Fergie gets 'snoody' with players

Sir Alex Ferguson has banned his players from wearing snoods during matches. The new football fashion during the winter time has spread like butter on toast. A snood (seen in the pictures) is a warm scarf like piece of clothing worn round your neck to prevent the cold. It has caused many different opinions throughout football, personally I like the snood it looks good and is warm, but others say its a very 'wussy' thing to wear for the sport. Under armour vests, shorts and even gloves are provided to keep you warm on the pitch, now a scarf. Wuss was the first thing my father said when I wore my snood as I unwrapped it this christmas but then again he was one who played in the seventies and eighties in shorts and short sleeved shirts, anyway Alex Ferguson of Manchester United is not allowing his players to wear a snood during matches and it seems to be working as I haven't yet seen a United player with the snood. My first sight of a snood was a year or so back when Gianluigi Buffon wore his playing at Hampden park against Scotland. Since then more and more are being spotted. Man City and Tottenham Hotspur seem to have the most players with the 'fashion' on.  Ballotelli, Tevez, Yaya Toure, Bale and Nasri are just some pictured wearing it. The football season has come to a slight halt during the winter freeze, many games have been postponed so as we catch up with many cancelled games in winter (January and February) I am certain we'll be seeing more snoods on the football field.

Cam Newton- Become Legendary

Last Thursday the 28th October my friends, family and I myself lost a great young man. Andy Crowe sadly passed away after suffering a brain hemorrhage shortly after finishing up a round of one of his favourite hobbies, boxing. Andy attended Brechin High school and was a well know student. Andy was a helpful boy who was always willing to turn other pupils in the right direction, he had no enemies and was also very clever. Andy was also very fit and if he wasn't seen in the school fitness suite no doubt you would see him running round the school or even doing press ups on the drain pipes in the changing room! Since I can remember Andrew he always had his mind on become a member of the royal marines. He had his heart set on it,never before have I seen someone put in so much effort, never before have I seen someone so dedicated. He always gave 110%. He never gave up, he set a goal and he was without a doubt going to achieved it. Andy and his brother Stuart (13) lived across the road from me and my brother Max (15) for almost ten years and never to my recollection had a dull moment. One of my favourite memories was one winter when Andy, Stuart, Max and myself decided to have a friendly snow ball fight. So Stuart and I scrapped together a barrier of snow to keep the 'enemies' out. We then made snow balls and were ready for the opposition. Andy on the other hand made almost a great wall of China out of snow, he made it all the way round so me and Stuart couldn't get inside. He spent so much time on it that when he eventually did finish (even though it was a white Christmas) it was too dark out to see. This always makes me smile because it shows how even back then, even on a job like this, Andy perfected everything he did. This was one of his many brilliant qualities. Andy was a fantastic friend, he'll always be remembered but never be forgotten. My thoughts are with all his family and friends. I would love to say rest in peace but knowing Andy's character he'll be running up there, he'll be doing great and he'll be seeing everything every ones doing for him. Keep it up guys, as for Andy..... I'll miss you loads buddy, keep on running.
        By Cain Lindsay, Second year Brechin high school.

Scotland field strikers, Spain field world champions

Having netted two against possibly the worlds best goalkeeper and the world champions, Scotland were virtually ten minutes away from a very well earned, well fought and very well deserved point against the current European and world champions Spain but Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque realised his side were lacking something something during the late stages of this highly anticipated fixture so he brought on striker Fernando Llorente. Seven minutes later he broke Scottish hearts as he scored Spain's winner on the 79th minute. Scotland started the match with good movement and good attacking intent but this skill of the game was then turned over to the Spaniards as they taunted the Scots with exceptional possesion and worrying passing in and out the Scotland penalty area. Although Spain passed the ball around like the world champions they are they had some defending to do as Scotland created a few chances. One of these chances fell to the feet of James Morrison, Kenny Millers pass to him gave Morrison a shooting oportunity in Cassilas' box but he fired straight at the 29 year old. David Silva was the victim of one of Spain's best chances of the game. Xabi Alonso played a delightful chip into his path but Silva's volley was missed kicked. Scotland were lucky this time but the pressure mounted. Just before the half time whistle Spain made a break through, Sergio Ramos' shot sruck the arm of Steven Whittaker and a penalty was awarded to Spain. Whittaker recieved a yellow card which was to prove costly for him near the end of the game. Villa the top scorer at the last European Championship stepped up and scored despite McGregors touch on the way past. Half time and 1-0 the second half started pretty much as the first ended Spain dominating this time it only took tem minutes after the whistle to score. Cazorla works an opening but his shot is blocked although Iniesta is there to score what looked as though (despite it was early on) was going to be a winner. This goal had an impact on the scots as they replied just two minutes later. Steven Naismith's diving header giving Scotland hope. Less than ten minutes after their first Scotland got an equaliser. Darren Fletcher played a great ball to James Morrison who crossed into Spain's six yard box and Gerard Pique could only turn the ball into his own net. Game on! Spain passed and passed brilliantly to try and create an opening to destroy the Scots but Levein's side kept them out (at least for another ten long minutes or so). Spain did eventually get the winner. Capdevilla crossed into the box, Mcmanus completely mised a header and Llorente tapped in the winner for the Spaniards. The drama of this fantastic match ended just four minutes before the final whistle when Steven Whittaker recieved a second yellow for bad challenge on Sergio Ramos. A bad night for Steven and a mixed night for Scotland. Unlucky some would say others would compare this result to the 4-6-0 formation that lost 1-0 to the Czech Republic and ask questions. On the night no Brittish teams witnesed victory, Northern Ireland had a frustrating 1-1 draw with Faroe Islands, Kyle Lafferty proving why Nigel Worthington played him from the start with a fantastic performance. Wales lost 4-1 away in Switzerland and England were booed off to a 0-0 draw against Montenegro at Wembley. Not quite brittian but Republic of Ireland earned a 1-1 draw in Slovakia, Robbie Keane missing a penalty. Scotland now 3rd in their group although they've played an extra game. Scotland host Czech Republic next, if they play anything like tonight Scotland could ease past the Czechs.

Northern Ireland VS Spain

'We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland..........'

Tiger can still roar!

Okay, sorry. Soccer Talker sounds like an obsesive football fan which in actual fact, yep, thats me but I'm not all soccer. Rugby, Golf, Boxing, American football and (at a good real push) tennis, these are other sports I've expressed an interest in.Obviously being a golfing fan it is exciting when the Ryder Cup comes around and we weren't dissapointed this year. A very exciting and tense final day which went literally down to the last swings of the ball. This years Ryder Cup was hosted at the Celtic manor resort in Wales, the US team captained by Corey Pavin and Europe captained by Scotsman Colin Montgomery. Anyway I wanted to keep this short so to get to my point. Less than a year ago a story broke out that reached almost every news paper, news station, radio etc. you name it you'd probably hear about it. This story was about Tiger Woods, I won't get into detail but this led into his divorce and also to his sex addiction. The sporting world was shocked, a player like Woods the winner of 49 major awards and achievments, a father, an idol for young folks was to act in such a way as to be driven to rehab for sex addiction was massive! Tiger recieved huge criticism for his rehab and addiction. Back to the Ryder cup and a year on Tiger Woods is still playing the golf that has caught the eyes and ears of golf fans around the globe, during USA's unfortunate 14 half - 13 half  loss of the Ryder cup Tiger Woods achieved a birdie, another birdie, a third birdie then an astonishing and fantastically hit eagle. For me Tiger Woods has shown great courage and strenghth to come back and play what I will more than happily call 'world class golf'. Keep the roar Tiger!

The 180th time Manchester Uited and Liverpool went head to head and boy was it a game that will be remembered for years to come?! The first half lacked excitment. A few pieces of action now and again but not much to jump out your seat. United's number 10 Wayne Rooney had a penalty shout when Martin Skrtel apparently had a hold of his shirt although the reply showed Rooney with his hand on Skrtel's back. 'El Nino' or Torres (as the opposition know him) had a chance to put his side in front, a perfect run and perfect positioning as he recieved the ball at the edge of the box but an initial shot failed to make Van Der Sar work. The first half, despites its lack of excitment, did see a goal. Giggs whipped in a corner which reach Dimitar Berbatov (whom was being held all over by the Spainiard Torres) but  he still managed to header the ball past Reina and bury home the opener for United.
       The second half was by far the most exciting 45 minutes the Barclays Premiership has seen so far this season, in my opinion. It too had a slow start but it only took 15 minutes after the restart for United's Bulgarian star to get his and United's second. This time an absolute beauty. Fletcher played a fantastic ball over the top to Luis Nani, who then found Berbatov lurking in the 18 yard box. Berbatov took a touch with his knee then made an astonishing over-head kick against the bar and past Pepe Reina, amazing! Happy faces around Old Trafford (but for how long?) 3 minutes after Berbatov's moment of magic Liverpool were awarded a penalty. Torres making a good run in the box and an even better turn past Evans who then brought him down. Gerrard stepped up and knocked it past Van Der Sar, a well struck penalty. The momentum was now in Liverpool's favour. Less than 10 minutes after Gerrard's first he added another this time a free kick. O'Shea pulled down Torres and recieved a yellow card. Gerrard hit the free kick with pin point precision, curling past the United wall. A very well executed set piece. 'Stevie G' then kissed the camera as you may remember he did two seasons ago at OT. Conceding two goals in 10 minutes isn't the best confidence for United's defence but the held on for a good while (15 minutes) until United found their winner. United's winner was scored by their saviour Dimitar Berbatov. The first United player to score a hat-trick in this fixture for over 60 years. John O'Shea crossed into Berbatov who then headed the winner. The momentum pendulum was swinging and staying with Manchester United. The goal was scored on 84 minutes and United held on to win the game. Next up United face a League cup fixture away to Scunthorpe whilste Northampton Town are on the recieving end of this upset for Liverpool, good luck Northampton (you'll need it!) So at the end of the day distraught for Liverpool, delight for Man United and 'da match ball' for Dimitar Berbatov.