OCBC Cycling 2014

As with last year we were registered as a corporate team.

Thanks to my torn ACL, I had to give The Challenge a miss.

Ended up joining the guys for breakfast and settling the administrative stuff. Breakfast at Sarnies was just too challenging - really a challenge finishing that.

Seems like this year there were far more accidents and injuries. Might have been a good thing that I didn't cycle afterall. Hope everyone involved in any incidents are ok!

#ocbccyclesg

Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1

After that lackluster 0-3 loss to Man City in the midweek, we came back with a nice reply. But still I want #moyesout

1) Midtable Supremacy

As I said in my FB post, today's game is the epitome of our midtable supremacy. Too much class to lose against most lower-tiered opposition, too lousy to beat the top 6-7. At this rate this is where we'll be at for as long as David Moyes is in charge.

2) Kagawa/Mata + Rooney

The trio just exudes sheer class, which is something we know not to expect DM of noticing. Such a joy to watch. Again, as with the game against West Ham, Kagawa and Mata combined so very well so often. Rooney's two goals were a result of their perfect combinations. Why DM didn't have the balls to use them against City I have no idea. Just hope we see more of the trio， with Januzaj as the final piece to the puzzle. Moyes is incapable of starting all four only because he's tactically incompetent.

3) Young and Buttner Are Crap

What does DM see in Ashley Young? Poor skills, poor first touch, poor vision, poor defence. Welbeck, Januzaj, Chicharito or even Valencia on the left wing would be so much better. Buttner is there perhaps to show Evra up, but he too does not deserve to play for United. Just not good enough defensively and offensively.

4) Fletcher The Unsung Hero + Fellaini

Darren Fletcher played really well today IMHO. Good enough to be my MOTM. Quietly controlling the tempo, good marking and making good forward passes to the offensive outlets, this is something we've missed for awhile now. With Carrick thoroughly underperforming, this could be Fletcher's time. Fellaini still hasn't justified his £27mil transfer fee, but he seems to be slowly getting there. While he may be poor with the ball, you've gotta give him credit for his tenacity and heading prowess. Both of which are lacking when he's not playing.

5) Defence In Tatters

Another crap performance in defence, bar maybe Vidic. Basically the setup is terrible: Rafael is reckless and injured, Valencia is no RB, Rio and Vidic are not performing well anymore, Evra is subpar (and suspended), Carrick is no CB, Buttner is shit, Jones is reckless, Smalling and Evans are injured. How else to fight on? Plus there is little coordination between any combo of the defensive lineup.

So Bayern Munich is up next. Be prepared for a hiding like 0-4 and up even at OT. Bayern is just far too strong for us and hopefully they can help push DM out the door by thrashing us both legs. I would think DM will play a highly defensive setup like a 4-6-0 formation though given his tactical incompetency, I'm not sure if he's even capable of that.

#moyesout

GGMU!!!

Dinosaurs: Dawn To Extinction

Here's my review.

Brought the kids to the ArtScience Museum today to see this exhibition.

Was left impressed by the museum and the exhibits.

1) Bigger Than At The Singapore Science Centre

For starters, I was surprised that the exhibition was larger and had more exhibits than the last two dinosaur-related exhibitions held at the Singapore Science Centre. My initial thoughts were that of how the dinosaur bones would be transported up that lotus-shaped exhibition hall. Instead I found out this was held at level B1 which obviously had far more floor area. 

2) Better Exhibit Quality

There was also a far better exhibit quality than the what we've seen at previous exhibitions. The exhibition was very well structured to showcase not just its larger collection of bones and dioramas, it was also more informative. If not for the kids always trying to skip the wordy write ups or non-fully erected dino exhibits, most adult visitors would have spent a far longer time combing through the exhibition.

3) More Interactive

In particular for families with kids, this exhibition was far more interactive, with alot more puzzles and little nooks and crannies for tots to touch, see, hear and explore. We also got to participate in two different craft workshops for kids (making dinosaur arts and craft.

For $20/adult, this was also cheaper, and with family packages available, we paid $64 for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids.

Highly recommended!

#moyesout

0-3 loss at home to Man City. Somemore it was a comprehensive loss with no fight.

Moyes is currently the epitome of tactical and motivational incompetence.

#moyesout > #wengerout > #sherwoodout > #rodgersout + #pelligriniout + #mourinhoout

GGMU!!!

My Favourite Boots

Guess I won't be wearing these for awhile.

Hopefully I will have a chance to wear it again some day.

This pair of soccer boots got 感情 wan hor, dun pray pray.

What To Do After A (Simple) Car Accident

These days with so many cars on the road, straight forward car accidents are very common. From brushing against each other, clipping each other, kissing bum of the car in front etc.

I happened to be in one recently, and so documenting the whole process may help in future if a similar situation arises again.

Here's what to do when a collision happens.

1) Ensure There Are No Injuries

If there are any, no matter serious or not, you MUST make a police report. If injuries are serious or life-threatening, call 999/995 immediately. Else, proceed to the next step.

2) Evaluate Damage

This is where having a camera phone is of utmost importance. Where possible take a picture of the accident scene, else if on a jammed expressway, then snap the damage as best as you can. Thereafter it is better to move away from obstructing traffic (road shoulder) and take photos of damage on BOTH vehicles. If you don't have a camera phone on you, then make a mental note of what has been damaged (bumper, car plate, bonnet, trunk etc), and how badly damaged.

3) Take Down Four Crucial Pieces Of Information

- Other car license plate number (MOST CRITICAL!!!)

- Other driver's full name

- Other driver's contact number

- Other driver's IC/driver's license number

4) Discuss Settlement

If your are at fault, a cash settlement without bothering the insurance companies would be a preferred route especially if damage is very small. If damage is really bad, then reporting insurance is better. This will affect your next year's premiums and NCD though. Also you have to use your insurance company's approved workshops. Hopefully they give you a replacement car while your car is being serviced.

If you are NOT at fault, then reporting insurance is always the best route because insurance coverage for 3rd parties are usually fully covered at almost any workshop. This means driving to your favourite workshop, damage will be assessed, and you'll get a replacement car, all without forking out a cent. Try not to settle privately unless damage is very light and payment terms are properly arranged.

You MUST report any accident to your insurance company within 24hrs of the accident.

5) Accident Statement

In order to claim insurance, either you call your insurance company and they will arrange to meet you or direct you to a nearest location to do the paperwork, or head to the workshop areas in Singapore like AMK, Ubi, Defu, where they tend to have people there to cover servicing or your car, accident reporting and vehicle rental.

6) Notes

Some highlights to take note.

- Other vehicle license plate number is the one key piece of information you definitely need in accident reporting.

- Scammers could be nearby. Some random car actually stopped at our accident site and tried to drag us to his workshop claiming they help cover all the paperwork and are 'witnesses' to the accident. Luckily an EMAS truck was around the corner and the LTA officer actually told us to stay away as they were syndicated scammers trying to rip victims off.

- Private settlements are tricky part 1. If you're at fault then count your lucky stars that the other party is willing to settle privately. But be wary because a cunning scammer could screw you by taking money from you AND reporting to his insurance company anyway, which will get you into trouble since you didn't report to yours thinking it was a private settlement. Sometimes, getting the

- Private settlements are tricky part 2. If you're not at fault but for some reason choose to settle privately, then the least you can do is protect yourself. Some serial accident-prone drivers maybe go to great lengths to promise you the sky only to cheat you after the 24hr insurance reporting period is over. Paying by cheque, by instalments, over next few days etc are UNACCEPTABLE. Either collect cash within the day, or have them transfer to your ATM account immediately. All other alternatives lead to possible delays and reneges on agreed amounts or worse still, abscondance or counter claims (saying it's now your fault). Any insurance or police claims after 24hrs is ineffective already.

- If agreeable, draft a written contract on the spot and have both parties sign. It may not do much but may act as a binding agreement to prevent the other party from absconding or reneging on a previously agreed settlement.

- Know a trusted mechanic. Ask friends to recommend, assess their advice on your own and judge their general integrity from the advice they give. A good mechanic will normally encourage reporting to the insurance company instead of private settlement because while it guarantees they will earn your business, they won't be able to overcharge the insurance companies for unrequired servicing.

- Get your own damage cost opinion of the other party's vehicle. Having a photo of the damage is important to show your trusted mechanic and getting his opinion of the costs involved for the other guy as well. This is particularly useful especially during private settlements where it is easy to inflate costs.

End of the day, drive safe and know your post accident procedures so that you and your loved ones have greater peace of mind.

Manchester United 3 Olympiakos 0

Well technically I only watched the final 10 minutes, but it seemed enough to conclude that this season will be crap.

1) A Good Win Nonetheless

Before I start getting all complainy and negative, let me first state that, a win is always a good thing. However, as a fellow fan put it, I think a good portion of fans probably wanted Man Utd to lose, just so that David Moyes is that much closer to being shown the door. 

2) Standouts

As far as I've read, 3 players really stood out. RVP, obviously our hat-trick hero, but more surprisingly that he found his scoring boots when on Sunday he had none. Giggsy, what can I say, still the evergreen hero rolling back the years. DDG, safest hands in the league. If only his defending four were more competent.

3) So What Sucked? I

Well for starters, the final 10 minutes I watched were heart-in-mouth type of a performance. This is extremely unnecessary and is totally on Moyes' incompetent tactics. By requiring all 10 men to help in defence, all the defenders can do is hoof the ball clear and let another attacking wave come. This really cannot be the way and I'd have thought all those late goals we've been conceding this season should have taught Moyes something at least. Nope. So as long a we keep playing like this, we're going to get a lot of heartbreak in the dying minutes compared to ecstasy of Fergie time winners we're so used to.

4) So What Sucked? II

DM's crap tactics don't end there. With the score at 3-0, one goal from Olympiakos would've changed the mood in the media COMPLETELY. I can't emphasize this enough. That is how precarious an outcome a single goal could have resulted. Yet in spite of this, Moyes takes the ultra-conservative substitution approach, out with attackers and in go the DMs and defenders. Geez man, with abit more disciplined knockabout, we could've scored a couple more late goals on the counter instead. Nope. Ain't gonna happen under  Moyes' reign. Nope. I repeat. Late goals on the counter are NOT gonna happen with DM's shit tactics. Conceded, yes. Scored, nope.

5) And Suddenly...

We will win the Champions League?! C'mon seriously?! Moyes said that?! I wanna know what the guy's been amok in' the last 8 months man. I'm still holding out for him to get the sack. We need a forward-thinking manager, not one with midtable mentality ("We don't have to score three goals, just two and we'll get to extra time"). West Ham away next followed by Man City at home. Two crucial games that I don't mind if we lose. Let's see.

#moyesout

GGMU!!!

Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3

Wow what a self destruction. It was as if our players couldn't wait to lose this match.

1) Three Penalties
How often do we see a team concede three penalties? That's how crazy our defence was. Plus we could've conceded one or two more too. That's just how reckless our defensive setup was, from Rafael, Jones, Vidic and Evra. Rafael is good but still hot headed and prone to doing something stupid. Same goes for Jones. Vidic has already secured a contract with Inter Milan so I have no idea why he should start. Evra has to go. Too unmotivated to play, that guy.

2) Carrick And RVP Disappoint
Up front, we seem to be faring much better, but Michael Carrick has also looked very dejected in his state of play. RVP is even worse. He looks like he has no where move to and hence has no choice but to pledge his allegiance to the club. His finishing was horrible. Both players can start making way for new blood. Even Rooney had a lousy game today, but at least you could see his dedication.

3) Slightly Brighter Spots
As usual, there were few bright spots after a lose, but players like Mata, Januzaj and DDG are sheer class. Too bad Mata is shunted to the left, Januzaj is still raw, and DDG has a lousy defence in front of him. Even Fellaini is slowly but surely starting to stamp his authority.

4) Another Tactical Nightmare
How predictable are we? Well we literally play without much imagination. Although we finally ditched the 4-4-2, go-wide-cross-hope, we're now in a very predictable 4-2-3-1 when our front four are fit. Doesn't take a genius to figure out that flooding the midfield will circumvent this formation. Moyes really needs to work on tactics if he's gonna stay.

5) A New Low
As if the season can't get any worse. As of now, we're out of the two local cups, losing 0-2 to a lousy team in the UCL Round of 16, and cemented in 7th spot in the league. By next weekend, we could be out of every cup competition and drop to 8th in the league. No more European soccer next season that's for sure.

Olympiakos beckons...

#moyesout

GGMU!!!

Manchester United Vs Liverpool 08/09 Redux

 Watching rerun of Man Utd vs Liverpool 08/09 again.

What a fantastic team we had then: VDS, Evra, Vidic, Rio, O'Shea, Ando, Carrick, Park Ji Sung, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez. Played quite well, subs were Giggs, Scholes and Berbs.

And still we lost 1-4 that day, but then we would go on to win the league and get into the finals of the UCL that season.

Hopefully we will win tomorrow, since we're not winning the league this season! Haha...

GGMU!!!

It also serves as a little life's lesson:

Just because there is a very good team already in place doesn't mean it will do well every single time.

But with a very good team in place, there will be enough wins to take you to the very top.

Torn ACL

The Anterior Cruciate knee Ligament (ACL). It allows us to twist and turn as we often take for granted.

Mine's torn now.

I'm so sad and depressed.

Because it is highly likely that I can never play competitive football ever again.

:(