No Football...Abnormal times continue...Poor attendances

Good Day....

Smack in the middle of these abnormal times. Weekdays are abnormal, I can't cope with them. Too structured, have to wake up @ 6, leave the house @ 7, be stuck in traffic for 30 min, 8 you must be at work. Then only leave work at 5, thats after lunch at precisely 12.
This is abnormal, added to that there's no football this midweek, local football anyway. Those of you who follow the European leagues would still have some football dosage of some sort yesterday and today.

I do wonder why the PSL didn't structure any games this week. Were they aware of the European Champions league, therefore the rather avoid having to compete with them for viewer-ship. Broadcast issues, such as dates and games that will be broadcast, are obviously dictated by Supersport, they would have had a big say in this.

Anyway, my biggest gripe today is about attendances, specifically at football matches. I'd really like to say this is a football problem only, it is not. Those of you fortunate to have DSTV, and watch some rugby games, even if its just highlights, would have noticed that stadiums are not full at these games either.
So to me this seems to be a very broad problem for sport in this country. I don't follow domestic cricket much to make a statement but wouldn't be surprised if the same pattern exists there.

With regards to football, I did mention in my very first blog that our football is up there with the rest. Not yet at the level of some of the top European teams, but our teams can hold their own against some of the lower teams from these leagues. What I was disappointed about was the crowds. People don't attend games and I think the PSL with all of its member teams needs to up their game with this regard. The biggest difference between our game and that of our European counterparts is the atmosphere that is created by crowds. Fuller stadium creates a better atmosphere and improve the television product, it adds tremendously to the vibe in the stadium.
There was some research done in Europe and they found Germany to be leading with crowd attendances (I am lazy to try and find the link, but you can just Google it).

What exactly is stopping people from attending games here in South Africa? I don't know, just a well as you don't but would like to hear you opinion.
But I tend to think that the PSL don't yet know how to package their "Football Product". I call it Football Product, because it is no longer just about the football on display for ninety minutes. In my own terms, added to the football itself, I would include:

• Safety in and around the stadiums. The PSL or host teams wants crowds, so make them feels safe when the come to watch football. 
• Clean the seats and seating area. I know that these stadiums don't belong the local teams as in the some of European leagues. But teams and the PSL needs to work with the municipality to make sure this is done. I attend games so I know.
• The journey to and from the stadium. Same as above, the PSL or host teams needs to work with the local municipality and traffic officials to organise transportation and make sure it runs smoothly. Talk to taxi (mini-bus) associations. Am not a big fan of the way taxi operate in SA, but we pretty much can't do with out them at this stage. 
• Match-day programs. This will mostly be dependent on each individual team. But would have to do with what happens once people arrive at the stadium, during halftime breaks and afterwards.

This does not have to be expensive solutions at all, if it becomes expensive, someone who's been paid to think is not doing that. Critically, I think the PSL with its broadcaster are doing a lot of marketing, but it seems to me to be way of the mark. 

Firstly, does the PSL know its own market? Does the PSL know who its competing with for bums on seats? People have a lot of options for entertainment these days. We can't just throw ninety minutes of football at them and hope the'll come to the stadium week in and week out, it's not happening now.... Why would the leave the comfort of their home to come and sit next guys smoking in the stadium. Why would the leave going to the malls with their buddies for a movie? Unfortunately I don't have the answers, but fortunately for me I am not paid to have those answers.

The market is there, people want to come to games. The just needs to be encouraged and enticed by better packaged products. Go out there guys make it their lifestyle to come to games. Going to the stadium should not be something to think about, it should come naturally for fans on weekends.

I am a Swallows man and they seem to be doing a host of things write now....really wonderful things. I'll tell you tomorrow...right now, have to go and pay the bills. i.e, get back to work.

Cheers and see you soon

Objectives? Success and Failure

Good day....

No midweek games this week, that explains my withdrawal symptoms. Our next game will be on the 19th against Amazulu. This will give the team sometime to recuperate and nurse all those niggling injuries. Talking of injuries, our man Lefa Tsutsulupa, should be ok by tomorrow according to our official site. I don't think that implies he will be match ready though. It might take a while for him to get back to match readiness coming back from injury. Just as well, we'd welcome him back.

On today's topic though, our coach says:

"After a lengthy pre-season period and the first official game with SUPERSPORT for the MTN Top 8 where we were the victors, I am confident that this season will be one full of success for us." 

You can read the full story here, I am more interested on the last part, where he says he's confident this season will be one full of success for us. This is very vague for me. At the end of the season we will have to look back and assess if we had success this season. Now that means we must have set some sort of objectives. I don't see that mentioned in the article, and I'd really like the coach to set them out for us.

What will be success for us this season? What will be failure? The coach continues to say:

"Our minds are set on conquering and meeting the challenges head on. We face this year with optimism and determination. Silverware is a priority for this season, while not forgetting that our objective remains to finish as high as possible in the League."

At this stage of the league its to early to make any passing statements, we've played four games, two league (lost) and two cup (one win and draw). Are we on track to reach our targets so far? Silverware must definitely be a priority every season, if that is not the case then we might as well not get involved with the PSL.

If we specifically talk about the league, for me, we have to achieve a position higher than last season. That will show some sort of progress for last season. But as I don't know what management and the coach set as objectives, it will be difficult to measure. We need clear objective and this has to merge, or at least meet somewhere in the middle, with the supporters' objectives.
This is Mr Zobel's second season, I am sure he also wants to see himself progress from the last one. My duty is to support the team and I will.
But the team needs to show improvement from last season. This includes management, the coach, players, team doctors and basically everyone involved with the Swallows.

My objective this season is to support this team even more, by attending more games this season than ever. This will be limited to home games and some away games. But so far I seem to be on target.

Well, this is my bit for today....

cheers and see you soon

A Draw...Not a Train smash

Good day everybody...

A game of mixed feelings yesterday in the Cape. I must say I was totally pleased with the weather, it look amazing watching on TV. The pitch look just as good. Keep up the good work Capetonians.

I am disappointed we didn't get the all important away goal. There's a match report on our official site. The author of the report says:

Ajax Cape Town failed to capitalise in their home leg, and Swallows will be the happier of the two teams as they will have home advantage in the second leg.

There's a few things to this quote. First I agree Ajax failed to capitalise on their home leg. As I mentioned yesterday, Ajax would have wanted to rap things up in Cape Town and they tried. They were the ones under pressure yesterday and they tried to get a result. In that sense they failed then.
Now the second part of the quote, with Swallows being happier....Well, we got a draw at Ajax, that was an away game. And more importantly we didn't concede a goal (I know about the dis-allowed goal), Which is a positive that can be taken from this game.You know by now there's a "but" coming somewhere, here it is now.
BUT that whole pressure that was on Ajax has now just shifted totally to Swallows. We now have to perform in the second leg. The critical part would be to have a clean sheet. If Ajax scores, we need to win the game. Any scoring draw puts us out of the cup and I can't take that.

The clean sheet yesterday was important. It was the first in three games. It could indicate that Ajax were blunt in front of goals, as at some stage Fanteni had a one-on-one with Mathibe but couldn't convert, but I'd rather think that our technical team worked on the defense that was really poor in the midweek game. The one-on-one by Fanteni with Mathibe was still a horror show from our defense. We gifted the ball back to Fanteni after clearing our lines. That is not acceptable.
There's also the disallowed Ajax goal, which was marginally offside. Another referee or linesman that goal would have stood. I am paying particular interest on this on because Mathibe came out of his line and couldn't gather the ball. He was left in no man's land and this happened again only this time the header from the same play hit the upright. So Mathibe please work on this but a Big  congratulations on the man-of-match award. You played a big part in keeping the clean sheet yesterday. The run of games would do a lot to boost you confidence.

The one irritating thing that I picked up from the game yesterday was Haschick throwing tantrums when he didn't get a pass from team mates. Buddy, thats not on in my book. I am sure we can find countless times when you do exactly the same thing, it happens in football. It bothers on showing disrespect towards you fellow players. I love you commitment but don't let it cloud you judgement. It affect other players as well.

I can't finish on such a bad not....Mhhhhh!!!! Am thinking....

OH....Our maroon stripe is AWESOME...truly AWESOME. I think that should have been our home kit. Each time I see you boys in it...it looks more and more better.
Obviously not as good as I look in it...Seriously you can ask Mrs Blogger here...

Cheers and see you soon....

Told You....Pirates Disappoints

A Beautiful Birdy Sunday to you...

The curse of the so called Soweto derby is over. You just need to look outside and be happy, bright and shinny, absolutely magnificent weather today. The Birds will be chirping to day. What a truly blessed team. Of course this is only up here in Gauteng, don't know how the weather is down in Cape Town, but probably no better than up here. They love their horrible weather down there in any case....

Again you know what we are here, certainly not a weather reporter, but this type of weather makes my days.

Back to football: I hate to say I told you so....Hell BUT, I told you so. Pirates loves to disappoint especially when they are playing against this other team. It was meant to be their day yesterday. The whole country was behind them, those that pray, prayed for them, the Ghosts tried to turn the weather in their favour, horrible weather yesterday. But Pirates being Pirates decided no, they just had to let that other team back into it. Pirates are now disadvantaged by the goal they conceded last night As this is a two-legged game, the other team has scored and away goal, meaning the next leg would probably be played to a dull goalless draw and still the other team will go through.

Moneeb, you should have done better with that goal! Pirates you disappointed me yesterday. Now you've made me detest that other team even more. Thanks Pirates, thanks a lot. You see, there are positives even when thing didn't go you way.

Today is a beautiful day and true football is back on. Hurray!. The Birds are up against the Capetonians again after our midweek clash with them. I am reliably told that tails are feverishly wagging in the Cape after their win on Wednesday. The makes our job more difficult but a victory will be very sweet. Here's to the Birds flying high in the Cape. We really have to up our game if we are to have a chance. Cape Town will be difficult, Ajax will not just lie down and take the Birds droppings without a fuss. They will make a huge fuss of things.

Our coach, Mr Zobel would have taken something out of the Wednesday game. Whatever issues cost us the game should have been worked on at training. I had my own issues, but I know as a football supporter my view would totally be biased by emotions. Talking of emotions, you are not a football person, if you don't get emotional about this game. Emotions are part and parcel of this game. This afternoon, I am looking forward to my emotions being a bit more on the positive side. We at least need an away goal to make things a bit easier in the return leg. Have to say the draw couldn't have made it better for us. Playing the first leg away puts Ajax under pressure to get a result. They would want to rap things up, which could play to our advantage. We need to be mentally strong and get a result there.

Lefa is still out for this game, we could do with his presence in this game. He's expected to be back on the 15th of this month. No need rushing him back. Get well Lefa and come back flying buddy!

PS: I was watching yesterday's game with a Sundowns (Sundowns is defined as the team that had 44 consecutive passes against the Other team, and I like them because I hate the Other team) man, and he totally agreed with me about the game yesterday. Mostly we agreed on how Pirates loves to disappoint!!
He's my cousin: That my friends is what cousins are for, agreeing on football matters.

Cheers and see you soon.....

Fly high Swallows....

Soweto Derby? Not in my book!!!!

Good Saturday to you,

Very late blog today. As it goes, its Saturday today and that means a host of things has to done.

Looking at the weather today, very dull. Cloudy, and windy really boring. Kids can't enjoy the outdoors with this kind of weather, they can't kick about. But wait, there's a perfect explanation for that!

I think the Gods could quite possibly be angry and I'd understand if they are!! I mean today we have the mis-fortune of the so called Soweto Derby. Now you know the two teams involved today. One Orlando Pirates, their origins from Orlando in Soweto and the other, the one that wears some yellow colours, they love to call it gold! Yeah, GOLD!!! The same team that had 44 passes against them....44 passes!!!
The love to call themselves Soweto Giants as well. According to my history, and remember history favours those who write it, they have no origins from Soweto. I don't stand to be corrected on this, its my history.

There's currently two teams that can claim anything to do with Soweto. Pirates we've already dealt with. And the other is of course the Beautiful Birds, Moroka Swallows. As the name implies, it was born and bread in Moroka, part of Soweto.
But for the past, God knows how long, this other team has been masquerading as a Soweto team. Its not and unfortunately the misconception has been fueled by the media bunch who could not just ask a simple question: Exactly where are you from in Soweto? This is the same team that wanted to build the stadium in Krugersdorp. Why, if you call yourself Soweto Giants. Couldn't you find some place in your roots? Unless Krugersdorp has now been include under Soweto.

Anyway, it is Pirates vs Goldish team, if you wondered I won't mention their name here. Not on my blog and the reason is simple. I hate that team...really...really....really....really.....really hate them. Why? You ask...BECAUSE it is part of football rules. Those un-written football rules, the one that says:
"Each and every football fan that follows a particular team in any association, is thus compelled to have at least one other team from the same football association and in the same division, that serves the purpose of being truly...truly hated without reason, nor is it necessary to have reason"

And for me, it is this Goldish with black team. I hate them and I love hating them. And so each time they play I hope the lose and so I will be rooting for Pirates today. I know Pirates loves to disappoint but there's no reason not to have hope.

Now to serious matters, to those Birds Supporters that travelled, I hope your journey was fabulous. Those that will still be travelling tomorrow enjoy the journey. The boys will need you guys in full voice. I will be watching on television probably at my in-laws. Nothing wrong with that, except they support this other team. Lord, Allah....etc please save me..

Cheers and see you soon.

Happy days are back....Its FRIDAY: HALLELUYA

Happy Friday everyone...

Indeed happy days are back again. I love my Fridays and I know you do. If you are slacking off at work today, you will be forgiven. Your boss knows this and can't run away from it. Friday is here.....Yoooo HOOO!!!!

There was no blog yesterday as you are well aware and no prices for guessing why. We lost to Ajax, those boys from Cape Town. Look people I don't like sour losers. They have no place in our society, and the reason I particularly don't like them is because I am one!!! I hate losing, its bad for my health and for you because you don't get your daily fix of my blog.
I am rejuvenated this morning, had my fix of caffeine, started my junk food campaign for the weekend, fatty fried eggs, sausage, and beans. Its only a start. If not junk enough, I should catch up later this evening.

Anyway this is a football blog, not food, but can't help it...ITS FRIDAY!!!!

The game against Ajax was disappointing from the Birds' eye view. I can't find a justification for it. But maybe the coach knows. I felt we were in total disarray. Midfield non-existent for the better part of the game bar for the moment that led to our second goal. Awesome goal I might add! We have a new midfielder from Georgia. I will not make judgement as yet on him, it was his first game. But I have to wonder why Gareth Ngcaca wasn't used at all. He appeared to have something about him during the Downs game and he could have been helpful against Ajax. As a former Ajax player he would have had the urge to try and show them what the missed on. But then again the coach work with these guys everyday at training maybe he knows something I don't.
Our defence has a lot of work ahead of them. If they are going to defend the way the did, we won't have much hope this season. To many silly mistakes, two that led to Ajax's two goals. And then the striking is overly dependant on Novemthe to carry the whole team. This man will always work hard for you, he gives his best for the team, but he needs support as well. He can't be left to do so much by himself. Leonard this is a call for you to start upping you game boet.

It was good to see us coming from behind twice, that's a positive that has to be taken from the game. We are playing the same team again this Sunday. This time its a cup game and in Cape Town. I hate the weather down there, you will have all four season in South Africa congested into one day there and people there carry on as if its normal. No....it isn't for us Gautengers.

The Capetonians will obviously be wagging their tails after their hard fought win up here. But make mistake it will be another thriller. There will be some travelling supporters...sing loud boys...sing for the boys.

That is it from me today....Here's to the "junkiest" of food today.

Cheers and see you soon!

Birds vs Ajax Preview: Here's to Three Points

Good Day...

Big one today with the boys from Cape Town. It should be a cracker of a game as I told you yesterday, the Cape Townians will always try to prove they are bigger than the Gauteng teams. I'll tell you what....they can keep on dreaming!!!!

But truth be told, Ajax is a difficult team to play. Even more so in Cape Town. But since they are coming to the Birds' Nest, this should take on a different perspective. The game will be at higher altitude than they are used, hopefully this becomes our 13th man, and aids in dishing a few bird droppings on them. Although I know they would have prepared for the altitude effects.

Our boys will have to concentrate fully on this game and not think ahead at the MTN 8 knockout game with very same team. Our assistant, Zeca, talks about it here. Three points is our priority and this is really achievable. Our performance against Sundowns wasn't at all bad. We conceded two goals that with a bit of defence training should not happen. The first was a header that our defence did not deal with and the second our marking could really improve. Also, on the offence, it seemed to me we left Nomvethe isolated upfield, he held the ball well for a short man like him against a towering Sundowns defence that includes Booth, but there was no support from midfield. At some stage, we also let Downs have the freedom of the midfield.
But that could well be that we really missed Lefa Tsutsulupa in that game.

And we will continue to miss him for a little longer, with sad news coming from the Birds' Nest as he is recovering from surgery. But this should not take away descent displays by Gareth Ncaca against the Mamelodi boys. He can only improve on that performance if he puts his head down and keep working. And this can only be a good for the Birds as it already adds to our depth and the competition for places in our team. Can't be such a bad thing that.....

The other competition for places the I see developing nicely is the goal keeping. Mathibe kept goal in our first league game, a fairly difficult game if you ask me. Greg Etafia has always been our number one keeper, but seeing Mathibe in goals will keep him on his toes and I should believe Mathibe will only be in goals if his performances are good.
I am going to the game, can't wait to meet up with the guys and sing the Birds to victory.

Some interesting game tonight as well, Celtic with Amazulu. And maybe the pick of tonight's games will be the rich boys battling it out at the Royal Bafokeng stadium, this is of course Platinum Stars vs Sundowns. And then the rest of the game not as appetising, bar for the Pirates vs Free State Stars game at the FNB stadium. If you haven't been to the stadium, this is a perfect opportunity for you.

So enjoy the games wherever you'll be watching from

Cheers and see you soon