Are Own Goals Inevitable?

As talks enter the 'too hot to handle' phase I wonder whether PNU & ODM can defend without scoring own goals.

PNU defence

ODM shoot from the hip (predictably) stating the the presidential election was flawed, rigged etc etc.

PNU counter furiously (predictably), the flaws, rigging etc etc were not one sided only that we beat you to it (latter bit for PNU ears only)

Now is PNU conceding that there were flaws, there was rigging? Would it not follow that you cannot say Mwai won fair and square in a free and fair election? Should we then not get rid of the flaws and have a free and fair election?

ODM defence

PNU will query if the ECK was so incompetent, didn't sound like they could do a thing right why stop at the presidential bit? Was the parliamentary election bit fair because you faired quite well?

I remember one Karua as well as some PNU bigwigs coming up with this line. That does throw a spanner in the works and means that ODM has some defending to do.

Pre-match (or is it mid-match) analysis

Who has a better defence? If I had to bet, I would put my money on ODM scoring more than PNU, but that pre-supposes fair play and good sportsmanship.

So when you throw in the scrapping & rough play, the smart money would probably have to be on PNU. They will probably grind out a draw or better and the post-match analysis will be ODM had such potential but on match day that was not enough for a win.

The referee

What does he have to keep the players in check? I guess in this game there is no yellow its either red or red - stating 'he/they/she led to collapse of the talks'. That would be a terrible indictment on anyone and both sides will want to avoid that characterisation. However minor misdemeanours are therefore to be expected as players will push the boundaries whenever they can.

Annan must be wondering whether he's bitten a bit more than he can chew as this lot are just out of this world.

Good luck Ref