Brief respite
Another football league season gone, apart from the last knockings of the play-offs, which could see the top tier in Scotland without either of the Edinburgh clubs, an unprecedented and financially dangerous situation, and in England, the return of the ‘Wally with the Brolly’ to the Premier League. The first ever Scottish Premiership ended in controversy, with the mighty Motherwell emerging once again as the best of the rest, thanks to a last minute, and perfectly legitimate, goal against the sore-losing Aberdeen. The first ever English Premier League without Fergie was the poorer for his absence, as were Manchester United, who may be gone for a while if they abandon continuity in favour of the much-travelled veteran Dutchman who has been anointed by the media as the next manager. Top four next season? England: 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Tottenham 4 Liverpool. Scotland: 1 Celtic 2, 3, 4 Pick any 3 from 11.
So on we go to the World Cup. QJ’s forecast: Argentina to beat Portugal in the final, Brazil to win the third-place play-off over Germany or Belgium. England? Get to quarter-finals, lose to Brazil.
Quintin Jardine's blog 
Great result from ‘The Well’ yesterday and you hit the nail on the head when you described Aberdeen (the new media darlings) as sore losers. Roll on the WC and I wouldn’t disagree with your prediction about the likely winners. Thanks for your help regarding the problem of accessing Hour of Darkness via Google Play. All sorted now and it is really a great read. Oh Bob Skinner, what a tangled web you weave! Where does he go from here, Quintin? I can’t see him as anyone’s lackey in the future and wonder if there is mileage in a ‘hard man, soft centre’ future alliance with Big Lennie, or some freelance spooky work with Amanda Dennis? By the way, lovely to see the reference to King’s Mint Imperials – I loved them as a lad at High School, especially trying to eat them quietly during Latin classes without crinkling the bag too much. The Lanark location was great too, as my only daughter was born in the now gone, William Smellie maternity, replaced by a housing scheme. Progress, eh! If you ever decide to do a book signing down in Milton Keynes, I will come to it. Jeffrey Deaver had one at W H Smith last week in MK Centre with his new book, The Skin Collector. Keep Bob alive, as he reminds me of my spiritual home in Motherwell, even though I’ve lived in MK for 30 years. Thanks, GH
Have just watched the final game of the season in La Liga between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid…..now that is total football and how the game should be played. Talent and skill in abundance, passion and fitness from both teams for all to see. Spanish football is on another planet compared to any other league in the world…….magical stuff !!
I’ll be in trouble saying this where I am just now, but Atletico were in a different weight division. When it mattered they brushed Barca aside. Martino didn’t cut it as coach, and benching Xavi was a suicide note. Luis Enrique will put things right.
Aye, Atleti more than deserved to win. They were hungrier and more up for it than Barca. Martino was a bad choice for manager….didn’t understand the Barca way of playing. As for benching Xavi..must be the worst decision he’s made the whole season. Still can’t understand why he would think that was in the teams best interest. Hopefully Enrique will take Barca back to their glorious, tika taka silky way of playing.
P.S. fingers crossed for an Atleti win this coming Saturday again !!