Sad to see that Flintoff has retired from cricket. When the other England bowlers were being hit all over the park, Flintoff was the go-to guy, who could keep things tight &/or make the decisive breakthrough with a wicket. With his larger than life personality, the Preston lad is truly a cult hero, & apparently a champion of carousing too –most infamously hiding the after-effects with dark glasses for the 2005 Ashes victory open-top bus parade.
US Open Tennis
So much for the theory that hardcourts are Nadal’s worst surface (due to the pounding on his knees). His domination of the big events this year has been astounding. Quarters in Australia, then semis or better in all the Slams & Masters events, except for Cincinatti (QF). In the July blog I tipped the Fed to bounce back in the US hardcout season. He was runner up in Toronto & won in Cincinnati; I expected him to make the final at the Open, but for once Djokovic got the better of him at Flushing. I wonder whether he can still win Slams. Andy Murray’s 3rd round exit was a worry for British fans hoping he can win his first Slam. Every time he seems poised to win a major, he loses a match he’s expected to win-Cilic, Wawrinka, Roddick. Still, I would love him to prove me wrong.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Monday 13 September 2010
Put Your Money on Madrid
Predictions for UCL ahead of the start of the group stage
Barca will still be comfortably the best passing team on the planet, & are once again faves with the bookies. But do Barca have a plan B if opponents 'park the bus' & they can’t break the defence down with their passing game?
It's dangerous to read too much into one game, but the holders, Inter, lost the Super Cup to Atletico Madrid. Their new manager, Benitez, of course has a very good Euro record (1 Uefa Cup, as well as winner & RU in UCL) though.
What of the British teams’ chances?
Spurs have tough group & will do well to make the knockout stages, while Rangers have it even tougher.
Chelsea will be strong again, but what will they do if their talisman Drogba gets injured?
Man Utd & Arsenal will flatter to deceive, but I can’t see them getting past the quarters.
Which leaves (Real) Madrid. Is it asking too much for even the 'special one' to deliver the big prize in his first season in charge? However, if anyone can coach Madrid to improve their defence it's Mourinho, & they're not lacking in attack with Kaka & Ronaldo now joined by Mesut Ozil. They drew their first game in La Liga (away to Mallorca), but by the time of the knock-out stages Jose will have sorted the team shape & tactics.
Barca will still be comfortably the best passing team on the planet, & are once again faves with the bookies. But do Barca have a plan B if opponents 'park the bus' & they can’t break the defence down with their passing game?
It's dangerous to read too much into one game, but the holders, Inter, lost the Super Cup to Atletico Madrid. Their new manager, Benitez, of course has a very good Euro record (1 Uefa Cup, as well as winner & RU in UCL) though.
What of the British teams’ chances?
Spurs have tough group & will do well to make the knockout stages, while Rangers have it even tougher.
Chelsea will be strong again, but what will they do if their talisman Drogba gets injured?
Man Utd & Arsenal will flatter to deceive, but I can’t see them getting past the quarters.
Which leaves (Real) Madrid. Is it asking too much for even the 'special one' to deliver the big prize in his first season in charge? However, if anyone can coach Madrid to improve their defence it's Mourinho, & they're not lacking in attack with Kaka & Ronaldo now joined by Mesut Ozil. They drew their first game in La Liga (away to Mallorca), but by the time of the knock-out stages Jose will have sorted the team shape & tactics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)