lookupsport

While I was away playing hockey on the wind swept and wet south coast this bank holiday weekend, England handed the Windies their biggest ever thrashing, winning by an innings and 283 runs.

I didn’t get to see too much of the match, but I saw enough to know that although this was a good victory, it wasn’t against a good side and we have a very very long way to go to compete at the top level. 

Our batsman at least have started to fire with Pietersen finally getting passed the 154 mark with an impressive 226, Vaughan getting a century and Prior continuing his excellent start.  However, it is the bowling which will cost  us dear against better sides.

With the exception of Sidebottom, who bowled a consistant line and length, swinging the ball and giving the hapless Windies all sorts of problems, our seamers were far too erratic.  Had Harmison and Plunkett bowled at the same sort of level as Sidebottom then the margin of victory could have been much greater.  Until we find other bowlers who can hit the mark again and again, then we will always struggle against the best sides. As luck would have it though, the Windies were in no way good enough to expose this weakness. 

Well having watched and been bored by the FA Cup final on Saturday and listened to the build up of the Champions League Final, I was not expecting a game with much excitement.  With Steven Gerrard having said that he would be happy with a boring 1-0 win, and neither coach known for taking risks, 1-0 would have been my bet for the outcome - unless it finished 0-0 and went to penalties of course.  But we should know to expect the unexpected and the complete opposite to whatever players and or coaches say before a match. How many times has an England coach said that the team will be going all out for a win and then you sit and watch as they fail to have a shot in anger?

Benitez looked to have pulled of another master stroke when he played Steven Gerrard up front and played Jermaine Pennant.  Who would have put money on that?  Or on Pennant actually looking the most dangerous player on the pitch.

The writing was on the wall though when after dominating much of the first half, Liverpool had not opened the scoring.  More often than not the team, which fails to take advantage in these situations find themselves going behind.  For Liverpool it was even crueller when a tame looking free kick deflected off of Inzaghi and hit the net on the stroke of half time.

As the second half wore on and Liverpool threw more players forward, they were always going to risk a sucker punch and that’s what happened 8 minutes from time when Kaka played in Inzaghi for his second.  

A grand stand finish looked on the cards though when Kuyt scored a couple of minutes from time and no doubt many a Milan fan had visions of 2005.  However, it wasn’t to be and the referee obviously keen that the game wouldn’t go to extra time, blew the whistle on the game 2.5 minutes into 3 minutes of extra time, despite some of that time being used for a Milan substitution.

A disappointing result especially as Milan were the only non-Premiership side in the final 4.  However, at least a game with some excitement rather than the dull affair many had predicted and I had feared! 

And so it begins.  Within  a few days of the season drawing to a close the traditional managers merry-go-round begins.  In fact it started a few days before then with Sam Allerdyce resigning at Bolton.

Then the first post season casualty as Glen Roederer gets the sack. No surprise there really with the Newcastle fans and Freddy Shepherd notoriously impatient.  I have to feel some sympathy with Glen though.  He has suffered from a list of injuries not least Michael Owen, who has appeared in only 13 games for the £16M they have paid and now looks like trying to leave.  Proof if it were ever needed that footballers, or their agents at least have absolutely no conscience.  Owen has a clause allowing him to leave for £9M - a great bit of business Mr Shepherd!

There was of course no surprise at all when Big Sam stepped straight into the vacant spot at St James’ Park.  Obviously all worked out well in advance.  It remains to be seen if Sam can convince Owen to stay and instill some discipline in the changing room where it appears that the players have taken over.

Then Paul Jewell resigns after keeping Wigan in the Premiership the day before.  A slight surprise until you hear that Stuart Pearce has been sacked by Manchester City.  I wonder who will take over there?  It appears the Manchester City board have still not worked out that one of the key ingredients to success is stability.  Trying to keep up with the local rivals they have continually swapped managers and coaches in a bid to find a winning formula.  The best thing they can do is give the new manager (whoever it might be), the chance to prove himself over a 3-5 year period rather than a handful of games or one season.  At least Pearce is not going to be paid for the next 4 years, having declined that option in his contract, which will be a relief to the board.  The monthly outgoings on managers salaries must be bigger than it is for the players there.

Then today Neil Warnock has resigned.  The charismatic Sheffield United manager has made a lot of friends this season with his direct and amusing outlook on the game.  I wonder where he is heading?  If I was Dennis Wise though I would be looking over my shoulder nervously, with Leeds just a few miles up the road.

Finally there is the self proclaimed “Special One”.  My money says that win or lose on Saturday and I think they will lose, although I am hoping for a cracking game, he will go over the summer.  Who will replace him?  A certain Mr Eriksson is still on the market and knows English football well - or at least he should do!

When Leicester Wasps came out early in the season and stated that they were aiming to win 3 trophies - The Guinness Premiership, EDF Energy Cup and The Heiniken Cup - setting the bar very high.  To many this seemed to be a mistake if not a touch arrogant, but now only the London Wasps stand between them acheiving their goal this Sunday when the two sides meet in the Heiniken Cup Final.

The historic treble will not be a walkover though although Leicester will start as favourites having tied up the Premiership with a comprehensive win over Gloucester last week.  Wasps themselves have not played for nearly 3 weeks and so will be well rested, but history shows that momentum plays a huge part in any sport, and particularly on big occasions like this. The momentum is definitely with the Tigers, as is confidence, which they have shown all season. 

One of the the Tigers’ main protagonists will be ex England captain Lawrence Dallaglio who will go head to head with another former Engand captain Martin Corry.  There is nothing Dallaglio would like more than to put one over on his former team mate and prevent him making history and lifting the cup come Sunday afternoon. 

Whatever happens, you can be sure it will be a tough contest and a great spectacle fought hard on the pitch and discussed at length in the bar afterwards.

Well a week a away from the first test against  the West Indies, and a debut for Peter Moores and he is faced with his first little test.  Unbelievably having finally gotten back to fitness and looking like finding his form again, Michael Vaughan is an injury doubt with a broken finger. Stuart Broad also looks like missing the match as does Kevin Pietersen.  Welcome to the Duncan Fletcher’s world Peter!

The latest verdict on Vaughan is at least a little more positive then last week.  He is now “much better” but nevertheless still doubtful.

On the upside Marcus Trescothick has just made his highest ever first class score of 284, although he still won’t be available for Test cricket for a while.  Matthew Hoggard has also found some form today taking 5-34 for Yorkshire against Worcestershire.

I look forward with anticipation to see what changes Moore will introduce.  If nothing else I hope to see a much more energised and concentrated performance than in recent weeks.  Whether or not he can instill the confidence that was so sadly lacking in the World Cup last month is another matter.  I suspect that will take some time.  It will be interesting to see if there is a change in approach come the 3 ODI matches later in the series too.  We can only hope!

So after the hurly burly of the bank holiday weekend the title has finally been decided and the relegation battle is drawing to a tense finish.

Having won narrowly against and uninspiring  Man City side on Saturday, Manchester United made it 9 Premiership titles when Chelsea only managed to draw with Arsenal.

Chelsea though played with pride and passion though in defence of their title and having been reduced to 10 min in the first half came back from 1-0 down to claim a 1-1 draw.  Indeed they could have won, although at the same time they could have so easily lost with an end to end final 20 minutes. 

Jose Mourinho was obviously quick to praise his team’s performance and through gritted teeth managed to offer congratulations not only to Sir Alex and the team but also to the board.  However, he did draw up short in admitting that the best team had won simply stating that the team with the biggest number of points had won.  You have to love the arrogance of the man.

The downside to this result for us neutrals though is that tomorrow nights clash might become a damp squib.  On the other hand it could be a classic. 

With the FA Cup final to play will the managers want to impose themselves over  their rivals, or will they want to rest key players.  If they field full sides, with nothing really to lose except pride, the game could be a thriller with both teams going all out for the win.  Fingers crossed….

At the other end of the league, Charlton have joined Watford in dropping to the Championship. although there are now reports linking them with a takeover bid, so they could bounce back quickly. 

The third team to join them is as yet undecided but one thing is certain - if West Ham don’t get relegated then there will be all sorts of chaos with the other clubs threatening legal action over the Tevez deal.  For the good of the Premiership and for the peace of mind of the FA, lets hope that West Ham go down, although this needs them to lose to Manchester United and Wigan to beat Sheffield United by a narrow margin.  One more likely than the other I think you will agree.

As hoped/predicted a few weeks ago in this blog, Sunderland and Birmingham have made it back to the Premiership - as a Portsmouth supporter, lets hope they are not joined by Southampton but by Derby. 

Next season will be interesting though - Sunderland and Birmingham have recent top flight experience and should not bounce straight back down unlike promoted sides have done in previous seasons  - this means that at least 2 of the current teams could be playing their last Premiership season next year.

Phil The Power Taylor extended his unbeaten run in the PDC Premiership to 42 matches with an 8-5 win over World Champion Raymond van Barneveld. 

In a match which has been hyped ever since they met earlier in the season, Taylor never really looked in trouble although the error of victory was slim.  It sounds like a contradiction in terms but Barney had a dart at a double in the first 2 legs, missing by the narrowest of margins but losing both.  That’s how much pressue Taylor puts on his opponents.  You only get one chance and if you don’t take it you get punished.

Barney himself wasn’t playing badly averaging a 109, but went into the break 4-2 down.  When they met earlier in the season he led 5-1 at the half way stage, but Taylor came back with the best 8 legs I have ever seen averaging 115 to take 7 of them and win the match 8-6.  Barney staged a mini comeback of his own this time, levelling the match at 4-4, but then Taylor went into another gear and rattled off 3 legs on the trot to enure the draw. before going on to win.

The big question is can anybody stop Taylor.  Over recent weeks it would appear that Barney is the only one with the game to do it, and he has to bring his best game to the Oche to stand even a chance.  He would almost certainly have beaten anybody else last night. Taylor himself said its like Chelsea and Manchester United - those two are way better than anybody else and the rest are playing catch up.  Harsh words but fair.  Certainly since losing his world title, Taylor is more determined that ever to win win win.  On this performance  it will take him to have an extraordinarily bad day or soembody else to play out of their skins to beat him.  It all makes for great entertainment though, as the longer he goes unbeaten the more the tension builds…

It’s quite satisfying to a poor bloke like myself to see that money and wealth don’t buy you everything.  Of course I’d rather be rich and unhappy than poor and unhappy, but it’s still good to know.

What am I going on about?  Roman Adramovich’s Chelsea of course and their quest for the Champions League, which once again fell at the semi-final stage last night.

First a couple of points about the game. 

Where was Frank Lampard?  Until he blazed a free kick over the bar mid way through the second half and then another out of play towards the end of extra time,  I had no idea he was on the park.  If I cast my mind back to the World Cup and the quarter final, I think the same was true then as well.  No doubt he is a quality player, but the truly great players stand out in the really big games - how many times has Gerrard taken the game by the scruff of the neck and turned it around almost single handedly for Liverpool.  The same goes for the much lamented David Beckham as well - cast your mind back to the Greece game.  People talk about the free kick, but he played his heart our for the 89 minutes before then and was involved all over the pitch.  I’ve never seen that sort of performance from Lampard - not when it really really matters.  Bad case of stage fright possibly?

Secondly, I wonder about the team spirit in the Chelsea camp when the going gets really tough.  The sign of a good team/squad is one that can  stick together and play for each other when the going gets tough.  It’s easy when you’re winning to have a good spirit.  Look at the Liverpool team who have not had a great season until now, but showed last night that they are all there for each other.  I wonder if the superstars in the Chelsea team feel the same way about each other  - or are they there more for themselves and the money.  Manchester United are another prime example of a side that have excellent team spirit.  The nucleus of the team has been at the club for years, with Sir Alex adding one or two quality players each season as he sees fit and the budget allows.  The result is a tight knit bunch, who know each others games inside out and will run through walls for each other.  I don’t get that impression from the Chelsea team.

To throw a team of players together over a season or so and expect results is a difficult thing no matter how much quality there is there.  A team needs balance, and too many egos in one squad is difficult to manage.  History is littered with owners and managers who have tried and failed.  Mourinho and Abramovich have done well to get Chelsea to the level they are currently at, but I don’t think they will be able to take them much further, and throwing more money at the team is not the answer. 

Mourinho can complain as much as he likes about not having a deep enough squad or about Liverpool not playing as many games.  Two points to make here.

1.  If you spend over £100m on players and don’t have cover in every position then you only have yourself to blame.  e.g why pay £20M plus for somebody like Wright-Phillips and then not play him for 3/4 of the season?  He should have spent the money to ensure he had balance everywhere including defence.

2.  You cannot expect to win or try and win 4 trophies, and then complain that you are playing too many games or that you have injuries.  The term “victim of your own success” was written for this situation.

Anyway, I’ve been off on a bit of a rant and almost lost the thread.  The bottom line is that spending millions of pounds on players does not guarantee success (Real Madrid are another case in point) and neither should it.  Last night’s result gives hope to all other football clubs across Europe.

One final point to make - I suspect that the FA Cup final will be the last game that Mourinho is in charge of in England for a while….

So the cricket World Cup finished predictably with Australia thumping Sri Lanka as they did with every other team they face in the tournament.  Unfortunately the end was somewhat of a farce with the final 3 overs being played in near darkness, in order to avoid coming back the following day.  

The main highlight though was Adam Gilchrist’s 149 off of just 104 balls - the biggest knock ever in a World Cup final.  To be fair to Sri Lanka they looked like making a game of it for for a few overs and were actually ahead of the run rate, but it was always going to be an uphill struggle, with Duckworth Lewis coming into play.  And so it proved.  If nothing else this Worl Cup has proved 3 things.

1.  The tournament needs to be restructured to make it shorter - even the most ardent cricket fans have become jaded with it.

2.  To get crowds in and to create an atmosphere ticket pricing needs to be adjusted to allow locals to be able to go to games and fill the seats.  The organisers only seemed to work this out in the last couple of weeks, with the majority of matches being played in front of empty stadiums.

3.  The Aussies are easily the best side in the World and the rest have an awful lot of work to do to get anywhere near them.

I’ll finish the never ending cricketing blogging with a trivia question.  Not one I know the answer to I hasten to add, but I’m sure somebody out there will.

How many records have England been involved in and been on the wrong end of?  e.g. most runs scored against, most runs chased down, fastest 50 scored, etc.  Whenever I hear a commentator mention a record of any sort it always seems to have been against England e.g. both of Lara’s record breaking knocks.

Fraser

For a full list of UK Cricket Shops visit lookupsport.com