Under Armour COMPETITION - Read on for full details

Under Armour (the performance apparel people!) have launched a UK Facebook site!

Visit the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/underarmouruk

To celebrate the launch, I have 10 Under Armour beanie hats to give away to you lovely people. Simply Retweet this post link via Twitter to be in with a chance of winning!



Winners will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

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Don't forget that to keep up with the latest posts on the Mrs D Footy Fest Blog (or to know to give me a nudge if not updated often enough), you can subscribe to the email feed on the right hand side! It only takes a moment.

Toodlepip...

International Friendly ....or International Foolery?

Do we really need an International Friendly against France?

Tomorrow sees a thoroughly depleted 'England' side take on the (not so) might of France in an International Friendly at Wembley Stadium. Is it absolutely necessary? Will we achieve anything other than injuries and fatigue in the run up to what is traditionally a very busy period in the Premier League calendar?

Below, I've listed a few pro's and con's as I see them - what are your thoughts?

Pro's:
Revenue generation for the FA - of course this is the main consideration on their part
A chance to have a go at the French - always welcomed
An opportunity to give some youngsters a run out - the likes of Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson etc will no doubt play some part, and it's good for the manager to have a look at them (although I'm still bemused by the omission of Ryan Shawcross!)
A nice day out for a reasonable price due to all the promotional offers the FA have had to lay on to get people to the Stadium - not that I'll ever knock those tactics, a full ground is a happy ground!
It's another match to watch - never a bad thing!

Con's:
Only half or so of the team will be England 'regulars' - not exactly qualifier preparation
The newbies that get a nod will get their time to shine, but will Fab REALLY be brave enough to pick them for a qualifier? - I hope so personally
Those that play are at risk of injury in a busy time for club football - they do have a 'day job' afterall

My personal conclusion is that aside from the risk of injury there's really no harm in hosting an International Friendly, although the timing somewhat bothers me. Even with the acceptance that the busy period isn't quite yet upon us, an injury tomorrow could take a player out to the New Year.
Still - it must be amazing to play for your Country and the more of these games we have the more opportunities for our younger players arise... In turn, that realization of genuine opportunity may well rub off on the youngsters playing in the park dreaming of playing for England themselves one day, and that can only be good.... right?

Would love to know your thoughts folks.
Toodlepip for now...

In Out, In Out, Shake It All About!

Once again, sincere apologies for the lack of non-automated action from the Mrs D Family.
This is something that we are working very hard on behind the scenes and I promise that normal service will soon be resumed.

In the meantime, why not comment here or on Twitter with your thoughts on the latest goings on?

Toodlepip for now,
Mrs D

The End Of The First Round - Thankfully!

The South Africa -v- Uraguay match tonight signals the start of the second round of matches in the Fifa World Cup 2010.... and hopefully it will be an improvement on the first round!

The first round has been largely disappointing, with Argentina and Germany looking the most lively. Although Argentina only managed the one goal versus Ghana, it was as a result of an inspired goalkeeping performance rather than a lack of attack. Any other night and the South American's could've had 5 or 6 hit the back of the net. Germany were confident, comfortable and cruising when putting 4 away, with some suggesting that their decision to accept the use of the official WC ball played to their advantage.

France, England, Italy, Portugal, Brazil and most notably Spain have failed to do anything spectacular (other than lose in Spain's case) as yet, leaving us wondering if this could be the lowest scoring WC of recent times.

I would like to think that the lack of flare for the most part has been down to a cautious approach towards losing their opening matches, and hopefully the second round should enable some of those fears to be subdued.... they are going to have to be in many instances, as the draws and surprise losses have now piled the pressure onto the big guns.

COME ON BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD - SHOW US WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!