Big Four back on form

Premiership round-up:

Arsenal eventually sneaked a 1-0 win over a dogged Man City. Arsenal have been guilty in the past of over-passing.They still show signs of suffering from it this season, going for the extra pass & trying to walk the ball into the net, when a shot on a goal or even (shock horror) a punt into the box might be a better option.

So Chelsea are back on top, and will surely will be difficult to dislodge. Man United's first win, over Spurs, showed how talk of a crisis after 3 games was a nonsense. They found themselves in 19th place on Saturday, but with most teams having played a game more, and the three points from Sunday lifted them to 10th.

Liverpool's strength of squad looks formidable, they have quality in depth, especially in midfield & the strikers.

Time for my relegation tips. I think all the newly-promoted teams will go straight back down. Derby look doomed after losing their home 'six-pointer' with Birmingham, but the Brummie Blues will join them in the Champioship next year. Sunderland, despite Keano's motivating powers, do not appear to have enough quality in their squad either.

I had been quite excited by the prospect of Five's live Serie A coverage (Sundays from 1.30). The first of this new series aired on Sunday (Aug 27). They made much in the build-up of how Serie A, historically famed for its mean defences, last season actually had more total goals scored than any of the other big Euro leagues (Prem, La Liga, Bundesliga or Le Championnat). The televised game was the champs, Inter, at home to Udinese. In the event the games was a rather lacklustre 1-1 draw. However, Inter had some key players, like Crespo & Viera, out injured. If they had played, maybe it would have been a better spectacle. If I'm allowed to make a sexist comment, the studio coverage did have the attraction of the beautiful co-presenter, Laura Esposto, though.

Henman-an Appreciation

As had been widely predicted, Tim Henman announced today that he'll retire after next month's Davis Cup tie with Croatia.

When you mention Henman to most people with a passing knowledge of tennis, you get a lot of ignorant comments that he was no good. The fact is, he was unlucky to be playing at the same time as one of the greatest, arguably the best, grasscourt players of all time, Sampras. Pistol Pete got the better of him 3 times at Wimbledon: '95 R2 (3 sets), & SFs in '98 & '99 (both 4 sets) . Samp also beat him in the final of the Stella Artois. Henman's record at SW17 was excellent, of course-4 semis, 4 QFS & a R4 is not be sniffed at. He also made the semis of the US & French. Most people are also unaware that Henman has the rare distinction of having beaten Federer at Wimbledon (QF 2001). That was the year of his rain-interrupted semi with Goran, which many experts believe was best chance of reaching the final.

Henman is one of my favourite players to watch, aesthetically (although nerve-shredding to watch if you're rooting for him in one of his typical rollercoaster performances-eg v Moya Wimbledon 2007, where he won 13-11 in the 5th) . His attacking serve-volley game makes a refreshing change to the baseline grinders. His attacking game, being suited to grass, has not been helped by the slowing of the courts. You could argue that these slower courts have gone too far the other way in favour of the baseliners. Djokovic's R4 & QF matches at this year's Wimbledon, v Hewitt (R4) & Baghadtis(QF) lasted four & five hours respectively & featured numerous rallies of more than 20 strokes. But I digress...

I hope Tim comes out of retirement next year to have one last crack at the Stella & Wimbledon, but he seems to have ruled it out.

My favourite classic Henman wins at SW17:

'96 R1 bt Kafelnikov 5 sets '97 R3 bt Haarhuis (14-12 in 5th)

'01 QF bt Federer 4 sets '03 R4 bt Nalbandian 4sets

& last but not least this year when he beat Moya in the first round, 13-11 in the 5th.

A Tale of Two Full-Backs

I could have titled this 'A Tale of Two Goalies' but it didn't have the same ring to it.

Enlgand 1 Germany 2

The full-backs: arguably England's best player was Micah Richards. He displayed nimble footwork, and athleticism & provided the assist for Lampard's goal. The German debutant, Pander, scored a cracking winner from long-range.

I think James should now be given his chance ahead of Robinson in goal. Robbo has just made too many howlers recently, & his current lack of confidence is affecting his judgement.

England fans will hope Owen is back to his sharpest for the qualifier v Israel on September 8. He missed a couple a half-chances last night that he would have gobbled up on top form.

A goal down at half time, a long-range effort from SW-P which Lehman saved comfortably, low to his right, was the best England had to show for their second-half efforts.

Lampard answered his critics & played well. One writer (Matthew Norman in the Evening Standard) dismissed him as a 'mercenary' this week, but his commitment to the England cause couldn't be faulted last night. As well as scoring, he tracked back diligently & won his share of tackles in midfield.

The latest FIFA rankings show all the traditional major European powers (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal) ahead of England, who are 12th. Brazil are 1st. Surprisingly, Argentina are ranked one ahead of World Cup holders Italy (3rd). Strange when you think that Argentina lost in the QFs, but then the FIFA ranking system does use a four-year (weighted) ranking period. See the link to FIFA's site below.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

Blue Moon

Only 3 games played, so let's not get carried away, but Man City are top. P3, W3, & no goals conceded. I can't resist the opportunuty to be smug, & to remind readers that I tipped City as my dark horses on Aug 6th. Of course, the old maxim about the table not showing anything meaningful until Xmas, has to be borne in mind. However, I doubt whether Man U's 2 points from 3 games was part of the Glazers' plan for world domination. Man U dominated possesion, but couldn't stick any of their chances away. Sven must secretly be delighted to have sneaked a win over Fergie. United have now made their worst start since 1992-3 (P3 Pts 1: Sheff U, A, 1-2; Everton, H, 0-3; Ipswich, H, 1-1). The Man U-haters should enjoy their schadenfreude now, with the calibre of players available in their squad, they will surely soon start winning. Despite that bad start in '92 they ended up winning the innaugural Premiership by 10 pts from the Villa. My barber reckons that next time I get my grade 3 (probably in 5-6 weeks) Utd will be top, I have to disagree. Surely, at least one of the other 'Big Four' clubs will still be above them.

Chelsea must be chuffed with the point they got at Anfield, Malouda appeared just to collide accidentally with Finnan for the (equalising) penalty. Torres looked sharp for the Reds, & showed great pace & skill for his opener. Arsenal showed once again they can be ratled by teams who take a 'robust' approach & who try to deny then time & space for their passing game.

Saturday sees the first 'six-pointer' of the season, as 2nd bottom Derby host 3rd-bottom Birmingham. Both teams need to make some astute buys to avoid the drop.

Is Anybody worth £135k a week ?

Aug 6, 2007.
John Terry signed a new contract with Chelsea last week, worth a reported £135k a week. Few could dispute JT's commitent to the Chelsea cause. He is not afraid to "put his body where it hurts" as the pros say-as in the 2007 Carling Cup final where he was knocked unconscious, following a brave attempted headed clearance, by Diaby's (accidental) boot.
However, is he 'worth' £135k a week ? He is only a centre-half, after all. Although he gets his fair share of goals, he's not going to get 20 a season-he scored once last term, whereas 'The Drog' got 33. Plus, what if it gets injured ? He missed a significant chunk of last season, which together with Cech's lay-off (head injury) was identified by many experts as one of the main reasons Chelsea conceded their title.
I, like many others, rate him as Chelsea's best defender. He might not be as skilful as Rio Ferdinand, for example, but as a pure stopper, probably only Carragher can rival him in the Premiership.
However, surely he's not worth £135k a week.

Predictions for 2007-8 Season

Champions Man Utd 2. Chelsea 3. Arsenal 4. Liverpool Dark horses- Man City
United's defence is suspect to the very best, as Milan proved last year, but they should have too much firepower, & score at least one more, than the vast majority of Premiership sides.Chelsea should be solid-if JT is fit & available, but may depend too much on Drogba for goals.Arsenal & Liverpool may get closer this season. If RVP stays fit, The Gunners should make a decent challenge.Torres is higly rated, but can Rafa 'rotation policy' Benitez find, & settle on, a winning formula ?
I think Sven could do something at Man City this season-8th place or thereabouts.

The First Post

Welcome to my ramblings about sport, the universe & everything.



I'll concentrate mostly on football & tennis. I'm a useless player (think of the kid who always got picked last for the playground match) but hopefully i can write an entertaining blog.



Tennis: Novak Djokovic won the Montreal Masters at the weekend, beating Roger the dodger (Federer) for the first time. This could be the start of a three-way rivalry at the top of the men's game- Djok. also beat Nadal in the semis. Before this year, Rafa & Roger have dominated the rankings, & monopolised the Slams-according to my stats bible, Safin was the last player other than these two to win one (Aus Open 2005). Djok. has now won two Masters tourneys this year (Miami was the other). These are the toughest events outside the Slams, as all the top players compete- hence the name Masters. Other weeks you'll get half the top players playing eg in Holland, & the other half in England. Djokovic also made the semis of Roland Garros & Wimbledon this year. Surely a Slam title is not too far away for Novak-but my money is on Roger for the US Open. Roger, by his lofty standards, has had some suprising losses this year-losing to Canas twice, for example-but has still won two slams (Aussie, Wimbledon) & made the final of the French. Not too shabby really. I reckon he'll once again produce his top form for a Slam, & be champ at Flushing Meadows.



Excelsior ! (as Stan Lee would say)