Chelsea: Where did it all go wrong?

Chelsea: Where did it all go wrong?

I'm an avid Chelsea fan and I'll make no bones about it, we've had a poor season so far.

Despite releasing quite a few players, new additions such as Oscar and Hazard are players that were supposed to refresh the squad in the bid for the title this season.

Alas, some things weren't meant to be. Roberto Di Matteo was relieved of duty, and Rafa Benitez took the helm.

With Spurs' win yesterday taking them up to third (despite a lean looking Joe Cole's efforts) Chelsea are entering a crucial stage of the season. The fact that the former Chelsea manager is above us can't have escaped the attention of many.

It's easy to simply blame the manager, but does Rafa deserve the derision he's facing from many quarters? In my opinion, he's made some poor tactical choices at key times and we don't seem to have a plan B.

For such a technically gifted side, we couldn't keep the ball against City and their constant pressure gave them a deserved win at the end. Rafa made his changes too late in the game, we were already dead and buried.

I don't think Rafa is a bad manager, but at the moment the boot just doesn't seem to fit. It's worse than Hodgson at Liverpool, Rafa's bad blood with the fans from years past coupled with the way he flirted with the job while RDM was still manager (saying he could get Torres firing again.. Well that ship sailed a long time ago) is a bitter pill for the average Chelsea supporter to swallow.

Being the first Champions League holders to be knocked out of the completion in the group stages is a record that nobody wanted. Just like Man City, we couldn't get the results we wanted and were left embarrassed on the world stage. 

Getting knocked out of the Champions League as well as losing the Club World Cup final were massive warning signs for the squad, manager and owner that things need to change. Despite the owner and managers preference for Torres, Demba Ba has to start playing.

I think Ba a hat-full of goals with the creative midfield Chelsea possess.  Oscar needs more game time and as he acclimatises to the Premier League I think he'll be a real star in the making.

As for our current 'stars', we got rid of Sturridge who has his best years ahead of him, to make way for Torres who hasn't shown us a great performance in a long time, if ever. I understand the pressure Rafa must have to play Torres, but Drogba started last year's Champions League final for a reason and Ba is our top scorer this season (including his goals for Newcastle).

There are massive question marks surrounding everything at the club; Lampard and Terry's contracts, who will be manager next season, if we will even qualify for next years' champions league and how long we can continue playing Torres to name a few of many problems that are manifesting themselves on the pitch, bringing us further into crisis.

 I touched upon our lack of a plan B earlier. I've seen too many long balls punted up towards Torres in the dying moments of games we've desperately needed to win. It's not even Torres' fault, most of the time he doesn't have anyone around him to knock it to anyway.

Most of the time he just falls over.

Many people would say the owner is to blame with the way managers and playing staff are being regularly dispensed. I suppose the argument would be that without Abramovich, Chelsea wouldn't have been contesting for the title earlier in the season whatsoever.

The lack of stability must play a part though. With Mourinho Chelsea had a siege mentality. It was us against United, UEFA and Barcelona and in the end, the World. Now we have infighting, no leadership, poor performances and no end in sight.

The season isn't over, and Chelsea has the chance to set another record. If we win the Europa league, Chelsea will be the first English club to have won every European cup, joining Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus in this prestigious club. 

We can't accept the possibility of losing our Champions League qualification spot. Look at Liverpool and where they are a mere eight years after winning the competition. We don't deserve to be in the top four on merit alone, but we still have our destiny in our hands with eleven games left to go.

Hopefully the season will be salvageable and we won't give AVB the last laugh in May. To be fair though, who could really blame him? 

Well that's it for now, if you have any opinions please let me know below.

Role Models in Sport

Should athletes be role-models for young people?

Society puts a lot of emphasis on sport. With the London Olympics widely considered a success, many athletes were touted as positive role models for young people in Britain.

This platitude doesn't extend to all athletes, with footballers in particular vilified by the media.

Despite this vilification, footballers are expected to set a good example to the swathes of young fans that support them.

This expectation isn't extended to more 'honourable' professions, with both MPs and the police involved in many scandals but not considered as accountable in the eyes of the media. 

Maybe this is because of the reach football has. Football is one of the most accessible and cheap games to play. All you need are a few jumpers and a ball to emulate your favourite star and many of the adverts using footballers are aimed at children.

Even with the current cult of celebrity, actors and singers aren't expected to be role models for children and at times behave much worse than their footballing equivalents. 

 Do athletes really deserve this ‘burden’? Despite the massive amounts of money that some of them earn?

IF we look at CEO's of large banks and their bonuses we can see that the amount a person gets paid has no bearing on their ethics, or how good of a job they will do. If anything, some of their nefarious practices show how greedy and out of touch such money and power can make a person become.

As sad as it is to say, more people probably know Wayne Rooney than David Cameron.

This isn't though lack of trying, but in England a large portion of the population just doesn't care for politics and don't even vote despite the importance.

Football has been mooted as a bridge to get the public more interested in both politics and as a new hub for the community, but these are strains that a club shouldn't have to bear.

Sport and football definitely have a major role to play in the social landscape, but only as entertainment and as a form of escapism.

Footballers shouldn't have to navigate a media circus every time someone high profile makes a mistake, although this doesn't excuse their actions.

We're all human and nobodies perfect, no matter the pay packet.

Also, as for positive role models, as long as they don't emulate their heroes off the pitch, I don't see a problem with young people following sport.

If you have anything to add ect please comment and let me know below.

Dishonored vs Hitman vs Deus Ex: Stealth Showdown

Dishonored vs Hitman vs Deus Ex: Stealth Showdown

Metal Gear Solid was the first ‘stealth-em-up’ I ever played way back in the PS1 era. With its pretty (for the time) visuals, great story, epic boss battles and many innovations it gave the genre a special place in my affections.

Fast forward to the current gen, and stealth games have become a staple of the games industry, with many titles incorporating aspects to at least some degree.

I decided to compare these three games in particular because although they all offer you the chance to forgo the stealth route and go in guns blazing, the sneaky way is always much more satisfying.

In Dishonoured you play Corvo, who is trying to save a little girl.

In Hitman, you play Agent 47, who is trying to save a little girl.

In Deus Ex, you play Jensen, who is basically a glorified security guard. (He has no time for little girls).

The reason I simplified the plot so much is because I want to focus on the actual stealth aspects of the game, rather than the story.

Agent 47 in: Hitman: Absolution

The first thing I noticed about 47 was that he’s incredibly slow. I guess this mimics the slow, methodical movements of a professional hitman, but at times it feels clunky and isn’t very intuitive.

On the harder difficulties 47 can’t take more than a couple of shots and this adds to the tension, as one wrong move can get you killed at any given time.

When compared to the free-running Corvo and the stealth-enhanced Jensen, Agent 47 isn’t as flashy but uses subterfuge well.

Changing clothes can be infuriating at times, (as the PS3 version glitches when you get changed and reload) but planning a kill after a few hours and pulling it off gave me an immense feeling of satisfaction.

There weren’t many memorable bosses, but the mission with the scarecrow costume in the massive field really showed off the best qualities of this game as a stealth-em-up.

Stalking the shock-factor nuns one by one and dispatching them silently (whilst ignoring the guards) was epic and so much better than the time it takes to get the wrestling costume and press a few buttons in a quick time event in the boss battle I was actually looking forward to.

That was honestly one of the worst boss battles ever. It makes 47 feel even more removed from you as the player.

Confined areas and too many enemies can make it infuriating to play at times, as well as having no save/reload feature which can lead to doing many parts of a level again, and again, and again…

Despite this, Agent 47 is a stealth icon and some parts of the game were really enjoyable. I wouldn’t want to change the core mechanics too much otherwise it wouldn’t be Hitman, but the game needs more freedom when it comes to level design.

Corvo in: Dishonored

Corvo is the opposite of 47 in many ways. He’s fluid and fast and can disappear to the rafters in the blink of an eye, while 47 would be slowly plodding away, taking numerous small arms fire to the spine.

The ethereal or demonic (depending on your view) powers Corvo comes to possess makes a stealth run very fun to undertake.

Seeing through walls are a normal perk in this genre, but possession and blink in particular give the game another layer, as going for a no-kills stealth run can leave you limited at times in other games.

The levels are pretty varied with multiple points of entry into most places but it’s very spacious in comparison to Hitman’s tension-ridden, claustrophobic corridors.

Despite not being as intense as Hitman, some levels such as the infamous ball have great charm and are incredibly fun to play and replay, especially as there is more room for error thanks to Corvo’s arsenal.

The crossbow and sleep dart combination is satisfying as you patrol the skies like a Batman/Robin Hood hybrid, and added perks like agility can help you find even quieter ways to your destination.

The setting lends well to stealth and the worlds reaction to you (with plague rats and comments) made me strive not to be seen.

Who wants to be the ‘great assassin’ who shoots fourteen guards, who in turn can’t protect the population who get eaten by rats, sometimes before your very eyes?

Not me, and it gave me an added incentive to pacify the guards, and hide their bodies’ way up in the rafters, away from the rats and the plague, free to patrol another day.

Dishonored is a good new edition to the genre and the stealth side of the game was very well done, and obviously focused on a lot during development.

Adam Jensen in: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Jensen is a bit of a mix of the two characters, in that he’s less fluid then Corvo but nowhere near as rigid as 47.

With the series staple grate/hatch ‘hidden’ somewhere in every building, solving the conspiracy is possible without killing anyone (except bosses).

I think this option reflects Jensen’s character well. Hitman is obviously prone to killing. It’s in his job description, while Corvo is on a revenge mission, and is armed with a blade from the outset.

Getting though the whole game without setting of an alarm or being seen was pretty hard but getting the ‘foxiest of the hounds’ achievement/trophy actually felt like an achievement.

This game was obviously made for stealth based gameplay, as taking on enemies in numbers usually results in being flanked and dying, and there isn’t an abundance of ammunition at the start.

Upgrading Jensen makes the gameplay more rewarding even though points will probably be spent on hacking if stealth is your game type.

I really enjoyed Deus Ex, finding different routes with the jump augment, breaking into random apartments and shooting hoops.

I guess all three of these games have strong stealth based gameplay but for me the fluidity and consequences of your gameplay make dishonored the best stealth game I’ve played in the past year.

Deus Ex was really good and if you haven’t played it I would strongly recommend it.

Hitman was close to being a great game, but ended up being pretty average in my opinion.

NB. I haven’t played AC3 yet, in case you’re wondering why it wasn’t on the list.

 If you agree/disagree please let me know below.

More videogame articles here:

Football Room 101

Football Room 101

Football is a brilliant game. It evokes so many emotions and is enjoyed by millions the world over.

But is 'the beautiful game' still beautiful? How long can the ever increasing financial maelstrom gloss over the growing unrest generated by unhappy fans both internationally and domestically in England?

With some fans priced out of matches and an emphasis on football as a business, will the bubble eventually burst, and who will pay the price?

The fans. 

The players can leave, (and most probably will) while dreaded 'asset stripping' management companies will destroy the club from within by selling anything of worth.

Then again, it might not happen.

Room 101 (of 1984 fame) is a show in which you discuss your pet peeves and send them to their doom.

So, without further ado, lets kick off:

Football Room 101

Diving

Diving is endemic in football. Unfortunately every dive isn't as comical as Bales' attempt but in reality he was attempting to get a player sent off, which simply shouldn't be allowed. Never mind sportsmanship, it's breaking the rules, and setting a bad example to young footballers who want to emulate one of the best in the world.

This culture of 'winning is all' is a strangely business like mantra for a supposed community-based team game. But how do you compare financial gain to instilling good, strong values in future generations? 

Football isn't professional wrestling. It has no need for 'faces or heels.' Every player should toe the line, or face punishment by the club at least.

An empty win is still a win, but would you rather win because you were the better team, or because you got their keeper sent off?

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices are always going to be a sore point for some, but to some extent dissent is justifiable.

With the Football Supporters Federation chief, Malcolm Clarke saying 'we estimate clubs could cut £32 off the cost of every single ticket purely from the increase in the TV pot' you have to wonder why many clubs are willing to fleece their supporters so badly.

Ticket prices won't decrease as long as profit-margin hunting 'suits' continue to test what supporters are willing to pay. 

Half of the time, the money isn't even reinvested into the team properly, rather shared out like a communal slush-fund for rich oligarchs, who flit off into the distance leaving clubs ailing in the distance under mountains  of debt.

The system can't continue like this forever, but there seems to be no end in sight for now.

Coin/Flare Throwing 

I know it's not the biggest of issues. It's not racism, or goal-line technology but throwing items onto the pitch in an attempt to maim a player is vaguely ridiculous. Toilet paper, balloons, inflatable Liverpool beach balls, fair enough.

The only thing hurt was Reina's pride.

If Rio lost an eye when he was hit by that coin it wouldn't have been funny. It would be tragic. The cowardly move of coin throwing should be stopped before more people go to jail for mindless acts.

National Apathy

Okay, so the golden generation won nothing. 

But that was with; Capello's 'unique' man-management skills, fake sheikh's, racism scandals, Heskey injuring Rio, Sven, unfit players, Owen's dodgy legs, Lampard's world cup despair, Wally and Brolly, divots in turf (allegedly), Lampard and Gerrard refusing to complement each other but always attempting to outshine one another, no real number one since Seaman until (allegedly) Joe Hart, Captaincy issues, too much expectation, media pressure and worst of all Rio Ferdinand's World Cup Windups as well as many others.

My point is that despite all the pressure the team did well. We aren't a true powerhouse in international football any more and our expectations should reflect this. 

Why should we lambaste players who give everything for their country, only to be abused on Twitter five minutes after the game?

We need to be as patient as the German's have been and nurture our top talent, rather then flogging them for over a decade for not winning a tournament.

Support the team and not their results. You never know, the remnants of the golden generation might yet win something. (Chances are estimated at around 0.002%).

So those were my choices.

If you agree/disagree or just want to get involved in the discussion feel free to comment ect.

Thanks for reading.

The Five Worst Football Adverts

Five of the Worst Football Adverts ever

After I finished my last article about daytime TV adverts, I started thinking about adverts aimed directly at me. I watch a lot of football on TV and in the breaks you see adverts which are aimed solely at men. 

Some of these adverts use past and present footballers to sell their products with varying degrees of success.

Some of the adverts use footballers to great effect, such as Nike's Take It To the Next Level, which was directed by Guy Ritchie.

Or the Brazil vs Portugal offering (again from Nike) from 2006 showcasing the talents of some of the biggest footballing talents at the time.

                                                                                          

The thing these two adverts have in common is that they encapsulate different aspects of football, the first shows the passion and dedication needed to succeed, while the second shows the fun side of football and does a great job doing so.

If only all football adverts were like this. 

Unfortunately, they're not. (But it gives me a chance to write this). 

Some adverts take footballers away from the field and have them kick a ball while having a shave, (because that's not dangerous, it only has four blades) or attempting to kill the Go-Compare man. (Somewhat justified). I understand that companies can't match Nike and Adidas for the range of players or budget wise but they don't have to be so terrible. They could at least try.

We might as well kick off:

Five of the Worst Football Adverts Ever:

1. Joe Hart - Head & Shoulders

I couldn't believe this was real when I saw it.

They got one thing right, in that he was on the pitch for the advert, but it seems to suggest his severe dandruff might impede his England career in the future which was worrying.

Look at his face at the end. He shakes his head like that every time he thinks of this advert.

2. Luis Figo - Just For Men

Do you see what I mean now.

They obviously thought, let's make it vaguely about football, so he kicks a ball through the fifth dimension into a TV, (it wouldn't have counted anyway, he was offside) to have a woman dressed like a referee tell him he still has it? 

That is actually an accurate description of what just happened. 

3. Wayne Rooney & Others

      Casillero del Diablo 

This advert could do with English subtitles as well considering Rooney's dulcet tones.

Yet again they get the right setting, get the clubs big names, but fail to make an advert that involves football in the slightest.

4.Blackburn Rovers - Venkys 

They actually pretend it's a genuine advert until 20 seconds in, after which you see some (admittedly nice looking) chicken. 

But they had access to everything, the whole squad, they could have done more than a cheap plug. Also, why are they eating in the kit room?

Nice voiceover by the way.

5. Michael Owen -  Asda 

Seeing Owen's face filled with glee at the thought of some free Asda shopping (or at least better acting skills than Wayne Rooney) isn't that bad, and I can think of other culprits (Beckham, Cough) but the chances of seeing Owen in Asda in real life are slimmer then the chances of him resigning for Real Madrid.

So that's the end of my list, I'm sure there are many others I've missed, but that's for another time. 

Yet again, I just wish adverts would try harder, but at least you can always switch off.

Feel free to to leave a message below if you agree/disagree.

Daytime Adverts: Welcome to hell

Daytime Adverts: Welcome to hell

Many people don't work the typical 9-5. For vast swathes of the population, such as housewives/husbands, students, the unemployed and night-shift workers, daytime TV is on in their spare time and the adverts shown reflect what advertisers think this audience might need.

So as an audience, what do the controllers at ITV etc think we need? 

Money. Back to back pay-day loan adverts litter the screen, one after the other, with varying degrees of scumminess.

The last advert I saw today (14/02/13) actually has Kerry Katona advising me to get a loan from a new company, called Cash Lady.

Why pick Kerry Katona? She's bankrupt for Goodness sake. Aside from the fact she was probably cheap, I think it was because as a demographic, people who watch daytime TV are probably 'statistically' more likely to be a fan.

But that's complete and utter rubbish and it's unbelievably patronising.

The next most frequent advert, are those damn PPI adverts. They usually go a little something like: 'Have you had a loan recently? You may be owed money. Please contact us at...'

Not being content with infuriating people daily with their annoying calls, this payment protection insurance nonsense is attacking your other senses such as sight, smell and taste. (I throw up in my mouth a little bit when the adverts come on and I can smell it).

So what does this type of advert say about our supposed demographic?  Well, we must be poor, because we don't work like 'normal' people at 'normal' times. Therefore, we must be in debt, (ironically debt that ITV et al is happy to advertise for) and we must be stupid enough to actually call these vultures.

The third most frequent type of advert shown is probably injury lawyers and their ilk. These adverts make me sick, I should sue them. Have you had a fall? No. An injury that wasn't your fault? No. Well, what are you doing at home watching TV at 11 am? Is your leg not in a cast? No. 

Just because I'm at home during the daytime on some days, (I'm a student) doesn't mean I should be constantly patronised between shows by adverts suggesting that I'm a poor, ill wastrel, who can't manage my money.

Why go for the lowest common denominator? Why not try and create an advert that would make you actually want to buy the product, as opposed to what you 'think' your target audience would like to see. I honestly can't think of anyone (sane) that would be willing to take financial advice from Kerry Katona.

The problem seems to be that we get treated like a teeming mass of thickos.

Well, I for one don't agree with that assumption. Also, you're forgetting a massive audience, in the elderly, who generally take care of their finances and can't afford heating, never mind pay-day loans.

Some adverts, such as the new moneysupermarket.com (You're so..) are genuinely funny and I understand that some companies don't have the money to be 'EPIC' but they could try different tactics, rather than annoying jingles and stupid mascots. 

Why not give a young budding director with fresh ideas free reign to make your advert more recognisable? Rather than rehashing the same tired, stiff in a suit walking diagonally shtick, try something different. Please. 

As a mass-audience our IQ may not be as high as prime-time viewers, but the only reason I'll entertain that idea is because daytime adverts cater for 'thick' people. 

Nobody likes being talked down to and while I don't expect anything to change, I'm making it known here that I don't agree with it. 

As a mass audience we have the power to dictate what we watch and when we watch it, especially in an era of on demand TV.

So stop killing the medium I love. Just try a little harder.

The League of extraordinary Premiership Footballers

The League of Extraordinary Footballers

Footballers are worshipped by vast swathes of the population. Especially the more talented ones. Some are elevated to the status of heroes and some have extraordinary powers on the pitch.

But what if they really were superheroes? Let's check out:

The League of extraordinary Premiership Footballers

1. Robin Van Persie is: Allan Quatermain.

He doesn't miss and he leads by example. RVP has been on fire for a sustained amount of time now and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has shown he still knows his stuff by securing the Dutchman who's in the form of his life.

2. Fernando Torres is: Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde 

Seriously, what has happened to Chelsea's £50 million pound man? From world class to Sunday league quality or worse in less than two years, the Spaniard is running out of time to turn it around. Will he be left as a sad manifestation of his former self? Only time will tell.

3.  Michael Owen is: The Invisible Man

Despite scoring a consolation for Stoke a few weeks back, Owen hasn't played anywhere near enough football considering his past glories. Whether he can use his goal-scoring instincts to force his way into the team is yet to be seen, but so far this season he has been overlooked by Tony Pulis.

4. Ryan Giggs is: Dorian Gray

The evergreen Welshman has proved yet again that age is no barrier to class, and he will likely sign another extension to continue his top flight career even further. Dorian Gray stayed immortal and Giggs is seemingly impervious to the ravages of time. 

5.Mario Balotelli is: Captain Nemo

Balotelli seems to dislike authority, (if his bust-ups with Roberto Mancini are anything to go by) and he courts controversy as he roams the globe. Despite his eccentric tendencies, his skill can set the world alight as seen in the Euros, and I for one can't wait to see him playing in the champions league and international tournaments in the future.

So, that was my list, if you agree or disagree let me know below in the comments section, and thanks for reading.

How to do a good British TV to film adaptation

How to do a Good British TV to Film Adaptation

(And What to Avoid)

Epic cringefest (in a good way)

After the success of the inbetweeners movie, (with a massive £55 million box office take compared to the £3.5 million budget) I wondered why more comedies didn't make the transition from TV to film.

Evidently I wasn't the only person who had this idea and in the end, I realised why when Keith Lemon: The Film was released. It's sad to see a formally funny character become a one joke caricature, especially when films such as Borat pull off ideas from sketch shows and make them into movies that you can watch repeatedly. (And win you golden globes, ask Sacha Baron Cohen).

The Single character adaptation

Does it well:

Ali G Indahouse

Ali G made just under £26 million at the box office, which gave Sacha  Baron-Cohen the platform to release the critically acclaimed Borat. 

Ali G may not have been to everyone's taste, with a rotten tomatoes rating of 56%, but it did have the capacity to make a lot of people (myself included) laugh.

There are so many memorable scenes, with the introduction setting the surreal tone and decent supporting performances by Martin Freeman and Charles Dance.

Gets it wrong:

Keith Lemon: The Film

Despite Leigh Francis' creation bombing with his Lemon-aide show and losing the only other comedian on Celebrity Juice with Rufus Hound's departure, he damaged the character further with the critically derided Keith Lemon film. Get any aggregate score site and you'll find it's low. M Night Shyamalan low.

The film would have been better if it had actually tried, rather than being content to exist. Also, rumours abound that it wasn't pre-released to critics, so make of that what you will.

The Sitcom

Does it well:

The Inbetweeners

As mentioned in the introduction, the Inbetweeners was unbelievably commercially successful. But never mind that, there was so much laughter in the cinema I watched it in that I missed some of the jokes. 

Also, Neil's dance was worth the inflated admission price alone. (In context, I remember it was in the advert).

Well played, marketing team.

The inbetweeners film is a great example of how to set the limits higher then the original setting, and improves on the established format with what is essentially a holiday episode of the hit series.

Get's it wrong:

Guest House Paradiso

Now, I actually owned this on VHS, and I didn't think it was that bad. I loved Bottom, and the Young Ones.

The problem is, I don't know anyone else that did like it. I think the scene where the Groom gets sick was too much for the more squeamish to handle, but you know what you're getting with those two. Also, with characters like Pascal the chef it probably didn't translate well in other countries. 

The despondent setting and lacklustre plot let it down, because they didn't really improve on the original format at all.

The Future

If there was one British sitcom I could choose, it would have to be Red Dwarf. With the right financial backing I think it could be a sleeper hit. If you don't believe me, check out the records it set on Dave when they released the new seasons. I really enjoyed season X and I can't wait for the new episodes to air, I wish I could have been in the audience.

As far as character adaptations go, Dan Skinners' Angelos Epithemiou could be a candidate. I know his gimmick is just a plastic bag, but you never know what's in there. Also I think he did some good work with Adeel Akhtar on his self named C4 vehicle.

If you have anything to add, any suggestions, or you do actually like Guest House Paradiso (like me) let me know and thanks for reading.

Five reasons why Utopia is a brilliant piece of British Television

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/utopia/pictures/

Utopia (C4)

Channel 4's new thriller has really impressed me. It's been a long time since a British TV show has grabbed my attention this seriously and it's refused to relent so far.

(For the record, the last British show was probably Being Human, purely because of Hal).

So, without further ado, let's start off;

5 reasons why Utopia is a brilliant piece of British Television

1. The Premise

I love a conspiracy as much as the next man, as long as he isn't Robbie Williams. The Utopia conspiracy the show focuses on is far-fetched, but just about in the realms of believability. The set-up, with the online forum discussion is juxtaposed with the very real danger the protagonists eventually find themselves in.

The very first scene oozes cool, I won't spoil anything, just watch it and give it a chance if you haven't already.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/utopia/pictures/

2. Interesting Characters

Characters can make or break a show, but Utopia's main characters are all interesting, from the aloof Jessica Hyde to the skittish (and hilariously named) Wilson Wilson. 

I enjoyed Nathan Stewart-Jarrett's portrayal of Curtis in Misfits, and he is strong again in Utopia playing Ian. Switching roles from 'the tank' to 'the brain' in the respective shows has highlighted his versatility and I was pleasantly suprised with the character.

(Also, Arby and Lee were a brilliant partnership while it lasted, and they stole every scene they were in).

3. Leaves you wanting more 

I watch a fair amount of television and after a while it's hard not to become cynical. This is one of the few new shows I've watched which has actually had me thinking about it in my spare time, discussing it with friends and family and just being excited about it in general.

4. Shot Beautifully 

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/utopia/pictures/

After I did a quick filming course, I picked up the annoying habit of constantly judging shots and camera angles.

I really couldn't complain about Utopia, look at the pictures or the website and you have to agree that stylistically it's very strong.

5. Good Side Plots

Poor side-plots can ruin a good series. Who else remembers President Palmer having problems with his son 'Keef' in 24. No-one cared. Just get back to Bauer and his urgent appointments. British dramas that come in six-parters such as Utopia don't suffer from this thankfully as there is no time for filler, just character development.

Seriously, Utopia is quality and at the very least is worth a try, and I can confidently say its the best programme of 2013 so far.

7 ways to improve Sleeping Dogs

7 Ways to Improve Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs' box art : Tyler Stout

I thought sleeping dogs was a solid game, but nowhere near brilliant. Part of me wonders if this is because of the development hell it went through in order to be released, with Square Enix saving it from the scrapheap and getting rid of the True Crime tag.

In case Squeenix does decide to release a sequel due to the decent sales, here is the list:

1. No DLC at launch 

The amount of DLC made available for this game is amazing, with company execs promising an 'extensive 6 months of DRM' after the game is released. Well thanks, I guess..? Couldn't you have released the game 6 months later with the content included? Because it does only feel 75% complete.

2. Variation

Saints Row: the Third hit the nail on the head with its vibrant world filled with a massive amount of side-missions, as well as choices that affect the gameplay. Sleeping dogs has you searching for cars. And packages (how very GTA). And health shrines. Oh and karaoke. Which isn't as bad as it could be, but it isn't enjoyable. At all. 

3. Longer  Story

I took my time with the game due to the pointless collecting quests. The problem is, despite how fun it is to dish out street justice (and it is very fun) I clocked in around 25 hours For 100 percent and the platinum trophy. I didn't exactly feel cheated, but I did feel like there was content missing.

4. Better Endgame

http://sleepingdogs.wikia.com/wiki/User:Dr4g0nSl4y3r

After I finished the last story mission there was nothing to do, aside from two gold challenges. The game finally gives you a pistol, the golden one from the (spoiler alert) scene where you turn down Big Smile Lee's offer to hand over your gangs assets. So, I have a pistol and no-one to shoot, except for civilians, and fellow officers? To be honest I'll probably never play it again.

5. The Radio

If I'm enjoying a song in a car in GTA 4, it continues playing if I'm near the car when I get out. It's a small touch but it's a good way to immerse you further into the game. In sleeping dogs it just goes silent. Also, the radio plays whilst you ride motorbikes, which is stupid but not that bad. However, as soon as Wei's hip leaves the side panel of the bike, the music stops.

On that note,

6. The Music

If you want us to play your game for a long time, pick a decent soundtrack. Please? Any songs that were anywhere near decent became repetitive after an hour of gameplay, and there were better songs (in my opinion) in the karaoke bars.

http://sleepingdogs.wikia.com/wiki/User:DemonDMC

7. Bigger Map

The map is smaller then it looks. In fact, I got the trophy for travelling to all of the areas in the first 3 hours because of a race. After 5-10 hours I had a lot of the tiny map memorised, which was annoying. 

I know these are all criticisms, but that's because I want the sequel (if there is one) to be an even better game. The foundations, such as the lore and fighting system are really good and I hope Square Enix don't let this sleeping dog lie. 

I really couldn't help myself.  

If you can think of anything I've missed out feel free to comment and let me know, or if you're sure I'm wrong and you have to tell me why, feel free to comment below.

Doping in football

Doping in Football

Doping and English football. 

It wasn't really an idea I had considered until the Rio Ferdinand scandal of 2002. As a 12 year old I really looked up to the international team as a whole and the saga made me think about the wider implications of drug use in the game.

Of course I knew about Maradona, but that was a galaxy away as far as I was concerned. As I grew up, the world got a lot smaller.

Fast-forward 11 years to 2013 and some things stay the same. For instance, Arsene Wenger is still the Arsenal manager, despite some pressure from the fans, and the best efforts of some of the more inept members of his squad.

Wenger has been calling for more stringent testing in football. He wants to replace urine samples with blood to ensure a better level of regulation.

He said 'we could go much deeper into control. I have no problem with doping, but we have to try to find out'.

A reasonable opinion, especially if we consider the case of his former player Kolo Toure, and his ban for taking 'dietary supplements'.

As an audience we deserve a level playing field. Football is fundamentally not sports entertainment despite the massive amounts of money involved.

Even though cheating is seen as a taboo in English football, it is naive to think it doesn't take place in some form. 

All I can say is well done to Arsene for raising the topic after the Lance Armstrong scandal as it shows that it can be endemic in top level sport.

photo credit: piodromo via photopin cc

5 players who could be Chelsea's next captain

Chelsea’s Captaincy Conundrum

Welcome to my first ever blog post, I’m a sports journalism student at UEL and for my first blog I decided to discuss the impending uncertainty surrounding the captaincy at the team I support, Chelsea.



JT and Lampard are great leaders, they connect with the fans and have the experience of winning multiple titles and cups as players.

However, all great careers come to an end eventually and the club is bigger than either of them. In the next couple of seasons they will be replaced, but who will take their place in the dressing room as the club faces further upheaval?

With Rafa unlikely to extend his 'interim' stay as manager, the club needs a genuine captain to lead the team on the pitch as well as Terry has done in the past, despite the off-field and personal traumas surrounding him (and the club) at the time.

So, without further ado, let’s kick off;

 5 players who could be Chelsea’s next captain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Amarhgil

1.      Branislav Ivanovic

Despite the fact he couldn’t get a game for the first 8 months of his Chelsea career, Ivanovic finally became a first-team regular in the title winning 2009-2010 season.  As Serbia captain he certainly has the experience but is prone to making some defensive errors such as the two against Swansea a few weeks back.

Potential: 8/10

Likelihood: 7/10

Overall: 7/10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Amarhgil

2.      Petr Cech

When Terry and Lampard don’t play Cech is the stand-in captain, but does he deserve the armband full time? The most awarded player in Czech football history, (with 6 Czech footballer of the year trophies) Cech is an imposing figure in the Chelsea goal but I would personally prefer an outfield player as captain, as I feel they have a better opportunity to dictate play on the field.

Potential: 9/10

Likelihood: 10/10

Overall: 9.5/10

http://www.flickr.com/people/60179301@N00

                                     

                                             3.      Gary Cahill

Cahill has gone from strength to strength since signing for Chelsea, winning the champions league and the FA cup in his debut season. He has certainly added to the team and English clubs do tend to pick English players as captains more frequently than their European cousins. However, he hasn’t spent a lot of time at the club and others such as Cech have been faithful servants for much longer.

Potential: 7/10

Likelihood: 8/10

Overall:7/10

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rayand/7233032314/

4.      David Luiz

The maverick Brazilian exploded onto the scene with a memorable début goal against Manchester United in 2011. He can certainly be inspirational on his day but there are question marks about his defensive qualities, with Benitez recently deploying him in midfield.

Potential: 6/10

Likelihood: 5/10

Overall: 5/10

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensutherland

5.      Juan Mata 

The diminutive playmaker has carried Chelsea through many games this season and has easily outshone Oscar and Hazard so far. His vision is second to none and some say the best players make the best captains. He is capable of game-changing moments and is a model professional on the field.

Potential: 9/10

Likelihood: 6/10

Overall: 8/10

There has been a worrying lack of leadership at Chelsea recently and JT has been sorely missed whilst he’s been injured.  As the club comes to terms with losing legends (and massive characters) such as Drogba, Terry and Lampard maybe Cech is the man to take the team forward, as his safe hands and calm demeanour could settle his young talented team as they face the pressures of the EPL without their iconic stalwarts.

Who do you think should be Chelsea's next Captain? If you have an opinion please let me know below.