Hong Kong Footy

Norwich City 1 Totthenham Hotspur 5

HongKongFooty — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:19:00 GMT

NORWICH 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5. This game was lived on Canaries World in the previous Monday night, which I should issue a complaint about the club's tv service. I wake up at 2am in the hot and humid Tuesday morning, and hope to watch the game on-line, because the club website announced earlier, about we can watch it through Canaries World; when I tune in login Canaries World on time, I can't believe it because they were boardcasting the friendly between Sunderland Football Club, and an unknown team, which is quite annoying in such early morning.

Thanks for the other Norwich fans on the message board, they provide our game's internet link to me, so I can watch the game but in quite poor quality. The boardcasting finally resume normal, well soon after Jamie Cureton punished Ledley King's slip, to curl in a brilliant equalise after Dejan Stefanovic very unfortunate first "goal", I mean own goal for the club. Three goals in three pre-season games for "Curo", we know what he is capable for.

Well although Curo did miss some very amazing easiest chance to score last season, also criticized by Glenn Roeder a couple of times, but with now Hucks and Dion both had left the club, Curo's experience in top and low levels should be very useful to our quite inexperienced front line. I believe Jamie Cureton will reach the double figures before the end of this year. Watch this space everyone.

The final score was not embrassing because well, you have to admit Spurs was a quality Premier League side. Their two "long haired" new signings, dos Santos and Modric, definitely control the midfield. Their new Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes only had one shot to save in the second half: Lee Croft, who worked really hard in whole 90 minutes, although some of his control let him down, square the ball to Darel Russell to take a snap left foot shot just outside the box, but the keeper in full strecth to make the save.

David Marshall make some great save against dos Santos by his reflexes; Jon Otsemobor showed he was still the quickest player in the club. as the Welsh wonder boy Gareth Bale want to test him, but lost the battle; Sammy Clingan showed some little hint he may become the new Gary Holt in midfield, but surely his final ball should improve; Wes Hoolahan had some nice touches on the ball, but holding the ball too long and then lost possession, he maybe a good signing but need to work on the overlappaing run of Adam Drury for sure. Croft try his very best effort always.

There were disappointing performers in the game. Dejan Stefanovic and Elliot Omozusi did not look liked a good partnership, as the former was not match fit, the later just made some comedy pin-ball during the game. Matty Pattison was not certainly impress me much, when he played midfield his final ball was very poor, when he replaced Ryan Bertrand in left-back, I know he was only stand-in, but even a amateur full-back will now, when you are facing a quick right winger liked Aaron Lennon, you should block his way to go outside and force him to go inside, but he never understand in the game. Very embrassing to watch.

FINALLY MY annual trip to Norwich is confirmed! Let's hope more events will be added soon. Here is the schedule.

Oct 17 (Fri) Arrive Norwich at night
Oct 18 (Sat) Watch Britsol City vs Norwich City (3pm)
Oct 19 (Sun) 5-a-side at UEA
Oct 20 (Mon) Shopping at Canary Store and Castle Mall
Oct 21 (Tues) Watch Norwich City vs Wolverhampton (7:45pm)
Oct 22 (Wed) Go to London's Lilywhites Sports Store
Oct 23 (Thurs) Travel to Colney and have lunch with shirt sponsored players
Oct 24 (Fri) Travel to Celtic Park
Oct 25 (Sat) Watch Norwich City vs Doncaster Rovers (3pm)
Oct 26 (Sun) Watch Chelsea v Liverpool and West Ham v Arsenal in Squares
Oct 27 (Mon) Last minutes shopping at Norwich City
Oct 28 (Tues) Watch Derby County vs Norwich City (7:45pm)
Oct 29 (Wed) Leave Norwich City in the afternoon

There are only 13 days this time because start from next year, I will only have 15 annual leave. I would be quite honestly say, I already reserved some days to my girlfriend, so I would not stay for the Burnley game, as I visit to there last time and, well their stadium is quite old!

I should say someone should be very interested about what's me and Daphne going on, as I always update myself in my facebook account, but only in Chinese. Well, we are going quite well and recently she just find a job after she graduate in May. She is now working in the airport ground service, and I have taken shuttle bus to meet her a few times already. Daphne has the same interest with me as she just love to eat, well she is 120 lbs (don't let her know that!) and I am her double weight!

Kick if off, throw it in, have a little scimmage! Thanks Diane very much, I had ordered the new home and away shirts in 4XL! After I receive the new shirt and I will talk about it.

My trip to Norwich City in 2008!

HongKongFooty — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:36:00 GMT

THE FIXTURE list had been released finally, that's mean my trip to Norwich can start to plan! Here is the possibly schedule. :)

Oct 17 (Fri) Arrive Norwich at night
Oct 18 (Sat) Watch Britsol City vs Norwich City (3pm)
Oct 19 (Sun) Possible 5-a-side at UEA
Oct 20 (Mon) Shopping at Canary Store and Castle Mall
Oct 21 (Tues) Watch Norwich City vs Wolverhampton (7:45pm)
Oct 22 (Wed) Go to London's Lilywhites Sports store
Oct 23 (Thurs) Travel to Colney
Oct 24 (Fri) Travel to Wycombe to see Gary Holt
Oct 25 (Sat) Watch Norwich City vs Doncaster Rovers (3pm)
Oct 26 (Sun)
Oct 27 (Mon) Travel to Celtic Park
Oct 28 (Tues) Watch Derby County vs Norwich City (7:45pm)
Oct 29 (Wed)
Oct 30 (Thurs)
Oct 31 (Fri)
Nov 1 (Sat) Watch Burnley vs Norwich City (3pm)
Nov 2 (Sun)
Nov 3 (Mon) Leave Norwich City in the afternoon

LET'S HOPE some more matches and events can be add soon.

Welcome Sammy Clingan to join the Yellow and Green army today! I had seen Sammy in Nottingham Forest before when I saw Gary Holt a few years ago and he had signed on my Northern Ireland training shirt, we also have a good chat. Surely he will add some steel to our midfield.

Well, I hope everyone will enjoy their summer and I'll return when the season re-start, also will keep update my trip to Norwich City.

I just can't believe it -- I am falling in L-O-V-E!

HongKongFooty — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:57:00 GMT

IT'S BEEN a while I do not write in this column, thanksfully Norwich City has some mixed result on the past months and now stay in the safety zone, with the highlights of course is our number 10, former Colchester United striker Jamie Cureton, who scored his 10th hat-trick in his career against the rock bottom side Colchester United , which the Canaries eventually the winner of the 5-1 scoreline. Big credit for "Curo" in a very difficult season to him, and I am quite sure he can reach the 20th goal mark, as I predicted as the start of the season.

BUT IN this column, I would not talk about Norwich City; as I say before, this is the space I would love to express myself, included Norwich City of course, but also I will talk about my life style, my 7-a-side football team, also some of the food I eat, or the best buffet I have ever had! This time it will go to a topic which for everyone, is usual and normal; but for myself, as I told former Norwich Cty player Gary Holt at Nottingham Forest's players lounge before: it is rare, it is amazing, it is what I do not know, I cannot believe it -- I have my first-ever girl friend, at the age of 32, start from last month. Can you believe it?

I always say I am a footballer, and I love football, football and football forever! I tell everyone there is absolutely nothing more can put in my life, except football before; but today I had eaten my words, because there is a female, who enter in my life, and maybe start to take me away, no, it's a joke! A girl cannot take me away from the love of Norwich City! Yeah I would say that because she will never watch my column, haha! ;-)

My girl friend's name is Daphne, and well she does not know about football, also never a sport fans. The story start in about 2 years ago, we get to know each other because we are both the fans of a Hong Kong female TV star, as the name I have mentioned here before, Ms. Patricia Liu Chek Kei. Well, what a turnaround because even Patricia is now retired from her TV job, but we are together!

MORE AMAZING to know is me and Daphne get to know each others, because by sending e-mails! Once I go to a Patricia's function in Shatin, and she goes to the function too, but not with me together, she sees me, then we send e-mails and we agree we may start something, so we start to date; but it last for three times, then suddenly she disappear and say we are finished! I don't know the reasons but, that's life and I have to accept it.

In last month, on the day when I am 32nd birthday (March 6th), she send me an e-mails and say Happy Birthday to me, and I ask her what's going on and when is her status now? She reply she is still single, and of course for myself too! I ask to request can we re-start again? She agrees and well, that's exactly what is going on now. Today we just agree the March 23rd 2008, is the date we start to be a couple. Well I am 8 years older than her but I always think the age is never a problem, because as I say people always think I looked like 18 years old!

Oh! I can't believe it, but we are doing quite well at the moment, we go out to eat, go to the malls, go to the football shirt shop together, we have some happy and enjoyable time. One interesting topic I have told her is no sex until marriage! It is a amzing to know it's spoken out by a man but hay, that's me! Of course I try to persuade Daphne to own a Norwich City shirt, but she say she won't at the moment. Anyway I will try my best!

Of course I have seriously consider about my performance as a Norwich fans, also I am the chairman of the "Hong Kong Canaries"! But hay, it won't be a problem! I will still travel to Norwich City in this October, of course in every coming year, until I die.

THIS WEEKEND is the East Anglian derby and the game is kick off at noon, it's a big shame the game is not choose by Sky Sports to LIVE this game, but anyway I will be at home on this Sunday, 7pm Hong Kong time to listen the game. Let's hope Curo can dying his hair into green color and scored the winner again!

David and Daphne, remember this pair!

Happy Birthday to me!

HongKongFooty — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:43:00 GMT

TODAY IS March 4th and as I look at the calender, that is only 2 days to go and it will be my 32nd birthday! Oh! What do I want for my birthday present?

Firstly, I would like to have all my family members, included my father, mother, sister, and of course my pair of lovebirds (can't miss them!) will be healthy forever. I feel this very deeply especially when you know what happen to me, at the same time last year. I disappear from my home and the pc, force to stay in the hospital for nearly two months until the start of May.

I cannot forget my injury because every time, when I drop my heard to look at my left shin, the wound is still there, and seems it will never recover. It is a big shame because it is not only I get to spend my first ever Easter holiday in the hospital, but after I leave the hospital, my right leg has some trouble too because of the "non balance of using it"; it is very hard to explain to you in details but I still feel it badly whenever I try to exercise or play football. I think it cannot be treatment in a shortage of time, maybe it takes more than a year, or two years, or my whole life to recover, but I will wait for it.

My second wish is of course about Norwich City, let's get to the 50 points mark as soon as possible, make sure we will be in the same league next season, and hopefully in the summer, we can get some more recruitment from the Premiership, have a good start and challenge for the top 6 spot in the 2008/2009 season.

I would be greedy to have the third wish but I won't do that, but hope my favourite Norwich City players Gary Holt and Adam Drury will continue to play football, and both injury free all season long, of course making more headlines by scoring some great goals!

IN THE mean time we will play Watford later tonight, as I have day off on March 5th, so I can listen the LIVE commentary. As I say before how amazing for myself this season, I still not missing to listen any Norwich City league and cup games this season, no matter they play at anywhere and any time!

It is a really fantastic record, consider the time difference between England and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is 8 hours before England, and the final whistle of the midweek game means 5:45am! Oh mine! I think everyone is sleeping have a sweet dream there...

I am so pleased to see stand-in captain Jamie Cureton, finally get his 10th goals of the season last weekend against Blackpool, the first Canary to reach double figures of the scoring chat this season. Honestly you must admit how many easiest chances he had miss to score this season, but half of them "Curo" scored can be easily enter to the goal of the month award: the Southampton winner, the Ipswich equaliser, the Wolves equaliser and the recently Barnsley winner. What a strike! Curo is still our main striker but just a shame, why he's not dying his hair to green color in the derby game?

Let's hope everything will be turning much much more brighter, after I am a year older! Haha! Enjoy the game tonight everyone. On the Ball City!

It's only 10 degree C!

HongKongFooty — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:13:00 GMT

IT WAS unbelievable to say if we will finish mid-table, in about 4 months ago, right after I come back from Norwich City; but at this moment, it is quite realistic to say we will be there at the end of the season. Our target is still 50 points, then after reaching the mark, we can try to fancy any silly, ha, no, I mean any dream to the play-offs or any other things. I will have big celebration if we finish in the Top 10 at the end of this season.

When Glenn Roeder was firstly appointed as the Norwich City manager, half of our fans are very frustrated, because they want to see someone like Paul Jewell to take the job. It's little unfair to compare if you look at what Paul Jewell's team doing now, and what Glenn's team doing at the moment, but one thing I am quite sure, Glenn did use his well reputation, and good relationship to other Premiership teams, to bring in several promising youngsters on loan.

Welcome to Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea, Alex Pearce and James Henry from Reading, Matthew Bates from Middlesbrough, and my "highly recommend player" Kieran Gibbs from the Premier League leader, Arsenal! To be honest with you, except I watch Kieran play on the tele before, none of the players I see them in action for their team respectively, but you have to believe Glenn's eyesight.

KIERAN GIBBS makes his Arsenal first team debut back in October 2007, the League Cup third round win against Sheffield United. Arsene Wenger has a habit to field the second or even third team to play in the competition, but you cannot say he is disrespect to this Cup -- the record does not tell lies as they have been reach the semi-final in last two seasons.

Sky Sports makes a little feature about Kieran, because it is his Gunners debut, I still recall on their substitute bench, their players shirt number is growing from 39 to even 43 (number 39 Henri Lansbury, number 40 goalkeeper Vito Mannone, number 41 Gavin Hoyte, number 42 Fran Merida Perez and number 43 Nacer Barazite ), which amazed me! Final score is 3-0 to the Gunners as Eduardo Da Silva scored twice, but the number 34, eventually a left midfield or attacker as the commentator say, Kieran Gibbs definitely catch my eyes.

Kieran is very compose on the ball with a bit of pace, seldom has a pass to astray which is hard, because you believe he does not play much with those players, and it is his defence-splitting pass to Eduardo Da Silva just pass the center circle, which the Croatia international beat the off-side trap, calmly slot it home beyond the onrushing goalkeeper Ian Bennett into the bottom-left corner. I am so pleased we will have this technically brilliant players, for nearly remaining of the season, surely both parties will be benefit from this spell.

Up on your mind you will ask me a tough question: who is better -- your favourite Norwich City player Adam Drury or Kieran Gibbs? I would tell you, we cannot compare players in different position! Kieran is naturally a left midfielder and Adam, you know it; on the defending side, I think Adam Drury is still the best left-back at this football club.

I MUST tell everyone it is quite cold in Hong Kong, in perhaps last two weeks! Of course it is so great to me because I just love that 8 or 9 degree C weather! The Hong Kong Obsevatory say the temperature will between 10 to 15 degree C within next 7 days, which is brilliant to me. This Thursday is the Chinese Lunar New Year, the first day of the year "Rat".

Yesterday I meet fellow Canaries fans Jake, of course he's the team member of my 7-a-side team, with his friend from London, Tim, in the Brazilian BBQ buffet buffet besides the Victoria Park swimming pool, in Causeway Bay. We have a great night of nearly 3 hours, all discussing Norwich City matters -- which is quite difficult but only with the "Hong Kong Canaries" meeting.

Tim, which his last Norwich game is the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in the New Years Day, is Jake's long time schoolmate and it is his first time to Hong Kong. He is based in London and will stay in Hong Kong until the end of this week; well he is quite impressive with the quality of the food we have, most of them are pork, beef, chicken wings, mushroom, and of course sausages (Oh Mine! I love it!) in British style and even Chinese Style!

The price of the BBQ buffet is great, included unlimited drinks, is only HK $140 per person, that means equal to GBP 10 only! Oh it's even cheaper than the Chinese buffet at the Riverside near Carrow Road!

Anyway let me say "Kung Hei Fat Choy" to everyone! I hope all of the readers at this column will have a very successful year of "Rat"! Of course for myself, all of my family members will keep healthy forever, especially you know after I go to the hospital for my left shin operation in last March and April; also Norwich City to finish mid-table this season, plus for my 7-a-side team "RedKop United", just keep winning games! "Kung Hei Kung Hei!" :-)

What a turnaround from Norwich City and our captain!

HongKongFooty — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:36:00 GMT

WELL, ANOTHER away win at the Oakwell, Norwich City now unbeaten in last 10 games. It is very hard to believe how Glenn Roeder had wave his magic stick at Carrow Road, after the poor Plymouth 0-3 defeat. Yes Glenn bring in players, and but he also ship out many players too, and most importantly is we can still get 3 points, with our living legend Darren Huckerby on the bench! It is absolutely unbelivable because in last 4 years, we cannot live without Hucks in the first starting eleven.

Two months ago, I say we are definitely going down, and it's still too early to say I am wrong until we get 50 points, but we are now marching on to the safety zone, game after game. Some of the fans may think are we too late to make the play-offs, but for me I have no hope of that. It is asking too much for us to have a long winning run, but we must make sure we will get into the 50 points mark first; then, anyway left is just bonus. I would say next season I will have a bit of hope to make the play-offs.

Comings and goings as usual but a bit more I expected, as five Norwich players leave the club, as goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, Joe Lewis, Chris Brown, Julien Brellier and David Strihavka had already clean up their locker at Colney training center, as the last three players are eventually signed by former manager Peter Grant. Paul Gallacher has a few frustrated years in Norwich, as he play 0 games in the Premiership seasons, and he is drafted into the first team becuase Robert Green leave us to West Ham, and we seems have no choice but to play him.

We have hope to him in the first few games, but for some reasons after Peter Grant arrive as manager, he's lose everything in his ability and suddenlyout of favour; Joe Lewis is even more frustrated although he is the youngest ever player to make the Norwich bench, but he never get a chance to get the first team shirt. It is quite clear Chris Brown will not have a future at Norwich City as his scoring record stun us already, scored just 1 goal in many games for a football club, no matter how unlucky he is, how working hard or even any excuses, for a forward point of view, it is absolutely not acceptable.

I AM a bit surprise about Julien Brellier does not have a future in the club. He is a bit of "Gary Holt type" player when we signed him, but sadly after the sending off against Wolves, he just never come back to what he should do for us; for David Strihavka, well, I think it's a pity about the limited chances he has given by the first team, and by the managers too, but it seems to be a regular problem we have in last few seasons, especially when you look at our young players from the academy.

"Dave Striker" is the leading scorer for the Czech league last season, although we know so little about the standard of their league, but being a top scorer, you don't assume he is too bad. I watch David a few times at Colney in the training match or shooting practise, he show he can finish and have nice techique, just about the on and off the field communication are too little, and how amazed I find that he speak to me the most at the Colney canteen than everyone!

I am quite annoyed about the manager always say, he is the man who look at the players day after day in the training ground, and so he knows how good or how bad they are, but do they really know training is much different than the match situation? I would assume, and well they should know it. Dave Striker never get a good run in the first team to show how good, or how bad he is.

I would never forget about my sharing of playing the PSP, the Winning Eleven 10 game with David at the Colney canteen, with he provides me the correct information of his height and weight, also he want the red boots on, also how nice a people he is. I hope I can reunion with David in the future, if not in Norwich, anywhere in England! Good luck David!

LET'S TALK about our new captain, because he get my lucky number 16 (as everyone know I am a long time admirer of our former number 16 Simon Charlton), Scottish midfielder Mark Fotheringham. To be honest I never see Fozzy play before because during my last trip to Norwich City, he's out injured, but already back to Colney for slight training. I even ask him when he will come back to action, and he nicely reply very soon, that's the last time I have been to Colney of my last trip.

Look back at Fozzy's career, he's never been a captain before, and surely a few people must raise their eyebrows when Peter Grant sign him, also give him the extention of his career before the end of last season; but the former Celtic man do very well not only to get back to the first team now, also impress the new manager. I wouldn't disagree Jason Shackell is a good captain, but for somes reasons, he's lack of confidence and lack of ability which I really cannot believe my eyes.

Fozzy is one of the brilliant performers in our 10 games unbeaten runs, as match report and fans comment say he is always try to make things simple, pass on the ground especially, some of the fans even compare him with "Chippy" Ian Crook, which is very promising. Let's hope our new captain can lead us jump out of the relegation zone permanently, and perhaps has a little FA Cup run.

TALKING ABOUT the FA Cup, we will travel to Gigg Lane on this Tuesday night to play Bury. We nick a draw from them as Dion Dublin say in last Saturday's game, which is very disappointing 1-1 draw for the Yellow & Grenn army's point of view, but give credit to Bury as they are quite confident and should have win the game in the second half. After the narrow penalty shoot-out win against Rochdale in the league cup first round earlier this season, we should expect there must be another titanic battle.

On the other Sunday when I see the Luton Town vs Liverpool game on the tele, I should say the magic of the FA Cup is still there! I do not really understand why Reading's striker Dave Kitson say he does not like the FA Cup, does he forget he is a former Cambridge United player, which his team always struggle in the lower league? The magic of the FA Cup is not about the minnows to win the cup, but to compete against the best players in the country, the money spinning replays and the LIVE TV games income are the big reasons for the small clubs to concern.

Good luck to the Canaries on Tuesday night! On the ball City! Just a messge to the regular readers to this column, as my 7-a-side team "RedKop United" is now back on track and I need to organise friendlies month after month, also my work hours extend to 10 hours per days (which is terrible!), so my column will switch from weekly to monthly in the next few months, but I won't give up that's the main point, also please leave any comments on the message board, as I welcome all either positive or negative comments. It is a joy to watch and reply it. :-)

Super "football" Sunday

HongKongFooty — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:17:00 GMT

THE PAST Sunday, which is the December 16th, is a very special day for me. I do not need to work, as a result in those 26 hours (I know you will ask why but I will explain later), there are 5 football games I am either involved or interested about it! A crazy football fans liked me, I must say I am absolutely delighted about it.

The first game as all of you would concerned is Colchester United vs Norwich City, the final score is 1-1 and we should satisfy about it because we are still out of the bottom 3, but look at the table again, we cannot afford to have any slip up now, because a win from the bottom team when we lose, we will go back to the drop zone again! The Christmas fixture will be very important to us.

Talk about the game, fellow "Hong Kong Canaries" all send our concern to "TV Payvision", hopefully they can change their decision to show our game, but we receive the following reply:

"Thank you for your enquiry and support to TVB Pay Vision service. Once we received your enquiry about the FLC match 'Colchester United vs. Norwich City" on Channel 998, we have conveyed the message to our Programming Department to comprehend. According to the reply, we regret to inform you that due to the content provider unable to obtain the broadcasting right of this match, therefore, TVB Pay Vision cannot broadcast this LIVE match. Meanwhile, another LIVE FLC match 'West Brom vs. Charlton' is scheduled on 15 Dec 07 at 20:45 on Super 998 channel."

Nevermind, because we already try our best already, also we can listen the game's commentary by Canaries World.

From the commentary it is really a poor standard game, seems the yellow & green shirt always pass to the blue & white shirt, and the blue & white shirt just pass to the yellow & green shirt again! There are not really many chances in the game, especially the first half. In the second half we make changes, and all three attacking minded players -- Dion, Hucks and Crofty come on, Neil Adam say we have a good chance to win the game after the change but -- minutes after that, we conceded the goal! What a bad way for Neil to comment!

From the replay it is hard to understand why Mo Camara miss the header, and then raise up his arm for...what? Answer on the Christmas card. You have to say it's definitely the left-back's fault to miss his header at the near post, and David Marshall has all the rights to criticise his defence and show his frustration. It's not hard to understand because we are now in the drop zone again.

We keep trying and finally get a reward from the "helping leg" of the Colchester United player, instead a former Canaries, Danny Granville, who turn Gary Doherty's far post header to the net under Jamie Cureton's big pressure, who means a big relieve for "Curo", as he celebrated with his hand pointing to the Norwich badge on his shirt. Jamie has a tough time at the moment, but hopefully he will keep working hard and bring back the goals to us! 1-1 the final score and we are stay at 21st position. Let's stay there or above before the end of the season!

THE SECOND game I am involved, it's my company's 7-a-side rock surface football league match. Let me tell you my schedule: Colchester United vs Norwich game kick off at 1:20 Hong Kong time, finish at 3;15am, then I go to sleep, and have to wake up at 8:45am, get myself prepared, also watch yesterday EPL highlights from 9am to 9:15am, then walk to the gym and do my work out -- the "running machine", or the trolley they said for 45 minutes, finish at 10:45am and then travel to the football pitch, which the match kick off at 12pm. Sounds liked a very tight schedule and only has less than 6 hours to sleep. Oh mine! I would be tried.

I have bad experience with my company's football team before, because in the first league game they play about two weeks ago, we win 2-0 and there are 14 players travel to the game, 13 of them can get a full 50 minutes or a half, 25 minutes, or even 5 minutes on the pitch, but one player who travel to there and play 0 minutes -- that's me! I was absolutely shocked and frustrated about that because you know I always want to play football, no matter with any teams, but being left out, the feeling is, I think you understand.

I do not tell any of my teammates about that but for some reasons, when I go to the pitch yesterday, seems everybody know I am not happy about that incident, they keep explain the situation to me, and of course I tell them I just want to play, and I know I am a poor skill player I admit but I have enthusiasm to play my football, and I would love to play. Anyway it's passed and I am on the starting lines-up -- and I find myself in the unfamiliar position: we play 3-2-1 and I am the starting right-back. Nevermind and everyone know my best position is sweeper, but I think I can do a job in any defensive position, if they ask me to do.

The opposition team is mainly the players who are older than 50 years old, then 1 or 2 younger people, who I also think around 30 years old; my team who has a former Hong Kong representative team member, Gary Sham in the team. We have a 4-0 lead when the half time whistle blows, and I have a good performance and rated "7 out of 10" from myself.

I only has one overlapping run forward and also manage to get a long range shot on goal after the corner is not clear well, everyone think I will blast, but I would prefer to control it and make it on target. There are no many attacks from the opposite side to be honest, so I have quite comfortable on defence, a few good block tackle from me and at least I don't need to make any sliding tackle, on the rock surface pitch!

I am told to come off at the start of the 2nd half, I accept it because I think I play well, and I have to save some energy later. We can make 6 changes and we use them all in the 2nd half, with 15 minutes left, we lose 3 goals in quick succession, and all from defensive errors. Well, the manager say everyone has to have a game for fun, and of course you need to pay the price. We hold on and the final score is 4-3, we win. It's good to win although in a poor way.

In around 2pm, three of my colleagues with their girlfriends, go to the Chinese resturant for lunch, I go too but I do not eat! They are very, very surprise because I am always the only people, to "clean up" all the dishes, but I am not able to eat because I have another important game on 5pm later!

Anyway, they all pick up their chopsticks with some good food, "dim sum" you know what it is with beef, pork and some great taste vegetable, try to entice me to eat. Hahaha! What a good colleague but I think my determination to play football will beat them, and of course yes, I just keep drinking my 750ml bottle of water.

I WOULD like to talk about the other two football games first, Liverpool vs Manchester United kick off at 9:30pm and Arsenal vs Chelsea, which kick off at 24:00 to 26:00, that's 12am to 2am and that's why I say it's 26 hours of football! A trick I know and I just loan 2 hours from Monday! Both games are tight and exciting, also plenty of goals, and I have to say the better team wins. Liverpool again show they are not good enough to challenge the title and Arsenal, still play the best football in England and a joy to watch if you are a natural fans liked me. The last tackle of the game by Cesc Fabregas to Ashley Cole is absolutel storming, but I think the Arsenal fans would enjoy it!

TO COMPLETE my Super "football" Sunday, the "main course" is on 5pm, because my team "RedKop United", play a friendly with an old opponent "Magic Strikers". "Magic Strikers" has played against us twice before, and the result is they win 8-2 and 7-2. We lose to them twice and seems a quite one-sided game. They are not really skillful, most of them are 30 years old but they play quite tough and rough, also direct and long balls too.

The venue is also a big factor to affect the result, both games are played in "Kowloon's King George V Memorial Park" pitch, and this pitch is a smaller size of the 7-a-side rock surface pitch, which is quite useful for them if they pressue us -- as you know before "RedKop" is mainly youngsters who are 18 to 21 years old. They just do not know how to do when they are under pressure.

I know this, so before yesterday game, I give a call to my former secondary schoolmate: right-back Victore Lau, left-back Lau Chun Wah (Wah) and striker Jason Tam, ask them to join the squad. Three of them play football with me from 15 years ago when we are in schooland; if you have good memory, I have mentioned them before in this column.

We have all involved in some absolutely terrible defeats, but also a few superb win when we play against a team with a Hong Kong First Division player who play in striker, a narrow 1-0 win, who I remember I am in left-back, Victor in right-back and Wah in sweeper! I should say they understand my football philosophy -- play it save always!

I wear the current season away red shirt with Drury on the back to play. We start the game in a terrible way by conceded 2 goals in first 10 minutes, in the duration of 120 minutes, I am the sweeper but the full-backs are other players not Victor and Wah, and I admit I am in fault for the second goal because I just let their 6 feet giant big center forward, who runs away from my attention, he is clean through and beat our keeper at the near post. We get a goal back in the 30 minutes mark, 1-2 and a tight game,

What a shame because one of the young left-back, who is in fault of the 3rd and 4th goals we conceded, absolutely lack of concentration to defend the far post, and let their striker to score with zero pressure; their long throw tactic is so successful against us. 4-1 with an hour to play, you should say they will repeat the scoring show again as 7-2 or 8-2 again -- NO! I, Victor and Wah won't let it happen again.

Compare with the game I play in the afternoon, I am involved much much more in this game, by make about 5 sliding tackles to block their goal-bounded shot, also I keep encourage the teammates to keep going and pressure them, with now Victor and Wah with me on defence, we are matching them, Vitcor and me put our body and leg to block their shot, Wah win many of the aerial battle, and Jason do the job up front, setting up 2 goals and score one by rounding the goalkeeper twice. 4-4 the score with 30 minutes left, and what a game! It is liked a FA Cup tie now!

Right now the game is a bit of dirty, as Jason is tripped more than twice up front just outside the box, and for myself, I have to kick their big striker's right shin but I have no choice, because their forward make a hard hitting shot just outside the box, our keeper, who is absolutely excellent on the day by make at least 3 breath taking saves, can just parry the ball out of that 6 ft striker's path, 12 yards out, empty net, and I am facing the goal, I see he prepare to smile and want to put blast it in, so I throw myself to the ground, stretch my right leg up and hope to make a contact, as he balloon it high because my right leg kick his right shin! I apologise to him but I say I have to try to rescue the situation, so I have to kick, just unfortunate to him. Play of the game to be honest.

They eventually score the 5th goal after the rare error by our goalkeeper, but we hit back at the last 5 minutes and the final score is 5-5. What a game! Goalkeeper "Laken", right-back Victor Lau, Left-back Lau Chun Wah, sweeper XXL16, midfield "Wing" and striker Jason and "mouse" are the superb performers, to savage draw to us.

A bit shame we cannot revenge but we show the never say die attitude -- same as Norwich City! What a day to remember! All things with football and do I still need girlfriend now?

Hong Kong Canaries meeting and we are out of the bottom 3!

HongKongFooty — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:38:00 GMT

LAST WEEK is great for Norwich City fans, especially we register another win at Carrow Road, three points against last season Premier League relegated team Sheffield United, but not thanks to the linesman make a correct and brave decision, to deny them the late late equaliser! If not we must feel like defeat, for sure.

I would like to talk about what's happen on last Friday first, because it's the third meeting on the "Hong Kong Canaries", which also means the first meeting after we become OFFICIAL -- if you take a look at the our Official Matchday Programme of the Plymouth Argyle game, page 59, about the supporters club, "Hong Kong Canaries" is there and it has my name and e-mail address there. If you are in Hong Kong and want to join us, please leave a message in this blog or send e-mail to me.

As usual liked the last meeting, our venue is in the Mariners Club at Tsim Sha Tsui, 7pm to 11pm, although most of the lads arrive after 8pm! I have day off on that day, so I have plenty of time to get the room decorate, with the Norwich City programme and banner! The staffs in the Mariners Club is very interested about our badge, and was shocked to know I am a Norwich City fans, because they believe I should be support the "Big Four" team!

Our meeting start with watching last season's season review together, with many hot food served, and lots of coke and beer. Our highlight is mainly surround by two players -- Darren Huckerby and Dion Dublin! Bob comment look at what we have done last season, is mainly about Hucks and Dion, and both are so important for us. I reply Dion Dublin should continue to play until 50 years old!

We are little bit running out of time of finish watching the whole DVD, but I remember we finish the night with Hucks "goal of the season" against Birmingham City, yeah and well, you know they are my most hated team! Hucks beat defender after defender, after defender, and then smash a lovely long range shot, and wins the game and 3 points for us! Absolutely Premiership class.

What a great night and it's very nice to meet some new member liked David, who has posted a message in here, also nice to meet Bob, James, Peter x 2 and everyone there if I miss the name. Let's hope we can pass through the 3rd round of the FA Cup, and we can draw a Premiership team at home, and possibly, we can have another meeting again very soon. At the end of this column I will post the link of the picture we had taken.

WHAT A win against Sheffield United on last Saturday! Thanks to the other results go to our way, we are now a point out of the drop zone and come on the Yellow & Green army, do not look back now and stay away from the bottom 3!

I read many messages from fans, they have been so optimistic because they think we are going to challenge the play-offs! I really don't think in this way, let's make sure we pick up maximum points at Carrow Road, and make sure we perform away from home, then we can start to think about advance to another level.

Thanks to Canareis World and oh, I should use this space to praise them because in last 3 matches, they have a special feature and has at least 10 minutes of the extended highlights, which also has the commentary of Chris Goreham and Neil Adams, which is 100 times better than the commentator provide by the FLPTV Limited commentator, they are absolutely awful! They even cannot pronounce our player's name correct.

Ched Evans second goal in two start, which is a good one: Hucks does his job as usual on the left wing, although his cross is not his high standard, but fit-again Jimmy Smith, well he's not really fit to be honest, wins the header, Evans get to the position and make the right contact; not the most powerful shot you should see but it's too close to the goalkeeper, so Paddy Kenny is beaten! 1-0 and it's running again!

After that it's all Sheffield United, they take control of the game, but we perform quite soildly and we sorely miss Darel Russell in midfield because of suspension. Fortunately we hold on, and from the highlights, especially in the second half, they are all over against us, but Hucks waste two golden chances to kill off the game, one of his trademark solo run which brings a good save from the keeper, and another one after he draw the keeper out, but his shot only find the side-netting!

About the disallowed goal, well, the camera angle would suggest the player "might be" offside to be honest! I have to say that because it's what exactly I see, but yeah sometimes you really need a break. We must have to get those 3 points, to get out of the bottom 2. I think Glenn Roeder, Lee Clark and Paul Stephenson absolutely deserved the credit.

This weekend bring the late kick-off against Colchester United at Layer Road, last season we lost 0-3 there and Curo scored against us. We know he leaves them in a quite sour note and with the current scoring form, I would like to see Curo start on the bench because we need fire power, also can take some pressure out from him. I will listen the game of course and hopefully, we can play well and pick up point.

HERE IS the picture link of the Hong Kong Canaries meeting on last Friday.

[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/001-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/002-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/003-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/004-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/005-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/006-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/007-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/XXL16/008-1.jpg[/img]

9 points out of 12!

HongKongFooty — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:10:00 GMT

I APOLOGISE for missing to write this column in last three weeks, because of heavy work load (9 hours work plus OT!)and football commitment, but of course I still manage to support and listen all the Norwich City match LIVE commentary. Honestly it's a bit tougher to listen the midweek game now, because the time about kick off, from 2:45am before, delay to 3:45am, that means the game finish at 5:45am, which I feel more harder if I need to sleep. Anyway I will still continue to listen Norwich game because I love that, although my memory will be suffer at the next day!

What a turnaround after the international break, Norwich City get 9 points out of 12, also manage to get a victory away from home, which is absolutely unbelievable! It is not the champion's form, but surely not a relegation form either. Keep it up the Canaries.

Of course we have to look at the realistic situation, we are still down there -- the bottom three, which we need to get it out as soon as possible. I won't mind if we cannot perform away from home, as long as we can pick up maximum points at Carrow Road. Two wins out of last two home games, also scored two goals each, which is a good sign.

I won't judge Glenn Roeder is the good manager or not at this moment, but one thing for sure is he get much better contact than the previous two managers. You can't imagine quality and Premiership players liked Martin Taylor, Matty Pattison, Mo Camara and Ched Evans can join us before Glenn take charge. Those players are not super stars, but they are hunger for action, also give competition places in the team. It's great to see Ched Evan scored his first goal for Norwich City against Plymouth yesterday.

I don't know can we hold on to those loan players until the end of the season, but I am sure if we unluckily cannot, Glenn still will bring different kinds of quality to this football club, which is important.

You always expected the worst, but if the thing is improved a little bit, you will feel a bit joy of that. I say we may not be here next season, but we just need to fight for our life, fight for the 21st spot. It's December now so that's less than 5 months left to correct our situation. We can do it!!!

THIS FRIDAY evening will be the first meeting of the "Hong Kong Canaries" after I come back from Norwich City. During last few months, we get a few new members inclued David who post a message here, so I can say we guarantee the size of the supporter club will expand. In the FA Cup 3rd round we will play against Bury, the League Two mid-table side, which is not looking good the game will be LIVE in Hong Kong, especially the kick off time is in 3pm.

Let's hope we can get pass the potential banana skin and go to the 4th round draw, and then, we may have a chance to be on the tele again! A good Cup run will always boost your players confidence.

LAST COLUMN I mention Adam Drury has sent a messge to me on facebook, last week that's another Canary, of course you know it's him, Gary Holt send me a message. Holty still remember he will send me his Wycombe and Norwich City shirts! Good memory Gary, but I still not receive it yet, haha! Anyway I will wait for that. :-)

This Saturday against fellow struggler Sheffield United at Carrow Road, would be another great encounter! Let's back the Canaries together!

"Adam Drury sent you a message on Facebook..."

HongKongFooty — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:14:00 GMT

I AM not dreaming or fantasy anything, but this is exactly one of the topics of the e-mails I received recently. Yes, me (David Lee) and Adam Drury are both registered on Facebook; of course you are welcome to join and have a chat with us.

You would ask a question: there must be many "David Lee" around, especially in Hong Kong! Well I have upload a picture on it, which has myself in a current season Norwich City's long sleeved home shirt, home shorts and home socks, who look liked absolutely exhausted, on the right side of the photo. It is one of the picture taken in this year's 5-a-side at UEA Sportspark. Honestly I know nothing about Facebook not until last week, when one of my football teammates send an e-mail to me.

I usually, no, I should say I frequently use the internet, or I can say I cannot live without it! It is a big shame about my company block any internet access of our computer, for no reasons! Disgrace to them. On the internet, I mainly searching Norwich City news, also English football and world football news; access to numerous message board about football: English, International and local of course; arrange friendly matches to my 7-a-side team; also reading the newspaper especially the entertainment news. I use a bit of icq and msn too, to chat with my teammates especially after every game, firey discussion expected.

I am not going to talk about facebook today, but it is a good idea I think, because you can know what friends you have, she has, he has or they have; also you may, you may find someone who is lost in your phone book, diary, pocket pc for many years. You know what I mean.

It is great for me now to have regular contact with Adam, my favourite Norwich City player, or I may ask him what's his performance after every game when he return to action! Of course I won't post our conversation here, but I may tell you a little bit! It is very nice about you can keep contact with someone, you really want to. Next step I should find does Gary Holt has used this.

AFTER THE 0-3 defeat at Plymouth, Glenn Roeder waste no time to bring in three loan players. Welcome to Newcastle United's Matty Pattison, Derby County's Mohamed Camara and Manchester City's Ched Evans. Can they repeat the fairy tales liked what Peter Crouch, Kevin Harper and Darren Huckerby do in 2003/2004 season? Please do not say the "n" word now, because they fully deserved a chance to do it.

Well honestly I know nothing about those three players, not even see them play on the tele, and all we know are they cannot get into their first team, and they are seeking anywhere to play. Let's hope they can bring in some quality and goals to us. As I said, we need points more than good football or good performance.

There are mixed news about our treatment room, as Adam Drury certainly our for a long while, and Andrew Cave-Brown join the list too sadly; but Mark Fotheringham and Gary Doherty return, it is not a good news but a positive news. Let's hope we can start picking up points again tomorrow, against Coventry City at Carrow Road. I will listen the game and give the thoughts next week.

WEATHER IS turning a bit cool, not cold sadly in Hong Kong, which is a very good sign -- I can wear long sleeved shirt to play football now!

We will going down?

HongKongFooty — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:29:00 GMT

I PROMISE to give my thoughts of the last two games I watch in Norwich, after I go back to Hong Kong.

Well, the Ipswich Town game gives me mixed emotion, because finally I see the real Norwich City: Not many skills, but the never-say-die attitude, and the fighting spirit are finally there! I cannot agree we have it in the previous three games, because it's not a case; but sadly, we perform so brilliantly, but the final result is still one point.

In the current situation, a single point is not good enough to bring us out of the drop zone, and sadly I will admit, we will go down at the end of the season!

I am surely you would have a word "too negative" besides your mouth now, but if we want to avoid this, we definitely need a BIG BIG BIG improvement, not only the spirit of the team, but also the squad to prove me wrong. We miss many players at the Watford game, as the most experienced trio: Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby an Adam Drury are all not there!

So who can we bring in to replace them? Can we really get some real quality in, or even better quality than them? Will they come in? Or will we afford them to come in? You can ask Glenn Roeder, and he will give you the serious answer.

People say the Ipswich game we has everything, but do you think we will have the exactly same spirit, same tempo, same support from the fans, and the same enthusiasm to play week in, week out? I doubt it and it's prove quite correctly in the Watford game.

Yes they are the top of the league side, but we just cannot produce anything similar liked the last game. You can argue we are a man down from the start of the game, until John "I have the 3XL shirt" Hartson is substituted, but still, we can fight back for one goal only, again it's not enough to win you a point this time. Don't forget we are 5 points from safety and can you tell me, which teams we can take 3 points from them? It is sad.

TALK ABOUT some positive as I always looking at, Jamie Cureton's fantastic equaliser is surely the highest point. I text to my friend Jason at half time, I tell him him we need a mircale to even score a goal, but the mircale happen and we get two, also the way to the get the second goal is pure class, definitely!

I speak to Darel Russell and Jamie Cureton after the Watford match, at the Players Lounge (well I suppose cannot go in there because I never has the ticket, but it's my last day in Norwich this year and I won't care the security send me off, as he's not there!), when they are with their missus. Rusty tell me we will be alright at the end of the season, I speak to Curo about his goal against Ipswich, he say he never has an idea to take his shot by his left foot, but when the timing is right, he choose to use his right foot to chip in a superb goal.

When I get back to Hong Kong, one of my friend compare this goal, with Gianfranco Zola scored against Everton for Chelsea a few seasons ago. The techique is very difficult to display and the patience also. It is a top class goal and will be remember in every Norwich City fans heart.

Jamie Cureton also has a hand on the goal we scored against Watford, quick think to a quick throw in and he progress down the left wing, cross for substitue Lee Croft to score his first goal of the season. Brilliant play for both players.

FINALLY I have to say many people ask me will I come back next year? Well, it is not a good question to ask to be honest, because my commitment and support to Norwich City Football Club, is forever. I will come to see Norwich City play every year, until I die, even they are in the Blue Square Premier!!!

My trip's photos can be seen in this link:

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/xxl16ncfctrip2007/

Goodbye Norwich City, I will be back next year!

HongKongFooty — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:31:00 GMT

CERTAINLY A great Sunday afteroon, but Tuesday was a setback, I will give my opinions about the games after I go back to Hong Kong and sadly, so many negatives and not many positives. We will go down if we do not have BIG, BIG, BIG improvement as soon as possible.

Sitting in front of the computer in the Forum in Norwich City, just 30 minutes to go, my session of using the internet will finish, I have mixed feeling. Yesterday lots of people asked me the same question about 'Will you come back next year?', I tell them I quite expected people to ask me because I am from a counrty, which most of their supporters are isolated as 'glory hunters', and yes they are.

We are quite sure there should be no glory from Norwich City, as you expected this season, so it's fair for them to think I would stop 'wasting' money to travel to this country again.

But, on my mind, I never have a doubt. I must come back to Norwich City, year after year, so as the support too, until I die; because I am not sure I can persuade my son (if I have one in the future, I don't know) to support Norwich City.

There are too many reasons for me to come to Norwich City again: Gary Holt (yeah I know he's not play for Norwich City now), Adam Drury, the staffs at the club, the clubshop, Carrow Road stadium, Captain Canary, the Blue Squares Premier LIVE on Setanta Sport. I would say none of them will disappear in the next 40 years of time at least.

Highlight of the tip: two special moment: last Saturday at Wycombe from 3pm to 7pm; of course the start of the second half when we play Ipswich Town, especially when Jamie scored that goal, I hug a gentleman on my right hand side which I never know about him! Hay I am not gay!!!

Back to the normal world very soon, and when you read this column, I should prepare to get on the aeroplane to play my PSP, using my Norwich City team to play in Cup game, so it's Darren Huckerby on the left wing position, beating one defender and cross to the far post, David Strihavka head it back to the penalty spot and Jamie Cureton, tghe green headed striker scored with a great right footed volley! 1-0 Norwich......the usual combination of the goal I scored in this Winning Evelen 10 game.

Surely it's painful experience this time, but I still love this city! Goodbye to everyone and see you before this weekend in here again!

Before I go, I want to post my special thanks to: Mrs. Diane Bramble, Mr. Andrew Cullen, Mr. Gary Holt and Mr. Jamie Cureton, you all give me a memorable trip.

Trip to Wycombe Wand-GOT LOST-erers!

HongKongFooty — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:56:00 GMT

LAST SATURDAY is a great day for me, at least for myself,

I had made a new friend. I wake up around 6am in the morning, miss the breakfast at the hotel because the train will depart from Norwich station at 7am. I am on time going to the station and catch the train. There are not many sightseeing around because I am just too sleepy so I start to sleep but, wait! I hear some Christmas song besides my ear and what's happen? Do Santa arrived in early November and he has a big Christmas present to me?

No! I open my sleep eyes and see a woman on my right side, one seat in front of me, she is on a headphone but singing the psalmbook very loudly! Everyone in the train just turn their attention to her, but she seems so enjoy to sing and never see us; thanksfully she stop to sing and go straight to the toilet, but I am already wake up, and cannot sleep again. I would think -- if she can start to sign 30 mintes later that will be better, because I should be arrived to the Liverpool Street station, and I will not need my alarm clock to wake myself up!

It's my first experience to the Liverpool Street station and be honest with you, I have absolutely no idea where I should go. I have to stop and ask their staff every time when I see them; finally I go to catch the London underground, and it's again with both eyes open in amazing fashion: the screen I see inside the underground is what 25 years ago I see in the KCR in Hong Kong!

The station is pretty old and the tunnel, is certainly the 70's! Nevermind because sometimes the old things would be better than the new. There are some stations interested about me, the Wembley and West Ham, also Upton Park. I recall the Cantonese football commentator, Mr. Keyman Man say you can go to Upton Park by train, because they are one of the stations at the underground. Yes he's correct enough, it's also good for their fans can travel to the football ground in more convenient way.

FINALLY I arrive at High Wycombe and sadly, my 'lost trip' begin! Hay you don't understand what I mean? Here is the story: I get out from the train station, see their map, and they don't even have mention about the football club (Adams Park)! So I ask the security in the station, about how can I go to the football club? He reply it's long way to go from here to there, it's quite complicate to say. I ask him can I walk to there? Liked nearly an hour to reach? He reply it's more than a hour.

I ask him can I take a bus? He reply yes but I need to go to the bus station, which is also far away from here, he point to the downhill road and tell me to walk and find it by myself. I follow his instructions and walk downhill, there are no street signs saying where is the bus station or the football club are. No problem I just keep walking and feel there are some shopping malls near, so I get in there because I remember some of my friends in Norwich say, Wycombe Wanderers has a clubshop in the mall, which will be a good way to ask.

I go to the shopping mall and actually they are still in work. The ground is make of wood only and you have special feeling when walk on that. I cannot find the clubshop and what's going on? I kindly asked a young man who is working a trading card shop, he say usually they have a clubshop besides them but now they do not have anymore, and the football club is not any close the mall.

I ask him how can I get to the club? He reply I can go to the bus station and get a bus there, but he's not sure which bus I should take and I have to say. Thanks very much because at least I get an little clearer information.

I LEAVE the mall and see the signs of the bus station, finally I get to the bus station, and I kindly ask the information center, any bus I can go to the football club? He reply go to the number 9 window to get the bus, I ask him which number of the bus is that because I still need to travel back to the station to catch the train, he just say go to number 9 window! Nevermind when I arrive in a a few second, the bus close the door and want to leave! Of course I show my desire to get on the bus, the driver let me in.

After I get on the bus, I kindly ask the driver can you give me a shout when you go near the football ground? He reply the answer of the day: 'I will give you a shout if I remember where is it!' That is absolutely brilliant for a driver! I remember if you want to get a taxi license in Hong Kong, you must know take exams about all the roads and streets, how come they are at work in the public transportation but know nothing?

I am sitting on the bus who feel absolutely annoyed, but after a while, a woman ask me do I want to go to the football club? I reply yes and she tell me the next station is, and if I keep walking on the right side, then 5 minutes after I will reach the stadium! Oh specially thanks to that woman because the driver seems has none of it. He just push the button to open the door and let me out. That's terrible.

When I get off the bus, I see there is a street sign 'Adams Park parking' but pointing to the left side! But the woman say right so I must believe her. I keep walking for 5 minutes, still there are no street signs to Adams Park, and most importantly I have no feeling I am going to the stadium! There are many houses besides, no shops and no people walking around! Do all the people at home watching 'Soccer AM'?

I keep walking and reach a warehouse, and then I see a carpark and smell the taste of the burgers! Yeah, finally that's the place but I still cannot see the floodlight. I just keep walking near the 'burger lorry' and finally I see 'Welcome to Adams Park' but wait a minute -- when I look around the sign, I laugh at it! It is because besides the sign, it is just exactly liked countryside park in Hong Kong! Anyway I get to there.

OKAY YOU would think my 'lost trip' finish? I think Yes but the answer is No! It is just another start! I meet Jessica, who is a lovely lady, who work in the Commerical department because I sponsor Gary Holt shirt this season, we shake hands and she gives me the ticket and say she will let me and Gary meet after the game at the guest hospitality.

I ask her will any pubs near will show the Arsenal vs Manchester United match? She say she does not know and I may ask the lounge called 'Scores' besides, but she say she will be in the office all day. Well she say she will but will she?

Well the lounge 'Scores' is just besides the ticket office, also the clubshop too! I would not waste any seconds but pop up to the clubshop, to buy a Wycombe Wanderers away shirt (home shirt sold out of XXL and XXXL), with printing 15 and HOLT on it. They have 3XL size measure 29 inches across the chest, which is much bigger than the Norwich City 6XL shirt. Well their print machine is quite modern which I never see it before, they take the shirt up liked 'a shooting gun' when printing on it. The Arsenal - MU is a good encounter, which seems everyone in the club support the Gunners, 2-2 is a fair result.

I leave the pub at 2:40pm and go to the stadium, I find the right enterance and well, it's not a bad stadium and one of the stand has two levels.I get a seat quite close to the sidelines but I find out quickly, I can stand behind the fence and watch the game, as many people do! It is great because I can take any pictures I want in closer angle, of course my 'target', is Gary Holt!

GARY HOLT play in front of the back four and he win lots of headers, and his passing is good especially he always try to keep the ball low. He do not make a foot wrong in the first half and only has two misplace passes in whole game. Wycombe go on to score the first goal and stun the crowd because they are playing -- top of the League Two MK Dons! A well taken goal by Ipswich fans Matt Bloomfield.

It's a shame MK Dons equaliser before the end of the first half, after they have a corner of the own on the right side, MK Dons clear and former Barnsly winger Martin Bullock, give the ball away very cheaply in the center circle, he want to pass to Gary Holt who is last man, but lack of power and he play the ball too short on my angle to watch.

Leon Knight, who once play in Hong Kong for the Soccer 7's which hold in the HKFC stadium inside the Happy Valley Racecourse, scored a hat-trick in a short period of first half, intercept the ball, Gary Holt make a last ditch slidng tackle, but still cannot prevent him pass to one-time Gary Holt's teammate in the Scotland squad, Colin Cameron, to walk the ball home. 1-1 half time and it's a bad time to concede the goal.

What a crazy second half as MK Dons get two players send off after 15 minutes, but Wycombe miss a PK on their own! Paul Lambert, the Wycombe manager who make quick substitution to take their center half off and a striker in, and Gary Holt now switch to play center half as MK Dons do not want to attack. There are some great balls by Holty and he manager to find himself in the edge of the box to fire a volley goalwards, just another great save by the MK Dons keeper.

10 minutes left of the game, Holty is taken off and replaced by Stefen Oakes, another former Premiership players. Holty get his jumper on and start to warm down at the sidelines, and I start to go where he is. He is speaking to the fans and I pat his left shoulder and he notice me, we have short chat and we take picture while he is in a training kit! The final whistle go and it's 1-1, then we say goodbye because he has to return to the changing room.

WELL YOU remember I can meet Holty at the guest hospitality. I leave the stadium and try to find where is it, it's nearly 5pm. Sadly there are no signs which correct say where is the guest hospitality! I go to three different lounge, even going to the other side of the stadium, asking at least 5 staffs, they keep give me the wrong informations! I cannot even find Jessics and she disappear. I am very disappointed because it's dark now, it's 5:25pm but I still cannot find where I should go!

Finally I see a 'gingerhead' on a room's glass and well, it's Holty! I cannot enter the door because it's one way but Gary open it for me. He say where do I go and I say I am lost!!! Firstly I give my present to Holty, a beautiful Chinese plate with Dragons on, also a bottle of XO sauce because as he is a chef! I think he will love it and I tell him that's brand name is the most famous name in Hong Kong.

We start to chat about many things: Adam Drury's manner on the mobile and wow it's absolutely funny but I fully expected that; computer and PSP, hay Holty is also a fans of playing the PES 6, and we discuss how to playing the 'through ball'; Norwich City of course included the thoughts of the new signings; also about my current marrial status, which he makes a bit annoyed to tell him: 'Ask me another question please!'

There are some secret thing I do not know about him before, as he and Adam are the directors of a overseas property company! I really do not know about it! Well I also ask him will he keep on playing in next few years? Holty say yes and he would still playing, even if Wycombe do not want him, he say he may end up playing in Kings Lynn with Craig Fleming together who knows! Haha! Holty really love to play football and enjoy his job.

But I finally find that, he does not read my column ever, or he does not know, but he know about me because in the WOTB messageboard! He still looking at the messageboard for a while and follows what happen in Norwich City. Nevermind, I have his e-mail and will tell him to take a look at my column!

HOLTY SIGNED on the programme which has a question time about him. He say Adam Drury is his best friend of football, and he love to play PSP and computer, and he doesn't like to hear someone say 'the ginger head is a poor player!' What he signed on his picture is 'Dear David, My friend, Best Wishes, Gary Holt'. He point and tell me to see 'My friend'! Oh! I make a new friend in England this time!!!

I ask will Holty go to Carrow Road to see we play Ipswich? He say he won't but he will invite Matt Bloomfield, the Ipswich fans you know above to his home to watch the game together. Holty has three children and they will all wear the Norwich City shirt, and hope to celebrate a win in front of Matt! Yes we know it's a draw and I will talk about it possibly tomorrow or if not, after I come back to Hong Kong on Thursday night.

IT'S NEARLY 6:25pm and Holty ask me how do I get there? I show Holty my train time table and I tell him I go to club by bus then walk, but there are no signs on the road which always make me confused. Holty see the time table and check his watch, oh I say I need to get to the train at 7pm, so he say you may be able to miss the train, so he say he will give me a lift to the train station! Oh! I am on a player's car again!

Holty pick up his mobile and phone someone,I can't clearly listen all the sentences but he say he will something liked he will drop David off to the station before he come back home! I ask him who do you speaking too? Holty say my boss! His wife of course. A typcial family man.

Before we leave the lounge, we take a picture and the cameraman is former Norwich right-back Ian Culverhouse! He's the assistant coach of the club. Holty's car is a big one and I am very impressive about the satellite (Well sorry I forget what's the name is it!) inside his car! He just select the 'train station', and then the answering machine will tell him where to go, turn right, turn left! Honestly I never see that in Hong Kong before! It is modern and he tell me he get it after we are in the Premiership! A very rich man Holty!!!

The machine sayd the journey will take 6 minutes but due to some traffic jam, about 15 minutes we arrive the station; during the ride I ask him after MK Dond down to 9 men, Wycombe should have a great chance to win the game but, yeah he reply very honestly -- that's what they can get at the moment. Someone of the final balls from the wide players are not been great at that period. We leave the car together, pick my backpack, check the time and shake hands, say Goodbye!

BEFORE I go, Holty say 'Hay! Send me your address in Hong Kong on the e-mail, and I will send you my Wycombe Wanderers shirt and Norwich City's signed shirts!' Oh! What can I say about Gary Holt! Do I have any reasons not coming back to Norwich City next year, even we may not play in this divisions? Mind you Gary Holt signed for Wycombe Wanderers for two seasons.

It will be very busy time for myself today (Monday) and tomorrow, because I will leave Norwich in Wednesday afternoon, so it's the last time I put the blog in Norwich possibly. Let's hope I will have the last chance to see Norwich City get a win tomorrow, against top of the league Watford! Malky MacKay is coming back to Carrow Road!

Welcome to Glenn Roeder!

HongKongFooty — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:20:00 GMT

HONESTLY I really doubt we have a chance on this Sunday, if we perform liked last Saturday against West Brom. I am quite sure if a non-league team liked Hitchin Town come to play against us, we will still going to lose.

I am only satisfy about what Darren Huckerby and substitute Lee Croft's effort in last Saturday afternoon. Hucks show to me he knows he is playing for a losing team, because you see he battle for the ball which is very unusual to him, and Croft just try his best; but other players, which I will go to see them training later, are definitely out of interest, especially Jimmy Smith and Luke Chadwick, I think I am better than them because I had heart to play for my club, and I know my team is losing.

You cannot being mislead about Ian Murray and Jason Shackell are playing well, in fact it's not, because we have nothing on the attack and from midfield, so our defenders are the busiest and it look liked they play well, if they play well they won't conceded two goals, especially the second goal, definitely Shackell's fault to lose his man Kevin Philips.

I am so sorry to say Jason Shackell never like a captain. If you want to be so quiet on the field, also to the fans, please go to the Colney canteen to play ping-pong with someone. I won't mind if the players always listen to my instructions on the pitch, but I will do my job first. If you are shy to talk on the pitch, please give the armbands back to someone who can talk.

Finally the Short corner tactics. I am trurly sick to see that on lastSaturday, because the West Brom players see it and intercept it! Why? WHY? WHY? Just kick the ball into the box and maybe, maybe their players will score an own goal! Do you think before they do something?

THIS IS surely not my best trip to Norwich. Yesterday I go to the reserves against Southend United. Before the game at around 2pm, I get the Southend United team news, know that their club captain Kevin Maher, former Norwich City right-back Che Wilson and Simon Francis all playing; but ourself? Just Julien Brellier as the first team player! You know you are definitely going to be struggling, as we do.

Southend United play more attractive football than us from the minute one, they like to use the low ball and I have to say, Tottenham Hotspur reject Kevin Maher is their main man, also exactly what we are currently losing in midfield. Well we get to a flying start in the first minute after Robert Eagle quite luckily, scored directly from the corner, then our left-back scored a deflected free-kick just outside the box, 2-0, but after that it's all Southend. I have questioned with fellow Canaries fans Nigel, who sit besides me, why when we have possession to attack, we have only 3 players in the Southend half? There is nobody from our midfield seems to push on?

They scored 4 goals in the space of 35 minutes, well to be fair, they scored all the goals from open day and our marking is absolutely awful. Goalkeeper Matthew Gilks has absolutely no chance to even get a hand to touch, but I should mention if Robert Eagle can score from the 1-on-1 when we are still leading 2-1, our luck may change.

In the second half we fight back, only for short period of time as right winger-turn-striker Luke Daley get the third goal but that's it, we are unable to get the fourth goal as they scored in the 80th minutes, after our defence try to play the off-side trap and every defenders are sleeping. The final score is 3-5 and I just cannot believe that: I watch 3 first team game and 2 reserves, my record is 100% -- LOSING! What's going wrong with me?

I cannot sleep well yesterday and I can sleep after 4:30am, after watching the 'Big League Weekend' from Sky Sports, they show all the Championship, League One and League Two goals. Good to see former Norwich City captain Matt Jackson on the show and he is currently on loan to Blackpool from Watford.

TODAY WHEN I wake up at 8:30am in the morning, BBC Radio Norfolk say a new manager will be in at Carrow Road at 9am; so I do not have any breakfast and go to Carrow Road, of course I cannot attend the press conference, but hope to get some news and may see the manager.

Thanks Lisa in the Canary Store, I know it's Glenn Roeder will take charge Norwich City at 8:45am, because his car is just parking outside the Canary Store; I say before in the messageboard it won't be Paul Jewell, because a player tell me we cannot afford him, also not Martin Allen because he doesn't like him! Answer on the messageboard about whose the player is.

I don't have chance to speak to Glenn Roeder and hopefully tomorrow is the date, Oh! I suppose not to say that! Anyway good luck to Glenn and thanks to Andrew Cullen, he allows me to attend the press conference, which I think for the fans, I am exactly not really allow to, although in a shortage of time. Thank you Andrew. So whose the new coaching team Glenn will bring in?

David Strihavka in red Nike boots!

HongKongFooty — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:50:00 GMT

WELL, A great day for me today: go to Colney to see the players training; have lunch with Andrew Cave-Brown; taken pictures with Andrew Cave-Brown, Adam Drury, Darren Huckerby and David Strihavka; give some nice presents to Adam Drury and Darren Huckerby; and finally share a bit of fun with David Strihavka -- all of them are superb!

Again I can go to Colney today is because my shirt sponsorship package included, not special treatment by the club, I must have to clarify that. I respect the club's decisions of not allow fans to go to training, so I am not going to tell what I see, and who I see at the training ground. Be fair, I cannot say anything because they will never let me in again!

I HAVE lunch with Andrew Cave-Brown at 12:30pm, he has a hip injury, so again, I may not see him play during this trip, it's a shame. I ask about what does Andrew think about when he represent Scotland Under-20 in the World Cup in July? He say it is a great experience and praise the sightseeing in Canada is just beautiful. He also say it's bad they are going out because they have some good moment against Costa Rica. I remind him he's playing against Japan and lost 1-3, perhaps the goalkeeper to blame, but he reply Japan has some good players too, It's valuable experience to him.

Andrew has to go a bit early because he has treatment, swimming as you know at the UEA, before 2pm, so he leave us but before that, we taken picture together. Andrew also share some jokes about our former player Andrew Fisk, while he is playing for Kings Lynn this time. Fisk cannot get a game because Craig Fleming, the former Norwich City defender is playing in central midfield nowadays! A very nice chap Andrew, hope to see him playing football for Norwich again very soon.

Oh well, I have to clarify one thing before turn to Adam Drury. I ask Andrew will he go out on loan and he reply yes, but I recall a few days ago, someone in the messageboard say he is going to Clyde? No! You are absolutely wrong! Give you some clue to guess what team he will go to: Andrew tell me Bryan Gunn say he is better to go there to get some experience; this team color is yellow and recently have a LIVE game on the tele.

Well it's not difficult because I have watched that game too! If you know the correct answer or want to have a guess, please leave a message on my messageboard!

I SEE Adam Drury when he want to get a coffee, I concern about his right calf injury situation, he say, he maybe out of 6 weeks long! I tell him I go back home after the Watford game, he joked he may try to make it before Watford! I quickly ask Adam do I become the jinx again this time? Adam say 'No' but after a second he think, he say 'Yes you are' with a smile! I hit Adam's back with my right arm, also with a big laugh! Funny! :-)

I also manage to give the present to Adam before I see a half naked Chris Martin, in the changing room, so never mind. I first give Adam a pair of Dragon, that means will bring him lucky, also I give him a pair of 'Chinese healthy iron balls', which will keep him healthy and hope to keep him away from injuries! Adam reply to me as 'Top Man'!

I also ask Adam do he manage to contact with Gary Holt? He say yes and actuallty he go to watch Peterborough United play Wycombe Wanderers this month! I tell Adam I will go to see Gary on Nov 3rd, when Wycombe play MK Dons at Adams Park, which is nice. I also ask do his baby boy well, will he finish his career in Norwich and also he had signed a 4 years new contracts!

WHEN I am finish speaking to Adam, I see Hucks likely to go and I tell Hucks to stay on because I have something to give him. I run towards to the exit of the changing room, meet Jon Otsemobor, just beat him with pace (Haha!) and through to the way to the canteen, pick up the gift from my backpack and back to the changing room. I have a 'name stamp' with Hucks' Chinese last name on it!

Hucks obviously love it because when I want to try to ink and show to him, he say no because he does not want to break the package. I reckon he has a Chinese tattos on his right shoulder so I think Hucks love Chinese culture. Hopefully he will love that and will bring him luck too. Both Adam and Hucks keep the gift I give to them, in their personal locker in the changing room. I had said before you can easily find some of the popstars will throw away what their fans give them into the rubbish bin.

AROUND 2PM, there are late comers in the canteen, as Ian Murray, Simon Lappin and David Strihavka exist. David Strihavka actually taken the plate of pasta and want to sit down, but he sees me, so he put down the plate, come in front of me and shake hands with me, then go back to his seat to have the lunch. Well, during his lunch, I see Ian and Simon have plenty to say, but 'Dave Striker', just very quiet and finish his food quite quickly. Honestly my words can describe Dave as 'lonely by himself'.

If you have good memory, I have write in this column back in August 30th 2007. I say I buy the PSP known as "Play Station Portable" for this trip, and buy the game "World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 Ubiquitous Evolution", which is the Japan verison of "PES 6", and use 'FC Nantes' in the French League, which has the same nickname as us, although they have the yellow shirt, green shorts and dark green socks instead of yellow socks, to customize all our player's name and number on! I also said: 'I would like to show all the players what they look liked'!

When David Strihavka want to take a coffee, first I ask Dave does he enjoy the English food? Well he say okay, but he prefer the European food! Then I get the PSP out, and ask Dave does he play? He say yes but he is wondering is it 'FIFA 2007'? He play this game, but I say no, it's PES 6, which I can customize, which I do, all Norwich players in it!

Dave has a laugh and look very interested about it. I show him about his personal informations, which I get from the club's Official website: height 188cm and weight 87 kg -- but hold on! Dave tell me it's incorrect! Because he should be 193cm tall, and the weight is 90 kg! I correct it immediately in front of him. I also show him I can change his boot's color whatever I liked! Red or white or silver, he has a big laugh on that!

Dave then ask me, to show how to play the game! Oh! It is great! We both stand in front of the coffee maker and I feel hard to play and hard for him to play, so I suggest we should have a seat and would be easy for him to see too! Yes we will! I show Dave he's starting up front with Jamie Cureton and he say it's fine.

So, we have a seat but maybe I get the team wrong, Norwich City vs Arsenal! Oh they are quite strong team compare with us! Dave kick off the game and he start to have smile, especially when he is on possesion! Sadly we lose a goal quite quickly in the game, but when I ask Dave what does he think about, when he is in the game? He just say it's good and lots of smile again! He is very interested I think.

The game is abandon because Dave say he has to go to have shower, Norwich 0-1 Arsenal but we have good fun. I promise to Dave next time he will score some great goals, and I will definitely show to him on replay! That's great!

I SEE Hucks afterwards and I show him the smart hair style he has! He's has a laugh but question which game it is? I say it's PES 6 but he say there are PES 7 will be in the shop today or tomorrow! It's great for every players love to plau PSP!

Very good days with the players I support! Let's hope we can get it right on this weekend at the Hawthorns! Oh! My third time visit to them in my sixth trip to Norwich City! Special thanks to Sam Greenfield today, you bring me a great day today!