New Year, New Post.

Ok, so I haven't been updating much lately and the only excuse I have is that I've been extremely lazy.

So I thought I'd start the New Year with a post about last night and a bet that I like very much.

Did you have a good one last night? If you're reading this soon after then you're probably regretting a lot of things. Sore head, sore wallet, maybe a black eye or two. Perhaps you've just been released from the police station or worse still the hospital.

Cynical? Me, never.

I'm not a big fan of NYE, the pubs tend to be full and full of the annual idiots that come out but once a year and really shouldn't have more than two pints let alone jaeger bombs. In recent years I've tended to go out early with a few pals have a few drinks and then head home before the tubes get packed and see the new year (just another day) in at home.

Last night I thought I'd mix it up a bit. Bad play.

I stayed in and played a bit of online poker, didn't have a drink as the plan was to use this to my advantage later. So a couple of cups of tea later I decide to head into town taking advantage of the 24 hour (well almost) tube service. I jump on the train at around 00.15. Its quiet apart from a few revellers singing along to the usual beach boys classic in a nearby bar.

My plan is to head to the Empire Casino and play a little cash, hoping that there might be a few drunken revellers throwing some extra money about. Its a bit of an aquarium at the best of time.

I get off at Charing Cross Tube shortly after 01.00. It was a damn slow train stopping at stations that I've never heard of before.

The streets are packed with party goers. I literally cannot move. I slowly trudge towards Leicester Square but its a no go, after 30 minutes it becomes apparent that I'm not getting close to the casino let alone in it. So I decide to call it a night and head south to my kid's house.

Only a few tubes stations are open so I end up hiking down the Haymarket and towards the Embankment. The streets were paved with piss and vomit, broken glass and bottles. I've never seen anything like it and I've been virtually everywhere as a football fan.

People were lying on the floor passed out as others stepped over them, and I saw at least a dozen fights. One particularly caught my eye opposite the Sports Cafe on Haymarket. A group of 3 or 4 white lads clashed with a group of 10 or 12 Asian lads. The fights all seemed to start this way, groups of different race attacking one and other for little or no reason.

Anyway, back to the action, bottles are thrown, then eventually they get up close and personal and start trying to wrap a bottle round their opponents (sic) head. It ended up with only one of the white guys actually standing and fighting and it was no surprise to see the Asians all steam in when they realised there was only one left. I almost stepped in, but the Police got there within a minute or two.

I'm no friend of the Police but seeing those scenes through the eyes of sobriety made me feel sorry for them. It must be the worst job in the world manning those streets and they won't get any thanks for it, in fact they probably only get a mediocre salary for their troubles.

Anyway after queueing for about an hour I managed to get on a tube and indoors fairly quickly so it wasn't all bad. I would seriously advise anyone to avoid the West End next year, or maybe I'm just getting old. I'm certainly not getting any younger.

So on to the bet. This week sees a key game in what is the oldest rivalry in the NFL. Chicago travel to Wisconsin to take on the Pack.

Green Bay must win to secure a play off berth, but Chicago who have already won the division can get a bye if they beat the Packers and in doing so help out my team The New York Giants.

Its going be an interesting match up. The Bears would love nothing more than to end the Packers dream and in doing so secure a bye in the 1st round of play off matches. They won't rest players for this one, they'll be fully focused on getting the job done.

Injuries have halted the Packs charge this season and they've had more than their fair share. It may all have been different if they played the season with a full roster.

The general points line is around 41-42, which suggests Vegas is not anticipating a shoot out, which both teams could well produce.

I was tempted to have a bet on Chicago on the money line at 4/1 and I wouldn't put you off, but looking at the spread it just looks wrong to me. How, when so much is on the line can the divisional winners get a 10 point start at their deadly rivals?

If this was pre season I might think the line was close to being right (but still a bit big), but with 16 games gone its clearly a line that is based on needs and reputations rather than form and facts. Green Bay may well get it done, but they won't cover 10 points.

2pts Chicago +10 Paddy Power & Bwin.

I will try harder this year to keep the blog updated but in the mean time I'd like to wish all my reader a happy and prosperous new year.