The Friday Stickler
A look ahead to the weekend and thoughts about hair plus a new thing I’m working on
We’re a month into The Stickler already. Thank you to everyone who has subscribed so far. Massive gratitude to those who took a leap and became paid subscribers just as I launched this. Paid subscribers are what keep everything going with this publication and with Fitbatweets. If you can, please consider joining the paid ranks.
Those with a keen eye will have noticed I screwed up the issue numbering system already by jumping from #10 to #12 on Monday. These things were clearly not meant to last. Can’t go wrong with The Friday Stickler though. Unless it comes out on a Thursday.
What else went wrong this week?
Oh yeah. Dearie me mate. Talking of ex football pundits, there were some old Scottish goal clips on Sky Sports this morning which meant I heard the voice of Andy Walker for the first time in a while. Even though we still have to suffer the sounds of Ian Crocker we should take a moment to be grateful Walker was punted.
Euro misery loves company
Nil points for the coefficient on Thursday night as both Kilmarnock and Hearts lost away from home. I didn’t see the Killie game but by all accounts they were a bit unlucky with it being 2-0. Now it’s time for Derek McInnes to deliver his daily bitching sessions about having to play away on Sunday at Aberdeen, which is just north of Iceland it seems.
He has a point but it’s one that needs agreed during the close season. So him and his knackerjacks will just have to get on with it. Not that they could ever be a match for Jimmy Thelin’s relentless war machine (that’ll come back to bite me).
Thanks to the folk at SolidSport Sweden I was able to watch Hearts lose to the Czechia supermodel Viktoria Plzen thanks to a bloody ridiculous own goal in the 96th minute.
There was a point where the cameras zoomed in on the Hearts bench. As a coaching staff, Stevie Naismith really is on his own. I’m never a fan of assistants who still wear the boots and shorts as if they could be called upon by the gaffer for a sub appearance. Hearts are loaded with those guys. Remember how atrocious Hearts were when they had to be that three headed managerial beast for Europe. Thankfully Naisy was able to remove two of those heads who now kick about with a whistle and a stopwatch looking bewildered.
Will Hearts suffer a Euro hangover? They travel to Motherwell on Sunday while Viktoria has been given the weekend off to recharge. Do you hear that Derek?
Something for the weekend
Rangers are at Hampden on Saturday to take on Ross County. Cue obligatory empty Hampden image.
The most intriguing game of the weekend is Hibs v Dundee and I might pay a visit to that one. Mostly to see Dundee who are smouldering nicely with some tremendous cup form and a pumping of Hearts in the books. Looking forward to seeing these guys especially - Luke McCowan, Lyall Cameron, Brick Shithouse Curtis Main and the Flying Wotsit Simon Murray.
On the other side we have Hibs. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt after back to back games with Celtic. Those are expected defeats really. Home to Dundee should be a better indicator. Will they drop Martin Boyle for this one? They probably should. That stookie is really causing him a problem. Bowie should definitely get a start and Kwon will make his debut. It’s an intriguing one.
Also on Saturday, Dundee United take on St Johnstone. Absolutely reeks of a 1-1 draw.
The Sunday TV game naturally takes us to Celtic away to St Mirren. Now free from their European shackles the Paisley Saints should give last years Celtic team a run for their money.
Down South
Super Sunday is one of these ones where they drag out the third team pundits like Jimmy Floyd, Dwight Yorke, Jamie Redknapp. I honestly can’t even remember the games.
Saturday is better as the Man United Comedy Club head down to Brighton for a Bank Holiday Weekend cracker. I wonder if Jermaine will be on comms for that one?
The teatime fixture is a beauty as Aston Villa host Arsenal.
Don’t you think it would be nice if Mikel Arteta donated some of his hair to the other bosses like Pep, Arne and Erik?
Now I’m on a hair theme a transfer happened this week that I can’t let slide. Stevie May, the divine ponytail, has moved on a season long loan from St Johnstone to championship shot shysters Livingston. Stevie has never been a prolific scorer but he’s totally lost his goal touch since he cut his hair. Please Davie Martindale, nip along to Claire’s at the Almondvale and get it sorted.
What other sport is worth your attention
Women’s Open Golf from a blowy St Andrews - can anyone catch Nelly Korda
F1 is starting to get more interesting - Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday
Diamond League athletics from Poland on BBC2 on Sunday afternoon
End of the NFL preseason. Less than two weeks to go!
I’ve been watching and listening to….
A lot of horror movies and I’m kind of running out of titles I haven’t already watched. If you get a chance and you haven’t seen it then Barbarian is on Film4 for the next week. Will make you think twice about booking an Airbnb.
I’ve been listening to Swedish goth metallers Tribulation to the exclusion of anything else for the last couple of weeks. This is ever since catching this new track “Saturn Coming Down”. They won’t be for everyone that’s for sure.
A look at a new thing I’m doing
This part of the Friday Stickler is for paid subscribers only.
