Endoh’s Dungeon

Just when I finished writing about how smoking may not be the root factor for cancer development based on 3 independent studies (even with a totally anticipated denial), yet another “healthy tip” was busted last Friday. This time, it’s the ever-popular recommendation of drinking 8 glasses of water a day being found to be anything… but close to the truth.

We heard it all, from our days as a toddler to our days as a student. Even as we grow, we actually hear these advices from professional health “specialists”. What or who does it take to debunk a professional myth? Well, as the saying goes, “it takes one to know another”. Hence, it takes another professional to bust a professional myth since uneducated advices seemed more real than anything else. The next time anyone goes screaming at their loved ones or children to down 8 glasses of water a day for health sake, you could be the one to contribute to their bad health afterall.

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What a cheek and audacious little catch in MSN Video!? But I like it! Reflecting back on Man Utd’s 3-0 pounding of Liverpool and its 4-0 win over Aston Villa over the weekend, the force of the Red Devils can never be denied.

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… so says sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

This is the first time that I actually read a direct charge from a minister, that a footballer’s salary is obscene. To elaborate it in layman’s terms, it simply means John Terry does not deserve that high salary for the important role he plays for Chelsea.

I am not a Chelsea fan, but nevertheless I felt injustice for such a demeaning charge towards a footballer. The first thing that is clearly evident is the lack of appreciation for the commitment John Terry has given, not just for himself but as a captain behind the entire Chelsea squad. Even as a Manchester United fan, we still hold a certain degree of respect for players of such calibre. In such a statement by Gerry Sutcliffe, one can’t help but wonder, what is his criteria and benchmark for the various footballer’s salaries?

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What can I say? Challenging! I haven’t been running for a long while, but the IPPT on Thursday sorta warmed me up for this run.

The first 15km was smooth, but I had to push myself really hard for the last 6km. Following Richard’s advice, I adopted a different strategy this year. Instead of breaking it up into two halves, I splitted my route into 3 segments - 7km each.

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Scream the name Ronaldo these days, football fans will automatically think of Christiano Ronaldo. Who cares about the Ronaldo of Brazil now? The spanish version of Ronaldo has struck an impression better than his aging counterpart, probably dancing the samba in his backyard now?

I am always amazed how Manchester United dish out youngster after youngster in replacement in this aging squad. Last season, we saw Manchester United lifted the EPL Championship after the cup evaded them for several years. Throughout these years, we have seen how Ronaldo slowly progress into a more mature player. I would say I am not a real fan of C. Ronaldo, I am very much in the old school league of Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel and folks. It is still interesting though to watch how MUFC shape their players gradually.

Talk about youth players development, nothing comes close to MUFC. Even head-to-head rivals have to admit that MUFC Youth Academy has produced far more successful youth players than any other clubs in the EPL. From the good old days where we watched Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and a couple more emerged from the shadow, who would have thought this people are the players who will eventually form the backbone for lifting the Treble? Being a MUFC fan, I am happy of course.

These two to three years have been very enriching for C. Ronaldo I must say. I was baffled by all his dirty tricks initially, and I can’t bring myself to accept that such an imported youth player would ever hold a regular spot in MUFC. If it irks even the MUFC’s fans, something very wrong is happening. It’s either change for the better and play a clean game, or he’ll see the boot in his face. I’m glad though, all youth players grow through Alex Ferguson and his “warning” has been clear and stern. We see a much more composed C. Ronaldo nowadays.

The other thing I am amazed with MUFC and C. Ronaldo, they seemed to be able to spot that marketing value in each player. Think David Beckham, he is no stranger to media limelight - both for good and bad reasons. Nevertheless, it is this publicity that raised the portfolio and value of MUFC with a star player. Why would MUFC not cash in on such rare quality? With the recent limelight on C. Ronaldo, I am really keen to find out if MUFC is going to develop C. Ronaldo the same way they groom David Beckham. Does C. Ronaldo have what it takes to become a statement for MUFC?

Of course, we know the game all too well. Success in football is not about media publicity solely, everything boils down to one single ultimatum - to deliver on the pitch! What’s a football player if he can’t contribute to his team and win matches? Over the past season, we have seen the growing influence of C. Ronaldo on the pitch. I don’t think he has that captaincy quality yet, or will he ever get there? But undeniably, he is still a much-needed player in the squad. Among the current batch of youth players, I think C. Ronaldo is the only one progressing the fastest. No wonder he is frequently featured in the starting lineup.

For now, I would love to have him prove my doubts wrong and watch him (attempt to) achieve what David Beckham had, but without the aftermath of his senior of course. Like what Beckham eventually conceded, Alex Ferguson is the one whom had groomed him single-handedly. Alex’s infactuation with grooming young players is inevitably one of the best around EPL, if not the world. Given such a prolific master, hopefully C. Ronaldo would make the best out of it instead of screwing it up like Diego Forlan or Karel Poborsky.

I just can’t wait to watch the new season start. With exciting fresh signing like Owen Hargreaves, and seasoned veterans like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney… you know you can’t write off MUFC totally. Don’t you think the team looks even more champion-like now?

Interestingly, MUFC is the only team in EPL that still get chanted as “The Champions” even if they lose or win. Amazing, isn’t it?

So which rival fan feel like skinning me alive now?