New Year greetings to you all.

Those of you who have read my articles in the past, and are fortunate enough to have already seen Danny Boyle’s new film Slumdog Millionaire will recognise why the movie will have moved me so much. The tears in my eyes were not just a response to the hopeless romanticism or feel-good ending, or the horrors experienced by the characters during the story, but in fact a recognition that my long-held wonderings and slowly-developed theories had been presented much more coherently on the big screen.

Without wanting to give too much away (a regular occurrence, in fact at this point I have to apologise to someone for spoiling the end of the upcoming Milk after the trailer was shown before the main feature) the basis of the story is how someone knows the answers to a run of questions during an episode of Who wants to be a Millionaire. The central character’s life story brings with it events, struggles, despair, that all means something in the end.

Slumdog Millionaire - Does anyone really have all the answers?

My creations are often based on personal moments that, I would like to think, are part of a bigger picture, and will be explained when serendipity shows itself. A pre-determined destiny is essential to believe in when things are tough, not just for me but for many people, and whilst not everyone has the opportunity to express themselves with cathartic releases as I might, I would hope people can keep faith with the notion that what we do in life echoes in eternity, and that everything will be ok because it will all make sense in the end.

Therefore, I will once again update you on what’s happened to me recently, my hopes and fears, views and questions, safe in the knowledge that even by just writing this column, somehow I am getting closer to the answer.

Neil Warnock - making himself heard in the Independant: a must read.

Football has started the years on the front, back and middle pages again, and whilst some journalists continue to berate the state of things, I’ve been reading a lot about football recently and have been impressed with much of the quality thereof. Not just on this site, but magazines newspapers and websites seem full of insightful commentary regarding the ‘beautiful game’.

Perhaps the most successful development in recent years has been the voice of those involved in the game. Charlie Buchan started the trend and, whilst some autobiographies or weekly columns cause more controversy than necessary, I particularly enjoy reading the likes of David James in the Observer, Gavin Strachan’s blog on another initialled institutional football website, and even Phil Neville’s programme column is refreshingly honest and insightful. However, this author will now pay homage to a lesser read weekly offering in The Independent.

Crystal Palace’s manager has led a colourful life and career, and is often maligned or ridiculed for his touchline behaviour or post-match criticisms. As is the wont of the Premiership era, Warnock became more popular following promotion, but then went slightly under the radar following his resignation and rejuvenation under Simon Jordan.

I would recommend that you try to catch a glimpse of his Saturday column in the Independent though, as it too offers an interesting and often funny view of the life of a Championship manager. Visits to posh restaurants or his kids’ school plays are mixed in with discussions of tactics or other teams, again summarising how everyday life makes us who we are. This column is an unashamed pastiche of his, but certainly helps me make sense of it all.

Kaka believes in God - But is football losing touch with reality?

This week, every night the news programmes told us that more jobs were being lost or bills were going up, whilst schools were being bombed and planes crash landed. Then, concentrating on potential bids and weekly wages for a Brazilian churchgoer.

Many believe that the Kaka transfer story could be another nail in the coffin of football. I do not think he is the best player in the world, but would look forward to watching him at Goodison.

However, it would be yet more evidence that football is losing touch with the real world.

3. Stars in their Eyes

After an uncertain start, suspended Fellaini is starting to fit in at Goodison

Just imagine. A pre-controversy Mr Kelly licks his lips and asks the famous question.

Moyes looks solemn as he answers.

“Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be… Cher.”

(Enters the door way, before returning through a cloud of smoke)

“If I could turn back ti-ime!”

If he could find a way, he’d have subbed Fellaini at half-time against Hull, and things might look a little more promising for the upcoming double header of derbies.

The film Sliding Doors tells the story of Gwyneth Paltrow getting on or missing a train, and how her life unravels from that point. It is an interesting analogy, perhaps inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life, and please do not think I am likening Capra’s classic to an otherwise uneventful victory, but I do wonder (as many around me did once the yellow card was brandished) how things might have panned out, had Fellaini been substituted before the inevitable caution.

Let’s be honest, our record signing didn’t have the most auspicious of starts but recently has improved tremendously in the 4-6-0 formation we are currently employing. However, his languid style and clumsy challenges do bring with them too many bookings and as a result, it is hard to see how even an early shampoo might have avoided his missing at least one derby. Like Materazzi and Dacourt before him, it seemed probable that Fellaini could have been booked in the first minute at Anfield thus missing the next three games and risk yet another derby sending off.

So, a substitution might have meant a start on Monday night, and might have improved our chances of victory, but didn’t ensure it. Liverpool have not lost at home for nearly a year, generally beat us anyway, and in recent years, we have regularly not performed to our potential in derby matches. Perhaps then, it could be a blessing in disguise. The pessimist / realist in me, doubts it though.

4. We hate it when our friends become successful

Sol Campbell - victim of homophobic and racist remarks

Coincidentally, David James and debate around the derby have both brought up the issue of crowd behaviour in the past week. As a passionate fan, I still rarely sing, preferring to concentrate on the play. I enjoy special atmospheres, but regret being a part of some of what goes on nowadays.

The fallout of the Sol Campbell case gives me hope that society is slowly recognising the danger of turning a blind eye to parts of terrace culture. Racism remains a problem, but homophobic comments are often overlooked and only now seemingly being tackled. I can’t wait for the much-mentioned PFA DVD.

However, the booing of players quickly becomes spiteful attacks on personal circumstances and family members, and potentially more – bottles, saliva, worse – something does need to be done.

By whom, I’m not so sure.

5. Be Seeing You

Patrick McGoohan of 'The Prisoner' fame - May he Rest In Peace.

This week a non-footballing hero of mine passed away. Patrick McGoohan created and played The Prisoner, fifteen years before my birth.

Thank you, Number Six. Rest in peace.

6.

Sorry, I realise that this article is slightly negative, but don’t worry, when you’ll see the film, you’ll know that it could all just be leading to a happy ending.

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