Abuse of Power
Hello one and all favelazoneheads. I hope your year is going well – well, as well as it could be given the fact that the world went out of the frying pan and into the fire (thanks Putin…). It’s a shame that with the pandemic finally getting under control that this is how we are rewarded; an egomaniac communist declaring that Ukraine has always been a part of Russia (from my limited research it appears that it was a territory inhabited by distinct ethnic groups known as the Antes then followed by the Kievan Rus and then like any territory in the history of human kind was fought over by various other nation states but eventually established it’s own identity as a sovereign nation). This whole war brings up the larger issue that any country given the necessary resources and a completely deranged leader could lay claim to a country that has been minding its own business for years and launch an invasion in an attempt to forcibly annex it.
Furthermore, my contact Rod Pulga J commented that this latest episode of humans not learning from history is the equivalent of if the US invaded Baja California and claimed it was always apart of America. I know the United States has pulled some stunts in the past that somehow have been overlooked (back when imperialism wasn’t frowned upon); like how did Hawaii become a part of the United States anyway? It’s a group of Polynesian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the world – I think the story involves a queen getting tricked by us outwardly looking wonderful Americans, and the islands previously known as the Kingdom of Hawaii becoming a state in the union… but I digress, this is not a history paper people, this is a soccer blog, and my head hurts already. As years go by the human race is supposed to evolve and we are meant to move on from such primal violent behavior that is killing people to get what we want (a distinction that separates us from the animals). These communist leaders don’t ever seem to go away, spending what seems to be a century in power and then if they die by natural causes are replaced by lookalikes with very similar names (i.e. , Kim Jong Un, Ariel Castro). I sincerely hope that a cease fire is called soon and the current Russian regime get what they deserve (prosecuted and punished for war crimes).
Revivals
On to some brighter topics. I really wish soccer had been accessible to me growing up; to watch and understand the game would have truly been a boon to my psychological state in my formative years. To not only be able to consistently see matches but also keep up with the behind the scenes goings-on (coaching changes, shifts in systems, player development, etc.) would have given my not entirely formed brain much needed perspective that professionals are not perfect and don’t magically appear on the scene as such (barring Messi). It is incredible to watch how a player that can be seen as expendable to one manager is invaluable to another.
Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng is the prime example of the hour. Now, Aubamayeng has been one of the most underrated strikers of this generation throughout his consistent career that has spanned developing in the Serie A, to playing for the first team in Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Premiere League, and now La Liga. While still at Dortmund, one influential pundit or manager declared that Pierre-Emerick was “just shy of world class” and then everyone else in the game ran with the statement and one person’s opinion cemented itself as a false truth. People are such sheep, it’s the 21st century people, if it’s expected that you should hold in esteem the fact that people are sexually attracted to tables and that pictures of monkeys cost millions of dollars, you should take this messaging from the false gods of popular media as the go ahead that there has never been a better time to start thinking for yourself. As media continues to become more decentralized the script (literal and figurative) will be thrown out; and truthful, fact based commentary will be the cream that rises to the top. Aubamayeng has been incredible and SHOULD be in the same conversation as the likes of Harry Kane (incredible strikers whose trophy cabinets do not reflect their output). Mikel Arteta (graduate of Pep Guardiola’s school for aspiring assholes) decided that one of the top scoring strikers of the Premiere League for the past three seasons had to go because he was toxic (it’s Britney Bamayeng bitch). It actually was for the best as Auba still has some years left at the top (he’s 32) and he now gets to prove a manager from the past (Xavi), that went on the record as having doubts that he is Barcelona caliber, wrong. I do not know where Barca is getting the money to fund these ambitious transfers, especially given their recent financial woes, but hey, with a name like Barcelona, there is always a way. Some examples of players going from expendable at one club to then becoming immortalized at another is Arjen Robben going from Madrid to Bayern, Jesse Lingard going from Manchester United to West Ham, amongst countless others.
Just because someone is in a position of authority (in this case a coach) does not make them God; furthermore, just because they are the current manager does not give them absolute power to decree what a player’s value is. Matt Doherty’s tale is one of downright confusion. The Irishman was one of the key players on the new kids on the block team Wolverhampton Wanderers that were promoted to the Premiere League in the 2018/2019 season. Doherty along with Raul Jiménez were the most exciting players on the Wolves team that was chomping at the bit (pun intended) to remain in the Premiere League for seasons to come. The high flying left back was a must have fantasy asset, who during two seasons with the Wolves (2018/19-2019/20) and across 74 games, amassed 8 goals and 8 assists. As we are now in an era where an outside defenders’ worth is tied just as much to doing their actual jobs of thwarting the opposition’s attack as it is to contributing to offensive production, all things considered this guy was kind of like a big deal. After making the step up to Spurs, his future could not have looked brighter; but upon arriving at Tottenham, Doherty found himself putting in poor displays that led to his dropping to the bench and soon becoming a complete afterthought for team selection. Sadly this took place not even just under Jose Mourinho, but also his successor, the man that gave Doherty the platform to become a star in the first place, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ former manager Nuno Espiritu Santo (in excelsis Deo). This sequence of events was inconceivable for one the prem’s most exciting defenders. It took a few months, but once Antonio Conte’s tenure as the Lilywhite’s gaffer got rolling, and he gifted Doherty a stretch of games, it enabled the man to return to his influential best; not seen since his time at Wolves. Although the man was on the verge of being forgotten, he powered through and was becoming a key member of Conte’s new look Spurs side until an unfortunate challenge by Aston Villa’s Matty Cash put a premature end to his season.
This dude was lethal at Bournemouth. A flying winger that put fear into the hearts of defenders and was a critical fantasy asset a few years back has re-emerged. While doing my due diligence on Ryan Fraser I came across the fact that he is the Premiere League’s shortest player at 5’4. That really is short people! That height makes the likes of Lionel Messi and Xherdan Shaqiri look tall to this garden gnome of a man. Regardless of halfling status, this man has emerged from the shadows after signing on a free from Bournemouth where he had made his name. Now that his former manager from Bournemouth Eddie Howe is at the helm of Newcastle United, he has returned to being deployed on his favored left flank and is looking the Fraser of old. With the richest owners in the Premiere League taking over Newcastle, things will start to take shape, and progress will undoubtedly come in spurts as it has manifested itself with Fraser being integral to Newcastle United’s winning three games and drawing one throughout the month of February. Although things have hit a snag since then for the flying dwarfsman, who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, Newcastle is now a midtable side (a far cry from their relegation bound start of the season).
Back from the Brink of Obscurity
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. All I know is it made sense to include the self styled king and queen of gothic coupledom as my token pop culture reference that has become a mainstay in my blog posts. In addition, it is all the more fitting given this post’s theme of reviving careers that were previously declared dead. Look – I am not in any way trying to hate, but objectively the fact that Machine Gun Kelly is not only relevant in 2022 but also pushing A-List status means the earth is teetering on its axis. I have always struggled with maintaining morality whilst striving for success in a secular society but the fact that this goof, clown, substitute teacher of rock n’ roll (not my words), satanic ritual practitioner has made it to the top and as a result gets to galavant across the platform that mainstream media provides means I don’t know how to interpret this world we are living in or the next and every one in between (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). To add to the already seemingly unthinkable I would actually pass this ridiculous human being in the halls of my high school! I know it may be hard to believe but this isn’t even me writing as the spiteful human being that I have grown to be but I really swear I am trying to look at this whole situation objectively. Everything this man emits is just not cool, his new image seems very forced, his voice isn’t pleasant, I just really don’t get how he made it to A-list status. As a rapper, pop-rapper, rock-rapper and now pop-punker (thanks wikipedia) everything he has produced has been subpar! Why is this shit being encouraged? With social media’s reach spanning so far as to allow for people from all corners of the earth (aside from those subject to repressive governments) anyone with an internet connection has the ability to bask in the talent that this world has to offer! And it is a damn shame. Because THIS is the best that the gatekeepers of entertainment can come up with?
This pink Dr. Seuss outfit wearing fuckboi with the painted black nails. Skinny ass whack ass. I’m gonna chalk this up to the rap devil making a deal with the actual devil to achieve superstardom but only as the male version of Avril Lavigne (MGK should have read the fine print).
And Megan Fox (actual heart throb) whose career also beyond stalled out (more like crashed and rolled over in a ditch) gave into the age old Hollywood trope of getting into a relationship with the latest chosen one to be pushed to the A-List in an attempt to revive their own career. If anything can be gleaned from this bizarre episode of Hollywood’s newest it couple, it’s that Kells has proven Eminem wrong. It looks like the rap beef was not as big as he would get as Machine Gun Kelly is fast approaching the pinnacle of superstardom and household name status. As I am one who does his best to remain fair in all circumstances, his music is not terrible (not all too memorable either) but there are some of his songs that are OK. I guess he really is the prime example of hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Am I just jealous of his music? No. Of his new level of fame? No. Of him being engaged to Megan Fox? 1000% yes.
This one is a short one. In reality Cardi B dating and then marrying Offset is more of a preemptive/sustaining move (and a very clever one at that) versus an attempt to bring someone back from irrelevance. At the end of the day Quavo was breaking away from both Offset and Takeoff in terms of establishing a solo career (he also was given the mantle as the “only” talented one of the migos by the fake news media). Cardi B was the larger solo star, but by dating a member of one of the most popular rap acts in the game definitely added to her clout and longevity, and in addition gave Offset some shine and illuminated his path to a solo career.
Fantasy Not Going According To Plan
I would like to direct your attention to Exhibit A. As you can see by my bench, I clearly know how to pick em’ (facepalm). I am currently sitting in tenth place out of thirty teams in my fantasy league which is not good but also not embarrassing. At this point I realize that I will have to re-strategize if I want to push to finish further up the top ten list. There are double gameweeks approaching for multiple teams. Like everyone else offering fantasy advice (toolish), adding players from Chelsea serves as the safest bet for fantasy moving forward. People are starting to utilize charts and data tracking that was formerly reserved for stock trading to now predict fantasy outcomes for players. Sounds like I will have to jump on board because if I can’t beat em’ which I surely am not doing this year, I have no choice but to join em’.
Recent Comments