BILBAO SUPPORTERS TAKE OVER MANCHESTER

NICE ONE BOYS 

TOP OF THE WISH LIST

TOP OF THE WISH LIST

THE PRIDICATABLE WAY IS NOT THE LIVERPOOL WAY

quite a few scorers there

The last person to win the golden boot in a Liverpool shirt is now a Man United player . Yes it was Owen he won it twice. He won it two years in succession 1998-99 with 18 goals each time . The first time he shared it with 2 other players . The second with one other player . But what ever it has been a long time since a Liverpool player had such a honour . I am convinced that Suarez is a better all round striker than Owen . Suarez has got far more tricks in his locker than Owen did . But he is on his own with opposition teams happy to deal with Suarez with danger coming from no where else . But all it takes is 3 to 4 other players scoring on a regular basis and Suarez will have a field day . That is what happened with Owen with a high percentage of the team scoring . Successful Liverpool teams have had their scoring rate spread out amongst the team . Giving the opposition the dilemma of not knowing which player to concentrate on . Giving our more talented goal scorers a field day . Andy Carroll is neither of these things at the moment . He is playing in a deeper holding role to be honest he is not bad at it . But with a lack of targets other than Suarez it is predictable . After all he is the so called target man. But it frustrates me his inability to attack the ball in the box and get in front of the defender .

These are the reasons why Liverpool have been drawing so many home games . We are very much the predictable one trick pony . We need to mix it about more from training ground to Anfield . Keep them guessing lets try new stuff using the best playing surface in the Prem to are advantage . At the the moment in the away dressing room after they have warmed up the away manager speaks .

“Right we know how they will play the playing surface is second to none” . “Keep it tight we will get a chance on this pitch I have got confidence we can take it” . EASY!!!!

Or something like that .

What they should be saying is If they play this way do that . If they play that way do this and so on . We need to keep the opposition guessing . If I can see what we are doing week in week out . A professional Prem manager would have no problem . Having watched Liverpool all my life I want the team to surprise me as a supporter . In the cup winning years they would surprise me every week . I never knew which way they would play other than a win . The enjoyment was immense in which way they would secure the win . Would it be plan A B C D E F G and so on . Just when I thought I knew all the plans they would come up with a new one . Sometimes I would secretly wish we would go a goal down so I would see a new plan go into action . Great de-cussing it at the after match pint or ten . Now we are like the Tory government plan A that’s it.

Now that it looks likely that Champions League football has bit the dust for fuck sake lets experiment no one will hold it against Kenny for that. Lets keep the opposition guessing . Lets call on the youth or reserves to aid Suarez .For fuck sake lets take a chance the.......

THE PRIDICATABLE WAY IS NOT THE LIVERPOOL WAY    

"YET AN OTHER CORNER WASTED"

Skrtel the only one with an eye for corners

In the 80s Liverpool had a bad time converting corners. Prompting a group of supporters to publish a Fanzine called YET AN OTHER CORNER WASTED . Well its about time we resurrected that publication . If the corner wasting was bad then its is positively chronic now . I am one of Kenny s biggest fans . But what is going on with corners . The games were we have the least amount of corners we score the most goals . We need to work on corners so much we have had an amazing amount of corners . Well to be exact 288 in all competitions we have converted 6 of them from 4 different goal scorers ' from 4 corner takers . Just not good enough . What is happening in training we are getting the corners in abundance but we might as well give the opposition the ball back

An article on this blog a few weeks back . Took a look at whether street footie games played on the streets of Liverpool stemmed from Melwood . The game sixty seconds is perfect training for corners. In the article it suggested it was the reason why Keegan and Toshack were so successful at corners and crosses .

http://styfnorm.blogspot.com/2012/02/footiestories-music-tales-street-footie.html

 If so we must put these training procedures into practice . The so called smaller clubs in Prem cherish every corner 'the reason why their hit rate from corners is far better than Liverpools . The likes of Wolves QPR Bolton Wigan if they would have had 288 corners I am sure they would of converted more than 6 . We have to play to our strengths we are in the position to get corners showing our attacking prowess . So it has to be a training issue . Kenny was not the most prolific scorer from corners . So may be we need a corner coach if we have one already sack him the stats speak for themselves. Totally unacceptable

Corners 288

Goals 6

Scorers (Skrtel 3) (Maxi 1) (Agger 1) (Suarez 1)

Corner takers (Gerrard 2) (Downing 2) (Henderson1) (Adams 1)

EAVIS A SEX MACHINE AND THE L.A. RIOTS

The temperature is rising and Spring is in the air . At this time of year my mind usually wanders to Summer . Which for me the first event that springs to mind is GLASTONBURY . Alas this year it is a Glastonbury free year due to the country trying to rip us off with a sporting event . Well played Mr Eavis the extra cost it would entailed to put the festival on . Would surly of had to be passed on to the ticket price at a time when money is really tight . Its by know means the first time Mr Eavis has clearly put the future of the festival in mind . Over the years there has been many every think from foot and mouth to security . Having been involved in the festival for over 30 years . Witnessing his love for the festival which is second to none.

Michael Eavis

One of my early memory’s of such love came in 1992 on the Pyramid Stage . All through 90s I had the great honour of being part of the Pyramid on stage crew . In the 90s the amount of people attending the festival was far more than it is now 200.000 plus . True not many people paid the place was crazy packed . But as always at Glastonbury people looked after each other all adding to the amazing buzz of the place . As we looked out from the stage in the 90s watching the place fill up . One of the comments that would come out was.

“ALL THIS FOR 12 JAPANESE STUDENTS ” Hinting at they where the only people who had bought a ticket .

Carter USM

In 1992 the head line act on the pyramid was Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (U.S.M) . Two young lads playing thrash indie guitars to backing samples . Their lyrics where infectious and street wise really hit the spot with the young indie type. USM merchandise was every where it seemed every one was wearing a Carter T shirt . They had the big slot. The slot Oasis took full advantage of some years later . They where big but this gig was going to propel the band into orbit. There crew was every where setting up the day before. A strange bunch all wearing kilts not at all that sociable . The show that was being set up was impressive . I was looking forward to the visual effect . I will try to explain .

At the back of the stage they had a huge Catherine wheel brimming with U. V lights . The U.V lights projected out into the crowd with tremendous power . Out off stage by the PA wings were two canons either side with funnels on top. Their crew on cue would load out of plastic bags thousands of U.V foam balls into the cannons. All the balls had the bands logos on . They were to be propelled into the crowd in there thousands . I think there was 25.000 to each cannon . The crowd would instinctively start throwing them about . For the U.V light to pick them up giving the image of thousands of dots flying over the crowd . I am convinced it would have been spectacular . I am surprised no one has come up with the idea since . But there was a big spanner in the works . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_USM

U.V Catherine wheel 

This came in the form of a band from L.A called FISHBONE . I would always do a bit of research on the bands I would be crewing on . Fishbone had a reputation for being controversial in their live shows . They where all on one having earlier in year being wrapped up in the L.A riots. They where on the bill before Carter so the crowd was huge . I did comment to the stage manger that this band could be wild . His answer was “I have seen it all no worries”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HclZkAZXCc  Fishbone live at Glastonbury 1992

The instant Fishbone came on stage it was mad . The band was armed with super blaster water pistols new in the U.K . The crew was blasted with water there was 8 in the band plus their crew we all got a soaking . The lead singer came on with a trombone blasted it a few times . Slung it in the crowd quickly following it making his way on top of the crowd to the mixing tower . He spent half the set at the mixing tower and an age getting back . The crowd loved it but the set ran over by at least 40 minuets . I did get a nod off the stage manger as if to say ok wild was the right word .

FISHBONE 

With Mr Eavis under pressure from the powers that be the music cut off had to be 12 midnight. With Carters crew now on stage with no drums little actual band equipment our crew where told we could go if we wanted . With most of the crew not into two lads with backing samples they did not need telling twice. But I was intrigued liking there lyrics still do also looking forward to the illusion with the U.V foam balls . As they came on stage the crowd went mad . The stage was empty there must have been 6 people including the 2 lads . I knew the lost time had to be made up . That meant one thing no encore looking at how fired up the two young lads were that was not good . The atmosphere on stage really reflected that it was strange . The crowd were loving it as it came to the last song of the main set . A few balls from the sides of the stage had been released . The U.V lights from the back of the stage had been tested you could see the the illusion of the balls starting to kick in it looked good .

The two boys went behind the curtain buzzing . One said not sure if it was Jim Bob or Fruit Bat . “This is fucking great we are going to smash it to them” I think it was their manger came over “They are not going to let you go back on” he said

The two lads could not believe it they where crying with rage . I have never been in such a vibe so strange . The two lads where in tantrum mode . Mr Eavis came up the ramp of the Pyramid the two lads made a b -line for him . All the time the crowd was deafening MORE!!!MORE!!! it added to the tension . The 2 lads pleaded with Mr Eavis but the future of the festival was more important . With the powers that be waiting to pounce with noise metres and court dates . Mr Eavis could of not tried to explain personally but he did. It was his decision for the future and love of the festival . The lads went into melt down . Making a lunge for Mr Eavis grabbing him pushing him to the wall we pulled them off it was all over . The crowd finally stopped screaming . Carter had been sacrificed for the future of the festival unfortunate but in the light of things a small price to pay .

So just one hard call Mr Eavis has taken over years . Long my he continue to do so he gets 99.9% so right. Respect !!!!!!

More Glasto Stories through the year  

"OPEN MIKE" SPREADING ITS WINGS

With the live music being strangled with tacky shows like the X factor . Its good to see more organic live music pastimes steady increasing round the country . Thinking back to the late 80s early 90s the word was Jam . But mostly done behind closed doors in peoples back kitchens. Pop stars passing the time in recording studios. All on a musician to musician basis . The only time the great British public would catch one of these exciting unpredictable performances. Was at party’s festivals round the fire . Or the more music orientated pub dotted hear and there.

FLEECE FIRKIN BRISTOL

Over the last 5 years The OPEN MIKE stance has come into play . Up and down the UK pubs are trying every think to keep their heads above water . The open mike if done properly is a winner . The first open mike I attended was a lot bigger than the ones I attend now .

In the late 80s in the Fleece and Firkin Bristol a 500 plus capacity venue . Every Sunday afternoon coordinated by Talisman saxophonist Brendan Whitmore he labelled it as Next in Line . Musicians would turn up do there thing on a next in line basis slowly building up to a organic band finale . The audience would love it because they would see the music build up . Of course any of the audience could get up on stage there was plenty of percussion up there . The stage was miked up there was  fold back going though a 10k rig. On average 150 to 200 would attend Next in line lasted over 3 years . The venue would have been shut on a Sunday afternoon so it was extra beer sales .

Next in Line OMC Brendan Whitmore

Now days its OPEN MIKE . Although on a smaller scale but a lot more widespread in little groups . But things are changing little groups are starting to mingle .

STEVE YEOMANS
(When your a good OMC you get your painting on the wall)
THE OXFORD Bristol

Stevie Yeomans is a new breed of young open mike coordinator or OMC he is bringing two areas together . He is the OMC of a very successful night in the Oxford Pub in Totterdown Bristol a stones throw from Temple Meads Station . He is also OMC at The George and Dragon in his home town of Knighton mid Wales also successful . It is a 200 mile round trip but musicians of the two areas are intermingling swapping gigs and ideas . Steve is hoping to connect other areas throw the net wider. Then maybe have one off s in bigger venues bringing the different areas together . He is the best OMC I have seen up to now . But he is keen to network with like minded all now possible with social networks .

So who knows OPEN MIKES might be staged in arenas with none of the X factor tackiness .The paying public  enjoying the musical twists and turns with maybe the chance to say “I WAS THERE”!!!!!!!!

The-Oxford TotterdownBristol, United Kingdom

oxford_totterdown@yahoo.co.uk

The George And Dragon InnKnighton, Powys

All info About Steve Yeomans and OPEN MIKES HE COORDINATES I will put up when received.   

THE POWER OF THIS GUITAR

  

Eddie Cochran

Eddie Cochran died in a car crash on a country road in the early sixty’s . The legacy of his guitar lived on . His taxi he was in hit a lamp post outside Chippenham Wiltshire . One of the first police officers at the crash site . Was a young Dave Dee later off sixty’s chart topping band Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Titch. Cochran was rushed to a hospital in Bath where he later died . The young copper Dee took Cochran’s guitar back to to the police station . He practised on the guitar for 2 weeks until it was officially claimed back . This short time with Cochran’s guitar inspired the young copper to pack in the police force to pursue a career in music . 

Dave Dee

Early in the Tour a young fan who had blagged his way back stage . Helping Cochran’s band pack away their gear. He had proudly carried the same guitar to Cochran’s car and handed it to him . That fan carrying guitar was a young Marc Bolan. Obviously getting the same vibes from the powerful guitar . Sadly after huge success Bolans fate was to be the same as Cochran’s . He too was involved in a fatal car crash . The difference being he was in a private car it hit a tree not a lamp post . But in both cases they were not the drivers.of the cars. 

SPOOKY!!!!!!!!!!     FOR MORE INFO CLICK ON THE LINKS 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cochran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Dee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Bolan