Fabio Borini: Liverpool, Sunderland, QPR … the authorised version

The world and his dog have a view on the Fabio Borini affair. My own is well known: he is not paid to be a Sunderland supporter but for being a professional footballer, and must be allowed to
make his own choices, but I do bitterly regret all the wasted effort to bring him back when it was clear all along he’d sooner take a break from active football. Even those Sunderland supporters who profess not to care too much that this, indeed, is the outcome express a view merely by saying just that. What of Borini himself? And Liverpool fans? It is likely we still know only part of the story of how he now comes to be kicking his heels at Anfield with, apparently, little real prospect of breaking into the team on Brendan Rodgers’s present thinking.

Well, Borini read the article we reproduce today from the excellently written Liverpool fan site The Anfied Wrap and gave it the seal of approval you see above. So step forward the author, Neil Atkinson, from whom we have heard before, with an introduction followed, with his consent, by the piece itself …

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Wearied by the Borini saga, wondering whether we’re better off

We’ve gone three PL games without any forward scoring so it looks like the front line failings we’ve experienced for at least two seasons are destined to continue. Jozy will score one day but Fletch looks like he’s playing the wrong system and Wickham’s playing the wrong position.

John McCormick:
John McCormick: looking at what’s afoot

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Sixer’s QPR Soapbox: Sunderland slip up as Cattermole made to tread egg shells

Jake: a diminished Lee means a diminished SAFC
Jake: a diminished Lee means a diminished SAFC

Pete Sixsmith‘s wisest decision on Saturday was his choice of pub, the trick being to beat the ploddish Met Police anti-supporter radar, get a good pint and not still have miles to make up to reach the ground. Notting Hill Gate, the Commissioner will doubtless be surprised and relieved to hear, survived the visit from a dozen or more Sunderland fans. Then it was time to head on to White City and the day went downhill, as Pete describes …

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QPR Who are You?: SAFC fans ‘don’t age well, but Joey does’

Jake has ways of making them talk
Jake has ways of making them talk

Kieran Robinson – check him out at kieranrobinson.comwas recommended to us as a QPR candidate for ‘Who are You?’ by Steve Colwell, a great friend this site who is not only a Rangers fanatic but at least twice an occupant of this little hot seat. He reports on the Old Bill’s heavy-handed (sorry Met Police: the phrase slips effortlessly off the keyboard) denial of pre-match pint opportunities, the premature ageing of Sunderland supporters and the leadership qualities of Joey Barton …

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QPR vs SAFC ‘Guess the Score’: no beer, no prize

Jake's new Guess the Score image,  with the usual insolent caption
Jake’s new Guess the Score image, with the usual insolent caption

Can two sets of supporters, from good, decent football clubs, be trusted to share the same licensed premises with a couple of coppers on hand to nip any nonsense in the bud?

The answer from the Met is No. So make sure to get your pre-match pints in Kings Cross or elsewhere. Shepherds Bush may prove a desert. One or two publicans may welcome you but don’t bet on it.

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