Brace yourselves... (Pt Deux)

Apparently, I only got 1.5 hrs to finish this. If this post doesn't look entertaining to you, that's because Tony "Pulis says 'freeze!'" Pulis has never been known to be given the kind of budget fit for a king (more specifically King Louis XVII). In other news, Rowan "my daughter is  hotter than David Moyes' lass" Atkinson has been officially outed as a prophet.

Fyi, you can just stop at 2:10

In other news, I decided to swear off Facebook for the next few days. Maybe even a week. One thing I realized about online social media usage is that it can make you quite masochistic at times (or maybe even most of the time). On one hand, we tend to crave attention and recognition. On the other end, we're always game for punishment when it comes to nasty people since we're willing to risk everything in the name of narcissism. Unless it's just upping a monochrome profile photo of yourself, I strongly recommend swearing off Facebook (at least). Just don't ask me whether this stated act of self-expression is a form of narcissism.

République française versus Éire (or Airlann if you're an Ulster Scot)

This is it, Le Blockbuster itself. The highlight of the last 16. France versus Ireland, Les Bleus against the Green Army. This is Frankish cavalry against Gaelic skirmishers, Charlemagne versus Fionn mac Cumhaill. If the modern day Franks is the equivalent of Seth "Singaporeans hate my jokes" Rogen, then the Gaels is the equivalent of Jay "not Mr Chow" Chou.

The onus on Didier "he finally knows what he's doing" Deschamps is to draw up a match strategy capable of making Les Bleus into Les Champions instead of Les Misérables. Whether he can get Paul "Le Chevalier Noir" Pogba back to his best is merely secondary. After all, he's got a player capable of making that vital kebab pass with the ball.

It's quite apparent that France has yet to hit the ground running. However, this may also mean that Les Bleus has yet to hit Le Sommet. Monsieur Deschamps need to find an effective midfield game for the last few matches. And fast. The Irish will not be in a forgiving mood. Talks of vengeance may have been cooled by Martin "Michael, wa si lin laopeh" O'Neill and his jolly men in green, but surely that's because there is a difference between a footballing person and a football fan. Whether Monsieur Bleu sticks with a flat 3 midfield, flat 4 midfield width to width, or two holding mids and Le Bâtard (whoever he will be) in hole 9 will be key to Les Bleus becoming Les Misérable or Les Joyeuses.

Okay, team sheet is out...

No changes so far. Which means we're stuck with the same Three Musketeers. If O'Neill Sr says Ireland won't sit back, I'm pretty sure he means what he says. It's a no-brainer. The folks in green got nothing to lose. Give their all and lose, the media will only blame the gap in pedigree. Give their all and win, the media will surely start singing songs about Culann's Hound at last resurrected.

However, the attacking focus will not take place in the final 3rd. Rather, it will be a free for all between blue and green in a bid to control the opponent's midfield area (i.e. from the halfway line down to just outside of the opponent's 20 yard zone). Monsieur Bleu will need to do a direct box to box approach if he wants to get something out of this. How much he's willing to indulge Pogba in terms of deployment will have a major say in the score. At the same time, O'Neill Sr needs to strike a balance between composure and belligerence, ice and fire. Not so difficult when it comes to the defence, but potentially tricky if we're to talk about the midfield. Either way, it's interesting to see the St James Power Station in full force (not this one. but this duo).

P.S: Only 16 mins to go, I need to end this post. Hopefully, I'll start a Pt Deux of this Pt Deux in the next 1-2 hrs. Think my gaming pangs is hitting me atm anyway.

Add P.S: Funnily enough, Monsieur Bleu is actually real. Comparing the human Monsieur Bleu with the actual Monsieur Bleu really feels like me doing the same for French Toast I and French Toast II.

Final P.S: Born in 1982, my Chinese zodiac sign is the hound. O'Neill Sr, you're officially motivated. If my future girlfriend happens to be a French speaking local girl who is rich, beautiful, and intelligent, then to quote a certain German Oddrun...

Yay!!! I'm screwed!!!! -.-'

Realised I feel like adding an image or two 4 teh lolz...

Moral of the story:
To that idealistic woman believing in what is indeed beautifully imperfect, you're officially notified. :P