Liverpool fan Hayden Meikle is on leave. Stepping into his Kop That blogging shoes is Arsenal fan Nigel Benson.
Well, thank god that's all over!
Although, it was good news for NZ footy fans as the All Whites (am I the only one who cringes at that name?) took a big step to World Cup qualification after a nil-all draw in Bahrain.
The only FIFA World Cup we have qualified for was the 1982 finals in Spain.
It was such a unique experience that it's still easy to recall our results at the big dance that year (2-5 v Scotland, 0-3 v Russia and 0-4 v Brazil).
To qualify for Spain '82 we travelled further (88,000kms), played more games (15) and scored more goals (44 - including a then-record score of 13-nil against Fiji) than any country in World Cup history.
We're now just 90 minutes from South Africa 2010 although, with NZ ranked 100 in the FIFA world rankings and Bahrain a relatively lofty 61, it will be another magic moment in NewZealand sport if we go on to complete the job.
Wellington's Westpac Stadium promises to be a white-hot cauldron for the return leg on November 14.
The capital has become the football centre of New Zealand since the ressurection of Wellington Phoenix from the bleached bones of the New Zealand Knights in the Australian A-League.
Back to the Premier League and it's proving to be a fascinating season so far.
It's great when no team manages to get its head clear of the pack in the early months.
And there have already been any number of upsets since the season opened on August 15.
Burnley tipping over ManUSA, Wigan beating Chelski, Liverpool losing to . . . well everyone, and even The Mighty Gunners enduring two miserable trips to Manchester.
Although you'd still fancy the 2009-10 Premiership trophy will be heading to Arsenal, ManUSA or Chelski.
But, Totteringham and Manche$ter City have also leapt out of the blocks while, at the otherend of the table, Portsmouth look doomed after just eight matches with a -8 goal difference.
But, we won't dwell on that (the ODT Editor is a Pompey fan!).
The Mighty Gunners are at home to Birmingham on Sunday morning (NZT), while ManUSA host Bolton, Liverpool are away to Sunderland and Chelsea visit Aston Villa.
In other matches, Everton are at home to Wolves, Portsmouth will be confident of three pointsagainst Tottenham and Stoke City face West Ham.
On Monday (NZT), Blackburn host Burnley and Wigan Athletic play Man City, while Tuesday's match pits Fulham and Hull City.
