Book Review: 'A Virtual Love' by Andrew Blackman

Author : Abhinav C.J.      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 3/28/2013 3:35:00 PM

'When this year gets over, I'm going to write a post mentioning the 10 best books I read in 2013, just like last year. I'm not sure this book will make that list, but it is surely a strong contender for the 'Discovery of the Year' honours.Real & online identities entwine with each other in Andrew Blackman's second novel - 'A Virtual Love'. Jeff Brennan is an average guy at best, working in the IT Support section of a law firm. His namesake is Britain's numero uno political blogge(...)'

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Vidic refuses to claim title race is over

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 3/18/2013 6:40:00 PM

'; ;; ; ; Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic insists the title race is still far from over despite his side extending their lead to 15 points on Saturday.United have dominated the Premier League for most of the season and their 1-0 win over Reading, combined with Manchester City’s defeat at Everton, means they now have a huge advantage going into the final nine games of the campaign. Indeed many punters who beton premier league games have seen their title bets paid(...)'

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McClaren tips Rooney to stay at United

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 3/8/2013 9:45:00 AM

'Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren says he fully expects Wayne Rooney to remain at Old Trafford, despite the recent speculation linking him with a move away from the club.The striker was sensationally left out of the starting line-up for the Red Devils’ Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday and now a number of high-profile pundits, including former United skipper Roy Keane, as well punters who bet on Premier League transfers, have tipped him (...)'

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Fletcher given assurance over international career

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 2/28/2013 4:28:00 PM

'Darren Fletcher’s importance to the Scotland national team has been outlined by new manager Gordon Strachan, who insists the midfielder has a part in the squad when he returns from injury.Fletcher is currently recovering from chronic bowel disease surgery and is out of action for the rest of the season. That means that while he misses Manchester United’s campaign for another famous treble this spring he will also sit out of Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers against Wales, Serbia and C(...)'

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Ferguson refusing to get carried away with advantage

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 2/25/2013 2:21:00 PM

'; ;; ; ;  Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his side that they cannot afford to take anything for granted despite their substantial lead at the top of the Premier League table.After losing the title race last season, the Red Devils have bounced back in supreme manner this time around, sweeping everyone before them and now look almost guaranteed to win their 20th league championship. Indeedmany football betting news sites have already paid out on (...)'

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Jones Injury Scare Ahead of Real Clash

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 2/19/2013 2:36:00 PM

';;;; Manchester United’s chances of bypassing Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League tie have taken a severe blow after defensive midfielder, Phil Jones, limped off the Old Trafford pitch on Monday night.Up against a spirited Reading side, United had to work hard for their victory in the FA Cup fifth round and Sir Alex Ferguson took a gamble in resting a number of his stars.One man to survive the cull was Jones – who once again proved an integral part of United’(...)'

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Ronaldo praise forewarning fan jibes

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 2/5/2013 3:44:00 PM

'Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out in praise of his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the pair meet for Real Madrid’s clash with Manchester United in the Champions League next week.Ronaldo, who played more than 190 games and scored 84 goals for United under Sir Alex, departed the club for a world record £80m back in 2009 and has grown into one of the best players in the world under the Bernabeu floodlights.In the weeks leading up to this Old Trafford departure, there were report(...)'

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Ferguson dismisses one-man team jibes

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 1/22/2013 10:48:00 AM

'Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant that his side haven’t become a one-man team following the summer arrival of Robin van Persie.After years of carrying Arsenal with little silverware to show for it, the Dutchman decided to leave the Emirates, sparking a bidding war between some of Europe’s top clubs and punters who bet on premier league transfers were left wondering where to put their stake.United eventually won the battle, with the 29-year-old arguing that his(...)'

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Short Story Gone Long: The Lost Star of David

Author : Abhinav C.J.      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 1/20/2013 11:46:00 AM

'Alright, this is a new feature on my blog. It's not exactly a short story, but in essence it's still a short story that somehow managed to be longer than what the norm suggests. It's written by this guy called Christopher Jennings, whom I had the pleasure of being acquainted with at the Mumbai LitFest over a discussion on crime noir. He wrote this one and I'm happy to publish this on this modest platform of mine. Hope you enjoy reading it.Another day at the office. Paperwork and mor(...)'

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Rooney to come through tough spell

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 1/4/2013 4:58:00 PM

'It’s fair to say that before his recent injury, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was having a below-par spell for the Premier League frontrunners.The England international was one of the favourites in the Premier League betting to collect the golden boot this season but has struggled to hit the heights.He had a game to forget against Swansea City last month at the Liberty Stadium and was given the hook by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Summer signing Robin van Persie has been (...)'

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The Ten Best Books I've Read In 2012

Author : Abhinav C.J.      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 12/31/2012 5:40:00 PM

'There were two things I originally intended to do as far as this post is concerned. I wanted to write this post on Christmas (given I got an unexpected week-long break from college) but I fell ill right on the first day. And secondly, I pondered over including all the great books I’ve read this year rather than a top-10 list but it’s just too much of an effort.                    &nbs(...)'

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United are Comeback Kings

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 12/31/2012 1:36:00 PM

'; ;; ; ; Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that he thinks that other teams fear the Reds going into the closing stages of games and that gives his side an advantage.Fletcher, who has recently returned to the United side after nearly a year on the sidelines with a bowel complaint, has won the Premier League title four times during his career and over that time he has seen his team put together many memorable comebacks. "The never-say-die attitude is i(...)'

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Ferguson Right to keep Nani

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 12/31/2012 10:14:00 AM

';;;; Sir Alex Ferguson once again had to deflect speculation linking Nani to a rival Premier League club after rumours surfaced on Betfairsuggesting that the Portuguese winger was set to leave Old Trafford this January.Speaking at a press conference in late December, the Manchester United manager denied any reports linking Nani with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and instead insisted the 26-year-old was still part of his squad plans.“We need a Nani. He offers something diffe(...)'

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Carrick hails Scholes influence

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 11/26/2012 1:40:00 PM

'Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has plenty of experience of first class football but he has admitted he is still learning all the time from veteran Paul Scholes.Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been keen to use Scholes’ influence since bringing him out of retirement last season.The 38-year-old has been used sparingly this season but did start in United’s 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.Scholes continues to be rock solid in the middle of the park for United and it’s no(...)'

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Ferdinand Coy over New Contract

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 11/21/2012 11:36:00 AM

'Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he is in no rush to sign a new contract, despite his current deal coming to an end in the summer.Manchester United have a history of nurturing their star players to eek extra years from tiring legs, with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both playing regular soccer games well into their late thirties, and Sir Alex Ferguson believes that, at 33, Ferdinand could still have at least another couple of seasons in him yet. Despite Fergu(...)'

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Vidic is a Big Miss for Fergie

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 11/5/2012 12:00:00 PM

'Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that his talismanic captain, Namanja Vidic, is now likely to be out until Christmas.Vidic underwent knee surgery in September and had initially hoped to be back by mid-November but it nows seems that Ferguson is resigned to losing the Serbian international for a few more weeks yet. "I think we're talking around December for Vidic," Ferguson told sport news reporters.  "Maybe around Christmas time."31-year old Vi(...)'

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Is it time for Vidic to move on?

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 10/15/2012 11:36:00 AM

'Nemanja Vidic’s future at Manchester United looks increasingly uncertain amid rumours two of Europe’s top clubs are chasing him, following his drop down the Old Trafford pecking order thanks a fresh injury on top of his eight-month lay off last season.Vidic, a firm favourite with the United crowd, endured a serious knee injury during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Basel in the UEFA Champions League group stage and played just five games until limping off again last month.His spell on the (...)'

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Kagawa Making Waves

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 9/29/2012 10:08:00 AM

';;;; The most high-profile signing made by Manchester United in the summer transfer window was quite obviously Robin van Persie, and the former Arsenal striker inevitably captured the headlines with a goal on his debut, followed by a match-winning hat-trick at Southampton.But Sir Alex Ferguson’s other, less-heralded summer signings have also made an immediate impact.Fans betting on Champions League quickly warmed to their new marauding left back, Alex Buttner, who capped an all-(...)'

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Rooney admits weight concerns

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 9/5/2012 2:35:00 PM

'Wayne Rooney has revealed is his new book that he often returned to pre-season training with Manchester United over-weight and that is has been a constant battle throughout his career.The England forward is currently recovering after suffering a deep gash to his thigh in the closing stages of United’s win over Fulham a fortnight ago.Rooney had been dropped from the starting line-up for that game admits rumours of a bust-up with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.The Scot then fired a coded w(...)'

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Rooney Ready for Another 10 Years

Author : Alex Corcoran      Blog : Traffordshire County      Date : 8/23/2012 11:21:00 AM

'Manchester United and England striker, Wayne Rooney has revealed his desire to play on for another 10 years; a prospect that will no doubt cheer the United fateful but will send a chill through premier league defenders up and down the country.Rooney, 26, has been terrorising defences since making his debut for Everton against Tottenham 10 years ago, and, despite the time that has passed; he says that he still feels fresh now, over 400 games later, something punters betting on the Ch(...)'

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