The 7 Stadiums You HAVE to See Before You Die

Wembley (England):The first stadium on this list is also one of the newest. Opened in 2007, Wembley boasts an impressive 90,000 capacity and is the home of English football making it a must for any real football fan.

San Siro (AC & Inter Milan):Home to both AC and Inter Milan (Internazionale), this stadium has seen some of the greatest games to ever take place in football, and although the Milan teams aren't what they once were, the stadium is still a sight to behold.

Camp Nou (Barcelona):With a capacity of just over 99,000 the Camp Nou is a terrifying place for fans and players alike. The ground has seen some of the best players in history; and right now might just be the best yet as Barcelona have the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez.

Soccer City (FNB Stadium, South Africa):The main stadium in the 2010 World Cup, Soccer City is every bit impressive as it is big. Although the Vuvuzelas didn’t help the atmosphere in the World Cup.

Floating Stadium Singapore (2007):This stadium is on the list not for its size, but for how unique it is. The pitch is situated in a river and thus has become known as the floating stadium.

Celtic Park (1892):The oldest and greenest stadium on this list, Celtic park has survived many of the world's historic events including two World Wars. Scottish football is going through a tough period but Celtic Park is still one of the best grounds in the world

Signal Iduna Park (1974):Also known as Westfalenstadion, Signal Iduna Park is home to some of the loudest fans in football. The main stand has become known as the yellow wall, due to the home fans all wearing the yellow shirts of Dortmund.

Sports

The 7 Stadiums You HAVE to See Before You Die

Admin Thursday, 24 March 2016

6 Footballers Turned Brilliant Actors

What do you do, when you hang up your boots. Well, here are 6 example of professional footballers who took up or attempted acting once they retired.

David Beckham -Becks has appeared as himself in all three of the legendary ‘Goal’ movies as a friend to ‘Santiago Munez’. He also appeared in a special episode of the British comedy sitcom, ‘Only Fools and Horses’. He even had a cameo in the film ‘The Man From UNCLE’.

Pele -Pele is perhaps the most recognisable footballer on the face of the planet, the Brazilian has starred in nearly half a dozen projects, including television series. There’s the famous ‘Escape to Victory / Victory’ (1981) with his glorious bicycle kick shown in slow-motion. And he can also be seen in ‘A Minor Miracle’ (1983) where he helps a bunch of orphans trying to save their home. While in the ‘Hotshot’ (1987) he acts as a mentor to a young American football player.

Ian Wright -Ian Wright has enjoyed much success on the pitch for the English national team and for clubs like Arsenal and West Ham; post-playing career he’s had quite a prolific career as a television and radio presenter putting him square. As a football pundit for BT Sport and the BBC. ‘Sun of the Black Gun’ was his first film on the big screen. Wright plays a Brit Gangster. Many reviewers have called him the best thing about the otherwise terrible film.

Carlo Ancelotti -Former Italian midfielder and future Bayern Munich manager flirted with a side career in acting during the 1980s. The 1983, Italian comedy, The World of Don Camillo, was about a priest who coaches the town’s football team in a match an “evil” team aptly named the “Devils”. Ancelotti played a footballer on the “Devils” who has more than a handful of nasty tricks up his sleeve that are ignored by the corrupt referee.

Eric Cantona -As a Manchester United player, he won five Premier League titles, two League and two FA Cups. Cantona has long retired but he’s made quite a successful jump to a full time acting career. Starting off with Shekar Kapur’s Oscar winning, ‘Elizabeth’ (1998) he’s already acted in over two dozen movies, with most of them being French. Recently he has been a part of ‘The Mad Kings’ and ‘The Salvation’.

Vinnie Jones -Jones has been the most successful in making the transition from professional Footballer to professional actor. The Welsh midfield enforcer has had over 350 premiere league appearances for clubs like Chelsea and Leeds United. However when he made his acting debut with Guy Ritchie’s Brit Gangster flick, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ (1998). He usually plays the tough guys which is reflective of his on-field persona as a brawler.

He had much success with ‘Snatch’ where he played the invincible Bullet Tooth Tony and later played a disgraced footballer in ‘Mean Machine’. His big moment came, when he appeared as the Juggernaut in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’.

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6 Footballers Turned Brilliant Actors

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Harry Kane and Pochettino: An Inspiring Story

When seen in terms of football religion I am not supposed to praise our West London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs. But, being a true football romantic or enthusiast I can't ignore the sublime work which is being done by Mauricio Pochettino is doing at White Hart Lane and especially regarding the inspiring Harry Kane.

Such a story is quite rare in football nowadays where a player who has come up through the youth ranks and have gone on to establish himself as one of the league's elite. We as fans are impatient. We want success and that too at a moment's notice. To fulfill this short term desire, majority of the clubs with huge monetary backing resort to buy world class talent, which serves two obvious purposes- One, the fans are happy that big name players are donning their club badge; Two, better players means a better chance of lifting a trophy and thus creating some much needed history.

When Pochettino came into the scene at Tottenham, he was under immense pressure after the rut Spurs were in after. Tim Sherewood left the club after being at the helm for a short spell, a period which saw their most revered player, Gareth Bale move to Real Madrid in a big money deal.

Pochettino had to refurnish the squad if he had to make them top 4 contenders. With the Bale money, he did bring in quality players like Soldado, Lamela and Eriksen but unfortunately, things were not clicking. Spurs were looking like an unfinished product in need for that one final piece of the puzzle.

Where most managers would look for the weak link, sell that player and take a gamble on a new one, Pochettino looked for one within, one who understood the Spurs language and spirit. Out came Harry Kane, and what a revelation he has been ever since he dawned the first team jersey in the 2014/15 season.

After coming back from a loan spell from Leicester City, he had a standout season scoring 32 goals in all competitions. Many couldn't fathom the fact that a Spurs trainee was keeping the likes of Roberto Soldado on the bench, and expressed doubts on the fact whether he will be able to continue this form into next season or not.

The doubts have been answered. Tottenham are sitting in second place with an assured Champions league spot with Kane scoring 26 goals in all competitions. He has turned out to be the perfect striker and the missing link which Spurs were desperately searching for. He has the balance to adjust himself in tight spaces and also has the vision and the skill to go with it. His hattrick against Chelsea at the start of last year was one of the most smooth and majestic performances I have seen in quite sometime. He he still doesn't cease to amaze.

Pochettino has to be given a shout out here. Many talents are brewing in the youth ranks of big clubs nowadays. But, hardly a handful get the chance to excel at the top stage. This has to come down to the attitude of the managers. Are they courageous enough to field a bright 18 year old in the midfield? Will they place their trust in the hands (or rather feet) of a youngster? Pochettino did that. Not only did he give Kane a deserved chance, more importantly, he trusted and placed is faith in him and Kane has repaid tenfold.

Words like 'trust' and 'faith' are idealistic terms in the realistic world of football. The Pochettino and Kane is an inspiring story from which other teams should deduce some lessons and morals and implement the same.

Football , Sports

Harry Kane and Pochettino: An Inspiring Story

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പൊന്നാനി പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷന് മുന്നിലെ വാഹനങ്ങൾ വീണ്ടും പഴയപടിതന്നെ..

പൊന്നാനി-ചാവക്കാട് ദേശീയപാതയിലെ പൊന്നാനി പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷന് മുന്നില്‍ വീണ്ടും വാഹനങ്ങള കുന്നുകൂടി. നേരത്തെ ഇവിടെ നിന്നും നീക്കിയ വാഹനങ്ങള്‍
പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷന്‍ പരിസരത്തുനിന്ന് നൂറ് മീറ്റര്‍ അകലെ ആനപ്പടി പെട്രോള്‍പമ്പിന് മുന്നിലായി കുറ്റിപ്പുറം-പുതുപൊന്നാനി നിര്‍ദിഷ്ട ദേശീയപാതയോരത്താണ് ഇട്ടിരുന്നത്.. ദേശീയപാതയുടെ പണികൾ പുരോഗമിക്കുന്നതിനാൽ അവിടെയുള്ള വാഹനങ്ങള്‍ ലേലത്തിൽ വിറ്റൊഴിവാക്കിയിരുന്നു. 

എന്നാലിപ്പോൾ പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷന്‍ പരിസരത്ത് വാഹനങ്ങള്‍ പഴയപടി കൂട്ടിയിട്ട അവസ്ഥയാണുള്ളത്. ഇതുമൂലം പാമ്പ് ഉള്പ്പടെ യുള്ള ക്ഷുദ്രജീവികളുടെ താവളമായി പരിസരം മാറിയിരിക്കുന്നു.. ഇത് പരിസരവാസികള്‍ക്കും വഴിയത്രക്കാർക്കും വലിയബുദ്ധിമുട്ട് ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നു.

ഫോട്ടോ/റിപ്പോർട്ട്‌: മുഹമ്മദ് നവാസ് കൊടംബിയകം

Kerala , Ponnani

പൊന്നാനി പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷന് മുന്നിലെ വാഹനങ്ങൾ വീണ്ടും പഴയപടിതന്നെ..

Admin Sunday, 20 March 2016

ശോചനീയമായ പൊന്നാനിയുടെ മത്സ്യ മാംസ മാർക്കറ്റുകൾ.. ആധുനിക വല്ക്കരിക്കാനുള്ള നടപടികളിലേക്ക്...

പൊന്നാനി നഗരസഭ 35 മത് വാർഡിൽ ആവിക്കുളത്ത് സ്ഥിതി ചെയ്യുന്ന മുനിസിപ്പൽ മത്സ്യ-മാംസ മാർക്കറ്റുകൾ പത്തു വർഷത്തോളമായി ശോചനീയാവസ്ഥയിലാണ്.. 

ഇത്രയും കാലം ലൈസൻസ് പുതുക്കാനോ വാടക പിരിക്കാനോ അറ്റകുറ്റപണികൾ നടത്താനോ അധികൃതർ മിനക്കെട്ടിട്ടില്ല. അഞ്ചുപേർ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന അറവുശാലയിൽ ഇപ്പോൾ രണ്ടുപേർ മാത്രമാണുള്ളത് . മത്സ്യ മാർക്കറ്റിന്റെതും സമാന സ്ഥിതിയാണ്. 

മത്സ്യ മാംസ മാർക്കറ്റുകൾ ആധുനികവൽക്കരിക്കാനുള്ള പദ്ധതികൾ അടുത്ത നഗരസഭ ബജറ്റിൽ ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തി വേഗത്തിൽ ആരംഭിക്കും എന്ന് സ്ഥലം കൌൺസിലറും പ്രതിപക്ഷ നേതാവുമായ നിസാർ "നമ്മുടെ പൊന്നാനി"യെ
അറിയിച്ചു.

റിപ്പോർട്ട്‌ : മുഹമ്മദ്‌ നവാസ് കോടംബിയകം

Kerala , Ponnani

ശോചനീയമായ പൊന്നാനിയുടെ മത്സ്യ മാംസ മാർക്കറ്റുകൾ.. ആധുനിക വല്ക്കരിക്കാനുള്ള നടപടികളിലേക്ക്...

Admin

അയിരൂരിലെ സംഘർഷം : വർഗീയവൽക്കരിക്കാൻ ശ്രമം

അയിരൂരിലെ ക്ഷേത്രോൽസവത്തോടനുബന്ധിച്ചുണ്ടായ സംഘർഷം വർഗീയ വൽക്കരിക്കാൻ സംഘ് പരിവാർ സംഘടനകളുടെ ആസൂത്രിത ശ്രമം .ഇതിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി ഹിന്ദു ഐക്യവേദി വിഷയം ആളിക്കത്തിക്കാനാണ് ശ്രമം .ഇത് മതേതര വിശ്വാസികൾ തിരിച്ചറിയണം .

അയിരൂരിലെ പുന്നുള്ളി ഭദ്രകാളി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ ഉൽസവത്തിനാണ് സംഘർഷമുണ്ടായത്. രണ്ട് പ്രദേശത്തുകാർ തമ്മിലുണ്ടായ സംഘർഷത്തെ വർഗീയവൽക്കരിച്ച് ജനങ്ങൾക്കിടയിൽ ഭിന്നതയുണ്ടാക്കാനാണ് സംഘ് പരിവാർ സംഘടനകൾ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത് . 

ഒരു വിഭാഗം ക്ഷേത്രം തകർത്തു എന്നും നിലവിളക്ക് തകർത്തു എന്ന വ്യാജ പ്രചരണങ്ങളാണ് ഇവർ നടത്തുന്നതെന്ന് പോലിസ് പറഞ്ഞു .കാഴ്ചവരുന്നതിനിടയിൽ ബൈക്കുമായി എത്തിയ മുജീബിനെയും സുഹൃത്ത് നിഥിനെയും ഒരു വിഭാഗം ക്രൂരമായി മർദ്ധിച്ചതാണ് സംലീഷങ്ങളുടെ തുടക്കം . അതിന് പകരം വീട്ടാൻ സുഹൃത്തുക്കളെയും കൂട്ടിയെത്തിയ സംഘം അമ്പലപ്പറമ്പിൽ കണ്ണിൽ കണ്ടവരെയല്ലാം അടിച്ചോടിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു .പലതും അടിച്ച് തകർത്തു .ഈ ആക്രമണത്തിൽ ഉത്സവത്തിന് ഉയർത്തിയ കൊടി താഴെ വീണു .ആൽത്തറയിലെ നിലവിളിക്കും വീണു .ഇതാണ് ക്ഷേത്രം തകർക്കാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചതായി കാണിച്ച് ഒരു വിഭാഗം വ്യാജ പ്രചരണം നടത്തുന്നത് . പൂരം കാണാനെത്തിയ എരമംഗലം സ്വദേശിയുടെ ഓട്ടോ കത്തിച്ചു .കച്ചവടക്കാരിൽ പലരെയും തല്ലിയോടിച്ചു .തണ്ണിത്തുറയിൽ നിന്നെത്തിയ ഒരു കൂട്ടം ആളുകളാണ് ആക്രമണത്തിന് പിന്നിൽ . ആക്രമത്തിൽ പങ്കാളിയായ 4 പേരേ പോലിസ് അറസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട് .

പ്രാദേശികമായി ഉണ്ടായ സംഘർഷത്തിൽ രാഷ്ട്രിയ പാർട്ടികൾക്ക് നേരിട്ട് പങ്കില്ലെന്നാണ് അന്വേഷണത്തിൽ മനസ്സിലായതെന്ന് തിരൂർ ഡി വൈ എസ് പി വേണുഗോപാൽ പറഞ്ഞു .ഇതിന്റെ മറ പിടിച്ച് വർഗീയ പ്രചരണം നടത്തുന്നത് അവസാനിപ്പിക്കണമെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം കൂട്ടിച്ചേർത്തു . 

ഉൽസവത്തിനോടനുബന്ധിച്ചുണ്ടായ സംഘർഷം വർഗീയ വൽക്കരിക്കാനുള്ള ഒരു വിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ ശ്രമം മുളയിലെ നുള്ളിക്കളയണമെന്ന് സി.പി എം. ,കോൺഗ്രസ് ,ലീഗ് ,ജനതാദൾ ,എസ് ഡി പി ഐ താങ്ങിയ പാർട്ടികളുടെ ഭാരവാഹികൾ പറഞ്ഞു . 

കഴിഞ്ഞ ഒന്നര മാസത്തിനിടയിൽ പൊന്നാനി താലൂക്കിൽ ഉണ്ടായ എല്ലാ പൂരങ്ങളിലും പ്രാദേശികമായ സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ട് . മഞ്ചേരിയിൽ സി പി എം പ്രവർത്തകരെ ആർ എസ് എസുകാർ മർദ്ധിച്ചവശരാക്കിയിരുന്നു . ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിലെ കാഴ്ച കൊണ്ട് വരുന്നതും മറ്റും രാഷ്ട്രീയ പാർട്ടികൾ ഇടപെട്ട് നടത്താൻ തുടങ്ങിയതാണ് സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ വർധിക്കാൻ കാരണം . 

അയിരൂരിലെ സംഭവങ്ങളുടെ പശ്ചാത്തലത്തിൽ പുറത്ത് നിന്നെത്തിയ സംഘ്പരിവാർ പ്രവർത്തകരാണ് വർഗീയ ചേരിതിരിവ് ഉണ്ടാക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത്.ഇന്നലെ പോലീസിന്റെ സാന്നിധ്യത്തിൽ നടന്ന സർവകക്ഷി യോഗത്തിൽ സംഭവങ്ങളെ വർഗീയ വൽക്കരിക്കാൻ ശ്രമിച്ച സംഘ്പരിവാർ നേതാക്കന്മാർ കനത്ത വിമർശനമാണ് നേരിട്ടത് . നമ്മുടെ നാടിന്റെ ഐക്യം തകർക്കാൻ ആരെയും അനുവദിക്കരുത് .പ്രാദേശികമായി എല്ലാ പൂരങ്ങൾക്കിടയിലും ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ പോലുള്ള ഒന്നാണ് ഇവിടെയും സംഭവിച്ചത് .ഇതിനെ വർഗീയ വർഗീയവൽക്കരിക്കരുത് .നാടിന്റെ സമാധാനം കളയരുത് . 


Faqrudheen Panthavor

Kerala , Ponnani

അയിരൂരിലെ സംഘർഷം : വർഗീയവൽക്കരിക്കാൻ ശ്രമം

Admin

പൊന്നാനിയിൽ U D F സ്ഥാനാർത്ഥിയായി യൂത്ത് കോൺഗ്രസ് നേതാവ് സിദ്ധീഖ് പന്താവൂരിന് സാധ്യത

കോൺഗ്രസിൽ ഇനിയും പൊന്നാനിയിൽ ആര് മൽസരിക്കണമെന്ന് പാർട്ടി ഔദ്യോഗികമായി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചിട്ടില്ല . അജയ്മോഹന്റെ സാധ്യത മങ്ങുന്ന വാർത്തകളാണ് ലഭിക്കുന്നത് .സുധീരൻ നോമിനിയായി പൊന്നാനിയിൽ ഗ്രൂപ്പിനതീതനായ സിദ്ധിഖ് പന്താവൂരിനെ മൽസരിപ്പിക്കാൻ ശക്തമായ സമ്മർദ്ധമുണ്ട് .

യൂത്ത് കോൺഗ്രസ് സെക്രട്ടറികൂടിയായ സിദ്ധിഖ് പൊന്നാനി തിരിച്ചുപിടിക്കുമെന്നാണ് സുധീരന്റെ വാദം . 

കോൺഗ്രസിലെ ഉൾപ്പോര് ഇനിയും തീർന്നിട്ടില്ലെന്നാണ് മനസ്സിലാകുന്നത് .

Kerala , Ponnani

പൊന്നാനിയിൽ U D F സ്ഥാനാർത്ഥിയായി യൂത്ത് കോൺഗ്രസ് നേതാവ് സിദ്ധീഖ് പന്താവൂരിന് സാധ്യത

Admin Saturday, 19 March 2016

പൊന്നാനിയിൽ ആർഎസ്‌എസ്‌ അക്രമം..

സിപിഐ(എം) ജില്ല കമ്മിറ്റി അംഗം ടി.എം സിദ്ദീഖിന്റെ സഹോദരിയുടെ മകനും Dyfi പ്രവർത്തകനുമായ സഖാവ്‌ മുജീബിനെ ആർഎസ്‌എസുകാർ വെട്ടി പരിക്കേൽപിച്ചത്‌..തലയിൽ സാരമായ പരിക്കുണ്ട്‌..

പ്രദേശത്ത്‌ കഴിഞ്ഞ കുറച്ച്‌ കാലങ്ങളായി അക്രമം അഴിച്ച്‌ വിട്ട്‌ സംഘർഷ ഭൂമിയാക്കാനുള്ള ശ്രമത്തിലാണ്‌ ആർഎസ്‌എസ്‌..പൊന്നാനിയിലെ പ്രമുഖ കോൺഗ്രസ്സ്‌ നേതാവിന്റെ സംരക്ഷണവും ഇവർക്കുണ്ട്‌..അത്‌ കൊണ്ട്‌ തന്നെ പോലിസും നിഷ്‌ക്രിയരാണ്‌..

കേരളത്തിന്റെ  പല ഭാഗങ്ങളിലായി ഇലക്ഷൻ അടുപ്പിച്ച്‌ സിപിഎമ്മിനെതിരെ അക്രമം അഴിച്ച്‌ വിട്ട്‌ പാർട്ടിയുടെ ചെറുത്ത്‌ നിൽപ്പ്‌ പോലും ഉയർത്തി കാണിച്ച്‌ അക്രമകാരികളാക്കി ചിത്രീകരിക്കാനുള്ള UDF-BJP കൂട്ടുകെട്ടിന്റെ ഗൂഢതന്ത്രമാണ്‌ പൊന്നാനിയിലും നടക്കുന്നത്‌ എന്നാണു ആരോപണം 

Kerala , Ponnani

പൊന്നാനിയിൽ ആർഎസ്‌എസ്‌ അക്രമം..

Admin

Building a Dynasty- Bravery from the Glazers

10 years ago it would have been weird to praise the Glazer family for planning a management scenario that very well could fall on its face. I'm not talking about Moyes, I'm talking about what the Glazers made plain when they signed Louis Van Gaal- Ryan Giggs will be his assistant manager and LVG will be mentoring him as he teaches Giggsy how to be the manager of a club like Manchester United. How to cope with the pressure. How to deal with the players, when they're well-behaved and when they're not. How to bring youth players through and how to keep expectations down (or at least attempt to) in press conferences with the media. How to deal with the press. How to deal with family crises and how to sign players and find those players like Martial- that are mostly ignored by the media thus far but have real talent. How to deal with young talent and the various egos in the team.

It's a tall order to do in 3 years. Ever since his arrival the media and fans have been trying to sign Van Gaal's death certificate as manager of Manchester United. The Glazers and Ed Woodward have remained silent about his position; always the best course when dealing with media speculation. But between slamming LVG and guessing who his replacement will be (Klopp? Pep? Mourinho? Everyone who's ever managed a football team?) the media (and many fans) have missed just who is standing on the sidelines next to LVG. Absorbing. Learning. And preparing for his chance. A chance that seems to have been guaranteed by the Glazers almost two years ago when LVG was appointed manager and that they have never once said wouldn't happen or wasn't still the plan.

The fact is, we all know who United's next manager is. And what is incredibly apparent is that the Glazers (who fans targeted when they bought the club for, among other things, ignoring the club's history) are going to honor the club's history of hiring another long-term manager. That manager will be Ryan Giggs. The Glazers' plan was even given a vote of approval and confidence from the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson when Sir Alex said that he though Giggs would be a good manager and if he'd known when he was manager that that was the direction Giggs wanted to go in he'd have trained him himself.

Maybe it would physically hurt the headline writers to give praise to the Glazers about sticking with their plan. Already there have been headlines that they should have gone for Pep instead of keeping LVG or going for Giggs. That Giggs should be put on the backburner for the Mourinho Tornado to blow through town. Some have suggested that Giggs should look at a smaller club to manage before even thinking about United. But isn't it simply amazing that in a period where Arsene Wenger looks to be the last long-serving manager before management becomes a 3-5 year circus of rotating doors the Glazers have looked at it and said, "Nope, we're sticking with Giggs."

According to United insiders, LVG has directed things at the club from afar to some degree, instructing those who will be there after he's gone in how to do things, how to build for the future and maintain that level of quality. To prevent what happened when Sir Alex retired from happening again but also to leave United on a steadier course. LVG gets plenty of stick for things happening on the pitch but if Ryan Giggs succeeds as manager of Manchester United as City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and more import their managers from Europe then there can be no denying that LVG's reign at United will have been a success. In a time where football fans and the media only care about the here and now, the Glazers and United have been looking to the future. Plotting out a future.

It's all against Giggs to succeed. How many players will come to United because of his name? Especially with Pep and Klopp already in the PL and Luis Enrique building a dynasty of his own in Barcelona? How many papers, pundits, and more will lambast him the minute United lose and if they lose 2 in a row, how many will say it was a mistake for them to pick Giggs? How will he cope being the boss of players he once played with? Yet if he succeeds how much noise will the media be making about the courage and foresight of the Glazers? I have the feeling that it will be quiet on that front.

Fans these days are as fickle as the papers. Will they give Giggs the respect that they have denied LVG from the start? Will Giggs be blamed for everything that goes wrong just as LVG is? Perhaps that is the real question awaiting Giggs' ascendance. Sir Alex asked for Moyes to be given time and patience from the fans; Moyes got neither. LVG is in the same position, though the Glazers have a changed game plan set in place. That, thus far, shows no signs of wavering.

I'm glad it hasn't. United fans have been incredibly spoilt and were due a reality check and a helping of humble pie. Every club needs that every so often, lest the fans become as conceited as the media allege Zlatan and CR7 are. United won't drop as far as Liverpool have. Certainly not as far as Chelsea did this past season. Fans might want to be winning trophies but creating a new project as United is, that seems a bit too optimistic even for me the perpetual optimist. I think for fans it's easy to forget that throwing money at the club doesn't actually help it. Otherwise City and Chelsea would be winning trebles or maybe even the quadruple every year given how much their owners have invested.

The other clubs are building teams for the year; United is looking to build a dynasty with Ryan Giggs at the helm. That takes bravery in this day and age of football. But it also takes patience. Everyone would do well to remember that. Would anything be worse than watching Ryan Giggs crucified by the papers and the fans simply because the Premier League lives up to its billing as one of the most unpredictable leagues in football today?

Football , Sports

Building a Dynasty- Bravery from the Glazers

Admin

What could have been for Villa and Newcastle

The French Ligue 1 is a hot-spot for Premier League clubs looking to capture young and exciting talents at low-rate prices and grabbing these unknowns has proven beneficial to many English clubs in the past. Famous for these transfers are Arsenal, who have been using the knowledge and influence of French manager, Arsene Wenger, to exploit a huge pool of quality players for the past ten years. Inspired by the successes of former bargains the Ligue 1 has delivered, relegation troubled Newcastle United and Aston Villa more recently have been throwing the millions at clubs over in France, but in doing so have invested a majority of their transfer budgets to no real avail.

The failed signings both Villa and Newcastle have made are economically and tactically damaging to both teams as a whole. In fact, eight players have arrived in the Midlands and the Tyneside over the past two seasons and all eight have failed to make any significant impact to either team whilst costing the pair a combined total of £62million. This would make one think that signing players from Ligue 1 is now a waste of time, however looking at two of the signings of the season, Dimitri Payet and N’Golo Kante, who arrived from Marseille and Caen retrospectively; you would have to then question the scouting of the two struggling teams. Is it a flawed transfer policy that has been a main factor in the dismal seasons Villa and Newcastle have suffered?

Starting with Rafael Benetiz’s newly inherited Newcastle, and their half of Ligue 1 signing woes; Florian Thauvin signed from Marseille for £13.76m, Henri Saviet from Bordeaux for £4.5m, and going back to last season, they signed Remy Cabella from Montpellier for £7.5m and finally Emmanuel Riviere from Monaco for £4.74m. Statistically it just gets worse when you look at their transfer history, only two league goals and league assist between the flustered four was the return Newcastle got for a whopping £30.5m. That’s insane.

And it doesn’t get much better for Aston Villa, who from their four French league failures had a Premier League return of five goals and zero assists from £31.5m. In comparison to the Magpies it looks a little better but it should also be noted that any of Villa’s French league impact has all come from one man, Jordan Ayew, who bagged all five of the recorded goals, so maybe it is harsh to label Ayew a failure, he could be in the wrong pond. The other three named and shamed here include Idrissa Gueye who cost them £6.75m from Lorient, Jordan Veretout who cost £7.5m from Nantes and Jordan Amavi who cost £8.25m from OG Nice. The former here, Jordan Amavi, the only one who’s shown any sign of living up to his price-tag before unfortunate injuries.

Although I’m solely focusing on exchanges with the Ligue 1 because of its relevance and pattern to the Premier League, there has been an overall misstep in signings in both Newcastle and Villa. Their aim has been to sign players that aren’t necessarily proven greats in the current game but to sign pure potential power – in my opinion, without thorough scouting and based intelligence this isn’t the way teams should be throwing all their focus at. That said however, it can be done, cc; Dimitri Payet to West Ham for £10.7m and N’Golo Kante to Leicester for £5.6m.

In an alternate world, Newcastle’s Dimitri Payet pushes the toon to a top 4 finish and Villa’s N’Golo Kante keeps Villa well above the relegation waters. Nevertheless, there’s obviously much more to a team’s season performance than just signings, in Bilic and Ranieri, West Ham and Leicester have men much more capable than those left in charge of Newcastle and Villa, but that isn’t to say it could have been so much more should they have prevailed in the summer and winter windows.

Football , Sports

What could have been for Villa and Newcastle

Admin Friday, 18 March 2016

നവതിയുടെ നിറവിൽ മഹാകവി അക്കിത്തം!

വെളിച്ചം ദു:ഖമാണുണ്ണി തമസ്സല്ലോ സുഖപ്രദം എന്ന രണ്ടു വരിയിലൂടെ മലയാളിമനസിൽ ഇടംനേടിയ മഹാകവി അക്കിത്തത്തിന് നവതി. പാലക്കാട് കുമരനെല്ലൂരിലെ ദേവായനത്തിന്റെ ഉമ്മറത്ത് നിലവിളക്കുപോലെ ശോഭിക്കുന്ന മഹാകവി ഇന്നും നന്മയുടെ നല്ലവാക്കുകളേകുന്നു.

കുമരനെല്ലൂരിലെ ഒരു ചെറുകുന്നിറക്കിലാണ് ദേവായനം. മലയാളക്കരയിൽ ശേഷിക്കുന്ന ഏക മഹാകവിയുടെ തറവാട്. പൂമുഖത്ത് അക്കിത്തം എന്ന ത്രക്ഷരിയിൽ ഒതുങ്ങുന്ന അക്കിത്തം അച്യുതൻ നമ്പൂതിരി. പ്രായം വരുത്തിയ ബലഹീനതകളുണ്ടെങ്കിലും തൊണ്ണൂറിന്റെ ധന്യതയിലും സന്തോഷവാൻ. നിശബ്ദമായ ചെറുപുഞ്ചിരിയിലൂടെ ഇൗശ്വരനോട് നന്ദി പറയുന്നു.

1934 ന് മുമ്പുളള ഏതോ ദിവസം.ഏഴര വയസിൽ ഹരിമംഗലം ക്ഷേത്രത്തിന്റെ ചുവരിൽ കോറിയിട്ട നാലുവരിക്കവിതയിലൂടെ അക്കിത്തം അച്യുതൻ നമ്പൂതിരി സാഹിത്യത്തിന്റെ പടികയറുകയായിരുന്നു. ക്ഷേത്ര ചുവരുകളിൽ കുട്ടികൾ കരിക്കട്ടകൊണ്ട് കുത്തിവരച്ചപ്പോൾ അക്കിത്തം അതേ ചുമരിൽ ഇങ്ങനെയെഴുതീ.അമ്പലങ്ങളിലീ തുമ്പില്ലാതെ വരയ്ക്കുകിൽ വമ്പനാമീശ്വരൻ വന്നിട്ടെമ്പാടും നാശമാക്കീടും. ഇതായിരുന്നു അക്കിത്തം ആദ്യമായി കുറിച്ച ശ്ളോകം.

ഇടശേരിയും വിടി ഭട്ടതിരിപ്പാടും ഉറൂബുമൊക്കെയാണ് അക്കിത്തത്തിന്റെ കാവ്യമനസിന് കരുത്തായത്. തൃശൂരും കോഴിക്കോടും ആകാശവാണിയിലൂടെ വളർന്ന സൗഹൃദങ്ങളേറെ. 1952 ലെ ഇരുപതാംനൂറ്റാണ്ടിന്റെ ഇതിഹാസം ഉൾപ്പെടെ മലയാള സാഹിത്യത്തിൽ തലപ്പൊക്കമാർന്ന ഒട്ടധികം രചനകൾ സൃഷ്ടിച്ച അക്കിത്തം വിപ്ളവ വഴികളിൽ നിന്ന് ദൈവാന്വേഷണത്തിലേക്ക് തിരിഞ്ഞതും മലയാളക്കര വായിച്ചറിഞ്ഞു. ഇഎംഎസിനോടുളള അടുപ്പം സൂക്ഷിക്കുമ്പോഴും കമ്യൂണിസം പഠിച്ചത് വേദങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നാണെന്ന് കവി ഉറക്കെ പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. മഹാകവിയെക്കുറിച്ചും കൃതികളെക്കുറിച്ചുമുളള നിരവധി നിരൂപണങ്ങൾ രചനകളായും മലയാളത്തിലുണ്ട്.

ഇന്നിപ്പോൾ യാത്രകൾ കഴിവതും ഒഴിവാക്കി.പത്രവായനയ്ക്ക് മാറ്റമില്ല. എഴുത്തില്ലെങ്കിലും മറവിയുടെ പിടിയിൽ പെടാതെ മരുന്നുപോലെ ആശ്വാസമേകുന്നത് ശ്ളോകങ്ങളാണ്.

ഏഴരക്കൊല്ലം െകാല്ലംകൊ പൂർത്തിയായ ശ്രീമദ് ഭാഗവതം ഉൾപ്പെടെ നാലു പ്രധാന വിവർത്തനങ്ങൾ.നാടകവും , ചെറുകഥകളും.ഇങ്ങനെ നാൽപതിൽ അധികം പുസ്കങ്ങളുടെ രചന.. സാഹിത്യസംഭാവനയ്ക്ക് ലഭിച്ച കേന്ദ്ര കേരള സാഹിത്യ അക്കാദമികളുടേതടക്കം 15 പുരസ്കാരങ്ങൾ ദേവായനത്തിന്റെ സ്വീകരണമുറിയെ അലങ്കരിക്കുന്നു. പിറന്നാൾ ആഘോഷം ആഡംബമല്ലെങ്കിലും മക്കളും സഹൃദയരുമെല്ലാം ഒത്തുകൂടും. നാൾവഴി പ്രകാരം മീന ഭരണിദിനമായ ഏപ്രിൽ ഒൻപതിനാണ് അക്കിത്തത്തിന്റെ പിറന്നാൾ. വേദഗ്രാമമായ കടവല്ലൂർ അന്യോന്യത്തിലാണ് പിറന്നാൾ ചടങ്ങുകൾ.

Current Affairs , Inspiring , mallu , കേരള വാർത്തകൾ

നവതിയുടെ നിറവിൽ മഹാകവി അക്കിത്തം!

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Top 5 Most Valued Footballers On Stats

These are 5 players who have been in spectacular form all season, and will likely attract a lot of interest in the summer:

Pierre Aubameyang

Team: Borussia Dortmund FC

Position: Striker / Winger

Stats: Scored 33 goals in 39 matches this season.

Nationality: Gabonese

Market value: £53 Million

Aubameyang is fast, skillful and lethal in front of goal. Aubameyang has been the star for Borussia Dortmund and been leading the way from the front. His performances have attracted interest all across Europe, and has even got him the African Player of The Year Award. Recently Aubameyang mentioned that he promised his grandfather that he would play for Real Madrid one day. He is currently 26 Years old.

Possible Destinations: Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United

Robert Lewandowski

Team: Bayern Munich FC

Position: Striker / Winger

Stats: Scored 34 goals in 37 Games

Nationality: Polish

Market value: £70 Million

Lewandowski has been a scoring machine in the Bundesliga for the last 6 years, this year he even came on as a substitute for Bayern and scored 5 goals in 9 minutes. He looks likely to win the league title again with Munich and is on track to winning his first Champions League medal.

Possible Destinations: Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea

Mesut Ozil

Team: Arsenal FC

Position: Midfielder / Winger

Stats: Assisted 18 goals in the league this season.

Nationality: German

Market value: £40 Million

Mesut Ozil has been sensational in the Premier League this season and is topping the assists chart. Arsenal are not having the best of seasons and rumours are spreading that Ozil may look to move on to a new club.

Possible Teams: Bayern Munich, Barcelona

Thomas Muller

Team: FC Bayern Munich

Position: Striker / Winger

Stat: Scored 27 goals this season

Nationality: German

Market value: £50 Million

Thomas Muller might not be the most entertaining footballer in the world, but he is one of the most efficient players. He is a midfielder, a striker, a winger and when his team needs him- a defensive winger.

Possible Destinations: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea

David De Gea

Team: Manchester United FC

Position: Goalkeeper

Stat: The best keeper in England

Nationality: Spanish

Market value: £30 Million

No matter how weak Manchester United might seem, he seems to be the wall opposition can’t break easily. De Gea has evolved to become the best goalkeeper in the Premier league and arguably in the world.

Possible Destination: Real Madrid

Football , Sports

Top 5 Most Valued Footballers On Stats

Admin Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Petrol and diesel Price Hiked..

Price of petrol and diesel has been raised by ₹3.07 and ₹1.90 per litre respectively. The change in price is set to take effect from 12pm tonight. The prices were last revised on the day of the Union Budget on February 29, when the price was reduced. Now, petrol will cost ₹59.68 per litre in Delhi while diesel will lighten the pockets by ₹48.33 a litre. Indian Oil Corporation(IOC) said in a statement that global crude oil prices and Indian rupee-US dollar exchange rates are the reason for the hike.

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Petrol and diesel Price Hiked..

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How This Yankee Became a United Fan

It's kind of a stereotype for United fans that the majority of them are international fans. Glory hunter, plastic fan, I've heard that before. But perhaps it's a fair question; just why does an American with no attachments to Manchester (that I know of, anyway; I have ancestors who came from England and I don't know where they lived before they came to the USA) become a Manchester United supporter?

Well, fair credit to the club itself for excellent marketing over the years. When in my early twenties I decided to give a look to soccer/football to distract me from a broken friendship and some depression I really had no idea which team to look at. The MLS matches are hard to find online due to intense crackdowns on their part regarding piracy and whatnot otherwise I might be a more aggressive Chicago Fire fan; as it is I recalled an American sitcom I was watching one night mentioning Manchester United. So I typed that into google and out came the Chelsea vs Manchester United 2008 Champions League final.

I remember being entranced by watching Ronaldo move up the left wing. I remember Ronaldo scoring the goal. I remember Vidic wanting to beat the crap out of Drogba and the players having to hold him back. I remember Drogba acting surprised he got a red card. I don't remember much more than that off the top of my head, just those flashes. Most of the game is a blur to me. I do know that before the penalty kicks (I purposefully did not look at the score ahead of time to know who won btw) that I was a United fan. I remember being nervous despite the game having been played 3+ years before I watched it. I remember the look of shock and worry on Ronaldo's face when he missed. A distraught John Terry who missed completely. The look of delight on Van Der Sar's face when he made that big save from Anelka's kick. And I remember the squad losing their minds as Rio lifted that trophy up into the air.

I threw myself into learning all I could about Manchester United after that. About their current squad, about the club historically, about those players I had just watched. I bought several books about United over the years including one about the Munich air disaster. I felt, as a fan who could not claim that team as my home team given I'm a continent away, that I was almost obligated to learn everything I could about it. My connection could not be born from geography, but it could be born from knowledge and appreciation.

But why choose soccer? Why choose a team from another country, another continent? Well, I grew up watching the Chicago Bulls in the 90s when with Air Jordan, Pippin, and legendary coach Phil Jackson they won 6 championships. I cheered the White Sox through a World Series win (which was exciting). But those were either support due to location (to live in Illinois and not be a Bulls fan in the 90s was......well let me put it this way; it'd be like a devoted family of Manchester United supporters having a child who supported Liverpool. That level of treason) or teenage spite (being in a family of Cubs supporters cheering for the White Sox throughout my youth was a mild form of rebellion for me).

As I grew older I pretty much ignored sports. Baseball is really boring, to be blunt, and basketball just wasn't the same after the Bulls' dynasty ended and Michael retired. I can't stand the start and stop and stop and commercial and start and stop and more commercials nature of American football or gridiron and the only kind of golf I like is miniature golf. Soccer was just the only option (or at least the only one I could think of). And I liked playing it in P.E. classes in school.

Maybe part of the reason I chose Manchester United had to do with the colors. Red, white, black. Same as the Chicago Bulls when I was growing up. I'd wager somewhere packed away my mom still has my Michael Jordan jersey. Perhaps that got into my subconscious somehow. I don't remember the sitcom that mentioned Man United but I'm glad it popped into my head, even if there have been a few lows since Sir Alex retired. But experiencing the bad I've also found old matches online featuring some of the many greats to have played for the club and, in a way, been able to experience the good from before I was even born. Not to mention the good now. Marcus Rashford's jawdropping Europa League debut will and then the team's performance against Arsenal will live long in my memory.

All that said, I do have to give credit to the US national team. They made my passion for soccer/football even larger. Even stronger. Even a bit crazier. I think I scared my whole house with my shouts when the US Women's team won the World Cup and I nearly made my mom deaf when I was on the phone with her when Dempsey scored that quick goal against Ghana in the 2014 World Cup. That's not to say I don't get that way with United; I definitely do. But I find that my love for the US team enhanced those feelings regarding United and regarding the Chicago Fire, which is a more recent love but potent nonetheless.

United served to distract me in a time in my life when I needed distracting. When I needed something to obsess over to ignore the bad things going on in my life. I'm in a much better, happier place now and United have certainly played a part in it among other things (pretty sure my dog would demand a mention so Nero, you're the best dog ever).

And that, friends and lobsters, is how I became a United fan.

EPL , Football , Sports

How This Yankee Became a United Fan

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5 things Rafa must address at Newcastle

As one run comes to an end, another keeps its remarkable pace. Benitez had not lost an opening game as manager since 2001, until his Newcastle bow, whilst Newcastle have now lost 18 of their last 22 Premier League away games. Rafa must have known the scale, and importance, of the job ahead of him, but last night it was reaffirmed. He has a big week ahead of him, before a monumental Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday, but what must he do to turn the tide?

Forget yesterday's result.
After last night's low-key affair, Leicester are still charging toward the championship, whilst Newcastle are still charging for the Championship. The most important thing for Benitez is to ignore the Leicester result and focus on the winnable games ahead of him. He has Sunderland, Norwich, Southampton and Swansea to plan for.

Newcastle showed last night that they are in decent shape. They have enough quality, having spent around £90 million on players this year, to really threaten teams. They also looked sufficiently solid at the back yesterday eve, restricting Leicester to just one shot on target. That one shot on target turned out to be the deciding goal, but there is a lot Rafa should be focusing on apart from the dropped points.

Such as...

Scoring goals.
Newcastle don't score enough. They've managed just 8 goals in their last 21 away league games. Sometimes football is a simple sport and that is a relegation stat if ever I've read one. This needs to change, quickly. Mitrovic looked interested last night and his effort could not be faultered. He might have even levelled the game up, if it had not been for a goal-shy Sissoko in his path.

Yet, their most dangerous man was played wide instead of on the middle where he is more of a handful. Ayoze Perez may not be the oldest or most imposing striker Newcastle have at their disposal, but he could be their best option. Kept on the wing, and on the periphery last night, Perez is a very reliable goalscorer and will score goals if he's allowed to poach. It is up to Benitez to fit Ayoze and Aleksander in the same attack.

Leaders but no leadership.
Goals will also come when confidence is lifted. So will clean sheets. Mark Albrighton was almost handed a goal late in the first half as Taylor hesitated to meet the ball for a clearance. That would have killed off the game and, if so, would have been down to a lack of confidence.

Rafa will have a big job in giving his players the boost they need in training, but on the pitch it is harder for him to make such an impact. Therefore, he needs to find leaders in his squad and get them firing his team on. Leicester have a squad littered with such men and are flourishing because of it.

Newcastle have placed their trust in Jonjo Shelvey. A £12million January signing, Jonjo was handed the captain's armband last night and looks like a fighter. Yet, in recent years Newcastle have had players like Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Shay Given holding their squads together. Rafa urgently needs experienced players like Taylor, Sissoko and Elliot to pull up their socks and make the team fight until the final whistle.

This will go a long way to...

Keep the fans on side.
Rafa's appointment alone has done some to temper the Newcastle fans frustration, but this will soon fade if results do not change. Rafa can't pick the results, but he can pick how ambitious his side are for points.

If Newcastle rely on draws and scrappy victories against the teams around them, the Championship could beckon. Even worse, cautious strategy may encourage the fans to get on their fragile players' backs. Newcastle need to use their superior quality and take games to their opponents, especially at St. James'. At this moment, results might be the sole focus, but determination, drive and intensity will go a long way come the judgments in May.

Keeping players fit.
Benitez might need to pray a little for this one, but it's also an area he needs to watch dilligently. Newcastle haven't had the best of time this season with injuries and currently sit top of the PL injury table. Without Cisse, Krul, Dummett, Tiote, Mbemba, Coloccini out among others, Newcastle lack their solid foundations. If things get any worse, and Townsend or Shelvey gets crocked, Benitez might jot have enough to work with to ensure safety (and that huge TV rights deal beginning next season.)

Have I missed anything? Does Rafa have a job too big for even him? Where does he need to focus? Let me know, and maybe he'll even read it!

EPL , Sports

5 things Rafa must address at Newcastle

Admin Tuesday, 15 March 2016