Bye Bye Keegan

Just a few months ago I posted an article titled "Bye Bye Big Sam,"
and here I am "again," saying goodbye to somebody.

Sadly, after less than one year of management, Keegan was sent off the Newcastle coach's position. I guess I do feel some sympathy for Keegan, since I think he was not given enough authority in putting up a new team after Big Sam's era ─ so there was hardly a "Keegan Era," to start with.

I really hope Newcastle gets past these almost silliness and gets back in the real game. With all the good players pending and some not yet given an appropriate chance, I think this team needs quite some time to adjust itself and move on.

Wonder who's going to be the next coach. Whoever it is, I pray for Newcastle to really settle down this time and really, really "move on."

Top 10 Debuts in the History of the Premiere League

By MIKE ANSTEAD, at "The Sun"

Published: 11 Aug 2008

original url: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/top10s/article1522697.ece

THE Premier League season kicks off on Saturday and new heroes are almost certain to emerge.

Major summer signings will be desperate to pay off a chunk of their transfer fee by grabbing the headlines on their debut.

Who will it be this year? Deco? Johan Elmander? Peter Halmosi? We will soon find out.

There have certainly been many debuts to remember in the top-flight since 1992 — but a number of them also offer sharp reminders that early form can be deceiving.

We have pulled together our pick of the players who have hit the heights on their Premier League bow.

No10: Alen Boksic (2000)

The moody Croatian started his Middlesbrough career with a neat double in the 3-1 win at Coventry. The classy forward had probably never heard of Highfield Road after his stints with Italian giants Juventus and Lazio but Boro fans left the ground buzzing. Unfortunately, injuries overshadowed his three-year spell.

No9: Milan Baros (2002)

Liverpool dropped Michael Owen for the visit to Bolton but new boy Baros ensured the gamble paid off. The Czech hitman grabbed a brace in the 3-2 victory with two decisive finishes, although he never lived up to the initial hype at Anfield. Failed spells at Aston Villa and Portsmouth followed.

No8: Michael Owen (1997)

With an incredible record at youth level, Owen stormed into Liverpool's team with a neat finish 17 minutes after coming on in the 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon. The striker became a Kop legend thanks to his scoring exploits, although he has struggled on his return to England with Newcastle.

No7: Robbie Keane (1999)

Eyebrows were raised when Coventry paid a whopping �6m for the teenage striker. But Keane blew away the Sky Blues fans’ fears with an impressive double to wrap up a 2-0 win over Derby at Highfield Road. The Irishman was sold just one year later to Inter Milan for an incredible �7m profit.

No6: Mario Stanic (2000)

The Croatia star left the Stamford Bridge crowd purring after a sensational debut in the 4-2 triumph over West Ham. He struck a delightful goal – controlling and juggling the ball before lashing home a volley from 35 yards – as well as adding a second. But the midfielder failed to maintain that form.

No5: Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001)

Van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron both made their debuts against Fulham but it was the Dutchman who stole the limelight. United twice went behind before the deadly hitman grabbed two goals in four minutes to secure a 3-2 win. And while Veron was a huge flop, Van Nistelrooy went on to become a hero.

No4: Alan Smith (1998)

Like Owen, Smith promised so much as a teenager. The Leeds striker also delivered on his debut, although his goal came from his first touch at Liverpool as he inspired the comeback for a 3-1 win. Smith went on to become an Elland Road favourite but his career is now faltering.

No3: James Vaughan (2005)

Everton’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace is remembered for the emergence of Vaughan. The Toffees ace grabbed the final goal to become the Premier League’s youngest ever scorer at 16 years and 271 days. Injuries have hampered his progress but there are big hopes again this season.

No2: Brian Deane (1992)

Man Utd were crowned champions but they initially became unstuck against the Premier League’s opening hero. Sheffield United's Deane scored the first ever goal in the newly-formed division and added the second in a shock 2-1 win. Several players grabbed braces that day but Deane's stood out.

No1: Fabrizio Ravanelli (1996)

Premier League debuts do not come better than this. Ravanelli left Juventus for Middlesbrough in the prime of his career in a �7m switch. And the Italian immediately set about proving his worth by grabbing a hat-trick against Liverpool in an epic 3-3 draw at the Riverside. A legend on Teesside.

The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place

I have been looking for this CD for so long, blaming myself for losing it in some corner of the room. So many times I wanted to listen to it, looked around and around but just couldn't find it. The one album that was missing from my explosion in the sky collection.

And tonight, in a box I sealed up long time ago, there it was. Laid with other CDs I've lost track of for quite a while. And what a delight to play it again, against the quiet night. What a nostalgia.