Derby Day at Cheers

It was a night of incredible highs, and devastating lows... and even a trip to emergency thrown in for good measure! Just like at Old Trafford, a small pocket of Blues were able to quite comfortable outsing the Rags (with the exception of two minutes after each United goal). Wild celebrations were to be had after both Bellamy goals — got showered with beer after the first one, and ended up on the floor after the second.

The lads at Cheers (and there were plenty of them) did themselves and the club proud. With the exception of myself of course, taking out a stack of glasses could have injured someone and was not big or clever, and I now have seven stitches to show for my stupidity. Although, that Rag who threw the plastic schooner glass from the balcony really needs his head read. Hopefully, next live screening will have a little less of the "George Street Hooligans" element...

All that aside, it was a great night had by all (until the seventh minute of injury time of course) and as always, it's fantastic to see new faces.

Best looking bunch of fans, if nothing else.

Subtle swipe at the Rags on the top left of this photo...

Half time and the mood is jubilant.

A really tough loss to take, but we'll turn them over on our own patch later in the year. Keep the faith Blues.

Sydney Blues to appear on BBC Radio

It's a week that keeps on getting bigger for the Sydney Blues — we have been approached by BBC Radio to appear on their match day programme (is appear the right word?) on the eve of the match to talk about the Derby.

I've done a couple of these interviews before — one before the last home Derby in November and another one after the Stoke match in January. However, these only appeared on the BBC World Service, which judging by the emails they receive, is only broadcast in Nigeria and Senegal. But this interview will be on the Beeb in Manchester, and it will be great promotion for the blog and the Sydney Blues cause.

With his broadcast experience, it was decided it would be best if Brendo took the reins for this one.

Besides, I wasn't expecting another appearance on the BBC, after being under the influence of alcohol in my last interview. How was I supposed to know that you can't say "we played shit" on the national broadcaster?

I'll put a word in to a few people over there and hopefully we can get a recording of Brendo's interview.

Every bit of publicity is good for us, as we try to build the profile of the Blues down-under. We're starting to make waves and attract the attention of the people that matter.

Sydney Blues featured on the OS!

I told you all we'd be MASSIVE! We're on the offical website!

Click to read the article here.

Big thanks to Chris Nield from the club for getting in touch and wanting to know our story. It's nice to get recognised, but we don't really do what we do for the accolades, or mentions on the club website. We do it because we love this football club wholeheartedly.

Derby Day Live Screening Details

I don't think it's possible to be anymore excited/nervous for a football game than the Derby. But this season, it's different. This season, unlike any other, Manchester City look a genuine threat to Trafford United — on paper at least. We're coming to get them. It just depends if we're able to field a strong side, with Tevez, Robinho, Santa Cruz, and Adebayor all out or in doubt.

I know it's a school night, but it would be fantastic to see as many Blues as possible there — we need all the support we can get against the Rags. We'll definitely be downstairs in the amphitheater again. I imagine there'll be Blues there from as early as 8pm if you fancy a pre-match schooner.

Just a note for those riding the East Hills line, it's trackwork this weekend, so buses replace trains.

One idea that worked okay last season was the production of the Derby Day songbook. So I'll produce some more of these for the match, and post the link on the Facebook event. There will be a couple of new songs for this year, so here's your chance to learn them ahead of time.

To the tune of "Chase the Sun" by Planet Funk
Oh Adebayor
When he shoots he scores
Hear the City sing
Oi! Oi! Oi!

To the tune of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
We used to have a song for you Tevez, Tevez
But now you've gone from red to blue Tevez, Tevez
We're sorry for the hurtful words
We bet that you've shagged loads of birds
Carlos Tevez, City's thirty two.
Na na na na na na na, na na, na... Carlos Tevez, City's thirty two.

So be there bright and early on Sunday night and support the Blues!

More on Adebayor

It's Monday night here in Sydney. The hangovers have gone, the City shirt needs a wash, and the dust is settling after a game which has dominated blogs, internet forums, newspapers and more blogs.

So, how do I feel about the game, and Adebayor's performance?

Well, I'm not really sure. I'm a football fan first, and a Manchester City fan second — and this leaves me in a bit of a quandary. Dealing with me as a football enthusiast, on the one hand I think that some of Adebayor's actions were nothing short of appalling. Short-sighted, vicious, and self-centred. (Joey Barton, anyone?) On the other hand, you have to love the pantomime — the baiting of the fans, the crazy run, the display of emotion and, whilst it's not right in any way, you have to have a grudging respect for a man who can stamp on someone's face in full view of the ref, and get away scot free!

Not that I'm condoning any of this - just that as someone who enjoys his football and entertainment, you'd have to admit that this was a game that has got everyone talking, everyone has an opinion, and you'd have to be made of stone not to have found yourself shouting at the TV at some point. However, as much as it adds to the theatre, it's a shame that what would've been a very memorable game in its own right is being overshadowed by a couple of off the ball incidents.


Our club have now won four in a row, and in beating Arsenal have not only taken the points off a team that I think we will be battling for league position come May, but also laid down a marker for the rest of the "Big Five". It's a long way to go, but certainly we would've been carrying a lot of momentum into the game over at Trafford next week - his looming suspension seems to be almost certain, given the witch hunt going on, and robs us of one of our most in-form players for another big game. On the bright side, fining him a few weeks wages should recoup a decent wedge of cash! I just hope this isn't too much of a distraction for the players who are going to be taking to the pitch next week, with Robbie, Tevez, and RSC all out, holding onto Petrov and buying Bellamy is looking like an increasingly judicious move by Hughes. It certainly puts paid to those people who were laughing at the number of strikers on the books earlier in the season.

But I digress... Back to the man of the moment, Adebayor. The skill shown by the Togolese front-man in his run down the left-hand touchline was probably the second best run I've seen in a City shirt, and SWP's miss about the second most disappointing one! He has really been playing like a man possessed. The comparisons with Barton are unavoidable, I always said with Joey that you'd rather have him on your side than playing against you, but he let his emotions run his head, became a disruptive influence, and events ran their course.

The difference with Adebayor is that he's good enough to let his skill on the pitch do the talking - let's hope he takes the same decision after he's had time to reflect on this game.