Vassell Makes Me Look Bad, As Usual

I was really motivated this morning by the Guardian's discovery of Darius Vassell's lonely blog from Turkey, which includes typical footballer fare like "Can't get any sleep, just thinking about the many problems that i have here and the best solution. Lying there awake in bed, the sound of the air conditioning is like the engine room to a train of stressful thoughts . . . relentless. I need a plan of action."

And here I am thinking I'm the one doing a soccer diary. I have to say I definitely feel for the former Villa striker.

Also, Tom included my response to Jonathan Wilson's TV article in today's Sweeper that's well worth reading, and I think he gets the last line on the topic:

Either way, the impact of television on the development of soccer since the first attempt at a live outside broadcast was made in 1937 has been far greater than could be probably addressed in any piece as short as Wilson or Whittall’s, as it has weaved its way into every sinew of the game. Yet call me a romantic, but I think Galeano would concur: deep-down, even television cannot kill the ultimate unpredictability of football’s development. Upsets, beauty and tactical innovation are still broadcast to us and come in unexpected ways every year regardless of the box.

Heh heh, "box."