EPL awards

Manchester United might have deservedly won the Premier League and been crowned champions of England, but there are special awards which I think some clubs and players deserve to win too. Let the prize presentation begin

Most Dramatic Award: Liverpool
One match they can crush Manchester United, the champions, by a scoreline of 4:1 and in another, they are defeated 2:0 by second-bottom Middlesbrough. They chased the red devils all the way until the penultimate round of matches. They scored last-gasp winners in numerous matches. They have transformed into a more attacking force this season. But most of all, it was their best season so far in recent years

Tiger-Head-Snake-Tail Award: Hull City
At one time, they were as high as third in the league, even above Chelsea and Arsenal. A few months later, they were as low as third from bottom in the league flirting with relegation. In the end, they finished at 17th place, just higher than the three relegated clubs. Judging from the way they play in the second-half of the season, they might end up like rivals Leeds United if they don't buck up

Most Sympathetic Award: Newcastle
They have a useless owner, nobody wants to manage them and their players are either in jail, hospital or in the treatment room. If that isn't bad enough for football sadists, they got relegated after sixteen years in the Premier League. They have a pool of star players like Michael Owen, Alan Smith, Damien Duff who used to play for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea respectively. I can even dare say their players are better than Arsenal's youngsters. If Newcastle has everything that a successful club should possess, then there is one thing which they are lacking, luck. Good luck to them next season

Loud-Thunder-Sound, Small-Raindrops Award: Manchester City
The blue half of Manchester are the richest club in the world. Mark Hughes must have been a very happy manager to be able to do shopping without worrying about whether he will exceed his budget. Robinho came, everyone cheered. Chelsea frowned. The end. Other than the Brazilian's arrival, there was nothing else exciting about them. All the talk on buying Kaka, Torres and whoever that can kick a ball straight were all nonsense. Man U is still the better Man at the end of the day

Best Improvement Award: Fulham
In the 2007-2008 season, they narrowly escaped relegation by finishing 17th above 18th placed Reading on goal difference. This season, they finished at 7th place and even qualified for the Europa League next season. The cottagers beat Arsenal and Manchester United, drew with Chelsea and only conceded in the last minute against Liverpool at their Craven Cottage home. The players and manager deserved it for all their hard work

Most Miraculous Award: Everton
All their forwards are injured. They loaned Jo from Manchester City and he got injured too. Tim Cahill was being used as a makeshift striker in the end and they finished at fifth place thus being given the tag as "best of the rest". David Moyes can start writing a book named "How I survived without any fit strikers" for young and aspiring managers. Maybe Gareth Southgate from Middlesbrough should go buy one to read

Best Newcomer Award: Robinho, José Bosingwa, Marouane Fellaini, Samir Nasri
It is hard to decide who should win this award. Nasri and Robinho have been pivotal at times for their clubs. Wait a minute, all of them are pivotal to their clubs. So all of them deserves to win. Bosingwa has been the Daniel Alves of the EPL this season, providing width of his team during attack. How about Fellaini? His afro hairstyle? His versatility in midfield? Or the fact that he collected 13 yellow cards in his debut season?

Best Player Award: Steven Gerrard
Ok, I am not trying to be biased here but I really had to put this Liverpool player's name here because he is fantastic in all aspects. Being deployed in a free role as a deep-lying forward behind Fernando Torres, Rafa Benitez seemed to have finally found the best position for his captain after many years. Imagine if he was shackled to the right flank, how would have been able to get into or around the box to score in so many occasions this season? His chemistry with Torres on the field is unbelievable, both can know where the other is at even without looking at him. Ronaldo, you have won many awards already, don't be too greedy, let Gerrard win this one ok?

Ba Zhang day

First of all, congratulations to Barcelona for upholding justice by winning the Champions League final last night. And my condolences to Manchester United and it's fans for being the losing finalists. See? I'm so diplomatic to a certain extent. If Nicholas, you think you predicted the exact score correctly, then I think I am even better because I predicted the entire exact starting formation of Man U. Hahaha! Ok, we are all winners alright?

Secondly, it is ba zhang day(dragon boat festival)today and I have just eaten one a while ago. I was actually planning to have it for lunch today but seems that nobody is selling it in school. I still remember four years ago in secondary two, I was still making them during Chinese lesson. Everyone was just playing around and having fun. I pity those who had forked out money to buy the ingredients but it was all wasted

Today during lab lesson, I was apparently mistaken as a China man(or boy)by the teacher and she had only realized it today after so many weeks that I am a Singaporean. It is somehow all because of Zhiteng, the real China man. Here was how the casual conversation went when the teacher passed by our seats

Teacher: ni men liang ge shi zhu zai yi qi de ma?(are you two staying together?)
Raymond(thinking that it's a odd question): no lah
Teacher: oh, na ni men shi gen zhe li de qing qi zhu ma?(so you all are staying with relatives here?)
Zhiteng: errhh, shi de(erhh yes)
Raymond(wondering if his parents are considered realtives): oh yes
Teacher: na ni men lai xin jia po duo jiu le ah?(how long have you all been in singapore?)
Raymond(finally understands why she asked that odd question): aiyah, wo shi singaporean lah(I'm singaporean lah)
Teacher: oh sorry sorry, wo yi wei ni shi zhong guo ying wei ni men mei ci yi qi(I thought you were china cos you two always together)

It's all Zhiteng's fault and also the teacher's poor vision to differentiate between a local and a China guy. Do I really look China?

27 May

Today afternoon went to IMM

To be exact, I just went to the Giant supermarket in IMM. It was relatively empty with only a few people who have time to spare like me. I enjoy this kind of high end shopping experience where there are less fellow customers in the shop with you. You don't have to turn or move your body to avoid knocking the person beside you every ten metres you walk

Even the staff at the counters were quite relaxed and happy with almost nothing to do that they can even afford to smile at you when you approach them. Most of all, they can even say thank you and and goodbye before you leave. So I really wonder, how giant is Giant actually?

Anyway, tonight will be the night many people are waiting for. Everyone be prepared

Barcelona vs Manchester United

Finally, I'm done with this blockbuster pre-match analysis of the 2009 UEFA Champions League final. It is Manchester United vs Barcelona although it is more like Manchester United vs the rest of the world. Just as what Barca's star player, Lionel Messi said, "we are the team that the world wants to see winning". Everyone around us seems to be supporting the Spanish champions except for Man U fans of course, how about you?

Both sides do have players who will be unavailable for this big match. Manchester United will be missing Darren Fletcher while Barcelona have to do without full backs, Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves and centre-back, Rafael Marquez. Fletcher is a hardworking player but the red devils have other good players to look at in midfield so he will not be sorely missed

Abidal's absence will not make much of a difference for the Catalan giants but Alves will be a big miss for them. He is a wonderful attacking right-back who provides width for the team and is competent at free kicks. I still feel sad that Rafael Benitez did not manage to buy him over from Sevilla a year or two back. Marquez is a decent defender who can play in various positions. His trademark long pass across the field is a useful tactic for his team but that does not really matter since Barca have many quality creative players

I predict that both sides will play the offensive 4-3-3 formation. Alex Ferguson will deploy Cristiano Ronaldo as the lone striker and juxtaposing him with Wayne Rooney on his left and J.S.Park on his right. Anderson, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs make up the midfield three. Over at Barcelona, if nothing goes wrong, it should be Samuel Eto'o playing as the centre forward with Theirry Henry and Lionel Messi flanking him. The midfielders should be Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Yaya Toure

As we analyse this, it is not hard to discover that two well-known names from Manchester United are missing. Yes, they are Dimitar Berbatov and the ninety-nine percent confirm leaving Carlos Tevez. This should be the final humiliation of Tevez by Ferguson by being left on the bench before he leaves for another club this summer. J.S.Park shockingly missed last season's final so I believe he will be picked to start this time. The double Rs, Rooney and Ronaldo, are world class players so choosing them in the starting line-up is of no doubt

Barcelona's attacking trio of Eto'o, Henry and Messi is one of Europe's most lethal forces. All three of them are two-footed especially ex-Arsenal captain Henry. The former gunner will surely want to help his previous club take revenge against Man U. Messi and Eto'o need not be elaborated since they are on par with the double Rs

Now here come the midfield part where I think Barcelona have an edge over their opponents. Man U's midfielders are, like what the the Chinese always say, either "lao niao"(old bird/veteran) or "cai niao"(young bird/rookie). Lao niaos are liek Giggs and Paul Scholes while cai niaos include Nani and Anderson

Carrick looks to be the best midfielder currently in Man U but his natural position which is the deep-lying playmaker doesn't really fit into the 4-3-3 system properly. He has to be supported by a more defensive-minded player like Owen Hargreaves who is unfortunately still injured. Anderson is an attacking player, Giggs is an attacking player so it's still all down to Carrick for the defensive duties at the end of the day

Although Carrick has been in outstanding form this season where he passes like a dream, I think there are other better players who play in a similar position as him. Like AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and last but not least, Xavi of Barcelona. Xavi's ability of dictating tempo is wonderful, add together Iniesta's strong offensive approach to the game and the defensive power of Toure and you get a top quality midfield

Defenders are quite boring to talk about so I shall skip them but I think if Man U put the young Johnny Evans at the start, they will be self-destructing themselves. John O'Shea looks like a better replacement to partner Nemanja Vidic at the centre in case Rio Ferdinand cannot recover in time

Goalkeepers? Of course Holland's Edwin Van der Sar is better than Spain's Victor Valdes. The Dutch keeper is a safe pair of hands for the red devils and Eto'o will have a tough time trying to put the ball into the net. Valdes still has yet to build up a reliable goalie reputation for himself despite playing for quite a number of years

This match is also a showdown of the talented young players of both teams, namely Rooney and Messi. Ronaldo excluded here since he is phenomenal. Both Rooney and Messi have the world footballing fraternity at their feet when they are nineteen while I am still trying to figure out how to do two stepovers at a time. Bojan Krkic of Barcelona will be another player to look out for if he gets to play

In a whole, I will be supporting Barcelona for this match because of many obvious reasons that many people should know. Barcelona all the way!

Trade with me

Nothing interesting happened lately. Just wanna let you all know that I need onions and lemons in Restaurant City on Facebook. Do come and trade with me, at least half of my ingredients are unlocked for your convenience(unlike most of your stingy friends). Oh yes, I need cream too for my dessert. Happy trading

Cavaliers vs Magic

Well done Magic. Yes, I am referring to the NBA team, Orlando Magic. They beat Cleveland Cavaliers 107: 106 in the first game of the Eastern Conference Final of the NBA playoffs. Sometime during this morning, Zhi Teng and I were betting who will win this game and the loser had to treat the winner a snack

At first, hen we checked the live score on the internet(the game was still in progress then), both sides we tied at 90:90. Then when we refreshed the page, Magic was leading 93:90 and I was laughing there until we refreshed the page again and the Cavaliers was leading. As we refreshed each time, it seems that the page took longer and longer to load but in the Magic still won with a three-pointer in the last twenty seconds

Another classic example of weird encounters I have with the lifts in my school. No I did not pose, it is the mirror's fault

Dead Cat Bounce

Money talk today



If you had noticed, the stock market chart of Singapore has recently sort of climbed up again since the gobal financial storm last year. As of March this year, the STI was at around 1457 but it has since went up to 2029 this month. Of course in these kind of situations where the market rises after a sharp fall, there will be rumours about this and that

Some people said that it signifies the arrival of the bull market and investors should look at it with a positive state of mind. On the other hand, there are others who think that it is just another bear market rally or another term for it is called dead cat bounce



Dead cat bounce is a symbolic term used in the finance fratenity. It's original meaning is that a dead cat will still bounce even if it falls from a high place because it has nine lives but it is still dead at the end of the day. Similarly, the recent rise in the stock market might just be a temporary one before going down again

So why the sudden increase? Traders might be predicting a downfall where they can buy shares at "cheap cheap" prices and hope that a bounce, which happens frequently, will occur thus profiting from this entire thing. So if everyone is thinking what everyone is thinking, then all these predictions will turn into reality with people buying in non-stop

It might also be because many investors are buying stocks at the same time as they think it has plunged deep(and cheap)enough for them to part with their money, hence creating a sudden rise in the market

For whatever reason that people think the recent increase is, I believe that the bull market will not be back yet and this could possibly be yet another dead cat bounce. Well, we should be glad that there is something called dead cat bounce in the stock market because I don't think you can find it in football odds

The bull is still hibernating...

Toto

Alamak!

My seven dollars jiak ka liao(all eaten up in Hokkien)

I bought two sets of system 7 for today's 3 million dollar Toto. Only managed to get one number correct from each of the two sets of numbers. The winning numbers are all so big with 13 being the smallest

Never mind, there is still another chance on 22nd May where the prize money is 5 million!

Manchester United 0:0 Arsenal

Damn it

Manchester United 0:0 Arsenal

Which means it's game over for Liverpool

But anyway, congratulations to the champions, *handshakes, handshakes*

And good job to Arsenal to for putting up a great fight although they got many yellow cards

It was so close yet so far. Well but don't worry, there's still one last chance for revenge as Barcelona await in the Champions League final in Rome. At last...

Poll

I have finally created the first ever poll on this blog. The poll is meant to better interact with you all and make this blog livelier. The first question is on the 7 princesses from Mediacorp. Who is your favourite? Who do you hate the most? Feel free to vote and leave your comments on the tagboard. There will be a new question every week so stay tuned

It's been four weeks already and I still don't know half of my class. Now who will ever break this unmeltable ice? Vernon suggested that we seriously need a chalet or something to know one another better while Zhi Teng say we will only make ourselves look inferior if we make the first move. What do you think?

My "how well do you know me" quiz on Facebook is two days old already and so far nobody managed to even pass it. Most only got 1 correct, some got 2 correct and one even got zero for it. Highest score currently is held by Qing Xiong with 3 out of 8 questions correct. Congratulations to QX! But I must say it is a very difficult quiz especially question five

Last two games theory

Being a very optimistic person, I shall share with you all my very own "Last two games" theory regarding the Premier League title race. Manchester United is now six points clear at the top with two games remaining. Everyone will say that they are in the driving seat to clinch another title again and Liverpool confirm no hope already

Can Liverpool really win the Premier League this season? On paper they can, mathematically. They must win their last two games against a erhem very weak West Brom and an inconsistent Tottenham. Manchester United have to entertain Arsenal this weekend before travelling to Hull City on the final day of the campaign

Here's the interesting part

According to my Last two games theory, Arsenal will beat Man U because firstly, the Gunners will be all out for revenge for their loss against the Red Devils in the Champions League. Secondly, Man U will start to get arrogant and complacent(they are always like this) which is their main weakness just like how they got beaten by Liverpool two months ago and until now the Man U fans are still complaining about it after so long. Moreover, Arsenal have Andrei Arshavin back in the starting line-up again. He was cup-tied for the Champions League that's why Arsenal seemed so weak about two weeks back when both teams clashed. In short, Man U will be facing a very different Arsenal this Saturday

The second part of my theory is of course related to the second match which is against Hull City. Hull City are desperately battling for survival in the relegation war at the other end of the table. And you will never know like hey, Hull City will shock the world by upstaging the biggest upset of the season by beating Man U. They did it against Arsenal so why not against a less powerful Manchester United side?(assuming they lost to Arsenal in the previous week)

Liverpool will continue their recent crazy attacking form which had them scoring three or more goals in a match. This will extend their goal difference to even a larger amount and assure that they finish on top of Man U although both teams are on par with the same number of points

If you think that I am sprouting nonsense here after reading this post, then you are definitely the typical Manchester United fan who is arrogant. Otherwise, cheers to you for supporting Liverpool to win the title and my "last two games" theory

Twitter

Oh I am here to update again. I have just finished creating my own version of the "how well do you know me" quiz on Facebook. Speaking about Facebook, this social networking site seemed to have found a worthy rival at last. It is none other than Twitter!

I have just created an account about a few minutes ago and had my first tweet. That's what they call it you know you see. Well, I still don't really know how to use it but I guess all users will encounter the same problem as me when they first started. If you are wondering why I created an account today, it is all because of the influence from the Lianhe Zaobao which I was reading in the morning. The writer harped about all the goodness of it and how fun, attractive and informative it is

Here I am still stuck with the creation of that poll thing on this blog due to the smae problems form yesterday so in the meantime please wait patiently. The poll is meant to interact better with you all my readers and make this blog livelier

Wigan Wigan all the way. Come on man Wigan, do us a favour by beating Manchester United tonight. Actually I don't habour much hope for you all winning but I just hope you all can play to your best and don't let Liverpool be tagged "Game Over" in the EPL title chase

12 May

Rain rain go away, come again another day

It's been raining heavily for the past two days especially during noon which is lunchtime. So if you had guessed it right, everyone will be be hitting for the benches or foodcourts which are indoors. That means overcrowding of people which equals to human traffic jam plus not enough seats to accommodate the students. For your information, I am one of the victims from this problem

Anyway, I was planning to start a poll on this blog today but there were some problems with the sizing and positioning so I will try again tomorrow

Finally, I took a picture today. Wonder which kind soul was so "thoughtful" to place the dustbin in the lift for the convenience of throwing rubbish

10 May

Recently, there is this latest trend on Facebook where your friends create "How well do you know me" quizzes to test your understanding and knowledge about them. I must say I really don't know some facts about them or didn't expect the correct answer to be something else. Like Nas' favourite colour and Qing Xiong's destinated country to live in. I think I will make one for myself too and make sure it is si beh tough for whoever that takes it

Now I am watching Manchester United vs Manchester City with QX. Well, not physically with him but through msn and viewing the match live on the internet. Man U is leading 2:0. Sighs, that means Liverpool will have to wait for another week again for any chance of catching up with them, unless Man City can score three goals with about thirty minutes left

Ok I am going to bed soon. Goodnight. Hope Man City can some goals soon

8 May

Nothing interesting happened lately other than the exciting Champions League semi-finals and the thrilling NBA play-offs. Had the one and only lesson of the day this morning in the lecture theatre. A couple of people did not come on purpose for they think that it is a waste of time. We are supposed to mark our own attendance on a paper which has all our names. Then Jerry the itchy hand went to help some absentees by signing for them but I cancelled the signature with a line later when I got hold of the paper. Who do you think did the right thing?

Next week, the ezlink card mass replacement for second and third year students will take place. It will be at the basement of the convention hall which I think looks rather small to fill up a few thousand people at a time. Well but who cares? Most importantly we get our cards changed(but the fare won't change unfortunately). Everyone is given a serial number for convenience of the distribution of the cards. Mine is 6494. Maybe can buy 4D with this number

That all folks. Mas Selamat is caught! Muahahaha...

6 May

Yesterday saw two of my secondary school classmates in SP. First I saw Jian Nan at the foodcourt. Actually he was the one who saw me first while we were queueing up at different stalls. His hair looks shorter now but overall still look like a beggar. Then saw Chee Chin while waiting for my teacher to arrive, she was also waiting for the classroom to be opened. So while waiting we talked quite a lot of things. Never expect that I got so many different topics to chat with her. Maybe it is because since we were all seperated after the O levels, we hardly contact and also miss those times in secondary school

Manchester United spoiled my day as they whacked Arsenal out of the Champions League. But never mind, either Chelsea or Barcelona shall help all the European clubs take revenge by beating them in the final. That is the best place to fully shatter their dreams at the last stage. I predict it will be a 1:1 draw tonight and Barcelona getting into the final

Finally, I shall share with you five effective ways to become an overnight celebrity in Singapore

1. Stand outside the Istana and insult the government
2. Shout in a public place that you hate the newly elected(former)Aware members
3. Jump down from the Singapore Flyer while riding it
4. Run around the CBD area carrying two knifes and wielding them at passers-by
5. The simplest of all. Be the first person to kena Influenza A(H1N1) in the country

Arsenal vs Manchester United

To all the Arsenal gods and deities

Tolong tolong, please bless that the Gunners will win Manchester United tonight. Bomb a big lobang into them, kick them out, shatter their dreams and get into the final. My lunch money for tomorrow is going to be placed as a bet on them winning

Thank you very much

3rd may

Happy Birthday to Wai Yuen, Stanley and ET. 3rd of May happens to be the birthday of three of my friends. May you all strike it big at lottery now that you all are eligible to bet legally


What else do I have to say? Ok, now we have something call pork flu so what's next? Mutton and Fish Flu? Maybe the prawns and crabs will join in the fun some time later. My school si beh kiasu, from 5th of May(Tuesday) onwards, we will have to bring thermometers to school for daily temperature taking. I wonder during which lesson will this thing take place. Hopefully it is not during your breaktime where you are informed to go to a specific place to do it and waste some precious moments of your break

It's been two weeks already and I still don't know half of my class. Because of the circumstances and psychological factors, we are still like a half-strangers to each other. Who will break the ice?

Happy Labour Day

Happy Labour Day to you
Happy Labour Day to you
Happy Labour Day to you
Happy Labour Day to you

Sounds a bit late huh?

I shall keep this post simple so that you can understand it easier without labouring yourself to think. I still remember exactly two years ago Teck Cheong sang this song during English class and everyone including the teacher stared at him. It happened on the eve of Labour Day and everyone is quite happy that tomorrow got no school