01 March 2007
This week's Top Trader Northern_Kite claims that football is still the beautiful game. We'll forgive him for writing that prior to the Blackburn Arsenal snooze-fest but not for writing it after the Carling Cup final. Exciting and enthralling yes, but beautiful? Still, he will have been satified with the beautiful image of his name at the top of the leaderboard on Tuesday and here's what he's got to say about it...
1. So, how does it feel to be Top Trader this week?
Nothing will surpass the feeling of the first Top Trader win, but it's still great to win for the third time and I thought I would fall just short.
2. Nothing beats the first time. It's always over so quickly though. What was it that set you apart from the rest of the players this week and meant you got the silverware?
Regular access as always, is the main ingredient to success. When the Board became unsettled on Monday evening, I couldn't bear to sit all mitten-clad and nervous, so I dived straight into Barney, and made enough cash to make it worthwhile.
Holding Henrik Larsson for full Dividend got the week off to a reasonable start, followed by Win Bonus payments for Shane Horgan and Chelsea.
All my TT wins have featured a "Henrik" for either Dividend or a Win Bonus. Any chance you could scour the globe for more sporting Henriks and list them all?
3. Your most important buy or sell this week?
Shane Horgan – I'd still be fairly clueless on both codes of Egg-Chasing, if it wasn't for this game.
4. Apparently, we are an educational tool. What for we're not sure. Despite the historical context, sport took centre stage at Croke Park on Saturday. What are your impressions of Saturday's match?
I didn't get the chance to see the match live. However, having seen some of it, in my opinion, it only reinforces the point that sport at International level is cyclical. The Ireland team are on an upward slope of improvement, whilst the England team are on the other side of the hill, descending down the slope.
I also must say that Croke Park looks a fantastic venue and I do have to wonder why it's taken so long for other sports to be played there.
5. Agreed. It would be nice if just one of our national sides were on the up side of the hill. Anyway, the Carling Cup final got ugly. Is it not time that footballers grew up?
Yes!
6. The campaign starts here. Let's rid the game of immaturity. We've turned into the Daily Mail. The cricket world cup starts soon. Who are you backing?
It's still very difficult indeed to see past an Aussie win, but the Windies will have very vocal home support and could challenge for ultimate victory.
7. What about Canada? No? John McEnroe has been singing Andy Murray's praises. Put your neck on the line; will he win a grand slam in the next year?
No, it's a little early for that. I fully expect his improvement and progress up the rankings to continue though.
8. Very sensible. God forbid that he has any expectation surrounding him. Finally, take the chance to talk about any sporting issue close to your heart. Try and keep it brief.
Messrs. Hicks and Gillett now own my club. If they insist on selling naming rights for the new stadium, I can live with that... just... but no ridiculous names please!
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