Still A Rookie

How bloody stupid of me

Those were the last few words I wrote in my journal before heading off to sleep last night. There was a good reason, nay - a bad reason! - why I scribed such a thing.

Ahead of the weekend, I placed an online grocery shop. I didn't need to get anything for Oreo, but noticed Morrisons had a £3 for 3 offer on some treats. As I added the items, I noticed Lily's Kitchen food. I had bought Oreo their Halloween special last year (he didn't like it), but thought I would add the 'Sunday Lunch' to my order just to give the company another shot. 

Seeing as yesterday was Sunday, I thought I'd give Oreo the food. I prepared it in haste because I had to catch the final night of the G1 Climax. I put everything together and laid it out for my feline friend. 

Oreo came up to me shortly after I put the food and water down. He meowed a few times. That wasn't unusual. I assumed he was simply thanking me for giving him something new.

'Result!' I thought.

Later in the day, when I went to give Oreo fresh food, I noticed he hadn't really gone all-in on the meal as I had hoped. I had reminders of the failed attempt at the pumpkin food from Halloween, so I gave him the remainder of the Sunday lunch meal but added some wet duck on top.

No result. Oreo refused to even sniff at it. Something was amiss.

Wondering if I was in the minority, with a cat who seemingly dislikes Lily's Kitchen products, I headed online to read product feedback.

The first review was positive. Their dog loves Lily's Sunday Lunch.

Yes, you read that right. 

Dog. 

D.O.G.

Or D Oh Double G to those who know. 

Seeing as I'm spelling things out, I'll share with you the letters that first entered my mind as soon as I realised what I had done.

S. 

H.

I.

T.

I rushed down and pulled the packaging out of the bin. Yes... I had given Oreo dog food!

Remember when I wrote about Oreo meowing at me shortly after I had given him his food? He was likely telling me 'that isn't for cats!' 

Or something worse.

Upon realising my mistake, I threw out the food and fed Oreo some of his favourite wet food. I had to. You know, to make up for the rookie error.

Oreo has now been with me for four years. I'm evidently still learning the ropes. 

Oiwa Wins G1 Climax 36 And Continues Trend Set By Previous Victors

Ryohei Oiwa won this year's G1 Climax following an excellent final against Yuya Uemura from Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo earlier today.

The win was the culmination of a round robin tournament which spanned the past five weeks.

As I've written in previous posts, my initial pick to win - Shota Umino - was withdrawn following an injury suffered on the first night of the tournament. My next guess was Uemura, who finished second in B Block and defeated current IWGP Heavyweight Champion - Yota Tsuji - in one of yesterday's semi finals.

Oiwa was in a three-way tie in the round robin portion of the tournament. However, he finished second due to tiebreaker and progressed to today's final by beating A Block victor, Callum Newman, in the other semi.

Oiwa to continue trend set by recent G1 Climax winners

Per the rules of the G1 Climax, Oiwa should have secured a shot for NJPW's major title in the main event of January 4th's Wrestle Kingdom event. However, he has executed his right to challenge for the strap sooner.

He's now set to face Tsuji at NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2026 on October 12th. It'll take place in the same building as today's show.

This will be the third consecutive time a G1 Climax winner has brought their title shot forward.

How previous G1 winners fared in NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling title shots

In 2024, Zack Sabre Jr opted to challenge Tetsuya Naito for the strap at King of Pro-Wrestling so he could cone into NJPW Royal Quest IV - from Crystal Palace, London - as a local champion. 

Last year's tournament winner - Konosuke Takeshita - beat Sabre for the title at King of Pro-Wrestling 2025.

That's a perfect 2-0 for early cash-ins for those counting. Will Oiwa make it a hat-trick? We'll find out in fifty-seven days.

Last Night's Emergency Warnings

The UK Government sent out emergency alerts last night. The act resulted in a lot of discourse online. 

First things first, I initially received the alert in Welsh. Even though I live in Wales, I'm one of the 82.7% the 2021 Census counted as being a non-Welsh speaker. It was pointless sending the alert to me in a, as ironic as this will come across, 'foreign' language.

I received the English version of the message six minutes later.

Yes - SIX MINUTES!

That's not good enough. Not for what has evidently been classed as an 'emergency' by the Government.

Was it really an emergency?

I also found the content of the message to skip heavily in the 'this isn't an emergency' box. 

We were told there is a 'heavy risk of wildfires'. We knew that already. They then listed activities that could start a fire. Things we already know such as disposable barbecues, garden incinerators and fireworks.

Why didn't it mention arsonists? They start fires, too. 

Was it okay to send an alert in this manner?

Overall, I strongly believe last night's communication was a misuse of what the emergency alerts were designed for. To alert the public of hazardous weather or, dare I say it, war.

A modern day air raid warning, if you will. Not a lecture on what causes fires. Those could easily be sent via text message. The point still gets out there in that method.

What the alert stated

There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators, or fireworks. Even a small flame can rapidly develop into major wildfires placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.

Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.

As you can see, the English version of the message arrived six minutes after the Welsh version.

One Word For The 2026 Solar Eclipse

In a very short update to Wednesday's post, in which I wrote about the then upcoming eclipse and shared a memory about the 1999 eclipse, I'd like to share what will be a memory for the 2026 edition.

Years from now, when I recall my personal memory of watching the solar eclipse of 2026, one word will come to mind.

Crap.

It was crappier than '99. And that's a statement in itself.

The TV coverage was excellent, however. 

G1 Climax 36's Semis Set

The semi-finals of this year's NJPW G1 Climax have now been confirmed following today's final round of Block B matches.

Saturday's semis will see A Block winner - Yota Tsuji - take on B Block runner-up: Yuya Uemura. Then, in the other bout, Callum Newman - who topped B Block - will square off against Ryohei Oiwa, who finished second to Tsuji in their block.

The winners will go on to Sunday's final with the overall victor securing a main event match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th 2027.

Yota Tsuji is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Should he end up winning the G1, Tsuji will get to choose his dance partner for New Japan's opening event of next year.

The other three potential G1 Climax winners will obviously get to challenge whoever is holding the strap come January. 

Earlier this year, I predicted Shota Umino would win the G1. That guess fell after the first hurdle due to Umino sustaining a concussion in his opening night loss to Zack Sabre Jr. The injury ended my pick's tournament.

My reserve choice is still in it. 

Come on Uemura!

Partial Solar Eclipse '26

Ahh, a partial solar eclipse in the news.

Takes me back to 1999. It seemed the entire UK was hyped up for that one. I couldn't find any of the eclipse viewing glasses back then. I tried, though.

I also tried to create my own viewing device. All I recall from that experiment was standing out my backyard with my dad and our next door neighbour as we tried to 'view' the eclipse on a white bit of paper.

The Three Stooges would have done a better job.

That was one of the many fond memories I have of our neighbour, who passed away in the mid-2010s. 

As for this year's eclipse - things are set to begin at around 18:17. They forecast 93.24% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon at approximately 19:13.

Maybe I should get some paper. You know - for old times' sake.

A Few Words About Jimmy Cricket (And How Cool He Was To Me)

I looked through a few pages of my autograph collection last night. I was on the hunt for Benny from Crossroads (don't ask!), but came across one I really should have written about long before today.

Here is a personalised autograph from none other than Jimmy Cricket.

Jimmy passed away last week at the age of eighty.  I consider him to be one of the most iconic comedians from my childhood. I suppose a good part of that is knowing he had gone out of his way to send me the autograph when my dad wrote to him - on my behalf - back in the mid-80s.

It wasn't just the 1980s when Jimmy did me a favour, though.

During the 2000s, I contacted Jimmy myself. I had told him one of my friends had enjoyed looking through my autograph collection and one of the names which stood out to her was his. Jimmy sent over an autograph for me to give my friend on her  birthday.

That was very cool.

What others said about Jimmy Cricket

It seems the consensus all shared how genuinely nice Jimmy Cricket was. Following his passing, some other people who knew Jimmy shared their thoughts on the late comedian.

Roy Walker stated that Jimmy was a 'sincere wee fella..' and that he 'loved everyone and everyone loved him.' Christopher Biggins also shared his opinion that Jimmy was 'unbelievably fantastic' and reasoned that he had never met anyone nicer.

Those two examples, added to mine, prove Jimmy Cricket was the genuine article.

I've Finished The End Of The World As We Know It

I finished reading The End of the World as We Know It yesterday.

It's a collection of short stories based around Stephen King's The Stand. As I'm sure I've written numerous times over the years, the hefty apocalyptic novel is my favourite work by King. Checking out the anthology which spins off from it was a no- brainer.

To be frank, I ended up giving the collection four stars out of five. The sole reason is because there are some stories which seem to be too similar and it threw me off somewhat.

With all that said, the writers who worked on this project served The Stand well. It's absolutely something I'd recommend to those who have read The Stand in the past. Or, better yet, I'd push BOTH The Stand and this newer book, serving as its sidekick, to new readers.

Buy The End of the World as We Know It

This Morning's Breakfast

Look what I had for this morning's breakfast.

I bet the first thing you thought was 'he had Reese's Puffs? Big deal'. To you, I' shall say 'WRONG! kinda'.

Your next guess would - or should - be the Aldi version of Reese's Puffs. You know, the ones I claim to be superior to the original. Well, that would also be an incorrect guess. In fact, it's a colder guess to your first.

What I had are Reese's Puffs, but with a twist.

Coming straight outta Canada are these. Dark Chocolate Reese's Puffs. I came across them when I was searching through Amazon earlier this week. It was an instant purchase. I had to give them a go. Especially today.

They weren't bad. But, I felt that the dark chocolate flavour undermined the hint of peanut butter. 

I suppose, seeing as the main gimmick is dark chocolate, it's fair to consider that it should be the predominant taste.

So, yeah, they're okay. Aldi's version of the original Reese's Puffs are still number one when it comes to peanut butter cereal, however.

This one wins the award for 'Best Packaging' though. Look at the use of the neon lighting effect. Superb.

Is That Bait?!

You know the 'that's bait' meme, which pops up every now and again on social media? Well - I was browsing through TAFKA Twitter today and saw something which triggered me. 

Before I replied to what was written, the Tom Hardy Mad Max (well, I believe it's from Hardy's rendition of Mad Max) appeared in a dream bubble above my head.

It must be bait, I thought to myself.

I was set to react to a post by someone who claims that FIFA fixed the 2030 World Cup host nations to guarantee Argentina will make it to the tournament. 

That's not completely true.

Who are hosting the 2030 World Cup?

The World Cup is currently set to be played in SIX countries. However, there are three main hosts. 

Let me explain.

Morocco, Portugal and Spain have all been named as hosts for the 2030 tournament. As well as that trio, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will field an opening match each as a way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.

The first-ever tournament was hosted, and won by, Uruguay. So, hosting the special centenary game makes sense on paper*.

What also seems reasonable - on paper again* - is seeing Argentina in the mix. They were the runners-up to Uruguay in the initial World Cup.

I don't know for sure why Paraguay are also involved other than to suggest FIFA wanted to give three South American countries the privilege. 

With all that said, these plans could very well change if the current standoff between UEFA and FIFA isn't resolved in time.

UEFA has threatened to boycott everything involving FIFA unless there is a change in the hierarchy. That could result in Portugal and Spain (the current World champs nonetheless!) missing out.

Argentina aren't going to miss out.  They're in, but not for the reason I read this morning.

*FIFA giving European, African and South American hosts for one World Cup paved the way for Saudi Arabia to leapfrog the traditional rotation system securing the 2034 tournament.

Football Is Back. Almost.

I went to bed with NFL GamePass playing on my bedroom TV last night. 

 

It has been months since I've been able to write the previous sentence. Football is back. Almost.

Last night saw the NFL host its annual Hall of Fame game. I caught the first few plays of what turned out to be the Carolina Panthers' 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

I've seen the closing moments of the match as well. Quite a fun ending, to be fair. The Panthers' third string-quarterback, Haynes King, ran in a touchdown on 3rd and Goal as the clock hit zero.

Let's hope we get denouements like that all the way through September to February. 

Who is Haynes King?

Haynes King was signed by the Carolina Panthers, as an undrafted free agent, earlier this year. He currently sits behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett on  the team's quarterback depth chart.

King began his college career at Texas A&M in 2020 before transferring to Georgia Tech a couple of years later.

What's next for the NFL's 2026 preseason?

The Hall of Fame game was the first fixture of the NFL's preseason schedule for 2026. The full preseason schedule will heat up from Thursday 13th August. 

When does the 2026 NFL regular season begin?

The first regular season game of the 2026 NFL season will see the defending Super Bowl Champs - the Seattle Seahawks - greet the New England Patriots on Wednesday 9th September.

Season kick offs traditionally occur on Thursday nights. For this year, the game has been brought forward by a day because the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are set to meet in the first-ever NFL fixture from Australia on Friday 11th September (due to time zone differences, the kick off will air on Thursday in the USA).

Football Season Handicap Betting 2026/27

Bookmakers have finally published season handicap betting markets for all four of the major domestic football leagues. You know what that means, right?!

This is now my sixteenth year writing about season handicap betting. It began with THIS POST in July 2010, in which I wrote about having a punt on the Premier League handicap market. The coverage has since evolved to the point where I write about my methods wagering on the top four divisions in English football.

Before I begin, it's worth explaining what season handicap betting is. Then I'll get to the method I currently use to secure my betting selections.

What Is Season Handicap Betting?

You may have seen a market called 'Season Handicap Winner' when you've browsed bookmakers' outright offerings for the Premier League right through to League Two.  

This genre of long-term market sees bookmakers giving every team in a respective league a fictional points start. Then, once the entire season has concluded, the fictional points are added to the actual points for each team to determine which side tops the season handicap table.

The strongest team in the league is often given zero points. Obviously the team with the longest odds of winning a regular outright season winner market gets a more generous offering of points.

How I Pick My Selections

I have a process where I work out what the average finishing points are per each position in a league table.

For example, in the Premier League, the division winners have accumulated an average of eighty-nine points since the 2004/05 season. On the other side of the scale, the team at the bottom of the table have only earned an average of twenty-five points across a regular Premier League year.

So, with the points per position knowledge for the Premier League through to League 2, I then have to sort each team in their predicted finishing order.

I've used a handful of different methods to work out how the actual league tables will finish BEFORE applying each teams' handicap points.

One of the earliest approaches was to buy the Racing and Football Outlook preview guides, work out where the newspaper's writers expected teams to finish and then work out a table using those predictions.

I've also simply ranked the team in the order bookmakers have the leagues priced up in their regular outright markets.

Most recently, I have began to use AI assistants to make their final prediction tables. 

What Happens Then?

I open up the spreadsheet, place the teams in the predicted order the AI assistant has given me. I then apply the handicap points next to each team. Once that's done, their handicap points and the average position points are added together allowing me to sort the table and work out which teams top the table. I focus on the top four because I place each-way bets which pay out to four places.

Premier League Season Handicap Predictions

For this year's season handicap post, I've asked ChatGPT to give me its predicted finishing tables for all four leagues. I did so by asking to come up with results using a 'Football Manager-style simulation'.

It guesses that the league will be won by Liverpool. It forecasts Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea to finish consecutively below them.

Liverpool have been given seven points. With that number added to average, their total is ninety-six. That was enough to have them sat atop of the predicted handicap table for the 2026/27 season.

Below Liverpool are Newcastle United (89 total), Arsenal (82 total) and Chelsea (80 total) for those thinking about placing each-way bets on any of the first four.

My selection: I'm going to play it 'safe', or as safe as you can be in a crapshoot concept like season handicap betting, by taking Liverpool.

Championship Season Handicap Predictions

ChatGPT has Burnley to be finish first in the Championship this coming season. Going by the regular outright market, The Clarets are third-favourites. In handicap wagering, the bookies have given them a nine-point head-start making a forecasted total of ninety-two.

Burnley's 92 points places them third in the predicted finishing table. West Bromwich Albion are on top thanks to a 26-point handicap plus a projected points haul of sixty-nine from finishing eighth.

West Ham United, who are favourites to win in the regular outright market, were also ChatGPT's pick to get immediate promotion. Ninety-four points is the average for finishing top of the division. The Hammers will kick off with a zero-point head-start because of how fancied they are.

Wolverhampton Wanderers finished joint-second in the predicted finishing table. ChatGPT had them being the second team to be automatically promoted to the Premier League. Finishing in second has an average points score of 88. Add on their six-point start and that positions them alongside West Ham - with 92 points apiece - in the projected table.

My Selection: I'm taking the 26 points with West Brom, but I am doing so reluctantly. I feel West Ham is the play, but I dislike not getting points. A 26-point cushion is more appealing.

League 1 Season Handicap Predictions

Reading are top of the projected table for League 1. ChatGPT has them finishing fifth in the actual league. That position has an average of seventy-nine points. Add on the 18 given by the sportsbooks and that takes the season handicap projection to 97.

The AI assistant predicts Leicester City will be the overall winner of League 1. That placement has an average of 96 points. As favourites, in the handicap market, the Foxes will have to rely on their actual points tally because they have a 0 handicap. They're in joint-second in the projected table. 

Sharing number two spot, beside Leicester, is the Luton Town selection. ChatGPT's simulation of League 2 has Luton finishing second. They have a seven-point head-start added to the 89 points for a second-placed finish.

Huddersfield have been given ten points by the bookies. Tallied up with their predicted finishing points of 84 - for finishing third - they are next on the season handicap predicted table with 94.

My selection: Laser-focused on the 18 point advantage, I'm picking Reading even though they're twelve in the actual outright markets.

League 2 Season Handicap Predictions

ChatGPT has given Exeter City a fourth-placed finish, in its simulation of the 2026/27 season for League 2. That position has an average score of 79 points. As for the season handicap - betting firms list Exeter in the middle of the pack and have assigned them 20 points. The 99 point total was enough to place Exeter at the top of my predicted season handicap table for this league.

Rotherham are currently a top price of 16/1 to win the league in the outright market for League 2. The AI assistant reckons they'll do so and, as a result, Rotherham's 9 point head-start is added to the 88 for a first-place finish leaving them with 97 and second behind Exeter in the projected season handicap table.

Crewe, who ChatGPT expects will finish fifth in the division, follow Exeter and Rotherham with 93 points via their 17-point handicap plus 76 for the finishing position.

Port Vale's 7 points was enough to see them fourth in the projected table. ChatGPT has The Valiants' 2026/27 campaign ending as runners-up. Teams which finish in second have done so with an average of eighty-four points.

My Selection: By now, I'm sure you won't be surprised to see I'm taking the double digits. I'm going with Exeter City +20.

Don't Forget (Plus a Cheap Plug)

One thing I make sure to point out every year, when I write these season handicap betting posts, is to reiterate that season handicap betting is a crapshoot. I've lost more times than I've won. I simply do these wagers as something to follow as the season is in progress.

Bet sensibly. Bet wisely.

Before I finish, I'd like to plug a book I've written for another kind of football.

Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Guide 2026 takes a look at every regular season game for the upcoming NFL season. As well as the week-by-week trends and stats, I have chapters covering other betting angles to consider from September through to January.

You can read more about it on THIS PAGE or purchase it from THESE BOOKSTORES.

Rhyfeloedd Seren (That's 'Star Wars' In Welsh)

There's been some really cool news for my country in the news over the past day.

Star Wars is being given the Welsh treatment. Yep, almost fifty years since the movie first came out, the OG Star Wars movie - 1977's Episode VI: A New Hope ('Gobaith Newydd) - is set to be dubbed into the Welsh language and will air on S4C over Christmas.

Matthew Rhys will lend his voice to that of Han Solo, originally played by Harrison Ford in the movies. Also cast are Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Princess Leia), Osian Morgan (Luke Skywalker), Mark Lewis Jones (Darth Vader) and Rhys Ifans (Obi Wan Kenobi).

Even though I don't understand Welsh, I will tune in on Christmas Day. I'd like to see - and hear! - how this will play out. 

I Try Cherry Pepper Schweppes

If you've visited the blog at any point within the past year, I'm sure you would have came across a post or two about cherry-flavoured Colas. I published a post about Coca-Cola's new Cherry Float flavour in March. It was just a few days ago when I wrote about Pepsi's Cherry and Vanilla offering.

It's from searching for those cherry drinks which led me to come across a Schweppes flavour which intrigued me.

Cherry Pepper!? It had to be done.

Buying Cherry Pepper Schweppes

I bought my Cherry Pepper Schweppes from Asda. As of August 4th 2026, the supermarket is selling a case of twelve 150ml cans. These cases are also available on Amazon through Morrisons.

Another option is to look for Schweppes in 200ml glass bottles. There are crates of twenty-four out there in the wild.

Sampling Cherry Pepper Schweppes

After popping open the can, the first thing which struck me was the drink's strong cherry aroma. It was reminiscent of Haribo Cherries. I'm sure I've compared other cherry drinks with those jelly sweets in the past. Apologies for recycling an old take, but that is exactly what initially struck me once the flavour was released.

With that said - after taking the first sip, I was no longer reminded of the Haribo sweets. I thought 'Cherry 7-Up'. That was followed by.... a sneeze! I doubt it had anything to do with the 'pepper', however. 

After following sip one with a couple more mini swigs, something dawned on me: I didn't sense much pepper. Cherry overpowered it.

It was only after finishing off the entire can when I noticed a mild peppery taste in my mouth. Seeing as I signed up for a mix of cherry and pepper,  but feel like the cherry's domination negated the peppery aspect of the drink.

I highly doubt I'd go out of my way to buy this flavour again. But, that's okay. Even though it can be served as a refreshing non-alcoholic pop, I believe Cherry Pepper Schweppes is best served as a mixer to alcohol or as a mocktail.

To close, I'll share a couple of cocktail ideas I have for this mixer flavour.

Cocktails for Cherry Pepper Schweppes

The Dark Pepper Stepper

Ingredients: 50ml dark rum, mint leaves, 150ml can of Cherry Pepper Schweppes

Method: Clap the mint leaves over the glass to release the oils and drop them into the glass, add ice, pour in the rum and top up with the Schweppes

Garnish: Top with a sprig of the fresh mint

Cherry & Black Pepper Spice

Ingredients: 50ml Bourbon or rye whiskey, 150ml can of Schweppes Cherry Pepper flavour, fresh lime juice

Method: Fill a highball with ice, pour in the alcohol and lime juice, top with the Schweppes and stir

Garnish: Use a lime slice or cherries (not Haribo Cherries!)

Wales Takes A Stand Against Infantino

The Football Association of Wales is apparently the first to officially withdraw its support for FIFA President - Gianni Infantino. 

The move takes away one vote of confidence for the head's hopes of re-election.

More FAs are sure to follow suit. I'm actually both surprised and happy it's my own country's FA that did it first.

What Wales Has Stated About Gianni Infantino

The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football

Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept

Taysom Hill And The Broncos

In a short follow up to Thursday's post, it looks like Taysom Hill could be on his way to play for the Denver Broncos.

Upon reading that news last night, I immediately thought 'OF COURSE!' to myself.

Hill played under the Broncos' head coach - Sean Payton - for many years. It was so obvious that would be one of his potential next destination. If an agreement can be reached, of course.

I love the prospect of Taysom Hill coming in for plays on that offence. Definitely something to look forward to.

Speaking of 'looking forward' - it's now six weeks until the start of the 2026 regular season. From next Sunday we can start using one hand to countdown.

Buy Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual 2026

I Try Cherry & Vanilla Pepsi

The trilogy is complete!

In early July, I mentioned that Pepsi had released a trio of new sugar free drinks. The three flavours all have an ice cream theme. The first one I tried was Rasperry Ripple. That was followed by the surprisingly nice Salted Caramel. Cherry & Vanilla eluded me because it was unavailable on the two attempts.

Well, third time lucky. And all that.

As I've written in the past, I enjoy cherry colas. I also have a fondness for vanilla-flavoured Coca-Cola and even enjoyed Cherry Float Coke earlier this year. I felt that there was a good chance I'd enjoy Pepsi's take on a fruit and vanilla collision.

Unfortunately, even though I found the drink to be refreshing, it didn't live up to my hopes. 

The flavours didn't seem to complement each other in Pepsi's version as they do with the Coca-Cola variety. However, with all that said, there is something that might explain it.

After trying regular Cherry Float Coca-Cola earlier this year, I tried the zero sugar version a little over a week later.  I didn't find it to be as enjoyable as the fuller flavoured one. It's worth pointing out that these Pepsis are all sugar free as well, so maybe there's something to conclude from the two experiences.

It's possible I would have enjoyed a full fat Cherry and Vanilla Pepsi.

Now that I've tried all three, it's time to rank all three flavours. From worst to first. To be fair, if you've read all three posts, I'm sure you'd have worked it out already. 

Ranking the three new Pepsi flavours for Summer 2026

3. Cherry and Vanilla

2. Raspberry Ripple

1. Salted Caramel

The Stand

How Can Gianni Infantino and FIFA Get Out Of This One?

UEFA showed a lot of balls yesterday, when the football governing body stood up against FIFA's plans to offer up the World Cup to private investors. 

Such a proposal could bring around $20 Billion more to FIFA. 

The idea appears to have caught all of the football bodies off by guard. Many are evidently against the proposal but some might be tempted by the monetary reward FIFA's president - Gianni Infantino - has waved towards those whose okay he is looking to secure.

A lot of balls

UEFA has made it clear. No European team will be involved in anything relating to FIFA until such an enterprise is nixed.

Could you imagine a World Cup tournament without any European representation? To put it in current context: the 2026 World Cup had three of the four semi-finalists came from teams under the UEFA umbrella.

So far joining UEFA, in this stand against FIFA, are CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) and the Asian Football Confederation.

As well as that - in the midst of writing this post, news that someone high up at FIFA has resigned in protest at the move has filtered in.

Carlos Cordeiro - senior advisor to Infantino at FIFA - has left his post. In his resignation letter, he wrote 'As a senior advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker and lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.'

The figurative rats are jumping ship. Let's hope the captain does the right thing. 

Taysom Hill Leaving The Saints

Versatile.

Whenever I see that word, I remind myself of a conversation I had with a classmate, in our final year at high school.

We were talking about the Championship Manager PC game. My friend mentioned a player (I cannot recall who!) he always tried to bring to whichever club he managed. I surmise he was in charge of. 

'He's versatile,' my friend stated. He then stopped. 'Do you know what versatile means?' he asked.

'Of course I do,' I uttered with astonishment. Seeing as I remember that conversation all those years later, you can obviously tell how I insulted I was at the question.

I came across my own versatile player as an adult. Not for football. Obviously not for Championship Manager, either.

Taysom Hill is a versatile player in American football. His 'Swiss Army Knife' style has performed well for me whenever I've picked him on my fantasy football teams whether they were regular or DFS.

Whenever he's in the fantasy draft, Hill is assigned as a tight end. That's pretty decent for someone who can feature in quarterback and running back plays. 

If that fantasy football league I play in returns for 2026 (it's not looking good), there's a good chance I'll look out for Hill again. However, it won't be as a member of the New Orleans Saints.

Hill, and the Saints, announced yesterday that he will not return to the team. The player wrote a really nice letter to the city of New Orleans. The Saints, on the other hand, sent Hill off with a touching video tribute.

Selfishly, I hope this isn't it. I'd like Taysom Hill on my next fantasy team. Because he's versatile.

SummerSlam Intros Take Me Back

There's a video, recently uploaded to the WWE Vault channel on YouTube, which took me for a ride down Memory Lane.

It consists of a load of intro videos to WWE SummerSlams from years gone by. They start with 1990 and work up.

Seeing those videos, to begin some of the biggest PPVs in WWF/E history, took me back to some good times.

And bad ones!

There were at least a couple which reminded me of watching SummerSlam on a Monday night with the first day back at school, following the summer holidays, looming.

Not that I completely hated school. I'd have rather stayed home and watched my SummerSlam tapes, though.