tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24281547475806308402024-03-05T09:27:12.828+00:00Sport 4 ThoughtFor up-to-date sports news and reviews from around the worldDom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-22379099629064841022013-02-15T07:19:00.000+00:002013-02-15T07:21:03.194+00:00Bullet In The Chamber Opens Fire<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">n the early hours of Thursday February 14th, Valentine’s Day, a young woman was brutally murdered by her boyfriend, receiving four fatal bullet wounds from a 9mm pistol in a domestic dispute, which ended in the direst of circumstances.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sense of shock surrounding the incident was intensely magnified as it emerged that both the victim and the suspect were world famous personalities within their relative fields, creating a huge sense of personal connection to the bizarre and deeply saddening events that took place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The suspect, Oscar Pistorius, is regarded among one of South Africa’s greatest icons, represented as a true sporting superstar, whose victory over adversity has given hope to millions worldwide.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Born without fibulae, he is a double amputee who, at just 26-years young, already owns six Paralympic gold medals, having set numerous world records along the way and is regarded as one of Nike’s biggest athletic clients.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The victim, Reeva Steenkamp, 29, was a South African model and celebrity, known as both an FHM cover girl and the face of cosmetics brand Avon...</span></div>
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<a href="http://wp.me/p2lrEN-bV" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read full article here: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://wp.me/p2lrEN-bV</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Written by Dom Wallace</span></div>
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Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-67128261739004177762013-01-17T17:00:00.000+00:002013-01-17T17:00:18.884+00:00EPL Bayernly Crossed My Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">On Wednesday, Pep Guardiola officially announced his agreement to take on the manager’s role at Bayern Munich at the end of the season, when current gaffer Jupp Heynckes, aged 67, retires.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The decision of the 41-year-old former Barcelona legend to sign a 3-year contract with last season’s Bundesliga runners-up has been met with shock, especially in England, where media hype had fans convinced his arrival on British soil was imminent.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, anyone with half a brain cell or a semi-respectable knowledge of the football industry will appreciate that Bayern Munich were the only club that Guardiola was ever interested in, for some painfully obvious reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, while Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness conceded, “Only a coach of Guardiola’s caliber came into consideration,” the feeling was entirely mutual on Guardiola’s behalf....</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">***Click </span><u><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/epl-bayernly-crossed-my-mind/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></u><span style="color: white;"> to read full article***</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace</span></div>
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Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-55797994134306365572013-01-17T16:39:00.001+00:002013-01-17T16:47:58.990+00:00<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">The </span><a href="http://www.sportfourthought.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">new Sport 4 Thought site</span></a><span style="color: white;"> is at: </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/usa-the-land-of-the-freeland/" style="background-color: black;" target="_blank">USA: The Land of the Freeland</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">As a 16-year old, Joel Freeland was a gangly English boy from Farnham, Surrey, who stacked shelves in Sainsbury’s and daydreamed about the special offers his future had in store. Unbeknown to him, less than a decade later, he would be signing a multi-million pound contract to play in the world’s most elite league of a sport he had never played.... </span><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/usa-the-land-of-the-freeland/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Continue reading>>>>>>>>></span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/five-famous-football-comebacks/" target="_blank">Five Famous Football Fightbacks</a></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday, an 87<sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup> minute Javier Hernandez header sparked scenes of elation for Manchester United and their 3,000-strong travelling support at Villa Park, as the visitors clawed back a two-goal deficit to defeat Aston Villa 3-2.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">The Mexican took his tally to seven goals in his last five appearances, clinically converting either side of a Ron Vlaar own goal, that Hernandez himself forced upon the Dutch centre-back. Andreas Weimann’s double sandwiching half-time, gave Villa a surprise, two-goal cushion, but with 40 minutes still remaining, United were far from dead and buried.... </span><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/five-famous-football-comebacks/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Continue reading>>>>>>>>></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/beckham-quits-la-galaxy/" target="_blank">Beckham Quits LA Galaxy</a></u></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Tuesday, David Beckham announced he will quit LA Galaxy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After six eventful years with the MLS outfit, the former England captain, 37, has announced his last game will be next Saturday, December 1<sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">st</sup> in the Major League Soccer Cup.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">Despite an option in his contract signed in January to stay for one more season, Beckham has opted to part ways with the club, although he refuses to close the door on a return to Major League Soccer in the future.... </span><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/beckham-quits-la-galaxy/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Continue Reading>>>>>>>>></span></a></span></div>
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Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-81164726798525724332012-10-28T01:28:00.001+01:002012-10-28T01:41:25.965+01:00Harrison Has To Hang Up Gloves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Audley Harrison MBE, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold in the superheavyweight division and the first boxer in Britain to sign a direct broadcast deal, was once regarded as the hottest British boxing prospect.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, anyone unfortunate enough to have witnessed the pathetic demise of Harrison in recent years will feel embarrassed to have ever held this man in such high regard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">The boxing industry is notoriously fickle, but Harrison’s latest defeat, a woeful display of ultimate cowardice, served to expose his true incapability and confirm the end of his career in the most dire of circumstances... </span><a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/harrison-has-to-hang-up-gloves/"><span style="color: blue;">>>>Continue Reading</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace</span></div>
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Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-86296830970858987582012-08-23T08:19:00.000+01:002012-08-23T08:24:13.852+01:00Football Needs Olympic Spirit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With the London 2012 Olympics labeled as a rip-roaring success, following an unforgettable fortnight of pure passion and physical poetry, we have been left with serious withdrawal symptoms. Despite the commencing of the new Premier League campaign, it is the Paralympics that everyone is now talking about.</div>
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At this year’s Olympic Games in London, Team GB accumulated a staggering total of 65 medals, 29 of which were gold, in what was undoubtedly their best Olympic performance ever. Sure, Britain boasted more medals at the 1908 Olympics, but they also accounted for a third of all athletes during the 6 month contest, including events such as tug-of-war and motorboating.</div>
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Following a fruitless first five days, once Helen Glover and Heather Stanning had secured Team GB’s premier gold medal of London 2012, heroes were born by the day, with the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Ben Ainslie, Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and even Mr. So Close But So Far himself, Andy Murray amongst the faces of fortune in the British camp.</div>
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Preceding the Olympics and aided by months of a typically self-destructive media, Great Britain had plummeted so far into a cesspit of self-loathing that calling the whole event off at the last minute seemed the only option to prevent falling even further from grace, if at all possible.</div>
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Over the previous 12 months, scandals surrounding MP’s expenses, banking, the Leveson Inquiry and of course rioting had left a nation, known for its stiff upper lip, with a quivering lower lip and numerous scars. An indication of severe self-harming.</div>
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However, against all odds, London 2012 managed to capture all that typifies the perfect Olympic Games. It was the unison of competitor and spectator. The relentless and unconditional support from each and every onlooker for those wonderfully brave enough to attempt to conquer their personal goals in front of a worldwide audience. The country each athlete represented faded into insignificance as the most incredible display of sportsmanship and mutual respect inspired all involved. <a href="http://sportfourthought.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/football-needs-olympic-spirit/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">Continue reading</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"> </span></span><span class="meta-nav" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">→</span></a></div>
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Written by Dom Wallace</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Sport 4 Thought</b></span></div>
Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-10576854736262212662012-08-10T16:29:00.001+01:002012-08-10T16:29:28.787+01:00NEW & IMPROVED SPORT 4 THOUGHT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIOds3FkG0kCrUrhVuoLo8i9LWOxZM2kvAPx0nJgsTgXTw3PPrjIp10DZQUErwFNdmnMPaEjZRCUUMsWw7gt8SymUV0ZRlRiGfH5Ato9wHxDxDQnDLhCFnLGfsTydgmu0e1_wqylNveVK/s1600/spt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIOds3FkG0kCrUrhVuoLo8i9LWOxZM2kvAPx0nJgsTgXTw3PPrjIp10DZQUErwFNdmnMPaEjZRCUUMsWw7gt8SymUV0ZRlRiGfH5Ato9wHxDxDQnDLhCFnLGfsTydgmu0e1_wqylNveVK/s200/spt5.jpg" width="148" /></a>ATTENTION!!!<br />
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BACK OF THE NET!!!</div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-74575380700182900842012-05-19T10:48:00.000+01:002012-05-19T10:50:39.892+01:00Ferguson's Age Causes Concern<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVMyVEcBR1MHs9OVOvbTMLMmQYMl8308tto5C-gP2udlyKTflGsp9dvlEtDgtPe6zQpQR60q2tHE6SApTn3cBkuL0GD-oXw7vIpVJ4KwDWmTg9wgfqI62UHahwQAbIM2XjSJYywCHQ6-F/s1600/af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVMyVEcBR1MHs9OVOvbTMLMmQYMl8308tto5C-gP2udlyKTflGsp9dvlEtDgtPe6zQpQR60q2tHE6SApTn3cBkuL0GD-oXw7vIpVJ4KwDWmTg9wgfqI62UHahwQAbIM2XjSJYywCHQ6-F/s1600/af.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fergie looking to the future</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The Premier
League season 2011/12 will be remembered as the most scintillating in English
top-flight football history, although it was undoubtedly a season Sir Alex
Ferguson would rather forget. As the media produces a cacophony of apparent
support in Roberto Mancini’s favour, despite having rallied wholeheartedly for
his removal just three weeks previous, the Manchester United faithful focus
their own spotlight on the man responsible for their club’s unrivalled success in
the last two decades. </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Originally
set to step down as manager in 2002, Ferguson has since scrapped two further
dates for his retirement, claiming, "Retirement is for young people... If
I get off the treadmill, where do you think I am going? Down there. Trust me.
When you get older, don't retire."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">No Manchester
United fan would dream of questioning Ferguson, yet those left shell-shocked by
the manner in which their ‘noisy neighbours’ stole their Premier League crown,
are understandably concerned at their recent inability to perform in big games.
Blame for inconsistent performances must fall on the players, but a closer
analysis of the tactics employed by the Red Devil’s boss raises questions of
their own.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAJ8AEKsSUCmKAow42UltvL-r60hYbQbeFoMzmh5d3jW8VdrtJyAFjzrDhbigJy49gkf_JJIz_FKiyQ7CEDVL1idkJmYBa47YDKrty5pxOkxZuPs1iPrKYZiy9ekKZXYn72SBi_vB-ctu/s1600/af5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAJ8AEKsSUCmKAow42UltvL-r60hYbQbeFoMzmh5d3jW8VdrtJyAFjzrDhbigJy49gkf_JJIz_FKiyQ7CEDVL1idkJmYBa47YDKrty5pxOkxZuPs1iPrKYZiy9ekKZXYn72SBi_vB-ctu/s1600/af5.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The famous night in Barcelona</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">A brief
history of England’s most successful domestic outfit is not complete without
mention of the likes of Best, Charlton, Law, Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Rooney.
These names illustrate a few examples of the ruthless attacking potency that has
defined United’s success – a club based on fast, direct, skilful offense,
bombarding defences with unrelenting waves of aggressive football.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">‘Ruthless’,
‘direct’ and ‘aggressive’ are indeed adjectives that many would have chosen to describe
Ferguson, especially in his earlier years, but at the ripe age of 70, the
Scotsman’s number two, Mike Phelan admits “He has mellowed out, definitely.”
The boss himself concedes, “</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I don't have any confrontations really, not
nowadays, although maybe when I was younger I would have.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Ferguson,
famous for recognising potential talent and moulding great teams over time, has
always had his personality firmly emblazoned on every side that has graced Old
Trafford. His never-say-die attitude has become a trait so dominant in each of
his creations that United are now renowned for scoring late goals to save and
win matches, such as the 2-1 Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich
in 1999 at the Camp Nou, owing to two injury-time goals.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbmQ7fn84toXyNoVpb9jk8LiYvp49g_mIdesRxLb9gvXoeB4jq1vnKvO5ZxghD9kJ-pajmY7LEU6nAdc8yU1cLc2oMNq2jQoEg9K56fmPAv8GUPst37hdiMj83LmSlzGEbwTStpCmi4cR/s1600/af4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbmQ7fn84toXyNoVpb9jk8LiYvp49g_mIdesRxLb9gvXoeB4jq1vnKvO5ZxghD9kJ-pajmY7LEU6nAdc8yU1cLc2oMNq2jQoEg9K56fmPAv8GUPst37hdiMj83LmSlzGEbwTStpCmi4cR/s1600/af4.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Too much on his shoulders?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As Ferguson
ages and his ability to become aggravated subsides, his tendency to err on the
side of caution dramatically increases, powerfully highlighted this season
through his choice of formation and tactics in numerous games, in which United
have failed to gain the result they required and were expected to achieve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In seven
key fixtures this season, Ferguson fielded a United team that boasted just one lone
striker, resulting in four defeats and three draws, causing their exit from Champions
League, F.A. Cup and Europa League competitions and directly effecting their
surrendering of the Premier League title:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Sep 27 Basel Champions League 3-3 Draw</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Oct 15 Liverpool Premier League 1-1 Draw</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Nov 22 Benfica Champions League 2-2 Draw</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Dec 07 Basel Champions League 2-1 Loss</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Jan 28 Liverpool F.A. Cup 2-1 Loss</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Mar 15 Ath.
Bilbao Europa League 2-1 Loss</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Apr 30 Man
City Premier League 1-0 Loss</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">United have
won countless trophies in the past, operating a tried and trusted 4-4-2
formation, allowing two strikers to work together, forming a lethal partnership
and running opposition defences ragged, exemplified by combinations of: Bobby
Charlton - George Best, Mark Hughes - Eric Cantona, Dwight Yorke - Andy Cole, Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer - Teddy Sheringham and Wayne Rooney - Cristiano Ronaldo.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBWtGqji4fra95EQUc5i911iov9VkH3jbnCotfLVm2g04-99NeFZm5HRBn1pPJGSTESm71W4WiiIK_Mqw8qARtOjpPTLr8ZJkJEwbbaHFX1cXzwMzzL2JMgt-EDsEQuqlGWL3AcEASSf1/s1600/af6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBWtGqji4fra95EQUc5i911iov9VkH3jbnCotfLVm2g04-99NeFZm5HRBn1pPJGSTESm71W4WiiIK_Mqw8qARtOjpPTLr8ZJkJEwbbaHFX1cXzwMzzL2JMgt-EDsEQuqlGWL3AcEASSf1/s1600/af6.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">United legends</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">However, in
recent seasons, Ferguson has felt the need to play a lone striker in United’s
big games, in a move that signifies a lack of belief in his team’s ability to
overpower their opposition. The only successful operation of a lone striker
policy arises when the chosen forward is exceptionally tall and able to win
every aerial battle, or outstandingly fast, capable of breaking offside traps
and running around defenders. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In Rooney,
United have a wonderfully talented player, but one that is neither especially
tall, nor particularly quick, yet, Ferguson insists on forcing his most talented
asset to play a role he is entirely unsuited for. Rooney is a world-class
striker who has shown through electric partnerships with Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano
Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez that he can
expertly dictate games against even the classiest of opposition.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To strip
Rooney of a striking partner is to remove The Hulk of his anger – it
significantly reduces any threat that he may otherwise pose. For United, this
has led to opposition teams being given a free ride in defence, confident that
four men could always outrun or out-jump the England international.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBJ1-vsYBCvTmLKXL4wRGSHRH1EspNx4tK0kGBDtUjHMYd8f4Qpjr5AaSVkawYdUxHTD86Raz7vUaF-z7uJNh6UOmAzFAVZkjEY_tzv88bizmUMmWJXS7h3yaaGEEcrzhIQx5OIP8ZXzd/s1600/af3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBJ1-vsYBCvTmLKXL4wRGSHRH1EspNx4tK0kGBDtUjHMYd8f4Qpjr5AaSVkawYdUxHTD86Raz7vUaF-z7uJNh6UOmAzFAVZkjEY_tzv88bizmUMmWJXS7h3yaaGEEcrzhIQx5OIP8ZXzd/s1600/af3.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will the power shift be temporary?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In Ferguson’s
defence, the modern game has evolved and we are currently in an era where possession
of the ball is more important than ever before, as so flawlessly exhibited by
Barcelona and the European and World Cup Champions, Spain. Increased numbers of
teams flood the midfield in an attempt to retain possession in a Muhammad
Ali-esque tactic, which focuses on tiring the opposition, both mentally and
physically, before launching scathing attacks. When playing superior opponents,
who are masters of the art of ball retention, it becomes necessary to match
their numbers in midfield and for this reason, we witness a growing popularity
of a lone striker formation.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">United
supporters must also appreciate that having never replaced Ronaldo or Tevez,
that they are not the force they once were. In relying on players in their late
30’s, such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who lack pace, there is always a
vunerability in the midfield. This is often accounted for through use of an
extra holding midfielder, at the expense of a striker and although Michael
Carrick had his best season for United, when comparing any of this trio to a
player of Yaya Toure’s ability, the gulf in class is all too apparent. In any
case, the best form of defence is attack.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">United followers
will be hurt by their loss this season, but given City played the better
football, they will be more concerned by the manner in which they seemed to
surrender their apparent stronghold on the title. Playing a midfield five at
the Etihad of Giggs, Scholes, Carrick, Park and Nani, against City’s 4-4-2,
Ferguson made a shocking error of judgement. Only Nani boasts any pace, though himself
and Park had a mere three starts between them in the previous ten outings. The
likes of United’s most in-form stars in Valencia, Young and Welbeck, who all offer
speed in abundance, languished on the bench as the one striker policy provided
City with 90 minutes of unanswered domination. In essence, Ferguson played for
the draw and was punished for doing so. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QIp_eqozhmlOClaW_sXAMKitd-RLjP030PnAHkB0EZ9ww0KEToXNuh9AJvTmr8fPwzkfupBuM1Y9rcyd6P265vh75UDhR5o3dnxzgWsrwKOkTK-ZssgCOqfDWm5XGuEZ6dueKhxdY4zL/s1600/af2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QIp_eqozhmlOClaW_sXAMKitd-RLjP030PnAHkB0EZ9ww0KEToXNuh9AJvTmr8fPwzkfupBuM1Y9rcyd6P265vh75UDhR5o3dnxzgWsrwKOkTK-ZssgCOqfDWm5XGuEZ6dueKhxdY4zL/s1600/af2.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The young, ruthless Ferguson</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">If you pose
no attacking threat to your opposition, there is only one possible outcome. Being
beaten by a better team holds no shame, but failing to play for victory is a
sin at any level, especially for Manchester United, one of Europe’s elite empires.
A sin that a young Ferguson side would never make.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">With
Manchester United enduring their first barren season since 2004/05, the future
looks uncertain at Old Trafford. Manchester City fans are quick to suggest this
is the end of an era for the red half of Manchester, though only a fool would
fail to recognise this is hopeful optimism. United still hold a strong squad,
thriving with young talent and their narrow failure this season will undoubtedly
result in significant summer signings.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">However, personnel
aside, the real key to United’s response lies not in the hands of Sir Alex
Ferguson, but in his head. The lack of confidence in his players’ ability was
all too apparent this season, epitomised by his negative tactics. If he is to mastermind a comeback, as he has done
on so many occasions before, he must take heed of the Manchester United motto
and once again ‘Believe’.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-16336797603444600922012-05-04T02:39:00.000+01:002012-05-04T02:46:53.292+01:00Aussie Rules For Me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i>Sport 4 Thought guest writer Andrew Hatch goes down under to investigate what makes Australian Rules Football so wildly popular. </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;"><i>A special report from the MCG, Melbourne.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;"><b>I landed in Australia four
weeks ago but only truly arrived this Saturday. </b></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The first weekend I was
here it was suggested that I go see a game of ‘footy’ at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground (MCG). The game I was meant to see was the season opener between
Richmond and Carlton but it fell through for one reason or another. I would
have to wait another 3 weeks before I finally got my first taste. </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So on Saturday the 21<sup>st</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of April I was going to see Carlton,
who I was told had made a blistering start to the season and were expected to
challenge for the title, play Essendon: a mid-table team who would be lucky to
escape without suffering an embarrassing defeat. This as you can imagine meant
nothing to me because since missing that first game a few weeks earlier I
hadn’t paid the slightest bit of attention to the AFL, the game was nothing but
a curiosity to me and if I’m honest I just wanted to see inside the MCG.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As a kid my only memories
of ‘footy’ were seeing a bit of Aussie Rules on Channel 4’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Trans
World Sport</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>early on
a Saturday morning before<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Going Live</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>came on the other channel. This weird
game played out on a gigantic, circular pitch befuddled me. Why were they
allowed to use their hands? Why were there no nets in the goals? Why did they
not have sleeves?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDUJYORGOV5IWyaFQj1H-RfjZBeB9-Q7RzePExAh2GfjuUFr2fwJsUJ_m5kMtwHuwkofaMPmFPUxsueQyR-NWxatbsvYEYHGcCOSEFga5tJGxfbbkhkwhtvxTnEBnwz_H91LzJk6_QPes/s1600/images-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDUJYORGOV5IWyaFQj1H-RfjZBeB9-Q7RzePExAh2GfjuUFr2fwJsUJ_m5kMtwHuwkofaMPmFPUxsueQyR-NWxatbsvYEYHGcCOSEFga5tJGxfbbkhkwhtvxTnEBnwz_H91LzJk6_QPes/s1600/images-13.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;">In the pub, (a strip bar
naturally) before the game</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"> I looked around and saw (besides the topless barmaids) Carlton
fans mixing with Essendon fans. No sign of aggro, no sign of any kind of
tension. Two sets of fans relaxing, drinking, talking. Nothing weird about that
is there? Except for an English football fan there is a bit. Around Old
Trafford there are ‘home pubs’ and ‘away pubs’. It’s not quite like Glasgow
where a Celtic fan would be lucky to escape from a Rangers pub with his nose
still attached to his face and vice-versa, but still, you won’t see many away
fans, garbed fully in their team’s colours mind, mingling jovially with the
home support. I asked my Aussie friend who the home side were; it doesn’t
really work that way with footy, he told me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Almost everything that
came up in our discussions leading up to the game was related back to the Premier
League in some way, partly to make the alien subject matter clearer to me and
partly to manage my expectations of the game. ‘It’s not like in the Premier
League’ was quickly established as the phrase of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“How many can we expect
there to be in the MCG today then?” I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“There’ll be a big crowd,
maybe 80,000, but the atmosphere won’t be anything like in the Premier League,”
he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“It’s a big pitch for the
players to cover, is the game all stop-start like rugby?” I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Oh no the game is quick,
but it’s not like what you’re used to in the Premier League.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDn3o0IG2FZ6pFvSoz3G50tZ2CE3_fhd0xrteXaKYjrNGYMGrLzzhenSqcyJRUkXlgISz9-ypyew4rFNgeGN2QVcluIjcUsnMl7OG27FvBD41LkIYjfk3MA4aDI8GzCJWCheL6USGyYk1/s1600/images-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDn3o0IG2FZ6pFvSoz3G50tZ2CE3_fhd0xrteXaKYjrNGYMGrLzzhenSqcyJRUkXlgISz9-ypyew4rFNgeGN2QVcluIjcUsnMl7OG27FvBD41LkIYjfk3MA4aDI8GzCJWCheL6USGyYk1/s1600/images-14.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So we approached the
stadium, brushing past whole families wearing Carlton shirts, Essendon shirts
and even a few Liverpool and Manchester United shirts thrown in for good
measure too, with my expectation level well and truly managed. We shuffled past
numerous statues of Australian sports luminaries, the majority of which
I hadn't heard of, save for Don Bradman and finally got to our gate,
which is when I got my first sight of the stadium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve been to some giant
stadia before: the old Wembley in London,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Cardiff's Millennium Stadium
and of course Old Trafford in Manchester but I have to say that the Melbourne
Cricket Ground is the biggest, grandest, most dramatic stadium I have ever seen.
The sounds were equally impressive, both sets of fans (seated together) were
getting warmed up and in terrific voice creating not so much a wall of sound
but thanks to the stadium’s bowl shape, more of an enormous ball of sound that
seemed to swell and linger on the pitch and could find no means of escape. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Never mind ‘not like the
Premier League’, this was better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Immediately I knew that
this game, this strange hybrid of football and rugby, would compel me. And I
was right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV4XuC0LORpbfBOB-oLh_NgqINmqjNTDbh_VFfZh8zzBtA0YGpM32sINW5Auyu5bZnBkUJOKmZDeAVaqZ-bIqxVwCj5hSVWI5f0RSkQYOqe7HIZDLoIgn-ube6npvIOYbjmwRm62mTw5g/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV4XuC0LORpbfBOB-oLh_NgqINmqjNTDbh_VFfZh8zzBtA0YGpM32sINW5Auyu5bZnBkUJOKmZDeAVaqZ-bIqxVwCj5hSVWI5f0RSkQYOqe7HIZDLoIgn-ube6npvIOYbjmwRm62mTw5g/s1600/images-10.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">From the first siren I was
impressed by the athleticism of these players. They sprint and leap and twist
and turn with such ferocity and under such immense pressure. You think it’s
impressive how Xavi engineers space, giving himself time to play his pass
perfectly? Then you ought to see for yourself how quickly these men can receive
the ball (more often than not at terribly awkward heights), find a teammate and
offload it (in the legal manner: ‘knocking’ the ball with the fist) before two
or three hulking men come crashing down on them. And have you ever tried
sprinting whilst bouncing a rugby ball on the ground every 15 metres like
you’re playing basketball? Not easy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyone who knows me knows
I’m not a huge fan of rugby. I've been to a few Premiership games
before, but the game just never grabbed me. I find the reliance on brute
strength and physical attributes disheartening and prefer my winners to be the
ones who were more wily, more creative on the day, not just simply faster,
stronger or fitter (hence why I prefer the technique of a Federer to prevail
over the brawn of a Nadal, the guile of a Barcelona to the dull, if determined,
discipline of a Chelsea). I appreciate there are nuances to the game, that in my
ignorance I do not understand and intricacies in skill that I just cannot see,
but I will never be a fan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSvvaSYzjbnvXXvXOLCIbVh2bocxay-GzV8yn2aDVZLJ4pF021fcBsMkMvnfrP_pwz7zVk4xPDjfjfiM6losBwLYI_DGSCT-6OxkyTceh3gtnJ9IguwEYiNdNDwh0jkcKciiw4Rmbh7AQ/s1600/images-12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSvvaSYzjbnvXXvXOLCIbVh2bocxay-GzV8yn2aDVZLJ4pF021fcBsMkMvnfrP_pwz7zVk4xPDjfjfiM6losBwLYI_DGSCT-6OxkyTceh3gtnJ9IguwEYiNdNDwh0jkcKciiw4Rmbh7AQ/s1600/images-12.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I expected ‘footy’ to be
more like rugby than like football. I expected the physical attributes of the
players to have more of a bearing on the outcome than their wit and skill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I actually found was
that ‘footy’ is almost the exact half-way point between rugby and football. It
is required for the players to be on the whole tall, muscular, quick on their
feet and tough, but at the same time I can not imagine, having seen this game
first hand, a player succeeding at the top level without being able to marry
these attributes to nimble hands and an exceedingly quick mind. It can appear
at times as if they are merely playing hot potato but when you take a look at
the wider picture and see the intricately set out patterns of the players and
the almost telepathic knowledge of where their teammates should be positioned,
it’s pretty obvious that there’s more to it than that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even the referees are
athletic in this game. They need to be. The way they throw the ball back into
the pitch when it has gone out of touch is amazing. They stand on the touchline
with their back to the pitch, swing the ball low between their legs and fling
it as hard and high as they can over their head, a sort of backwards tossing
the caber motion. Most of the refs in the Premier League would put their backs
out trying it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlaFo3jZdWU5RJmY32TnvkpFP2Uq_h8KoOhCmAdaOhFx-wnVtklTaunex5Q201yG0nlQpIq6aVDgNUNIDqnKodYOilg8r9dJpD_h4rte3oSexg5YXyF-VJHm4LBjz4gg1XAG9U8Sv5ul/s1600/images-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlaFo3jZdWU5RJmY32TnvkpFP2Uq_h8KoOhCmAdaOhFx-wnVtklTaunex5Q201yG0nlQpIq6aVDgNUNIDqnKodYOilg8r9dJpD_h4rte3oSexg5YXyF-VJHm4LBjz4gg1XAG9U8Sv5ul/s1600/images-9.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I needed no more
comparisons with the Premier League to be made once the game got under way.
There were passages of play remarkably similar to those you might see in a
football match with intricate one-twos being played, play being switched from
one flank to the other, through balls being kicked in behind defences. At one
point I even noticed how high the Carlton defence were up the pitch and
remarked to my friend how dangerous that was given the pace Essendon’s forwards
had displayed. My prophecy instantly came true and Carlton were hit on the
counter attack on more than one occasion and trailed at half time. I felt right
at home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I expected the game, due
to the size of the pitch (2.8 times the size of a regulation association
football pitch), to be played out at a relatively sedate pace. It was not. It
was fast, intense, frenzied action for each of the four 30 minute quarters.
Towards the end of the last quarter, some of the players were visibly tiring
but only indulged in putting their hands on their knees or behind their heads
during breaks in play. It was astounding stuff really. The fitness levels of
these players is nothing short of freakish. Carlos Tevez would have needed more
than a few run outs with the reserves to get up to speed in this game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSkEMwqbxDig9yWtbanRGEryrpbYyc_pMFEOYz6ib8aMBLwap9xsBs8ba5-gbjrlux6Wh-ovgSVOgrVTCymqOTKTCsGEKUU4HtaSJYFhgA201ts3WjW9ZqEpDFf67P7FrGwVqHNr-P-2W/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSkEMwqbxDig9yWtbanRGEryrpbYyc_pMFEOYz6ib8aMBLwap9xsBs8ba5-gbjrlux6Wh-ovgSVOgrVTCymqOTKTCsGEKUU4HtaSJYFhgA201ts3WjW9ZqEpDFf67P7FrGwVqHNr-P-2W/s1600/images-4.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was a moment where
the referee felt it necessary to refer to a video. The footage required was
shown on the big screen, high up in the stadium’s massive third tier and within
quite literally three seconds he’d blown his whistle, made the call and the
game was gotten on with. Another lesson to be learnt for the Premier League?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The game finished in a
sound defeat for Carlton. Essendon’s supporters were delirious. The stadium
rocked with noise. I was hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This game, which began
largely as a regional passion for Victorians, quickly outgrew it’s native state
to encompass the whole of Australia, evolving from the Victorian Football
League (VFL) into it’s current guise as the Australian Football League (AFL) in
1990. With the right backing, perhaps similar to that which saw the Football
League morph into the behemoth that became the Premier League in 1992, who is
to say that this hugely entertaining game couldn’t one day prove every bit as popular?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve already asked my
friend for tickets to the next Carlton match.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Written by Andrew Hatch</span></span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-6014270375077206782012-04-18T19:26:00.000+01:002012-04-18T19:28:15.514+01:00A Conversation About: The Bahrain Grand Prix<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgRkhLIOyItwJObtV4QC62WbCW8P3n6aOkz3KiEGETX_uUBZK0Wy2iPPurHHSY7Bn2Ne2tnF_cJrccFzJB9tzN72ZSdta0JskWwmGj-tbH4AOZ3yUWCY-ADgszkFwMr09rPQxiXeu7GLO/s1600/f14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgRkhLIOyItwJObtV4QC62WbCW8P3n6aOkz3KiEGETX_uUBZK0Wy2iPPurHHSY7Bn2Ne2tnF_cJrccFzJB9tzN72ZSdta0JskWwmGj-tbH4AOZ3yUWCY-ADgszkFwMr09rPQxiXeu7GLO/s1600/f14.jpeg" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They’ve got penguins in Melbourne. I’m walking along this rocky
outcrop, stretching a hundred yards out to sea to get to where they nest and I
finally get to this wooden gangway where you can see them up close. There are
signs saying, ‘No flash photography – use infra-red instead; penguins don’t
recognise the colour red’ and ‘Don’t climb onto the rocks – this is a nature
reserve’ etcetera etcetera. I turn to see this Frenchman climbing onto the
rocks with a massive camera hanging from his neck...</span></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There’s a murmur of discontent. “He’d better not use his
flash,” people are saying. “I can’t believe he’s climbed over the railing,”
someone else says. He sets his camera down on a rock, puts it on a timer and
crawls right up to a little penguin. The camera goes off with a massive white
flash, the penguin dives off the rocks into the sea and everyone starts yelling
at the Frenchman; “You tosser! Look what you’ve done!” Then there’s this big
commotion because someone in a luminous yellow jacket wades through the crowd
and gets the Frenchman to go with her, so I’m left mostly alone with the
penguins. I thought I’d seen everything, but then one of them starts talking to
me about the FIA’s decision to go ahead with next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix
no less.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “What do
you make of it all then?” he goes to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “It seems a
strange decision,” I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I know.”
He’s standing as still as a statue, looking off into the distance. “It seems
like a highly provocative move, to hold it whilst there is still civil unrest
there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Provocative
in what way exactly?” I ask looking around me for the penguin that was
frightened away by the Frenchman’s flash.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Don’t
worry about Larry,” the penguin says, reading my body language or perhaps my
thoughts, “he’s fine. The flashes don’t really bother us that much, we just
jump off in protest, like when someone coughs and splutters exaggeratedly when
someone lights a cigarette in a public place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh, okay.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7whZFtCqKwdkE-8yFoZ2_A7JEw3Sl6hQR-Bm7Ooix5IGbZLGjcRK-zKf_1OmrxIXVfNA0hRwiLc_AC0hJ9zlJ65GGXlNVgkQYC0YVmgJ9M-dXu8mITS6mUPMIHYOyH2-zKiDE-V2vtqZh/s1600/f1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7whZFtCqKwdkE-8yFoZ2_A7JEw3Sl6hQR-Bm7Ooix5IGbZLGjcRK-zKf_1OmrxIXVfNA0hRwiLc_AC0hJ9zlJ65GGXlNVgkQYC0YVmgJ9M-dXu8mITS6mUPMIHYOyH2-zKiDE-V2vtqZh/s1600/f1.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Anyway, what
I mean is that it will surely be seen by protestors as triumphalism on the
government’s behalf. It’s highly likely that this event, which is obviously so critical
to the government because it shows the watching world that everything in
Bahrain is operating as usual, is going to stoke the already healthy flame
of anger amongst protestors because
everything ultimately is <i>not </i>operating
as usual. There is an insurrection taking place on the island and the people
responsible for starting and upholding it at great cost, have a right to have
that fact acknowledged and respected, not swept under the gleaming asphalt of a
Formula One track. For heaven’s sake there was an explosion in the capital of Manama as recently as
Thursday.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So do you
think that they might turn up and do something dangerous at the event to show
how angry they are?” I ask. The penguin rotates his skull through 360 degrees
like an owl and says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “No of
course not, security will be far too comprehensive for anything like that to
happen. But that isn’t my concern.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “What is
your concern then?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “That the
FIA’s decision to go ahead has shown an utterly vulgar disregard for the plight
of the Bahrainis and their quest for human rights. I believe sportsmen and
sports organisations as public figures have an obligation to demonstrate
support to causes such as this and by choosing to ignore the protests, or at
least play them down, they have ignored the population of the kingdom at large
that is campaigning bloodily to secure fairer and better standards of living
for their people.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “That’s
quite a strong opinion for a fairy penguin,” I say stunned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh God,
don’t get me started on the whole ‘fairy’ issue,” the penguin says before
continuing, “in any case, I think it shows the FIA to be a morally dubious
organisation to say the least. They run the risk now of alienating a whole
generation of fans who are morally alert and tuned in, thanks to social media
and more fashionable news outlets, not only to the Bahraini uprising, but other
such causes all over the world.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j_eqdmXHmxSdOaen_tz9k0NW0fItndLMcSyzcHR6EldWrjQgeS9ib2YdiO0MSJk3tn5EnN_J17v7a9gROXF9n71uukkfs023bSIVBVSwsEuP_DteLq23zHDzroruJX6DUk7nK7CvUVSG/s1600/f12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j_eqdmXHmxSdOaen_tz9k0NW0fItndLMcSyzcHR6EldWrjQgeS9ib2YdiO0MSJk3tn5EnN_J17v7a9gROXF9n71uukkfs023bSIVBVSwsEuP_DteLq23zHDzroruJX6DUk7nK7CvUVSG/s1600/f12.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I guess I
see what you’re saying.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“It’s just preposterous; they
cancelled the 2011 race and since then protests have hardly let up in terms of
frequency or ferocity so why go ahead in 2012? It’s like throwing a dinner
party and just as the doorbell rings to signal that the first guests have
arrived, you push the noisy kids down into the basement, lock the door and when
someone says they hear a banging sound, you tell them it’s just the old boiler
acting up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Good analogy,” I say. The
penguin flaps his useless wings by his side. Up and down, up and down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Yes and imagine how upset the
kids are going to be when they’re eventually allowed out again.” A Chinese
couple appear next to me and snap a few photos of the penguin, who goes quiet
until they move on. “Have you ever read Nineteen-Eighty-Four?” he asks me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“What?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “It’s a
novel.” He tells me, as he rummages his beak in his fluffy white belly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m not
really into books,” I admit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Well,
anyway, this whole Bahrain Grand Prix thing has reminded me of that book, with
the almost wholesale denial of what is really taking place there. I mean the
official slogan for the race is <i>‘Unified
– One nation in celebration’</i>. Isn’t that terrifying? Doesn’t that just send
shivers up your spine? The nation of Bahrain couldn’t possibly be less unified.
It’s positively Orwellian.” This is all going a bit over my head so I say to
him:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “And what
about the drivers? Have they had anything to say about it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Well, the
only commentary you get about it in the media comes from the angle of: <i>Will there be a disruption? Will anything
happen at the race?</i> So, naturally, the only comments you get from drivers
and teams are about safety. Red Bull, for instance, has commented only so far
as to say that they will be heightening their security for the weekend. Other
than that, the drivers and teams have remained pretty quiet about it –
something else that might well be interpreted by the more conspiratorial
observer as Orwellian.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZeM2eqmCphCLXBANl0P5i1naiNXd3_jFvcum-kQ6VG2PGKAfMjuZeD1pG70X4Cj8k27Rk-KRDWYK1AjrVpgqzG_j4lM8EqBz-6z8GR979ec9yT51z-BsBXtbrBGZHSkio30CG3yl4suO/s1600/bernie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZeM2eqmCphCLXBANl0P5i1naiNXd3_jFvcum-kQ6VG2PGKAfMjuZeD1pG70X4Cj8k27Rk-KRDWYK1AjrVpgqzG_j4lM8EqBz-6z8GR979ec9yT51z-BsBXtbrBGZHSkio30CG3yl4suO/s1600/bernie.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Right,” I
say, which is what I say when I don’t understand something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Bernie Ecclestone
has been readily vocal on the subject, saying that it is no different than
holding a race in China.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “How isn’t
it any different?” I ask. The penguin throws his wings up to the sky in a very
human display of vexation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “He’s
basically saying that there is a human rights struggle going on in China also and
he’s right, there is a human rights struggle going on in China and there has
been for many years. But, there are two issues I have with this comment. One:
the struggle in China is
nowhere near as concentrated as the one in Bahrain right now and to compare
the two as he did shows a terrible lack of political awareness. And two: in
that case, they should have shown the Chinese people their support by choosing
to boycott their grand prix. Ecclestone said that “F1 cannot be political” but
he is so far off the mark with this particular comment, that he’s practically
on another planet. F1 can and indeed is proving to be very political. Not in
the sense that you’re ever going to see Jenson Button outside the Houses of
Parliament lobbying over petrol tax in his racing gear, but in the sense that
its very presence, or absence, in a given country can be fairly construed as a
political act in itself.” The penguin has worked himself up a bit, so I let him
cool off. He waddles from foot to foot and then settles in the same position as
before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Bernie is
an old man though isn’t he?” I say earning a scornful glare from the penguin.
“That’s not to say I’m defending him,” I quickly add.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Ecclestone
said he’d be “very surprised if we have any problems” at the race next weekend
but he’s missed the point entirely. He’s not only missed the point, he’s also
missed an opportunity to represent his sport in a positive light, as an example
to the ruling royal family of the gulf kingdom that their riches can’t always
buy the outcome they desire.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I feel
sorry for the drivers,” I say with my head bowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “How come?”
the penguin asks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtP9-mqrcHohaGG-OoS03Ckz0RJXlHFJl9KW_iKHxg8ZTaZWEDaoQJXmJBPJJkrTpmTdSeLSeG2oEpegcvnws3NUXJqTjOADTT-qcvFKyrhsJVStNDQIMlb-ilMT4oIILHci9lfD1oLK8/s1600/f13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtP9-mqrcHohaGG-OoS03Ckz0RJXlHFJl9KW_iKHxg8ZTaZWEDaoQJXmJBPJJkrTpmTdSeLSeG2oEpegcvnws3NUXJqTjOADTT-qcvFKyrhsJVStNDQIMlb-ilMT4oIILHci9lfD1oLK8/s1600/f13.jpeg" /></a> “Well
imagine how ashamed they’re going to feel rolling into Bahrain with their millions and
their loud cars and bright colours whilst all <i>that</i> is going on outside the perimeter fence. It’d be like going to
a funeral with a boom box on your shoulder playing S Club 7’s greatest hits
full blast.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Good
analogy,” the penguin says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Thanks.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Will you
be watching the race then?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Don’t
think I can after talking to you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just at that moment a camera bulb flashes right behind me. I
turn around to scold the photographer but they look Chinese and I can’t expect
that they’re able to read the signs. When I turn back the penguin is gone,
jumped off in protest, and I know then that the conversation is over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Andrew Hatch </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-40829283540542349502012-04-17T07:16:00.005+01:002012-04-18T02:39:17.964+01:00Goal-Line Technology Not Welcome in Football<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMeXA5VOdpJVaSKwqRy7zV8mqfrqpbhYVMSPV-ZYPTuAkayYciaa_jWU1bbe09PdmLeSmHpow9kKLuspXiVv8uxq52uDM-QF_dv7Tbd0ZbJwl4uvFz354DOoHQNMhVDtu9G05_bFgDNKV/s1600/goal-line.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMeXA5VOdpJVaSKwqRy7zV8mqfrqpbhYVMSPV-ZYPTuAkayYciaa_jWU1bbe09PdmLeSmHpow9kKLuspXiVv8uxq52uDM-QF_dv7Tbd0ZbJwl4uvFz354DOoHQNMhVDtu9G05_bFgDNKV/s1600/goal-line.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">F.A. Cup confusion</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The debate
surrounding goal-line technology in football has surfaced once again, following
a phantom goal during Chelsea’s F.A. Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham at
Wembley on Sunday. At the time of the goal, The Blues held a slender 1-0 lead,
but following the absurd refereeing blunder, they went on to complete a 5-1
demolition of a bemused and bewildered Spurs side. As predicted, many of
football’s greats, past and present, took to their social networking sites of
choice to air their grievances regarding the latest high-profile controversy,
as the introduction of goal-line technology appears increasingly imminent.</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">But, would
this really improve the game of football?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As stated in Law 10 ‘The Method of Scoring’ on page 32
of the official FIFA ‘Laws of the Game’ manual: “</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">A goal is
scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the
goalposts and under the crossbar.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">At present, this is a judgement call made by
the referee and assistant referee, whose view is potentially obscured by
players, leading to the belief that introducing technology would eradicate such
issues.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">FIFA is
currently testing two potential camera-based methods, including ‘Smart Ball’
and ‘Hawk-Eye’. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The former
refers to balls equipped with censors and magnetic fields around the goal to
give a real-time verdict on whether or not the ball has crossed the line.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2oIh3kvM8k2p-qnfiMaOgtAiaaac2pUocsGxxOeKmF4pf1xhe4s8y3sjyfCRnu69AxxYuGVuRHMG0v9jdoGmb6cFEee0TuqEUwaKFQBNTK_dtlfG-_qEvtlUHxy1PvoQDRVKslr9J5yQ/s1600/goal-line2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2oIh3kvM8k2p-qnfiMaOgtAiaaac2pUocsGxxOeKmF4pf1xhe4s8y3sjyfCRnu69AxxYuGVuRHMG0v9jdoGmb6cFEee0TuqEUwaKFQBNTK_dtlfG-_qEvtlUHxy1PvoQDRVKslr9J5yQ/s1600/goal-line2.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lampard out of luck</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">A similar
system was trialled by FIFA in 2005 and discarded upon learning of just a 95
percent accuracy rate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The latter
system uses triangulation, through six high-speed cameras, only needing to
observe 25 percent of the ball to determine its location, overcoming the
concern of players blocking the line of vision. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">However, this
is not real-time and would therefore require stoppages in play for disputed
incidents. Cost of installation has also been estimated at £250,000 for each
stadium to utilise such technology. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In this instance, a greater divide between
the Premier League and the lower leagues would be created, an act which would
be frowned upon by those unable to afford such facilities. It seems difficult to
justify the costs of implementation for a scenario which is relatively rare.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">True, most
big-money sports in the modern era take advantage of technology to aid decision
making, including finish line calls in horse racing, swimming and athletics.
Cricket and tennis both use Hawk-Eye for in-line judgements, whilst rugby
employs video referees for dubious try decisions. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To many
general sports fans, football may appear to have been left in the dark ages,
but all dedicated football fans will appreciate the one resounding difference between
their favoured discipline and the others mentioned above.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWSYvQ1IteNidDH8u_FYlZzyY5QihVKglaOtymkdolkGDHLsFaUCK5JGk7WQzIdgw80fxZaEDxYGGjZ0jihoEd7BqR5Y7gEW4Js1M587ukdakWm-38SADowT2AGguHlEoSw9o4X9k8dSY/s1600/goal-line5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWSYvQ1IteNidDH8u_FYlZzyY5QihVKglaOtymkdolkGDHLsFaUCK5JGk7WQzIdgw80fxZaEDxYGGjZ0jihoEd7BqR5Y7gEW4Js1M587ukdakWm-38SADowT2AGguHlEoSw9o4X9k8dSY/s1600/goal-line5.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Keeper 'saves' a goal</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Football is
the only non-stop sport, whereby breaks in play are few and far between and the
very ethos of the game is based on hard, fast, flowing action. To introduce
lengthy stoppages, interrupting the natural rhythm of the game, would be to
remove the heartbeat of a sport which has survived perfectly well throughout
the ages, without the need for such inclusion.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The most
famous case in recent history occurred in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,
when Frank Lampard’s 20-yard strike was judged not to have crossed the line,
despite video replays showing the ball was a foot over the chalk. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Sure, England
had reason to feel hard done by, but the fact remains, they were horrendously outclassed
and convincingly defeated 4-1 by much classier opponents. So, rather than being a
decision that changed the outcome of England’s World Cup fortunes, it became an
event that was used as a scapegoat to mask England’s lack of talent.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Similarly, on
Sunday, Tottenham were equally unlucky to have a goal awarded against them,
which never crossed the line. But, despite Chelsea scoring on four other occasions,
in an impressive 5-1 rout, it was the irrelevance of the goal that never was,
which stole the headlines.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As with these
two instances, there would be little to no overall change of the successes and
failures in the football world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwuY45BJBXQrV8L0LLtssKgyrvs-rcHPO8InaxDekJsaV-uT9dYkSjQykqiaN9cNJeEPHHuDPO-gMQoS-B7R1ZI4IBuFSakmL4mFeghLN0WUHoAh7NealdTs8nX3WRR1WpmQs1nGkoQst/s1600/goal-lin9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwuY45BJBXQrV8L0LLtssKgyrvs-rcHPO8InaxDekJsaV-uT9dYkSjQykqiaN9cNJeEPHHuDPO-gMQoS-B7R1ZI4IBuFSakmL4mFeghLN0WUHoAh7NealdTs8nX3WRR1WpmQs1nGkoQst/s1600/goal-lin9.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 1966 World Cup Final</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The one major
argument in favour of goal-line technology is justice. The problem being, the use
of technology for one scenario creates inconsistencies in others.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">For example, a
referee may possess the power and knowledge to award a goal after confirming,
through video replay, that the ball has crossed the line. Yet, if the corner
that lead to the goal should never have been given, because video replays show
the defender never touched the ball, it is impossible to claim justice in this
situation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The only way
to achieve real justice throughout football is through the total use of
computerised, video-assisted, robotic referees for every single decision, including
throw-ins, free-kicks, corners, goal-kicks, penalties and goals causing
uncountable stoppages and the complete death of the game. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Yes, sometimes
humans get decisions wrong and sometimes they go in your teams favour and
sometimes they do not, but this is part of the game. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Genuine football fans
would agree that half the enjoyment of being a spectator, is the debates that
ensue over the referee’s big calls. As the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter,
claimed, “Fans love to debate any given incident in a game. It is part of the
human nature of sport.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWxeHcm6YWJSDROcQFVuZh-SnHNVdpLz7kds1yoSAptoxMNnVVai3Zd57jNaJ5c90BuYLVyXgxAHIzChgmaFj6in_KT8lUiKh5L70ayqkjWqt_35okJAZY77SBN66bi872WZkLPQCBIdA/s1600/goal-line6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWxeHcm6YWJSDROcQFVuZh-SnHNVdpLz7kds1yoSAptoxMNnVVai3Zd57jNaJ5c90BuYLVyXgxAHIzChgmaFj6in_KT8lUiKh5L70ayqkjWqt_35okJAZY77SBN66bi872WZkLPQCBIdA/s1600/goal-line6.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">FIFA not keen on cameras</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">FIFA have
always claimed their objective is to open up football to the world, a notion
that is made impossible by the undermining of its universality. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The idea of an
ancient sport being replicated all over the planet, promoting ‘jumpers for
goalposts’ football, is removed with the suggested inclusion of complex modern goal-line
technology. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">After all,
football is an art, not a science.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Written by Dom Wallace </span></span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-13308154833915972082012-04-11T04:29:00.000+01:002012-04-13T06:40:26.394+01:00A Conversation About: Mario Balotelli<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3KOu3Ut5ExQlljR_iV5T6foS5vkobz303kmoZ7eIYiqc02FmQaM2m8IgoW3A5fSAiYwfuDm1K6fAf1jSKrRAwZojTkkf1hRrnQ356Qy3odaGj4_faFGn7BlPSlipWNTUewqofdi2TmLW/s1600/balred.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3KOu3Ut5ExQlljR_iV5T6foS5vkobz303kmoZ7eIYiqc02FmQaM2m8IgoW3A5fSAiYwfuDm1K6fAf1jSKrRAwZojTkkf1hRrnQ356Qy3odaGj4_faFGn7BlPSlipWNTUewqofdi2TmLW/s200/balred.jpeg" width="199" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Queuing up to get into a swanky bar the other night,
shielding my chin from the bitter wind in the top of my coat, when some vagrant
shuffles up to me...</b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Spare any chaaange?”
he goes. I pretend I don’t see him. “Spare any chaaange?” he says again. <i>Go away, </i>I say in my head. “Sir. Spare any
chaaange?” I reach into my pocket and my friend goes:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “What are
you doing? He’ll sod off in a minute.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Thank you sir,
oh thank you sir,” the vagrant cuts in and I have no option now other than to
give him some money. I fish around in the coin section but there’s only a two
pence piece. “Thank you sir thank you sir. It’s very cold out tonight sir.” He
mumbles shuffling from foot to foot. I look at the three twenty pound notes in
my wallet and then at the vagrant’s filthy grateful face. At that moment he
starts talking about Manchester
City’s maverick forward
Mario Balotelli. “I think it’s madness all this talk of Mancini getting shot of
the lad. Fair enough he’s got himself sent off in an important game but they
were already losing and it was in the last minute.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah but
he’d had a pretty poor game besides.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Maybe so.
But sell him? Why?” He looks at my wallet as though addressing the question to
it. “If you look at his season he’s done more good than harm and surely less
harm than Carlos Tevez. How can the blame for a team’s capitulation in the
title race be placed solely at the foot of a player who has only started 14 of
their 32 league games and has scored 13 goals in the process?” </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao1JhFyHWDukUCy_Quq5tcpfb2fE7Mv-QBY0ipfCT8OaDb0zazUreBrK6XeMjxUsx0jkS6HtzUGMkncuLKagZZLocnm12_gjPbdIinD23iy_67LmRgS8oE4x9b61KDOljANVjaO-cwYGV/s1600/balo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao1JhFyHWDukUCy_Quq5tcpfb2fE7Mv-QBY0ipfCT8OaDb0zazUreBrK6XeMjxUsx0jkS6HtzUGMkncuLKagZZLocnm12_gjPbdIinD23iy_67LmRgS8oE4x9b61KDOljANVjaO-cwYGV/s1600/balo.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah but
it’s his attitude, isn’t it? He winds fans up,” I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Imagine if
every manager gave up on talented players with bad attitudes. There’d be a huge
scrapheap of them over history. And who cares if he winds the fans up? I’m of
the opinion that if you stick with him, he’ll eventually repay the loyalty.”
The vagrant’s eye twitches in the direction of a group of girls huddled
together passing behind him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But
Mancini has had enough, hasn’t he?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “He hadn’t
had enough when he scored two goals at Old Trafford last autumn. I mean, for
heaven’s sake, lets have a bit of consistency shall we? Last October David
Platt said that he wasn’t a difficult player to manage and that he never sulks.
Around the same time Mancini himself said he was world class and that he could
be considered one of the world’s best five players. Now all of a sudden City
have blown the title and all the talk is about how Balotelli is a liability.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Scapegoat.”
I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Exactly.
Mancini has a track record of saying stuff before he’s thought it through, just
look at the way he dealt with Tevez’s tantrum, then went back on his word. He’s
the one who has been the liability if you ask me. Did you see Wenger say he was
gonna get rid of Patrick Vieira that time he got sent off in consecutive matches?
Did you heck. Did Ferguson
do anything other than support Cantona after he leathered that Palace fan?”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah
you’re right.” I say slipping my hands in my pockets to mask the fact that I
put my wallet away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmoomApcPr8TrhAPfshu2pZrxrbF-17n4YlKzwe61S2zYWgolv2jFEUtL2GCG3JiEB9C2SdaU6b0lWYb8Uu1BX9z7RsTht2nv34GlmYkcX_bihks-tWOHT4sj34Y9PdiueSk5JC5NCWTr/s1600/balwhy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmoomApcPr8TrhAPfshu2pZrxrbF-17n4YlKzwe61S2zYWgolv2jFEUtL2GCG3JiEB9C2SdaU6b0lWYb8Uu1BX9z7RsTht2nv34GlmYkcX_bihks-tWOHT4sj34Y9PdiueSk5JC5NCWTr/s1600/balwhy.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “And what
do Wenger and Ferguson
have that Mancini doesn’t?” The vagrant asks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “That
sounds like the beginning of a joke.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Premier
League titles you dummy.” He mimes knocking on my head with his knuckles.
“Vieira went on to captain ‘The Invincibles’ and Cantona went on to win two
more titles and an FA Cup.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “They’re
saying ‘one in one out’ now,” my mate leans over to say. “We might be in this
cold for a while yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So if you
were Mancini what would you do?” I ask the vagrant, ignoring my mate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Well, I’d
stop doing post match interviews for a start, media outlets be damned. He just
can’t stop saying things he doesn’t mean in the heat of the moment. If he’s the
same with his wife, Federica, I feel for the woman. <i>‘Sorry love I didn’t mean to call you a whore who’d never play for us
again, it was the heat of the moment.’</i> And I’d keep Balotelli, because
there’s a major player in there somewhere that just needs time and patience to
be drawn out. And quite apart from the impertinent argument that, <i>oh he’s a character and we need more
characters in the game, </i>we don’t need more characters, we need more good
players to watch. The boy has a lot to offer City. Supposedly he’s popular in
the City dressing room, so imagine what a boost to morale it would be for all
the other players involved in the ‘project’ to see him return for pre-season
training.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-afNBWY69ezPbsGkFUY1m8l50oHA1fAYVFgg-AiTLdGuJi-4DH0pPTS5CO0zfl0Y1V9hXgxoSWPmvev2I-l83FcHGICmF7ZAAWhPWP2uJOdGCcwlQdedMF7ZE-VM_PBB0KMXxMVhRnA8/s1600/balgoal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-afNBWY69ezPbsGkFUY1m8l50oHA1fAYVFgg-AiTLdGuJi-4DH0pPTS5CO0zfl0Y1V9hXgxoSWPmvev2I-l83FcHGICmF7ZAAWhPWP2uJOdGCcwlQdedMF7ZE-VM_PBB0KMXxMVhRnA8/s1600/balgoal.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “Rome wasn’t built in a
day,” I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Aye very
true. You’d think Mancini would have a better grasp of his Italian history
wouldn’t you? Or perhaps history doesn’t enter into it when it weakens your
argument; this is a man after all, who as a 19 year old at Sampdoria started a
training ground fight with the then 29 year old Trevor Francis because his
place in the team was under threat. Imagine if his manager at the time had given
up on him too.” A poignant silence descends upon us. My mate and I near the
front of the queue. The bouncer leans over the couple in front of us and says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Just you
two lads yeah?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah just
two of us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Sorry no
groups of lads allowed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But we’re
not a group,” my mate protests. “Two isn’t a group! We’re not trouble makers.
Ah come on, we’ve queued up for ages.” The bouncer unbuckles the velvet rope, ushers
us out of the queue and onto the street. My mate and I cross the road and queue
up outside another bar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I look around for the vagrant, but he’s vanished and I know then
that the conversation is over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Andrew Hatch </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-61429881103658688902012-04-09T08:29:00.000+01:002012-04-13T03:08:29.412+01:00Stuart Lancaster's England Are a Wilting Rose<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRP8fOhfIMcvfYF879xDNppClPDScdVz99ZlAAU5dpYlyaiVMoY4MT0cNXCSIev_NtU1xyVuL6-j2I5SCq6cp1FHC3n0d3Iye_Lf9CP_-wQIurtzlRULxn0Ptwg4b5gVZEWIIFiE_UQzC/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRP8fOhfIMcvfYF879xDNppClPDScdVz99ZlAAU5dpYlyaiVMoY4MT0cNXCSIev_NtU1xyVuL6-j2I5SCq6cp1FHC3n0d3Iye_Lf9CP_-wQIurtzlRULxn0Ptwg4b5gVZEWIIFiE_UQzC/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">New man in charge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>On March 29<sup>th</sup>, Stuart Lancaster was named as
permanent head coach of the England rugby team. Following his successful,
although brief, period as interim boss during a Six Nations campaign that saw
England win four out of their five matches, many have been quick to heap praise
on the new boss. However, a more in-depth investigation into the events
surrounding his appointment would suggest that the current optimism in the
English rugby camp may be short-lived.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A woeful World Cup campaign in New Zealand at the end of
2011 will be remembered more for the irresponsible and unprofessional antics of
the England rugby team off the field than their undisciplined and disorganised
behaviour on it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unsavoury reports of law-breaking during matches and drunken
misdemeanours between fixtures left Martin Johnson with no option, but to
resign, proving that great players don’t always make great coaches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The month of mayhem left the reputation of the England Rugby
Football Union in tatters and with confidence at an all-time low, many had pencilled
this year’s Six Nations as a potentially huge embarrassment for English rugby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Enter Stuart Lancaster.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vx8_sHC_ScxUOC0ErymNShOzJpXlmfcHoAhhkBReni6_QENISLWPEwII_DHIWfK-9ex50xqF7FborzIWXopKssyIAGQrV-DYnlROIiFjlCHSpJySseT1b9b0OetvTQLAYceEl360WdU0/s1600/englandrugby.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vx8_sHC_ScxUOC0ErymNShOzJpXlmfcHoAhhkBReni6_QENISLWPEwII_DHIWfK-9ex50xqF7FborzIWXopKssyIAGQrV-DYnlROIiFjlCHSpJySseT1b9b0OetvTQLAYceEl360WdU0/s1600/englandrugby.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A shameful World Cup</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A new-look England squad made heavy work of their opening
two fixtures with narrow victories over Scotland and Italy, although winning
was the most important factor. A spirited performance against Wales, ending in
a controversial defeat, showed signs that Lancaster had moved quickly to change
the ethos in the camp. A memorable victory in Paris and a resounding win over
the Irish at Twickenham further compounded the suspicion that whatever
Lancaster was doing, was working.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The constant flow of penalties that England had conceded under
Johnson, combined with a lack of conviction and identity had been replaced with
a passion, discipline and belief causing players and pundits alike to pay
homage to the impact of Lancaster in his role as interim head coach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Debates ensued as to who held the credentials to take on the
role of England head coach on a full-time basis and it appeared in recent weeks
that the RFU had narrowed their list of suitable candidates down to Lancaster
and former South African and Italian head coach Nick Mallet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4jgEoMjPR8N1U8TOnvtTJinElR9iZujVTBGpSXau9-9GWRZHpeGtlVZowPzXzue0WB_NBC4S2ro22kpmm9oKNt-MLptIOixyuq0EthEqTAJRgeFUt4Z0PwvIhX1ihHE0zbMmsg4WpjCK/s1600/martinj.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4jgEoMjPR8N1U8TOnvtTJinElR9iZujVTBGpSXau9-9GWRZHpeGtlVZowPzXzue0WB_NBC4S2ro22kpmm9oKNt-MLptIOixyuq0EthEqTAJRgeFUt4Z0PwvIhX1ihHE0zbMmsg4WpjCK/s1600/martinj.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lack of discipline</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Due to England’s relative success in the Six Nations, many
voiced opinions to suggest that Lancaster should be rewarded for his outstanding
work and when unveiled as the new permanent boss, the news was met with enthusiasm
from the overwhelming majority.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But, was Lancaster the right man for the job and will he
still be regarded as the saviour of English rugby come the turn of the year?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When assessing the calibre of Lancaster’s opposition, it
becomes obvious that the magnitude of Mallet’s achievements far outweigh his
own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With a coaching career that commenced in 1984 and boasts five
clubs, two national teams, World Cup experience, two French domestic titles, a
Tri-Nations triumph, a claim to raising Italy to the heights of a world-class
rugby nation and a record winning stretch of 17 consecutive test wins with the
Springbok, amongst others, Mallet’s accolades speak for themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVaqqoME5MARlM1IcA5VO6lGdR9d8EYjIjXCuYWAUW6m5ylCVOa1rsjXVVooq2tDE1f0ZkgymIW703ZRXW9cQIlQsRTTprwSPhQmLI0vq8ho41s2ieqYqRp5ukjz4cxgjzexb3586oFHI/s1600/nick+mallet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVaqqoME5MARlM1IcA5VO6lGdR9d8EYjIjXCuYWAUW6m5ylCVOa1rsjXVVooq2tDE1f0ZkgymIW703ZRXW9cQIlQsRTTprwSPhQmLI0vq8ho41s2ieqYqRp5ukjz4cxgjzexb3586oFHI/s1600/nick+mallet.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vastly experienced</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In stark contrast, Lancaster’s coaching career began
recently in 2006 as Director of Rugby at Leeds Carnegie, having run Leeds RFU
Academy for the previous five years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Former England World Cup winner Ben Cohen admitted, “I don’t
think he’s the right man. Nick Mallet has got credentials coming out of his
ears, he has got a great CV [and is someone] who knows how to react in tough
times.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Lancaster’s defence, he has stated in no uncertain terms
that his reign will be one of steady progression, warning against building
expectations too high, too soon. The RFU has moved quickly to back-up
Lancaster, re-iterating that his ultimate mission is to bring success to
English rugby when the 2015 World Cup is played on home soil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cohen countered, “Yes...he has got four years to build up to
the World Cup, but you want someone who has got experience of managing through
that. You look at the Six Nations as a honeymoon period and there are testing
times to come ahead.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Many current England internationals filed rapid responses in
favour of Lancaster’s appointment, although cynics would claim these were acts
of personal gain to get on the right side of a man who disagrees with favouritism.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTR3iEk8oFfAkN5V2n9IcliGPLeJVW0N9O63q8VOQTUDOWmks9IznbnwosMFKb-MbUgftzdPwvmR82fZQls64ncg1v4mFLprZIxneYfVcYvlRBuKLOqABV6VufOGQLKciPe9D2xxBG-v6I/s1600/ben+cohen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTR3iEk8oFfAkN5V2n9IcliGPLeJVW0N9O63q8VOQTUDOWmks9IznbnwosMFKb-MbUgftzdPwvmR82fZQls64ncg1v4mFLprZIxneYfVcYvlRBuKLOqABV6VufOGQLKciPe9D2xxBG-v6I/s1600/ben+cohen.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Favours Mallet</span></span><span id="goog_1597094907"></span><span id="goog_1597094908"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">England’s Six Nations captain, Tom Croft, announced, “He did
a great job so he is the ideal man to keep in the role. I look forward to
working with him again in the summer, if I am selected.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A host of ex-internationals seemed to back Lancaster, though
few appeared to speak with real persuasion. Jeremy Guscott revealed, "The
results made it almost impossible not to give him the job. The future for
Lancaster is fairly bright, but we have to keep a lid on the expectation.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leicester head coach and former England hooker, Richard
Cockerill, believes, “Stuart is there by circumstance rather than by ambition.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ex-England captain, Martin Corry, went further into the
nature of Lancaster’s appointment, suggesting, “I think the process has to be
questioned a little bit. You look at Wayne Smith [former All Blacks assistant
coach], who I regard as a world-class coach. He ruled himself out, saying the
job seemed more like a PR exercise than actually coaching a world-class side.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lancaster has emerged from the Six Nations with a glowing
reputation but, as is often the case with sports fans, followers must not be
short-sighted and acknowledge that much tougher tasks lie ahead. In June,
England travel to South Africa for a three match series, before hosting the ‘Big
Three’ southern hemisphere teams and Fiji at Twickenham this winter. There is a
real possibility that England will walk away from the next seven fixtures with
just one victory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoSNuXvn3m7g3DQg9602UHaM__yCoT8qE8cjeSLSDHN8wPojDtsjp6D08QVd1r8dMvN3-OhZ3sP9jC_7rWUcD_S3qsKtNqTkiRQrUbccgDymluYimRBPM3OCkU9XOWcSN5l-Cyz5xwIh3/s1600/trinations.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoSNuXvn3m7g3DQg9602UHaM__yCoT8qE8cjeSLSDHN8wPojDtsjp6D08QVd1r8dMvN3-OhZ3sP9jC_7rWUcD_S3qsKtNqTkiRQrUbccgDymluYimRBPM3OCkU9XOWcSN5l-Cyz5xwIh3/s200/trinations.jpeg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tough tests lie ahead</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even former England hooker Brian Moore, overtly vocal in his
support for Lancaster, conceded, “They have got southern hemisphere games that
they are likely to lose and it will not be a straightforward path.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In December 2011, the English were in a state of despair
with their national rugby team, given their failure to conduct themselves
appropriately on and off the pitch. Four months later, this appears to be a
distant memory as the media misrepresents a small step as a giant leap in the
revolution of English rugby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While the outcome of the last five games was a pleasant
surprise for most fans, three narrow victories and one comfortable result
against a diminished Ireland side, is not enough to convince most realists that
England are a transformed outfit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Given that they face the possibility of several heavy losses
before the end of the year, it will be interesting to see whether the public
still believe in a highly inexperienced head coach as the right man to lead England
come December 2012.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stuart Lancaster’s red rose has weathered the first storm,
but must withstand some treacherous conditions before it has the chance to
bloom.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-54383633323182859722012-04-05T06:07:00.000+01:002012-04-13T03:09:45.319+01:00A Conversation About: Tiger Woods<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMBWIHcarIeV_vHbYaFEeaTBm4pVOPEUaPueEODJWL-UEFEANhsj8NGqORXN1TvqEKTjo_wXk1FgvWhEwu3GzzawOVFi4E3R-0jp47ktGayu7IvBezLx5gVbkFgzYWCrOvatGpMpsOPgb/s1600/tigerw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMBWIHcarIeV_vHbYaFEeaTBm4pVOPEUaPueEODJWL-UEFEANhsj8NGqORXN1TvqEKTjo_wXk1FgvWhEwu3GzzawOVFi4E3R-0jp47ktGayu7IvBezLx5gVbkFgzYWCrOvatGpMpsOPgb/s320/tigerw.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Down Sainsbury’s the other day reading the label on a jar of
Patak’s Balti sauce, trying to discern its nutritional merits, when some kid no
older than three, waddles up to me licking this massive round lollipop...</b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;">I can’t
see his mum or anything so I lower myself to his eye level and say:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Are you
alright lad? Where’s your mum?” He doesn’t say anything. Just carries on
licking his lolly. “That’s a big lolly,” I remark. Then feeling like I’m the
stranger in a ‘JUST SAY NO!’ advertisement, I quickly stand up to my full
height and ask him again where his mum is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “She’s still
in the fruit and veg section. She stands there for ages prodding aubergines and
squeezing melons.” He says. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh right.”
We stand there in silence for a bit then he comes out with:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Did you
see Tiger finally won a PGA tour event again over the weekend?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes I
did.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah it
was a good win too, under a lot of pressure on the final day, he had to really
hold his nerve to see off the challenge of McDowell. Couldn’t have been easy
for a player who, although accustomed to winning, can no longer be said to be
used to it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So I
hear.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I bet you
were too busy watching football to take any notice of another sport eh?” He
points the lolly at me like a gun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Touché”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Do you like
Tiger?” He says ‘<i>Tiger’</i> like he knows
him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I don’t
really know him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Okay fair
enough. Let me rephrase the question then. Do you root for Tiger? Do you want
him to win, when you see him on TV?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Well,
after the British players I suppose I just want the best players to win.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsvfb9-Bn7jbcvvX98hk0KoP7pNwoRwPlvke3CD7qilamSO8_Vnn3snr1IEmQA_wh2U5jKotvmVeX_jlCPljgKIy96RQMBwABDSTZYZnuPk_ohbdKlsUCTOHJXWYtBDfTXzGosM7QYzo/s1600/tigw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsvfb9-Bn7jbcvvX98hk0KoP7pNwoRwPlvke3CD7qilamSO8_Vnn3snr1IEmQA_wh2U5jKotvmVeX_jlCPljgKIy96RQMBwABDSTZYZnuPk_ohbdKlsUCTOHJXWYtBDfTXzGosM7QYzo/s1600/tigw.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh God <i>‘the British players’</i>,” the kid spins
around, seemingly in exasperation.<i> </i>“Don’t
pretend like we have an actual national identity in this country and we all
root for our own kind. I’m just asking about Tiger as an individual. Do you
like it when he wins or do you prefer to see someone else win?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Alright
keep your hair on,” I say showing him the palm of my free hand. “I suppose I
always liked to see Tiger...” Great, now <i>I’m</i>
saying <i>‘Tiger’</i> like I know him too,<i> </i>goes through my head, “...winning
things.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Why is
that?” The kid says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I dunno.
Because he’s the best, or was the best anyway.” He smiles and snaps off a chink
of the lolly between his tiny milk teeth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Good. You
know I believe it says a lot about you, the sportsmen or teams you follow.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “In what
sense?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “For
example; pre-scandal Tiger was undoubtedly the number one golfer in the world
and had been for ages. The people who liked to see him win and carry on winning
are themselves people with confidence, people who don’t need the boost to their
morale that comes with seeing someone less likely prevail. These are people
comfortable in their own ability to succeed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Interesting,”
I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “People
love an underdog don’t they? But I think rooting for an underdog is like admitting
you’re an underdog yourself. It’s like saying: <i>Maybe if this guy wins then there’s a chance I could still do something
with my life too.</i> I get that. I understand the logic of that hope but I
just find it so defeatist. What they ought to be saying is: <i>Right, this Tiger Woods guy has been number
one for ages, what is it that he’s doing that sets him apart? </i>But most
people would rather believe that Tiger’s success is purely down to innate
talent and there’s nothing anyone can do about it, that it’s just ‘the hand he
was dealt’ at birth. This provides them with the perfect excuse for their own
failures in life. But you know what?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Eh?” I
mutter, stunned into unintelligibility by the eloquence of this toddler.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKfDJZ9CC7ZXmiz_keYHImuefAKrIqYhHUi5QWBJRvTK111wKqXA3Be05mfSRm4ifAyDjKj6sTp21W8muX-wfUu2feZMj-36lZ3DkBmqah-Vh4FBWAUT0WsQ4OVp-TuCYQm_v8Ltg-Aau/s1600/tw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKfDJZ9CC7ZXmiz_keYHImuefAKrIqYhHUi5QWBJRvTK111wKqXA3Be05mfSRm4ifAyDjKj6sTp21W8muX-wfUu2feZMj-36lZ3DkBmqah-Vh4FBWAUT0WsQ4OVp-TuCYQm_v8Ltg-Aau/s1600/tw.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “It’s not
talent that makes someone great. It’s skill. Talent can only take someone so
far, it is those sportsmen and athletes that develop their talent into tangible
skills who achieve greatness, which requires dedication.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Dedication,”
I repeat solemnly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Dedication.
Just like Roy Castle’s Record Breakers,” he licks the ever reducing lolly,
“It’s what you need.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Dedication,”
I say again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “That’s why
I always root for the favourite. I always wanted Schumacher to win when he was with
Ferrari. I always want to see Federer win because I believe he’s the most
skilful player. I want LeBron James’ <i>Heat</i>
to win something because I think he’s the strongest player in the NBA.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Fair
enough.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So, I get
annoyed when people support the underdogs. I hated seeing Greece win Euro
2004. It irritated me when everyone wanted Jimmy White to beat Stephen Hendry
in all those finals just because he’s English.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Hang on a
minute…what year were you born in?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I was
upset that Colin Jackson never won an Olympic gold,” he continues ignoring my
question. “Imagine that, being the best for all that time, winning all those
races at all those meets and then somehow managing to always come up short on
the biggest stage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r4imTo4cWu0lodWogaCk-YP_ionJQOJn31UTZuRXNfjNbOMtrKOdAdlWVuqi20jjw46CyCLfOLeArV59BJGw2wzNrcHi-XroeICv292E93LFrjvn6Y6XwTtuMZtYVNWFe0Z_ODQdBpog/s1600/tiger1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r4imTo4cWu0lodWogaCk-YP_ionJQOJn31UTZuRXNfjNbOMtrKOdAdlWVuqi20jjw46CyCLfOLeArV59BJGw2wzNrcHi-XroeICv292E93LFrjvn6Y6XwTtuMZtYVNWFe0Z_ODQdBpog/s1600/tiger1.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “So I take
it you’ll be rooting for Luke Donald at The Masters then seeing as he is now
the number one player? You do know Tiger is now officially only the sixth best
player in the world?” The kid balances on one leg but I don’t think there’s any
meaning to it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Your
obsession with stats; it’s insane. Here are some stats for you: only Jack
Nicklaus, on eighteen, has won more major tournaments than Tiger Woods, on
fourteen, who also has the third most wins in PGA Tour history, winning
seventy-two to Nicklaus’ seventy-three and Sam Snead’s eighty-two. That makes
him the greatest player still active on the tour. So no I will not be rooting
for Luke Donald at The Masters.” He seems annoyed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Do you watch football?” I ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes but
I’m not going to say who I follow. That would be too inflammatory. You know how
people get about their football.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes I do.”
Then I look up and a worried looking woman pushing a trolley comes careering
around the corner and up to the kid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I told you
not to wander off!” she scalds him. “Sorry,” she says to me with a grimace and
yanks the kid away by the wrist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m left holding the Patak’s jar in an empty aisle and I
know the conversation is over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Andrew Hatch </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-53864948784518139092012-04-03T18:54:00.001+01:002012-04-13T03:10:13.243+01:00A Conversation About: Fabrice Muamba<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UPWTg5Re7z7JCCveC5-Xm3qG51ZiCLrveJJcDrVWulLzf2Nbr07hLq4_LlFGujoFP4Bh6tZUbyHy_k01fbvxXgrve_zrs0R1I9ITeS3nWOnP2Dt3O2b_DcW5jZzG4JtjOE8PhEWtnEha/s1600/fm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UPWTg5Re7z7JCCveC5-Xm3qG51ZiCLrveJJcDrVWulLzf2Nbr07hLq4_LlFGujoFP4Bh6tZUbyHy_k01fbvxXgrve_zrs0R1I9ITeS3nWOnP2Dt3O2b_DcW5jZzG4JtjOE8PhEWtnEha/s320/fm.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I’m swishing about in the bath last night and I hear this
voice, only a little voice, calling to me from somewhere but I look around and
there’s no-one there so I carry on soaking, getting nice and relaxed but the
voice comes back. And I realise it’s the rubber duck and he’s asking me about
Fabrice Muamba... </b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Bad about
that Muamba lad isn’t it?” he goes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “You what?”
I say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Muamba.
Fabrice Muamba. Bolton player. Collapsed.
Cardiac arrest, you know?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I know who
you mean.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Bad isn’t
it?” he says again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah awful.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I only watched the first twenty
minutes of the game and switched it off so when I went on BBC Sport the next
morning it was the first I heard of it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “He should
be alright though shouldn’t he?” I ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I think
so, the latest is that he can recognise people and can talk and stuff,” he says.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then the duck goes quiet, like he’s thinking about something
and he comes out with:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I was just
thinking, when something bad happens to an athlete or a sportsman everyone
seems to kind of…put their allegiances to one side and just…I don’t know…<i>agree</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “What do
you mean exactly?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Well I
mean, like with Muamba, I was doing the rounds on the internet…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “…you’ve
got internet access?” I cut in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzfjZzTkyCReNiJt2raGYbnN6A7WZU5AmAogGkQpKWgBeW91TEeNDrMNDjAYvlrta2krL0XqU9emxS5F1JgpVDKNvO2K9tKfumueMJX-qscqnnm1-p6zuHeHkExnCocHq3ocJunIuzzJD/s1600/fma.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzfjZzTkyCReNiJt2raGYbnN6A7WZU5AmAogGkQpKWgBeW91TEeNDrMNDjAYvlrta2krL0XqU9emxS5F1JgpVDKNvO2K9tKfumueMJX-qscqnnm1-p6zuHeHkExnCocHq3ocJunIuzzJD/s320/fma.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah the
wi-fi covers the whole house. Anyway I was doing the rounds on the internet,
checking out the forums and the chat rooms and stuff and it struck me that
everyone has just kind of come together. Fair enough Bolton
don’t exactly inspire much in the way of love or hatred but still, there’s this
outpouring of affection for the lad.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So? That’s
nice isn’t it?” I say searching for the soap under the water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah it is.
I’m not saying it’s anything other than nice, but one thing that does bother me
is; you just know that in a week or two, those same football fans will forget
all about this armistice and go at each other’s throats again.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But that’s
sport isn’t it? ‘Fan’ is just short for fanatical.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I know but
why can’t they just remember the way they acted towards each other during this
brief period of clarity? Why does there need to be this venom, this unrelenting
torrent of vitriol? And why does it take Fabrice Muamba to have a heart attack
to bring about a ceasefire?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He dunks his head under the murky water, naturally, like a
real duck, shakes his whole body and stares off into the distance. He seems
irritated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Look,” I
say, “don’t get yourself down about it. It’s just the way it is with football
supporters.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But it’s
ridiculous. I’ve heard so many people say stuff like; <i>‘Oh football is tribal in this country’ </i>and <i>‘Oh football’s a matter of life and death’</i> but here’s the thing; it
isn’t tribal and it isn’t a matter of life and death.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Perhaps
not,” I mutter, scrubbing the back of my shoulders with a loofah on a stick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “There’s no
perhaps about it Andrew. People should be nicer. People should try harder to remember
to be nice.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVSVTiofWy8_rr6nsJLVk58avaUWuS2Aw0Ga5pRgTMEANqP3cHeuVbbyOoYlVIaAQtbRmp6gzZ_f8aBT_CabGBOPemNrOn9HGCDhZS8HR7LKWl9CpGJ53r5yl4tzwn4UIdeld8eK-nEcG/s1600/fabbymuamba.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVSVTiofWy8_rr6nsJLVk58avaUWuS2Aw0Ga5pRgTMEANqP3cHeuVbbyOoYlVIaAQtbRmp6gzZ_f8aBT_CabGBOPemNrOn9HGCDhZS8HR7LKWl9CpGJ53r5yl4tzwn4UIdeld8eK-nEcG/s1600/fabbymuamba.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> “I know
what you’re saying but you’re expectations are too high. People are emotional
about their sport.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But when
things like this happen, people prove they can do it, that they’re capable of
thinking and behaving rationally towards one another. They’re just being lazy
the rest of the time.” He swims a slow circle and continues: “Ayrton Senna dies
right, and people are all like; <i>‘Oh Ayrton,
such a great driver, such a character’ </i>but when he’s alive they’re all; <i>‘Bloody Senna, what a cheat, too
aggressive’. </i> Here’s a question for
you,” he says, “Who is Monica Seles?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Wasn’t she
that tennis lass who got stabbed on court?” The corner of his wide beaks curls
up in a wry smile and he says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Monica
Seles is a nine-time Grand Slam winner. Her titles include the 1990 French Open
which she won at the age of sixteen making her the youngest ever champion. She
was ranked number one in the world for two years and has been inducted into the
International Tennis Hall of Fame.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “So?” I say
as I massage some leave-on conditioner into my scalp.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “But you
only knew who she was because she was stabbed once.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“What’s your point?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Why do people remember the
tragic, ugly and unsavoury aspects of sport rather than the good?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Human nature?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Weak excuse. Don’t roll out the
human nature argument.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“So what <i>is </i>the reason for it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t know. I’m just saying
it’s not that. Remember Marc-Vivien Foé?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Yes, he died on the pitch after
collapsing like Muamba.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Right, during the semi final of
the 2003 Confederations Cup against Colombia. What else do you know
about him?”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaleCHqzcr4IsmYzHtlH0tpPHKALTXOCtUyCJE7uSCLZS9RNt0oKHA928AI4C_Cy5zAO9No2AtYTfcyIsDhStGesx8Uke1lsSL205bKiMyq8CGNbgcfsD8QpslywD4Ynb2sfES6jiRvMbZ/s1600/fabmu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaleCHqzcr4IsmYzHtlH0tpPHKALTXOCtUyCJE7uSCLZS9RNt0oKHA928AI4C_Cy5zAO9No2AtYTfcyIsDhStGesx8Uke1lsSL205bKiMyq8CGNbgcfsD8QpslywD4Ynb2sfES6jiRvMbZ/s1600/fabmu.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">“Midfielder. Played for City.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Okay but you couldn’t go further
than that right?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Probably not no.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“It’s sad isn’t it? I mean even
if he makes a full recovery and plays another 15 seasons in the Premier League,
Muamba will now always be ‘the guy who collapsed on the pitch’.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I guess it is a bit sad.” I say
in agreement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The duck goes stiff and doesn’t say anything more and I know
the conversation is over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Andrew Hatch </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-68190631587990882642012-04-03T18:09:00.001+01:002012-04-13T03:10:32.106+01:00Sport 4 Thought Presents New Guest Writer<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiy4pK8GsAfO0kvr1XP5EgEvKJ8oaHiV9dBOOeWZQJ2H9aK1yQuCu3VxaVaTdWXUOzD11J39w5vFv_sY0TvcTBX4gLO8yok0s4XOTql2jYNwKlju8bXNpUvi4-zkpowF6YbywwYp495Rz/s1600/3dd2d3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiy4pK8GsAfO0kvr1XP5EgEvKJ8oaHiV9dBOOeWZQJ2H9aK1yQuCu3VxaVaTdWXUOzD11J39w5vFv_sY0TvcTBX4gLO8yok0s4XOTql2jYNwKlju8bXNpUvi4-zkpowF6YbywwYp495Rz/s200/3dd2d3c.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrew Hatch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sport 4 Thought has made an incredible impact in 2012 claiming
3,000 hits since launching two months ago and in order to accommodate such a
rapidly increasing audience, I am delighted to present a new guest writer to
the world’s premier sports blog.</b></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Andrew Hatch is an experienced writer and avid sports
fanatic who combines his limitless knowledge of sporting trivia with a unique
style of prose to compose compelling, thought provoking pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Andrew’s writing will offer an alternative view on hot
topics in the sporting world and his series entitled ‘A Conversation About’
will be a regular feature of the new-look Sport 4 Thought blog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-8780076087165965512012-03-29T06:14:00.000+01:002018-11-27T12:05:36.464+00:00Tiger Woods in the Rough is Great to See<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The long-running Tiger Woods saga has been saturated with more drama than your average soap opera. Woods, once a superstar golfer, lost everything in a flash and is now on an epic journey to claim back not only his status on the course, but his reputation off it. </b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrganlHcAwbVGW73W0AYqB2LBqqP_sF6mpMdcq-dsu9hS1Vhw4hwoYRSPqQZceku9Op6POt8c05kpO4pNaViq05gfqdaHb-szfRW2H23y6XjVNXrRrd3bAjFWRvhtAF9BMLSPG6O96xry/s1600/tiger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrganlHcAwbVGW73W0AYqB2LBqqP_sF6mpMdcq-dsu9hS1Vhw4hwoYRSPqQZceku9Op6POt8c05kpO4pNaViq05gfqdaHb-szfRW2H23y6XjVNXrRrd3bAjFWRvhtAF9BMLSPG6O96xry/s1600/tiger.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tiger's first Masters victory</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have witnessed Woods' rapid rise to stardom with success at a young age, a battle with career-threatening injuries, a scandal that rocked the world, deep remorse and acknowledgment of previous faults, which leaves only one missing scenario — a fairytale ending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tiger, one of the United States' most famous embodiments of the American Dream, must now seek to emulate his initial rise to greatness once again, and this resurgence mission gathered great pace on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shooting a 13-under par 275 at Bay Hill to claim victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational by a 5-shot margin, Woods claimed his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009 at the BMW Championship to draw a line under what has been the lowest point of his career.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It all began when he crashed his Escalade outside his home in November 2009, but got worse with numerous reports of infidelity, a high-profile divorce, public defamation by former caddie Steve Williams and a damning description of events in former coach Hank Hanley’s recently published novel.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2a8lPwWe0aH6DpiUbu21QgVYO1IASlaTH9_drhRK4nGJ6Kn9QoSYFnEmDmUfFFysljrI8GQFh82iQkzmhjcLSk8mALRqjomIVNk4KJkla3mKLRh1d9cqi4h0hjpcZ2JgoZ1DAqmsFG__/s1600/tiger2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2a8lPwWe0aH6DpiUbu21QgVYO1IASlaTH9_drhRK4nGJ6Kn9QoSYFnEmDmUfFFysljrI8GQFh82iQkzmhjcLSk8mALRqjomIVNk4KJkla3mKLRh1d9cqi4h0hjpcZ2JgoZ1DAqmsFG__/s1600/tiger2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doomed to fail</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woods hit rock bottom in sensational fashion with arguably the biggest public fall from grace of any superstar past or present. But, he is determined to prove that his troubled times are over and that such misdemeanours are a thing of the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tiger Woods' attempts to bring himself full circle in an unbelievable restoration of faith and fortune is the sequel to his incident-filled first episode, and the setting for his latest chapter is Augusta.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Masters is a modern representation of a reality show, incorporating drama and comedy in an action-filled adventure towards the capture of the romanticised green jacket. Taking the stage, Woods, who has, up until last weekend’s victory, been considered unlikely of success, will enter the tournament as 3/1 favourite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He will understand that he has much improved competition at The Masters, especially in the form of Rory McIlroy, who won the U.S. Open last year — the youngest player to do so since Bobby Jones in 1923. McIlroy boasts a longer stretch of form and recently held off Tiger’s dramatic surge of a last-round 62 to claim victory at the Honda Classic in Florida.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the other end of the scale, 41-year-old veteran and psoriatic arthritis sufferer Phil Mickelson will also pursue Woods. Mickelson, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame last year, is a three-time Masters champion, who claimed his 40<sup>th</sup> PGA Tour victory last month in the ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am and knows Augusta inside out.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMSDvbTTOHz5MPFlo6SYo5WrMuvs23nrJy35L6m0Fkh4wARIws6982rH2G7pIsvU7IqY_0BBBqJ4Dfn7R0nHxtyhpde3tM11iqPQwKrpE0eLBKvPlNTLnA89xyr4ppFV4LKx7ZjLyXil/s1600/rory.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMSDvbTTOHz5MPFlo6SYo5WrMuvs23nrJy35L6m0Fkh4wARIws6982rH2G7pIsvU7IqY_0BBBqJ4Dfn7R0nHxtyhpde3tM11iqPQwKrpE0eLBKvPlNTLnA89xyr4ppFV4LKx7ZjLyXil/s1600/rory.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">McIlroy will be biggest threat</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Tiger Woods show lacks traditional themes, for he is no hero and does not chase villains, but it is by far the most eagerly anticipated programme on the PGA’s listings and Woods’ recent victory has sent media speculation into overdrive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether Woods manages to secure his fifth green jacket at Augusta or not, The Masters will benefit just from his presence. When he missed the 2011 U.S. Open in Bethesda, Maryland, due to injury, ratings fell by a staggering 26 percent, illustrating just how influential his participation is on spectatorship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as the viewing public prepares to witness the next chapter of the Tiger Woods chronicle, there are two main schools of thought among the audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some brand Woods as a golfing genius who must be given the plaudits he deserves for his achievements on the golf course — because this is the reason people grew to love him — and believe his "private" life is none of our business.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wcaHWjzxXAVAMilwB6LuJ9j4rgD8_qRoZqcrqK6u-CWsIWLRYCTWWgkr9Y1seEc5Mrklm0J6aHNpwZo5vNPIsjQ4S2415Is3n-u-3KEhbrC5_Sv6OTSR9DeyPiyenfBt2caXZL9c5Ytm/s1600/tiger1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wcaHWjzxXAVAMilwB6LuJ9j4rgD8_qRoZqcrqK6u-CWsIWLRYCTWWgkr9Y1seEc5Mrklm0J6aHNpwZo5vNPIsjQ4S2415Is3n-u-3KEhbrC5_Sv6OTSR9DeyPiyenfBt2caXZL9c5Ytm/s1600/tiger1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is this how it ends?</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Others see a man who betrayed not only his wife, but the public, who heaped adoration on Woods, helping him to become the iconic figure that he was, and feel a person so morally bankrupt as he appears to be deserves little respect after such transgressions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you see the good in a man who has trodden a long path of repentance to seek forgiveness for his sins, or the evil in a man who committed crimes so drastic they cannot be forgiven, one fact remains: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Golf with Tiger Woods is a must-see event.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>
Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-80785311622709963232012-03-13T13:37:00.000+00:002012-04-13T03:11:34.878+01:00Why Messi Isn't The Greatest Ever<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lionel Messi registered a record-breaking five goal haul last Wednesday, as a boisterous Barcelona swept aside a baffled Bayern Leverkusen outfit, to march promptly into the Champions League Quarter-Finals.</b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiounN_rVEnyTuNKHc3ljqIltu1UPpeklsbP18Ht81M2wLA0piLJ0LDEWmwWyT_mq8mF6tKfNPBdeYMt-fTCVpCB6Sgawx5FIp5rEOG6FYJXOeiBJcyNv4ehRamlqkV4FsVeUmU2G1870Ke/s1600/messipele4.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiounN_rVEnyTuNKHc3ljqIltu1UPpeklsbP18Ht81M2wLA0piLJ0LDEWmwWyT_mq8mF6tKfNPBdeYMt-fTCVpCB6Sgawx5FIp5rEOG6FYJXOeiBJcyNv4ehRamlqkV4FsVeUmU2G1870Ke/s1600/messipele4.jpeg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barcelona's old No.10</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Messi once again exhibited his undeniable quality and complete understanding of the modern game, bringing to the boil the debate that has simmered under the surface since he adopted Barcelona’s number 10 shirt from the majestic Ronaldinho in 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That season saw a 21-year old Messi score 38 goals on his way to claiming La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies and the youngest top scorer in Champions League history picked up the UEFA Club Forward of the Year and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year awards, coming runner-up in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having received a staggering 46 accolades since then, netting another 153 times in just 157 appearances for Barcelona, Messi has proven to football spectators worldwide that he is a truly unique talent.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But, is Lionel Messi 'The Greatest Footballer Ever'?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last May, Wayne Rooney was helpless to prevent the Argentine running rings around his teammates at Wembley, once again crushing his dreams of Champions League success. Despite such a brutal infliction of pain, Rooney found only pure pleasure in observing Messi’s latest masterclass, tweeting “Messi is a joke. For me the best ever.”</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUdhptzr_iR4iPVewyc7vAXnZnAtgZJhxBXcg5SpzkkdqBKRhYTZsVOObNNUHV4ju87tnobQDFDAi6OjHQh19tX8WH1c9VnERXKmQUsmXIsO-2O3YxJ1MsJ2GgOHzvAvYmp6oKXIEcJhi/s1600/messipele.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUdhptzr_iR4iPVewyc7vAXnZnAtgZJhxBXcg5SpzkkdqBKRhYTZsVOObNNUHV4ju87tnobQDFDAi6OjHQh19tX8WH1c9VnERXKmQUsmXIsO-2O3YxJ1MsJ2GgOHzvAvYmp6oKXIEcJhi/s1600/messipele.jpeg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Messi makes it look so easy</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When talking of all-time greatest footballers the same names inevitably arise such as Pele, Cruyff, Maradonna, De Stefano, Puskas, Beckenbauer, Platini, Eusabio, Francescoli and Best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having scored a mind-blowing 1,283 career goals in 1,363 appearances, Pele is considered by many as the number one footballer ever, when forced to choose. The so-called ‘King of Football’, who famously quipped, “I was born for soccer, just as Beethoven was born for music”, has his own views on whether Messi is eligible for the title of ‘Greatest Ever’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In January Messi scooped the FIFA Ballon D’or award for the third successive year and Pele was present at the ceremony to admit, “I like Messi a lot, he’s a great player. Technically we’re practically at the same level.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, the Brazilian legend asserted, “When Messi’s scored 1,283 goals like me, when he’s won three World Cups, we’ll talk about it.” He further clarified, “He’s a great player for Barcelona, but when he plays for Argentina, he doesn’t have the same success.”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy03g9sjDoQu8DsspJGBQsVezdtlxtEdEssFbBagvIvKBE0t6Ea-aHa-I12EY6XNfZ6Mb9j4_cnWFQ5NTZTszDdbVHiqP7yW3it8bNbHwrv9acjUPP9cFVxYxzqsAdRA5TZQZ-qvYRJlY8/s1600/messipele3.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy03g9sjDoQu8DsspJGBQsVezdtlxtEdEssFbBagvIvKBE0t6Ea-aHa-I12EY6XNfZ6Mb9j4_cnWFQ5NTZTszDdbVHiqP7yW3it8bNbHwrv9acjUPP9cFVxYxzqsAdRA5TZQZ-qvYRJlY8/s1600/messipele3.jpeg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maradonna is an admirer</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 71-year old global football icon displayed his sense of humour, claiming “People always ask me: ‘When is the new Pele going to be born?’ Never. My father and mother have closed the factory.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joking aside, Pele makes a valid point given that his 77 goals in 92 international appearances, including three World Cups and countless international records vastly outweigh Messi’s 22 scores in 67 games, boasting only one tournament victory in the 2008 Olympics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Messi supporters would argue that at 24 years of age, assuming he remains injury-free, he will have every opportunity to meet and exceed the numerous achievements made by the Brazilian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This statement holds great truth and it is impossible to construct arguments that successfully derail the assertion of Messi as the ‘Best Player of the Modern Era’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a generation we must acknowledge how privileged we are to witness such aristocratic displays of ingenuity on the football field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We must also recall that our knowledge of Pele’s greatness is formed from vivid recollections passed down by those fortunate enough to have seen him perform or through rare clips of his wizardry, but primarily from reading of his accomplishments statistically.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFhNNVFJELGADib17wtRNL1aymuSvwdPxlAJvGTb4EQeG2PAVtwZRQDRM-WFE8lEjChW9JxH9i-WC9_Ip7IPrxkO3AO6ZhdwjDN3EEZ8v-SQpdnnUA6aFTPMys2IgSIgKBwenZRV5Hazj/s1600/messipele5.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFhNNVFJELGADib17wtRNL1aymuSvwdPxlAJvGTb4EQeG2PAVtwZRQDRM-WFE8lEjChW9JxH9i-WC9_Ip7IPrxkO3AO6ZhdwjDN3EEZ8v-SQpdnnUA6aFTPMys2IgSIgKBwenZRV5Hazj/s1600/messipele5.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Still the greatest... for now...</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Granted the wealth of modern technology enables us to chronicle Messi’s career in a more comprehensive manner, but when the final whistle blows the bare bones of a legendary striker’s career is exposed through numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lionel Messi is an exceptionally gifted talent who has the world at his feet, but his sensational career record of 254 goals in 384 games still falls tremendously short of Pele’s, who can rest assured, temporarily, that he remains 'The Greatest Footballer Ever’.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-58563854709684938392012-03-06T07:32:00.002+00:002012-04-13T03:11:47.347+01:00Who Dares Cross the Bridge?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy6cfMRZZ0WVWc9MqQBRH2sRUJW9Sh1YtCL8vwZFJ2ccDXVxyVnHp4G5iIK0iSefkOAAT-FvpFhNP_GoDJwXK253-gLQLSm4_BtG6xcoLQtE2Ke8LDN4RipeWkhocGv5AbE7uCQyRJFLR/s1600/villas-boas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy6cfMRZZ0WVWc9MqQBRH2sRUJW9Sh1YtCL8vwZFJ2ccDXVxyVnHp4G5iIK0iSefkOAAT-FvpFhNP_GoDJwXK253-gLQLSm4_BtG6xcoLQtE2Ke8LDN4RipeWkhocGv5AbE7uCQyRJFLR/s1600/villas-boas.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An unhappy ending</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>With Andre Villas-Boas becoming the seventh manager to lose his job since the Roman Abramovich regime commenced in 2003, speculation surrounds who is being lined up to cross the bridge that has seen so many stumble and fall. The following candidates top the Chelsea wish list:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">JOSE MOURINHO – 49, Real Madrid</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrt2V6NguyZtisdV1aQM09ubOM7ozopG52_KVkYNLvHkQz0t34SQdDh1fKsq3KtMHPr9MJnJZz2qyusA6c8RJRVd5IAedykhs4qD2ItPXj7K_ig9_Z1UYXDiHnaAKE_gp7smQ6QA1QKTx/s1600/josechelsea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrt2V6NguyZtisdV1aQM09ubOM7ozopG52_KVkYNLvHkQz0t34SQdDh1fKsq3KtMHPr9MJnJZz2qyusA6c8RJRVd5IAedykhs4qD2ItPXj7K_ig9_Z1UYXDiHnaAKE_gp7smQ6QA1QKTx/s1600/josechelsea.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main target</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">‘The Special One’ is the players and fans favourite to return to Stamford Bridge, where he previously won six trophies, including two Premier League titles, crowning him Chelsea’s most successful manager ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mourinho has made no secrets of his desire to return to the Premier League and amidst rumours of increasingly strained relations with Real Madrid’s big name stars, he was spotted house-hunting in London last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, with Arsene Wenger’s job in the balance at Arsenal and the possibility of Harry Redknapp trading Tottenham for England, the media frenzy has flown into overdrive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mourinho has also been linked with both Manchester clubs, although with Man City’s current form and Sir Alex Ferguson’s good health, these posts are showing little sign of availability.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With a history of achieving his goals and moving swiftly on, Mourinho has suggested his next visit to England will be in a long haul capacity, citing Ferguson’s reign as inspiration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The problems at Chelsea cannot be immediately resolved and the Chelsea faithful will be hoping this is the perfect project for him to take on with his experience and deep-rooted love for the club.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although there would be the small task of resolving ‘philosophical differences’ with Abramovich...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">PEP GUARDIOLA – 41, Barcelona</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnJGw4Jl4dnZo2D9UXQ0UcU5xpzvX_BPvb7MJrSvtDB6ZX8oKEyw-wNvykoYjjX6gZp8zoWR6DQy1KjBorxmx-ulCnay3V0Rmy3FnKQVTgtbAG4H-vCTEUR3yU66RsdYY-5Ci39JiIKsE/s1600/pep.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnJGw4Jl4dnZo2D9UXQ0UcU5xpzvX_BPvb7MJrSvtDB6ZX8oKEyw-wNvykoYjjX6gZp8zoWR6DQy1KjBorxmx-ulCnay3V0Rmy3FnKQVTgtbAG4H-vCTEUR3yU66RsdYY-5Ci39JiIKsE/s1600/pep.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highly regarded</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite boasting the capture of every possible trophy as both player and manager at Barcelona, Guardiola has always kept his options open, only ever signing one-year contract extensions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He openly admits a fondness of Premier League football, expressing a desire to tackle alternative cultures and if Barcelona win their third Champions League title in four seasons this year, it might be a perfect way to move on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, with Real Madrid looking favourites to win La Liga, this would be considered a low point and it remains hard to see him parting company with what is arguably one of the greatest football outfits of all-time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does he really want to confront the headache of a floundering Chelsea team in desperate need of refurbishment - a role offering an average shelf life of under 12 months?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">RAFAEL BENITEZ – 51, Unattached</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpW-6vXF_t9GAQLn6m2V8ZwzkzK9BThr_kMP4xzG1SmO6SGbqQUNJsESt2vjvuUCzDGciEgwYlsm89WNnhhg47kXEH5rRQTZBWqi5wT3q84eaPP8MvIjnDnM5yhe_RFpfYrsFguXe4WRn/s1600/benitez.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpW-6vXF_t9GAQLn6m2V8ZwzkzK9BThr_kMP4xzG1SmO6SGbqQUNJsESt2vjvuUCzDGciEgwYlsm89WNnhhg47kXEH5rRQTZBWqi5wT3q84eaPP8MvIjnDnM5yhe_RFpfYrsFguXe4WRn/s1600/benitez.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Controversial choice</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most short-term memories of Benitez are not particularly impressive, with an unsuccessful short-lived spell at Inter Milan and a troubled time prior to his departure at Liverpool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those whose football knowledge extends further than this will vouch for Benitez and his tactical shrewdness which saw a prosperous tenure at Valenica before guiding Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005 and running Manchester United close for the Premier League title in 2008/09.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Benitez has the experience of winning the Champions League, the trophy that Abramovich so desperately wants to capture and also has the ability to get the best out of fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres who has so-far flopped at Chelsea since his £50M transfer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest issue with this appointment would be how the Chelsea fans would greet a man who they associate with relative failure at Liverpool. Benitez was also a hate figure for Chelsea fans during his time at Liverpool following controversial Champions League semi-finals in 2005 and 2007.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This will not concern Abramovich, though he may do well to remember the sour relationships Benitez formed with board members at Valencia and Liverpool, concerning his campaign for increased control of transfers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FABIO CAPELLO – 65, Unattached</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAI9VSrYN4RGoFYhcvUHfrrP8TN3OF_PW9q29t6Z-tVu0392YnhILf6f3c6bYB7ArKMB-dW94feTEAJZIEkpmUnBTDz7Wjj8QkBgt12VAxC3nraUC6RikobBO1GJ-jkQWpIbk3DVqTEaL/s1600/capellochelsea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAI9VSrYN4RGoFYhcvUHfrrP8TN3OF_PW9q29t6Z-tVu0392YnhILf6f3c6bYB7ArKMB-dW94feTEAJZIEkpmUnBTDz7Wjj8QkBgt12VAxC3nraUC6RikobBO1GJ-jkQWpIbk3DVqTEaL/s1600/capellochelsea.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Outsider</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently standing down from his post as England manager, Capello has reappeared on the market and may offer Abramovich just what he needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Capello is hard-headed and refuses to be flustered by big egos and the diva-like behaviour that seems to accompany modern football’s superstars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Champions League victory with AC Milan over Barcelona in 1994 and domestic success in Spain with Real Madrid combine with his role as England manager to complete an extremely well-rounded CV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Capello in an unemotional figure who always put the team’s fortunes ahead of personal battles and this could be the refreshing approach that Chelsea are in need of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ROBERTO DI MATTEO – 41, Chelsea (Caretaker)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcCP8_QteoDOhjMb9aksRISQCQ123LRaeBadenUSzb_nz50Cq8NDXytw8a2CXmi-jCXdrmVg4lX4iCzWHoO0boGbdmYyEfh3Ubb_l5cf20gRAXEYXW_ts57GSwQVYAkdxqt71MgpnwTY_/s1600/roberto.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcCP8_QteoDOhjMb9aksRISQCQ123LRaeBadenUSzb_nz50Cq8NDXytw8a2CXmi-jCXdrmVg4lX4iCzWHoO0boGbdmYyEfh3Ubb_l5cf20gRAXEYXW_ts57GSwQVYAkdxqt71MgpnwTY_/s1600/roberto.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A passionate figure</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still popular at Stamford Bridge, Di Matteo is most notably remembered for his two FA Cup-winning goals for the Blues in 1997 and 2000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Di Matteo is currently installed in a caretaker position and has recruited fellow ex-Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton to form a management duo that aims to use knowledge and passion for the club, which seems to have lost all sense of identity, to turnaround their old employer’s fortunes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Di Matteo had a successful role at Milton Keynes Dons and started brightly at West Bromwich Albion before a rapid decline in form saw him relieved of his duties less than a year into his contract.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Di Matteo is unlikely to carry this role any further than the end of the season, although if he were to guide Chelsea to the much coveted fourth position or even mastermind a victorious cup campaign, Abramovich may be persuaded that someone with long-standing ties to the club is the answer to the new revolution.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn0kXEp3MhhAt5t6k-ApYmrL3neGiABlnqsYTCr49jsKfxROfv3Y4broEpWDvrkMg-z2CqCwsULyZx1O64ASTWiw7Shd7rrXKg3gVS8hA9ShiyVW4q9AbcN8HkyWnphrG4J-wHBo4fGl-/s1600/abramovich.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn0kXEp3MhhAt5t6k-ApYmrL3neGiABlnqsYTCr49jsKfxROfv3Y4broEpWDvrkMg-z2CqCwsULyZx1O64ASTWiw7Shd7rrXKg3gVS8hA9ShiyVW4q9AbcN8HkyWnphrG4J-wHBo4fGl-/s1600/abramovich.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A self-inflicted headache</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether any of these candidates are available or suited for the role is debatable but one certainty remains. Whoever Roman Abramovich chooses, we can safely assume the next appointment will be made on the basis of experience and not potential.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-69705209393752176972012-03-01T03:11:00.003+00:002012-04-13T03:12:02.707+01:00Redknapp Can't Rescue English Expectations<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>On Wednesday night England conceded three goals at Wembley for the first time since 2007, heaping more misery on the national team’s build-up to Euro 2012. Still void of a manager and with the tournament only 14 weeks away, the outlook for the England football team is grim at best.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7v7KBltBdKpDMvwbyEKzccX3L5Fg4WSmj05qbshwUV_mSQfv90LVaeBQ5phR_CDfVt5uobZUtH_rOSk_jHWFmwUnORLcqaNf2CJ5439gFDt10sxJiY5ur3jpuoW1cEFXahIE8qOLSK19/s1600/arjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7v7KBltBdKpDMvwbyEKzccX3L5Fg4WSmj05qbshwUV_mSQfv90LVaeBQ5phR_CDfVt5uobZUtH_rOSk_jHWFmwUnORLcqaNf2CJ5439gFDt10sxJiY5ur3jpuoW1cEFXahIE8qOLSK19/s1600/arjen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robben goes Double-Dutch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stuart Peace was employed in a caretaker role as England’s lack of class was once again highlighted by a Dutch side who never really hit fifth gear. Cruise control was enough to steer past an England side whose late double was unable to derail the World Cup finalists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the FA continue deliberating over the appointment of a new boss for Euro 2012, the vast majority of English fans only have one suggestion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That man is Harry Redknapp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whilst it is hard to disagree that he holds the best credentials for the job, it would be a huge mistake for both the FA and Redknapp to appoint him.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRh9VA8W6Td4PBtCBdJNC55_1xaoRPeQkNHdjXQWM1lWd6oSGjzSX1mcippcRLAUD8zQhoKSSp-SvcuhVWzo9sAlabAgYW2oiHnkFyEqzTI8doR_JQMiAHHdY62Xe8uN7RaqwNiHw4ZPp/s1600/harry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRh9VA8W6Td4PBtCBdJNC55_1xaoRPeQkNHdjXQWM1lWd6oSGjzSX1mcippcRLAUD8zQhoKSSp-SvcuhVWzo9sAlabAgYW2oiHnkFyEqzTI8doR_JQMiAHHdY62Xe8uN7RaqwNiHw4ZPp/s1600/harry.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan's favourite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seems the expectations are for Redknapp to waltz into the camp and totally transform the English team’s fortunes. He has admitted an interest in taking on the role, but the timing is surely so wrong for all parties involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, Redknapp’s Tottenham have played the best football in the Premier League this season, but this would not necessarily transfer to the national side and he would not want to jeopardise all the progress he has made at White Hart Lane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the FA, the pressure remains to recruit successfully and although these are desperate times, patience could be the virtue they require. If England fail to perform at Euro 2012, appointing Redknapp now before the disappointment would further tarnish their reputation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, appointing Redknapp after Euro 2012, whether successful or not, would bring great energy to the build up to the World Cup in 2014. The current youthful England squad has a lot of potential stars and by 2014 it will undoubtedly be a greater force than at present.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFKyD-nPgHVrOAZZlWqXkliYGPY_bsR4UXVr49Vv6d5DuaXhiT3AOF090DGlw0iqHFqQsfVv1_L2RfiMPVkDgWDm26eriIjrgoS-re0-1eEM3MXGrRkqD2Jqk-LRbmSVaDaL6lhRHDyUO/s1600/capellosp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFKyD-nPgHVrOAZZlWqXkliYGPY_bsR4UXVr49Vv6d5DuaXhiT3AOF090DGlw0iqHFqQsfVv1_L2RfiMPVkDgWDm26eriIjrgoS-re0-1eEM3MXGrRkqD2Jqk-LRbmSVaDaL6lhRHDyUO/s1600/capellosp.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capello fell from grace</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let us not forget that a popular Fabio Capello was named BBC’s Sports Coach of the Year for England’s successful qualifying campaign prior to the World Cup in 2010, praised for his disciplinary skills and rewarded with a contract extension. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Such is the cut-throat nature of modern management, that just several weeks later, due to a pathetic display by the English players in South Africa, the fans were calling for his head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have no doubts Redknapp will manage England one day but now is not the right time. He surely does not want to risk people doubting his ability before he has had a chance to prove himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There has been so much controversy surrounding an England side lacking an abundance of raw talent, that their chances of success at Euro 2012 are slim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So,does it really matter who is in charge?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">True, Harry Redknapp is the only fit contender for this post but even he is not a miracle worker. It will take time to reinstall the relevant mindset and beliefs that are required for success with England's national team.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYGlETKlRw86v0JmtaxWNTB3krGc7BJecAZag9zbBpSO706mHat0Cl3kalXI9pUh2UyQoyncUUsVCXu8kOCpv4bIMDwgFwh8aw978X1o5vUDMwvBf80jswOk4ZcciymYPoSQuSKi2vqTl/s1600/englandfans.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYGlETKlRw86v0JmtaxWNTB3krGc7BJecAZag9zbBpSO706mHat0Cl3kalXI9pUh2UyQoyncUUsVCXu8kOCpv4bIMDwgFwh8aw978X1o5vUDMwvBf80jswOk4ZcciymYPoSQuSKi2vqTl/s1600/englandfans.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Familiar disappointment for English fans</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as important as the manager is the quality of the players, which in England’s case is somewhat lacking. A midfield of Gerrard, Parker, Barry and Johnson is non-comparable to Spain’s Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Fabregas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest fear for English football fans should not be who will manage the team at Euro 2012, but how they will manage their own expectations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Supporting your country wholeheartedly is what these tournaments are all about, but English fans must learn to be realistic. Whether Harry Redknapp leads England to Euro 2012 or not, they must not expect to win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-34610297607213085432012-02-23T05:40:00.003+00:002012-04-13T03:12:18.542+01:00In Arsene We Trust?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Arsene Wenger’s 16-year reign as Arsenal manager is at an all-time low and the steady decline of a previous powerhouse of English football has now reached crisis point.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_etkB1xD4L7WhyphenhyphenDTn763gsoq0lEwVXZA2Y77RC-t1L9SKuzrUC1vwSeQxD4nWj7GqUaQ0UJAtvJ5-DqyTt-tGDp95nKz1cfyw9CXeaVHlPFceNjbBYuWg1KWBpL8Ds6mv5dO9LMgRgWC/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_etkB1xD4L7WhyphenhyphenDTn763gsoq0lEwVXZA2Y77RC-t1L9SKuzrUC1vwSeQxD4nWj7GqUaQ0UJAtvJ5-DqyTt-tGDp95nKz1cfyw9CXeaVHlPFceNjbBYuWg1KWBpL8Ds6mv5dO9LMgRgWC/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tough times for Wenger</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the space of four days Arsenal have been dumped out of the FA Cup by a mediocre Sunderland side and emphatically thrashed by AC Milan to all but end their hopes of progression in the Champions League. Sitting 17 point adrift of league leaders Manchester City they have little to play for and facing a seventh straight season without a trophy, some supporters are now suggesting Wenger’s time is up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Gazzetta dello Sport described Arsenal’s 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan in the San Siro, their heaviest ever European defeat, as “Una delusione totale” which requires little translation. Ex-captain Patrick Viera was quick to defend his old boss, stating on Twitter, “There was a lack of leadership, you cannot blame only Arsene, the players must take some responsibility.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gAkf_aus1JZAtpYZDr_fdVdLRaNs6Hotc__LpI65i6mzd2TDL9qYyUuqrlt5zFU76pdz07pE8k3BS0Mgo5uSeKY-ikx0zgQHudX5EQn32XixYIp3C4ujzPpnFJ2BIhhr4gcDux4buTJn/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gAkf_aus1JZAtpYZDr_fdVdLRaNs6Hotc__LpI65i6mzd2TDL9qYyUuqrlt5zFU76pdz07pE8k3BS0Mgo5uSeKY-ikx0zgQHudX5EQn32XixYIp3C4ujzPpnFJ2BIhhr4gcDux4buTJn/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Embarrassed in Milan</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not many expected Arsenal to win in a tough away fixture to a side that currently tops Serie A, but this was not just a loss. Wenger admitted, “The result is a disaster, although the season is not finished… We need to show something completely different on Saturday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There were many differences in the game on Saturday, the most noticeable being the quality of Arsenal’s opposition, but the outcome was the same. Granted they were unlucky at times, but in what former midfielder Emmanuel Petit classified as the worst season of Arsene Wenger’s career, he pinpointed their problems. “They’re playing like they don’t know what’s going on… Mentally they’re very weak.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wenger claimed, “We had a lot of possession, didn’t create a lot…” His methods have been criticised in the past for promoting style over substance and Highbury hero Dennis Bergkamp was quick to acknowledge that “Sometimes you need more of a winning mentality than a passing mentality… I’m not sure if Arsenal have enough of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arsene Wenger, labelled a “miracle worker” by former vice-chairman David Dein, won the double with Arsenal in 1998 and 2002. He became the only manager ever to achieve an unbeaten season in the Premier League in 2004 and reached the Champions League Final in 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGV-9r7W5AXY40RfMpmrsFS7NOqWif6Z0cZ1CUoLCFobAkPHKIeuDNSeGrL2CooduNLPiGWYdBiR-pluxq69jd500yYwdGPKs5gc9vvwX1mzdTG762Su2X-MZkO0TxhjbFQ9PFk6Oln84/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGV-9r7W5AXY40RfMpmrsFS7NOqWif6Z0cZ1CUoLCFobAkPHKIeuDNSeGrL2CooduNLPiGWYdBiR-pluxq69jd500yYwdGPKs5gc9vvwX1mzdTG762Su2X-MZkO0TxhjbFQ9PFk6Oln84/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Duo are so badly missed</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This success was built around experienced players and big characters, who gave Arsenal a ruthless sense of drive and determination. Think Seaman, Adams, Keown, Viera, Petit, Henry and Bergkamp among others. Now compare this to a current Arsenal outfit, which, aside of Robin Van Persie, struggles to boast a single outright leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wenger has become widely known for his failure to bring in big name signings and his inability to hold on to his top talents. This season Arsenal lost the services of two of their outstanding players in Cesc Fabregas and Sami Nasri who moved onwards and upwards to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Speculation continues to surround the future of Van Persie, who is still yet to sign a new contract and if Arsenal fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, they would surely be waving goodbye to the man who has single-handedly dragged them up to fourth in the league table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Arsenal's only hope</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Having signed five players in a frantic final 48 hours of the last transfer window, none of any notoriety, Arsenal fans have been left once again to wonder why Wenger, a Master of Economics, refuses to spend the money that chief executive Ivan Gazidis announces is available for transfers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Petit stresses, “They have to spend money to get the big names.” But with the possibility of no Champions League football next year and the lack of willingness to offer lucrative contract deals such as in the case of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal may be facing a dilemma of not being able to attract top class footballers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To add insult to injury, Arsenal’s apparent decline appears to be coinciding in perfect unison with the rise and rise of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tottenham flying high</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Third in the league, still in the FA Cup and playing the most attractive football in England, Harry Redknapp’s men are taking great delight in the shift of footballing fortune in North East London. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In contrast to Arsenal, Spurs have been able to retain their best players in Gareth Bale and Luka Modric and bring in proven talent such as Rafael Van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor. One of Europe’s hottest prospects Eden Hazard also recently expressed his desire to ply his trade at White Hart Lane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arsenal have won only five of their last ten Premier League matches and scoring only twice, they have conceded six goals in their last two competitive outings. With the next three fixtures lining them up against Tottenham, Liverpool and AC Milan, the outlook is bleak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A team void of any confidence, have a manager in Wenger who openly admits, “It’s very difficult to say where it leaves us and what we will do.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The glory days are a distant memory</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whilst many have lost faith in the man who brought such success to the club in his early years, there is no hiding behind the facts. Arsenal have finished in the top four of the Premier League in every single season since Wenger arrived in 1996. They have also been involved in the Champions League 14 years in a row under Wenger, despite having only 12 European ventures in total previous to his tenure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Petit believes “Arsene is still the solution” and many fans maintain faith in a man who has done so much good for Arsenal Football Club, but it is impossible to ignore the doubt in the voices of Wenger’s followers as cries of “IN ARSENE WE TRUST” are replaced by murmours of “In Arsene we trust?”</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-21582279075534705412012-02-21T18:42:00.004+00:002012-04-13T03:12:33.955+01:00British Boxing on the Ropes<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Dereck Chisora and David Haye are at the centre of a scandal that has jeopardised the future of British heavyweight boxing.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chisora and Haye square up</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chisora clashed with Haye at the post-fight press conference following his bout with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Former WBA heavyweight champion, Haye, appeared to have turned up uninvited to address Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente who previously attempted to have Haye ejected from his ringside seat during the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Haye claims Boente agreed the terms of a fight with Vitali Klitschko in December, but has since expressed his desire to re-negotiate financial terms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a bizarre turn of events, Chisora then entered a war of words before going to confront Haye in the auditorium, where the brawl ensued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chisora slaps Klitschko during weigh-in</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While Klitschko looked on with pleasure, the two British fighters totally embarrassed themselves, proving that adding to a lack of talent, neither is fit to be champion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chisora and Haye will now await the outcome of police investigations which could see the pair charged with malicious injury and making a threat and grievous bodily harm, offences that potentially carry five and ten year sentences respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This was not the first time Chisora has been in the limelight over issues surrounding his fight with Klitschko.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the weigh-in, Chisora slapped the defending champion in an unprovoked attack. The challenger then spat water into the face of brother Wladimir Klitschko in the ring before the bout began and continued his verbal assault after the fight, refusing to accept defeat gracefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chisora spits in the face of Wladimir Klitschko</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The combined effect of such behaviour has left many disgusted with Chisora and Haye’s actions, questioning how British boxing can move forward from these tasteless incidents that have brought the sport into disrepute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is no doubt these men acted without the maturity or respect that grown men are obliged to display in public and one could never condone their actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, this act of raw passion, something that has been non-existent in the modern generation of heavyweight boxing, gave fans a taste of what the sweet science was once all about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a sport that has been as good as dead for a decade, a controversy such as this could be just what the heavyweight division needs to reignite the flame that has barely flickered for so long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booth on the receiving end</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the 1990’s alone we were blessed with so many memorable, natural heavyweight champions in Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Riddick Bowe and Oliver McCall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">During this era, heavyweight boxing consisted of two brutal beasts donning a pair of leather mitts and going toe-to-toe until only one was left standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 2002, a brawl involving Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis erupted at a press conference inside New York’s Hudson Theater during a promotional event for Lewis’ penultimate championship fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At this conference, Tyson attacked Lewis with a ferocity that makes Chisora and Haye’s scuffle appear like a lovers tiff. In Germany, Haye’s trainer Adam Booth came off worst, picking up a cut to the head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyson and Lewis brawl</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the New York melee, Tyson bit a chunk out of Lewis’ leg before unleashing a foul-mouthed, homophobic, racist monologue, threatening to rape and kill a particular member of the press. The WBC president Jose Sulaiman was even knocked unconscious after hitting his head on a table and was treated for concussion at hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sulaiman exclaimed “It would be discriminatory to single out Mike Tyson because many other boxers have behaved similarly at other press conferences.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tyson went unpunished because this was considered part and parcel of the boxing industry. These are the actions that wow spectators and so much of boxing’s popularity is owed to what happens outside the ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This has been true ever since the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, used verbal assaults to intimidate his opponents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greatest trash-talker</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He suggested, “Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wild Life.” Ali also promised “I’ll beat him so bad he’ll need a shoehorn to put his hat on,” when quizzed on his proposed bout with Floyd Patterson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As with many sports in the modern age, boxing is primarily a business and all businesses rely on effective marketing for success. Boxing has had little in the way of unique selling points over the last ten years and this may just be the unexpected breakthrough disillusioned consumers had hoped for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dereck Chisora and David Haye offer little in the way of reasons to support their actions inside or outside of the ring and will have done their already controversial public personas no favours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, their sacrifice of personal popularity, intentional or not, appears to have created a newfound buzz in the boxing industry, providing a global interest, not previously generated by events inside the ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klitschko shows why he is champion</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not many would admit to a soft spot for convicted rapist and drug user Mike Tyson, but an even smaller percentage could argue against his legendary status in the world of boxing and the unbridled entertainment value he brought to the sport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Men who attempt to brutally disfigure others for pleasure cannot possibly be considered as potential role models. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We must refrain from viewing them in such light and hope their barbaric acts serve merely to spark life into a sport, which is well and truly on the ropes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-90479240578950000782012-02-17T03:04:00.002+00:002012-04-13T03:12:50.474+01:00Lin Breaks Records and Racial Stereotypes<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The NBA is currently in a state of shock after a series of devastating performances from the new rising star of basketball, New York Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lin at Harvard</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The 23-year-old, American-born Taiwanese superstar has beaten all the odds to defy his critics and smash NBA records, scoring 136 points in his first five career starts – a record that eclipses previous heroes of the sport including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just two weeks ago, Lin was considered a third-choice point guard in danger of being cut for the third time this season, yet in an unlikely turnaround, he now has the fastest selling NBA jersey and crowds of people chanting his name in adoration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lin failed to receive any Division I collegiate scholarship offers out of high school and went undrafted in the NBA draft, being cut by two teams, but his obvious abundance of talent has left many fans questioning his recent emergence, wondering what has held back such an explosive performer until now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The man of the moment</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Listening to Lin followers in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, it becomes clear that racial stereotyping has much to answer for in the delay of Lin’s rise to becoming an NBA great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Basketball is dominated by African American and Caucasian professionals, but Lin is finally managing to do what many Asian’s before him have failed to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lin himself referred to racial issues in a recent interview, admitting, “I feel like Asians in general don’t get the respect that we may deserve whether it comes to sports, basketball or whatever it might be… Maybe I can help break this stereotype.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Passionate performer</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This issue of race has been a long-running dilemma for Lin who chose to attend Harvard in a hope to get noticed. Over four years the man who received zero scholarship offers after high school, scored a staggering 1,483 points, 487 rebounds, 406 assists and 225 steals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This still failed to gain interest from NBA scouts and going undrafted in 2010, Lin signed for the Golden State Warriors, but he was offered minimal playing time and only managed an average of 2.6 points per game, being released in December. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shortly after, he was signed up by Houston Rockets, but was again released before the season commenced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Winning the fans love</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Having been unemployed for almost a month, New York Knicks gave Lin a lifeline, agreeing a non-guaranteed contract and having been a whisker away from being cut for a third time, the opportunity to prove his worth arrived on February 4<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lin took his chance in emphatic style, producing a stunning 25-point performance against the New Jersey Nets, but he was only getting started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Houston Rockets Daryl Morey regretfully claimed that he “Did not know he was this good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kobe learns a lesson</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Surely his excellent high school and Harvard records were an indication of his talents. He clearly should have received a scholarship and a draft in the NBA, with opportunity to play last season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This said, Lin is still young and the delay in his arrival on the NBA scene has only served to make his impact even more explosive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lin is no longer concerned with the past and is using his on-court ability to do his talking. The new star of the game has led the Knicks to a 6-0 record in their last six games, with an average of 27 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On February 10<sup>th</sup> Lin scored a sensational 38 points against NBA giant Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, before scoring the winning three-point basket against the Toronto Raptors on February 14<sup>th</sup> to solidify his popularity across the globe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Media madness</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With his refreshing, if not old-fashioned pass and shoot style, Lin is reminding basketball fans of the importance of the fundamental principles of the game. He is also giving hope to all young basketball stars worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In just two weeks Lin has set records, won games and sold jerseys. But, much more than this, he has provided hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jeremy Lin has transformed the outlook, not only for Asian Americans in the NBA, but for racial stereotyping on a global scale. A truly remarkable story, dubbed ‘Lin-sane’ by American media has left us all believing a little more in ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jiayou</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jeremy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-37124045159077902852012-02-14T06:06:00.002+00:002012-04-13T03:13:00.648+01:00Suarez Steals Headlines for Wrong Reasons<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Wayne Rooney brace ensured a vital victory for Manchester United over bitter rivals Liverpool, but it was Luis Suarez who continued to steal the headlines for all the wrong reasons.</b></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The origin of the feud </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the Premier League’s great historic fixtures usually presents two of England’s powerhouses in a wonderful advertisement for top-flight football.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was not one of those occasions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Marked as the match to put tensions aside following Suarez’s lengthy ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra at Anfield in October, it was the handshake that never was which set the tone for an ill-tempered contest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tensions threatened to escalate out of control before a ball was even kicked, when the Uruguayan refused the Frenchman’s hand, causing Ferdinand to follow suit, denying that of Suarez’s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The vital three points for United came courtesy of a Wayne Rooney double in a four-minute frenzy directly following the interval, when Suarez had sparked scenes of unhappiness in the tunnel after kicking the ball into the crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The villain of the drama snatched a consolation but United were victorious in an ill-tempered meeting, climaxing in uncomfortable scenes, as Evra’s over-exuberant celebrations in retaliation sparked angry responses, leaving a bad taste in the mouth of football fans nationwide.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg38vFLxi-nhtAaGH7EIivGtZ8IlF4ENLfz1wdEsF77Nz2tlzCoIbA7Lz2wB-TkzzURll9nViac_1QjoS-GNuUzDeemxJUt6h5Wqj_UxvsboqaRvKyvcTiGQC9m6B0N1uiGywtxb0f3QN6/s1600/evra+suarez+handshake.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg38vFLxi-nhtAaGH7EIivGtZ8IlF4ENLfz1wdEsF77Nz2tlzCoIbA7Lz2wB-TkzzURll9nViac_1QjoS-GNuUzDeemxJUt6h5Wqj_UxvsboqaRvKyvcTiGQC9m6B0N1uiGywtxb0f3QN6/s1600/evra+suarez+handshake.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The non-handshake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Obvious animosity was illustrated just eighteen seconds in, when Suarez in possession was viewed as a red rag to a bull for Evra and Ferdinand, who converged on the Liverpool striker with great venom. In their eagerness to go head-to-head with the forward, Evra sent Ferdinand into a somersault, landing on his head, causing play to be halted for several minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Liverpool came closest to scoring ten minutes in when Glen Johnson, picked out by Suarez, found himself in acres of space down United’s left flank, cutting inside and stroking a left-foot shot agonisingly wide of David De Gea’s far post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three minutes later and Suarez was involved again, as Jonny Evans’ boot came in close contact with his face. In defence of Evans, the Liverpool man ducked into the challenge and to credit Suarez, he failed to make a big issue of a potentially controversial incident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Rooney were involved in a wonderful one-touch passage, allowing Ryan Giggs to roll back the years, whipping in a precise cross from the left wing, met by the unchallenged veteran Scholes, who somehow failed to convert from six yards out.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK4qda2f0cIK02NXU_8UyKDCfxwkH3IdVp1dNzOV80l-R-ExjsTLVsK_JHOxmUbjaN1Uwm-xJapxQVzHaXOaqebCVrROdLBgZTDT-VILPwe89OyBJ1GA_-g59vq4voUWXufF5EYGr4YvS/s1600/rooney+liverpool.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK4qda2f0cIK02NXU_8UyKDCfxwkH3IdVp1dNzOV80l-R-ExjsTLVsK_JHOxmUbjaN1Uwm-xJapxQVzHaXOaqebCVrROdLBgZTDT-VILPwe89OyBJ1GA_-g59vq4voUWXufF5EYGr4YvS/s1600/rooney+liverpool.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rooney hits form</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pepe Reina’s reflex save prevented United from taking advantage in a game that failed to inspire in the way that so many previous encounters had done and with ten men behind the ball, Liverpool’s defence was proving difficult to penetrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As referee Phil Dowd signalled for half-time and with little between the teams, Suarez livened things up by aggressively lashing the ball into the crowd by the dugout. Clearly unhappy with such actions, United players reacted and a tussle ensued in the tunnel as the players trotted off to store their handbags in the lockers provided.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was United who benefited from all the off-pitch antics and a fired up Merseyside man provided two killer blows to all but seal the three points, putting United top of the league.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ninety seconds after the restart, the former Evertonian, Rooney, was in the right place at the right time as a Giggs corner, flicked on by Jordan Henderson, found him unmarked five yards out, slamming a volley past the helpless Reina.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbLdakJYBJto-wbXa0DnhjLi52wQapt6LTQ4oaNVrv0GUoGqXXEEe3DPM-3UcLLwd2U2h0OSKTI5aiBkZab5ZMsc8_yTeZheVMMc-qkhXEo6UwRQo4Q8y9oUDnLlhAbg_RkhsH_JyG4EO/s1600/evra+celebration.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbLdakJYBJto-wbXa0DnhjLi52wQapt6LTQ4oaNVrv0GUoGqXXEEe3DPM-3UcLLwd2U2h0OSKTI5aiBkZab5ZMsc8_yTeZheVMMc-qkhXEo6UwRQo4Q8y9oUDnLlhAbg_RkhsH_JyG4EO/s1600/evra+celebration.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tensions continue to flare</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Less than four minutes later a tenacious Antonio Valencia forced Jay Spearing to give up possession in a compromising position, allowing United’s in-form winger to release a well-weighted pass to Rooney, who calmly slid the ball past the oncoming Reina from twelve yards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Scholes dummied Valencia’s pass on the edge of the box, even Rooney was taken by surprise, squandering the opportunity to secure a twelve-minute hat-trick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Liverpool managed to regain some composure, with a clumsy tackle from behind on Suarez earning Carrick a yellow card and Charlie Adam a chance to deliver a dangerous ball into the United box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That he did and a ricochet off Ferdinand fell to that man Suarez who toe-poked past a helpless De Gea from three yards out, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope and setting up a nervy ending to a match the home team had dominated.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7BWOZViFJEokZ_eTZoeC_KWqciud-12raI_rmF-RUqK3OINUfzmX9LV5Z9QkaIRzX9K-LoG0F1kbydVtPBsKX-wp-1nW5SwriATJZPH5uQIqSSRihLh19f8XHbeZmVCfD_LDj7V7Czzx/s1600/suarez+terry.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7BWOZViFJEokZ_eTZoeC_KWqciud-12raI_rmF-RUqK3OINUfzmX9LV5Z9QkaIRzX9K-LoG0F1kbydVtPBsKX-wp-1nW5SwriATJZPH5uQIqSSRihLh19f8XHbeZmVCfD_LDj7V7Czzx/s1600/suarez+terry.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anti-racism T-shirts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a flashback to his save from a Gary Cahill drive in the dying minutes at Stamford Bridge, De Gea once again showed tremendous athleticism to tip over a last-gasp strike from Johnson, giving the champions an important victory to send them top of the league, if only for a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The final whistle sparked passionate celebrations from United fans and players alike, but none as fervent as that of Evra, whose wild prancing towards the Stretford End seemed to conveniently coincide with Suarez’s exit from the field, angering Liverpool players and causing security to intervene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was not the most diplomatic of actions from Evra who had kept his cool so admirably for ninety minutes, although he will argue his right to celebrate with his own fans and given the backdrop to this game and the events prior to kick-off, this was clearly a victory of huge personal significance to the Frenchman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suarez, banned for racial abuse and obscene gesturing, appeared to want to take on the world, serving to further disgrace himself, undermining the management and bringing the ethics of one of England’s greatest football clubs into question.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uFDPXaIR7tPuyKgaEpPcoAlTZhkXvTy17MQOMOQj3jIVUz6LX6fb9DRRdgYBXFy64fPg7-7d3FoBxNLowmvNkX_8DlD6MY-iT8eqsWy8BRIx5rDEEcLHOasjjdoZGUPHlE3EMAl2Fl65/s1600/david+cameron+football.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uFDPXaIR7tPuyKgaEpPcoAlTZhkXvTy17MQOMOQj3jIVUz6LX6fb9DRRdgYBXFy64fPg7-7d3FoBxNLowmvNkX_8DlD6MY-iT8eqsWy8BRIx5rDEEcLHOasjjdoZGUPHlE3EMAl2Fl65/s1600/david+cameron+football.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cameron vows to act</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Liverpool had stated publicly that Suarez would shake Evra’s hand before the game in an attempt to draw a line under the ongoing tensions caused by Liverpool’s refusal to publicly condemn their striker, despite having been found guilty on both charges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was not until news reached American owners John Henry and Tom Werner on Sunday of further misdemeanours, that Kenny Dalglish and Suarez were forced to make an apology, which many felt came four months too late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the addition of the racial abuse allegations against ex-England captain John Terry, Prime Minister David Cameron has become involved in a shameful situation by demanding a conference with football’s authorities.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcOt6NxwebNjwb_KV6Ua0d-TiThcfR7-uCllrA5Rk9mNlFsZlfcHuXI1DH8j91ktASaY6OPdEM9qsmXBi63TO75Qy5kZ4tzUxBb4dvApnW9rdg-n9cYPKdtuK-yX9y6lVeOWkSafhH99z/s1600/football+handshake.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcOt6NxwebNjwb_KV6Ua0d-TiThcfR7-uCllrA5Rk9mNlFsZlfcHuXI1DH8j91ktASaY6OPdEM9qsmXBi63TO75Qy5kZ4tzUxBb4dvApnW9rdg-n9cYPKdtuK-yX9y6lVeOWkSafhH99z/s1600/football+handshake.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The good old days</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">John Terry lost his English captaincy, but has received no punishment by Chelsea and despite being innocent until being proven guilty, most other industries would suspend such employees, pending the outcome of the criminal trial.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carlos Tevez was initially dealt with accordingly by Manchester City for refusing to carry out the duties of the job for which he is employed to undertake. Yet, as the league leaders push to claim their first Premier League title, it appears Roberto Mancini is suddenly happy to have Tevez at his disposal once again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suarez, Terry and Tevez are all world-class players that their managers would not want to lose, but it is fair to suggest that until the clubs themselves take a harder stance, player power will continue to dictate the severity of actions taken or not taken against them for such abominable behaviour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The football world will hope the end to a scandalous period in English football history is nigh and that we shall soon be able to witness these great historic fixtures without the surrounding controversy, which is polluting the essence of ‘the beautiful game’.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-81551380682553748292012-02-11T10:13:00.002+00:002012-04-13T03:13:23.179+01:00Giants Still Too Big for Patriots<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vB7l0lH1Nf6U4dAvhNNiXSgvBJZj4-eQOPI0LVdMQp2QLasFWb8I7f1ISsnExMfUgRj4MKnkXd9RMwbsJinxwcVrjL6ZH_6SrDnP1wN6XehVAkcR5zDLiltXNvyoY5gsjwBQb6VUf4Dd/s1600/superbowl+trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vB7l0lH1Nf6U4dAvhNNiXSgvBJZj4-eQOPI0LVdMQp2QLasFWb8I7f1ISsnExMfUgRj4MKnkXd9RMwbsJinxwcVrjL6ZH_6SrDnP1wN6XehVAkcR5zDLiltXNvyoY5gsjwBQb6VUf4Dd/s1600/superbowl+trophy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Giants vs The Patriots</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>The New York Giants held their nerve in a tense Super Bowl contest to defeat the New England Patriots 21-17, owing to a dramatic last-gasp touchdown in Indianapolis.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Eli Manning, who upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII four years ago, displayed his nerves of steel in the heat of battle, once again claiming the Most Valuable Player accolade.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Manning triggered Ahmad Bradshaw’s six-yard run and with 57 seconds still on the clock, Tom Brady failed in his response, falling desperately short.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Mario Manningham played a crucial role for the Giants, producing a magical catch on the first play of their final drive. Receiving Manning’s missile, thrown from his own 12-yard line, Manningham displayed glorious athleticism, almost defying gravity to produce a catch that will go down in Super Bowl history.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Having dragged his Giants back from losing situations six times this season prior to the Super Bowl, Manning once again inspired his troops in the moments when it mattered.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Despite taking an early 9-0 lead, the Giants fell under a long period of Patriot pressure, lead by Tom Brady.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkkwrg0XBN3bXRm9BGZ3d-yMVulrO3YZ_e3sZS-PWVXGIpdovh47KEIuytzgGIEU-1Bd5pKQ74LgYLmg0LRdlIHfgl9zphK-rtN4-ywaFwPNIld1fVw1ppXmG0memr7IMShisFSEkPpR4/s1600/mario+manningham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkkwrg0XBN3bXRm9BGZ3d-yMVulrO3YZ_e3sZS-PWVXGIpdovh47KEIuytzgGIEU-1Bd5pKQ74LgYLmg0LRdlIHfgl9zphK-rtN4-ywaFwPNIld1fVw1ppXmG0memr7IMShisFSEkPpR4/s1600/mario+manningham.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Manningham in action</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">However, eight plays down-the-line, Bradshaw claimed a touchdown in the most bizarre of circumstances. He was allowed to cross the line unchallenged by the Patriot defence in order to allow Brady one last chance of success.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The running back who totalled 72 rushing yards from 17 attempts was unable to prevent himself from crossing the line as momentum carried him over. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Had Bradshaw fallen short of the end zone, Giants’ kicker Lawrence Tynes would have been presented with a field goal opportunity to win the game as the clock ran down.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tom Brady was gifted one last chance and having dispatched 16 passes in a row, a Super Bowl record, his final attempt on the last play saw his Hail Mary pass batted to safety by a much relieved Giants defence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Brady had reason to feel cheated, as the man who was playing his fifth Super Bowl completed 27 of 41 passes, covering 276 yards, claiming two touchdowns. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It was a recovery of fine fashion, having conceded a safety with his first possession during the birth of the contest.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">His shaky start presented Victor Cruz with the chance to snag Manning’s neatly presented 2-yard pass and send the Giants on their way to victory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">New England responded through kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who sailed the ball through the uprights from 29 yards after a well worked drive was halted by the Giants defence.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A disappointed Brady</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Following Danny Woodhead’s catch in the end zone, there was no preventing Brady’s 14-play drive, masterminding a magnificent 96-yard march from the Patriots, equalling the Super Bowl record for longest drive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The third quarter saw the Patriots assert domination, with another structured drive culminating in Brady’s short pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez, who shrugged off a last-ditch Deon Grant to take a commanding 17-9 lead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The New England defence, notorious for conceding yards but not points, soaked up the backlash with some colossal hits, but failed to prevent a 38-yard Tynes field goal, adding three to the Giants’ total.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When the Patriots failed to recover a fumble by Giants’ wide receiver Hakeem Nick, Tynes successfully completed another field goal from 33-yards, closing the gap to two points at 17-15, leaving all to play for.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Known for his dependability, the pressure of the occasion seemed to grip Brady at the start of the fourth quarter, when, having dodged two tackles, his long pass was intercepted by Chase Blackburn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bradshaw’s fumble almost handed possession back to the Patriots immediately, but a Chris Snee recovery had Indianapolis wandering whether the luck was with the Giants.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CbYyr23j24kUcetEx9QOwxdJWPrn0GZkmkfqnKm_KHrtSPT-pzZgkRJrQRAQwBtCjIN2XaaFjdoQB3H9rFFti9b2jMuX1yT68Ssr5KmjNs_DwQdEPMhdd4fFGYCkGDuUIc1uFGEPMbUq/s1600/eli+manning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CbYyr23j24kUcetEx9QOwxdJWPrn0GZkmkfqnKm_KHrtSPT-pzZgkRJrQRAQwBtCjIN2XaaFjdoQB3H9rFFti9b2jMuX1yT68Ssr5KmjNs_DwQdEPMhdd4fFGYCkGDuUIc1uFGEPMbUq/s1600/eli+manning.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In the knowledge that the Giants had exhausted two of their three timeouts, the Patriots played to run down the clock.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Manning had other ideas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The quarterback, slated for placing himself in the same class as Brady earlier this season, defied his critics, orchestrating another dream climax for the Giants, crowning them Super Bowl XLVI winners.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Completing 30 of his 40 throws for 296 yards, Manning was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player for the second time, a feat only bettered by Joe Montana, but paid tribute to the New England team spirit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“We had a great, tough bunch of guys who never quit and had faith in each other. I’m proud of these guys sticking together.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A fantastic finale to the playoffs highlighted once again, that no team is too big for the Giants.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428154747580630840.post-85408130884274593632012-02-08T20:17:00.002+00:002012-04-13T03:13:40.126+01:00Comeback Kings Fight to Keep Crown<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Manchester United staged a stunning fightback in an enthralling encounter at Stamford Bridge, leaving Chelsea bewildered, staunchly reminding critics to doubt them at their own peril.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alex Ferguson has vehemently denied that his current squad lacks the class of previous sides, although their faltering progress in cup competitions this term is evidence against such claims.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLfgTdLwtp6ev3zEFzecBW8FeRAqZOPYpbAGWqg2lRY7wVyMZYbHXSQl7ORG4qlk0KK8BaUGxRFp4IcKVO5FuWPqit6t6D3CyGuc6RFyn2Lm4zybUQamrNt9lEsVwCxLSSUV0QYBhkKmr/s1600/mata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLfgTdLwtp6ev3zEFzecBW8FeRAqZOPYpbAGWqg2lRY7wVyMZYbHXSQl7ORG4qlk0KK8BaUGxRFp4IcKVO5FuWPqit6t6D3CyGuc6RFyn2Lm4zybUQamrNt9lEsVwCxLSSUV0QYBhkKmr/s320/mata.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perfect execution from Mata </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet when United produce a display such as they did in the second half against Chelsea, correcting a three goal deficit, it serves as a firm implication that they will not relinquish their crown with ease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Jonny Evans own goal put the home side ahead, with a scintillating strike from Juan Mata and a deflected David Luiz header sailing Chelsea into a three goal lead and the Stamford Bridge faithful into a frenzy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the game was not finished and neither were Manchester United.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clumsy defending from the home team and a touch of good fortune allowed Wayne Rooney to convert two penalties, with a dramatic header from Javier Hernandez sparking scenes of jubilation for the visitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chelsea could have snatched a winner, but David de Gea defied his critics with two stunning saves in the dying minutes, from a wonderfully executed Mata free-kick and a powerful drive by debutant Gary Cahill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An enticing spectacle for the neutral and a wonderful advert for Premier League football, the contest was summarised by Alex Ferguson, as a game that “epitomises English football”.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR98_LMfb4uG17HU5ydmTI_tu-eQaCl5LxPbLbVx8t8VxKo7veiNJQzR1xkJcFy2k8Ls3JZ9S7sFD4qgoMXS0OH7qlT_naGirU7DewwBYSs-QeWLbkXRiF9UnRJUTfXY6DwIOf72g1_TJ/s1600/ivanovic+penalty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR98_LMfb4uG17HU5ydmTI_tu-eQaCl5LxPbLbVx8t8VxKo7veiNJQzR1xkJcFy2k8Ls3JZ9S7sFD4qgoMXS0OH7qlT_naGirU7DewwBYSs-QeWLbkXRiF9UnRJUTfXY6DwIOf72g1_TJ/s1600/ivanovic+penalty.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Welbeck earns soft penalty</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The outcome saw the champions fall two points adrift of neighbours Manchester City in the title race, but given the context of the game, United will view this as one point gained in a match showcasing their famous never-say-die attitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Chelsea, it was a missed opportunity to solidify their position in the top four as they remain just a solitary point ahead of fifth place Newcastle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chelsea had never failed to win a game in which they had led by three goals, but a defence void of injured captain John Terry and suspended full-back Ashley Cole, always looked delicate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A cagey atmosphere saw Rio Ferdinand booed with every touch of the ball and Alex Ferguson as animated as ever, following Cahill’s last ditch tackle on Danny Welbeck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First contact was outside the box but the former Bolton man found himself extremely fortunate to escape unpunished by the clumsy challenge, admitting he was “slightly fortunate to get away with that one”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite United’s apparent dominance it was Chelsea who took the lead, when Daniel Sturridge skilfully outwitted Patrice Evra, seeing his cut-back deflected into the United net via the torso of Evans..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What promised to be a tight clash in the second half was anything but that for the opening thirteen minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With only twenty-four seconds on the clock, Patrice Evra was caught wondering wildly out of position, not for the first time this season, allowing Torres to gather the ball unchallenged on Chelsea’s right flank. The Spaniard looked up once, sending a missile directly onto the boot of his fellow countryman at United’s back post, where Mata slammed home to double their lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Four minutes later, Mata turned provider, delivering a fizzling free-kick, met by a rising David Luiz, whose header deflected off Ferdinand into the top corner, wrong-footing the helpless De Gea.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S0l03vulIOIMabNocfmZxfYPDDArfMr1LkMBG4lTKpESfxDsbNvvik-khWCy5mw1Jn9Fs5IremXI9g-t5kGZgS54xG9JFzBAKjTQfU4AoVRnwmGQ-ytFqAiHQN5f-euEzN6s9TZZVWA3/s1600/hernandez+header+chelsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S0l03vulIOIMabNocfmZxfYPDDArfMr1LkMBG4lTKpESfxDsbNvvik-khWCy5mw1Jn9Fs5IremXI9g-t5kGZgS54xG9JFzBAKjTQfU4AoVRnwmGQ-ytFqAiHQN5f-euEzN6s9TZZVWA3/s1600/hernandez+header+chelsea.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Evra’s desire is unquestionable, however, having contributed in part to all three Chelsea goals, Ferguson will surely have stern words with his skipper prior to facing Liverpool on Saturday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With United dazed and confused, Chelsea fans began their celebrations, only to be halted by a penalty awarded to the visitors when Sturridge carelessly clattered into Evra just before the hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With mixed fortunes from the spot this season, Rooney made no mistake this time, thrashing the ball into the top corner à la Shearer. He returned to the centre circle instantly, illustrating his belief that there was more to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was right.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATFDw5nv3YECp9jdKzhjoSCphZeLGL4nhSBuWFdGluGYP8IF9R_DJ_gmWLTbRI9q4o_iiEBAgYafSlRJRjL-EfBcN6pZkz9QbcjAnyZ2LKOlPumLc1MC5OjjUtFPvIa3_liQVUnmLUHYz/s1600/de+gea+saves+mata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATFDw5nv3YECp9jdKzhjoSCphZeLGL4nhSBuWFdGluGYP8IF9R_DJ_gmWLTbRI9q4o_iiEBAgYafSlRJRjL-EfBcN6pZkz9QbcjAnyZ2LKOlPumLc1MC5OjjUtFPvIa3_liQVUnmLUHYz/s1600/de+gea+saves+mata.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">De Gea denies Mata</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A hungry Welbeck battled with Branislav Ivanovic in the area, leading to the award of United’s second spot-kick, though the replay suggested minimal contact and André Villas-Boas labelled the decision “absurd”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rooney kept his cool once again, despatching the ball to Cech’s left as he leapt in the opposite direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chelsea players, aggrieved at the soft nature of referee Howard Webb’s penalty decision, appeared to self-destruct. Villas-Boas replaced a disgruntled Sturridge with Oriol Romeu, a negative substitution further handing momentum to United.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho declared his frustration on numerous occasions with regard to lesser teams “parking the team bus” in front of goal to prevent superior opposition from scoring. Ironically, this was the modern Chelsea’s tactic and it failed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paul Scholes enjoyed a cameo role, exhibiting a flawless array of passes, but it was his only senior teammate Ryan Giggs that provided the pinpoint cross for Hernandez to nod United onto equal terms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">De Gea went someway to recovering his heavily tarnished reputation with two highly acrobatic displays, reiterating his shot-stopping skills and while question marks still remain over his aerial ability, he earned some welcome respite from his critics.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Villas-Boas left frustrated</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An explosive second half culminated in stalemate, but owing to the manner of the result, Chelsea’s players trudged off the pitch in disappointment having sacrificed such a handsome lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the current champions continue to be lambasted by some section of the media who will talk of two points dropped, their rivals will have viewed their spirited performance as a sign of danger that their best is yet to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wayne Rooney spearheaded United’s assault, epitomising his manager’s tenacious character and even showed shades of Ferguson in his post-match interview, stating, “We fought well and that point could win us the league… all the City players sitting there at home won't have enjoyed watching us recover, the way we fought back and the spirit of the team.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the march towards 'squeaky-bum time' gathers pace, City maintain the upper hand, but Rooney issued a kind reminder that United, inadequate as they may be, "will be there right to the end".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Written by Dom Wallace </span></div>Dom Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900262288958061523noreply@blogger.com0