I am puzzled about modern football.
I don't expect club loyalty, I fully understand that players are professionals and play for money. The days of Matt Le Tissier are long behind us.
What puzzles me is when a player, like Ashley Cole, signs a contract and then thinks they can go and get a deal elsewhere and that they should be free to do it.
Players need to learn that when they sign a contract they have to honour it unless BOTH sides agree to rip it up. Maybe one day one of these mega rich chairman coming into the came will turn around and say "look son you have a contract and you are staying. You can sit your bum on the bench for two years and stuff your England career."
It'll never happen but I can dream.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Two Divisions
A number of people have said they are not convinced by the concept of two division in championship cricket.
I have to disagree. Mid table clashes used to be meaningless but now Durham and Yorkshire are fighting to avoid relegation whilst Essex (YAY!!!) are hoping to pip Worcestershire for promotion back to where they belong!
It means more games mean something. Surely that must be a good thing.
I have to disagree. Mid table clashes used to be meaningless but now Durham and Yorkshire are fighting to avoid relegation whilst Essex (YAY!!!) are hoping to pip Worcestershire for promotion back to where they belong!
It means more games mean something. Surely that must be a good thing.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Team Ethic
Tiger Wood was quoted as saying he didn't understand the hype about the Ryder Cup.
Perhaps that, more than anything else, explains why the Europeans do so well. I appreciate that Americans do have team sports, US Football, Baseball etc but there is nothing at the national level. The US has no real sporting rivalries because the sports it plays tend to be ones that are, or until recently have been, US dominated.
This has started to change, major league Hockey and basketball players are now eligible for the Olympics. When the dream team first played they demolished everything in sight but with more Europeans playing in the NBA the standards are narrowing and the US are not dominant.
We all remember the upset of 1980 when a team of college students beat the USSR Ice Hockey team. The superstars of the NHL would beat all comers it was thought. But in recent years this hasn't happened, with Eastern European and Scandanavian teams beating the US and Canada.
I understand that in Europe the ice hockey rink is a different size. A canadian friend said that when the games were held in North America the US and Canada would do better and vice versa. Still the NHL, for so long believed to be of a standard beyond the rest of the world, has proven to be mortal.
In the rest of the world international rivalries are rife. Brazil v Argentina, Holland v Germany, Australia v New Zealand, Pakistan v India, England v Scotland, England v Australia, England v lots of people I guess.
In Europe and the rest of the world it matters to us. I wonder if the American public "care" if they win the Ryder cup? If they do will the players really "care".
The Australian players may have been gutted after losing the Ashes but on returning home they found out that the country wanted revenge. The English footballers knew that the public were "devastated". I'm not talking about the people who go everyweek but the casual fan as well.
Upon returning home to the millionaire Golfers, Basketball and Hockey players feel the same pressure and sense of hurt? If they don't, losing at the games they used to dominate, is something they may have to get used to.
Perhaps that, more than anything else, explains why the Europeans do so well. I appreciate that Americans do have team sports, US Football, Baseball etc but there is nothing at the national level. The US has no real sporting rivalries because the sports it plays tend to be ones that are, or until recently have been, US dominated.
This has started to change, major league Hockey and basketball players are now eligible for the Olympics. When the dream team first played they demolished everything in sight but with more Europeans playing in the NBA the standards are narrowing and the US are not dominant.
We all remember the upset of 1980 when a team of college students beat the USSR Ice Hockey team. The superstars of the NHL would beat all comers it was thought. But in recent years this hasn't happened, with Eastern European and Scandanavian teams beating the US and Canada.
I understand that in Europe the ice hockey rink is a different size. A canadian friend said that when the games were held in North America the US and Canada would do better and vice versa. Still the NHL, for so long believed to be of a standard beyond the rest of the world, has proven to be mortal.
In the rest of the world international rivalries are rife. Brazil v Argentina, Holland v Germany, Australia v New Zealand, Pakistan v India, England v Scotland, England v Australia, England v lots of people I guess.
In Europe and the rest of the world it matters to us. I wonder if the American public "care" if they win the Ryder cup? If they do will the players really "care".
The Australian players may have been gutted after losing the Ashes but on returning home they found out that the country wanted revenge. The English footballers knew that the public were "devastated". I'm not talking about the people who go everyweek but the casual fan as well.
Upon returning home to the millionaire Golfers, Basketball and Hockey players feel the same pressure and sense of hurt? If they don't, losing at the games they used to dominate, is something they may have to get used to.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
A British League?
Every time a Anglo-Scottish match takes place in Europe the old debate surfaces about whether the old firm should be allowed to play in the English Leagues.
I can see the appeal. For the likes of Celtic and Rangers it would give them access to premiership TV money. For the premiership clubs the big Glasgow teams have massive fan bases and matches would be box office.
At first sight it's a win win situation but is it? It would mean two less premiership places for English team. It would make it much harder for smaller clubs to make it in the premiership. Its hard enough for the likes of Wigan now ...... What would be the impact on Scottish teams? Ok they would have more chances of making Europe but there would be much less TV interest and money without the old firm.
However exciting it may be for TV the true football fan who goes every week, as opposed to those of us who watch the telly, wants to believe they have a chance of making it and becoming the new Bolton.
Football is run by money, forcing fans to trvel to watch matches at all sorts of odd times. Lets not allow the money men and big clubs to further diminish the dreams of the smaller clubs.
I can see the appeal. For the likes of Celtic and Rangers it would give them access to premiership TV money. For the premiership clubs the big Glasgow teams have massive fan bases and matches would be box office.
At first sight it's a win win situation but is it? It would mean two less premiership places for English team. It would make it much harder for smaller clubs to make it in the premiership. Its hard enough for the likes of Wigan now ...... What would be the impact on Scottish teams? Ok they would have more chances of making Europe but there would be much less TV interest and money without the old firm.
However exciting it may be for TV the true football fan who goes every week, as opposed to those of us who watch the telly, wants to believe they have a chance of making it and becoming the new Bolton.
Football is run by money, forcing fans to trvel to watch matches at all sorts of odd times. Lets not allow the money men and big clubs to further diminish the dreams of the smaller clubs.
Friday, September 15, 2006
The Noble Art
I must admit to enjoying boxing. It may seem odd to regard to grown men thumping the hell out of each other as sport but there you go.
Firstly boxers show each other respect. Whatever is said before the fight afterwards they show each other respect.
Perhaps the finest two fights I saw were the two involving Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
Before the first Duran made remarks about Leonard's wife. Leonard was incensed and stood his ground and lost, but lost heroically. He proved he was a fighter. In the rematch he boxed and humiliated Duran
Tradgedies happen. When Johnny Owen died after a fight with the great Lupe Pintor Owen's family certainly held no blame to Pintor and invited him to a memorial service.
Sadly one of the best fights ever to involve a Briitsh boxer was Benn vs McClellan. It was savage and Benn, a fighter who I had never really admired, showed immense guts. Sadly McClellan suffered brain damage was left in a wheel chair.
Should it be banned? I think not, nor does a fighter like Michael Watson who also was brain damaged. Watson also saw it as an occupational hazard. Like a grand prix driver in a crash.
.
Firstly boxers show each other respect. Whatever is said before the fight afterwards they show each other respect.
Perhaps the finest two fights I saw were the two involving Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
Before the first Duran made remarks about Leonard's wife. Leonard was incensed and stood his ground and lost, but lost heroically. He proved he was a fighter. In the rematch he boxed and humiliated Duran
Tradgedies happen. When Johnny Owen died after a fight with the great Lupe Pintor Owen's family certainly held no blame to Pintor and invited him to a memorial service.
Sadly one of the best fights ever to involve a Briitsh boxer was Benn vs McClellan. It was savage and Benn, a fighter who I had never really admired, showed immense guts. Sadly McClellan suffered brain damage was left in a wheel chair.
Should it be banned? I think not, nor does a fighter like Michael Watson who also was brain damaged. Watson also saw it as an occupational hazard. Like a grand prix driver in a crash.
.
Hoggard Injured
Well the Hoggster is going to miss the rest of the season.
So of the bowlers selected for Australia the ones currently fit are Mahmood and Panesar.
Are you optimistic? I'm not!!
So of the bowlers selected for Australia the ones currently fit are Mahmood and Panesar.
Are you optimistic? I'm not!!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
We are all Europeans now
The British are noted for being sceptical of mainland Europe but every two years this changes. Yes folks the Ryder Cup is coming.
For some reason the sight of American's in funny trousers and dodgy knitwear changes us and we become all European. People who previously would like to cast us a dritft across the Atlantic will start saying come on Sergio!
One of the things that puzzles me is why we do so well? The Americans have higher ranked players seem to win all the majors and yet this seems to count for nothing. Apparently we are favourites this time around, I find this hard to believe.
Perhaps its that strange thing called team spirit. In 2002 it was noticeabley lacking in the US team. David Duval (whatever happened to him?) seemed happier talking to the European team and it was also noticeable that a whilst 11 US players were in the team uniform a Mr T Woods was not. Not good for morale.
So there is a little over a week to go. I am not a big golf fan but of course I'll be cheering our boys along.
COME ON SERGIO!!
For some reason the sight of American's in funny trousers and dodgy knitwear changes us and we become all European. People who previously would like to cast us a dritft across the Atlantic will start saying come on Sergio!
One of the things that puzzles me is why we do so well? The Americans have higher ranked players seem to win all the majors and yet this seems to count for nothing. Apparently we are favourites this time around, I find this hard to believe.
Perhaps its that strange thing called team spirit. In 2002 it was noticeabley lacking in the US team. David Duval (whatever happened to him?) seemed happier talking to the European team and it was also noticeable that a whilst 11 US players were in the team uniform a Mr T Woods was not. Not good for morale.
So there is a little over a week to go. I am not a big golf fan but of course I'll be cheering our boys along.
COME ON SERGIO!!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
US Open
The US Open Tennis were significant for a number of reasons.
Firstly Martina Navratilova retired. I do hope that this is it. She went out in style winning the mixed doubles. She was undoubtedly an all time great but I really didn't see what the point of her latest comeback was.
There was also talk that if Rafa Nadal won the event he could legitimately claim to be world number one. As it Nadal went out early and Roger Federer wona at a canter. He lost two sets all tournament and always seemed to have something in reserve. He has now one 5 of the last 6 Grand Slams and was in the final of the other one! To watch Federer play is a thing of beauty. His game is not based solely on raw power, which he has, but also on touch and finesse.
Talking of beauty Maria Sharapova finally proved she is not a one trick pony. She always seems to go out in the semi-final but here she eased past Amelie Mauresmo before over powering Henin-Ardenne in straight sets.
Sharapova already earned more money than any other tennis player. Can you imagine what she'll earn on the back of this? Still she is has proved that she is a genuine player (unlike a certain Ms Anna Kournikova) so good luck to her. I wish she would stop squealing though.
Spare of a thought for Justine Henin-Ardenne. She reached all 4 finals this year winning only one.
Firstly Martina Navratilova retired. I do hope that this is it. She went out in style winning the mixed doubles. She was undoubtedly an all time great but I really didn't see what the point of her latest comeback was.
There was also talk that if Rafa Nadal won the event he could legitimately claim to be world number one. As it Nadal went out early and Roger Federer wona at a canter. He lost two sets all tournament and always seemed to have something in reserve. He has now one 5 of the last 6 Grand Slams and was in the final of the other one! To watch Federer play is a thing of beauty. His game is not based solely on raw power, which he has, but also on touch and finesse.
Talking of beauty Maria Sharapova finally proved she is not a one trick pony. She always seems to go out in the semi-final but here she eased past Amelie Mauresmo before over powering Henin-Ardenne in straight sets.
Sharapova already earned more money than any other tennis player. Can you imagine what she'll earn on the back of this? Still she is has proved that she is a genuine player (unlike a certain Ms Anna Kournikova) so good luck to her. I wish she would stop squealing though.
Spare of a thought for Justine Henin-Ardenne. She reached all 4 finals this year winning only one.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Ashes
And so the team to tour Australia and attempt to retain the ashes has been announed.
Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Jones, Read, Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmisson, Plunkett, Mahmood, Anderson, Giles and Panesar.
There are few shocks but there are echoes of Nasser Hussain's squad with the number of players recovering from injury.
I remain unconviced.
To my mind England have played with a plan. That is to bat deep and to be hard to beat. I suspect that, all things being equal, Duncan Fletcher would want the 11 players who played last season (with a choice between Bell and Collingwood). All things are not equal. Vaughan and Simon Jones are injured, Gerreint Jones horribly out of form with the bat and Ashley Giles has not played for a year and Monty Panesar has been in superb form. There is also the Trescothick issue, will he turn up?
England want to play 5 bowlers. This has been possible because we have a genuine all-rounder in Flintoff, a wicket keeper who used to score runs at 7 and a spinner who was capable of contributing in Giles. Jones has been dropped, apparently because his form with the bat has been so abysmal. So what do they do? They bring in Read, a fine keeper but a no 8 at test level, he did well against a weakened Pakistan attack but he will not score 100's against the Aussies. They took Prior to the sub-continent as he was a like for like swap with Jones. If he was the right deputy for India then he should have replaced Jones. But that is history. It still though has an impact on the team that walks out for the first test.
The choice between Panesar and Giles is difficult. Giles will add depth to the batting whereas Panesar will offer more penetration with the ball. A tail of Read, Giles, Mahmood, Hoggard and Harmisson looks better than Read, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar. Can anyone see that tail against the Aussies? Without a genuine no 7 we either drop a very talented bowler or go for 6 batsman and Flintoff.
The later has some merit. The risk is that it puts a heck of a workload on Flintoff but if he's picked he must be fit.
Given the options I'd go for Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Flintoff, Read, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar.
That said it won't happen, there are no cover batsman in the party and 3 additional quicks so the decision seems to have been made to go with 5 bowlers from the start.
A likely 11 is Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell/Collingwood, Pieterson, Flintoff, Read, Giles, Mahmood/Plunkett, Hoggard, and Harmisson.
Will Fletcher do his West Indies trick and ignore the other selectors and bring back Jones? Unless he suddenly scores a heap of runs I don't see how.
We've started on the back foot folks.
Ah you say what would your 16 have been. Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Shah (he did well on his emergency call up last winter), Jones, Prior, Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmisson, Mahmood, Anderson, Giles and Panesar.
I might have then gone for an 11 of Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Flintoff, Prior, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar
Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Jones, Read, Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmisson, Plunkett, Mahmood, Anderson, Giles and Panesar.
There are few shocks but there are echoes of Nasser Hussain's squad with the number of players recovering from injury.
I remain unconviced.
To my mind England have played with a plan. That is to bat deep and to be hard to beat. I suspect that, all things being equal, Duncan Fletcher would want the 11 players who played last season (with a choice between Bell and Collingwood). All things are not equal. Vaughan and Simon Jones are injured, Gerreint Jones horribly out of form with the bat and Ashley Giles has not played for a year and Monty Panesar has been in superb form. There is also the Trescothick issue, will he turn up?
England want to play 5 bowlers. This has been possible because we have a genuine all-rounder in Flintoff, a wicket keeper who used to score runs at 7 and a spinner who was capable of contributing in Giles. Jones has been dropped, apparently because his form with the bat has been so abysmal. So what do they do? They bring in Read, a fine keeper but a no 8 at test level, he did well against a weakened Pakistan attack but he will not score 100's against the Aussies. They took Prior to the sub-continent as he was a like for like swap with Jones. If he was the right deputy for India then he should have replaced Jones. But that is history. It still though has an impact on the team that walks out for the first test.
The choice between Panesar and Giles is difficult. Giles will add depth to the batting whereas Panesar will offer more penetration with the ball. A tail of Read, Giles, Mahmood, Hoggard and Harmisson looks better than Read, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar. Can anyone see that tail against the Aussies? Without a genuine no 7 we either drop a very talented bowler or go for 6 batsman and Flintoff.
The later has some merit. The risk is that it puts a heck of a workload on Flintoff but if he's picked he must be fit.
Given the options I'd go for Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Flintoff, Read, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar.
That said it won't happen, there are no cover batsman in the party and 3 additional quicks so the decision seems to have been made to go with 5 bowlers from the start.
A likely 11 is Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell/Collingwood, Pieterson, Flintoff, Read, Giles, Mahmood/Plunkett, Hoggard, and Harmisson.
Will Fletcher do his West Indies trick and ignore the other selectors and bring back Jones? Unless he suddenly scores a heap of runs I don't see how.
We've started on the back foot folks.
Ah you say what would your 16 have been. Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Shah (he did well on his emergency call up last winter), Jones, Prior, Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmisson, Mahmood, Anderson, Giles and Panesar.
I might have then gone for an 11 of Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Flintoff, Prior, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmisson and Panesar
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