That is WAY to Much Running

The Arsenal play Everton today in the Carling Cup and they are putting out a young squad as predicted. This competition is used as a kind of proving ground by Wenger for reserve and youth team players and gives them some great experience. Everton will likely play a bit more open today as compared to their visit to the Grove recently due to the younger Gunners, and will also likely have more of their first team players. Even considering the two teams, I feel the Gunners will pull out the win (2-1 to Arsenal with a late go ahead goal). There is a lot of talent in the reserves and they’ll be trying to impress and work their way back into AW’s starting rotation. Here is the squad:

Manuel Almunia
Mart Poom
Philippe Senderos
Johan Djourou
Emmanuel Eboue
Armand Traore
Mathieu Flamini
Alexandre Song
Theo Walcott
Denilson
Emmanuel Adebayor
Jeremie Aliadiere
Matthew Connolly
Mark Randall
Fran Merida
Ryan Garry

As it turns out today, the Fergie and the rest of the Manc crowd have been pretty quiet about their loss yesterday to Southend. Sir Red Nose stated that sometimes that happens in football and Eastman’s goal was a cracker. He may be trying to diffuse the situation internally, but the rest of the Prem clubs saw it and the Man U fortunes may be turning.

After the humiliating loss by the US in the recent Ryder Cup, some big changes are going on in the structure of the team. New captain Paul Azinger has seen how Europe tends to bring in players who are peaking that year rather than those who may have had a good year the season before. Here is the new methodology:

Eight players will automatically qualify for the 2008 competition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, via a points-list based on money earned at PGA Tour events held earlier that season. Double points will be on offer at the four majors, with single points available at the 2007 majors. Also, the Captain will be able to make 4 Captain’s picks rather than 2.

This setup will help against getting out of form players at the Cup, similar to what happened with Kenny Perry in 2004. I like Kenny, and he had a great 2003. But in 2004 he wasn’t clicking and lost all his matches at the Ryder Cup. Hopefully this system will help but an attitude adjustment is also needed. More team camaraderie is need and a desire to win. They have 2 years to sort it out. Az should be able to do it, or so I hope.

And in crazy ass news, when 44-year old Dean Karnazes crossed the finish line at the New York Marathon last Sunday, he completed his goal of running 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days. Yes, 50. One marathon is staggering to me. Hell 5 miles is staggering to me. This guy is truly a nutter, or more like a health nut (nyuk nyuk!). He did all this as material for a new book to be titled “The Endurance 50.” I think I’d rather go to the library to do research for a new book.

Adios.