Premiership Review Week 3

OK week three of the premiership and lets start with the midlands derby Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa a lunchtime kick off with a few chances of note although Wolves started brightly Stephen Hunt forcing a save from Aston Villa keeper Shay Given and Emille Heskey flicking a shot. Although Villa had the better of the second half Wolves will probably leave the happier.

Wigan Athletic took on Queens Park Rangers in another lunchtime kick off with Franco Di Santo scoring both goals the first before half time which was scored from a pass from Victor Moses and then a second into the top of the net which had been volleyed right into the net.

Chelsea were given a workout by Norwich City Jose Bosingwa scoring in the first half from 25 yards out. However Norwich City scored in the second half through Grant Holt captilising on a blunder by Hilario. A penalty by Frank Lampard made it 2-1 after a foul on Raul Ramires which saw Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy sent off. A third goal was scored by new signing Jose Mata.

Blackburn Rovers went down by a goal  after missing two penalties. A controversial penalty was awarded to Everton and scored by Mikel Arteta which was to be last goal for Everton as he has now signed for Arsenal.

Swansea City and Sunderland had a goalless draw with Scott Sinclair having the best chance for Swansea John O Shea also had a chance for Sunderland with a header and Michel Worm piled on a number of saves from Asamoah Gyan.

Liverpool had a 3- 1 win over Bolton Wanderers with Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam scoring their first goals. Defender Martin Skertel scored Liverpool's third.  Bolton's goal came from Ivan Klasnic.

Sunday saw the remaining fixtures with Fulham going down 2- 1 to Newcastle United. A largely forgettable first half saw a 0-0 draw. In the second half  2 Leon Best goals gave the victory. Fulham's goal came from Clint Dempsey from a Danny Murphy free kick.

Stoke City grabbed all three points in forgettable game against West Bomwich Albion which saw a few chances with Shane Long giving West Brom the best Chance. Ryan Shotton grabbed the goal for Stoke City three minutes before time.

Manchester City showed their intent to gain the Premiership by wain Walloping Tottenham Hotspur 5- 1 Edwin Dzeko grabbed four of the goals two in the first half  with Sergo Aguero grabbed the other goal Younes Kaboul headed a goal for Tottenham Hotspur but to no avail.

In one the biggest scores in Premiership history Arsenal went down 8 - 2 to Manchester United In truth the game was a  it of both Manchester United powerful and Arsenal all over the place Wayne Rooney grabbed a hatrick along with the opener from Danny Welbeck then Ashley Young. Nani and Park Ji Sung the other scorers. The two Arsenal goals came from Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie. Arsenal also missed a penalty in the first half to add t their woes as well.

Premiership Review Week 2

Apologies for the late post

OK week 2 Saturday started with the North East or  derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland. Although Sunderland had most of the possession it was Newcastle United who would end up the victors with a 1-0 win thanks to a free kick by Richard Taylor in the 62nd minute. Arsenal's poor start continued as they went down 2-0 to Liverpool at the Emirates stadium. Wojcich Szczesny was forced into an Andy Caroll save in the first half and despite a few chances it was Liverpool with an own goal by Arron Ramsey and Luiz Suarez latching on a calamitous defence  to take the  points. Also new player Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off Arsenal already with two red cars this season. Aston Villla managed a 3 -1 over Blackburn Rovers with goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor,Emille Hesky and Darren Bent. Morten Gamst Pedersen scored for Blackburn Rovers. Queens Park Rangers got their first victory in the Premiership the first since the 1995/96 season with a 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park Tommy Smith shooting the ball into the corner of the net in the 33rd minute. Despite a few chances including a header from Tim Cahill hitting the bar in the first half it was a frustrating afternoon for Everton. Swansea City grabbed their first point at home in the premiership with a win over Wigan Athletic. A penalty save from Michel Vorm who saved from Ben Watson secured the point. The evening match saw a 2 - 1 win for Chelsea over West Bromwich Albion but it was West Brom. who would score first with a goal from Shane Long. However Chelsea upped gears in the second half and goals from Nicholas Anelka and Florent Malouda secured the win.

Sunday saw 3 games first Norwich City agonisingly missed out on 3 points as Stoke City grabbed a late equaliser Norwich had gone in front from Ritchie Da Laet in the 37th minute before Kenwyne Jones' goal in the 92nd minute. Wolverhampton Wanderers managed a 2- 0 win over Fulham with goals from Kevin Doyle and Matthew Jarvis.
Manchester City managed a 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers it was Manchester City who scored 2 goals first from Silva and Gareth Barry  before Ivan Klasnic replied for Bolton  Edwin Dzeko made it 3-1 on 47 minutes before Kevin Davies pulled a goal back on 63 minutes.

Monday night saw a 3- 0 win for Manchester United over Tottenham Hotspu.r TottenhamHotspur held Manchester United in the first half but goals from young England player Danny Welbeck plus an Anderson goal from a Tom Cleverly flick and a Wayne Rooney header gave Manchester United victory.

Premiership Review Week 1

Hopefully I'll remember to do this each week. At least something else to talk about after all this is an experiment.

Well what a baptism of fire for QPR a 4-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers and a bizarre second goal which was deflected by Daniel Gabbidon  not helping matters, other goals were scored by Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic and Fabrice Muamba QPR did score but it was disallowed.  Plus a sending off  for Clint Hill before the games conclusion Elsewhere Norwich City fared better against Wigan Athletic with a 1-1 draw a Ben Watson penalty followed by a Wes Hoolihan goal just before half time sealing matters.  Aston Villa and Fulham could only manage a draw at Craven Cottage Marc Albrighton and Stilliyan Petrov amongst the better chances for Aston Villa, Damien Duff  Dickson Ethu  and Clint Dempsey with some of the chances for Fulham.

Liverpool managed to throw away a chance of victory at Anfield a missed penalty by Luis Suarez didn't help although he did make up for things by latching on to assist to make it 1 -0. However Sebastian Larsson equalised in the second half.  Two of last seasons struggler's Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers met at Ewood Park a 2 -1 win for Wolves. Goals from Formica for Blackburn Rovers and Fletcher and Ward for Wolves.

Newcastle United and Arsenal could only muster a point A point gained for Newcastle United you would feel given the struggles for Arsenal not helped by the loss of Cesc Fabrigas to FC Barcelona and Samir Nasri's future in doubt. Also the main talking point being new signing Gervinho who Joey Barton had felt slapped him  after claims that Gervinho had gone down for a dive to claim a penalty and the conduct that Joey Barton in which the situation developed. There was also a claim by Barton for a foul by Alex Song earlier in the match.

Sunday saw what would be seen as a great result for Stoke City as they drew with Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium A  game with few chances saw Fernando Tores being Chelsea's best player There was also an appearance for Jonathan Woodgate who has come over various career threatening injury's.

Champions Manchester United manged a win over West Bomwich Albion at the Hawthons with Goals from Wayne Rooney an equaliser by Shane Long capitlising on new signing  David de Geas mistake in the first half before Ashley Young shot and the ball deflected off Steven Reid.

Monday night saw Swansea City making there Premiership debut as they took on Manchester City at the Etihad stadium. Swansea city gave a good account of themselves in the first half but the second half Manchester City upped the gears and the introduction  of Sergio Aguero who scored two goals along with Edwin Dzeko  and David Silva gave Manchester City into a 4 - 0 win.

Sadly Tottenham Hotspur against Everton had to be postponed owing to last weeks rioting. 

Where is this country going 2?

Given how angry I feel about the way things have gone I feel compelled to write a second part to this post.

The supposed mayor of London has finally arrived and unsurprisingly talking to the local residents in Croydon was out of his depth all I seem to remember is Boris and his broom.  I suppose David Cameron had to say something outside Downing Street but lets get real  how is there going to be proper justice done when the prisons are full and the root cause is not being addressed.

I hear rightful condemnation of this scum, but I also ask what is being done to prevent this developing further. Has it not been obvious for some time with the constant stabbings and shootings that have taken place that there are underlying issues.

I also wonder what the point is of having community forums when residents and citizens views don't seem to be taken account. In fact it seems like this is becoming a tick box exercise.

Have many of these policy makers or influential people ever had a chance to visit these deprived areas and have they bothered to listen to these residents properly instead of  pretending to listen and then ignoring the views.. There have been more mindless attacks in Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and even in other towns including Cheltenham for goodness sake.

I along with many law abiding residents young and old all races are fed up with having our shops and services being denied to us because these scum have taken advantage of a vacum which has been left by a government which talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. All I have ever seen or heard from successive governments are sticking plaster solutions including ASBO's what the heck were they all about.

What also gets me is why senior bankers or politicians seem to get away or get light prison sentences for what I see is theft of ordinary tax papers money but yet if the ordinary public was to do the same they would get severe sentences.

Yesterday where I live in London there were shops and services closing at 6 p.m. because of advice to be careful. I ask what sort of country has been allowed to develop.

My heart goes out to the residents and small business owners who have lost everything because of moronic scum who have dumped on the doorstep. 

Apologies if this blog has gone in different directions but I am extremely angry that this ticking time bomb was allowed to explode.

Where is this country going?

Well what happy times this country is in not. After the events of the past few days in London of feckless youngsters who probably wouldn't know what manners or indeed the person who has been shot it brings into focus the idea of the supposed "Big Society"

Now as far as I understand the "Big Society" was supposed to be a government initiative to encourage others in communities to help others.

The will is there to help but where are the resources. Already a centre in North London  known as South Hampstead Life Long Learning where I presently help members of the community does not know if it will be able to carry on when it resumes in September after the summer term. due to the local borough Camden making huge cuts to services.

Before that I actually worked in a Community Centre in West Hampstead where again I helped people with computer lessons, assisting those who had never had experience of using computers, I also did general administrative duties as well.

The social cohesion that was created by running these courses cannot be measured. In fact far more was done to engage these communities then the claptrap that this present government witters on about.  services
There are other schemes from around the UK which have also done similar initiatives ranging from doing simple computer programs such as Microsoft Word or being able to use to World Wide Web to access areas such as benefits advice or looking for social housing or even being able to use e-mail to contact relatives.

But how are communities meant to be providing these schemes when libraries and voluntary groups in the third sector are facing cuts. Premises that could be used to provide services are left unused as discretionary rate relief and peppercorn rents are effectively  done away with, crippling. these communities. 

I wonder if we have gone back to the 1980's although too young to remember the events of Brixton, Toxteth or St. Pauls to mention just a few areas effected by rioting I can remember bits of what I saw as a youngster.

Whilst the events of the weekend have been caused by yobbos with no manners I feel that this has been a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. I ask what can be done to reform these  ...... well you decide what to call them. It is all very well to rightly criticize them but there must be a way of reforming them seeming as the old methods cannot be used, mind I am not sure that those methods would work.

By the way I wonder if it was worth Boris Johnson coming back or indeed Nick Clegg visiting Tottenham, still just a thought.

Welcome to the "Big Society" every one and given the way things are going this is great for the UK isn't it, God help us all.  Still what do you expect from spin doctors and some politicians chasing votes thinking that there more important than other ordinary folk.

Mind on a positive note at least the people in the communities affected are getting together to clear things up people who have far more initiative then these supposed leaders of the UK.

Independent Television Memories of the past

Who remembers the old days of ITV those 17 regions now effectively swallowed up and reduced to 3.

The original list included Associated Rediffusion (London), Anglia (east of England), Granada(North West all week Yorkshire weekends), ABC(Yorkshire weekdays), TWW(West of England and south Wales)ATV(Midlands all week London weekends)Tyne Tees, Teledu Cymru (North Wales) Ulster, Scottish   Grampian,Westward (south west England) Southern Channel and Border.

Although not being born when ITV started in 1955 there are various books and websites which have meant being able to update my knowledge. The idea was simple enough get a group or organisation living in a certain area of the UK and get them to set up and run a TV company for a set region. The better your programming then the more chance of keeping license. Although there were some seeing it as repugnant at the time seeing as a bad influence especially as it was commercial.

Although starting up my post as it being a great time I do wonder from reading the history was it all perfect. Some of the regions did have financial issues notably in the first round of licenses. Teledu Cymru was the first to suffer having the license eventually being taken on by TWW which had the license  for Wales and West England.. Other issues were also emerging especially when the 3rd round licenses were announced in 1967.

Most notably Associated Rediffusion losing there license to ABC who had lost their license to Yorkshire Television Rediffusion were pretty hacked off but in the end were basically told accept what you have or shove off. The companies eventually merged and formed Thames. Meanwhile London Weekend who took over from ATV took on Rediffusions staff who wanted extra money for the fact they were working weekends. The results of this dispute saw London Weekend taken off the air after 15 seconds.

However the two companies eventually got themselves going albeit in the case of London Weekend by a certain R. Murdoch. Murdoch taking over the reigns from Sir David Frost who had wanted London Weekend to be a highbrow channel. Eventually though Rupert was deemed not a fit and proper person by the then Independent Television Authority later the Independent Broadcasting Authority and so was forced to sell his shares. Shame some others have never seen this.

Anyway onto 1979 and the dispute that took ITV (except Channel) off the air. Again this was a result of working hours and basically workers making sure that all work was done at set times not a minute more. Otherwise more pay was demanded. This saw ITV off the air for 2 months.

In 1981 the fourth round of licenses was announced this time more ITV regions were gone This time Westward and Southern although in the case of Westward there were financial issues. TSW the new license holder actually took on operations in August of 1981 some five months before the official start.  ATV also disappeared to be replaced by Central although in this case this was due to renaming as the people behind the company were told to focus on more home grown programming. There was also another new company for the new breakfast time contract tv-am.

And so onto 1991 the fifth round and the biggest this time round. The biggest looser being Thames. The company which along with LWT plus Central Yorkshire and Granada provided the majority of ITV's programming lost it license. Although there have been conspiracy theories about this owing to an investigation into an SAS operation in Gibraltar on three IRA suspects. Thames had there license taken on by Crapton sorry Carlton. Another looser was tv-am also lost out along with TSW taken on by Westcountry and TVS taken on by Meridian. TVS had  taken on the license from Southern. although TVS had sought a review. The licensing criteria was also strange where it was done on blind faith as well as having the money and quality threshold.

What has the last round of licensing done to ITV. there was another round which was also carried out but that seems to have been a formality. Where does ITV stand now in this multi-channel age. Already ITV's regional programming areas have been cut most notably in the south west plus advertising revenues have seen a downturn although there has been a upturn recently. There was also the ill fated  on digital and ITV digital tv service as well as the merger of Carlton and Granada who gobbled up all the other regions except STV  and UTV.

Some can't see a future for ITV past 2014 due to these restraints although under the present chairman there is a slight revival and I feel that ITV does have its purpose. One thing that should be remembered though is that it is easy to look at the past with rose tinted spectacles and that there have always been issues but somehow something has been arranged. At least I hope that happens in the future.

What way is Cricket run in England ?

Is it me or do the ECB seem to run cricket as a private company?

I mean the prices for test matches plus the lack of exposure on terrestrial television, there is going to be a group of youngsters who will have hardly had any exposure to the game.

There was a survey carried out last year among some children and out of the three sports events that day the FIFA World Cup match between France and South Africa,  the Wimbledon tennis match involving Andy Murray and a One Day International between England and Australia guess which one the children didn't know about.

There are repercussions for cricket as a whole, with the lack of exposure and prices being high there are going to be less bums on seats. There are also the fees that have to be paid to the ECB for staging Test matches, they have also been reduced.  All this in addition to the ridiculous scheduling of the T20 matches, cramming in more than necessary. How are families meant to afford this.

At the end of the day Cricket in England is going to have to suffer, when there is less money to distribute among the counties which in return will reduce the schemes and initiatives to future players 

What is the future of B sky B

I wonder following today's supposed grilling of the Murdoch,s what the future of Sky television will be, will there be another owner? could this be the end of the Murdoch's hold on media in the UK? day

Well with the hope of Sky television being owned by News Corporation now kicked in the dust for now and the impending age of Rupert I wonder if this is the end of things as we know it.  Certainly the negative press and the way in which the answers that were given today doesn't give a good impression to MP's.

Who could be the likely takers for Sky? ESPN? who knows but it does look likely that in the future there will have to be new owners. I should point out the News Corporation  is separate from B sky B before anybody thinks that it is completely owned by Murdoch.  Still mine is only an opinion and I am sure that there things that are missing 

Work Placement Fourth and Final Week

I'm not sure again to make of this week. I was transferred to a different department dealing with produce and it has been much better for me.

However the positive week has been undermined by other events. I am now chasing up a week of welfare payments caused by a mistake in processing, plus I am in a situation where I wasn't able to continue with the placement due to having to be re-referred to my work scheme.

I can just about pay a couple of my bills I nearly lost it the other day as well.  I am hoping this course comes up concerning production.

I will put up another blog later concerning my interests but this is my update for now.

Another Subject

Apologies for the bland name cant think of a thread at the moment.  Anyhow let me roll on with a couple of subjects.

First what is the future of the British media in light of the News of The World closure. I do have sympathy with some of the journalists after all they came in after some of the misdemeanors took place. But what will it mean for future undercover reporting that is in the public interest.  There is a balance that has to be met when asking for a free press.

I have no doubt that a replacement paper will arrive in the fullness of time.

And my second issue is why is it that the Rugby Football Union always seem to put there foot in it. You now have a situation where Martin Thomas  has now had to resign plus there seems to be turmoil in the entire board what does this say for a sporting organisation.

On a personal issue I am still frustrated by the lack of work and getting agitated by the day. Anyhow helped out at the Kilburn Festival today which at least took my mind off things for a while.

Hoping for more blogs soon.

Work Placement Third Week

Not too sure what to make of this week. Today seemed fine mind you Wednesday seemed like that as well although I still ended up worrying about wherever I was doing things right.

I tried going to bed early last night hoping to have a decent amount of sleep, but once again I still woke up too early.  

I have been offered an extension on my placement but the environment is what puts me off. Had it been an admin role I would have no hesitation.

I have also had a couple of weird dreams as well one involving a marriage a peace group in a hall removing sand and a visit to a psychiatric hospital.

Anyway preparing for the Kilburn Festival this weekend in addition I have a screening to be a London Ambassador volunteer on Tuesday. Hope I get through.

Will put some more debates on soon but that's all for now.

Possible new subjects

I am looking into discussing some more of my interests including radio and sport.

One issue that is of concern is the way Olympic tickets were distributed. Surely there should have been a system which allowed residents living in the adjoining areas of the Olympic stadium to get priority tickets maybe limited to 2 per household and to also have these tickets a week before general release.

A second issue concerns what is happening in UK radio especially commercial radio. Are audiences being given a proper choice especially out of the major metropolitan areas.  I sometimes think that the UK may as well go the way of the system in France where there are just local opt outs for adverts  and jingles. Plus 8 minutes per hour of adverts, although it has been a few years since I went through France.

Anyway I'm not sure how to describe things on my placement hope to have more details at the weekend. .

Work Placement Second Week

Things not that great this week trying to solder on  there have been some issues as to the way I am doing things. To make matters worse because I am presently on welfare I am wondering what is going to happen. I have been signed off as it has been assumed that I am getting paid.Cue more chasing up to see if I am back on the system. I do wonder how I am keeping myself going at the moment with loads of panic and  anxiousness.

I hope something turns up, but when ? who knows.

Work Placement First Week

Things have gone OK so far although personally things have not. Just to say there have been some worries mostly due to the frustration of not being in paid work at this moment. I do wonder if the if the cycle of no work will be broken especially if there is Admin work. I have produced a poster hoping that something will come of it.

Oh the frustration still have to keep going may try and think of putting the poster up.

Starting Work Placement

OK this will probably be the First official post as I have realised how to ensure you publish a blog. Anyway will be starting on my placement tomorrow. Not my ideal area as I prefer Administration but nonetheless something for a few weeks.

The Start

Apologies for the blog having the start as its title I will try and work on it. Anyway this is my first foray into the blogosphere

Anyhow I will briefly give you a description of myself I am a person who is interested in Radio, history of place names and following and analysing sports.

Anyway this is the first of things for now and I hope to continue in the future.