Hello folks. Here is another edition of my blog, which I write while lying on my bed; my back is going to kill tomorrow....
Formula 1
So the season is effectively over now with one race still to go after a great Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos. The Brawn team are champion constructors and their driver, and Britain's driver, is world champion. That makes back to back British World champions following on from Lewis Hamilton's success in 2008, and Ross Brawn's British team head and shoulders above the rest. This is all good news for British sport and the nation's reputation across the globe.
I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Jenson's performance in Brazil and he has really earnt my respect for it. After a disastrous qualifying session, he started back in fourteenth on the grid, knowing that a better performance than his team mate Rubens Barrichello (on poll) would see him crowned champ: a very tough proposition. But a fantastic drive saw him finish fifth, whilst Barrichello slipped to eighth due to a puncture in front of his expectant home crowd. It has been called a "sublime recovery drive" from Button and involved spectacular overtaking. Button has described it as his greatest ever drive, worthy of making him world champion, and who can disagree with him. He showed everyone that he is an outstanding driver and not just lucky to be in a briliant car. I must admit I thought he may have choked and stumbled across the line, given recent performances, but he took the title with both hands. His patience in the sport up to this point has been admirable with the bad cars, decisions and luck, but now he is at the top of the mountain and well done to him. He earnt it. Could he line up alongside Hamilton at McLaren next year? A mouth-watering prospect.
Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool face Manchester United tomorrow and know that defeat would mean their worst run of form for 56 years, and would open up a ten point gap between the red devils and themselves in the premiership table. Could four defeats in a row become five? With Torres and Gerrard again struggling to be fit it may just happen. Liverpool's squad on paper is not good enough to win the Premiership. The centre back pairing looks very fragile and slow, there are too many players out of form and the squad is not deep enough to adequately replace key players. Voronin, Riera, Lucas, Ngog, and Aurelio are simply not good enough to play for Liverpool given their current ambitions. Beach ball or no beach ball, they have not deserved a victory for some time now. I will not write them off, but they better hope Alberto Aquilani is as good as Benitez says he is when he gets into the first team picture!
The Coca Cola Championship
I am a lifelong Newcastle United fan and season ticket holder at St James Park. It was obviously gutting to be relegated in May as ever since I've began attending matches, they have been in the top flight. I may have taken this for granted and admittedly was still in denial when playing West Brom on the opening day. Even this didn't seem to hit home, being against a team we'd faced in the Premiership a few months earlier, it was on a fantastic pitch, had a great atmosphere, and was televised live on the BBC. It didn't feel much different. Obviously we had a different team out but this was no great sadness as I was glad to see the back of the majority of players we let go who wouldn't have been up for the fight anyway. It may have hit home some weeks later with an away defeat midweek to Blackpool, but the transition to life in the Championship was made easier by our good run of results, the aforementioned excepted.
The league is fantastic when you are in good form. Games come thick and fast and you can get in a winning habit and quickly move up the table. Our attendances remain over 40,000; thats higher than 13 of the Premiership clubs and all of the Championship clubs. Having spoken to many Newcastle fans, I can say that most fans are enjoying our stint in the second tier (although they hope it will be a short one!). There is a refreshing attitude of enjoying football win or lose, which doesn't exist in the Premiership. There is far more gloom in the top division and more short sightedness, whereas in the Championship things can change so quickly. One week can provide 9 points and you move up ten places or so.
Obviously the reverse can be said when a team gets in a poor run of form and Newcastle have struggled since their convincing win at Ipswich at the end of September. We need to be careful but although concerned words may be raised amongst fans, there is always the next game to come and the realisation that you can't win them all. Of course, Geordies want to see their side win the league but they seem to accept that the season will not be easy.
Its a very honest league in that you get what you put in to a match, and any team can make the playoffs - it is not like the Premiership in which you can give the ball to a star player and he'll score a screamer against the run of play allowing his side to keep the ball and defend steadfastly. Championship sides just arent that good! It makes for exciting end to end matches, and a very tight league table. The top ten teams are currently separated by just three points. I am not too downhearted to be in the Championship and am enjoying watching my side again - last season was miserable. I just hope we find our way out of this little slump this weekend!
Result
Friday, 23 October 2009
Friday, 16 October 2009
Gymnastics anyone?
The 2009 Artistic Gymnastics Championships
So the gymnastics has been on TV a lot recently. Just like the snooker was on for a while beforehand. A couple of minority sports in Britain but still given primetime terrestrial coverage....don't get me started... Anyway, did you know that the O2 arena, where the world gymnastics is being held, was actually set up as a gymnastics venue? Its true - its not for live music, the WWE, live shows or for another sport, its for gymnastics. Who would have thought it.... To be fair it is pretty amazing sometimes but I am disappointed by the lack of my personal favourite move: the good old rolly poley. But Britain got a medal in the shape of Daniel Keatings' silver, creating history by winning the team's first ever medal in the men's all-around event at a World Championships. If results like this come from hosting such an event at the O2 and putting it on TV then its not all bad, I suppose.
International Football
So the World Cup 2010 qualifying is almost over. Only the playoffs to go. Argentina made it in the end and join South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Paraguay, United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile in the finals next summer. But how on earth are they still fifth favourites? I watched their final quaifier against Uruguay and they were very poor - just lucky that Uruguay were worse on the day.
What is Maradona playing at? He has not impressed me. He has used over 70 players in his qualification phase, discarding world-class players seemingly at random, calling up pensioners and kids, and celebrating with Klinsmanns on the touchline. His decisions are bizarre: for example, Sergio Aguero and Juan Roman Riquelme, Argentina's top scorer in the stage, weren't even in the squad for the crunch game. If things do not drastically improve then I can see the South Americans go out in the Group Stage. Do NOT put money on these guys! When your manager says Jonas Gutierrez (who cannot cross, shoot or pass) is one of four players who he guarantees will be in the squad next summer, you know something is wrong...
I'm tempted to have a flutter on France as World Cup winner. Not a bad bet at long odds as I expect them to get through the playoffs comfortably after a resurgence in form, and with the likes of Henry, Benzema, Anelka, and Ribery they have the fire power. But Spain have to be strong favourites.
David Beckham picked up the MOTM award for a 30 minute cameo against Belarus. It sounds stupid but there really were no other contenders. Yes Crouch scored a couple but they were both little tap-ins, and the game was dire - what a surprise! But why oh why did they let Steve "face like a goblin" Bruce choose? In fact why do we bother with a man of the match at all in these kind of games? I doubt Becks is going to treasure that moment. Lets just not have a MOTM when the match is rubbish. We should be man of the match for bloody tuning in!
"So over to Steve for the Man of the Match. Steve?"
"I'm sorry but the match does not merit one"
Simple.
So the gymnastics has been on TV a lot recently. Just like the snooker was on for a while beforehand. A couple of minority sports in Britain but still given primetime terrestrial coverage....don't get me started... Anyway, did you know that the O2 arena, where the world gymnastics is being held, was actually set up as a gymnastics venue? Its true - its not for live music, the WWE, live shows or for another sport, its for gymnastics. Who would have thought it.... To be fair it is pretty amazing sometimes but I am disappointed by the lack of my personal favourite move: the good old rolly poley. But Britain got a medal in the shape of Daniel Keatings' silver, creating history by winning the team's first ever medal in the men's all-around event at a World Championships. If results like this come from hosting such an event at the O2 and putting it on TV then its not all bad, I suppose.
International Football
So the World Cup 2010 qualifying is almost over. Only the playoffs to go. Argentina made it in the end and join South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Paraguay, United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile in the finals next summer. But how on earth are they still fifth favourites? I watched their final quaifier against Uruguay and they were very poor - just lucky that Uruguay were worse on the day.
What is Maradona playing at? He has not impressed me. He has used over 70 players in his qualification phase, discarding world-class players seemingly at random, calling up pensioners and kids, and celebrating with Klinsmanns on the touchline. His decisions are bizarre: for example, Sergio Aguero and Juan Roman Riquelme, Argentina's top scorer in the stage, weren't even in the squad for the crunch game. If things do not drastically improve then I can see the South Americans go out in the Group Stage. Do NOT put money on these guys! When your manager says Jonas Gutierrez (who cannot cross, shoot or pass) is one of four players who he guarantees will be in the squad next summer, you know something is wrong...
I'm tempted to have a flutter on France as World Cup winner. Not a bad bet at long odds as I expect them to get through the playoffs comfortably after a resurgence in form, and with the likes of Henry, Benzema, Anelka, and Ribery they have the fire power. But Spain have to be strong favourites.
David Beckham picked up the MOTM award for a 30 minute cameo against Belarus. It sounds stupid but there really were no other contenders. Yes Crouch scored a couple but they were both little tap-ins, and the game was dire - what a surprise! But why oh why did they let Steve "face like a goblin" Bruce choose? In fact why do we bother with a man of the match at all in these kind of games? I doubt Becks is going to treasure that moment. Lets just not have a MOTM when the match is rubbish. We should be man of the match for bloody tuning in!
"So over to Steve for the Man of the Match. Steve?"
"I'm sorry but the match does not merit one"
Simple.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Friday 9 October - The Internet versus the TV....
Welcome along to the first edition of the sporting week blog, known as Three Points in the Bag.
As I type this it is the eve of England's penultimate World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, to be exclusively shown online. The match was due to be shown by Setanta Sports, but after it folded earlier this year no other channels showed any interest in it.
I wonder why? Maybe it is because England have ALREADY qualified for the 2010 Finals in South Africa after winning all eight of their previous games. I will restrain myself from calling it meaningless as it is far from that for the Ukrainians who still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs, but we English need to calm down.
Fans frustration that they can't start their Saturday night in the pub watching the game can be excused, but the claim that the internet is on the brink of stealing football from our living rooms and drinking houses is wide of the mark. If it had been a crunch game I am sure the likes of ITV would have bid for it but it is not. To be honest, I was not planning on watching this game anyway. It will be dreadful entertainment as pretty much all the England qualifiers have been, and its pretty clear that Capello has already made up his mind on the majority of his squad for next summer so there is little of interest for me - if not then why has he left out the Premier League's top English scorer, Darren Bent? Also, with an online server supporting no more that a million logins, these figures hardly signal a new dawn for football viewing.
Change is not a bad thing but we should ask ourselves why now, rather than what next? Ultimately, television companies did not want to bother with the Ukraine game and neither do I. Bring on the draw for the finals in December when we can start plotting our way to the final (or should that be the quarter final?)
So Fergie's been up to his old tricks, but we can't be too harsh - I mean he is a knight of the realm and that should mean he can criticise anyone, right? Poor Alan Wiley. Its not his fault he looks like he has swallowed a chest of drawers. I suppose Sir Alex was happy enough to have unfit Alan as a more stationary "butcher's dog" a fortnight earlier when Manchester United won the derby against City, keeping an eye on the injury time clock. Face it, referees aren't as fit as players. Many have other jobs and are in their late thirties, but are still fitter than they were in the past; I'd fancy myself in a sprint against Graham Poll, Jeff Winter and Paul Durkin any day, running forward or backwards Paul.
Oh and someone give John Barnes a job, if not for his "talent" then to reduce Global Warming. Notice how he cycled to and from work everyday while manager of Tranmere but the morning he was sacked he said "sod this", and was filmed loading his bike into former sidekick Jason McAteer's car for a lift. Come to think of it, if I got sacked I'm not sure I'd be in the mood to ride my bike home through Merseyside...
This season of Formula One has been fantastic. Now, I am no expert by any means, but I reckon my lack of indepth knowledge has actually helped me enjoy this rollercoaster of a year all the more. If you haven't been watching these are a few of the things you have missed: sponsorless Braun come out of nowhere and start winning, Hamilton's car is terrible, Hamilton's car is worse, Hamilton's car is getting better, wait its the best now, Massa has an incredible crash, Schumacher comes out of retirement to replace him, no wait he doesnt, instead its the worst driver ever seen, Button tries not to become World Champion despite his lead, Renault found guilty of cheating, and of course the Max Mosely scandal.
There have been many complaints aired that this is no longer a sport and it cannot be trusted. But in reality Formula One hasn't been a sport for a long time - it is entertainment and its brilliant. There is no level playing field, drivers and their teams push and bend the rules to win. Of course, if fans stop believing in it there is a real danger they will stop following it, but arguably this season has been one of the most exciting and engaging ever. Pure? no. Unpredictable? All the way. I know I'll be tuned in for Brazil next week.
It may be the end for Steve Harmison's international career in top class Cricket. I think this is the right decision. The first reaction is always to recall memories of his excellent spells with the ball in the past, even as recently as the last Ashes test, but the selectors need consistency in a tour, especially one away against South Africa. He'll have some fantastic memories of the international stage and has been brilliant for cricket, particularly in the North East. Long may he put strong performances in for Durham. One cannot rule out a return for England back on home soil in the future, but I see that as unlikely. It'll probably come down to whether Plunkett steps up to the plate in the coming months.
I'd like to end this blog with a thought about the inclusion of Golf and Rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. I do not deny that both these sports have great tradition and are enjoyed around the world but I fear they will not be mean as much to the players and fans as the Olympics should.
The Olympic tennis tournament is an example of a sport not universally regarding the Olympics as the pinnacle. In the past, big name players have instead focused on the four majors, as in Golf, where there are ranking points and large prize money at stake. Football is another example of this tension, shown by the home nations' inability to come to an agreement for a Great Britain side for 2012. Worries such as these may well be eased over time, but the problem remains today that these sports may not see a gold medal in the same special and important light as it is seen by sports which have been pushed out of the 2016 Games as a result of these inclusions; notably Squash and Karate. How will this effect the popularity of these smaller sports when they no longer have the prestigious Olympics help promote them and for their athletes to work towards?
Nevertheless, I'm sure Brazil will welcome these new additions with open arms. It will be a fantastic couple of years for the nation who will also host the Football World Cup in 2014.
Result
As I type this it is the eve of England's penultimate World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, to be exclusively shown online. The match was due to be shown by Setanta Sports, but after it folded earlier this year no other channels showed any interest in it.
I wonder why? Maybe it is because England have ALREADY qualified for the 2010 Finals in South Africa after winning all eight of their previous games. I will restrain myself from calling it meaningless as it is far from that for the Ukrainians who still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs, but we English need to calm down.
Fans frustration that they can't start their Saturday night in the pub watching the game can be excused, but the claim that the internet is on the brink of stealing football from our living rooms and drinking houses is wide of the mark. If it had been a crunch game I am sure the likes of ITV would have bid for it but it is not. To be honest, I was not planning on watching this game anyway. It will be dreadful entertainment as pretty much all the England qualifiers have been, and its pretty clear that Capello has already made up his mind on the majority of his squad for next summer so there is little of interest for me - if not then why has he left out the Premier League's top English scorer, Darren Bent? Also, with an online server supporting no more that a million logins, these figures hardly signal a new dawn for football viewing.
Change is not a bad thing but we should ask ourselves why now, rather than what next? Ultimately, television companies did not want to bother with the Ukraine game and neither do I. Bring on the draw for the finals in December when we can start plotting our way to the final (or should that be the quarter final?)
So Fergie's been up to his old tricks, but we can't be too harsh - I mean he is a knight of the realm and that should mean he can criticise anyone, right? Poor Alan Wiley. Its not his fault he looks like he has swallowed a chest of drawers. I suppose Sir Alex was happy enough to have unfit Alan as a more stationary "butcher's dog" a fortnight earlier when Manchester United won the derby against City, keeping an eye on the injury time clock. Face it, referees aren't as fit as players. Many have other jobs and are in their late thirties, but are still fitter than they were in the past; I'd fancy myself in a sprint against Graham Poll, Jeff Winter and Paul Durkin any day, running forward or backwards Paul.
Oh and someone give John Barnes a job, if not for his "talent" then to reduce Global Warming. Notice how he cycled to and from work everyday while manager of Tranmere but the morning he was sacked he said "sod this", and was filmed loading his bike into former sidekick Jason McAteer's car for a lift. Come to think of it, if I got sacked I'm not sure I'd be in the mood to ride my bike home through Merseyside...
This season of Formula One has been fantastic. Now, I am no expert by any means, but I reckon my lack of indepth knowledge has actually helped me enjoy this rollercoaster of a year all the more. If you haven't been watching these are a few of the things you have missed: sponsorless Braun come out of nowhere and start winning, Hamilton's car is terrible, Hamilton's car is worse, Hamilton's car is getting better, wait its the best now, Massa has an incredible crash, Schumacher comes out of retirement to replace him, no wait he doesnt, instead its the worst driver ever seen, Button tries not to become World Champion despite his lead, Renault found guilty of cheating, and of course the Max Mosely scandal.
There have been many complaints aired that this is no longer a sport and it cannot be trusted. But in reality Formula One hasn't been a sport for a long time - it is entertainment and its brilliant. There is no level playing field, drivers and their teams push and bend the rules to win. Of course, if fans stop believing in it there is a real danger they will stop following it, but arguably this season has been one of the most exciting and engaging ever. Pure? no. Unpredictable? All the way. I know I'll be tuned in for Brazil next week.
It may be the end for Steve Harmison's international career in top class Cricket. I think this is the right decision. The first reaction is always to recall memories of his excellent spells with the ball in the past, even as recently as the last Ashes test, but the selectors need consistency in a tour, especially one away against South Africa. He'll have some fantastic memories of the international stage and has been brilliant for cricket, particularly in the North East. Long may he put strong performances in for Durham. One cannot rule out a return for England back on home soil in the future, but I see that as unlikely. It'll probably come down to whether Plunkett steps up to the plate in the coming months.
I'd like to end this blog with a thought about the inclusion of Golf and Rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. I do not deny that both these sports have great tradition and are enjoyed around the world but I fear they will not be mean as much to the players and fans as the Olympics should.
The Olympic tennis tournament is an example of a sport not universally regarding the Olympics as the pinnacle. In the past, big name players have instead focused on the four majors, as in Golf, where there are ranking points and large prize money at stake. Football is another example of this tension, shown by the home nations' inability to come to an agreement for a Great Britain side for 2012. Worries such as these may well be eased over time, but the problem remains today that these sports may not see a gold medal in the same special and important light as it is seen by sports which have been pushed out of the 2016 Games as a result of these inclusions; notably Squash and Karate. How will this effect the popularity of these smaller sports when they no longer have the prestigious Olympics help promote them and for their athletes to work towards?
Nevertheless, I'm sure Brazil will welcome these new additions with open arms. It will be a fantastic couple of years for the nation who will also host the Football World Cup in 2014.
Result
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