The Whistle

Matchday 1 was an entertaining introduction to the season.  Man utd fans couldn't have asked for more. Zirkee came off the bench to score the winner in a match that looked destined for a draw. Joshua means "God saves". You can't make this up. (smiles) Arsenal started where they left off and Havertz with 17G/A in 14 games as the no.9 keeps shutting his doubters up.  At Ipswitch, Liverpool couldn't turn up the switch until the second half against and once again, the EPL's greatest African does his thing. Super Sunday was the headline. The teacher versus the student. No Rodri, no problem - Kovacic did it all. The 2-0 defeat to Chelsea didn't feel too bad. Such is the gulf between the "new project" and the 4 straight EPL champions. My focus is on Chelsea. My predicted XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, KDH, Nkunku; Noni, Sterling, Guiu. My selection was solely based on preseason and availability. Surprisingly, the latecomers Palm...

 A new Premier league season is starting. You can feel it in the air. Immediately the trophy is lifted, the eyes look forward to the start of another thrilling adventure; the exciting and pulsating links, rumours and the eventual "here we go", clubs change managers, fans get to see their new players in preseason, new beautiful jerseys are launched and expectations are on the rise, every fan hoping to have a better season than the last. This piece would be my little-eyed evaluation of top teams going into the 2024/2025 EPL season. 1. Man City have done the incredible - English Champions four times in row. What's left to fight for? What's the motivation now? Pep Guardiola always seem to have answers to these questions. As long as you play for him, there's only one way to think - Win. It is how he has remained the best and he won't stop.   The addition of the blistering winger, Savinho with the breakthrough of Oscar Bobb and McAtee look really scary as seen in th...

 As regards CHELSEA... My observations and projections into the new season, going into the FIRST FEW GAMES...  *In Goalkeeping*  Maresca has got to make a choice who starts in goal as early as possible as that would set the tone for the new era. A ball playing GK, who would be the extra defender when building from the back is the requirement and Sanchez and Jorgensen both fit into the profile. However, I believe Jorgensen would get the nod going into the season. I just think for the little I've seen, he's more confident and less prone to error.  *3-2-2-3 formation* (in possession) in view  *In Defense* 1. Tosin, Colwill and Badiashile have played the most minutes so far and from what I see, LCB looks sealed for Colwill.  2. James has been used as RCB in the last matches and he's looked more comfortable there than in the inverted full back role. His strength and pace matches wingers that may run into channels and he's good building from the back, too. 3. Ma...

 Parenting is arguably the most difficult task. There is no manual for it. The line between "He is MY child" and "It is HIS life" is so blurry. I am responsible for how he will turn out VS I can't be too controlling, too. I am in almost zero control of the information entering him yet, I'll be blamed for how he turns out. As I thought hard on this task, it dawned one me -  "Honesty is everything" That's what my child must see in me. Once he sees me practice it, he will be confident confiding in me. If he sees me honest to him, he will reciprocate it. It will be the way we roll. If he knows that no matter what he does, he can be honest with me, I'm glad. The reason he won't do wrong is not because he's scared of me but because he would have to tell me without hiding anything. Now, before I'm a father, am I honest enough? To my friends, family and partners, how honest am I? What kind of parent would my child meet? To be honest, th...

 The child's laughter The widest, the realest The joy is tangible Innocence spread all over So beautiful The child's cry The widest, the loudest  The tears, hot streams The cheeks can't stop the flow So painful  The grown man isn't as simple He's "hyper" when he's happy Yet, "not manly" when he cries The freedom of childhood He's been robbed of it "Child, enjoy! It's your best moment" Happy Children's Day!

 Memories! Memories!! Memories!!! All we have left After they've left Flashes of thoughts Of the good times The smiles shared  The hugs, the kisses Love really covers all flaws 'Cause immediately they're gone The times they wronged us Times we were badly hurt They all disappear  Love  Surpasses all reasoning Gives reason to living "Those who cry the most at the graveside are those that had things to say to the diseased but never said it" Love Say it! Show it!