It's a small town, son, and we all support the team

Despite what I said a few months ago and against my better judgement, I find myself actually giving a shit about American sport. Today the New England Patriots play the New York Jets in a Divisional play off game - think of sort of a cross between a FA cup quarter final and the last game of the season to win the league. And I actually care and want the Pats to win.

I can't say that I am completely sold on "football", it would be better if they didn't stop after every play and do you really need so much armour and protection (but then it would be Rugby wouldn't it?) But given that its the main sport on telly this time of the year, I have learnt to to love it. I quite happy that the Pats are my local team. The rest of America seems to hate them which makes them the Arsenal of AFL. Their manager is funny and seemingly very good (having won a number of Super Bowls). And they have their own version of David Beckham in Tom Brady, only he is better and a bit more articulate.

So come 430 I shall be sitting in front of the telly and supporting the home town team.

UPDATE: I don't think that went how it was meant to. Ah well, at least Arsenal beat West Ham three nil yesterday..........

Down came the troopers one, two, three

Being the lazy bugger that I am, I didn't make it up to get to Manchester for the ridiculously early 930 kick off for the England Australia game. I managed to get up just as the first half was finishing and "watched" it on the Guardian minute by minute. I suddenly had a thought. And within two minutes I was actually watching it on a peer to peer live streaming site, for free. I love the internet, it is fantastic. The same site will show me the cricket and football live - oh, the joy.

Right, I'm off to watch France Fiji.......just because I can.

Edit: I assume my wizard friend is looking for this?

Ko Niu Tireni e haruru nei!

We have just returned from the pub in Manchester having watched England (only just) lose to New Zealand. And as to be expected in a pub full of people watching Rugby, we met some very nice people. Even the Kiwis were pleasant (although they do have one eyed version of the way that Ritchie McCaw plays). And what do you know, there was a person from Cov - you come all this way and what do you meet, someone from Tile Hill. Truly it is a small world.

Back next Saturday to see the Australia game...

There'll be one mad dog and his master, pushing for four with the spin

The new football season has just started. Obviously by football I mean the glorified Rugby that America calls football and not real football (hereafter to be refereed to as s***** - believe me its easier). I amazed by the complete frenzy that this country gets into about its sport.

Take football. The AFL (the equivalent of the Premiership) is only the start of it. I find it hard to believe that of a Friday night, one of our local TV stations shows High School football live. This is like Midlands Today showing Dunsmore 1st XV play Sheriff 1st XV on a Saturday morning - complete madness and probably not the greatest entertainment. Yesterday the New England Patriots quarterback was involved in a relatively minor car accident. It happened during the TV breakfast programmes and the amount of coverage of it was unbelievable. If your thought the English were obsessed with s****** it is nothing compared to America and football.

And that is nothing when measured against what is known as "the American pastime" - baseball. I have quite warmed to baseball. I know its just glorified rounders but there is something quite compelling about it. Its really not that far from cricket, it certainly shares the need to know what the statistics are all about - its all about the stats. Something that I find quite amusing is everyone seems to agree that it can quite rowdy at the ball park, especially in the bleachers. I was told by someone - "you wouldn't want to be in the bleachers at Fenway Park when the Red Sox are playing the Yankees. Its the fighting Irish in the Bostonian - give them a drink and they like to rip it up"! Superb.

I think though that both are sports that you have to grow up with to have a full understanding and appreciation of. I have watched both and whilst I can watch them I don't have the investment in either to get passionate about them. Which is why I shall carry on listening to the cricket on 5 Live Extra on the web and go to the pub in Manchester when the six nations starts. Thank god the Rugby will be at a sensible time, I still haven't quite worked out when the Ashes will be and how much sleep I will lose (literally and metaphorically) .