got the chips.. with a saveloy. I began eating it when I suddenly thought to myself.. SHIT... SCHOOL!

The dream ended with me having this thought. Their was one particular person in my dream that people who go to my school will know... but I won't tell you who it was....

Dangerous Liaisons v Cruel Intentions

On Friday night I thought I'd watch Dangerous Liaisons... as you do. It is a film made in 1988, set in France, and starred the likes of John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves. I've been wanting to watch it for quite a while due to the fact that I have watched Cruel Intentions, which is a film based on Dangerous Liaisons. Cruel Intentions, to me, is arguably one of the best films of all time.

The basic plot of the film is as follows. Valmont (John Malkovich) decides he is going to seduce a married woman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Isabelle (Glenn Close) says that if he succeeds, he will have the luxury of exploiting her sexually, to put it one way. What I couldn't help thinking throughout the film was, why would he want to sleep with her... she was ugly.

She reminded me of many Catherine Tate characters. The 'gay dear, who dear, me dear, no dear' character is a classic example.

Even though she isn't totally my cup of tea, Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from Cruel Intentions is far sexier than Isabelle, the seductress she portrayed from Dangerous Liaisons.

 

Overall Cruel Intentions appealed to me more so than its predecessor Dangerous Liaisons. The language in Cruel Intentions is easier to understand, and it is set in a modern city and era. Saying this it was amusing to see some of the references made by Cruel Intentions to this film.

Typical Forest

Nottingham Forest played Crystal Palace today. Forest have not had a good start to the season. Five points from their first nine games wasn't something I, or any other Forest fan, was hoping for.

Despite this, today I honestly thought Forest would bounce back today. When walking to the stadium, like usual, there was no optimism from the Forest fans. There was no passionate fan singing tunes walking down to the City Ground.

When we got into the stadium, there was a usual silence surrounding the City Ground, other than the Palace fans who looked buoyant. For sure they (Palace) maintained their high level of support throughout the match, something which the Forest fans couldn't even get out of first gear with. This, throughout the afternoon, was one of the few stats that Palace dominated...

When the Forest players emerged from the tunnel, everyone clapped them onto the pitch, something that as become a necessity at Trent side. I eventually gave in to the pressure and clapped them on myself, but when I do this, in the process I always ask my mate... why are we doing this?

It was a typical Forest performance at home where we dominated but were unable to finish off any of our chances. Within the first couple of minutes we must have had about two corners, and two golden opportunities. Typically Palace at the other end score a scorcher which resulted from their corner to go one nil up within the first five minutes. Palace didn't, in my book, have another shot on target throughout the first half. We dominated but didn't score.

In the second half, things were very much similar, although Palace did get back into it a bit. The referee, who gave almost everything Palace's way in the first half, actually seemed to favour us, even though he turned away two penalty appeals from Forest. Palace's inevitable second came from, prepare yourself.... A DEFENSIVE ERROR/MIS-JUDGEMENT. I only witnessed half of it. Apparently Smith came out for the ball, but one of the defenders decided he'd try and take on the striker, only for Shefki Kuqi to tackle him and chip the ball over Smith. Seconds after this incident Forest fans flooded the exits, clearly unhappy with this.

Towards the end Forest had a host of chances, most notably Wilson who bizarrely shot from around 35 yards. The Palace keeper, who throughout the match was booed by the Forest fans, tipped it over the bar. If only this went in.. it might have shone some sunshine onto a torrid afternoon for Forest...

My man of the match has to be Garath McCleary. He had the confidence to run at defenders and take chances. There was one particular chance in the second half where he took on a defender and shot wide from outside the box. At least he had the belief in himself to take a pop.

Heroes is back!

It was a jam-packed night of Heroes! The action started at 7pm with a season preview. I started watching it at quarter past due to me watching 'In Bruges - Best Bits' on YouTube... I advise you watch the film.. it's amazing..

Anyway, I liked the way the Heroes season preview was shot. The interviews with the cast were very effective. I enjoyed the way they talked to you, 'breaking the fourth wall' if you like, then directed you to a TV screen, looking as eager to watch it as the viewer did... of course this was probably pre-meditated.. but still effective. The only thing out of place was the fact that the show was building towards an end which would link it to the season premiere.. something which, at the end of the show, viewers on BBC2 would have to wait a further hour!

Heroes Unmasked followed which basically goes behind the scenes after each episode. I remember this being the one that concluded the final series. It described the writer strike that happened towards the end of the second series. Apparently the writers (the ones that remained.. I'm not sure) had to make adjustments to the script on set. This is how they came about the storyline that Nathan Petrelli would be shot at a Press conference. This left viewers asking ..Who shot Nathan?.. Why? This is where the third series began... I advise you watch it.

No 100 - Most Annoying Pop Moments

I've just seen something hilarious on BBC3.. Apparently Beyonce and Shakira shaking their 'arses' in Beautiful Liar is annoying!

There was one black guy (didn't get his name) who said that it is annoying because he can't get into the screen and actually touch them! I know how you feel mate! He also said that "they (Beyonce and Shakira) know they are doing it", teasing us. I understand where he's coming from.

Also.. in this short burst of craziness.. the crazy, yet passionate judge from Strictly Come Dancing was also there and said "Many people play it over and over again... especially boys... those naughty boys!".. Well I think this is absolutely hilarious.

If you haven't already done so, I advise you watch the video for yourself and see whether you feel the same way!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih9qWZJi4DM

I was advised to do this!

I've been studying for many years now. To be honest I am getting sick of it. I mean, fair enough, if I was doing a course I wanted to do and enjoying the company of my peers then I guess I wouldn't.

I'm still at school. Maybe I should have gone to a local college where I would have met new people, but to be honest I thought I was safer at my current school Greenwood Dale. I never really had the ambition to find out about local colleges. I didn't look around.. I firmly set my sights on sixth form. I basically set myself for two more years of kids scurrying around me, and (lets face it) pointless conversations in the bistro that led absolutely nowhere. There are only a handful of people that I regularly talk to, and for this reason I can't wait to get to University.

At University I plan on studying Journalism. I was advised to either write a blog or do some work experience at a local newspaper. I've sent an e-mail to the head of sixth form describing how I would like to do some work experience. I did this because my Media teacher said that she (head of sixth form) has contacts at the Evening Post. As of now (1st Oct) she still hasn't forwarded it... So I began this blog....