Thursday, 26 April 2012
Your weekly injection of pure, unadulterated Taarabt
Spurs' gaffer Harry Redknapp never started Adel Taarabt. He sold him to QPR for £1 million. Last weekend, that decision came back to bite him on the arse. Taarbs scored the only goal of the game as QPR beat Tottenham at Loftus Road. The loss means Tottenham must now win all the their last four games to stand a snowball in hell's chances of claiming fourth (which won't even necessarily guarantee Champions' League footy given Chelsea's progression to the final). What I'm saying is selling Taarabt could just be the worst decision 'Arry has ever made.
Bernhard Willhelm x Camper
Another pair of pretty dope kicks from Antwerp's finest Bernhard Willhelm and Spanish brand Camper. Goes w/o saying that these are pretty much unwearable (unless you are in a Culture Club tribute band or play for the Shoreditch basketball team). Available from oh-so-trendy Oki-Ni.
Nine - Lyin' King
Anyone who can pull off dungarees without anything underneath and not look totes ridic is obvs not to be messed with. If they can also rap really well over a killer beat they deserve enormous respect. Upstep Nine ...
Via Prog Porn (see blog-roll)
Welsh Lady Ass Fudge going cheap at Tesco
Unrivalled high street dominator Tesco really do sell everything these days
Via Prog Porn (see blog-roll)
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Opinion: Something must be done to stop divers like Ashley Young and Didier Drogba from ruining the beautiful game
Much has been made in recent weeks of how diving is ruining football. Usually the sports commentariat's buzz topics - goal-line technology etc etc - bore the pants off me but I must say something really does have to be done about diving.
The always-simmering debate was largely sparked by Ashley Young's theatrics at Old Trafford against QPR and then re-ignited when Young earned another incredibly soft peno a week later against Aston Villa. Yup, that's the same Aston Villa who used to pay his wages and gave him his first shot at playing Premiership football. While Young's diving didn't probably alter the outcome of either game (Man Utd almost definitely would have beaten QPR and Villa at home regardless of the gift goals) it was unseemly and disrespectful to his fellow pros, especially as both sides are relegation-haunted.
In Chelsea's 1-0 win over Barcelona, Didier Drogba picked up the mantle from Young and ran with it. And then fell over. Loads. In fact, it was like his (ludicrously pink) feet were made of warm butter. In the first half, he surely spent more time rolling around on the floor clutching some (completely uninjured) part of his body than Chelsea did in possession of the football. While Drogba failed to get any Barca player sent off (surely his intention?) his quite despicable actions marred what was an otherwise thoroughly impressive performance from a well-drilled Chelsea, who stuck to their game plan expertly and frustrated Barca. During the game Twitter was abuzz with condemnation for Drogba. It sounded out praise for the likes of Ramires, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole, who were all excellent.
Some will say that diving is just a part of the modern game. They'll (rightly) point out that I'm an old-schooler who has been reared on technique-light, commitment-heavy lower-league hoofball where crunching tackles (go Clint Hill!) are as much admired as tippy-tappy build-up play. But surely even long-time Premiership watchers agree that something really should be done to at least try and eradicate diving?
The truth is far too few yellows are brandished for diving and retrospective action against blatant divers is never taken. Action should be taken because dives can seriously alter the outcome of games and even seasons. Call me massively biased but can we all be sure that had Young not dived to reduce QPR to ten men after 15 minutes and win his side a pen that QPR wouldn't have got something out of that game? Should QPR end up being relegated - which, sadly, looks increasingly likely - Young's cheating will be contributory if even in a minor way. The cost of relegation? Reportedly £90 million. With this in mind, I'd like to see Young left out of the Euros squad. That would send a strong message, a message that cheats do not prosper. It'll never happen obviously. Unless they give the England manager job to me or Ian Holloway.
Mahoosive show-off Neymar ruins a sweet dribble by making a massive meal of a challenge:
The always-simmering debate was largely sparked by Ashley Young's theatrics at Old Trafford against QPR and then re-ignited when Young earned another incredibly soft peno a week later against Aston Villa. Yup, that's the same Aston Villa who used to pay his wages and gave him his first shot at playing Premiership football. While Young's diving didn't probably alter the outcome of either game (Man Utd almost definitely would have beaten QPR and Villa at home regardless of the gift goals) it was unseemly and disrespectful to his fellow pros, especially as both sides are relegation-haunted.
In Chelsea's 1-0 win over Barcelona, Didier Drogba picked up the mantle from Young and ran with it. And then fell over. Loads. In fact, it was like his (ludicrously pink) feet were made of warm butter. In the first half, he surely spent more time rolling around on the floor clutching some (completely uninjured) part of his body than Chelsea did in possession of the football. While Drogba failed to get any Barca player sent off (surely his intention?) his quite despicable actions marred what was an otherwise thoroughly impressive performance from a well-drilled Chelsea, who stuck to their game plan expertly and frustrated Barca. During the game Twitter was abuzz with condemnation for Drogba. It sounded out praise for the likes of Ramires, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole, who were all excellent.
Some will say that diving is just a part of the modern game. They'll (rightly) point out that I'm an old-schooler who has been reared on technique-light, commitment-heavy lower-league hoofball where crunching tackles (go Clint Hill!) are as much admired as tippy-tappy build-up play. But surely even long-time Premiership watchers agree that something really should be done to at least try and eradicate diving?
The truth is far too few yellows are brandished for diving and retrospective action against blatant divers is never taken. Action should be taken because dives can seriously alter the outcome of games and even seasons. Call me massively biased but can we all be sure that had Young not dived to reduce QPR to ten men after 15 minutes and win his side a pen that QPR wouldn't have got something out of that game? Should QPR end up being relegated - which, sadly, looks increasingly likely - Young's cheating will be contributory if even in a minor way. The cost of relegation? Reportedly £90 million. With this in mind, I'd like to see Young left out of the Euros squad. That would send a strong message, a message that cheats do not prosper. It'll never happen obviously. Unless they give the England manager job to me or Ian Holloway.
Mahoosive show-off Neymar ruins a sweet dribble by making a massive meal of a challenge:
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Stitched & Stitched sandals
ArchBlog is a big fan of Chris Moorby's ace men's (life)style blog Stitched & Stitched. It frequently flags up garms and stuff that is top banana yet under-appreciated by the mainstream. The latest S&S post is a great example of sarf Landan blogger Moorby's ability to unearth diamonds in the rough, sort the wheat from the chaff etc etc. He's tracked down the only dealer of Yuketen leather sandals in Europe (incidentally in Aarhus, Denmark) and styled and shot them really nicely. The sandals in question are wonderfully dorky and the height of geography teacher chic. W/o further ado, here are his snaps:
I also dig the braided version:
I also dig the braided version:
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Trailer heat: Ted talks!
To say I am insanely excited about seeing Ted is pretty much the understatement of the century. From the trailer (which was filed to ArchBlog by trailer nerd HanPicked) it looks like it will DEFINITELY be my favourite film ever (sorry The Cable Guy). Why? Because it is about a not cute teddy bear which talks (amazing) and no-one finds that weird (obvs). Oh yeah, and then Ted grows up to be a slacker dude who drives really badly, tweets and develops an overly needy and unhealthy bromance relationship with his friend (always love that in a film). Pretty much the perfect plotline. Trailer highlights are Ted a) in a suit b) smoking a bong c) fighting Marky Mark.
Oh shit, there's more. Marky and Ted have a thunder song. It's incredible, obviously. ps Why is Kunis always hassling them? It's so uncool of her.
Oh shit, there's more. Marky and Ted have a thunder song. It's incredible, obviously. ps Why is Kunis always hassling them? It's so uncool of her.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
QPR 2 Arsenal 1 (inc. Adel Taarabt's debut Barclays Premier League goal)
I consider it a dereliction of duty on my part that I've not already posted the YouTube vid of Adel Taarabt tearing apart Arsenal at Loftus Road. Sincere apols.
Taarbs might be a touch on the tubby side at present but he still has the ability to turn ANY game. Check out the way (1.30 onwards) he ghosts past Vermaelen for his first ever Barclays Premier League goal. As ever, ignore the horrific tinny "music" which sadly seems to accompany all Taarbs vids.
Taarbs might be a touch on the tubby side at present but he still has the ability to turn ANY game. Check out the way (1.30 onwards) he ghosts past Vermaelen for his first ever Barclays Premier League goal. As ever, ignore the horrific tinny "music" which sadly seems to accompany all Taarbs vids.
Demba Ba's strange addiction: Strawberry syrup
Over-rated toon gaffer Alan Pardew is surely hoping that Demba "Bring Me Syrup" Ba's decade-long "addiction" doesn't escalate into something more sinister and rehabilitating ...
Via Sano Papp (27/30)
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Mullaghmore Head, County Sligo, Ireland, March 2012
If you watch this and conclude that your life is really rather boring that is normal. And, please, rest assured you are not alone in wishing you had a) the balls and b) a mate with jet ski so you could spend your weekends riding monster waves in beautiful surroundings. This. Is. Living.
Fathoms Left to Fall - A Northcore Film from Northcore on Vimeo.
Facejacker: Augustine Kwmbe drives me crazy
The new series of Facejacker is quite superb. My fave character by far is wildly-inappropriate driving instructor Augustine Kwmbe. The way she torments her students is pure teevee gold. I also love how she says "bus."
& for those who have ever tried to get a Friday night table at up itself Notting Hill Italian Osteria Basilico here's Ja Fool fooling with them:
Via Besant The Younger
& for those who have ever tried to get a Friday night table at up itself Notting Hill Italian Osteria Basilico here's Ja Fool fooling with them:
Via Besant The Younger
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Monday, 2 April 2012
Smithfield Horse Fair: Horse gets a massive boner for copper
There was something about the way the garda gently checked for an electronic tag which MASSIVELY turned on the horse:
Location: Smithfield Horse Fair, Dublin
Pics by Mark Henderson
Via Broadsheet blog
Location: Smithfield Horse Fair, Dublin
Pics by Mark Henderson
Via Broadsheet blog
Palace Tailored by Umbro range - rad!
Skate label Palace Skateboards has collaborated with Umbro to make an Italia 90 themed collection of clobber. I'm really digging the vomitous (in a good way) blue 3rd strip (above). It reeks of QPR legend Paul Parker (also in a good way).
Here's a quote from Palace's Lev Tanju explaining the thinking behind the collabo: "I’ve always been reluctant to do any of those dumb obvious collaborations that make streetwear perverts happy: big garish headphones made out of Tyler the Creator’s bogeys or whatever. I don't think anyone saw this thing coming and that’s what I set out to do. Suuurprise, bitches!" If you'd like to read more about the genesis of this exciting collabo read this piece on the Umbro blog.
& here's the boozy Burberry-drenched vid they've made to tub-thump for the collection:
The Palace Tailored by Umbro range is available at Slam City Skates, Hideout, Present and all good skate shops across the UK
Taarabt hitting the pipe
After what he did to Vermaelen I couldn't care less about what Taarbs smokes in his free time. And, yes, that is Chamakh in the tight white tee.
Urgent champers delivery for Chancellor George
Given the Tories ongoing concerns about being considered the party of privilege, I'm surprised Osborne was dumb enough not to have these crates of bubbly delivered up his tradesman's entrance.
I wonder what was the cause for celebration? It can't have been #pastygate? Or the damaging Cruddas cash for access scandal? Perhaps one of gorgeous George's butlers supports QPR and had just learned of the 2-1 win over Arsenal? Who knows.
Via Sano Papp
I wonder what was the cause for celebration? It can't have been #pastygate? Or the damaging Cruddas cash for access scandal? Perhaps one of gorgeous George's butlers supports QPR and had just learned of the 2-1 win over Arsenal? Who knows.
Via Sano Papp
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