Alex Ferguson, has admitted that he see's Manchester City as no threat this coming season. That may be true but we'll have to let time and Man City to prove him wrong. It appears Alex is already getting early return on his surprise signing of Owen.
As many a great manager has said, your best team is not necessarily made of your best players. Its all about balance and movement and working well as an unit. Mark Hughes has always been successful with the hard working, ordinary player. He got Wales moving with a less than star studded squad and the same can be said about Blackburn. Hughes is an ordinary working class manager, a simple emotional team talk inspires his team of average players. Mark has always managed teams with few egos, and any that have existed are easily dealt with.
Mark now has and is still in pursuit of some of the world great players. Well we believe them to be great based on price tag, but really is Gareth Barry a world class player, I doubt it. What Barry is, is the ordinary working class player Hughes can inspire and motivate, the player Hughes management skills can get the best out off.
Now Hughes is surrounded by players on unimaginable salaries. Most players have bonuses built into their contract, if your player on £100,000 or more a week, what good is few thousand in a bonus. We can probably assume Mark is being paid less than some of his players, so automatically just as at Chelsea, his control of players is undermined.
Your thinking if a player fails to perform he'll destroy his career, most likely, but will they need football after earning the money they'll get on a two year contract at Man City. Football is no more than a routine, a procedure and act to fulfil a contract. Occasionally we will see such players do something amazing and convince ourselves that he is worth it.
Mark is a traditional manager of ordinary players, players like Barry, can he manage over paid, big ego players to success. Man City is another Chelsea in the making, but Chelsea had a manager whose personality out shone his stars, Hughes does not have that. Man City can be only one of two things, a success or a great failure, obvious yes, but when great failure comes at failing to win a top four league position and a cup, then it could be a short life for all at Man City.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tom Watson
What a weekend of golf, what a weekend for Tom Watson and what a weekend for Stewart Cink. How could any man turn to Tom Watson and find the words to honour a great golfer in missing out. Cink is a deserving champion and true golfer, and its always great to see a golfer win their first major.
Tom has been a professional for a long time and will know how to handle a loss, but this is no ordinary loss, this is The Open Championship, a title Tom has held 5 times in his career, so no doubt it holds a special place in his heart. For Tom it must have been like visiting an old friend after many years. Tom won his first Open at Turnberry in 1977, 32 years later he recounts, replays and masters the shots, the putts and the course, to finish a honourable second. Turnberry, Toms old friend, welcomed him back, entertained him for four great days, but faded as the party came to a close on Sunday evening.
The golfing world and beyond wanted a Watson win, the drama, emotion and the absolute splendour of such a victory would have been legend. Tom, interviewed on the BBC, would reflect on the tournament, but would prepare himself for the Seniors Open at Sunningdale this coming week, momentum is key to most sports, and Tom could have no better preparation than his challenge for the Claret Jug.
When Stewart Cink, held the Claret jug, and no doubt afterwards, when he was alone, he most probably looked at the long list of winners. There edged in history he will find Tom Watson’s name, not once but five times. Stewart will know, perhaps more than ever, how great a golfer Tom was and is. Cink knows now to win one Open is difficult to win 5 is extraordinary.
The 138th Open Championship will be the one Stewart Cink won, not the one Tom lost, and it should always be remembered for that. Stewart could have beaten anyone on Sunday, even Tiger, but by defeating Tom, Stewart has added, romance, affection, emotion and poignancy to his victory, beating anyone else would not give him that.
Stewarts win, now has a build up, a story, a twist and tale that will mean that this years Open will be remembered longer than others. As Tom said, "it would have been a great story" and it would have, but in many ways it still is, because it will add to Cinks great story, to his fairytale, and Tom will always be apart of that, again edged in history.
Tom has been a professional for a long time and will know how to handle a loss, but this is no ordinary loss, this is The Open Championship, a title Tom has held 5 times in his career, so no doubt it holds a special place in his heart. For Tom it must have been like visiting an old friend after many years. Tom won his first Open at Turnberry in 1977, 32 years later he recounts, replays and masters the shots, the putts and the course, to finish a honourable second. Turnberry, Toms old friend, welcomed him back, entertained him for four great days, but faded as the party came to a close on Sunday evening.
The golfing world and beyond wanted a Watson win, the drama, emotion and the absolute splendour of such a victory would have been legend. Tom, interviewed on the BBC, would reflect on the tournament, but would prepare himself for the Seniors Open at Sunningdale this coming week, momentum is key to most sports, and Tom could have no better preparation than his challenge for the Claret Jug.
When Stewart Cink, held the Claret jug, and no doubt afterwards, when he was alone, he most probably looked at the long list of winners. There edged in history he will find Tom Watson’s name, not once but five times. Stewart will know, perhaps more than ever, how great a golfer Tom was and is. Cink knows now to win one Open is difficult to win 5 is extraordinary.
The 138th Open Championship will be the one Stewart Cink won, not the one Tom lost, and it should always be remembered for that. Stewart could have beaten anyone on Sunday, even Tiger, but by defeating Tom, Stewart has added, romance, affection, emotion and poignancy to his victory, beating anyone else would not give him that.
Stewarts win, now has a build up, a story, a twist and tale that will mean that this years Open will be remembered longer than others. As Tom said, "it would have been a great story" and it would have, but in many ways it still is, because it will add to Cinks great story, to his fairytale, and Tom will always be apart of that, again edged in history.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Champions League
Its that time of year and teams are preparing for qualification for this years Champions League. Of course the regulars are there, Man Utd, Barcelona and Inter Milan, they all make it as Champions, but inside the qualifying rounds there are a few Champions. We all know the Champions League is about the best teams in Europe, we all know we want to watch the best players and that the best club team win's.
But it is the Champions League, therefore is it not only right that all the champions from every league, whether its the money flying English Premier League or the part time amateurs from Denmark or Ireland. Every champion from every competing nation should take part without qualifying.
Qualification is UEFA's way of letting the minnows take part but ultimately rejecting their presence. For these competing nations, there football will never develope as they will not be allowed to play at the top of the soccer pyramid. Liverpool, have not won a domestic league in 20 years yet they find there way into the champions league, admittedly by means of qualification, that’s qualification against league champions of other nations.
Yes we want the best footballers and so on, but do we want a team without a domestic crown in 20 years to be champions of Europe. The minnows don't get the chance to reach the high money earning stages of the champions league, thus the money makes the rich richer.
Many years ago, the number of teams allowed to qualify for the Euro Cup and World cup was increased. Nations like Liechtenstein, San Marino, Slovakia and Slovenia appeared. They were whipping boys, and indeed some still are today. But what about nights when, San Marino score first against England, and I’m sure if you check, they may still be whipping boys but the goals conceded are less and their fighting for more draws, you probably also find their domestic league has improved and number of players get recognised to play elsewhere has increased. This all amounts to developing the game it each individual nation. Of course if you take Slovenia, they reached the 2002 World Cup and impressed.
If we take the same rule, and allow the champions from minor leagues compete in the Champions League without the need to qualify, then maybe their soccer will improve. Firstly thy will receive money to allow for development, secondly they gain valuable experience competing against the best. It maybe that they are whipping boys, but occasional one team will achieve great victories and over time they may progress to the next stages. Fans have right to sit in pubs and remember nights they held Milan to a draw in 5,000 sitter stadium, they have the right to talk for years about such a game. But above all its fair, you have champions in the so called Champions League.
I know what your all thinking, the money the minor teams earn will only develope that particular club and not the domestic league, but we could over come that. A percentage of there winning goes to league development, shared amongst the other clubs. Therefore no one club will advance into domination of the league. Equally so, it is always the big clubs that dominate there leagues, Man Utd, Aresnal, Chelsea and Liverpool dominate the English League, Utd especially, why, most likely helped with money generated in the champions league.
The fact is UFEA want the best to make money, they want to riddle out the minnows and have a league of great clubs, rich clubs, clubs that sell and not necessarily champions. They have created an unequal unfair competition to generate and develope their own ideas of football. Why, what are UFEA so scared off, its unlikely that Shamrock Rovers will ever win the Champions League, but they may over time become tough opposition. Eventual after the group stages the minnows will have been riddle out, so UEFA will still get their best teams in, but the minnows as champions of their own nation have a right to compete at the group stages. Lets remember its a League of Champions, not the League of rich Champions and selected best money making runners up.
Aren’t UFEA suppose to have FAIR PLAY.
But it is the Champions League, therefore is it not only right that all the champions from every league, whether its the money flying English Premier League or the part time amateurs from Denmark or Ireland. Every champion from every competing nation should take part without qualifying.
Qualification is UEFA's way of letting the minnows take part but ultimately rejecting their presence. For these competing nations, there football will never develope as they will not be allowed to play at the top of the soccer pyramid. Liverpool, have not won a domestic league in 20 years yet they find there way into the champions league, admittedly by means of qualification, that’s qualification against league champions of other nations.
Yes we want the best footballers and so on, but do we want a team without a domestic crown in 20 years to be champions of Europe. The minnows don't get the chance to reach the high money earning stages of the champions league, thus the money makes the rich richer.
Many years ago, the number of teams allowed to qualify for the Euro Cup and World cup was increased. Nations like Liechtenstein, San Marino, Slovakia and Slovenia appeared. They were whipping boys, and indeed some still are today. But what about nights when, San Marino score first against England, and I’m sure if you check, they may still be whipping boys but the goals conceded are less and their fighting for more draws, you probably also find their domestic league has improved and number of players get recognised to play elsewhere has increased. This all amounts to developing the game it each individual nation. Of course if you take Slovenia, they reached the 2002 World Cup and impressed.
If we take the same rule, and allow the champions from minor leagues compete in the Champions League without the need to qualify, then maybe their soccer will improve. Firstly thy will receive money to allow for development, secondly they gain valuable experience competing against the best. It maybe that they are whipping boys, but occasional one team will achieve great victories and over time they may progress to the next stages. Fans have right to sit in pubs and remember nights they held Milan to a draw in 5,000 sitter stadium, they have the right to talk for years about such a game. But above all its fair, you have champions in the so called Champions League.
I know what your all thinking, the money the minor teams earn will only develope that particular club and not the domestic league, but we could over come that. A percentage of there winning goes to league development, shared amongst the other clubs. Therefore no one club will advance into domination of the league. Equally so, it is always the big clubs that dominate there leagues, Man Utd, Aresnal, Chelsea and Liverpool dominate the English League, Utd especially, why, most likely helped with money generated in the champions league.
The fact is UFEA want the best to make money, they want to riddle out the minnows and have a league of great clubs, rich clubs, clubs that sell and not necessarily champions. They have created an unequal unfair competition to generate and develope their own ideas of football. Why, what are UFEA so scared off, its unlikely that Shamrock Rovers will ever win the Champions League, but they may over time become tough opposition. Eventual after the group stages the minnows will have been riddle out, so UEFA will still get their best teams in, but the minnows as champions of their own nation have a right to compete at the group stages. Lets remember its a League of Champions, not the League of rich Champions and selected best money making runners up.
Aren’t UFEA suppose to have FAIR PLAY.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mark Webber
In 1985 Mansell secured his first GP win, this was achieved after a good run claiming two second place finishes, Mansell was 32 years old at the time. From there his career took off leading to a world title in 1992 and success in the US Cart series.
Step up Mark Webber aged 33 and who has just taken his maiden victory. Many people have already analysed the similarities of both these drivers. Many believe this victory will be the start of a successful career for Mark Webber. Personally I hope so, for Formula One needs it so badly. The true comparison that can be made and indeed the only one, is the patience both these drivers showed. I believe you can never compare sport people from different eras, the changes are too much. Mansell never gave up and kept chasing, determined to achieve the ultimate goal. Mark has shown the same attributes, determination, strong willed and above all patience.
Both these drivers where expected to win, we all saw there talent, we all knew they were fast and will all knew they had the skill. For whatever reasons they both had to wait for the their maiden victory. You always felt Mark would finish his career being remembered as an unlucky driver. But Mark seems to have extraordinary mental strength. He has an inner belief in himself that appears to drive him on. Mark new the win would come, he new he had the car, so the pressure was on to get the win. He also had the team around him to deliver on that victory. Marks Red Bull pit crew played a vital part in his victory.
Sometimes when a sports person need to succeed they try to hard, the harder they try the worse it gets. Most soccer strikers go thru a goal scoring drought, they try everything, train harder, shoot from further out, go for every ball. In most cases the drought is ended with a fluke, a miss kick, a fumble over the line. Mark could have done this, but he didn't, he never over drove the car, never tried to break later, never went for foolish overtaking moves. He kept going as he was, patience is a virtue and Mark has it. With patience and the belief he knew he would win, and with this Mark finally stood on the top step of the podium.
Formula One has lost some of its appeal in recent years, sex, drugs and rock and roll image has gone, the drivers are now super fit clinical machines. Today’s drivers are designed and engineered with the same precision as the car. Raikkonen won the world title, most people had to do a double take, and ask themselves how, why and what the hell. The most boring man in Formula, won the title in the most boring of manner. Hamilton won the title with a degree of excitement, mainly thanks to Masa, but Hamilton has been groomed and engineered since birth to win the title. Schumacher, well he just won, it became the norm.
This year Button, Vettel and Webber fight for the title. Red Bull are on a charge and Brawn have stumbled a little but what a start to the season. For a long time F1 has three drivers, each with their own path to F1. They show great emotion and delight in achieving victory. Vessel aside, Mark and Button have been around. Button has spent years in the dog house, Mark the unlikely lad, now they have it in their grasp a World Title. We finally have fight in F1, with drivers that are human, un-engineered, emotional, drivers who are well, ordinary guys with a great job.
Webber is not Mansell, Button not a useless driver, they've final got what patience brings a crack at something big, a chance to find glory. The question is which one, the answer I hope will be Webber, why, because if I was to go to the pub with either of these guys, it would have to be Mark. Both have shown what patience brings, backed by determination and self belief.
The absoulute need to be a success has seen many sport persons end their careers early. Young female tennis players are falling by the waste side, soccer players reach burn out at 28 - 29 years old, but with a degree of patience and the belief in your abilities, success will come to those who wait.
Step up Mark Webber aged 33 and who has just taken his maiden victory. Many people have already analysed the similarities of both these drivers. Many believe this victory will be the start of a successful career for Mark Webber. Personally I hope so, for Formula One needs it so badly. The true comparison that can be made and indeed the only one, is the patience both these drivers showed. I believe you can never compare sport people from different eras, the changes are too much. Mansell never gave up and kept chasing, determined to achieve the ultimate goal. Mark has shown the same attributes, determination, strong willed and above all patience.
Both these drivers where expected to win, we all saw there talent, we all knew they were fast and will all knew they had the skill. For whatever reasons they both had to wait for the their maiden victory. You always felt Mark would finish his career being remembered as an unlucky driver. But Mark seems to have extraordinary mental strength. He has an inner belief in himself that appears to drive him on. Mark new the win would come, he new he had the car, so the pressure was on to get the win. He also had the team around him to deliver on that victory. Marks Red Bull pit crew played a vital part in his victory.
Sometimes when a sports person need to succeed they try to hard, the harder they try the worse it gets. Most soccer strikers go thru a goal scoring drought, they try everything, train harder, shoot from further out, go for every ball. In most cases the drought is ended with a fluke, a miss kick, a fumble over the line. Mark could have done this, but he didn't, he never over drove the car, never tried to break later, never went for foolish overtaking moves. He kept going as he was, patience is a virtue and Mark has it. With patience and the belief he knew he would win, and with this Mark finally stood on the top step of the podium.
Formula One has lost some of its appeal in recent years, sex, drugs and rock and roll image has gone, the drivers are now super fit clinical machines. Today’s drivers are designed and engineered with the same precision as the car. Raikkonen won the world title, most people had to do a double take, and ask themselves how, why and what the hell. The most boring man in Formula, won the title in the most boring of manner. Hamilton won the title with a degree of excitement, mainly thanks to Masa, but Hamilton has been groomed and engineered since birth to win the title. Schumacher, well he just won, it became the norm.
This year Button, Vettel and Webber fight for the title. Red Bull are on a charge and Brawn have stumbled a little but what a start to the season. For a long time F1 has three drivers, each with their own path to F1. They show great emotion and delight in achieving victory. Vessel aside, Mark and Button have been around. Button has spent years in the dog house, Mark the unlikely lad, now they have it in their grasp a World Title. We finally have fight in F1, with drivers that are human, un-engineered, emotional, drivers who are well, ordinary guys with a great job.
Webber is not Mansell, Button not a useless driver, they've final got what patience brings a crack at something big, a chance to find glory. The question is which one, the answer I hope will be Webber, why, because if I was to go to the pub with either of these guys, it would have to be Mark. Both have shown what patience brings, backed by determination and self belief.
The absoulute need to be a success has seen many sport persons end their careers early. Young female tennis players are falling by the waste side, soccer players reach burn out at 28 - 29 years old, but with a degree of patience and the belief in your abilities, success will come to those who wait.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Open
Time goes by quickly, here we are yet again looking on to see if Harrington can defend his title again at Turnberry. To ask any man to defend a title for a third time is a tall order, and for Harrington who is not himself lately it could be a big ask.
But we never know, maybe there’s something in Harrington that clicks when it comes to The Open, its too wonderful a prize to surrender and we know Harrington is good for a fight. However Harrington seems not to believe it himself. Last year he was very level headed in his approach to a second title, but he saw it as a challenge, and a challenge he wanted to win.
But this year one Tiger Woods lurks about the links course at Turnberry. Has Woods presence made Harrington worry. There has been questions about Harrington majors, could he have win if Tiger was there. The answer is yes, he did in 2007 Open at Carnoustie, maybe its history that’s effecting Harrington. He was the first European to retain the title since 1906, first European winner of USPGA Championship in 78 years in 2008, so Harrington is well use to creating history. To note the last man to achieve three in a row in The Open was Peter Thompson from 1954-56.
We know Harrington is adjusting his swing to improve his golf, we ask why, his swing has already won him three majors. Maybe there’s a Tiger influence, last summer Harrington dominated world golf, with Tiger on his sick bed. Tiger is man consistently looking at ways to improve, maybe Harrington took note, maybe Harrington got scared his swing was no longer a match for Tiger or more importantly for winning more majors. Like most people who are successful reinventing themselves keeps them on top, so far Harrington’s reinvention needs more time on the drawing more.
Personally I think Harrington has no sleepless nights over Woods, making history is not a problem for him we know all this. It could be that the attention that success brings is interfering with Harrington. He is now under the microscope more, every action looked at, examined, replayed and analysed. The last few years Harrington has been a novelty a breath of fresh air, mainly down to creating history and the professional manor in which he conducts himself off the course. Now he is a three times major winner, now he's two times Open defender, now he will be man who falls of the perch if he loses, the man who will fail in creating history for not winning. Typically the papers are on to him and we are asking too much of him. It could well be Harrington needs a few years without a crown to get his form, before he hits another major winning run.
When Harrington won in 2007 I believed he would never win a major again, simply because he has always been great at runner up and failing to kill off tournaments. I felt the mental and physical demands would over power him. I felt that he if achieved one major he could tell himself it was all worthwhile and grow old happy. But he proved me wrong, very wrong. There have been many winners of majors not just in golf that were one hit wonders. They won and disappeared, but at that time on that day they were the greatest. To maintain the mental and physical demands to keep winning as Tiger does are incredible. It is this sustainability that makes great sports people and Harrington like Tiger is one of them. But how one maintains it for longer is what separates the greats from the truly GREAT.
But we never know, maybe there’s something in Harrington that clicks when it comes to The Open, its too wonderful a prize to surrender and we know Harrington is good for a fight. However Harrington seems not to believe it himself. Last year he was very level headed in his approach to a second title, but he saw it as a challenge, and a challenge he wanted to win.
But this year one Tiger Woods lurks about the links course at Turnberry. Has Woods presence made Harrington worry. There has been questions about Harrington majors, could he have win if Tiger was there. The answer is yes, he did in 2007 Open at Carnoustie, maybe its history that’s effecting Harrington. He was the first European to retain the title since 1906, first European winner of USPGA Championship in 78 years in 2008, so Harrington is well use to creating history. To note the last man to achieve three in a row in The Open was Peter Thompson from 1954-56.
We know Harrington is adjusting his swing to improve his golf, we ask why, his swing has already won him three majors. Maybe there’s a Tiger influence, last summer Harrington dominated world golf, with Tiger on his sick bed. Tiger is man consistently looking at ways to improve, maybe Harrington took note, maybe Harrington got scared his swing was no longer a match for Tiger or more importantly for winning more majors. Like most people who are successful reinventing themselves keeps them on top, so far Harrington’s reinvention needs more time on the drawing more.
Personally I think Harrington has no sleepless nights over Woods, making history is not a problem for him we know all this. It could be that the attention that success brings is interfering with Harrington. He is now under the microscope more, every action looked at, examined, replayed and analysed. The last few years Harrington has been a novelty a breath of fresh air, mainly down to creating history and the professional manor in which he conducts himself off the course. Now he is a three times major winner, now he's two times Open defender, now he will be man who falls of the perch if he loses, the man who will fail in creating history for not winning. Typically the papers are on to him and we are asking too much of him. It could well be Harrington needs a few years without a crown to get his form, before he hits another major winning run.
When Harrington won in 2007 I believed he would never win a major again, simply because he has always been great at runner up and failing to kill off tournaments. I felt the mental and physical demands would over power him. I felt that he if achieved one major he could tell himself it was all worthwhile and grow old happy. But he proved me wrong, very wrong. There have been many winners of majors not just in golf that were one hit wonders. They won and disappeared, but at that time on that day they were the greatest. To maintain the mental and physical demands to keep winning as Tiger does are incredible. It is this sustainability that makes great sports people and Harrington like Tiger is one of them. But how one maintains it for longer is what separates the greats from the truly GREAT.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Watch out English Soccer
Setanta’s failings to pay up for Premier League rights does this mark the end of satellite sports. Most unlikely as long as Sky are ever present, and lets face it, it’s a European order on competition law that stops them from owning all of the English FA’s packages. And as proven there’s more than enough people out there ready to snap up what’s left, ESPN buying up Setantas lost rights.
But is there more happening this summer than just the loss of Setanta. Real Madrid are buying up every player, or every great player they can get there hands on. But this and the fact that a number of top European players, not brought by Madrid as yet, have snubbed England’s biggest clubs. Even Manchester City the world richest can’t even offer enough money to lure Eto’o.
So what good will it be to watch the Premier League without the crème of world soccer.
Well it would be pointless, and so the worlds focus will go to Spain most likely. In the 90’s Serie A was the world league, then Dutch soccer nominated. It seemed almost every season Ajax were building a new stadium ,the old stadium becoming their new training ground. Well Italian and Dutch football has over time lost all appeal. For the Italians its most likely down to corruption. For the Dutch their downfall is of their own making. Producing top class youngsters brought up by foreign clubs. Dutch football is a selling league.
Its only logical to think that some day the bubble will burst on English soccer, that the Television interest will move to Spain, where the top players are. And with television comes money, and money is what all players follow. Take that and the fact that the climate in Spain is a lot nicer, well were else would you go.
Manchester United will always remain top, but Arsenal look to be falling away, Chelsea have discovered the difficulty in buying success, and you get the feeling if the Russians get bored then they’ll close up shop. Liverpool will survive on loyalty of fans and romance of what it once was. Manchester City who knows, if you had a choice between Man City or Real Madrid where would you go.
Setanta may mean noting now, but it could be the start of slippery end to English football, which without money it's noting. We’ll watch on to see the outcome, but FA better have a Plan B just in case the world decides to go to Spain. Players move clubs for higher wages, just as we normal folk change jobs for the same reason. The FA have already reinvented the English league introducing the Primiership, when the money goes dry, how do you revented an already revented league.
But is there more happening this summer than just the loss of Setanta. Real Madrid are buying up every player, or every great player they can get there hands on. But this and the fact that a number of top European players, not brought by Madrid as yet, have snubbed England’s biggest clubs. Even Manchester City the world richest can’t even offer enough money to lure Eto’o.
So what good will it be to watch the Premier League without the crème of world soccer.
Well it would be pointless, and so the worlds focus will go to Spain most likely. In the 90’s Serie A was the world league, then Dutch soccer nominated. It seemed almost every season Ajax were building a new stadium ,the old stadium becoming their new training ground. Well Italian and Dutch football has over time lost all appeal. For the Italians its most likely down to corruption. For the Dutch their downfall is of their own making. Producing top class youngsters brought up by foreign clubs. Dutch football is a selling league.
Its only logical to think that some day the bubble will burst on English soccer, that the Television interest will move to Spain, where the top players are. And with television comes money, and money is what all players follow. Take that and the fact that the climate in Spain is a lot nicer, well were else would you go.
Manchester United will always remain top, but Arsenal look to be falling away, Chelsea have discovered the difficulty in buying success, and you get the feeling if the Russians get bored then they’ll close up shop. Liverpool will survive on loyalty of fans and romance of what it once was. Manchester City who knows, if you had a choice between Man City or Real Madrid where would you go.
Setanta may mean noting now, but it could be the start of slippery end to English football, which without money it's noting. We’ll watch on to see the outcome, but FA better have a Plan B just in case the world decides to go to Spain. Players move clubs for higher wages, just as we normal folk change jobs for the same reason. The FA have already reinvented the English league introducing the Primiership, when the money goes dry, how do you revented an already revented league.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Snooker Calander
Is it just me or has the snooker calendar become boring, in fact has snooker lost all appeal. Take a number of sports and each one is defined by major tournaments. For example
Golf: US Masters, US Open, British Open, US PGA
Tennis: US Open, Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon
Soccer: Certain Premier League fixtures, FA Cup, Champions League Final
Cycling: Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta de Espana
....and so on. Yet snooker is defined by one major event the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield. Outside of this there’s not much to remember in snooker tournaments of any great importance. It also seems one has to achieve very little in the sport to retain a high ranking. I remember a few years back Ken Doherty was ranked in the top six, but had not won a tournament in two years.
Snooker is dead at the moment, cricket has reinvented itself with fast paced exciting game of twenty20, maybe snooker needs something new too. They could start with the calendar. I think its time to end the seasonal timeline, and make snooker an annual calendar. Snooker should follow Formula One, start in March and have a tournament every two to three weeks until lets say October, move the World Championships to mid season. But an end to top 16 player tournaments open it up to 32 players, speed round the first few games in any tournament and then get to the serious stuff. Revise the ranking system and basically start from scratch.
Introduce three extra majors to join the World Championships, like a European Championship, Asian Championship and the Americans Championship, four majors up for grabs and all 32 player events. Time to reinvent snooker and add in some excitement, but a limit on the number of snookers a player is allowed in a frame creating attacking snooker. It would be a shame to lose snooker and less face it theirs no more players like Alex Higgins to save snooker this time around.
Golf: US Masters, US Open, British Open, US PGA
Tennis: US Open, Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon
Soccer: Certain Premier League fixtures, FA Cup, Champions League Final
Cycling: Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta de Espana
....and so on. Yet snooker is defined by one major event the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield. Outside of this there’s not much to remember in snooker tournaments of any great importance. It also seems one has to achieve very little in the sport to retain a high ranking. I remember a few years back Ken Doherty was ranked in the top six, but had not won a tournament in two years.
Snooker is dead at the moment, cricket has reinvented itself with fast paced exciting game of twenty20, maybe snooker needs something new too. They could start with the calendar. I think its time to end the seasonal timeline, and make snooker an annual calendar. Snooker should follow Formula One, start in March and have a tournament every two to three weeks until lets say October, move the World Championships to mid season. But an end to top 16 player tournaments open it up to 32 players, speed round the first few games in any tournament and then get to the serious stuff. Revise the ranking system and basically start from scratch.
Introduce three extra majors to join the World Championships, like a European Championship, Asian Championship and the Americans Championship, four majors up for grabs and all 32 player events. Time to reinvent snooker and add in some excitement, but a limit on the number of snookers a player is allowed in a frame creating attacking snooker. It would be a shame to lose snooker and less face it theirs no more players like Alex Higgins to save snooker this time around.
The Ashes
The Ashes in finally here after so much talk. Its interesting how Sky Sports have advertised The Ashes series, it has Ian Botham and Shane Warne reminiscing about the 2005 series. Somehow Sky have forgotten about last years series, I wonder why.
England believe they can win this years series, and there’s no reason to say otherwise. The 2005 test was heroic for both teams, and strengthened the reason how sport can capture the mind. But when all is said and done, England talking of a more solid rounded team with a good balance in batting and fielding, are simply clouding the underlining fact. Apart from 2005, England are hoping to win this year based on a weakened Australian team.
One assumes both teams field their strongest lineout, and so since 1989 England have won just one Ashes Series. This simply acknowledges the strength of Australian cricket. England hoping that the lack of Australian experience will ultimately allow them to win.
So basically England will win based on a weakened Australian side missing McGrath and Warne and so on. That hardly inspires confidence in the England team. After this series the Australians will have experience, so England we suspect will not win another ashes until they either, repeat a performance like 2005 or when this next generation of Australians retire in about 10 - 15 years from now. This says very little for English cricket, that the English team cannot perform at a high level consistently over long periods of time. England are basically no better than a weakened Australia team, a weaken Australian team for now that is.
One feels Australia will not suffer much from the inexperience, yes this year may be difficult may even mean defeat, but you somehow you know Australia are not about to lose eight Ashes tests in a row, and if England believe they can only get Australia on a change of guard, Australia have little to worry about from England.
England believe they can win this years series, and there’s no reason to say otherwise. The 2005 test was heroic for both teams, and strengthened the reason how sport can capture the mind. But when all is said and done, England talking of a more solid rounded team with a good balance in batting and fielding, are simply clouding the underlining fact. Apart from 2005, England are hoping to win this year based on a weakened Australian team.
One assumes both teams field their strongest lineout, and so since 1989 England have won just one Ashes Series. This simply acknowledges the strength of Australian cricket. England hoping that the lack of Australian experience will ultimately allow them to win.
So basically England will win based on a weakened Australian side missing McGrath and Warne and so on. That hardly inspires confidence in the England team. After this series the Australians will have experience, so England we suspect will not win another ashes until they either, repeat a performance like 2005 or when this next generation of Australians retire in about 10 - 15 years from now. This says very little for English cricket, that the English team cannot perform at a high level consistently over long periods of time. England are basically no better than a weakened Australia team, a weaken Australian team for now that is.
One feels Australia will not suffer much from the inexperience, yes this year may be difficult may even mean defeat, but you somehow you know Australia are not about to lose eight Ashes tests in a row, and if England believe they can only get Australia on a change of guard, Australia have little to worry about from England.
Cricket and Ireland
Its hard to believe that in a recession Ireland hold three prestige’s ruby titles, Six Nations Grand Slam, Magners League and the Heineken Cup. It’s wasn’t that long ago people where talking about the effects the success of the Irish soccer team had in 1988 and 1990, the driving force behind our now deceased economic boom. This early success under Jack Charlton, meant Irish people started to believe in themselves. We started to believe we could achieve greatness, we had brushed away the negative and suppressing influence of the church, governments and our parents. We young Irish had self belief and drive.
Now we have the same success, even better, we have actual won, got the trophies to prove it. But will this success on the rugby pitch encourage our next generation of business leaders and millionaires. It may be, given rugby’s social status, that it will re-encourage the upper class, some of whom have pulled their way out off the lower class, thanks to our building boom.
Where soccer inspired a nation, rugby seems set to inspire the classes. Shame really, given that our rugby teams hold a lot more home grown players than our soccer team. It’s also an issue that our upper class are to depressed right now. Their way of life is threaten by this recession, they are most likely down sizing. If not that, their reviewing bank statements, yes theirs millions but not in the bank just on paper. It could be their so low right now that no amount of trophies will get them on their feet again.
Then there’s the lower class, they’ve enjoyed a ten to fifteen year period of sitting on their asses. How could anyone inspire a person who during the economic heights still didn’t bother to go out and get work. How could anyone inspire a person who has enjoyed life on the sofa as benefit payments arrive weekly on time. How could anyone inspire a person whose home is mortgage free, a home they probably received by jumping up the housing list by having a baby, which also increases benefit payments, this realization and quick math sees more babies being born.
Apart from a few of our lower class, they will most likely never be inspired by rugby or soccer, our middle class is seeking refuge in English soccer and clinging on to there false admiration of rugby. Rugby to them meant business, business meant free trips with the boss. With out free trips and taking the brut of the recession the middle class are depending on television The middle class are resigned to the days of old with the international soccer team, they’ll get inspired after 2010 world cup in south Africa, should we make it, but can we wait that long. Until then they will take false hope in whoever wins the English Premier League, this years its United.
Our upper class have enjoyed the moment and the glory rugby has brought them, there’s still the odd free trip to games, but no staff welcome. But still the clouds are to dark for any sunshine to get thru just yet, so those trophies will sit in darkness for a while. Those trophies will be a reminder of that time the shit hit the fan, big style. The GAA will only keep the country divided at county level, the Dub’s will suffer most in another failed attempt at the football title, Cork will no doubt go on strike, and Kilkenny will do what Kilkenny do, simple win.
Our only saviour will be cricket, untapped by any of the classes. Ireland were inspirational in 2007 World Cup, typically Irish they embroiled in a murder inquiry. Thankfully it wasn’t murder and our Ireland have continued their high performance to date. In 2007 this nation started talking about, over’s, runs, wickets lbw’s, fours and six and what are extras. Maybe this summer, in England our cricket team can do it again in the 20-20 world cup, an unlikely sport to inspire a nation, but is not test cricket, so there’s not much yawning. But a sport not divided in Ireland class system has to be good. Just as ice hockey in Belfast, had no territorial, political or social divides it has become the outlet for both Catholics and Protestant. Perhaps here in the South it will be cricket that inspires a nation, all of a nation lower to upper, and will inspire us to go for it again.
Now we have the same success, even better, we have actual won, got the trophies to prove it. But will this success on the rugby pitch encourage our next generation of business leaders and millionaires. It may be, given rugby’s social status, that it will re-encourage the upper class, some of whom have pulled their way out off the lower class, thanks to our building boom.
Where soccer inspired a nation, rugby seems set to inspire the classes. Shame really, given that our rugby teams hold a lot more home grown players than our soccer team. It’s also an issue that our upper class are to depressed right now. Their way of life is threaten by this recession, they are most likely down sizing. If not that, their reviewing bank statements, yes theirs millions but not in the bank just on paper. It could be their so low right now that no amount of trophies will get them on their feet again.
Then there’s the lower class, they’ve enjoyed a ten to fifteen year period of sitting on their asses. How could anyone inspire a person who during the economic heights still didn’t bother to go out and get work. How could anyone inspire a person who has enjoyed life on the sofa as benefit payments arrive weekly on time. How could anyone inspire a person whose home is mortgage free, a home they probably received by jumping up the housing list by having a baby, which also increases benefit payments, this realization and quick math sees more babies being born.
Apart from a few of our lower class, they will most likely never be inspired by rugby or soccer, our middle class is seeking refuge in English soccer and clinging on to there false admiration of rugby. Rugby to them meant business, business meant free trips with the boss. With out free trips and taking the brut of the recession the middle class are depending on television The middle class are resigned to the days of old with the international soccer team, they’ll get inspired after 2010 world cup in south Africa, should we make it, but can we wait that long. Until then they will take false hope in whoever wins the English Premier League, this years its United.
Our upper class have enjoyed the moment and the glory rugby has brought them, there’s still the odd free trip to games, but no staff welcome. But still the clouds are to dark for any sunshine to get thru just yet, so those trophies will sit in darkness for a while. Those trophies will be a reminder of that time the shit hit the fan, big style. The GAA will only keep the country divided at county level, the Dub’s will suffer most in another failed attempt at the football title, Cork will no doubt go on strike, and Kilkenny will do what Kilkenny do, simple win.
Our only saviour will be cricket, untapped by any of the classes. Ireland were inspirational in 2007 World Cup, typically Irish they embroiled in a murder inquiry. Thankfully it wasn’t murder and our Ireland have continued their high performance to date. In 2007 this nation started talking about, over’s, runs, wickets lbw’s, fours and six and what are extras. Maybe this summer, in England our cricket team can do it again in the 20-20 world cup, an unlikely sport to inspire a nation, but is not test cricket, so there’s not much yawning. But a sport not divided in Ireland class system has to be good. Just as ice hockey in Belfast, had no territorial, political or social divides it has become the outlet for both Catholics and Protestant. Perhaps here in the South it will be cricket that inspires a nation, all of a nation lower to upper, and will inspire us to go for it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)