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.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, March 26, 2007
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.
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
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
Sunday, March 18, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)