BBC Sports Personality

I refuse to discuss the cricket today.

The BBC have announced the 10 people shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the year award. I fine it hard to get excited since there have been so few great British performances but here are the nominees and my comments.

Jenson Button - he won a grand prix. He didn't win the drivers championship he won a grand prix. Not a hope in my book!!

Joe Calzaghe - had a defining fight with Jeff Lacy and won it handily. Of course we really didn't know how good Lacy was. Calzaghe probably needs to beat WBC Champion Markus Beyer or a name fighter like Jermaine Taylor. Still a worthy contender.

Darren Clarke - this is difficult. Did he really achieve enough? Yes its all very emotional and (given my mum has breast cancer) I can relate to him I'm not certain his winning would be more than a sympathy vote. Something Clarke has said he doesn't want.

Nicola Cooke - The cyclist has doen everything this year, but cycling is a minority sport and she needs an olympic medal. another worthy contender.

Ricky Hatton - successfully moved up a division but has since moved down again. His time was last year. Needs to beat some names in 2007.

Andy Murray - well he has a personality, pity its Kevin the Teenager. Still if he continues his development he has a chance. But rising to world no 19 is not a sports personality winning performance.

Monty Panesar - great fun had superb summer. Been inexplicably left out of the ashes team. Tempted to say vote ofr him to embarass Fletcher.

Zara Phillips - won the European championship last year and the Worlds this. Only the third rider to do so. Probably needs an Olympic Gold but a strong contender.

Phil Taylor - is darts a sport? Still Taylor is the greatest Darts play ever, a true competitor and he has dominated his event. If Hendry and Davis can win for Snooker....

Beth Tweddle - won Britain's first world gold in the uneven bars. She needs an Olympic Gold.

So who will win? I think the human story may win it for Clarke. who should win? probably Zara Phillips with the likes of Calzaghe or Cooke also worthy winners.