The Daily Slog

Judging by the lack of posts on the blog I guess the close season has caused a degree of apathy and become a bit of a slog to post on the blog on a daily basis.

Nothing much seems to be happening as far as Sunderland are concerned, save for the signing of one Daryl Murphy from the League of Ireland club Waterford. He's a bit of a striker I gather and great things are expected of him. Naturally we are linked with all and sundry, such as Millers, Tommy and Kenny, Heidar Helguson, Jonathan Stead and Kelvin Davis. Everybody wants more money for these players than we are prepared to offer at this point in time so no doubt we'll have to wait.

As I write the first BIG signing of the Premiership has just been announced with Edwin Van Der Saar on his way to Man Utd for an undisclosed fee. He's a quality keeper and may make the difference between silverware and not for Man Utd next year.

We are all over the disappointment of Cardiff last week and I had a chat with Matty Robson's Mam, Bev the other day. She hadn't been well during the game, a combination of nerves, sun, lack of proper food ( too fancy she reckoned in the corporate section) and not enough lashings of alcohol. Gemma and George had had to help her back to the car and she had missed the penalty and hadn't realised tha Westwood had been sent off until the next day. Told her she should have been with us. We'd have made sure they had a great day. Anyway told her I had lots of photos of the day and would put them on a CD for Matty or anyone else that wants any for that matter.

Velez Sarsfield have a 3 point lead in the Argentine Championship and are only 4 games away from taking the title. I had a good chat with Walter last night ( until 2 am actually) and he's getting himself excited at what could turn out to be a great season for him. Sunnderland promoted as champions and Velez looking good to win the title too.

Must say he's looking well, he had a webcam going last night and he was wearing the Blue Striped away top that I sent him. We had a discussion about Claudio Marangoni and debated who he'd played for. According to "All the Lads" Marangoni played for San Lorenzo, SAFC, and Hurracan. I hadn't clicked that he also played for Independiente and Boca too. That Walter knows his onions so I had to concede defeat. He tells me that Julio is over there at present and comes from a place called Quilmes. It is a seaside place and is where the English landed when they first went to South America.

I wonder how Billy is doing in Las Vegas and San Francisco on holiday. I though he may have dropped in by now, but maybe he's found other pursuits with Mrs Billy keeping him busy with the junior Billy's and well away from technology.

Anyone going anywhere interesting on holiday this year. Me and Mrs Hoofer are going abroad for the first time in years and years and have plumped for Vancouver in Canada for 15 days. I like the look of it, Mrs Hoofer likes the sound of it. The most stress free and spectacular city on Earth according to the www.lonelyplanet.com and we can't wait to get there. Maybe we'll bump into the groover from Vancouver, who knows. Just hope it's not a One night Love Affair and we enjoy it so much that we'll want to go back.

The weather is taking it's time in picking up but it's not stopping me getting out for the walks and having a good look at those Spotted Woodpeckers round the Mill. Plenty of wildlife on our doorsteps if only we have a mind to look for it and take notice. Noticed that the rock orchids are now in full bloom up in Coxhoe wood and a squirrel or two has also been spotted.

Bit tired now so may well put me feet up and prepare for the womens football starting tonight on BBC2 England v Finland.

Keep blogging lads, we need to keep it going.