Blogger #14
Apologies for the hiatus. Or if you prefer we apologize for returning, then, well, apologies for that. Semester examinations are usually a drag if you're an engineering student, or a student in India. When you, like all four of us, happen to reside in the intersection of these two heinous circles in a Venn diagram, you tend to pass through the Flames of Hell when these exams come knocking.
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| Dem Sems |
But you don't really care about that do you? No, you don't. So, upon our return we decided to start off on a not so serious note and go down the tried and tested route of putting up two teams and trying to guess who wins.
So Spring Chickens vs Winter Cocks. (I made that up if it's any good, if not, it was #25).
A team full of players who are in the early stages of their career versus a team full of veterans who are closer to the exit door than the new law against gays in India is closer to stupidity.
For this exercise in futility, players born on or after January 1, 1990 are considered for the youth team, while those who are born before January 1, 1984 can get into the Golden Oldies. Premier League only by the way. So don't ask me about Neymar or Xavi.
Team Spring Chickens:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
DOB: November 7, 1990
Club: Manchester United
What's a surefire way to make people forget you look like an alpaca? Become one of the best shot stoppers in the Premier League.
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| A cruel reminder. Sorry David. |
Right Back: Nathaniel Clyne
DOB: April 5, 1991
Club: Southampton
Having established himself as a regular starter in what is an excellent Southampton back five, it really is no surprise that Clyne walks into this team, slotting in at right back.
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| That'll scare them wingers away. |
Centre Back: Steven Caulker
DOB: December 29, 1991
Club: Cardiff City
A stellar season on loan at Swansea wasn't quite enough for Caulker to get playing time at Tottenham. But it takes some serious guts to move to a much smaller club in an era where greed is growing in the game. All this at the age of 22. Oh, small footnote, he's captain of Cardiff as well. Would probably be skippering this team too.
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| That 8 million looks like a bargain. Cardiff captain. |
Centre Back: Matija Nastasic
DOB: March 28, 1993
Club: Manchester City
If you're a regular first team starter at a club like Manchester City, you better be good. Matija Nastasic is good. And he's 20.
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| Making sure Stefan Savic isn't missed. |
Left Back: Luke Shaw
DOB: July 12, 1995
Club: Southampton
Scroll up. Read whatever muck I wrote for Clyne. Substitute 'left' for 'right'. Also, drop jaw at age. Go on.
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| England's future. Couldn't think of anything stupid to say, sorry. |
Centre midfield: Aaron Ramsey
DOB: December 26, 1990
Club: Arsenal
Arguably this season's standout player. He can score, assist, tackle, pass, dribble, run and then save the world. Also, it's not gay if it's with Aaron Ramsey....
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| ...as long as you don't tell anyone. |
Centre Midfield: Ross Barkley
DOB: December 5, 1993
Club: Everton
After a horrific injury, which broke his leg in 3 places, Barkley has shown great character to come back and play at the highest level. The best part? He belongs at the highest level.
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| Another difficult to caption picture |
Attacking Midfield: Eden Hazard
DOB: January 7, 1991
Club: Chelsea
The torchbearer of Belgium's Golden Generation, this guy has all the tools to be the world's best. At 22, he's got the world at his feet. I'm struggling not to do this, but....
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| ..he can be quite hazardous for the opposition defenders. #Sorry. |
Attacking Midfield: Oscar
DOB: September 9, 1991
Club: Chelsea
Any team of youngsters seems incomplete without a Brazilian wonderkid in its ranks. There you go. Oscar. Looks younger than he is. Plays older than he is.
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| "Senor 14 say what?" |
Attacking Midfield: Adnan Januzaj
DOB: February 5, 1995
Club: Manchester United
It's somewhat strange that Januzaj is eligible to play for a larger number of nations than the number of years he's been around breathing and stuff. It's not too strange that all these nations are clamouring for his allegiance. This kid can play.
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| First day of high school |
Striker: Romelu Lukaku
DOB: May 13, 1993
Club: Everton (on loan from Chelsea)
He's got all the makings of a Drogba v2. He's certainly ahead in terms of his development than Drogba was at the same stage. Chelsea would miss a trick in letting him go.
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| Tankaku |
Substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Gerard Deulofeu (Everton, on loan from Barcelona), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa).
Team Winter Cocks:
Haha, I'm so funny (or conversely, #25 is so not funny).
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
DOB: May 20, 1982
Club: Chelsea
He's been one of the Premier League's best keepers for a long, long time. It won't be long before Courtois takes his place, but till then...
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| ..it's Cechmate for strikers. |
Right back: Bacary Sagna
DOB: February 14, 1983
Club: Arsenal
Whether Arsenal defend well or poorly, Sagna has stayed the same. Great aerial presence, rock solid, consistent, warrior-like. Arsenal fans will be hoping he signs a new contract.
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| "You think you're getting past me?" |
Centre Back: John Terry
DOB: December 7, 1980
Club: Chelsea
Captain America would love to have that kind of introduction. "John Terry. Captain. Leader. Legend.". Captain Planet too for that matter, or even Cap'n Jack Sparrow. I don't know what else to say. So here's a picture.
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| John Terry. Captain. Leader. Legend. Old. |
Centre Back: Phil Jagielka
DOB: August 17, 1982
Club: Everton
He may not quite have the high profile that some of his other English colleagues do, but Jagielka has proven himself to be a hallmark of consistency over the years, becoming a rock in the heart of a Toffee defense that is quite hard to break down. Joke, get it? Hahaha.
Left Back: Ashley Cole
DOB: December 20, 1980
Club: Chelsea
The term 'world class' has been bandied about for a long time, almost as long as Ashley Cole's been around. One thing is for sure though, Ashley Cole is world class.
Centre Midfield: Mikel Arteta
DOB: March 26, 1982
Club: Arsenal
They say goalkeepers get better with age. Well, so does Mikel Arteta. Ever since he moved to Arsenal, he's transformed into a human metronome with perfect hair. The numbers he's racked up are insane...
Centre Midfield: Michael Carrick
DOB: July 28, 1981
Club: Manchester United
There's a lot of talk about how Carrick is underrated. Well, considering how United fans dread his absence as much as they do Rooney's or van Persie's, it's safe to say they certainly do rate him.
Attacking Midfield: Tomas Rosicky
DOB: October 4, 1980
Club: Arsenal
According to him, he's "only" 31 in "footballing years". He plays like a man ten years younger. Drive, hustle, bite, vision, energy are all part of his package. Err, you know what I meant. He's been the catalyst for Arsenal's revivals in the last two seasons and storms into this team.
Attacking Midfield: Yaya Toure
DOB: May 13, 1983
Club: Manchester City
Not only is Yaya Toure the best player on this team, he's one of the best in the league. He's a tank, a wrecking ball and a machine gun rolled into one. Plays in the the AM role for this side.
Attacking Midfield: Ryan Giggs
DOB: 50 B.C.
Club: Manchester United
To watch Ryan Giggs in action is a lesson in wing play. Staying wide, yet cutting in when the opportunity arises. I was talking about his private life, but it applies to his footballing skills too. He's older than everybody on this list combined and is still turning in stellar performances. Okay, I was exaggerating about being older than everyone on the list combined.
Striker: Robin van Persie
DOB: August 6, 1983
Club:Arsenal Manchester United
He certainly does look 30, what with the greying hair and all. But it doesn't take away from the fact that he is one of the top strikers in this league. With intelligence and movement being his greatest strengths, this is one guy who's got a few years at the very top left in him.
Substitutes: Tim Howard (Everton), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham).
Our predictions:
#14: 2-1 to the old boys
#18: 2-0 to the old boys
#25: 1-1 draw
#7: 1-0 to the young boys
Drop in a comment with your scoreline, or your own teams. Or about the weather. Just drop a comment. Please. Please.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
#14
DOB: August 17, 1982
Club: Everton
He may not quite have the high profile that some of his other English colleagues do, but Jagielka has proven himself to be a hallmark of consistency over the years, becoming a rock in the heart of a Toffee defense that is quite hard to break down. Joke, get it? Hahaha.
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| "Thou shalt not pass...eth!" |
DOB: December 20, 1980
Club: Chelsea
The term 'world class' has been bandied about for a long time, almost as long as Ashley Cole's been around. One thing is for sure though, Ashley Cole is world class.
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| Just needed an excuse to post this. |
DOB: March 26, 1982
Club: Arsenal
They say goalkeepers get better with age. Well, so does Mikel Arteta. Ever since he moved to Arsenal, he's transformed into a human metronome with perfect hair. The numbers he's racked up are insane...
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| ..and so is his missus. Not literally of course. |
DOB: July 28, 1981
Club: Manchester United
There's a lot of talk about how Carrick is underrated. Well, considering how United fans dread his absence as much as they do Rooney's or van Persie's, it's safe to say they certainly do rate him.
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| Carrick spotting a free man 70 yards away. |
DOB: October 4, 1980
Club: Arsenal
According to him, he's "only" 31 in "footballing years". He plays like a man ten years younger. Drive, hustle, bite, vision, energy are all part of his package. Err, you know what I meant. He's been the catalyst for Arsenal's revivals in the last two seasons and storms into this team.
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| "Just completed a 100 laps, bitches" |
DOB: May 13, 1983
Club: Manchester City
Not only is Yaya Toure the best player on this team, he's one of the best in the league. He's a tank, a wrecking ball and a machine gun rolled into one. Plays in the the AM role for this side.
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| Yaya's face after bulldozing the entire opposition...again. |
DOB: 50 B.C.
Club: Manchester United
To watch Ryan Giggs in action is a lesson in wing play. Staying wide, yet cutting in when the opportunity arises. I was talking about his private life, but it applies to his footballing skills too. He's older than everybody on this list combined and is still turning in stellar performances. Okay, I was exaggerating about being older than everyone on the list combined.
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| His real DOB is November 29, 1973 by the way. |
Striker: Robin van Persie
DOB: August 6, 1983
Club:
He certainly does look 30, what with the greying hair and all. But it doesn't take away from the fact that he is one of the top strikers in this league. With intelligence and movement being his greatest strengths, this is one guy who's got a few years at the very top left in him.
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| RvP trying to listen to the little boy inside him. |
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| Team Spring Chickens |
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| Team Winter Cocks |
Our predictions:
#14: 2-1 to the old boys
#18: 2-0 to the old boys
#25: 1-1 draw
#7: 1-0 to the young boys
Drop in a comment with your scoreline, or your own teams. Or about the weather. Just drop a comment. Please. Please.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
#14
