Is the cold weather getting to everyone?

I've just got back from the Brighton v Burnley game, other than having two freezing cold feet at the end of 90 minutes of entertainment, I probably witnessed the most intriguing 1-0 I've ever seen. Starting the game with a sending off, that was initiated by the fourth official, to be followed by another five minutes later set the basis for the match. Cue constant abuse from all sides of the ground towards the officials for the remaining 80 minutes and what was thought to be a one sided encounter. But as the Championship shows week in week out, any team can beat anyone on their day, even if Brighton didn't get the three points today their defensive play and counter attacking ability would've won the game on another occasion.
It always seems to be around the Christmas period that throws up odd results such as the 4-4 draw between Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday in League One today or what I witnessed at the Amex. If this season is anything to go by with high scoring affairs between the top teams already as well as a host of off the pitch incidents then who would bet against all the top leagues having absorbing twists and turns into the new year.

At the top of the Premier League Christmas tree the two Manchester clubs have been dumped out of the Champions League and into the Europa League, this might show how England's best aren't dominating the continent anymore but may cause a twist with the distraction of Thursday night football to come. Whereas Spurs are now out of all European competition and can concentrate on finishing in the top four or higher (if you're an optimistic fan). This not only puts them in a stronger position in the league but also the FA Cup if they were to prioritise it, which could well be a target of other top clubs with silverware being harder and harder to win nowadays with the ever increasing competition- just ask Arsene Wenger.

Unfortunately neither are at Upton Park anymore, one can only dream of what might have been

Come May the big six (is there that many now?) may look back at their exit, survival or transfer of European competition as a defining point in their season. For the other clubs in the football league its standard practice of playing a 46 game season, or 49 if you end up at Wembley at the end. Unfortunately trips to Milan, Madrid or Moscow aren't on the itinerary this season but maybe one day Brighton will be hosting teams such as Inter, Real or CSKA at the Amex. 
I must say having seen the new stadium being built from it's chalk foundations and being part of the missing generation that Brighton missed out on attracting as fans for life (If you've been to Withdean Stadium you will understand why). It's great to see them pushing for the play-offs and trying to extend the Amex into a 30,000 capacity stadium and into a Premier League club. Once they get there- which can only be when rather than if- anything is possible. Or am I thinking like an over optimistic fan again?

The Amex rising above the south downs just like Brighton rising from the darkest period in their history.

Changing Times

December is just around the corner and from now on in, the football season will just keep increasing the pressure on managers, players and chairmen alike. Perhaps the most unusual thing this season is seeing the usual 'big boys' struggle- thank you to the blue side of Manchester for causing this panic. 
However with one more match to go for both Manchester clubs in the Champions League group stage, both clubs have contrasting deciding matches. Both clubs may need to gain a positive result on matchday 6, but what favours United having Champions League football in early 2012 is that they only need a draw in Basel whereas City would need to pull out a win at home against Bayern Munich and hope other results go their way.
Despite their dominant form in the Premier league all season, City have struggled in Europe with just two solitary wins over Villareal. This may have been considered a suprise to many, but when you look at their group it may well tell another story compared to the other English clubs whose recent history and seeding has led to an easier group draw. Drawing Napoli from the fourth tier of seeds is a rotten bit of luck compared to the other sides they could have got such as Genk, Otelul Gelati or Dynamo Zagreb who have put up very little resistance in their respective groups.
If you compare England's two other representatives in Europe's elite competition from London they may be in a slightly better position than their northern counterparts, this can't be said domestically however. Chelsea have lost five of their last nine games in all competitions and face other off field problems as well as trying to mould a new young manager into the 'New Mourinho'.

But this season's competition does show a shift in European football. Gone are the recent years of England's finest qualifying for the knock out stages with games to spare, with less 'pushover' teams and the drop in quality of the English sides it isn't a surprise to see them struggling their way through and could potentially face a tricky last 16 tie and possible early exit. Whether Andre Villas Boas survives through December and into a potential last 16 tie is another matter. Three of the defeats that 'AVB' has suffered recently were against Arsenal and Liverpool, two clubs who have also been muscled out by Manchester City and the impressive rise of Tottenham Hotspur. That makes six clubs fighting for the elusive four champions league places, it is sure to be some fight right up until May. Oh and don't forget Newcastle are still there causing upsets and the other domestic and European competitions which conclude at Wembley and abroad in 2012 along with the small matters of European championships and the Olympics to come too. Does it ever slow down?  

Brilliant Tomorrow?

So the final places for Euro 2012 have been decided and it's Portugal, Ireland, Croatia and the Czech Republic joining the 12 other, already qualified, nations in Ukraine and Poland next summer. Along with the joy of Ireland's win last night came the possibility of drawing England in the group stage, a tie that fans are craving for but wouldn't be ideal for either teams' chances of progression in the competition. With all the ifs and buts up in the air until the draw is made in a couple of weeks, you can only judge the teams by their own individual talents and people's opinions may well have been changed over the international break.


Stuart Pearce has overseen many of the younger players make their way into the senior side.

 The majority of countries played two friendlies over the 5 days, including England who managed to overcome the world and European champions and Sweden (still a notable win). Two very different performances with the same outcome of a 1-0 win but perhaps the most positive thing was the way the squad had a much younger and fresher feel to it. Despite the build-up not being ideal and with an unusual lack of support in numbers for the Sweden fixture, it was good to see the side still pull out two wins against a great side and a very solid outfit. Comparing this to their rugby counterparts at the recent world cup has seen their coach, Martin Johnson, pay the ultimate price with his job today. Perhaps it was the fact that England's football team had a lot more players with a chance to make their mark on the side, with a very little amount of the controversy directly being linked to them- just the captain. Unproven players got their chance such as Kyle Walker who has added his name the long potential right back list, along with strikers Bobby Zamora, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge who may not have had a direct impact on the pitch but have the potential to be in the squad this summer or failing that in tournaments for years to come.
With England fans getting the same old feeling of going into a tournament with false hope, perhaps it will be Brazil 2014 or France 2016 and not Poland/Ukraine 2012 where a young English team fulfils its potential. But the experience can only help whether its a first round failure, a run to the final or a traditional penalty exit at the quarter final stage.

The build up starts here

It may only be November but this weekend see's the start of the Euro 2012 build-up, most top clubs are probably dreading the thought of next summer more than most as it includes not only the European championships but the Olympics as well. With the inclusion of a team GB side for the first time more players than ever are going to be playing for two years straight, or in other words 'Arsene Wenger's nightmare'.

The main games over the weekend include the decisive play-offs for the four remaining places, with Ireland being seen as the most likely, out of the eight clubs, to be in Ukraine and Poland next summer. Not just because they have arguably the easiest tie (if there is an easy tie) out of the possible seven other sides, but they have two years of suffering on their shoulders from their last play-off tie in Paris and the infamous Thierry Henry handball.

Whereas England have already qualified there's no reason to think that everything is plain sailing with their preparations as a lack of fan support, misbehaving players and on going (justified) arguments with FIFA have been just a few cases of negative feeling leading into the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden. John Terry (yet to be proved innocent or guilty of racist remarks against Anton Ferdinand) looks likely to be on the bench against Spain but return as captain for the game against Sweden- if that makes any sense? Surely Capello trusts him enough that the accusations aren't true and that he wants to play his captain both games to get more understanding amongst an ever changing back line. Or he wants to try and blood new players into the fold and give Terry the fortnight off and rest for what could be a defining few months for the player's career. With Frank Lampard believed to be stepping up to captain the side against Spain, it is also evident that it may be the last tournament for many of the old guard to perform in a big tournament if they even make it to the summer that is, with younger talent trying to push them out before then.

The decision of FIFA to finally back down on letting England players wear a poppy for Saturday's game is a minor victory in the ever increasing tension between the two associations. However even with the poppy being worn on Saturday evening by England fans at Wembley and around the country, far less than usual will be supporting in person at England's north London home. Whether it's the high ticket prices or poor performances recently produced by England's 'finest' but the national following of the England team seems to have dwindled since the world cup failure. Whether it will be rebooted in time for the Euros could well be dependent on the player behaviour that is displayed in the coming month, otherwise it could be another short tournament for the England side and their travelling faithful.

Don't play with fire!

As Bonfire night celebrations begin to finish for another year, another event was announced in detail involving something that just needs a little flame to cause a big fuss!
The Olympic torch relay route was announced with the headline being that 95% of the population will be within 10 miles of the Olympic flame at some point during the relay. This has always been a major operation by organisers to bring the Olympics to the whole country rather than just London and a few other cities that are hosting Football or Sailing With venues set to be sold out in the majority of sports is the torch more of a plan to make sure Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland citizens stump up the cash to buy the readily available group stage football tickets.
The magic of the 'flame' also seems to be disappearing, as a child you believed that the torch never went out and was always lit in Greece ending with a massive ceremony at the Olympic Stadium. However with the constant world we live in and with protests on the biggest occasions a regular occurrence, even Lord Coe has admitted if the flame does go out it will just be relit the traditional way and then be on its way again. It doesn't exactly inspire a young child if you see one of the symbols of the games being relit with a box of matches from Morrisons (protection of up to 35mph gusts doesn't seem a large guarantee that it will survive). This is just one of the early obstacles that may occur during the Olympic period next summer, but the main aim of getting an enthusiastic nation behind its athletes seems to be in full swing which could lead to an extremely successful games for team GB. Who knows maybe it will be the good old British weather that will dampen the Olympic spirit, does it rain in Britain during the summer?

Having a break can be good for some... bad for others

As the first break in the season comes to its conclusion, before the busy resumption into Christmas, some teams and players may have wished the break had been extended or have never came at all.
One of the few clubs who desperately needed the break was Arsenal and mainly manager Arsene Wenger (who hasn't exactly welcomed international fixtures in the past), he may not have any extra players to recall following a 2 week break. But the feeling of Arsenal's season starting now must be at the forefront of his plans, with the team languishing in a lowly 15th position following a damaging derby defeat to Spurs. Wenger's first task must be to get the majority of the fans back on his side and the only way to do that is to stop making excuses and false promises and deliver results. He still believes that a champions league spot is possible but with every poor performance the more likely the Emirates will turn on him and his side, which will eventually lead to the what seemed impossible not too long ago- a new man in the hot seat. Another side struggling that would have enjoyed the break is Bolton, the ever solid Wanderers aren't use to struggling but their start to the season has been pretty woeful by their high standards since their 4-0 demolition of QPR on the first day of the season. However out of Owen Coyle and Wenger I think I'd rather be in the Glaswegian's shoes as I can still see their season ended how they hoped in August, Arsenal however could well be looking up at Owen Coyle's men in disappointment come May.

A little bit of rain didn't hurt anyone, but it can be a bit frustrating

It's that time of year when everyone starts moaning that summer is over and how we don't even get a summer anymore or that it went too quickly. However Wimbledon passed with very few rain delays and the weather couldn't even stop England's constant march to the number one test side in the world, it seems to be September showers that are causing more problems in sporting events.
The major sport event which seems to have the main problem is the US Open which looks likely to be delayed into a third week with a number of fourth round matches to be completed when they should have finished the Quarter Finals by now. This could have been even worse if Hurricane Irene had struck a week later and causing more damage that it could have easily done. A couple of questions need to be asked, the ATP have to be responsible for staging a grand slam in New York, not exactly a tropical city, in September when the weather is bound to turn nasty for at least a few days with the possibility of even longer. Whereas the Australian Open is played during the Australian summer with players overheating and retractable roofs being used to cool players and spectators down. I may hear you ask that the order of the Grand Slams has always been this way and has always usually run with no problems. But surely a simple change up in the schedule would make it a lot easier on frustrated players and spectators. Such as in Golf when all four majors are played within 4 months of each other, this would also give the option to shorten the tennis season that already has it's adversaries of being too long. The US Open organisers themselves haven't helped with a number of issues, mainly the American TV scheduling of 'Super Saturday' staging both Men's semi-finals and women's Final all on the same day, combined with the open round of matches being split over the first three days rather than a more logical two.

No chance of over heating today

When play finally got under way today it took 30 to 45 minutes to mop the courts down- whatever happened to putting covers over like Wimbledon, you then have a dry court ready for instant play barring a possible sweaty court. However as other grand slam tournaments rebuild and develop their courts and grounds Flushing Meadows has stayed still. One of the main problems could be that Arthur Ashe stadium is too big and to add a roof to it would be near on impossible let alone ruin the impressive design it holds now. Whether this could lead to pressure from the ATP to rebuild or redesign Flushing Meadows or face the possibility of losing one of tennis' four top level tournaments. This must be seen as a threat with other global organisations favouring new countries rather than traditional locations to host big events.
This could come down to player power with the American television argument coming back against the USTA. All they can hope for is that the weather improves for this year and future tournaments- and some world leaders claimed global warming wasn't happening. What country was he the president of again?

Haven't we been here before?

So just seven months on from the close of the January transfer window, the usual panic was resumed on Wednesday night throughout football clubs up and down the land. All thinking the same thing, have we got enough to last till January? This once again meant some clubs were buying for the sake of it, some had the money to do so- Manchester City as always. Whereas others were pressured into buying by fans and media alike- Arsenal and notably the under pressure Arsene Wenger were one of these after their 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United at the weekend. The call for fans to buy this and that may well have meant that they have overpaid for certain players that may well have been cheaper earlier in the summer that would have had time to bed into the squad during pre-season. Now Wenger has to hope that his last day dealings come off, otherwise his tenure could well be coming to an end if Champions League football isn't at the Emirates next season. What he has bought is proven players instead of the usual potential that have and haven't come through in the past, Mikel Arteta is one of these proven Premier League performers. But it only takes an injury to his newest midfielder (who has an injury history) and he will be back to where he was numbers wise in the centre of the park.
Elsewhere it was the same old players moving around the country to new clubs, claiming that this was the club to re-invigorate their career. Mr Bellamy and Bentley are two main examples of this, perhaps that both players former/current clubs both include West Ham explain one of the reasons why they are in the Championship. Unsettling players are never good long term for the club and I can't see Bentley lasting more than he has at any of his previous clubs. I for one hope that he will be helpful short term and help get West Ham back up to the top league as soon as possible. This can be said about any signing made in the last week of August, it may come off or it may not. Till then you can count down the days to January 1st when the transfer window reopens again and the chain starts again.

New Season, New Trends

So it's the start of the season and the excitement is in the air once again! Whether your team is expected to finish at the top or the bottom every fan is thinking this is can be our year and every manager is hoping their team has been prepared enough through pre-season. The players themselves however could be thinking about absolutely anything, the trend of last season was the next woman who was throwing themselves at them. This year it seems to be 'what smart comment can i write on my twitter account that will attract the most followers', this is before they think about what could come  from an irrational comment that the whole world see's in a second. In some cases it is just for entertainment and it's usually very harmless but others (mentioning no names but an English midfielder who plays for Newcastle) use it to create drama and potential force through a move to another club that may not come through any other method. This once again brings up the debate about player power and if they want a move they will get it.
However with the Football League season starting imminently and the Premier League next weekend a lot of big names who would have thought to have had a contract at this stage still have not. This includes two West Ham players, Matthew Upson and Thomas Hitzlesperger, both who probably thought that clubs would be snapping them up as soon as last season was over. Another big name player James McFadden could well be a sufferer of the '25 registered players in a squad' rule, with Premier League clubs not wanting to commit to selecting a 25 man squad until the final days of the deadline. These players won't want to drop down to Championship clubs who can't pay the same wage as they were on, even though they crave a big name signing that might give them the edge in a gruelling 46 game+ season. That's why I once again start the season with the hope that this year will be West Ham's year (fan optimism showing once again) and that we can avoid off the pitch publicity that has managed to spread north over the summer. If we have our few big name players come September 1st and we start well then hopefully West Ham will be back in the Premier League for 2012/13. In the meantime bring on 2011/12!

Worlds Best

Leading on from my last post my prediction of Andy Schleck to win the Tour de France didn't come in as it was Cadel Evans who took the Yellow jersey. It also consigned the doubters who didn't believe he was able to perform when it mattered, it also brought up whether Andy Schleck's time trialling skills will continue to let him down. If Alberto Contador manages to ride next years tour he will be back to his best with no continual drug allegations against him and it will be very doubtful whether he would compete in a gruelling Giro just months before. This addition as well as the constant improvements of young riders will make it even tougher for the younger of the Schleck's to win in France. One man who finally did put his doubters (if any) in place was Mark Cavendish who managed to win the final stage (again) and the Green jersey, speculation won't go away about a possible move to team sky next year. I see this move would not only hamper Cavendish himself but team sky as well, after what was a successful tour for the team barring the bad luck of Bradley Wiggins crashing out. Would Cavendish get the support needed for stage wins or will Sky keep to their ethos of building for a tour winner within the next few years? This move would benefit neither except financially.

Another world best could be decided, well officially anyway, within the next few weeks. England have dominated India, except 2 sessions, throughout the first two games of this world number 1 test cricket series decider. Its not only been the starting eleven that has been the reason for England's success Tim Bresnan stepped in for the injured Chris Tremlett to get 90 with the bat and 5 wickets in the 2nd innings. Stuart Broad has finally sorted his lengths out with his bowling action and has been rewarded by playing a man of the match performance. When Alastair Cook has arguably been the worse player in your team so far you know you are performing well! Sometimes you don't need an official ranking to know that someone or some teams are the best in the world, but in some sports a yellow jersey goes a long way!



Worlds best, just not officially yet



It's like cycling in London!

Ok maybe it hasn't been that dangerous, but the amount of incidents the Tour de France has chucked up this year has been unprecedented. Whether it has been fellow riders, supporters or TV cars that have caused the crashes or the general nervousness that comes from the biggest race in cycling it is definitely affected the potential result that could come next Sunday in Paris. Firstly a number of potential top 10 finishers haven't even made it this far including Britain's Bradley Wiggins who suffered a broken collarbone. Add in Astana rider Alexandr Vinokourov (who announced his retirement today from cycling) a number of Radioshack riders (Kloden, Horner and Brajkovic) and Omega Pharma-Lotto's Jurgen Van Den Broeck that's a large number of names you would have expected to be up at the top of the General Classification or going for stage wins.
For some riders a crash and a loss of time or minor injury was their lesser punishment, pre-race favourite Alberto Contador has been playing catch up with the Schleck's and the top riders since his poor team time trial and a further loss of time in an early stage. Johnny Hoogerland suffered a massive crash after been side-swiped from a TV car into a barbed wire fence, luckily it wasnt the concrete bollard that was holding the fence up otherwise he could have been in alot more trouble. Despite all these incidents I hope their don't eliminate the closeness that the fans get to the action, I can't see the organisers will do anything in the imidiate future but the riders safety comes first and the incidents seen this year dont help. However something has to be done about the amount of motor vehicles that are on the road as this causes more chaos than the supporters. Some riders have had success, Mark Cavendish has just recorded his fourth win and currently holds the Green Jersey, the most likely thing that will stop him not having it come Paris will be himself not making it through the Alpes.

Cavendish's jersey to lose

Add into that the success stories for Thomas Voeckler and Thor Husovd in the yellow jersey and British Team Sky's performances (other than Wiggins injury) it has been an extremely eventful 2 weeks of the tour. With one more week left which will ultimately decide the winners and losers anything could happen. I believe it will come down to the time trial around Grenoble, with the favourites all seem to be marking each other in the mountains the time trial looks the most likely place to make up/lose time. This is where I think Andy Schleck will manage his gains and losses the best and will be in yellow come the Champs- Elysees next Sunday. Who's not to say there will be another freak accident that will change the overall result, Voeckler to win in Paris? France would be celebrating all year until the tour starts again in 2012.

No player is bigger than a club, but it can be more powerful than it!

The old saying goes that it’s the name on the front of the shirt and not the back that matters. This trend has changed in the past few years with players demanding (whether agent influenced or not) a move to bigger contracts and bigger clubs. If a player is no longer happy at a club, the determination of keeping the player and letting him rot in the reserves is long gone. Cash in quick to the highest bidder is the new trend!
Tottenham Hostpur announced today that Luka Modric will not be sold, a very sketchy statement which didn’t tell the whole story, the whole football world can imagine what Modric’s agent is doing at this second telling his client he is better than Spurs and deserves a shot at a top 4 club and on a bigger contract (therefore leading to his inevitable 10% cut). I can see Modric like other premier league players leaving mid table clubs aiming for the champions league and beyond. Take Liverpool’s rejected bid for Stewart Downing, how long before he is demanding a move which would then spark a bid frenzy for what I believe is a very average England international.
You can include Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez into the demanding ‘player power’ group, who cites he wants to be closer to be his family back home in Argentina. Odds are that he wouldn’t take the pay cut or drop in playing quality and move to one of the big two in Spain for his now traditional two season spells at a new club. His public willingness to announce his plans to the whole world show that he doesn’t mind upsetting the Manchester faithful and put out a ‘come and get me’ call to Europe’s biggest clubs. Maybe one day a player wont be able to force a move through for a bigger pay packet even with an agent brainwashing them that they are the ‘next big thing’. How long before we hear no agent is bigger than a club?

Since then the Modric saga still hasn't ended and will most likely go on till the last night of the transfer window and Arsenal are the latest club to take an interest in Stewart Downing. Who themselves could have suffered from player overpowering them (Clichy, Nasri, Bendtner and Almunia to name a few without mentioning their club captain!)
This time next week it will be a whole set of new players demanding moves, most likely the inevitable will happen at West Ham. I for one just hope we get good value if we do sell on our best players who took us down!

So good, so good, so good!

Once again I’ve failed to write a post for far too long (sorry!), this once again shows my occasional (or often) laziness that sometimes occurs when I have to write something.

It does also mean I have lots to talk about!

One of the main reasons I haven’t posted was because I was on holiday in America, first stop was sports mad Boston.

For months and months before we left I was on the Boston Red Sox website most days trying to find tickets to one of the games. Finally a couple of weeks before we were about to leave I managed to get two pairs of tickets near enough to each other- finding four seats in a row would be impossible!

The popularity of Boston's only baseball team was incredible, everywhere you looked around the city you saw people wearing baseball caps or t-shirts showing their Boston colours. This also included my Dad who perhaps should have kept up to date with the Sox result's as he was often found in an awkward situation when a stranger started to talk to him about the team when he went out in his Fenway Park t-shirt.

Fenway Park at night

Game night v the Oakland A's ended in an 8-6 win for the Red Sox at one of the best sports venues I've ever been too (sports nerd coming to the forefront here) This was the start of a 9 game winning streak including 3 wins at their divisional and main rivals the New York Yankees. Think we must have brought them luck as they have since slumped back behind the Yankees in the American League East.
Not only a baseball mad city but the Boston Bruins, Boston's Ice Hockey team, won the Stanley cup with the help of some dominant home displays including a massive 8-1 game three win over the Vancouver Canucks. I don't think there would have been riots in Boston if they had lost, unlike the Canucks fans who decided that it would be the best thing to do after losing game seven in Vancouver. Instead Boston decided to celebrate their win with a parade around the city on their world wide known Duck tour boats.
After a week relaxing in Las Vegas it was back home to a cloudy and colder England, which could only mean a trip to Wimbledon was in order. After a quite pleasant two hour queue, on the first Monday we managed to see a wide variety of matches before the heavens opened at 5 o'clock, seeing Kuznetsova and Gasquet (who has just been knocked out by Andy Murray in the 4th round) were two of our days viewing highlights. I also tried to go again on Saturday with my Dad, but despite waking up at 6am when you're handed a queue card with the number 10,000 on it you know it's the right moment to get back on the train and get back in time to watch it at home on TV.
As mentioned in my last post I've started my sports science internship at Sussex CCC last week, despite the initial star struck response to meeting Sussex players who I've supported since I started going the county ground about 10 years ago. I've since settled in and looking forward to attending my first game as part of the back room team at Arundel on Wednesday.
Will let you know how I get on!

Delays delays delays

How else to start the beginning of England's cricket summer, a rain delayed start seems to be about right.
Ok I can't complain about the weather as it's been beautiful since spring and I can't exactly talk about delays since my last blog was at the end of February! Thought I would just round things up since then before I head on holiday to the states next week- Boston Red Sox game will be a highlight.
As some of you may have known from reading my past blogs I was training for the Brighton marathon, with training going pretty smoothly and completing the half marathon in a good time I unfortunately suffered from shin splints all the way up to race day. Despite this,  being brave (or mostly stupid) I started the race and manged to get myself round in 4hours 41minutes. My time may not have been the greatest but I would have taken a finishers medal at the start in Preston Park if they had offered it to me there, it also gives me some unfinished business for next year.


Quite an attractive look with the shaved legs!

I also got some very exciting news that I will be taking a year out of University to start a years internship at Sussex CCC. This is a great opportunity for me to gain experience within the inner workings of a professional sports club, with it being my local team makes it even better! Unfortunately one of my other sporting sides has had a bad month, West Ham were relegated and ended up bottom of the Premier League, but the less said about that the better! We will be back at some point, sooner rather than later i hope.
Boston here I come

And the shocks keep coming.. or not?

The trend continues!
Does any club want to win this season? This weekend followed what has overall been a season of upsets and unusual results. As I've wrote previously no-one knows where the shocks are coming from next, whether it's on or off the field. First and foremost it was Birmingham City who claimed the first silverware of the season with a shock 2-1 over Arsenal. The way Arsenal react in their next few games will define their season which before Sunday had so much promise still. Four possible trophies that were available on Sunday could become nought within 10 days. Two extremes of the football world await within the two Cup competitions with Barcelona and Leyton Orient awaiting. With a possible tie against Manchester United if they beat Orient.
The positive of Jack Wilshere emerging is clear for everyone to see but what isn't good is seeing his attitude that sometimes gets the better of him. Reminds me of another Central midfielder that currently plies his trade at the Emirates, but possibly not for long as Spain awaits. Let's hope for Arsenal's and England's sake that this is just inexperience that he will soon grow out of.
This hasn't always been the norm as fellow England players have proved this weekend, after one was voted England player of the year and the other possibly scoring the goal of the season so far. Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney showed their immature side by keeping up their continual falling reputations. Ashley decided to use a loaded gun and shoot a work experience student at Chelsea's training ground whereas Rooney tried to cause physical harm another way but on the pitch using his elbow to an innocent James McCarthy's head. Another two cases that embarrasses football players, the fans and the sport itself instead of the true praise that should go out for Birmingham City's players and other heroes of the weekend.
I mention other heroes as once again I must once again give a brief mention to my hero of the season, Scott Parker, once again shone and inspired a brilliant West Ham performance to beat Liverpool. Where this season will go from here is anyones guess until the end of May when everything has been settled.

One big hurdle cleared

I woke up Monday morning with a number of aches and pains in both my legs, but with a good feeling inside that these pains weren't injuries and that I had completed the Brighton Half Marathon in a solid time of 1 hour 36 minutes and 44 seconds.


Looking good after 8 miles- hmm maybe not?

I expected to finish around 1 hour 40/45 minutes so I was delighted with my time as my training had been stunted by injuries which has therefore led to less training. My target is still to complete the full marathon in April with a time around 4 hours, but preparation is the key. This time last year I had just got back from Australia with very few miles under my belt, this showed during the marathon last year as i got to 15 miles my body just crumbled. Those last 11 miles were so hard and I don't want to be suffering for as long this year! (I can hope can't I?)

Good and bad preparation has been part of England's build up for the cricket world cup too, the retaining of the Ashes followed by the 6-1 one day thrashing by their Aussie rivals. Once again as always with English one day cricket, the right team and their batting line up changes up and into major tournaments. This continued today in England's first match with the ever consistent Mike Yardy dropped for Ravi Bopara, England scrapped a win against the Netherlands but it does make you wonder do England know their best line-up yet? Again!
English cricket is still on the up and they did scrape through their first few group games on the way to winning the T20 world cup last year. But the chances of lightning striking twice are slim with the slightly longer form of the one day game not allowing for as many rash decisions. If my marathon training from the past two years is to go by they should stick with their tried and tested method and stick with the nucleus of the team that sealed glory in the West Indies whilst preparing earlier and more efficiently. It's not like the world cup was a secret that has just came out of nowhere, they knew it was happening since the last one finished. We will know by April (Yes April!) when the world cup finishes whether the chopping and changing of a team is the best method to bring home glory.

Defining Moments

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By the end of this week i hope to have just completed one of the major landmarks in my Marathon training, The Brighton Half Marathon. The past few weeks have put, what has otherwise been a very smooth training period, a bit more doubt in my mind about completing the full 26.2 mile distance on April 10th. Aches, pains and rest have been the key words in the past month as I've increased my training schedule. But once this race has been completed i can once again start thinking about not only just completing the Marathon in April but beating my time from last year and trying to break the four hour barrier.
The Premier League also threw up some possible defining moments of the season so far, the most well known will be the Manchester Derby and that goal.

Not bad for a player who has been supposedly out of form for a whole year and who may well have just secured a record 19th league title for the red side of Manchester. The reaction that came with the goal did portray it was scored by god even with some replays showing it could well have come off his shin. Either way it was a brilliant goal and a crucial win over City which extinguishes their hopes of a 1st Premier League title for another year.
My weekend attention was set firmly towards the Hawthorns, hoping to see West Ham turn in another away win. As i was walking around central London for the day, it was only text updates and my dad's iphone that was keeping me up to date. When i first checked the score at half time i was debating whether to turn mine and his phone off for the rest of the afternoon. 3-0 down, don't think I've ever known West Ham to come back from a score line like that. But the joy of bringing myself to look at the full-time score and it being 3-3 was more disbelief than anything. The result was once again crucial to keep in contact with the rest of the league, which seemed to come about afterwards from a Scott Parker inspired half time team talk.
It may well be that a result or team talk like that turns a season around and given the past week the Hammers have had with (Olympic Stadium success). It could well mean it may determine what level they play at for the next 15 years, Champions League or Championship?
OK so maybe the Champions League is the over-optimistic fan coming out in me, but the fine lines in sport can mean so much to the future of players, clubs and fans alike. This season like no other could shift the way the English top flight looks for the next 10 years and its not just clubs, cities themselves rely on their clubs. So will Manchester City get in the top 4? Will Chelsea drop out? Will Blackpool stay in the Premier League? Will West Ham drop out? All of this questions could be answered no and all could be answered yes, that's just what this season has been.
Lets hope this Sunday and the next two months are less eventful for my training than the whole of this season has been. It will most likely mean that i will have a big medal round my neck at about 1 o'clock on April 10th with an even bigger smile on my face. 

On the right road again

I started off this mild Wednesday evening with a bit on anxiety, a week off with an injured anterior tibialis (shins to a normal people) I thought it was time to try and get back on the road and get a couple of miles under my belt. With the Brighton half marathon just 11 days away, thankfully i made it round Teddington's streets without any sign of the injury that has stopped me training for the past seven days. Getting back just in time for the Kick-off of the England-Denmark game.
This also symbolised an anxious period for an England team in transition and still under pressure to beat a Denmark team who probably aren't given as much credit as they probably deserve, despite their poor performances in South Africa.

Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Despite going a goal down, England fought back to a 2-1 win which had an almost unlikely professional performance to the usual scrappy wins that regular plague England games. One of the many positives was that it seemed that most of the squad that played a part in the game came through unscathed, pleasing their club managers no end and postponing the debate of a pointless friendly in early February leading into crucial club games for a little while longer. OK maybe that debate won't ever go away as friendlies continue to be scrutinised, but the many positives coming out tonight's games will hopefully dispel some of those doubters. Another positive was finally the inclusion of Scott Parker, not only in the squad but his second half run out that drew massive praise from all corners of the media and fans alike. Possibly my West Ham fan bias is coming through but he showed what England have been missing by recreating his brilliant form for his club. Calmness on the ball, crucial tackles and setting up attacks- it was just like being at Upton Park only with 10 better players playing around him.

Whether it's right to say that this is a 'changed England side' is a big statement to make after one win against a lesser side. But it just sets up the team up nicely for the qualifier against Wales in March in what should be a comfortable win barring any patriotic up rise from the Welsh. A win in Cardiff will achieve the main aim, qualifying for Euro 2012, let's just get there first and build a team for the future (perhaps sacrificing Euro 2012) instead of rushing into another major tournament with a substandard injured side that will most likely fail under the pressure of expectation. Perhaps we'll surprise a few people if we don't expect to win it!

Greatest show on turf? I thought it was a game?

A show is exactly what 103,219 in the stadium and billions worldwide tuned in for last night, as always with American football and American sport there's so much more to it.
When at half time you see hundreds of dancers on the pitch with flashing boxes for heads you know it can only be in America at the biggest sporting event in their calender. Perhaps what usually eludes other big showpiece finals elsewhere around the word is a good match to go with it. This wasn't the case here with Green Bay and their 100,000+ owners won their 4th Superbowl in a thrilling 31-25 game. But whereas that will always be seen in the record books and remembered by Green Bay fans forever, the armchair fans around the world will probably remember it for other reasons.
As i woke up this morning and scanned the BBC website, the biggest news was that Christina Aguilera had fluffed her lines singing the national anthem and that the Black Eyed Peas had performed at half time with Usher coming down from the stadium roof on a rope midway through their performance. This could resemble what happened in Superbowl XXXVIII (38 to a normal human) and the infamous nipplegate incident involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Does anyone outside the States remember who won that game or even played in it?



The game result isn't seen to be as important news compared to the half time show

As Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay side return to Wisconsin as heroes and 'world champions' the rest of the NFL wonder whether there will even be a season next year. As players and owners discuss new terms into what could be a possibly extended season from 16 to 18 games. If both sides can't negotiate then a strike could happen not only damaging reputations around the world but especially in the UK where the 4 regular season games the past 4 years have brought forward the possibility of a Superbowl or even a British team in the NFL. If this strike was to occur, it will be a lot to come back from for the British fans to forgive as their own country's football stars demand more and more money year on year.
The damage may not be as large over the pond, but it once again puts in perspective how much does the game itself mean to TV companies and owners alike who are willing to spend millions on a 30 second advert during a time out or try to expand their 'brand' worldwide. If a deal can't be met international fans of the NFL may decide not to stay up till 3am watching the finale of the season for years to come and the NFL international revolution may not have just hit a roadblock but a brick wall that may not ever be moved again.

Money, money, money

After a weekend of FA Cup magic with some brilliant stories coming out as always, it has come to that time when every team panics that they've had the whole of January to boost their squad in numbers and quality but the 31st is the best time to buy.
First looking back to the weekend and the stand out result and story is Crawley town, the club which is just 20 minutes from my hometown of Brighton (also flying high in the league and cup).

The goal that bought more money to the 'Manchester City of the Conference'

After the solid 1-0 win over Torquay they then had the excitement of being drawn against their fellow and more famous Red Devils- Manchester United. But this fairy-tale story has a bit of a twist, unlike most smaller clubs Crawley have had substantial financial support from wealthy owners which has made them the villains of non-league with other clubs going bust or close to it. This is a nice change seeing as they have two separate points' deductions for money irregularities in the past two seasons. Whether they get the support of the neutral fan against Manchester United will be simple, yes they will. But most Conference fans will perhaps show a major sign of jealousy when they walk out at Old Trafford and perhaps even more when the possible £2 million cash boost after TV and other revenue outlets come into the already 'Conference rich' club.
Now one day after the dream money draw for the southern red devils against the northern red devils comes Money Madness Monday.
OK the pun not be the best but the drama unfolding has been fascinating, the defining move of the whole day is that of Fernando Torres moving to Chelsea from Liverpool(Chelsea v Liverpool, Sunday could be interesting). This deal has once again been fuelled by the inevitable pay rise that comes with a move as well as the lure of Champions league football. Which also influences why Chelsea have broken the bank to pay for him, to finally win it this season at Wembley and to make sure they qualify for next seasons competition. Financial risk maybe, if Torres' current form continues as well as Chelsea's, but it shows the renewed ambition of Roman Abramovich. Or perhaps its desperation to suddenly be shelling out up to £70 million if including all potential January signings. One transfer deadline day deal sets a whole wheel in motion with Liverpool acting fast to replace Torres with Newcastle's young hero Andy Carroll. But why would Carroll want to leave his boyhood club to a club who aren't exactly the force that they once were. Even so Liverpool are still Liverpool, a brand who are known worldwide and what comes with this is once again a pay rise for the incoming player. The image of playing for Liverpool also brings more fame for the player as well as a higher reputation when it comes to international selection. Bad form may not even stop Andy Carroll being part of the England picture for years to come now he has the Liverpool crest on his chest. Being an England international is also why this inflated price has occurred, not including the impending Torres deal, Carroll's move to Liverpool would be a record paid by a British club. More paid than for better players and higher achievers such as the Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
But like everything in football these days it all comes down to money, whether it's how much a new signing costs or whether it inspires a lower league team to outperform better opponents to gain new riches.

So much and so little can change in a year

31st January 2010-
After spending 2 brilliant weeks in Melbourne I unfortunately have to continue on my travels and arrive in the capital of Australia- Canberra.

My travel buddy on the way to Canberra, why did i leave Melbourne?

As i settle down for the night after a day of sightseeing I start to watch the Men's Australian Open final hoping for history to be created. However as Andy Murray loses his second Grand Slam final of his career the British media once again start asking the question 'How long will the wait go on?'

A year on and still no British grand slam winner for 75 years, but once again Murray has reached the Australian open final with a chance of once again creating history. Whereas Murray's performance has been repeated from last year other things in the world of tennis have changed quite a lot. As i write Li Na is one set away from being the first Chinese grand slam winner, which in itself could inspire a new shift in future players from the world’s biggest country. In contrast to last year’s women's final, Serena Williams and Justine Henin aren't even in playing condition at this time. Serena Willliams has not been able to compete in the Australian Open due to injury and Henin has had to retire from tennis altogether for a second time after her third round exit this year. The men's game has had some shifts from last year too, with once again the world’s best player succumbing to injury. These Melbourne injuries have bookended possible the greatest run of results ever seen as Rafael Nadal faltered in holding all four grand slams at once but has proven that against arguably the greatest player of all time he has achieved so much in trying to emulate him.

As Murray walks on court tomorrow against Novak Djokovic he will have his best chance of joining Nadal and Federer on the Grand Slam winners roster and as they both only know a lot can change in a year. That could mean Murray comes back to Melbourne next year holding possibly more than just one grand slam or none at all and the pressure of the tennis world asking about the 76 year wait.

There's always a little niggle

81 days to go. That is how long until I put myself through the turmoil of the Brighton marathon once again, the knowing of what is come on April 10th makes me a tiny bit nervous. But when i look back on last year and how my training (or lack of it) went and how i managed to complete the 26.2 miles on a sweltering hot day last April, it gives me slightly more confidence going into this years race knowing that I will be preparing and training better.

This situation is quite similar to that of West Ham, after an awful season last year with poor signings and just managing to stay up with a measly 35 points, which would usually relegate most teams in other seasons. But come the summer come preparation for a new campaign, new manager, new proven international signings and a new board. This clean slate of optimism and good preparation would surely mean an improved campaign? Well looking at the league table now and the opinions of supporters around the country and they will tell you that West Ham have not improved and may well have possibly declined from 12 months ago. The laughing stock of the Premier League is only just about keeping some of its credibility with a possible Carling Cup final to come, I say possible as the amount of surprises this season anything could happen.

As I've started my training for my own challenge in the past couple of weeks I've started to feel a pain in both of my ankles as i start off on my runs, now i hope this is just a little odd pain that will go in the weeks to come. However as i increase my mileage over the coming months I hope I won't copy the West Ham blueprint and 'bring down the house from the inside'.


All smiles at the finish after 4 hours 27 minutes of pavement pounding.

You know what they say though; failure to prepare is preparing to fail. That cannot be said with any more truth when training for a marathon, makes you think where West Ham would be now if the slate hadn't have been cleaned prior to the season.

National Pride Being Restored

The national buzz of sporting achievement is once again in the air after England's Ashes success, but is this just an unusual high in the usual amount of disappointment at a national level. Or is it a change from the over excitement whenever a person or team related to British sport wins an internationally known event?

(National heroes, but for how long?)

The pessimists will always say it's the same old England, who will lose the upcoming one day series or test series against India in the summer. 2011 may have only just begun but all athletes and coaches will know that the holy grail of London 2012 is getting ever closer. This doesn't just affect athletes competing in the games, but British sport in general will continually be scrutinised if athletes aren't winning as a nation expects. Of course this has always been the usual expectations for this small island nation, but it seems to be breeding success in a wider range of sports which has always been a major weakness to this Football, Rugby and Cricket loving land.

This was shown with just the lonely Graham Swann representing these sports in the Sports Personality of the Year top ten. If this vote was done this weekend I'm sure a couple more England players would sneak in but it still showed the wide diversity the nation has to offer. One of my favourites in the top ten vote was Mark Cavendish, the sprint king of road cycling, this may not be seen as lucrative as the track cycling champions of the past few Olympics (Cavendish was the only track cycling athlete not to win a medal at the Beijing games). But he is lightyears ahead of anyone else in the peloton and with a bit of luck and even at 60% of his top form it should be him wearing the green jersey come the Champs-Elysees in July.
Along with Cav' in the top ten were Tom Daley, diving's world and commonwealth champion who on the night won his third Young Sports Personality of the year award. Another minority sport which was represented was the Skeleton, Amy Williams won Gold at the Winter Olympics back in February in a sport that doesn't even have a national training centre instead a just a concrete starting area in Bath. Other sports considered minorities were still represented with Horse racing and Darts taking first and second in the main award. But Third place went to Heptathlete Jessica Ennis, bringing back the feeling that the nation is watching athletics closely with the London games just 567 days to go this pressure will continue to grow and grow.

Let's hope it's the English Cricket team's lead they follow and not the Football.