The Croydon Riots

I was first told that this would take place at 3pm, when I overheard a conversation between a homeless man and a passer by. The homeless man normally found outside Allders with a canine companion, I believe was informed of this by the Police for his own safety. The trouble was predicted to start between 4 and 8, which was a bit of a inconvenience due to me having tickets for a movie at The Vue Cinema that very evening.

The Movie was very good and took my mind off what was about to take place. I forgot about the disturbance that was about to enplode in the town I reside, and made my way home (Luckily I did not have to pass where the holiganism was taking place). It only hit home when I returned and turned my television on.

Within a few hours there was a report of fires around West Croydon and also another location I idenitified as Reeves Furniture Store (A near 150 year old shop established in 1867 by the Reeves Family, and even has the road named in its honour.

I watched the reeves fire from a safe distance (my kitchen window) it was huge with fireballs in the nights sky. and watched for updates (noticing one of the building affected in West Croydon was called Rock Bottom, quite apt I thought. Most of the towns affected are riot hotspots (places like Brixton, Peckham, Hackney), but Croydon does not have this kind of history.

As far as a fathom most of those trouble makers were not Croydonians, which in a way makes this behaviour even worse as they do not have to deal with the chaos they have caused. The Reeves building itself is a reminder to Croydon's past, and 144 years of business destroyed.

I went for a walk after the trouble had died down to inspect what had gone on, and conversed with a gentleman who worked for BskyB about what had happened. He stated that he had been to other towns suffering from civil unrest (including Brixton). Also individuals trying to coax information out of him falsely claiming to be from the Press Association.

On my way back I saw what I assumed to be Looters from nearby Argos, selling some suspicious electrical items. In my opinion people who loot during demonstrations and riots are the worst kind of criminal as they are stealing while people are getting hurt.

I finally got home again at 1 am and turned my television back on, for updates on the areas I avoided as acts of vandalism were still being commited.

This was not a demonstration, this was anarchy. These riots need to stop, and these anachists need to be caught and tried.

Double standards

The double standards of we the English has sunk to new depths, and I have had enough of it. We are questioning Fifa's integrity, but yet in the early 90s we did something morally repugnant.

Back in the 1990s we did a deal with Germany that if they did not bid for Euro96 we wouldnt bid for the World Cup 2006, but yet we bid for the latter. Which makes you wonder are Fifa that bad.

Harbhajan Singhs runs are not unique with bowlers this year

Harbhajan Singh's tremendous run scoring feat is not unique among bowlers and all rounders this calender year. Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Stuart Broad have all hit maiden tons this year, and in the first test against New Zealand Harbhajan joined that list. He is currently just 15 balls away from successive hundreds (On 85* overnight), and he has hit three 50s in successive innings.

It is considered special or a batsman to get hundreds in successive innings for a bowler to do it, and he may do it tomorrow. In his innings today he was at his swashbuckling best, and hit an amazing 5 sixes and 7 fours. One shot was a perfectly executed straight arial drive which landed in s straight line from middle stump, a shot Tendulkar has perfected.

Harbhajan has always had the talent, but not the application in his innings. His Average has never been as high as it should be, as he seems hellbent on increasing it. He is also batting like a batsman and not like a tailender, of which is hard to change. Harbhajan has hit a lot of 50's, but none with clean hitting like this.

A lot of the reason is V.V.S. Laxman has spend a lot of time in the middle with him and helping him stay composed, but even with Laxman on form Harbhajan is outscoring him. The Spinner was in shock when he won man of the match for his batting in the Ahmedabad test.

Is Harbhajan Singh becoming an all rounder, watch this space.

Sebastian Vettel: 2010 World Drivers Champion

Sebastian Vettel extended his run of youthful records, by winning the 2010 World Drivers Championship. The German claimed a deserved championship with victory in Abu Dhabi, and became the youngest champion. He already holds the youngest race winner, race winner with two different teams, pole position, pole possition with different teams, fastest lap with two different teams and champioship runner up.

What makes him so special was his time at Toro Rosso (Formally Minardi), hes the only driver to get on the podium with that team let alone win as he did. Current drivers who have driven for Toro Rosso/Minardi and their best positions.

Sebastian Vettel 1st 40 pts
Mark Webber 5th 02 pts
Vitantonio Liuzzi 6th 03 pts
Sebastian Buemi 7th 14 pts
Jaime Alguersuari 9th 05 pts
Jarno Trulli 9th 00 pts
Fernando Alonnso 10th 00 pts

As you can see Vettel wins this hands down, which is why I believe him to be the best driver in formula one. He is a deserving World Champion and will go on to win many titles. The Vettel era has started, and watch this space.

Harrison Getting In Too Deep

Audley Harrison has never faced someone of Haye's quality and was out of his depth. He clearly needed his head testing when he signed the contract to fight David Him, and he was outclassed by his opponent. Harrison did not throw a single punch in anger, and was lucky he lasted 3 rounds.

David Haye boxed so well, and made Harrison look like a beginner. Punch after punch and kinda reminded me of Phil Tufnell facing bouncers. Yes he is a former Olympic champion, but in the Olympics they wear head guards. Professional boxing is almost a different sport, and Audley has not made the transition.

This should be the end of Harrison's career, and for his own health needs to retire.

Roy Hodgson: Is He Good Enough

There is a question on all Liverpool fans lips, and that is Roy Hodgson is he good enough. After another loss to Stoke City, we do wonder. Stoke outplayed us with their hoof and throw football, as Liverpool slump and look like relegation fodder.

To add insult to injury and Liverpool at 1-0 down what does he do plays someone up with Torres?, no he brings babel on and puts him on the wing (Babel is a better Striker). Roy Hodgson struggled at the only other big club he has managed (Internazionale), and he is struggling here.

Hopefully the board will lose patience and bring King Kenny back.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2010 Grid

Vettel
Hamilton
Alonso
Button
Webber
Massa
Barrichello
Schumacher
Rosberg
Petrov
Kubica
Kobayashi
Sutil
Heidfeld
Hulkenberg
Liuzzi
Alguesuari
Buemi
Trulli
Kovalainen
Glock
De Grassi
Senna
Klien