One Goes Down: Another Steps Up

We have the technology Gareth, trust us.

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The Greg Meyer Column

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 ... 30 December 2012.

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Diving Not Waving  ... The Complete Goggler  ...  New Years Resolutions.

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Probably not on Gareth Bale's bedside reading pile. First released in 1938 The Complete Goggler written by Guy Gilpatric quickly became a popular inspiration for the then still embryonic sport of scuba diving.

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History aside or perhaps not completely. Past baggage was the reason behind Martin Atkinson deeming Bale switching sports in the Sunderland penalty area. Bale was at full throttle with the nearest Sunderland defender blessed with no hope of overtaking him.

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 Instead a grab at his shoulder and a knee into Bales standing leg was deemed all part of a theatrical underwater opera choreographed dishonestly yet expertly by our Gareth. Certainly the fall was overly dramatic but Atkinson mindful of his theatrical duties chose to fit neatly into the role of villainous referee from the Spurs perspective.

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Cue a maelstrom of debate in the tabloidal press and media generally. Perfect fodder for that bastion of righteousness Stan Collymore. Mind even talksport had trouble getting the story to stay afloat for long. Indeed the sinking of the good ship SS " Harry Redknapp" loomed large. Forgive the nautical connection but a rudderless Pool nevertheless managed to sail over and straight past QPR.

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As some Spurs wags commented ... neither manager seemed needed today ... both suffering bowel complaints. Brendan Rogers was not at the game owing to a bout of diarrhoea and Harry no doubt wished he had not bothered. Indeed that brought our pub pondering on matters New Year and not just regards Harry of Sandbanks.

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New Year Resolutions.

By no means meant to be all encompassing but here goes ...

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Arsene Wenger.

More a prayer than a resolution. If Pat Rice can score a gong then why can't I keep Thierry Walcott at Arsenal.

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Alan Pardew.

Very definitely a prayer. How to keep Demba Ba. Actually a little late as he won't be there in the New Year.

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Frank Lampard.

All the resolve and goals in the world seem unlikely to change Roman's mind. Football loyalty and goals are not particularly relevant when you are one of the world's richest.

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Gareth Bale.

Keep my sense of impish Welsh humour. Burn that Christmas present entitled Ronaldo ... Tips When Afloat.

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I am sure you have your own list formulated as have we ...

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At A Kent Pub.

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A measured display at Sunderland with a sensational goal by the very little one. Apart from set pieces we looked comfortable.

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Our moment of the match was the enormous clearing punch by possibly the best goalkeeper in the Premier. Also a very accomplished diver. Go Hugo.

Reading is surely our first win of 2013. They are no Stoke and our boss should damp down any pre-match cockiness.

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Tiger Woods, a great driver of the golf ball, turns 37 today.

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Cheers ... yellow cards should be rescindable ... Go Gareth ... Greg Meyer.            coys. 

Jimmy's Video Spot:

 These are peaches

And this a peach!

Aaron Lennon's goal against Sunderland. He scores, we win. Simples.