Hi!
This week's Mark My Words column is now live:
Nearly through administration Hull
Mark A.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Pompey theoffside blog- new post
Hi!
New post on the Portsmouth FC Offside Blog today before the season opener against Coventry:
New lease of life allows for optimism once again
Mark A.
New post on the Portsmouth FC Offside Blog today before the season opener against Coventry:
New lease of life allows for optimism once again
Mark A.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
New FansOnline stories
Future of Pompey's World Cup reps in doubt
Hi!
Head over to the Portsmouth blog at theoffside.com now to read my first post on whether or not John Utaka, Kanu, Aaron Mokoena and Kevin Prince Boateng will play for the Blues this season.
Blues' World Cup Stars: They may stay but will they play?
Mark A.
Head over to the Portsmouth blog at theoffside.com now to read my first post on whether or not John Utaka, Kanu, Aaron Mokoena and Kevin Prince Boateng will play for the Blues this season.
Blues' World Cup Stars: They may stay but will they play?
Mark A.
New Portsmotuh FC blog at theoffside.com
Hi!
I have now joined the team at theoffside, a blog community, where I'll be covering all things Portsmouth. Check out the site now!
theoffside- Portsmouth
Mark A.
I have now joined the team at theoffside, a blog community, where I'll be covering all things Portsmouth. Check out the site now!
theoffside- Portsmouth
Mark A.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Sussex Preview
Hi!
Check out my Sussex Cricket Club preview on the Chichester Observer website:
Chichester Today
Mark A.
Check out my Sussex Cricket Club preview on the Chichester Observer website:
Chichester Today
Mark A.
Monday, 5 April 2010
FansOnline Reboot
Hi!
Both www.bootroomdynasty.com and www.trottersindependent.com are back! Latest stories here:
http://fansonline.net/liverpool/article.php?id=533
http://www.fansonline.net/boltonwanderers/article.php?id=355
Mark A.
Both www.bootroomdynasty.com and www.trottersindependent.com are back! Latest stories here:
http://fansonline.net/liverpool/article.php?id=533
http://www.fansonline.net/boltonwanderers/article.php?id=355
Mark A.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Don't be a-3d of missing Sky's new channel
Hi!
Today I jumped aboard the 3D bandwagon by watching Manchester United Vs. Chelsea on Sky Sports 3D- the broadcaster's new channel. Apart from donning the very classy glasses the only effect it had on my viewing of the game was a back ache.
My local- the Cuckoo Pint in Stubbington, Fareham- became one of the few but growing number of outlets offering the new way of watching football to punters, following on the crest of excitement generated by 3D films such as Avatar. For a reasonable sum of £2 viewers grab a pair of glasses and squirm to the front of the screen- as the effect of the picture is ironically lost from distance. If nothing else I protest to my local moving the pool tables for any reason...
Still at first some angles looked impressive. John Terry and Gary Neville leading their sides out in 3D was impressive- it looked just like an entrance scene from FIFA 10 so fluid and full were the pictures.
And there is much to be said of the images from the dugouts and stands- each row of fans becomes a layer and there is nothing like a ball boy appearing inches away from you to make a whole pub shake thier drinks.
However the core of watching live football- the lofty position of the camera usually square on to the half-way line, shows no sign of lending itself to 3D viewing. Taking off the glasses reduces the picture quality only because evrything has a thin red/blue border and you find yourself checking how much is left in your glass as everything develops a double.
The quality and excitement of the game itself made the event more of a spectacle- and I would imagine an evening tie would generate more interest, but for the nost part the next step in football spectating is very much a fuzz over nothing.
Mark A.
Today I jumped aboard the 3D bandwagon by watching Manchester United Vs. Chelsea on Sky Sports 3D- the broadcaster's new channel. Apart from donning the very classy glasses the only effect it had on my viewing of the game was a back ache.
My local- the Cuckoo Pint in Stubbington, Fareham- became one of the few but growing number of outlets offering the new way of watching football to punters, following on the crest of excitement generated by 3D films such as Avatar. For a reasonable sum of £2 viewers grab a pair of glasses and squirm to the front of the screen- as the effect of the picture is ironically lost from distance. If nothing else I protest to my local moving the pool tables for any reason...
Still at first some angles looked impressive. John Terry and Gary Neville leading their sides out in 3D was impressive- it looked just like an entrance scene from FIFA 10 so fluid and full were the pictures.
And there is much to be said of the images from the dugouts and stands- each row of fans becomes a layer and there is nothing like a ball boy appearing inches away from you to make a whole pub shake thier drinks.
However the core of watching live football- the lofty position of the camera usually square on to the half-way line, shows no sign of lending itself to 3D viewing. Taking off the glasses reduces the picture quality only because evrything has a thin red/blue border and you find yourself checking how much is left in your glass as everything develops a double.
The quality and excitement of the game itself made the event more of a spectacle- and I would imagine an evening tie would generate more interest, but for the nost part the next step in football spectating is very much a fuzz over nothing.
Mark A.
TV Package
Hi!
Long time no post! See below for video of recently finished TV Package on transport problems over Easter in the south west.
Lots of exciting posts coming soon I hope!!
Cheers,
Mark A.
Long time no post! See below for video of recently finished TV Package on transport problems over Easter in the south west.
Lots of exciting posts coming soon I hope!!
Cheers,
Mark A.
Friday, 5 March 2010
BUzz
Hi!
More new stuff to come soon but in the meantime check out my stories on Bournemouth's BUzz site:
http://buzz.bournemouth.ac.uk/?author=252
Mark A.
More new stuff to come soon but in the meantime check out my stories on Bournemouth's BUzz site:
http://buzz.bournemouth.ac.uk/?author=252
Mark A.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Ladies and Gents- the new England captain...
Hi!
Today's the day I feel like weighing in on the England Captaincy debate. Enjoy!
Mark A.
Banned from football for 8 months for failing to attend a drugs test, driving bans in 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2005, never been to a European Championships and currently suspended from adding to his six Premiership appearances so far this season- ladies and gentleman I give you the new England captain.
Rio Ferdinand splits many people down the middle- English defender’s version of marmite if you will- but surely now at a time when the England captaincy is being changed due to unprofessional conduct off the field, the Manchester United centre-back is at the back of the cue.
Now 31, there are also plenty of footballing reasons for the captaincy to turn elsewhere.
Looking at those in the frame for International recognition, you would discount those like David Beckham and Gary Neville because despite their experience they are not playing regular first team football, and arguably lack the pace and fitness required.
But why is this not true for Ferdinand? As mentioned he has made only 6 of his 320 appearances for Manchester United in the 09/10 season and despite helping to keep a clean sheet against Belarus the last time he did play in the White shirt, the previous game saw his error lead to Rob Green being sent off in the 1-0 defeat to Ukraine.
My point is if he is not an automatic choice in the first team how can he be a candidate for the captaincy?
Furthermore has Fabio Capello made a rod for his own back by making Ferdinand captain and thereby increasing the pressure to play the former Leeds defender?
Today’s news that he has dropped his appeal over an extra match extension on his ban for violent conduct is a clear sign he is making a move to become more respectable but critics will say this is a fairly blatant move to improve his position.
The secondary debate over the leadership of the side has been whether or not the captaincy is actually important, and for the record I believe it is vital.
History suggests when teams have a good leader their chances of success increase- and I ask if captaincy isn’t important then why hasn’t John Terry also lost the Chelsea armband?
I am not of course suggesting mistakes made in the past should taint a man, let alone a footballer, for the rest of his life.
It is just interesting that these incidents keep appearing in Mr. Ferdinand’s life, and currently I do not see him as the best man to lead the side forward.
I would normally suggest Steven Gerrard but his court appearance and history of red cards would probably be mentioned, I feel he is a suitable deputy in his current role as vice-captain though.
Honestly, and I couldn’t see myself saying this in the past, but I believe the most deserving is Frank Lampard.
He had a terrible run of form with the national side to the extent of being booed by his own fans at Wembley not so long ago.
But he has come through that spell- and severe personal tragedies- to emerge a better person and player, and a suitable candidate to lead the three lions.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
African Nations Cup
Hi!
Enjoyed this year's Cup of Nations despite the off-field incidents. Final review below and my thoughts on the tournament in general to come soon.
Mark A.
Super-sub Mohamed Gedo’s late strike sealed a third consecutive African Cup of Nations for Egypt- the first time any nation has done so.
Ghana’s young side battled valiantly and although offering little in attack they matched the holders for large periods.
But Gedo, who finishes as the tournaments top scorer, came on and played a one-two with Mohamed Zidan before finishing clinically to seal the trophy for the Pharaohs.
It’s the first time any of the African sides have won three competitions in a row, and means the trophy will stay in Cairo.
Egypt were made to work for their seventh Nations Cup by Ghana, as Eric Addo almost snatched a lifeline with nearly the last kick of the game but the ball wouldn’t fall in the box for the substitute.
Asamoah Gyan was Ghana’s main outlet and he hit two long range efforts over and came close with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the second half.
A largely eventless first half saw Kwadwo Asamoah shoot straight at Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary from 25 yards.
Ahmed Hassan went closest for the holders in the first period but failed to test Richard Kingston in the Ghana goal- the ‘keeper having shown signs of several injuries and allowing his defender to take his goal kicks.
And customarily in this year’s tournament there were several cards dished out- not least to Ghana’s Aygemang Opoku, who was lucky to escape with only booking for a two-footed challenge on Ahmed El-Mohamady.
But as time ticked on Egypt held on despite waves of late Ghana pressure and the joy shown by Gedo’s goal celebrations continuing long into the future as the failure to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa is buried by yet another tournament win.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Clash of the south coast titans
Hi!
Today's piece is on the big south coast derby FA Cup game on February 13th, and my concerns over fans behaviour at the game.
Mark A.
South Coast rivals Southampton and Portsmouth have been drawn together in the pick of the FA Cup Fifth Round draw ties.
Though this may seem good news to the neutral, the football will undoubtedly be secondary news to what happens in the stands and around the ground.
The rivalry between these two clubs has so much attached to it, and it does not apply only to football.
The two cities compete for pride in everything from major shopping centres, to which is named as the south central point on the weather maps.
The rivalry is said to have started when both cities were major ports, Southampton’s trading and Portsmouth’s navy.
But this maritime theme lead to the terms ‘scum’ being branded predominantly by Portsmouth fans but occasionally mirrored by their rivals.
However it began the rivalry that fills the 17 miles between the cities is not to be underestimated- as has been shown in recent years.
Only three arrests were made when Southampton ran out 3-0 winners in 2003, this trebled the following year when a BBC cameraman and two police dogs were also injured and in the resulting days dozens more were arrested, then at Fratton Park in 2005 four hundred police offers were needed to keep the peace, making five arrests.
And this year’s meeting between the sides has seen so much change since then. The 4-1 defeat for Southampton last time the sides met contributed to the club’s relegation from the Premier League, something the club is only beginning to recover from.
Harry Redknapp has also come and gone from both clubs, neither Rupert Lowe nor Milan Mandaric own Saints or Pompey respectively anymore and it is Portsmouth who seem set to slip out of the top flight.
Blues fans already have a sense of red mist descending as they protest against their own owners and everyday there seems to be a new piece of bad news.
All of which background and context means this will be the hottest atmosphere the south coast derby has ever seen- there may well be trouble ahead.
Southampton police commander Chief Superintendant Matthew Greening said this week: “We will be delivering a top class police operation to help both clubs and both cities provide a safe and professional event in Southampton that everyone can be proud of and enjoy.”
But no matter how much of the police are detailed to St Mary’s Stadium on February 13th, there will be red on show on the south coast, and not because of Valentine’s.
Of course- I challenge both sets of fans to prove me wrong.
Today's piece is on the big south coast derby FA Cup game on February 13th, and my concerns over fans behaviour at the game.
Mark A.
South Coast rivals Southampton and Portsmouth have been drawn together in the pick of the FA Cup Fifth Round draw ties.Though this may seem good news to the neutral, the football will undoubtedly be secondary news to what happens in the stands and around the ground.
The rivalry between these two clubs has so much attached to it, and it does not apply only to football.
The two cities compete for pride in everything from major shopping centres, to which is named as the south central point on the weather maps.
The rivalry is said to have started when both cities were major ports, Southampton’s trading and Portsmouth’s navy.
But this maritime theme lead to the terms ‘scum’ being branded predominantly by Portsmouth fans but occasionally mirrored by their rivals.
However it began the rivalry that fills the 17 miles between the cities is not to be underestimated- as has been shown in recent years.
Only three arrests were made when Southampton ran out 3-0 winners in 2003, this trebled the following year when a BBC cameraman and two police dogs were also injured and in the resulting days dozens more were arrested, then at Fratton Park in 2005 four hundred police offers were needed to keep the peace, making five arrests.
And this year’s meeting between the sides has seen so much change since then. The 4-1 defeat for Southampton last time the sides met contributed to the club’s relegation from the Premier League, something the club is only beginning to recover from.
Harry Redknapp has also come and gone from both clubs, neither Rupert Lowe nor Milan Mandaric own Saints or Pompey respectively anymore and it is Portsmouth who seem set to slip out of the top flight.
Blues fans already have a sense of red mist descending as they protest against their own owners and everyday there seems to be a new piece of bad news.
All of which background and context means this will be the hottest atmosphere the south coast derby has ever seen- there may well be trouble ahead.
Southampton police commander Chief Superintendant Matthew Greening said this week: “We will be delivering a top class police operation to help both clubs and both cities provide a safe and professional event in Southampton that everyone can be proud of and enjoy.”
But no matter how much of the police are detailed to St Mary’s Stadium on February 13th, there will be red on show on the south coast, and not because of Valentine’s.
Of course- I challenge both sets of fans to prove me wrong.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Football stories published!
Hi!
Two more stories published today, FinalWhistle.vg have featured the England column published on the blog previously and a match report from tonight's Carling Cup Manchester derby is now live on the Daily Herald!
Final Whistle
Global Herald
Mark A.
Two more stories published today, FinalWhistle.vg have featured the England column published on the blog previously and a match report from tonight's Carling Cup Manchester derby is now live on the Daily Herald!
Final Whistle
Global Herald
Mark A.
Monday, 11 January 2010
2010!!!
Hi!
A belated merry christmas and happy new year to all! To kick the year off here's my review of Sherlock Holmes!!
Enjoy!
Mark A.
When re-inventing a franchise there are often eyebrow-raising choices made - and the latest incarnation of Sherlock Holmes is no different.
Amongst its cast and director’s back catalogues are Iron Man, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Wedding Crashers, Alfie, Body of Lies and Hancock.
And yet this eclectic mixture of talent comes together for a thoroughly enjoyable piece of cinema - superbly casted and well written.
The story follows Holmes and his accomplice Dr. John Watson, played superbly by Robert Downey Jnr. and Jude Law respectively, as they follow several murders committed by a mysterious and brilliantly creepy Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood.
The story pits Holmes’ methodical and logical detective work against the seemingly supernatural Blackwood, who escapes capture by Holmes and even death before using his dark arts to plot against a higher power.
The detective duo’s partnership works beautifully without edging towards stereotype or cliché, Downey Jnr. has said of playing Holmes that he likes the ‘weirdo’ in him, and that is conveyed in several scenes, no less when he plays the violin to co-ordinate a gang of flies.
These quirky moments are joined with pieces of humour and subtlety not necessarily seen in Ritchie’s films before, but are joined by some more familiar action sequences though these are well thought out and allow us to see inside Holmes’ brilliant mind.
The action slows and we are given a voiceover by Holmes’ that spells out his plan of attack, each stage is carried out, time rewinds back to the point of the narration beginning, and we see his plan carried out in full flow.
The device is clever and adds to the fight sequences detail that otherwise might overwhelm, along with the sprinkle of Holmes’ catchphrases and the few touches that make England in Holmes’ time so recognisable, the setting of the film is just right.
The story itself feels very Holmes, with nearly all of the revealing towards the film’s climax, and there is no Columbo reveal for the audience at the beginning so the viewer travels with Holmes and Watson as they unravel this seemingly unearthly villain to the summit of his megalomaniac scheme.
Guy Ritchie mentioned Batman Begins whilst making this film, in relation to how a franchise reboot should be, and although Holmes may not be as deep and dramatic as the Christopher Nolan work, this movie is on parity in terms of humour, performances and enjoyment.
A belated merry christmas and happy new year to all! To kick the year off here's my review of Sherlock Holmes!!
Enjoy!
Mark A.
When re-inventing a franchise there are often eyebrow-raising choices made - and the latest incarnation of Sherlock Holmes is no different.
Amongst its cast and director’s back catalogues are Iron Man, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Wedding Crashers, Alfie, Body of Lies and Hancock.
And yet this eclectic mixture of talent comes together for a thoroughly enjoyable piece of cinema - superbly casted and well written.
The story follows Holmes and his accomplice Dr. John Watson, played superbly by Robert Downey Jnr. and Jude Law respectively, as they follow several murders committed by a mysterious and brilliantly creepy Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood.
The story pits Holmes’ methodical and logical detective work against the seemingly supernatural Blackwood, who escapes capture by Holmes and even death before using his dark arts to plot against a higher power.
The detective duo’s partnership works beautifully without edging towards stereotype or cliché, Downey Jnr. has said of playing Holmes that he likes the ‘weirdo’ in him, and that is conveyed in several scenes, no less when he plays the violin to co-ordinate a gang of flies.
These quirky moments are joined with pieces of humour and subtlety not necessarily seen in Ritchie’s films before, but are joined by some more familiar action sequences though these are well thought out and allow us to see inside Holmes’ brilliant mind.
The action slows and we are given a voiceover by Holmes’ that spells out his plan of attack, each stage is carried out, time rewinds back to the point of the narration beginning, and we see his plan carried out in full flow.
The device is clever and adds to the fight sequences detail that otherwise might overwhelm, along with the sprinkle of Holmes’ catchphrases and the few touches that make England in Holmes’ time so recognisable, the setting of the film is just right.
The story itself feels very Holmes, with nearly all of the revealing towards the film’s climax, and there is no Columbo reveal for the audience at the beginning so the viewer travels with Holmes and Watson as they unravel this seemingly unearthly villain to the summit of his megalomaniac scheme.
Guy Ritchie mentioned Batman Begins whilst making this film, in relation to how a franchise reboot should be, and although Holmes may not be as deep and dramatic as the Christopher Nolan work, this movie is on parity in terms of humour, performances and enjoyment.
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