Missing Maddie - one year on

Hardly believable that it is a year ago since little Madeleine McCann went missing from a resort in Portugal, days before her 4th birthday. Much has been speculated, particularly the innocence of Maddie's parents Gerry and Kate and their possible involvement in their daughter's disappearance. Although you can't rule it out, you'd hope that it isn't true - I mean, how could anyone do anything sinister to their own children? Ask that of the monster Josef Fritzl , surely the most sick of all fathers (if he can call himself that). When his daughter Elisabeth turned 18, he bundled her into the cellar where he kept her prisoner for 24 years. That's bad enough but continually raping her and producing 7 children from him makes your stomach turn and brings tears to your eyes. Just when you think you've heard the most horrific incident possible, you hear of an every worse one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7371959.stm

Anyway, I digress. I would imagine the chances of finding Maddie alive after such a long time are very slim, but I get that feeling that just maybe she is. You can't imagine what her parents are going through and they won't be able to rest until they know what has happened to their little princess.


The photo on the left (above) turned out to be a red herring but you can see the resemblence to Maddie. How hopes must have been severely dashed.

Naturally there will be plenty of press on the 1st anniversary of her abduction but there can hardly be any complaints from Gerry and Kate (even despite the allegations) because there are plenty of other children and adults who go missing every single day, and no-one hears about them.

http://www.findmadeleine.com/

We are the 1-all kings!

Spurs 1 Bolton 1

For the first time in 2008, we could wear our footie shirts without four layers on top! It must have been 20 degrees warmer than last week at Wigan - what a difference. It was so nice to sit out in the Coach & Horses' beer garden and catch some rays in the company of friends.

Team: Cerny, Hutton (Huddlestone), Woodgate, Dawson (Bent), Gilberto, Zokora, Malbranque (O'Hara), Lennon, Jenas, Keane, Berbatov

Spurs had pretty much all the possession in the first half, had a reasonable amount of shots but were unable to capitalise once again. Bolton came out with bombs up their arses just after the break and caught Spurs off guard and managed a scrappy toe-poke over the line from a yard out after it looked like Cerny had managed to save it. Still, maybe it was better we went one down than one up because we can't hold on to a lead to save our lives. Spurs continued to press and Bolton really didn't manage to create anything more. We came close a few times - either side of the post, a couple over the bar, a couple of headers but it was Malbranque who got the equaliser running on to a cross (possibly miskicked) on the left side of the goal from a few yards out. STEEEEEEEEEED! My man of the season but why was he subbed yet again? Berba could've won the game in the dying minute when his head met a good free kick from O'Hara. You would have bet money on him scoring. And so it was another one of those days when it didn't quite pan out right, and the fourth consecutive 1-1 draw. Are we going for a record? Jeez, it seems so long ago since Spurs won a match....only two more to go.

On a non-Yido note, the race for the Premiership title took a turn for the worse today when Chelski beat Manure 2-1 to level on points. It's likely to go to the last day - exciting for the neutral but let's just hope the blue scum don't win it. At the bottom, it's equally on tenterhooks as to who will go down with Derby.

Any dream will do

John and I went to see Joseph at the Cliffs Pavilion last night. The artists and shows appearing in our local theatre has improved over the years and no more so that this production, which is touring all over the country at the moment.

Three of the contestants from the TV programme 'Any Dream Will Do' appeared in this show. Craig Chalmers played the lead, Keith Jack had the part of the narrator and Chris Barton was another one of Jacob's sons (pictured left together with Elvis). All the kids you can see sat on the steps either side of the stage all throughout the show and provided background singing - very good they were too.

The whole thing was extremely entertaining. I'd never seen the show before but knew most of the songs which are so catchy, you come out still humming them. Although Craig was a good singer, he didn't have that edge to his voice, neither was it strong enough to overshadow the rest of the cast. I guess this is why he didn't win the leading role in the West End. The numbers performed by the Elvis character were really fun and got everyone clapping and there were quite a few humerous moments including blow up sheep! It built to a great finale to a standing ovation before the encore, which left everyone in a great mood. Definitely one I'd recommend but I'd still like to see the West End show starring Southend's Lee Mead.

Weekend up north

Thank heaven for Friday off work - I really needed it. Our plans were to drive up to Oldham to stay with friends Debs and Mick, who we normally meet pre-match when Spurs are playing at White Hart Lane. We left home at around 11am and it was plain sailing until a section of the A1 brought us to a stand still due to roadworks. After getting through that it was okay until the m62 when the sheer volume of traffic slowed us down to a maximum 10mph for about an hour. We finally reached our destination at 5:30; a ridiculous 5 and a half hours on the road. After a revitalising cuppa, we took the tour of Debs and Mick's new bungalow, had a chat and then called a taxi to take us to the pub next to the Indian restaurant. I was starving by this point and really shouldn't have had alcohol before eating because I felt a bit light-headed. Anyway, the meal was yummy and man I was ready for it! John provided most of the banter and told stories and jokes I'd heard 25 million time before (and I'm not exaggerating!), however, it was a good laugh.



Saturday was match day. We'd already pre-booked tickets for the Wigan v Spurs game. Makes a change to pay only £20 for a ticket as opposed to £39, £48 or £61! I hadn't been to an away fixture since Charlton shared Selhurst Park with Palace - I think it was 1989/1990. Craig drove over from Leeds to join us for breakfast, and then we all walked to the station and instantly froze. This part of Shaw in Oldham is surrounded by hills and the wind chill factor must've made it zero degrees. It might as well have been December or January. We got the train which took us to Manchester then had to change for the one to Wigan. Oldham sounds and looks fairly close to Wigan on the map but I was surprised how long it took to get there. It was another fairly lengthy walk to the JJB stadium once we reached Wigan station, and I can't emphasise enough how bloomin' cold it was. We took a couple of pics outside the JJB for the 'scrapbook' (see above).

They'd closed the Marquee bar due to a private function so fans were herded to a footie bar in the shopping centre nearby. It was like sardines but at least it was warm. At 2:30 we headed back to the stadium, ready for the 3 o'clock kick off. I must say I was impressed with the toilet facilities - loads of cubicles and no queuing, compared with White Hart Lane where there are only 2 cubicles in the ladies and always a long queue! Something Tottenham can definitely improve on when they rebuild.

Unfortunately, none of us were seating near each other because it isn't possible for one person to book 5 tickets; each season ticket holder or member has to buy their own. John and I were fairly close to the pitch to the left side of the goal. Spurs were attacked the goal at the other end in the first half and with only five minutes gone, Berbatov scored. It looked as though it was going to be a breeze but as always they couldn't hold onto a lead and the Wigan equaliser soon followed. After that Spurs went downhill, pretty much the same way as they have done in every match since the cup final. It stayed 1-1 in the first half and no goals were added in the second. It's just so disappointing watching your team not able to create anything, especially down the Spurs fans' end of the pitch in the second half. Wigan perhaps should've won but we also should have had a penalty when Melchiot had both hands on Berbatov's shoulders, dragging him down in the box. This wasn't too obvious at the time because it happened up the other end, but was very clear watching the highlights on Match of the Day. So it wasn't really worth getting frostbite for but at least we didn't travel all the way up there just for the game.

On the way back, we stopped at a pub and I refuelled and warmed myself up with a cup of tea! Then onwards to the train station again. We stopped in Manchester for an evening meal at Yum Yum's - a Chinese buffet style restaurant which Debs and Mick had frequented before. All you can eat for a tenner. On the way out, I took the stairs whilst the others took the lift (lazy buggers) but I had a idea to take a photo - Soccer AM style. Actually John took it. Anyone for some lift fun? You may see it on the telly once I've submitted it - who knows? lol

Once we'd got back to Debs and Mick's place, Craig drove home and the rest of us just crashed on the sofa, completely knackered.

After a late-ish breakfast on the Sunday morning, John and I set off for home at around 11:30. The return journey only took three and a half hours this time, two hours less than on the way! Anyway, it a lovely weekend spent with good mates and great to get away for a couple of days.

Run out of words...or have I?

Spurs 1 Boro 1

Thank heaven for meeting friends pre-match to make it more of a day because once again the game was a major disappointment, and a waste of money.

The first half (I suppose) wasn't too bad - average at best though. Spurs looked far superior to Boro, however, without fear of becoming a cracked record, I have to say that the lack of chances created was a big worry. It's like they don't know what to do with the ball once they get it near the opponent's box! I lost count of the amount of times I heard myself shout 'have a shot'!!! Even Berbatov is guilty of this and surely he must know his own ability? He is too busy trying to find that perfect pass and being unselfish despite being in shooting range himself. Of course I will always be harsher on the players I admire the most. Well, I have to make the most of Berba; it's hugely doubtful that he's be wearing the Lillywhite strip next season (unless a miracle happens). The same applies to Robbie Keane (except for the last bit). He's lost a bit of form the last 4 or 5 games with the goals drying up. However, on a positive, this was his 250th appearance for the club and he remains a workhorse for the team. AND, he wasn't subbed!

Talking of substitutions, surely the worst one in history took place when Steed was replaced by Huddlestone. The thing is Steed was having a pretty good game (as usual) so I'm not sure what the tactics were but Tommy's performance was abysmal. Every time he had the ball, he lost it or the pass went wildly astray. Anyone who was there will give testament to this - I just don't know what was wrong with him. He was shocking! Never been a fan of him - I won't be sorry to see him go if he's one of the casualties in the summer transfers.

Anyway the game boiled down to an own goal in our favour and a goal out of nothing for Boro.
The second half turned flat and Spurs fell apart again (similar to the Newcastle performance - or should I say lack of it?). We gave them chance after chance and really they should have scored three more; Alfonso Alves was guilty of a glaring miss more or less one on one with Cerny - a top class Brazilian would certainly have scored with his eyes closed! :)

So more disappointment with the performance as well as the scoreline. I'm off to an away game next week in Wigan - YES I DID SAY AN AWAY GAME! John and I will be staying with our mates Debs and Mick who we usually meet pre-match - they live in Oldham so it's just 'down road' (said in a northern accent). We'll be travelling up on Friday so I'm looking forward to it.

Even Steven at Ewood

Blackburn 1 Spurs 1

All I can say is that was 100% better than last week's dismal effort!

Spurs dominated the first half hour and played some neat football. Berbatov scored after 7 minutes with a tap in and the team should've made the most of the possession with a second or third but squandered chances. Blackburn's equaliser came as a result of bad defending, in fact no-one was anywhere near Pedersen on the edge of the box when he took his shot. Soft goal to give away yet again. However, I'm happy with the point; at least Spurs didn't embarrass themselves this week.