WAGs, HABs, Video Games and More: An Intro to Some of Our Quirkier Blogs

Last weekend I gave you a quick overview of our EPL blogs here at The Offside. Today I thought I’d introduce you to some of our quirkier and more unusual blogs.

• First off, Football Manager Offside. One of my favorites, and I don’t even play video games. (And I’m not just saying this because Daryl is my Editor.)

  Yes, perhaps Football Manager, the game, is mainly a collection of numbers, stats and words, but at some point it becomes…personal. FM Offside details Daryl’s trials and tribulations as the Newcastle manager as he tries to take his club to the top of the Prem. Or at least to not lose his job.

  I even took him off in the 89th so that he could get a standing ovation. I was expecting letters of apology from all the fans who “regarded his purchase as an aberration.”

  As long as they didn’t watch the next two games.

  Joe Kinnear, watch your back. There’s a new manager in town.

• Then we have the Weekend Warrior, run by Sean – a blog about the joys of playing the beautiful game when you are a bit beyond the age where there is a “U” in front of your team age designation. Here are Sean’s thoughts on choosing players for his outdoor team from among his indoor teammates:
  

  So I find a guy playing indoor who appears to meet my two basic requirements for Rangers:
  1. Gives 100% both up and back, and;
  2. Is not a dick.

  Because truly, what more can any of us ask of the people in our lives?

  If you’re a Weekend Warrior yourself, or used to be, or have plans to be someday, be sure to check it out.

• Next, we have the reason I’m guessing most of you opened this post. The WAGs blog, dedicated to the lovely Wives and Girlfriends of footballers. So you can enjoy the view whilst thinking about how unfair it is that guys whose only talent is kicking a football get both the money and the beautiful women. This blog is currently unmanned, but feel free to browse anyway; what is there is timeless. Pictured is Alena Seredova, significant other of Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon. Totally real, btw.

  Oh, I was talking about the tan. What were you talking about?

  If this blog is something you’d be interested in taking charge of, drop us a note at manager[at]theoffside[dot]com. (Because searching for pictures of scantily-clad women is a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.)



• And, for those of the opposite persuasion, we have the HABs blog. What are HABs, you ask? I think you can make up your own definition, perhaps picking from these choices, but it appears to have something to do with the players themselves in various stages of undress, frequently with footballs covering strategic spots. Or…um…so I’ve heard. Cannavaro, Ibrahimovic, Gourcuff, Malouda, and many, many more.

  (And I was recently comparing the numbers for the HABs blog, which are pretty high, with the numbers of female readers I’m aware of, which are more than most footy blogs, but not that much more. And I started wondering just how many of those pageviews are from average hetero guys who see the headlines scrolling down the front page and think, “No! I really don’t want to know why Michael Ballack’s nickname is ‘the Bulge’! Must…not…click… Must…not… Oh, dammit, here we go again.” It’s okay, guys. Self-control is hugely overrated.)

• This next one isn’t actually a blog. Offside Soccer Videos is a place where everybody (yes, including you) can share videos they’ve found entertaining, or even upload their own. There are currently 871 videos on the site. And only 123 of them pop up when I request “Ronaldo.” Neither of these numbers is imaginary, btw. Perhaps we need some fans of other players/clubs to start uploading to tip the balance?

  If you have a favorite highlight reel or other video you think Offside readers would enjoy, either your own or one you’ve found on a hosting site (like YouTube or DailyMotion or Sapo.pt), we’d love it if you’d “magnify” it on the site. And we’ll still love you even if you post yet another highlight reel with that ubiquitous “10% luck, 20% skill” song.

  (Registration required to keep out the Infomercials. Because we’re about shilling for Kaka and Benzema, not ShamWow.)

• We also have a blog set up that’s entirely dedicated to those of you who love video games. Video Games Offside is also currently unmanned. (Our Red Bulls blogger Dave handled it well in the past, but he’s getting married, which, sadly, does tend to preclude 24/7 video games.) Past endeavors have included tournaments among players around the world, as well as product reviews and updates. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in taking on, email us at manager[at]theoffside[dot]com.
• And I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t also link to our Ticket page, which links to places where you can buy game tickets or plan travel to games. Or just travel in general. (Saved my butt when I was in Paris with no hotel last year, btw.) So click on the link and help keep The Offside in business.

(The “More” page also includes the player blogs and some of the smaller leagues, which I’ll talk about at a future date. Check back next weekend for either those or something else.)

Some Related Stories:

Category: World Football