Macca

The Panthers can go all the way but they always seem to be 1 loss away from being an also-ran. Newton has absolute star quality (as he showed last night) but he also doesn't handle himself very well when his team loses. The game after that loss (which invariably will happen) therefore becomes difficult to predict. They are an odd team to get a handle on. .

Yep, if we had the likes of Viduka, Kewell & a 26 year old Cahill, we wouldn't have to concern ourselves with a do or die clash with Honduras. Italy have just found out the hard way that in order to win, you have to score goals. To be kept goalless for 2 games against Sweden is unacceptable for a powerhouse like the Azzurri. And we need to score early tomorrow night ... the good news is that that is entirely possible with the way the team is coached and with Cahill back. Leckie returning is a huge plus as well. It's all to play for DJ. I want to see the team go at Honduras, especially early. If we don't, we're asking for trouble.

Huge story ... on a par with England missing out in 1974. Italy lack quality experienced strikers according to the pundits

The salary cap being what it is in the NFL and a lot of the salaries not being guaranteed often leads to the parity that we see. The teams that get themselves into trouble often commit too much money to a player or 2 who aren't elite. Or have incompetent GM's or poor coaching. The heat is currently on the Giants ... The word is that McAdoo may be let go soon but teams usually wait until the end of the season (Black Monday) But the Giants are a poor team and something has to give. Their GM (Jerry Reese) has been there since '07 and has overseen 2 SB's so parting ways with him won't be easy. Has he lost it?

Yes, I've heard that too ... hundreds here have said in fact. So it must be true. You could have got any sort of odds that the Saints, Eagles, Rams & Vikings would all be the standout teams in their respective divisions. A lot different in the AFC where only the Jags have stood out amongst the less fancied teams. KC, the Pats & Steelers were all popular picks to win their divisions. That's what is great about the league ... it can often only take 2 or 3 years for a team to make big strides. And other teams like the Giants can fall away dramatically. Not many saw the Falcons & Dallas not making the playoffs either - both teams need to get moving in order to make it.

It's yours to lose now (the NFC East) ... Dallas can't win games, Washington are just average and the Giants are well & truly cooked. .

Might be worth a look ... and we've got Sandown next week and then Ascot and all the other upcoming group races. I usually have a small wager most weeks (feature races only) I find the fields for the WFA & Group races easier to interpret. Doing the form for just 1 or 2 races takes a lot less time too. Haven't been to Sandown for yonks but I vaguely remember winning a bit on a horse called Baryshnikov one time ... it might have won on Derby day 2 weeks earlier too. But the memory isn't as flash as it once was Anyway, here's a list of all the group races for the rest of the season going into next year ... Australian Group Races (after entering the website you can click on any of the listed group races for information about that particular race and it's past winners & placegetters) .

And their record suggests that they are not a good team on the road either. It's ours to lose now (a spot in the world cup) The players & the coaching staff will know that too. We should be aiming at scoring at least 2 or 3 times and winning the game. We do need Cahill starting the game ... we score early and they'll have to come at us. I'm reasonably confident that we'll prevail Wadda.

On the back of one player (Rodgers) I was in denial for a long time Dappa but losing big games due to poor coaching has changed my mind. Mind you, I wouldn't just replace McCarthy with anyone. In a perfect world it might be Jon Gruden

We could lose every game and he'll keep his job (going into next season) The scrutiny when Rodgers does play is never on McCarthy. In fact, McCarthy is rarely, if ever scrutinised. The media leave him alone. And in order for a coach to be cut loose, there needs to be media pressure like there is on McAdoo right now. And McCarthy is highly thought of in Green Bay. There aren't many voices like mine.

The pitch in Honduras was horrendous so goal scoring opportunities were scarce. Juric had 2 big chances but that was about it. Honduras were just poor ... they couldn't penetrate our back 3 or 4. I would be surprised if they even scored in Sydney. I expect us to score at least twice if we go by this morning's game. Cahill may not start but you'd reckon he will play. And I don't feel like I'm being optimistic either ... however, I'm aware that poor sides can win games of soccer so there's that. As for Italy, they've a habit of leaving things to the last moment so that will probably happen again.

Peterson won't dominate all the games like he used to but as a former A grade elite RB, he's still quite capable of a number of big games. I'm filthy that GB didn't secure him when we had our chance. I made mention of it on this thread. Peterson doesn't need to dominate every game in order to be highly effective. Rodgers, like Brady, makes his WR's look better than they actually are. So on that front, I agree with you. McCarthy will get off the hook ... the classic reasoning will be - "He hasn't got Rodgers, it's not the coach's fault" Which is bs.

What are you worried about DJ? Honduras are bog ordinary and their record away from home is poor. I'll be disappointed if we don't win on Wednesday ... Cahill will probably prove the difference,

Carson Palmer was obviously missed ... another major factor. Peterson is still capable of dominant games - I knew the result before watching the highlights package but before doing that, I looked at the stats. And the first thing that stood out were Peterson's numbers. I should have been clearer ... the difference maker can often be the star not performing up to expectations. I see it with Green Bay from time to time - when Rodgers doesn't dominate his opposite number, we invariably lose. Not that that is his fault - we obviously ask the bloke to do too much.

The expectations for a high return from Peterson were far greater than Seattle's running game (often led by Wilson the QB) Peterson's 21 carries for 29 yards is a massive fail for Arizona when considering that Stanton is average at best. Peterson is averaging 85 yards per game and he needed to have a big game in order for Arizona to win. Relying on Stanton is like relying on Hundley. Wilson was always going to win that duel. So Seattle shutting down Peterson proved to be the difference. Seattle's defence isn't what it was but as you said, they smashed Arizona's O-line which effectively curtailed any influence that Peterson could have had.

We had the better of the first half but the opposition are not very good at all ... Honduras are rated 69 in the world for a reason. Juric should have scored but the pitch is not a good one. Ball bobbling quite a bit. Aaron Mooy has been great. Need to run out the game and hopefully score a goal or 2 ... and keep them goalless. The conditions are in the home team's favour though. You'd take a 0 - 0 scoreline, all things considered.

Late mail ... Darley Classic: Ben Smith wants group 1 accolade for 'In Her Time'

This never gets old ...

Some more Southern rock from a ways back ...

No love for the Jets, Gorgo? Seattle were morals today but such is the nature of tipping comps, I didn't pick them and was hoping they'd lose. Hope lost. And what was going on with that Wilson concussion protocol? Just totally disregarded and it was on with the show. Peterson being totally stifled looked to be the difference maker but I didn't watch all of the game.

Here's a decent preview of tomorrow's game from foxsports ... Ange Postecoglou has never played a game missing Leckie, Milligan, Kruse and Cahill (the link to the article contains a 52 minute podcast featuring various pundits)

I'll have a go at the feature races tomorrow (races 7 & 8) ... the races were formally known as the Victoria Racing Club Stakes & the LKS McKinnon Stakes (I'm old school) Can't go past the speedy Redzel in race 7 ... there are a number of other chances but I don't mind Vega Magic either. Missrock may run on. And I'll give Tosen Stardom another chance in race 8 ... the other 2 Weir horses could feature (Gailo Chop & Cliff's Edge) As always, it's the trifecta & first 4 for me. Just missed on Oaks day so am looking for a win.

New England Pittsburgh Saints

New page so here are the games again ...

1 point only on offer this week ... Pittsburgh & New England are the standouts whilst Seattle, New Orleans & Minnesota are all favoured as well. Leaderboard in the comp 8 - Clintosaurus 6 - Go the Biff 5 - Dappa Dan 3 - JV7 1 - Gorgoroth, Macca 0 - The usual suspects Guess the Lines Week 10 with Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal