Running the Game

The differences in the way American Football and Association Football (soccer) are run never ceases to amaze me.

One shares its resources out reasonably equally amongst all the clubs and does its best to try and create a league where all teams are competitive. The other is a financial free for all where the amount of money you have is the predominating factor in success.

What always surprises me is that the American version adopts, what is to me, the "fairest" system and the best for the public.

Under the American system a rich owner and a big fashionable team will not guarantee you success. For instance away teams get 34% of all gate revenue from away games. The team finishing bottom in a season gets the first choice of the new college talent the next season. The NFL insists that the TV rights go to where everyone can see the games. As one NFL owner put it if the kids can't see their heroes play they won't be inspired to play ( I wonder if the ECB paid attention to this? of course not). This means that, in theory, all clubs are in with a chance with success.

In "our" game your chances of success are determined by one factor, money. If you don't have a good youth policy that's ok get your cheque book out. Team struggling? wave your cheque book. Wages alone can amount to 70% of revenue. We sell TV rights to the highest bidder and it doesn't matter who can or cannot watch.

All players, coaches and Managers MUST make themselves available. No hissy fits allowed here.

To my mind the Americans have got it right.

Mr Beckham Again

I see the England Football Manager has recalled David Beckham to save us. I know this because every clip Radio 5 plays seems to feature him.

Now its not Beckham's fault and he played ok on Saturday. Much as he always did really, good dead ball delivery but not beating anyone. I don't really see the point of recalling someone who is going to playing in a minor league like the one in North America whilst ignoring a talented young player like Bentley.

McClaren played the same midfield that singularly failed in the World Cup so why does he think its going to work this time? When did Lampard and Gerrard combine well?

There is talk that Kieron Dyer will play at Full Back, not long ago he was playing off a forward. You have to cry don't you.

Oh he played Shorey of Reading which was nice to see but we desperately need a left footed midfielder.

Humble Pie Time

So after my many rants about Michael Vaughan what does he do? Gets a hundred. I still maintain he should never have been selected BUT well done to the man for sticking two fingers up at us doubters.

That took character.

Selection Headaches Again

I'm confused again. We've called up Ryan Sidebottom.

Now I have nothing against Ryan but that was slightly left field. Then again can he do any worse than Steve "where's my radar" Harmisson? The bowling does look slightly anaemic, Monty aside. The batting did well, admittedly not against much, but you can hardly blame the batsman.

This presents a problem if Vaughan and Freddie are fit who gets dropped? Surely the centurions pick themselves? Surely they can't play four bowlers given Flintoff's injury problems? How do they fit both Vaughan and Flintoff in? So do they drop Strauss? I'd drop Vaughan as he hasn't scored any runs for ages. But the selectors think he is a tactical genius on a par with Alexander the Great.

All very odd.

The Big Fight

Boxing is by all accounts in trouble. The recent "superfight" between Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya was meant to help change this.

I put the word superfight in quotes because one of the reasons for calling this a superfight was the fact it was the richest outside of the heavyweight division. To me it was a fight beween an aging great (De La Hoya) and a man at the height of his powers (Mayweather).

The decision was a surprising split decision.

Anyway why is boxing in a state? well there are two many champions. How can you have 4 champions at each weight? I became a fan of boxing when there were no more than two champions and genuine superfights took place. Titles were unified. As it was boxing has just disapated into alphabet soup.

Fighters nowadays count themselves great based on how many weights they have won and how many defences they have made. But can a fighter like Calzaghe be great if there are 2 or 3 other fighters at his weight who have as legitimate claim to the title? Mayweather is undoubtedly a super fighter but he has made his way through the decisions beating good fighters but not dominating a division.

To me boxing has to unify the titles or at least great reduce the number of belts. It also has to be on terrestial tv, people need to follow a career.

The World Cup is over

And so Australia duly one. They are easily the best nad most consistent team. The fact that the final descended into chaos shows that the ICC really don't know what they are doing.

Secondly it was WAY too long. They need to cut it down significantly and cut the elapsed time. How about not 8 teams going straight to knock out with the group winners affectively winning the toss in the quarters? Less games means less money so it will never happen.

Ratings

Ok my ratings for the English players in the Cricket world cup. Yes I know we still have the windies to go but we are out

Vaughan - 1
well he scored absolutely nothing.

Joyce - 4
ok he wasn't outstanding but his record was Bradmanesque compared to Vaughan

Bell - 4
occasional glimpse of class. flattered to deceive though.

Strauss - 5
not a chance to make an impact really.

Pieterson - 7
easily Englands top scorer. Not outstanding but he did nothing wrong.

Collingwood - 7
never got the big score but did ok

Flintoff - 3
his bowling was more than fine but he is an all-rounder and his batting was awful

Bopara - 6
did ok. Not brilliant but did ok

Dalrymple - 3
few chances but didn't grab what he had.

Nixon - 7
eat your words blogger he did well.

Plunkett - 5
sorry but why was he dropped for Mahmood???

Mahmood - 3
when the going got tough against South Africa he went to bits.

Panesar - 4
didn't have a great tournament

Anderson - 5
had his moments but they were moments.

3 out of 4?

Well England have 3 out of 4 of the European Cup finalists so that must be clear indication of the strength of British football then.

Uh well no as it happens.

A full strength Chelsea would have John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and perhaps Joe Cole. Manchester united is of course a much better proposition with Rooney, Scholes, Giggs, Ferdinand, Neville and Carrick in their first 11. Hard to know what Liverpools first 11 would be, don't think Benitez knows either! Shall we say Carragher, Finan (i'm stretching it), Gerrard, Bellamy and Crouch. Oh and if we throw Arsenal into the mix we add uh no one.

Of course Manchester United have a number of British Players but the reason they are top is one Christiano Ronaldo. And by far the best striker is one Didier Drogba.

I think that all goes to show that our football is not in rude health just that the game is awash with money and we can buy the best talent.

The World Cup again

Sigh. It is always the way with the England cricket team. Just when you think they are going to surprise you they blow it.

Ok will someone please explain the selection policy to me? Vaughan is in the team because he is a tactical genius of the level of a Bobby Fisher or a Garry Kasparov. Well it isn't is his batting! So why is he opening? His record in One Day Internationals is 82 matches 1851 runs at an average of 26.82 with a top score of 90 not out. That is rubbish! He may be worth his test place but ye gods he has never been worth a place in the one day team.

Now Bopara has been brought into the team as an all rounder and yet he doesn't get asked to bowl!! He batted excellently yesterday so why is he at 7? Fredalo Flintoff is bowling well but his batting is awful!

I will say Nixon has done well BUT he can't surely be the test keeper next summer!

I'm not going to get my hopes up over qualification. The selectors have now got to build for the future. We have promising young players methinks now is the time to pick them. Personally I don't see where Vaughan's place is in the test team. I think Strauss is the better bet. Bell has the makings of a decent test player, if he plays the one dayers he needs to open (oh boy do we miss Trescothick).

So how about a test 12 of Strauss (capt - his form improved with the responsibility last summer), Cook, Bell, Pieterson, Collingwood, Flintoff, Bopara, Prior (or Davies of Worcester with a bit more experience), Hoggard, Harmisson, Monty and Broad.

Cricket

The world cup is being overshadowed by the murder of Bob Woolmer but since every one is agreed that Bob would have wanted it to continue then let it continue.

Even without the Woolmer tragedy its been a bizarre tournament.

Firstly Pakistan lose to Ireland and go out (if Zimbabwe hadn't thrown it away against Ireland Pakistan would have survived).

Then the might of India, Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag et al fail to beat Bangladesh! and then lost to Sri Lanka to crash out! India's batting line up is aging and living on past glories.

Still I shouldn't crow too much. England are highly unlikely to get beyond the super 8. The first three are so one dimensional that by the time Pieterson arrives we are on the back foot.

Vaughan may be a tactical genius to rival Brearly but he has never scored a one day hundred and his form since becoming Captain in all forms of the game is poor.

Still I have to admit Nixon has done well.

Out of Postion - AGAIN

I appreciate I've said this before.....

Will someone please explain Mr McClaren's selections?

Aaron Lennon a wide right player playing on the left.
Phil Neville a defensive midfielder at right back.
Jamie Carragher a centre back at left back.
Steve Gerrard a central midfielder at wide right.

We have two young left backs in Baines and Shorey so play them give them a go. Gareth Barry has played his socks off for Villa on the left.

If we really have no one to play at right back then Carragher. And no don't blame Phil Neville, its not his fault the manager is an idiot. All the chap can do is his best.

Lennon is on the left becuase McClaren hasn't got the nerve to drop either Gerrard or Lampard.

Stevie Mc Please note you either play 3-5-2 or if you persists in 4-4-2 then one of them has to go. Oh and if you play 3-5-2 play 3-5-2 not 5-3-2.

thank you

Bob Woolmer RIP

I've just read that Bob Woolmer has collapsed and died aged 58.

He played just 19 tests scoring 3 100's. His career was interupted by joining Kerry Packers rebels and then the Gooch tour to South Africa.

Woolmer's repuation was made as coach of South Africa. He pioneereed the use of Computers. it was a pity he never coached England.

general

Sorry I've been neglecting this blog.

Lots been going on.

Rugby? Well England's early promise fizzled out a bit. Wilkinson got injured. The performances flattered to deceive. Scotland was good. Italy was hard work (fair play to Italy who had a superb tournament). Ireland was a debacle. France was surprisingly good. Wales was very disappointing.

Football? I really can't see Man united not winning the championship. Lets hope someone outside of the big 4 hegemony wins the FA Cup.

Tennis. Andy Murray is a definite threat in tournaments. I wish he had a personality though.

Cricket? oh dear oh dear. Not only did we lose to New Zealand but 4 players then went and got the worse for drink (apparently). Worse? oh yes Flintoff was found drunk on a pedalo at 4am. He's been dropped from the game against Canada and was stripped of the vice captaincy (and i think we can assume his future captaincy chances are zilch).

He's been warned before in Australia and the signs were not good when he was drunk at the Downing Street bash after the Ashes win. At the time someone said if it had been a footballer.....

Anyone after a role model should look to Mr M Panesar.

Not all the Same

When watching the aftermath of the handbags at dawn "fistycuffs" of the Arsenal v Chelsea League Cup final it easy to dismiss footballers as a bunch of overpaid idiots.

I was listening to Radio 5's 606 phone in the other week and heard the following story.

This chap had taken his son to watch Brighton & Hove Albion. After the game they got chatting to one of the players who had not long been at the club and had come from non league football. The player asked the lad if he played. The boy told him who he played for, how many goals he had scored and that he was playing the following day.

The next day Father and Son got the shock of their lives when the player came to watch the boy play.

So in these days of overpaid primadonnas, there is one pro at Brighton & Hove Albion who deserves a pat on the back, for remembering that the supporter is the life blood of the game.

So we won

well after loads of brickbats and sarcastic comments from yours truly we won. A big round of applause for showing some fighting spirit.

So its time to consider the world cup XV.

I think there are two things to consider a) the captaincy and b) the wicketkeeper.

Vaughan is both injured and out of form. If he wasn't captain he wouldn't get in either the one day squad or test team on his form since becoming captain. Strauss is also not in the form of his life but he is fit and his form improved last summer when given the responsibility. Fred has so much else to do.

I don't know if Prior is good enough at the top level but he needs and deserves a run in both forms of the game.

we have a number of injured players Vaughan, Anderson, Pieterson and Lewis and so we can't take too many players whose fitness is questionable

So my starting XI
Strauss
Joyce
Bell
Pieterson
Collingwood
Flintoff
Prior
Dalrymple
Plunkett
Panesar
Anderson

the other 4?
Chapple - can bat as well as bowl
Broad
Shah

can't make my mind up over the 15th. Torn between Bopara and Mahmood. Not convinced by either of them.

I don't know what going off out there.....

I awoke to find the Aussies stroking their way along nicely. 170 for 1. And then what happens Collingwood catches a pearler, brilliant run outs. Gutsy play and we bowl them out for 252.

But no disaster we're 15 for 3 but NO again led by Collingwood we fight back and win.

We'll probably get stuffed in the next two games but round of applause lads for a really gutsy display.

What about this?

You have to ask what the point of last nights friendly was?

Surely we might as well experiment.

What would have been wrong with an eleven of

Foster, M Richards, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Shorey (Baines a possibility if fit), Barton, Lampard/Gerrard (45 mins each), Wright Phillips, Defoe, crouch (I suppose) although Dyer off Defoe might have been ok.

We know Lamps and Gerrard are fine players who can't play together. That line up would have given a number of players who had something to prove a game.

If he'd played Phil Neville in a holding mid-field role it would have been better as thats where he plays for his club. You can hardly blame Neville if the manager plays him out of position.

England Poor - AGAIN

Austin Healey said of the Rugby that it helped playing players in their normal position.

So will Mr McLaren please note Phil Neville is not a left back and Frank Lampard is not a left sided midfielder.

Will he also note you pick the best team and that is not necessarily the best players

THANK YOU

Credit where credits due

For months the England tour of Australia has been an embarassment. We went in to the last two games of the one day series needing to win both and hope that New Zealand wouldn't beat Australia.

The chances of us FINALLY beating Australia were slim! So imagine my surprise to hear Joyce get a 107 and to see some late order hitting push us to 292 for 7 . This was a score I fully expected the Aussies to pass but it was competitve.

Imagine my still further surprise when that "superb" new ball attack of Plunkett and Mahmood reduced the Aussies to 4 for 2 and we cruised to a 92 run win.

The Aussies were set 291 to beat the Kiwi's and did it! So all was set for the "BIG" showdown between England and New Zealand. A 100 frm Collingwood set the foundations and Dalrymple and Plunkett rescued us from a mediocre score in the 250's to 270 for 7.

The Kiwi's always looked to be in control after an awful new ball spell but credit to the lads Plunkett and Collingwood each took two wickets to reduce the Kiwi's from 203 for 3 to 224 for 7 and when Freddie removed the Kiwi centurion and captain Stephen Fleming victory was assured.

I think the Kiwi's have been the better side BUT when the chips were down the lads delivered and that must be applauded.

So we are in the final half the team are crocked and I know we have no chance but hope springs eternal.

Go Jonny Go

I am not a big Rugby fan its just the internationals that capture my imagination. Perhaps it was having welsh sports teachers who were devastated when Bill Beaumont's mob did the grand slam.

It was with some trepidation that I turned the telly on to watch the England v Scotland game. We had been stuffed by all and sundry but Jonny was back. Wilkinson the man who had not played for England since winning the world cup was back and ........ wow can the man read the script. He did everything stitches, blood, guts, class, a "bit" of luck. He was well served by the return of Billy Whizz Jason Robinson, Andy Farrell after only eight games did his job well and Harry Ellis stepped up to the plate.

Perhaps equally pertinent were the commens of Austin Healey when he said "everyone was played in there normal position". Exactly sport isn't rocket science.

We won't win the world cup, I doubt we'll win the six nations. There were too many mistakes too little time but we looked like a team!

Just a different class

When Andy Murray lost in five sets the other day much was made of his gallant display. He had taken the world number two all the way and at times made him look ordinary. People talked of grand slams.

Now I took a slightly different view. Firstly he had lost the fifth set a little tamely as if, yet again, he was running out of gas AND just what sort of form was Nadal in? If Nadal had gone on then Murray's performance would look better as it was Fernando Gonzalez beat him in straight sets in the next round.

The next day Roger Federerr played Andy Roddick. Roddick was in form and you wondered if he could challenge Federer, even more so when he broke early to lead 4-3 with a break. Federer then won 15 of 17 games to win 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. He made Roddick look like a novice.

Murray is undoubtedly a talented player but the bloke at no 1 is a different class. If he wins the French Federer will take the mantle of the best player of all times.

When I was a lad...

.... the big boxing nights were mostly domestic. There were only 2 sanctioning bodies and British fighters didn't seem to feature that prominently.

When two fighters were in the same division it was natural that they should square off. Cooper v Bugner, Minter v Sibson, Minter v Finnegan (twice), Nash v Watt, Green v Stracey.

At the moment there are 3 potential domestic clashes that would be fascinating clashes. Hatton v Witter, Maccarinelli v Haye and Calzaghe v Woods or Carl Froch or both. All 3 would be for versions of a world title and in the Hatton-Witter case a unification match. Sadly none of them are planned.

I suppose such fights won't happen until a degree of sanity returns and the number of champions are reduced.

Mr Beckham

So its all over and Mr Beckham is leaving Madrid.

I am not a fan of Beckham. I think he is horribly overrated. That said he is a good honest pro who gives a 100% and is superb from a deadball situation.

His performances at major championship have been poor. This may be due to injury but he claimed to be fit and wasn't. He hasn't been a success at Madrid but I doubt he is to blame for that.

He could have come back to the Premiership but instead he has chosen to go to LA. Do I blame him? For £128 million in five years? No I don't the yanks must be nutty as fruit cakes.

Inevitable I suppose

And so for the first time since 1921 we've lost a series to the Aussies 5-0. After the euphoria of 2005 its very disappointing.

What went wrong? we were under prepared. It was debatable whether Flintoff was fully fit, he didn't seem it. Harmisson had forgotten how to bowl. Mahmood and Anderson didn't look likely to bowl anyone out.

The batting looked fragile, perhaps some of that is the feeling that as soon as we lost 5 wickets they knew we'd be skittled. The Aussies know that there low order can "help out" if necessary. Also the Aussie Batsman knew that if the ywere bowled out cheaply they had bowlers capable of responding. That relieves the pressure.

England aren't a bad team. They need to get Harmisson's head right and they need to sort out the keeper. Matt Prior anyone? Vaughan will be back but I'm not sure he adds much to the batting. Since being appointed skipper his batting has gone off the boil.

For the Aussies the next series will be fascinating. No Warne? No McGrath? Could be interesting.