It’s amazing how quick we can be sometimes to consign a sportsman to the realms of yesteryear.
It seems the second someone is no longer showing their former prowess they are ranked as a has been who no longer has a great deal to offer.
Lleyton Hewitt was seen by many as an old-stager in the twilight of his career before an impressive showing at Wimbledon reminded people he is still only 28.
Andy Roddick, who came so close to a heroic championship win, was also widely regarded as a player whose best days were behind him - and he’s just 26.
Hewitt’s former flame Kim Clihsters, who retired two years ago, is talking about a come back to the sport and anyone writing her off may need to be reminded she is still only 26.
It was not very long ago that rumours were circulating that Michael Owen might never kick a football as a professional again.
In the same summer he has just completed a shock move to Premiership champions Manchester United and don’t think Alex Ferguson has signed him for a retirement swan song.
Owen may lack the pace and spark of his early career but he is 29 and a natural goal scorer who, if United give chances to, will score goals.
If he is fit and playing Owen is among the best finishers in the game and will continue to get in goal scoring positions.
It is amazing how often the simple task of putting the ball in the back of the net can prove a problem for the top sides and Owen’s fox-in-the-box approach could offer United an extra weapon.
One compromise Owen has made in signing for a club like United is the lack of a guarantee of first team football.
Throughout his career Owen has maintained he is at his best and most dangerous when playing week in, week out.
With the likes of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to compete with for a place in the starting line-up, that is unlikely to happen at Old Trafford and he will have to make the most of the time he does have on the pitch.
Nobody is pretending he will make up for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fergie knows the value Owen could add and his experience could also be vital off the pitch in the development of emerging forwards such as Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda.
United fans will remember the positive impact Henrik Larsson had at Old Trafford when he came on loan at the age of 35 and the former Celtic forward also proved a more than useful option for Barcelona in the twilight of his career.
Filippo Inzagh, a player very similar to Owen, was often used as the spearhead of the AC Milan attack at the age of 35 last season and his striking instincts saw him hit 16 goals.
Despite a four-year spell at Newcastle and a season at Real Madrid, Owen will still be seen by most as a former Liverpool player and, given the ferocious rivalry
between the two clubs, may have his work cut out to win over the United fans.
But if he gets playing and doing what he does best – scoring goals – all will very quickly be forgiven.
Sunday 5 July 2009
Sunday 28 June 2009
Lion-hearted O'Driscoll shows class in defeat
Following Saturday’s dead rubber in Johannesburg, the next time the Lions run out for a test match they will have gone 16 years without a series win.
An epic test match in the Loftus Versfeld saw the tourists edged out by the indomitable Springboks and condemned them to a third straight series defeat.
The losing streak has posed serious questions of the values and approach of modern Lions parties but there has been plenty in the two breathtaking encounters in the last two weeks to offer hope for the future.
The Lions are far from their lowest ebb, things started to go wrong in 2001 when they somehow contrived to throw away the series in Australia having made all the early running and cracks started to appear in columnists penned by touring players.
The side hit rock bottom in New Zealand four years ago when an over-sized tourist party and back-up staff led by Sir Clive Woodward were wiped off the park by an outstanding All Black team.
On the current tour the Lions have again been up against a very special team with an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Lions have produced some outstanding rugby and matched their opponents in almost every area.
They floundered at the last, though, against the unbreakable rock of a South African team that has developed into an experienced and clinical rugby unit which has found the habit of winning very hard to break.
The Boks have also developed an annoying habit of producing precociously talented, game-changing players with that inherent self-belief that South Africans do so well.
Several Lions players, however, have enhanced their reputations massively on tour and can use the experience as a springboard to push on.
Jamie Roberts left these isles as a highly promising utility back and will return as a truly world class centre – the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Stirling Mortlock.
Rob Kearney produced a definitive performance of full-back play under a barrage of high kicks in Pretoria and Adam Jones will forever be hailed as the man who tamed ‘the Beast’.
There was one man though who confirmed his position among the true greats of modern rugby.
In some of the most competitive and high-class international rugby seen in recent years, Brian O’Driscoll was simply in a class of his own and was always the opponent the Springboks feared above all.
The Irish centre had a dream of a season with Ireland and Leinster and will have been heartbroken that he could not cap it off with a Lions series win.
Lions’ skipper Paul O’Connell admitted after the cruel second test defeat that O’Driscoll’s injury in the second half was the one that hurt them the most, calling him ‘the linchpin of the team’ – something of a brave admission when O’Connell had only just edged the centre in the captaincy selection.
His nickname may be ‘God’ but, unfortunately O’Driscoll’s body is still human
The ferocity of his tackling and his body on the line approach eventually took its toll and you could feel the South Africans’ spirits lift when he went off.
Stuart Barnes pointed to his colossal hit on the man mountain Danie Rossouw as a potential turning point in the manner of Scott Gibbs’ crunching of Os Du Randt twelve years ago.
It proved to be just as crucial but for the entirely opposite reason.
While the sight of a stunned Rossouw being wheeled off may have temporarily raised the tourists’ spirits, O’Driscoll’s departure with suspected concussion a few minutes later left the Lions devoid of one of their most potent attacking weapons and their defensive fulcrum.
If he misses next Saturday’s fixture it will be the second cruel end to a Lions tour for one of the greatest to wear the red jersey and – at 30 – it may be the last we see of him for the special side.
While O’Driscoll may not have another tour in him the likes of Kearney, Roberts and Tom Croft will come again and will be better for their chastening experience.
Australia may not be the world’s greatest team at the moment, they are certainly not in South Africa’s class, but anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby will expect them to put out a more than competitive side when the Lions head down under in four years’ time.
However, despite their defeat, the Lions seem to have rediscovered their core values on this tour and 2013 could be their best opportunity in decades to secure a tour win.
An epic test match in the Loftus Versfeld saw the tourists edged out by the indomitable Springboks and condemned them to a third straight series defeat.
The losing streak has posed serious questions of the values and approach of modern Lions parties but there has been plenty in the two breathtaking encounters in the last two weeks to offer hope for the future.
The Lions are far from their lowest ebb, things started to go wrong in 2001 when they somehow contrived to throw away the series in Australia having made all the early running and cracks started to appear in columnists penned by touring players.
The side hit rock bottom in New Zealand four years ago when an over-sized tourist party and back-up staff led by Sir Clive Woodward were wiped off the park by an outstanding All Black team.
On the current tour the Lions have again been up against a very special team with an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Lions have produced some outstanding rugby and matched their opponents in almost every area.
They floundered at the last, though, against the unbreakable rock of a South African team that has developed into an experienced and clinical rugby unit which has found the habit of winning very hard to break.
The Boks have also developed an annoying habit of producing precociously talented, game-changing players with that inherent self-belief that South Africans do so well.
Several Lions players, however, have enhanced their reputations massively on tour and can use the experience as a springboard to push on.
Jamie Roberts left these isles as a highly promising utility back and will return as a truly world class centre – the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Stirling Mortlock.
Rob Kearney produced a definitive performance of full-back play under a barrage of high kicks in Pretoria and Adam Jones will forever be hailed as the man who tamed ‘the Beast’.
There was one man though who confirmed his position among the true greats of modern rugby.
In some of the most competitive and high-class international rugby seen in recent years, Brian O’Driscoll was simply in a class of his own and was always the opponent the Springboks feared above all.
The Irish centre had a dream of a season with Ireland and Leinster and will have been heartbroken that he could not cap it off with a Lions series win.
Lions’ skipper Paul O’Connell admitted after the cruel second test defeat that O’Driscoll’s injury in the second half was the one that hurt them the most, calling him ‘the linchpin of the team’ – something of a brave admission when O’Connell had only just edged the centre in the captaincy selection.
His nickname may be ‘God’ but, unfortunately O’Driscoll’s body is still human
The ferocity of his tackling and his body on the line approach eventually took its toll and you could feel the South Africans’ spirits lift when he went off.
Stuart Barnes pointed to his colossal hit on the man mountain Danie Rossouw as a potential turning point in the manner of Scott Gibbs’ crunching of Os Du Randt twelve years ago.
It proved to be just as crucial but for the entirely opposite reason.
While the sight of a stunned Rossouw being wheeled off may have temporarily raised the tourists’ spirits, O’Driscoll’s departure with suspected concussion a few minutes later left the Lions devoid of one of their most potent attacking weapons and their defensive fulcrum.
If he misses next Saturday’s fixture it will be the second cruel end to a Lions tour for one of the greatest to wear the red jersey and – at 30 – it may be the last we see of him for the special side.
While O’Driscoll may not have another tour in him the likes of Kearney, Roberts and Tom Croft will come again and will be better for their chastening experience.
Australia may not be the world’s greatest team at the moment, they are certainly not in South Africa’s class, but anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby will expect them to put out a more than competitive side when the Lions head down under in four years’ time.
However, despite their defeat, the Lions seem to have rediscovered their core values on this tour and 2013 could be their best opportunity in decades to secure a tour win.
Monday 20 April 2009
Into the Lions' den
Ian McGeechan names his Lions touring party tomorrow and, even before a name has been read out, there are concerns about the lack of creativity in the touring party.
The likes of Gavin Henson, James Hook and Danny Cipriani – three of the most naturally talented and exciting rugby players hailing from these shores – are expected to miss out on the trip to South Africa for a variety of reasons.
Henson is almost certain to be omitted on fitness grounds, Hook may stay at home due to poor form and for Cirpriani it would be a mixture of both.
The likely selection of Paul O’Connell as skipper for the tour is expected to set a tone of hard-nosed competitive selections that offer hope for a competitive series, but little in the way of inspiration.
O’Connell’s Ireland team mates Brian O’Driscoll is likely to be a key figure and proved that he is still amongst the world’s very best in this year’s Six Nations, but he lacks the ability to dazzle and the broken play threat of his earlier career.
The dancing winger Shane Williams may well be the only member of the squad who can claim the tag of genuine match-winner.
The fly half position seems to sum up this squad, with the test match berth likely to come down to a duel between Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara and Welsh stand off Stephen Jones.
Both are established test number tens and are reliable options but neither has the ability to produce the kind of inspired moments of magic of which Hook and Cipriani are capable.
Yes, there is a need for a tough approach against South Africa and Ian McGeechan will no doubt benefit from the selection of a number of fiercely combative and reliable individuals to mould into a test team.
But even the most solid and competitive side needs its jokers, its game breakers, and in a large squad on a long tour such as the Lions, where campaigns are often beset by injury, McGeechan would do well to have more than one joker in his pack.
Clive Woodward’s England World Cup winning side in 2003 was the perfect example of a unit that relied on grit and determination, rather than dazzling rugby to achieve success.
But just as important as the likes of Martin Johnson, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio – the driving forces behind England’s power play – were the one or two players capable of moments of individual brilliance, such as Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood, who could turn a big game.
You can also look at the Lions’ opponents South Africa during their own successful World Cup campaign in 2007.
Their effort was led by the brawn of the likes of Victor Matfield, Bakkes Botha and Schalke Burger, but their star was the sensational speedster Bryan Habana, while the precocious Francois Steyn also provided key moments of audacious skill.
McGeechan would also do well to place less emphasis on the versatility of the fringe players in the squad – with the likes of Toby Flood and Chris Paterson touted as possible back-up tourists – and more of the potential impact from the bench of, say, a Ben Foden or a Keith Earls.
In modern day rugby, which is becoming ever more a twenty-two-a-side game, the impact of replacements in a tight test match could decide the series.
The likes of Gavin Henson, James Hook and Danny Cipriani – three of the most naturally talented and exciting rugby players hailing from these shores – are expected to miss out on the trip to South Africa for a variety of reasons.
Henson is almost certain to be omitted on fitness grounds, Hook may stay at home due to poor form and for Cirpriani it would be a mixture of both.
The likely selection of Paul O’Connell as skipper for the tour is expected to set a tone of hard-nosed competitive selections that offer hope for a competitive series, but little in the way of inspiration.
O’Connell’s Ireland team mates Brian O’Driscoll is likely to be a key figure and proved that he is still amongst the world’s very best in this year’s Six Nations, but he lacks the ability to dazzle and the broken play threat of his earlier career.
The dancing winger Shane Williams may well be the only member of the squad who can claim the tag of genuine match-winner.
The fly half position seems to sum up this squad, with the test match berth likely to come down to a duel between Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara and Welsh stand off Stephen Jones.
Both are established test number tens and are reliable options but neither has the ability to produce the kind of inspired moments of magic of which Hook and Cipriani are capable.
Yes, there is a need for a tough approach against South Africa and Ian McGeechan will no doubt benefit from the selection of a number of fiercely combative and reliable individuals to mould into a test team.
But even the most solid and competitive side needs its jokers, its game breakers, and in a large squad on a long tour such as the Lions, where campaigns are often beset by injury, McGeechan would do well to have more than one joker in his pack.
Clive Woodward’s England World Cup winning side in 2003 was the perfect example of a unit that relied on grit and determination, rather than dazzling rugby to achieve success.
But just as important as the likes of Martin Johnson, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio – the driving forces behind England’s power play – were the one or two players capable of moments of individual brilliance, such as Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood, who could turn a big game.
You can also look at the Lions’ opponents South Africa during their own successful World Cup campaign in 2007.
Their effort was led by the brawn of the likes of Victor Matfield, Bakkes Botha and Schalke Burger, but their star was the sensational speedster Bryan Habana, while the precocious Francois Steyn also provided key moments of audacious skill.
McGeechan would also do well to place less emphasis on the versatility of the fringe players in the squad – with the likes of Toby Flood and Chris Paterson touted as possible back-up tourists – and more of the potential impact from the bench of, say, a Ben Foden or a Keith Earls.
In modern day rugby, which is becoming ever more a twenty-two-a-side game, the impact of replacements in a tight test match could decide the series.
Thursday 2 April 2009
Frank the footman carries out his duties
The Fabio Capello England bandwagon kept on rolling at Wembley with a solid win over a competent Ukraine side.
The Italian seems to have instilled a winning mentality into his side and even when Andriy Shevchenko equalised for the visitors, an England victory always looked like the only outcome.
Although England received a reality check against Spain in Seville in February, the side has come a long way.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss seems to be achieving the old trick of getting the best out of his players and the team are playing with confidence.
Most pundits and journalists have been waxing lyrical about the way Capello has managed to get the best out of both Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, with both men enjoying the same freedom they play with at club level.
But perhaps a more impressive change from Capello’s point of view is the way he has changed the mentality of Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea midfielder has experienced fluctuating fortunes during his international career, reaching the highs of England player of the year and the lows of boo-boy.
Under Capello his performances have almost crept under the radar but the Italian himself will certainly be impressed with his industrious efforts and shows of team responsibility.
Playing more of a holding role for his country, Lampard has reinvented himself as a highly effective cog in Capello’s well oiled machine – as opposed to the free-running individual of his early days that he still displays at club level.
He has been playing alongside Gareth Barry in the midfield engine room but the Aston Villa player is not the same kind of sitting player as Claude Makelele or his Chelsea successor John Obi Mikel.
It is easy to get world class players such as Gerrard and Rooney and get them to play with freedom and licence, it is much harder to take players used to that liberty to restrain their attacking instincts and play a disciplined role for their teammates.
The Italian seems to have instilled a winning mentality into his side and even when Andriy Shevchenko equalised for the visitors, an England victory always looked like the only outcome.
Although England received a reality check against Spain in Seville in February, the side has come a long way.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss seems to be achieving the old trick of getting the best out of his players and the team are playing with confidence.
Most pundits and journalists have been waxing lyrical about the way Capello has managed to get the best out of both Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, with both men enjoying the same freedom they play with at club level.
But perhaps a more impressive change from Capello’s point of view is the way he has changed the mentality of Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea midfielder has experienced fluctuating fortunes during his international career, reaching the highs of England player of the year and the lows of boo-boy.
Under Capello his performances have almost crept under the radar but the Italian himself will certainly be impressed with his industrious efforts and shows of team responsibility.
Playing more of a holding role for his country, Lampard has reinvented himself as a highly effective cog in Capello’s well oiled machine – as opposed to the free-running individual of his early days that he still displays at club level.
He has been playing alongside Gareth Barry in the midfield engine room but the Aston Villa player is not the same kind of sitting player as Claude Makelele or his Chelsea successor John Obi Mikel.
It is easy to get world class players such as Gerrard and Rooney and get them to play with freedom and licence, it is much harder to take players used to that liberty to restrain their attacking instincts and play a disciplined role for their teammates.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Irish eyes are smiling
This year’s Six Nations tournament ended on a high as two well-match teams locked horns in a brutal encounter in Cardiff last night.
International sides from the northern hemisphere may lack the flair of their southern counterparts, but the sheer intensity can at times be absorbing.
The Welsh and Irish teams both left nothing behind during a ferocious battle where every breakdown and every tackle area became a tooth and nail scrap.
It was not a classic in terms of free-flowing, attractive rugby but for passion and sheer drama alone it will go down into the annals of Six Nations history.
In games such as this one, where the margins are so tight and the stakes are so high, you look to your leaders and nobody grasped the occasion more than Ireland’s golden boy Brian O’Driscoll.
Ronan O’Gara may have sealed the win with his late drop goal, but it was O’Driscoll who led the second half comeback and – just like against England – was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
It is the mark of a true sporting champion when they seize the biggest stage and the crucial moments and find an extra edge to their already frighteningly high levels of performance.
Think Steven Gerrard against AC Milan in Istanbul, David Beckham against Greece, Steven Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in Sydney, Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup.
When the biggest questions have been asked, these champions have bent the occasion to their will and inspired their team to victory.
For O’Driscoll, so long the darling of Irish rugby, his mighty impact on this year’s tournament and key role in his side’s historic campaign is all the sweeter after a disappointing year last year.
It is also an extremely timely boost ahead of this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa, where he surely be a vital part of the tourists’ squad and could even go as captain – which would be a fine way to make up for his heartbreaking tour to New Zealand four years ago.
In his interview at the end of the game O’Driscoll, with typical modesty, was quick to praise the efforts of his teammates and there were several other notable performers among the men in green.
Paul O’Connell, another Lions captaincy candidate, was an immense rallying point up front and is the closest player to Martin Johnson to have graced the game since the current England boss retired.
The outstanding David Wallace outfought his opposite number Martyn Williams with his sheer athleticism and was relentless in defence.
For the Welsh, it was harsh to see their best player Stephen Jones miss the crucial kick that could have handed them victory.
Ironically though, Jones’ otherwise faultless kicking and assured display could see him selected ahead of man-of-the-moment O’Gara when it comes down to Lions’ test team selection.
Looking ahead to South Africa it will be fascinating to see all the players that have clashed so fiercely throughout this tournament lining up together in the same squad and we can only hope they can reproduce the same intensity against the Springboks.
My Lions starting XV
15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (England)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
2. Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Scotland)
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
6. James Haskell (England)
7. David Wallace (Ireland)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
International sides from the northern hemisphere may lack the flair of their southern counterparts, but the sheer intensity can at times be absorbing.
The Welsh and Irish teams both left nothing behind during a ferocious battle where every breakdown and every tackle area became a tooth and nail scrap.
It was not a classic in terms of free-flowing, attractive rugby but for passion and sheer drama alone it will go down into the annals of Six Nations history.
In games such as this one, where the margins are so tight and the stakes are so high, you look to your leaders and nobody grasped the occasion more than Ireland’s golden boy Brian O’Driscoll.
Ronan O’Gara may have sealed the win with his late drop goal, but it was O’Driscoll who led the second half comeback and – just like against England – was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
It is the mark of a true sporting champion when they seize the biggest stage and the crucial moments and find an extra edge to their already frighteningly high levels of performance.
Think Steven Gerrard against AC Milan in Istanbul, David Beckham against Greece, Steven Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in Sydney, Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup.
When the biggest questions have been asked, these champions have bent the occasion to their will and inspired their team to victory.
For O’Driscoll, so long the darling of Irish rugby, his mighty impact on this year’s tournament and key role in his side’s historic campaign is all the sweeter after a disappointing year last year.
It is also an extremely timely boost ahead of this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa, where he surely be a vital part of the tourists’ squad and could even go as captain – which would be a fine way to make up for his heartbreaking tour to New Zealand four years ago.
In his interview at the end of the game O’Driscoll, with typical modesty, was quick to praise the efforts of his teammates and there were several other notable performers among the men in green.
Paul O’Connell, another Lions captaincy candidate, was an immense rallying point up front and is the closest player to Martin Johnson to have graced the game since the current England boss retired.
The outstanding David Wallace outfought his opposite number Martyn Williams with his sheer athleticism and was relentless in defence.
For the Welsh, it was harsh to see their best player Stephen Jones miss the crucial kick that could have handed them victory.
Ironically though, Jones’ otherwise faultless kicking and assured display could see him selected ahead of man-of-the-moment O’Gara when it comes down to Lions’ test team selection.
Looking ahead to South Africa it will be fascinating to see all the players that have clashed so fiercely throughout this tournament lining up together in the same squad and we can only hope they can reproduce the same intensity against the Springboks.
My Lions starting XV
15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (England)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
2. Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Scotland)
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
6. James Haskell (England)
7. David Wallace (Ireland)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Monday 16 March 2009
Johnson's England shine in spring sun
For forty wonderful minutes yesterday English rugby hit the kind of heights that have been few and far between in recent years.
On a glorious Spring afternoon at Twickenham Martin Johnson’s men produced arguably their best period of rugby since Johnson and his monobrow departed the international scene following England’s World Cup win in 2003.
Yes, England were helped by a shambles of a French performance, and the reality check came even before the final whistle as France edged the scoring in a scrappy second half.
But the men in white showed a ruthlessness and ambition many thought they were incapable of during the opening stages and you could almost feel the swagger returning to the Twickenham crowd as they dived into their first rendition of ‘Swing Low’ shortly after the half hour mark.
Tom Croft took the man of the match accolade for his flawless lineout display and industrious effort in the loose but there were a number of notable performances.
Riki Flutey was devilish in the inside channel with his dancing feet, quick hands and turn of speed, while Delon Armitage showed he has the pace and confidence to mix it with the best of them.
Steve Borthwick also finally provided the kind of domineering performance up front to suggest he could be a worthy successor to Johnson.
While there were many positives to take, one of the remarkable aspects of the win was how England dominated without any real direction coming from the key decision making positions.
Harry Ellis was solid at best and, apart from one delightful inside pass for Mark Cueto in the build up to Flutey’s first try, Toby Flood was hardly a dominant force before going off injured at the break.
Andy Goode was not much better in the second period and next weekend’s game against Scotland could be ideal chance for Johnson to recall the creativity of Danny Cipriani.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and Johnson will be keen to keep expectations at a reasonable level for his developing side.
But the England fans have been offered a tantalising glimpse of the potential of this team and the only downside to yesterday’s performance is that they will now be wanting more.
On a glorious Spring afternoon at Twickenham Martin Johnson’s men produced arguably their best period of rugby since Johnson and his monobrow departed the international scene following England’s World Cup win in 2003.
Yes, England were helped by a shambles of a French performance, and the reality check came even before the final whistle as France edged the scoring in a scrappy second half.
But the men in white showed a ruthlessness and ambition many thought they were incapable of during the opening stages and you could almost feel the swagger returning to the Twickenham crowd as they dived into their first rendition of ‘Swing Low’ shortly after the half hour mark.
Tom Croft took the man of the match accolade for his flawless lineout display and industrious effort in the loose but there were a number of notable performances.
Riki Flutey was devilish in the inside channel with his dancing feet, quick hands and turn of speed, while Delon Armitage showed he has the pace and confidence to mix it with the best of them.
Steve Borthwick also finally provided the kind of domineering performance up front to suggest he could be a worthy successor to Johnson.
While there were many positives to take, one of the remarkable aspects of the win was how England dominated without any real direction coming from the key decision making positions.
Harry Ellis was solid at best and, apart from one delightful inside pass for Mark Cueto in the build up to Flutey’s first try, Toby Flood was hardly a dominant force before going off injured at the break.
Andy Goode was not much better in the second period and next weekend’s game against Scotland could be ideal chance for Johnson to recall the creativity of Danny Cipriani.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and Johnson will be keen to keep expectations at a reasonable level for his developing side.
But the England fans have been offered a tantalising glimpse of the potential of this team and the only downside to yesterday’s performance is that they will now be wanting more.
Thursday 26 February 2009
Tiger back on the prowl
Rarely has the return to action of a sporting hero been celebrated with the gusto in which the golfing fraternity welcomed back the iconic Tiger Woods.
Tiger and his reconstructed knee took to the tee for the first time in eight months at the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Marana.
The last time we saw the Tiger on the prowl was when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines virtually on one leg.
It’s fair to say that even in his absence he had remained the most talked about figure in the sport and the last eight months seemed to have only served to show how dependent golf is on Woods for its global popularity.
Padraig Harrington did his best to fill the vacancy left by Tiger, winning successive majors last year, but he lacks the charisma and awe-inspiring talent of the main man.
Rory McIlroy has also kept the British interest from waning completely with glimpses of his exciting potential but if you asked anyone in Britain to name just one golfer Tiger would almost certainly be the name to pass their lips.
The problem when one man is so dominant in his sport is that anyone who succeeds while the champion is laid off automatically has the validity of their victory questioned – what if Tiger were playing?
Woods won his first match on his return (should we have expected anything else?) but it may take a while for him to get back to his best.
All that is certain is that the world of golf needs a fully firing Tiger because the only way a true successor can step forward is if they step up to the great man’s impeccable high standards.
Tiger and his reconstructed knee took to the tee for the first time in eight months at the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Marana.
The last time we saw the Tiger on the prowl was when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines virtually on one leg.
It’s fair to say that even in his absence he had remained the most talked about figure in the sport and the last eight months seemed to have only served to show how dependent golf is on Woods for its global popularity.
Padraig Harrington did his best to fill the vacancy left by Tiger, winning successive majors last year, but he lacks the charisma and awe-inspiring talent of the main man.
Rory McIlroy has also kept the British interest from waning completely with glimpses of his exciting potential but if you asked anyone in Britain to name just one golfer Tiger would almost certainly be the name to pass their lips.
The problem when one man is so dominant in his sport is that anyone who succeeds while the champion is laid off automatically has the validity of their victory questioned – what if Tiger were playing?
Woods won his first match on his return (should we have expected anything else?) but it may take a while for him to get back to his best.
All that is certain is that the world of golf needs a fully firing Tiger because the only way a true successor can step forward is if they step up to the great man’s impeccable high standards.
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Howe has he done it?
Amongst the plethora of worthy films released in the run up to Oscar night was a Daniel Craig film called Defiance.
The James Bond star played one of the three Jewish brothers who defied the Nazi regime by setting up their own community in a forest.
In one of the more moving speeches of the film Craig’s character tries to calm the revengeful feelings amongst his people by suggesting that the best way they can stick two fingers up to Hitler and his henchman is simply by surviving – living is their act of ‘defiance’.
At times this season I have despaired at the plight of my club AFC Bournemouth – how we were hit with a 17-point deduction for off-field financial problems (the same financial problems that – ultimately – led to our relegation to League Two last season) and we seem to have been taken for a ride by a succession of owners.
It has been easy for the Cherries faithful to bemoan our fate and vent our spleens at the various instigators of our demise.
Suddenly, though, there seems to be a different atmosphere around Dean Court.
The Dorset outfit’s impressive performances under our wet-behind-the-ears boss Eddie Howe have brought a welcome return of a more attractive brand of football and, crucially, results as well.
We have taken 11 points from our last 15 and suddenly, instead of looking for someone to blame, a wave of optimism is spreading amongst the fans.
Howe, at just 31, was seen by many as a last resort and a ‘cheap option’ when Jimmy Quinn was sacked at the turn of the year - he was already employed by the club as a coach and had no managerial experience.
But often moves of desperation end up being unintentional masterstrokes.
One of the key moves Howe made was to bring back his old pal and team mate Steve Fletcher.
‘Big Fletch’ may be about as mobile as a phone box and has not scored in five appearances up front, but his effect on the team is invaluable and he has provided a great foil for young strike partner Brett Pitman - who can’t stop scoring lately.
Howe is doing the business but now faces three tough away games in the space of eight days as we travel to Chesterfield, Dagenham and Gillingham.
We are still five points from safety and there is work to be done but Howe’s men have inspired belief at last.
Let’s hope the Cherries can put on our own ultimate show of defiance – let’s survive.
The James Bond star played one of the three Jewish brothers who defied the Nazi regime by setting up their own community in a forest.
In one of the more moving speeches of the film Craig’s character tries to calm the revengeful feelings amongst his people by suggesting that the best way they can stick two fingers up to Hitler and his henchman is simply by surviving – living is their act of ‘defiance’.
At times this season I have despaired at the plight of my club AFC Bournemouth – how we were hit with a 17-point deduction for off-field financial problems (the same financial problems that – ultimately – led to our relegation to League Two last season) and we seem to have been taken for a ride by a succession of owners.
It has been easy for the Cherries faithful to bemoan our fate and vent our spleens at the various instigators of our demise.
Suddenly, though, there seems to be a different atmosphere around Dean Court.
The Dorset outfit’s impressive performances under our wet-behind-the-ears boss Eddie Howe have brought a welcome return of a more attractive brand of football and, crucially, results as well.
We have taken 11 points from our last 15 and suddenly, instead of looking for someone to blame, a wave of optimism is spreading amongst the fans.
Howe, at just 31, was seen by many as a last resort and a ‘cheap option’ when Jimmy Quinn was sacked at the turn of the year - he was already employed by the club as a coach and had no managerial experience.
But often moves of desperation end up being unintentional masterstrokes.
One of the key moves Howe made was to bring back his old pal and team mate Steve Fletcher.
‘Big Fletch’ may be about as mobile as a phone box and has not scored in five appearances up front, but his effect on the team is invaluable and he has provided a great foil for young strike partner Brett Pitman - who can’t stop scoring lately.
Howe is doing the business but now faces three tough away games in the space of eight days as we travel to Chesterfield, Dagenham and Gillingham.
We are still five points from safety and there is work to be done but Howe’s men have inspired belief at last.
Let’s hope the Cherries can put on our own ultimate show of defiance – let’s survive.
Friday 6 February 2009
Ordinary Joe the perfect champion
It is a strange paradox that some sporting champions act like champions while others are the champions they are because they act just like anybody else.
The likes of Muhammed Ali, Maradona and George Best had an amazing charisma off the field that fuelled their sense of greatness and they carried it with them onto the pitch.
Now and again you get a sporting hero who is so amazingly unassuming and normal that you cannot believe they are champions of their field.
Then when you see them in action you realise this ‘man of the people’ approach is central to their whole outlook as they fight every battle as if they are doing it for all the ordinary people out there.
Recently retired Joe Calzaghe will go down in British boxing history as one of the very greatest this nation has ever produced, if not these best.
But you could not get a more contrasting figure to the showmanship of Ali – universally accepted as ‘the greatest’ of all time in global terms.
‘Ordinary Joe’ always comes across as such a laid back, considered human being that you almost felt he didn’t belong in the world of boxing.
But as soon as the bell went Calzaghe came into his own, the Welshman was a fierce competitor with a huge amount of talent but almost as crucial was his grounded nature that kept him rooted in the heat of battle.
He hardly ever seemed to lose his cool and many of his fights were victories of mind and technique as much as strength.
You don’t need to watch Rocky to know boxers often have a hard time giving up the sport and many greats before Calzaghe have been tempted to return to the ring.
I hope Calzaghe rejects the financial temptation and competitive urges to fight again because, with 46 fights and 46 wins, ‘Ordinary Joe’ has something that elevates him out of normality and into the realm of the greats, the best record of all – perfection.
The likes of Muhammed Ali, Maradona and George Best had an amazing charisma off the field that fuelled their sense of greatness and they carried it with them onto the pitch.
Now and again you get a sporting hero who is so amazingly unassuming and normal that you cannot believe they are champions of their field.
Then when you see them in action you realise this ‘man of the people’ approach is central to their whole outlook as they fight every battle as if they are doing it for all the ordinary people out there.
Recently retired Joe Calzaghe will go down in British boxing history as one of the very greatest this nation has ever produced, if not these best.
But you could not get a more contrasting figure to the showmanship of Ali – universally accepted as ‘the greatest’ of all time in global terms.
‘Ordinary Joe’ always comes across as such a laid back, considered human being that you almost felt he didn’t belong in the world of boxing.
But as soon as the bell went Calzaghe came into his own, the Welshman was a fierce competitor with a huge amount of talent but almost as crucial was his grounded nature that kept him rooted in the heat of battle.
He hardly ever seemed to lose his cool and many of his fights were victories of mind and technique as much as strength.
You don’t need to watch Rocky to know boxers often have a hard time giving up the sport and many greats before Calzaghe have been tempted to return to the ring.
I hope Calzaghe rejects the financial temptation and competitive urges to fight again because, with 46 fights and 46 wins, ‘Ordinary Joe’ has something that elevates him out of normality and into the realm of the greats, the best record of all – perfection.
Wenger gambles on Arshavin deal
I have an immense amount of respect for Arsene Wenger but I am worried that his protracted pursuit of Andrei Arshavin will see him become a victim of his own ideals.
Now I’m a big fan of the Russian schemer and I’m not saying he won’t be a success at the Emirates Stadium, but - by spending the whole of the transfer window chasing Arshavin - Wenger has critically neglected other areas of his team.
Yes, they have missed the invention of the injured Fabregas, but Arsenal are not exactly short of creative players and far more alarming over the past couple of seasons has been the sides soft centre.
When Wenger needed to bring in some steel, a player in the Patrick Vieira mould, he instead reverted to type and spent four weeks trying to recruit another silky, gifted, attack-minded player.
The Gunners are facing a very real prospect of missing out on Champions League football next season and the notion of the Premiership’s ‘Big Four’ could soon be trimmed to a triumvirate.
Wenger’s perfectionist nature and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game is commendable but ask any Arsenal fan and I expect they would settle for a few scrappy wins between now and the end of the season if it would guarantee a Champions League berth.
This current Arsenal side has been treated as a team in transition for too long and they need a solid experienced core to push on and that requires investment.
The money is there by all accounts but Wenger again is a stickler for his principles and seems reluctant to pay out the kind of cash he needs to in order to keep up with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
There is a hint of selfishness about Wenger’s stubborness and refusal to change his ways as the victims at the end of the day are the Arsenal fans who have grown used to their team challenging at the top of the table.
Yes football is meant to be entertaining but there is no better way to entertain the fans than by winning football matches.
It will be interesting to see how long until the Arsenal fans keep patience with Wenger and his unique approach if the club continues to be starved of success.
Now I’m a big fan of the Russian schemer and I’m not saying he won’t be a success at the Emirates Stadium, but - by spending the whole of the transfer window chasing Arshavin - Wenger has critically neglected other areas of his team.
Yes, they have missed the invention of the injured Fabregas, but Arsenal are not exactly short of creative players and far more alarming over the past couple of seasons has been the sides soft centre.
When Wenger needed to bring in some steel, a player in the Patrick Vieira mould, he instead reverted to type and spent four weeks trying to recruit another silky, gifted, attack-minded player.
The Gunners are facing a very real prospect of missing out on Champions League football next season and the notion of the Premiership’s ‘Big Four’ could soon be trimmed to a triumvirate.
Wenger’s perfectionist nature and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game is commendable but ask any Arsenal fan and I expect they would settle for a few scrappy wins between now and the end of the season if it would guarantee a Champions League berth.
This current Arsenal side has been treated as a team in transition for too long and they need a solid experienced core to push on and that requires investment.
The money is there by all accounts but Wenger again is a stickler for his principles and seems reluctant to pay out the kind of cash he needs to in order to keep up with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
There is a hint of selfishness about Wenger’s stubborness and refusal to change his ways as the victims at the end of the day are the Arsenal fans who have grown used to their team challenging at the top of the table.
Yes football is meant to be entertaining but there is no better way to entertain the fans than by winning football matches.
It will be interesting to see how long until the Arsenal fans keep patience with Wenger and his unique approach if the club continues to be starved of success.
Sunday 25 January 2009
Brett steals Big Fletch's thunder
Sometimes football just refuses to follow the script.
At Dean Court yesterday Bournemouth’s match against Wycombe Wanderers was supposed to be all about one man as club hero and record appearance holder Steve Fletcher returned to the club a season and a half after being let go.
But it was Fletcher’s young strike partner Brett Pitman stole the show, with a delicious free-kick and a fine all-round performance as the Cherries beat League Two’s top side 3-1.
Pitman has come in for his fair share of criticism from Cherries supporters and has been written off on numerous occasions.
An apparent lack of workrate at times, inconsistency and rumours of off-field excesses has had the Cherries faithful on his back and he seemed to alienate them permanently a few weeks ago when he was sent off minutes after coming on for a wild challenge as Bournemouth were dumped out of the FA Cup by minnows Blyth Spartans.
What has never been in doubt is Pitman’s potential and Eddie Howe was prepared to offer the olive branch to the 20-year-old when he was appointed caretaker manager, probably influenced by the striker’s youth team mentor Joe Roach, now his assistant.
The lad is a natural goalscorer, as his prolific record at reserve and youth team level proves, and I feel those who wrote him off completely were far too quick to judge.
We sometimes become too obsessed with the idea of a footballer who has fallen completely off the rails but sometimes we have to take players for what they really are, young men who are growing up.
Pitman has been in and around the first team for around two years now and, although he has made over 100 appearances for the club, he is still a youngster.
Yes he will make mistakes on and off the pitch but what is important is that he learns from those mistakes and never loses sight of how lucky he is to have such talent.
Having Joe Roach around the first team will hopefully help Pitman’s confidence and I believe playing alongside Steve Fletcher will also help his game.
There was a lot of debate around the return of ‘Big Fletch’, of course he is a cult hero and will always be cheered on by the fans, but he is 36 now and it remains to be seen whether he has the fitness and mobility to play week in, week out at this level.
He is also something of an Emile Heskey figure in that people will always point to his poor goal scoring record.
What is never in doubt is his commitment and he does do a job for the team, he is a handful for defenders and allows someone like Pitman to make runs, knowing Fletcher is likely to win the flick on.
There is still a lot of work to be done for both Eddie Howe, for whom Saturday was his first win as boss in his first game after getting the job permanently, and Pitman, but there were positive signs and hopefully the Wycombe win will be the start of something.
At Dean Court yesterday Bournemouth’s match against Wycombe Wanderers was supposed to be all about one man as club hero and record appearance holder Steve Fletcher returned to the club a season and a half after being let go.
But it was Fletcher’s young strike partner Brett Pitman stole the show, with a delicious free-kick and a fine all-round performance as the Cherries beat League Two’s top side 3-1.
Pitman has come in for his fair share of criticism from Cherries supporters and has been written off on numerous occasions.
An apparent lack of workrate at times, inconsistency and rumours of off-field excesses has had the Cherries faithful on his back and he seemed to alienate them permanently a few weeks ago when he was sent off minutes after coming on for a wild challenge as Bournemouth were dumped out of the FA Cup by minnows Blyth Spartans.
What has never been in doubt is Pitman’s potential and Eddie Howe was prepared to offer the olive branch to the 20-year-old when he was appointed caretaker manager, probably influenced by the striker’s youth team mentor Joe Roach, now his assistant.
The lad is a natural goalscorer, as his prolific record at reserve and youth team level proves, and I feel those who wrote him off completely were far too quick to judge.
We sometimes become too obsessed with the idea of a footballer who has fallen completely off the rails but sometimes we have to take players for what they really are, young men who are growing up.
Pitman has been in and around the first team for around two years now and, although he has made over 100 appearances for the club, he is still a youngster.
Yes he will make mistakes on and off the pitch but what is important is that he learns from those mistakes and never loses sight of how lucky he is to have such talent.
Having Joe Roach around the first team will hopefully help Pitman’s confidence and I believe playing alongside Steve Fletcher will also help his game.
There was a lot of debate around the return of ‘Big Fletch’, of course he is a cult hero and will always be cheered on by the fans, but he is 36 now and it remains to be seen whether he has the fitness and mobility to play week in, week out at this level.
He is also something of an Emile Heskey figure in that people will always point to his poor goal scoring record.
What is never in doubt is his commitment and he does do a job for the team, he is a handful for defenders and allows someone like Pitman to make runs, knowing Fletcher is likely to win the flick on.
There is still a lot of work to be done for both Eddie Howe, for whom Saturday was his first win as boss in his first game after getting the job permanently, and Pitman, but there were positive signs and hopefully the Wycombe win will be the start of something.
Sunday 18 January 2009
Kaka signing once in a blue moon
The astronomical figures being reported during Manchester City’s pursuit of Brazilian playmaker Kaka suggest the concept of the priceless footballer is set to be severely tested.
We have often heard managers claim a player is not for sale at any price, but never before have the player’s suitors been armed with the unlimited funds of an oil-rich emirate.
If ever there was a player who falls into the ‘priceless’ bracket it was Kaka.
He is one of the world’s very best players, capable of moments of genius few are able to produce and, despite all the other big name stars on show at AC Milan, the team is built around his unique talents.
But City’s Arab owners are apparently prepared to offer the kind of sum that would make anyone listen, around £100 million may just make Carlo Ancelotti think twice about rebuilding his team in a different way.
The other stumbling block is to persuade Kaka they can match the ambitions of one of the world’s greatest talents and wages of half a million pounds a week would go some way to showing how serious they are.
Signing him is going to be hard enough but, while I would love to see a player of Kaka’s genius in the Premier League, moulding Kaka into the team is going to be a further challenge for Mark Hughes.
While I’m not suggesting for one second that City will be a weaker side with Kaka in the line up, trophies and the kind of glory the Brazilian must be chasing are not reliant on one man alone but a team or even a squad.
How the other players in City’s squad react to the inclusion of a player on drastically higher wages and who cost so much is going to be interesting, particularly as the team will have to be built around Kaka.
Some players have the natural humility to accept their limited talents and their value, and as a result will be satisfied with a water-carrying role.
Others may relish the chance of lining up alongside such a gifted player and see it as a chance to improve their game and prove they are not such a long way off themselves.
Look at the way Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips have prospered since Robinho’s arrival at Eastlands.
But there will no doubt be some who will resent Kaka’s privileged position and inflated earnings, it is only human nature.
They may also fear that their place in the team could be jeopardised at a stroke if Sheikh Mansour goes after more stellar signings, which – it has been suggested – could be a prerequisite for the capture of Kaka.
Manager Mark Hughes will have to master these feelings and the transfers which the Welshman himself seem to be actually involved in suggest he does realise the importance of building a team rather than just splashing out on big names.
They may not be as glamorous and not involve game-changing money, but the signing of Wayne Bridge and the potential capture of the industrious Scott Parker could be, in a very different way, almost as important as Kaka.
To prove this they only need to look across to the other side of Manchester.
United – currently the nation’s most successful club – have based their success not just on the talents of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but also a rock solid defence that has just recorded ten successive shut outs and a host of committed squad players.
We have often heard managers claim a player is not for sale at any price, but never before have the player’s suitors been armed with the unlimited funds of an oil-rich emirate.
If ever there was a player who falls into the ‘priceless’ bracket it was Kaka.
He is one of the world’s very best players, capable of moments of genius few are able to produce and, despite all the other big name stars on show at AC Milan, the team is built around his unique talents.
But City’s Arab owners are apparently prepared to offer the kind of sum that would make anyone listen, around £100 million may just make Carlo Ancelotti think twice about rebuilding his team in a different way.
The other stumbling block is to persuade Kaka they can match the ambitions of one of the world’s greatest talents and wages of half a million pounds a week would go some way to showing how serious they are.
Signing him is going to be hard enough but, while I would love to see a player of Kaka’s genius in the Premier League, moulding Kaka into the team is going to be a further challenge for Mark Hughes.
While I’m not suggesting for one second that City will be a weaker side with Kaka in the line up, trophies and the kind of glory the Brazilian must be chasing are not reliant on one man alone but a team or even a squad.
How the other players in City’s squad react to the inclusion of a player on drastically higher wages and who cost so much is going to be interesting, particularly as the team will have to be built around Kaka.
Some players have the natural humility to accept their limited talents and their value, and as a result will be satisfied with a water-carrying role.
Others may relish the chance of lining up alongside such a gifted player and see it as a chance to improve their game and prove they are not such a long way off themselves.
Look at the way Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips have prospered since Robinho’s arrival at Eastlands.
But there will no doubt be some who will resent Kaka’s privileged position and inflated earnings, it is only human nature.
They may also fear that their place in the team could be jeopardised at a stroke if Sheikh Mansour goes after more stellar signings, which – it has been suggested – could be a prerequisite for the capture of Kaka.
Manager Mark Hughes will have to master these feelings and the transfers which the Welshman himself seem to be actually involved in suggest he does realise the importance of building a team rather than just splashing out on big names.
They may not be as glamorous and not involve game-changing money, but the signing of Wayne Bridge and the potential capture of the industrious Scott Parker could be, in a very different way, almost as important as Kaka.
To prove this they only need to look across to the other side of Manchester.
United – currently the nation’s most successful club – have based their success not just on the talents of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but also a rock solid defence that has just recorded ten successive shut outs and a host of committed squad players.
Sunday 11 January 2009
Fergie lets players do the talking
During Sir Alex Ferguson’s 22-year managerial reign at Old Trafford he has claimed almost as many victims with his notorious mind games as he has won trophies.
Ferguson simply revels as the pressure of a title race increases and loves nothing more than to see other bosses struggle to cope.
This week it seems Rafael Benitez was the latest to have his feather’s ruffled by the Glaswegian but for all the heated accusations flying about the back pages over the last few days, Ferguson
let his team make the most emphatic statement of all against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
With Liverpool having stumbled to a 0-0 draw with Stoke the previous evening, United seized the title initiative to win 3-0 in a game which will also raise serious questions about the West Londoners’ table-topping ambitions.
In truth United were far from breathtaking but they were solid at the back and clinical up front and managed to make Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side look very ordinary.
A far cry from their free-flowing performances at the start of the campaign which saw Chelsea compared to Scolari’s Brazilian sides, the Blues looked bereft of ideas up front with Didier Drogba woefully out of sorts and were crying out for an attacking wide player in the mould of Arjen Robben.
Chelsea never looked like breaking down United’s solid defence and with the reinvented Ryan Giggs revelling in his role as midfield prompter, the Reds strolled to victory.
There is still a long way to go and there will doubtless be more twists and turns between now and May, but with Ferguson at the helm United are likely to only get stronger as the final run-in approaches.
Ferguson simply revels as the pressure of a title race increases and loves nothing more than to see other bosses struggle to cope.
This week it seems Rafael Benitez was the latest to have his feather’s ruffled by the Glaswegian but for all the heated accusations flying about the back pages over the last few days, Ferguson
let his team make the most emphatic statement of all against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
With Liverpool having stumbled to a 0-0 draw with Stoke the previous evening, United seized the title initiative to win 3-0 in a game which will also raise serious questions about the West Londoners’ table-topping ambitions.
In truth United were far from breathtaking but they were solid at the back and clinical up front and managed to make Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side look very ordinary.
A far cry from their free-flowing performances at the start of the campaign which saw Chelsea compared to Scolari’s Brazilian sides, the Blues looked bereft of ideas up front with Didier Drogba woefully out of sorts and were crying out for an attacking wide player in the mould of Arjen Robben.
Chelsea never looked like breaking down United’s solid defence and with the reinvented Ryan Giggs revelling in his role as midfield prompter, the Reds strolled to victory.
There is still a long way to go and there will doubtless be more twists and turns between now and May, but with Ferguson at the helm United are likely to only get stronger as the final run-in approaches.
Sunday 4 January 2009
Gerrard back where he belongs
Steve Gerrard played like he couldn’t wait to get back on the football pitch as he turned out against Preston yesterday less than a week after spending the night in a police spell following his arrest on suspicion of assault.
Just when everything in Liverpool’s season seemed to be going swimmingly and as the 5-1 win over Newcastle last weekend was still sinking in, Gerrard’s shock arrest after an incident at a Southport bar threatened to detabilise their most competitive title challenge in years.
But Gerrard looked at his rampaging best last night and seemed to suggest he is able to escape his off-field problems when he walks out onto the pitch, almost to the point where he probably didn’t want the game at Deepdale to end.
It is interesting how some players seem to relish the prospect of going back to the day job while their personal lives are ensconced in scandal while others wilt under the pressure and abuse from opposing fans.
When Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were accused of attacking Sarfaz Najeib in 2000, Woodgate’s performances suffered badly during the ensuing legal process while Bowyer seemed a man galvanised and played possibly the best football of his career.
The early signs suggest Gerrard’s vital contributions to Liverpool will not be affected as he faces negative front page publicity for the first time in his career.
As I have experienced covering cases as a news reporter, the legal process can be a lengthy one and cases can drag on.
Whatever the outcome, it is likely Gerrard will be available for Liverpool for a substantial period of time while proceedings are still ongoing and Rafael Benitez must be extremely grateful that he seems to be viewing the football pitch as a place of sanctuary rather than scrutiny during these testing times.
Just when everything in Liverpool’s season seemed to be going swimmingly and as the 5-1 win over Newcastle last weekend was still sinking in, Gerrard’s shock arrest after an incident at a Southport bar threatened to detabilise their most competitive title challenge in years.
But Gerrard looked at his rampaging best last night and seemed to suggest he is able to escape his off-field problems when he walks out onto the pitch, almost to the point where he probably didn’t want the game at Deepdale to end.
It is interesting how some players seem to relish the prospect of going back to the day job while their personal lives are ensconced in scandal while others wilt under the pressure and abuse from opposing fans.
When Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were accused of attacking Sarfaz Najeib in 2000, Woodgate’s performances suffered badly during the ensuing legal process while Bowyer seemed a man galvanised and played possibly the best football of his career.
The early signs suggest Gerrard’s vital contributions to Liverpool will not be affected as he faces negative front page publicity for the first time in his career.
As I have experienced covering cases as a news reporter, the legal process can be a lengthy one and cases can drag on.
Whatever the outcome, it is likely Gerrard will be available for Liverpool for a substantial period of time while proceedings are still ongoing and Rafael Benitez must be extremely grateful that he seems to be viewing the football pitch as a place of sanctuary rather than scrutiny during these testing times.
Steady Eddie gets his chance
CARETAKER boss Eddie Howe found just how cruel managerial life can be in his first game in charge.
The 31-year-old, who was handed the reins at Bournemouth for a tough trip to Darlington yesterday after Jimmy Quinn’s New Year’s Eve sacking, saw the Quakers bag two late goals to nick the game 2-1.
By all accounts Howe’s men had put in a brave performance and, having gone 1-0 up, deserved to come back with at least a point to show from the 630-mile round trip.
Howe has been told he will get the chance to prove himself in the hotseat and if he was any illusions as to just how difficult the task was, yesterday’s tough blow will have shattered them.
This week Quinn’s successor Kevin Bon claimed that - with the points deductions, financial restrictions and boardroom instability – even the self-styled ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho would struggle at the Dean Court helm.
Howe would be the first to admit he is no Jose and his management experience – in short, spells as reserve team coach and head of the Centre of Excellence at Bournemouth – is limited to say the least.
The fact that the former Cherries defender was a popular player will also not make him immune from criticism from the fans – as he would have seen with Quinn in recent months.
But this is a chance doesn’t come around very often as lack of finance may have forced the club to consider a rookie who would otherwise not have got a look in.
If Howe shows anything like the commitment and determination he showed as a player then he will throw his heart and soul into the club and should command the respect of the players.
The task is huge, daunting and demanding – but not impossible.
Howe needs to help the team rediscover their belief, get individuals playing in positions they are all comfortable in and aware of their roles and somehow unearth a cutting edge in attack that has been sadly lacking all season.
Having done all of that he will also need – as he discovered to his misfortune yesterday – that element of luck you sometimes need to win tight football matches.
Good luck Eddie, let’s hope you can become Bournemouth’s very own ‘Special One’.
The 31-year-old, who was handed the reins at Bournemouth for a tough trip to Darlington yesterday after Jimmy Quinn’s New Year’s Eve sacking, saw the Quakers bag two late goals to nick the game 2-1.
By all accounts Howe’s men had put in a brave performance and, having gone 1-0 up, deserved to come back with at least a point to show from the 630-mile round trip.
Howe has been told he will get the chance to prove himself in the hotseat and if he was any illusions as to just how difficult the task was, yesterday’s tough blow will have shattered them.
This week Quinn’s successor Kevin Bon claimed that - with the points deductions, financial restrictions and boardroom instability – even the self-styled ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho would struggle at the Dean Court helm.
Howe would be the first to admit he is no Jose and his management experience – in short, spells as reserve team coach and head of the Centre of Excellence at Bournemouth – is limited to say the least.
The fact that the former Cherries defender was a popular player will also not make him immune from criticism from the fans – as he would have seen with Quinn in recent months.
But this is a chance doesn’t come around very often as lack of finance may have forced the club to consider a rookie who would otherwise not have got a look in.
If Howe shows anything like the commitment and determination he showed as a player then he will throw his heart and soul into the club and should command the respect of the players.
The task is huge, daunting and demanding – but not impossible.
Howe needs to help the team rediscover their belief, get individuals playing in positions they are all comfortable in and aware of their roles and somehow unearth a cutting edge in attack that has been sadly lacking all season.
Having done all of that he will also need – as he discovered to his misfortune yesterday – that element of luck you sometimes need to win tight football matches.
Good luck Eddie, let’s hope you can become Bournemouth’s very own ‘Special One’.
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