It’s game on! The final Boot Wars of the season and the match that very nearly never was.
Yes, thanks to our loyal London Underground workers, who have deemed that a not insignificant FORTY GRAND A YEAR doesn’t float their boat, tonight’s World Cup Qualifier was very nearly a behind-closed-doors affair.
Thankfully, the rest of London’s transport network (those who appreciate their jobs) are pulling together to get as many England fans to the home of football as possible, but we still feel there may be an empty seat or seven.
On the pitch, Boot Wars bids a farewell to the campaign as it pairs up England centre-back Matthew Upson with Andorra veteran Oscar Sonejee. The 33-year-old Andorran has bravely stoked the furnaces by criticising the lifestyles of certain Three Lions performers. (Maybe it’s the envy of their prolific wages and extensive annual holid
ay that has riled him… mind you, he could level similar criticism on London Underground workers, but doesn’t!).
What’s certain is that he’ll have some talking to do on the pitch, and he’ll need all the protection his Asic Lethal boots give him, because you get the feeling he may be in for a sticky time of it tonight in the centre of the park.
The Lethal is a traditional lightweight boot, well crafted and with quality material, but it’s nothing more than that. It’ll do a job whilst adding relatively little to the potential of its wearer, and much could be said of Upson’s Adidas Copa Mundial boot. A har
dman’s no-nonsense cleat that gets involved, stands up to the rigours of pitch conflict. This boot has been around for over 20 years, and it’s not difficult to see why.
And Upson will be looking to prove its worth as England take another step closer to South Africa in 2010. I just hope we’re not relying on public transport to get us there. *sigh*
Ransacker Prediction: Predicting anything other than a home win is pure folly, and Sonejee may find himself with a bruise or two come the end of the 90 minutes if he encounters a determined and focus Upson.
Other Recommended Reading
- Boot Wars: Harry’s Game
- Boot Wars Review: Honours even at Wembley
- Boot Wars Review: Knocking On The Andorra
- Boot Wars: Harry’s Game
- Boot Wars – Matthew Upson (England) vs Maksim Romaschenko (Belarus)
About the author
James is an experienced football journalist who edits two leading Premier League club mags. He has worked for Sky Sports and is endlessly complaining about shin splints. And Mark Lawrenson. His favourite boot is the Adidas Predator Powerswerve. Although it's rumored that he once owned a pair of Nicks boots!
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