So Somerset, led by Justin Langer, head to the top of the County Championship. Although it’s still early days in the cricket season, it would be no surprise, come September, if they achieve the county’s first ever Championship pennant. Once more, the winning mentality and attitude of Australian cricket, is delivering results in England. From Rodney Marsh as England Academy director; Troy Cooley as successful England Ashes bowling coach; Shane Warne’s cup-winning regime at Hampshire; now Justin Langer transforming the fortunes of Somerset. Let’s not forget that the West Country men, finished bottom of Division Two of the County Championship, […]

It appears likely that Mark Hughes will leave Blackburn Rovers. What isn’t certain, is whether he will become the new manager of Chelsea or Manchester City. To date, Mark Hughes’s managerial career has been exemplarary. A successful stint as Wales manager, then steadily revitalising the fortunes of Blackburn Rovers. The Welshman has yet to put a foot wrong as a manager. It may well be that he is tempted by the Chelsea job. A huge transfer budget; working with some of the world’s best players; Champions League qualification every season. He wouldn’t have trouble handling the big egos. And he […]

It’s the eve of the Champions League final. Both sides have trained on the Luzhniki Stadium pitch. And Chelsea’s Claude Makelele, has let it be known, that he is up for this special challenge. Much of the pre-match talk, has been of Manchester United’s desire to pay a fitting tribute, to those who lost their lives in the Munich air crash. But Chelsea, of course, will have the opportunity to honour the life of Frank Lampard’s late mother Pat. And players will have their own personal motivations. Paul Scholes in his first Champions League final; John Terry, in his desire […]

Some thoughts and reflections on tonight’s Champions League final, in Moscow. 1: There is something undignified about victory secured via a penalty shoot-out. The winners chase after their goal-keeper, whilst the losers are left alone with their dejection. It’s unseemly and not in keeping with the spirit of the game. The two teams have finished on level terms after extra-time. Therefore, for one team to become so hyper after winning on penalties, overlooks the truth, that neither side has been good enough to win outright. 2: The United psychology to highlight Didier Drogba’s fondness for diving, worked in their favour. […]

”When he’s at his best, he’s an unbelievable player. He’s big, strong, he scores goals – left foot, right foot, headers – and at times he is unplayable. But sometimes he seems as if his head’s not quite there.” The words of Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, describing Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba. In the light of Drogba’s positive reaction to ill advised comments from Rafael Benitez, before the Champions League semi-final, it’s an interesting strategy from Rooney and Manchester United. ‘He seems as if his head is not quite there’. If this is part of a well thought-out, deliberate mind-games strategy, […]

So Portsmouth secure their first FA Cup win, since 1939. However, it was unfortunate that they should secure victory, following a handling error, by Cardiff City goal-keeper Peter Enckleman. For this was Enckleman’s highest profile match, since the ill-fated Birmingham derby incident, a few years ago. Then, live on Monday night TV, the Villa custodian, famously allowed an Olof Mellberg throw-in, to slip through his grasp, into his own net. To his immense credit, Enckleman, recovered from his Second City derby trauma, to win the man-of-the-match award, the following Saturday at Old Trafford. But this wasn’t just a triumph of courage in adversity. […]

So Cambridge United fail in their bid to return to League football. A single goal defeat to Exeter City, condemning them to another season in the Blue Sq. Premier League. Manager, Jimmy Quinn was gracious in defeat. But he must be bemoaning the fact, that his team, really failed to do themselves justice at Wembley. Far too much valuable possession was conceded, through poor passing and decision-making. It really looked, as if the occasion had got to the The U’s. Perhaps they had failed to engage in a Wembley familiarisation process. When you are playing at a venue such as […]

In April, Hull City went to Oakwell on a Monday evening, and with a performance of some authority, beat Barnsley 3-1. On that night in S. Yorkshire, Hull had ‘the look’ of a team destined for promotion. The Tigers played with a natural confidence and self-assurance. Players seemed comfortable in their team roles. Energy levels were good. The team, purposeful and well-motivated. Manager Phil Brown seemed both focused and at ease with the pressure. And the fans had a buoyancy and togetherness about them, as if feeling and knowing, that promotion was ‘on’. It was hard to contain the sense […]