I can’t believe we have played 4 competitive games already. It felt like a few days ago that I was writing my off season post. This weekend we earnt our first point of the season drawing 1-1 away to Swindon, I think the stats will show that we deserved 3 points but unfortunately we had to settle for a stalemate. The games are coming thick and fast not only in our league but for the Premiership as well. My beloved Arsenal have set off to a good start drawing away at Anfield and then yesterday beating newly promoted Blackpool. I watched Fulham vs Man Utd today, I will be watching Man City vs Liverpool tomorrow and Tuesday is our Carling Cup second round game against Hull City at home. So as you can see it’s non stop footy and we still have La Liga to kick off!!! I love football, it’s my life and the thought of all these games makes me excited, some may say I’m sad but it’s how I feel about the best game ever invented. Even though I have all this love for football, it can frustrate the hell out of me, whether I’m watching Arsenal on TV and they aren’t performing well or my team losing a five-a-side in training. I get so frustrated and angry. I hate losing!
The transfer period is an interesting time for players and fans and the start of this season hasn’t dissapointed. Some transfers in the Premiership that stand out for me are Ballotelli to Man Ciy as this guy seems to have everything; speed, strength, skill and I’m hoping he starts tomorrow night against Liverpool. Koscielny to Arsenal is another signing that I’m liking and hoping will make a big difference to Arsenals obvious past problems. I would liked to of seen new Chelsea signing Ramires in an Arsenal shirt but I guess in Wenger we trust! Chamakh to Arsenal for me is an interesting signing, finally they have a striker who has a proven record for scoring with his head as he demonstrated yesterday, again this gives Arsenal another dimension to their game that I feel they were lacking in. These are a few that stood out for me and I’m sure there’s definately more to come in these last 9 days before the window shuts. Will Arsene splash the cash???
Time flies, not just weekly but yearly too. I’m in my 8th season as a Professional footballer and it’s crazy how quick your career goes by. I remember signing my Youth Team contract for Crystal Palace with the manager at the time Steve Coppell in 1998. I know what you’re thinking bad hair and very bad oversized jacket!!!
I remember making my league debut for Crystal Palace vs Sheff Utd 8 years ago. I remember scoring my first league goal with a free kick for Leyton Orient vs Hull City in 2003/04 7 years ago. It’s funny how memories stand out in my mind, I can even remember my first ever football tournament 19 years ago in 1991 playing for Amersham Town at the tender age of 8yrs. old. We were knocked out of the tournament in the semi finals and I sat in my dads car crying my eyes out as I hated how I felt that day. Looking back I think this was the catalyst for me being such a bad loser as I will fall out with anyone if they beat me, whatever the challenge! Here’s me oblivious of what that day in July 91′ had in store for my future…
I turn 28 next month and feel that I’ve experienced a lot but the main thing I have learnt is to appreciate everyday that passes and how lucky I am.
I would like to end this post by mentioning the loss of a fellow professional. We heard the tragic news of Exeter City’s Adam Stansfield who passed away last week at the age of 31. My condolences go to his family and friends, I personally didn’t know him but from what I’ve heard and read he was a model professional and will be sorely missed, retiring the number 9 shirt at Exeter is a true testament to his character.
[...] main thing I have learnt is to appreciate everyday that passes and how lucky I am’ he says in a recent blog. And you believe he is being genuine [...]