Sunday, October 05, 2008

COLE DISAPPOINTED WITH FIRST LEAGUE LOSS FOR ZOLA

Robert Green was culpable for all three of Bolton’s goals in their 3-1 win on Sunday at Upton Park, but manager Gianfranco Zola refused to make his goalkeeper a scapegoat.

It was the Italian’s first taste of defeat in the Premier League, but he backed Green to come back stronger, labelling him a “great goalkeeper”.

After half an hour, in a rare Bolton attack, the 28-year-old dropped a cross at the feet of Kevin Davies for the opening goal.

And he should have done better four minutes later but could only steer Gretar Rafn Steinsson’s drive into the path of onrushing defender Gary Cahill, who netted his first goal since his £5m summer move from Aston Villa.

Though Carlton Cole pulled a goal back for the home side after the interval, Matty Taylor’s quickly-taken free-kick, which made Green blush again, sealed the result with four minutes remaining. The Hammers have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their past 20 games, dating back to February.

Zola said of Green: “He is a great goalkeeper – he has all my trust, all of the team's trust. Everyone believes in him. It has been a bad day, but I am sure next game he is going to save two penalties – football is like that.”

Striker Cole, who, unlike Green, was not called up to the England squad, believes that the international break will be a good opportunity for the team to dispel the stench of disappointment in the dressing room before they travel to Hull on October 19.

“The boys are very disappointed and the atmosphere is very subdued,” Cole, 24, said. “We just want to be positive now until the next game.

“We know what we have to do to improve – it is not always rosy in the Premier League and we need to battle on and get our next win under our belts. We will bounce back and it will be a good two weeks for us to clear our heads and get focussed on the Hull game.”

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Thursday, October 02, 2008

CIPRIANI EXCITED AT RETURN AGAINST BATH

Danny Cipriani is itching to hear his name announced over the Adams’ Park Tannoy on Wednesday when, after an absence of four months, he will step out wearing London Wasps’ No10 shirt, as his team host Bath in the Guinness Premiership.

The 20-year-old wunderkind had been expected to be sidelined until November after horrifically dislocating and fracturing his right ankle in May’s semi-final against, ironically, this evening’s opponents.

He missed out on Wasps’ Guinness Premiership success against Leicester Tigers and England’s ill-fated tour to New Zealand, but has been working around the clock to return six weeks ahead of schedule – “quite incredible” according to Ian McGeechan, Wasps’ Director of Rugby.

“I was working from nine in the morning with Prav Mathema, the Wasps head physio, and then in the day with Margot Wells, a sprint coach, before more physio with specialist Kevin Lidlow at nine in the evening,” said Cipriani, who enjoyed an impressive full international debut against Ireland in March.

“I'm glad it is over now and I can't wait to get on the field again – it's going to be emotional. I will have to calm myself as I am just going to be so excited when my name is called before the game.”

The timing couldn’t be better for Wasps who, after registering their first win of the season last Friday against Leicester, sit tenth in the table. Skipper Raphael Ibanez and Tim Payne also return from injury in the front row for Wasps, as does lock Simon Shaw. But second-placed Bath will be most wary of the fly-half’s return – all three times the teams met last year, Wasps won and teetotaller Cipriani scored 36 points.

On playing Bath, he added: “It's a bit strange how coincidence throws these things up, but it'll be good just to get back. It doesn't feel in my head like I have had a major injury – I have
just had a bit of time away from the game.

"But I just want to get back to where I was last season and do so with a smile on my face."

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Monday, September 29, 2008

CIPS READY FOR COMEBACK

Danny Cipriani cannot wait to complete his miracle comeback on Wednesday night.

The England fly-half returns for London Wasps against Bath - six weeks ahead of schedule following an horrific ankle injury he suffered four months ago against the same opponents.

And Cipriani, 20, believes he will return a better player thanks to his determination, a strict no-alcohol diet and around-the-clock physiotherapy.

That could lead to an England recall for the autumn internationals even though his injury has kept him out of the current Elite squad.

"It would be totally frustrating if I can't get picked for England," Cipriani said. "But I would like to think that if you are playing well enough then the best players will get picked at the time.

"I was working from nine in the morning with Prav Mathema, the Wasps head physio, and then in the day with Margo Wells, a sprint coach, before more physio with specialist Kevin Lidlow at 9 in the evening.

"I'm glad it is over now and I can't wait to get on the field again.

"My strength running is as good as it was last year, and I am yet to do my sprint training. I'm trying to influence the plan and by the end of November I should be quicker than last season."

Wasps head coach Ian McGeechan added: "It's quite incredible how quickly Danny has recovered. The way the whole programme has gone since May has been fantastic.

"And a lot of credit goes to Danny. He is at least where he was at last year now."

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DERBY CORNER QPR IN LOFTUS LATE SHOW

Queens Park Rangers' 100 per cent home record was ended as Paul Jewell's Derby County earned their first away win in the league for 18 months thanks to two goals from corners in the last ten minutes. Defender Martin Albrechtsen struck home the first from eight yards when the ball rebounded kindly for him and eight minutes later substitute Emanuel Villa nodded in to ensure the result.

The travelling side, relegated so unceremoniously from the Premier League last season, have now earned eight points from their last four Championship games and look to be finally getting over their relegation hangover.

Iain Dowie's side had been in great form going into the game, having claimed the unlikely scalp of Aston Villa in the Carling Cup Third Round in midweek - a victory that has earned them a fixture against Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in mid November. But they were brought back down to earth with a bump after failing to deal with set pieces late a match that only took light in the second half.

The first 20 minutes were played at a high tempo without either team managing to engineer a clear-cut chance. QPR's solitary striker Dexter Blackstock, who had been rested for Wednesday's shock Carling Cup Third Round win at Villa Park, had few chances to test Roy Carroll in the visitors' goal.

But when he first did, after 22 minutes, Carroll's defence came to the rescue. Real Madrid loanee Daniel Parejo sprung the Derby offside trip on the right-hand side of the area, having been cleverly found by Emannuel Ledesma. The borrowed Genoa youngster squared to Blackstock, who slid in for what looked like a certain goal.

But Derby right-back Paul Connelly had other ideas and, having tracked back, managed to put his body between Blackstock and the goal-line. His goalkeeper thanked him with a ruffle of his hair.

Derby had their best chance of the half five minutes later, when full-back Jordan Stewart fed Stephen Pearson on the left wing and he hit a low cross towards attacker Rob Hulse, who could not quite step round the onrushing home goalkeeper Radek Cerny. Hulse's toe-poke was first blocked by the former Tottenham stopper and then booted out for a corner.

After the interval the game opened up more and both sides had good chances to score. Two minutes into the half, tricky Italian Ledesma weaved his way into the box on the right. His deflected shot had Carroll scrambling back across his goal, but it found the post and bounced behind. From the resulting corner the 20-year-old flashed a shot over the bar, and two minutes later he tried to chip Carroll but dragged it wide right.

Blackstock then hit a post when he cleverly turned his marker from six-yards out, but the away team soon hit back in this ding-dong battle. On 62 minutes Hulse should have scored when put clean though but he was brilliantly tackled by Damion Stewart.

Defender Miles Addison shaved Cerny's cross bar with a 35 yard screamer and winger Nacer Barazite, on loan from Arsenal, then blazed over from Jewell's side. But it was his corner from the left, with 10 minutes remaining that found its way to Albrechtsen, who cooly finished. Substitute Steven Davies then swung a corner in from the same position and Villa's header was too good for Cerny.

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HODGSON WARY OF DI MICHELE THREAT

Roy Hodgson believes that West Ham’s new striker David Di Michele is like Italian legends Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero.

The Fulham manager coached Di Michele while at Udinese seven years ago, and is surprised that Torino have loaned the six-cap Azzurri star to West Ham, who go to Fulham on Saturday.

Fulham have not beaten the Hammers at home in the league since 1966, and Hodgson reckons they will have to stop Di Michele to buck the trend.

"He is a very skillful player and someone who is very adept in front of goal," Hodgson said of the 32-year-old hitman, who scored a match-winning brace last weekend on his debut against Newcastle United.

"He is very good at sniffing out goal chances and then taking them because he has very good technique and manipulates the ball very well.

"I have been surprised by his career in some respects that he has moved on so many times - he has had a lot of clubs. With the talent he has you would have expected him to be like a Del Piero or a Baggio.

"He is a good signing for West Ham and he has started off like a house on fire. We shall be very aware of his goal-scoring ability and we will try to make it hard for him to find the space he needs. But we will have a job on our hands."

And Hodgson is hopeful that his own new signing, Bobby Zamora, is ready to show his old club what they are missing.

"He was highly rated at Upton Park and I spoke to [ex-manager] Alan Curbishley very recently and he said that he was very disappointed that he had to let Bobby go," continued Hodgson.

"Whenever players play against their old club they always have that extra bit of spring in their step. I’ve been very impressed with him, with his attitude.

"Bobby is very keen to be here, keen to work and interested in what we do tactically. So far he has very much been the player thought I was signing."

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DOWIE FEARS DERBY WILL RECOVER FROM RELEGATION HANGOVER

Queens Park Rangers fear Derby County are about to come round from their relegation hangover - starting at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Rangers are fourth in the Championship with Derby struggling in 20th spot having been relegated last season with the worst ever top-flight record.

But QPR boss Iain Dowie has the utmost respect for his counterpart Paul Jewell.

The pair, both 43, locked horns five years ago when they managed Oldham and Wigan respectively down in League One.

And Dowie is full of praise for his under-fire old sparring partner.

"Paul is a very good manager and I have a lot of time for him," Dowie said. "He is a training ground manager like I am and he is a passionate man.

"We'll look to share a beer or a glass of wine after the game at Loftus Road, I'm sure."

Jewell has made wholesale changes at the County Ground, and Dowie believes that it is only a matter of time before things click for his former sparring partner.

"The supporters need to give him time to make his mark," Dowie added. "He is getting the staff he wants around him now, and Chris Hutchings is a good NO.2.

"Derby is a very big club with a very big fan base, so Paul doesn't need anyone to tell him about the expectations. They are starting to turn things around and they have posted five points from a possible nine on the board. We know it is going to be a very tough task for us.

"They have spent decent money and brought in decent players, like Rob Hulse. Their current position in the table belies the manager they have and the quality they have in their squad. At the end of the season they won't be far away from where they want to be."

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McCAW HOPING TO END ALL BLACK HURT

When Richie McCaw held aloft the Philips Tri Nations trophy following the All Blacks’ 28-24 Bledisloe Cup victory at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in mid-September, it went some way to dulling New Zealand’s collective pain, inflicted after last October’s World Cup quarter-final failure against tournament hosts France. But All Black number 1014 knows, in spite of his team being crowned the best side in the Southern Hemisphere for the sixth time in seven attempts, there is still a long way to go before the disappointments of that 20-18 defeat at the Millennium Stadium are fully exorcised.

Post-France, though Graham Henry retained his position as national coach having been handed a two-year extension in December, there followed much bloodletting. Selectors, with eyes on winning the only trophy to have eluded New Zealand’s grasp in 2011, on home shores, ushered aside certain Test veterans in order to blood young talent.

In less than 12 months three-fifths of the side have changed and after some initial teething problems, the new-look All Blacks have made impressive strides in this transitional season - before the Tri Nations success there was a whitewash of touring sides, England and Ireland. Captain McCaw, however, has set his sights on a Grand Slam tour of the Northern Hemisphere in November to cap off what will be an impressive year and reaffirm New Zealand’s position as champions of the world, albeit unofficially.

The 27-year-old openside flanker, whose team take on Australia in Hong Kong before a gruelling schedule in Britain that includes games against Scotland, Ireland, Heineken Cup victors Munster, Wales and England, is in buoyant mood ahead of the tour.

"It will be a very busy month but will be very exciting too," McCaw, who announced himself on the international scene with a man-of-the-match display against Ireland in Dublin seven years ago on a similar tour, suggests. "After the unique Test against Australia we have the four Home Nations, who all provide different challenges. It'll be tough but it will be satisfying if we win.

"Winning the Tri Nations was a big lift - it was something we really wanted to do. After the disappointment of last year there was a lot of negativity about the rugby in New Zealand, so we really wanted to ensure that we did it right. We had some new players and we had two losses in a row, but the guys bounced back from that, and to come out on top on top against two other good sides was pretty satisfying. It’s gone some way to alleviating some of the pain of last year.

"But it is important we have a good tour now. It's been a challenge this year because we have had quite a lot of experience move on. But we still have a good group of guys who have been around a while and have experienced what it is like in the UK.

"The guys that haven’t played in the UK before are excited about it, and the guys that have need to ensure we use that excitement to make sure the team performs every week. If we do that, we’ll hopefully finish off the year really well. It’s been good up until now, but if we don’t have a decent tour it could easily not be so good - we can’t just go into it expecting to win every game."

McCaw has led out the All Blacks in 29 of his 65 appearances and believes that 62-year-old Henry is the right man to build the foundations of World Cup success in three years’ time. The 2006 IRB World Player of the Year, who was mystifyingly overlooked for the five-man shortlist in September (or last month, depending when you go to press), is relieved that the team and the New Zealand public can finally begin to look ahead.

"From October until the first game we had this year, against Ireland back in June, it was all looking back," he continues. "But once we got a couple wins, we could start talking about the next game and the lead up to the Tri Nations. To some degree the issue of the World Cup was put to bed. Now that the All Blacks are starting to win a few games, it looks a lot better.

"A number of the new guys in the side have impressed me too. No6 Jerome Kaino, a big but athletic man, has huge potential. Against Australia in the final game of the Tri Nations, the hits he was putting in were inspirational. Richie Kahui, who’s been playing on the wing, but could play in the centre, is another big man with a lot of skills and one to watch this tour."

He believes the Southern Hemisphere’s mastering of the experimental law variations, which have only come in effect this current season in Britain, might provide the All Black with the upper hand on tour. "It will help," he says, "and it may change our approach a little bit. They improve the game, in my opinion, but I don’t think it is 100 per cent right yet - there are some things that could be done away with. But if the referee is strong at the break down, then you get some good rugby."

McCaw lists Sean Fitzpatrick, who won a record 92 caps for the All Blacks, and his old Canterbury Crusaders captain Todd Blackadder as his greatest idols. He also holds England’s 2003 World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson in high regard, having witnessed first-hand his influence. Five years ago 13-man England defeated the All Blacks 15-13 - the last time they have done so - in Wellington, and one man, who is now in charge of the England team, was central to that.

On the 38-year-old former second row, McCaw adds: "I remember they had two players in the sin bin and Johnson was the one running the camp. You could see watching him play in the World Cup in the final [which England won 20-17] he was in charge, doing the business himself and setting the example.

"The way he played, going out and produced the goods on the pitch, was inspirational. And he didn't seem afraid to drag other guys to come along with him. If they weren't pulling their weight he would make that known. His influence will start to come through for England now, too. I'm sure when we play them in London it will be a hugely different team from the one we played here in June."

McCaw’s team face Johnson’s England at Twickenham on November 29, in the final game of their tour. If things go according to plan the All Blacks, with their new fusion of youth and experience, will be on course for a Grand Slam of the Northern Hemisphere and a year of world domination. And, more importantly for New Zealand, closer to neutralising the hurt of last October.

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QPR MUST NOT UNDERESTIMATE DERBY THREAT

Gavin Mahon has warned his QPR team-mates that they must not underestimate Saturday's visitors, Derby County, as he believes that Paul Jewell's side are still suffering a "relegation hangover" from last season and will be in the play-offs at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder took special delight in Wednesday's Carling Cup Third Round win over Premier League Aston Villa - he is a Birmingham fan and scored an own goal when he last visited Villa Park.

But he knows that the team must now refocus on gaining promotion from the Championship, starting with victory over 20th-placed Derby, who last season became the most unsuccessful club in top-flight history.

"Derby are going through a transitional period like us, and they have brought in a lot of new faces," Mahon said. "They still seem to be suffering from the relegation hangover from last season. Sometimes that bad form does carry over into the following season.

"But everyone knows that on paper they have got a really good, solid squad, with a good manager. It is no surprise that they have picked up in the last few weeks and I think they will be in the top six come May.

"But we know our home form is key to our success. Teams have come to Loftus Road and found it very hard to play us. We have got two home games in a row now, against Derby then Blackpool, and we are going for maximum points."

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WATFORD CAN BE TOP THREE - AINSWORTH

Lionel Ainsworth, Watford's man-of-the-match in the shock Carling Cup win over Gianfranco Zola's West Ham, believes that a Premier League scalp was all they needed to kick-start their Championship campaign.

The 20-year-old winger thinks that if Aidy Boothroyd's team, currently 17th in the table, continue to perform as they did in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road, then a top three finish is a certainty.

England Under-19 star Ainsworth is confident that despite the fact that there are a number of injuries, he and his young team-mates can emulate what Arsenal?s kids did, and hit Sheffield United for six at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

He said: "West Ham are big team - they have been in the Premier League for a number of years - and I like playing the bigger teams. We more than gave them a run for their money - we played them off the park. We have to take that into the League now.

"After the weekend, with the phantom goal, it was good to get some luck to go our way. Even if we didn't get the own goal [conceded by Hayden Mullins], I thought we could get a goal anyway because the movement of the midfield and the attack was very good. In defence we looked solid too - you can't ask for much more.

"Sheffield United are a big side too, but hopefully we can go there and do a job and hit them like Arsenal hit them.

"We have had players out and the youngsters have stepped in and showed what we can do. We can start building momentum now and if we play like we did against West Ham we will be in the top three, no doubt."

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WATFORD POP ZOLA'S WEST HAM BUBBLE

Championship club Watford gave new West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola his first dose of defeat as they overcame their Premier League opponents by a solitary goal at Vicarage Road in the Carling Cup Third Round. Aidy Boothroyd's side, victims of a "phantom goal" against Reading in the League on Saturday, were the benefactors of fortune themselves thanks to Hayden Mullins's second-half own goal.

Italian Zola, who earlier in the day had learned that his new employers would have to pay a significant amount in compensation to Sheffield United - the figure £30m had been reported - had selected a young team, but it was experienced substitute Scott Parker who made the game's telling mistake.

With 20 minutes remaining the former England midfielder handled on the left of his own box gifting the home side a free-kick from a dangerous position. Lee Williamson swung a cross over and it deflected in off Mullins's knee into the net to hand Watford their first victory at home against the Hammers in 23 years.

Watford started the brighter in an open first half, and it took only three minutes for Aidy Boothroyd's side to create their first meaningful chance. From the left Tommy Smith picked out Ross Jenkins on the edge of the box with a drilled cross, but the forward could only fizz his header wide right of Jan Lastuvka's goal.

In the absence of rested forward Carlton Cole, Fred Sears, the 18-year-old of which so much is expected at Upton Park, had been handed the chance by Zola to stake his claim to a regular first team spot and let loose a shot only two minutes after Jenkins's wayward header.

The diminutive striker, given his first start of the season, foraging alone in attack, wriggled clear in the left side of Watford's area, but he, like Jenkins, could only fire wide. On nine minutes Sears's team-mate Matthew Etherington cut in from his left wing and cracked a shot goalwards, though Scott Loach, deputising for the injured Mart Poom, clung on well.

In wasn't until 20 minutes before the interval that the best chance of the half arose, when Sears released West Ham's central midfielder Mark Noble with a clever ball behind the static Watford defence. The England Under-19 international played in the charging Noble with a pass between two defenders, but Loach was positioned well and stayed big for Noble's close range strike. He parried the shot, snuffing out the danger, and the Premier League side rarely threatened for the remainder of the half.

Four minutes before the break the home side mustered one last significant effort, when striker Will Hopkins pulled the ball back on the left-hand-side of the West Ham box. Smith raced on to rocket a low shot on target but Lastuvka was up to the task.

The contest continued to be a ding-dong affair in the second half, with Etherington again causing problems for Watford on their right and West Ham's inexperienced team allowing the Championship side time and space that manager Zola will not have been pleased with.

On 58 minutes home central midfielder Williamson clipped in an enticing delivery from the left byline, but Smith, unmarked, could only direct his powerful header towards Lastuvka, who parried the ball to safety.

The next thing the visiting team's goalkeeper had to do, however, was collect the ball from his net, as, from another dangerous Williamson delivery, Mullins deflected into his own net.

Zola's side almost levelled immediately, but Etherington's header arrowed agonisingly wide. Boothroyd's side, currently 17th in the Championship, held on for an impressive win, while Zola will hope for a fast improvement in the weekend's Premier League visit to Fulham, who also stumbled in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

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OUR KIDS CAN BE AS GOOD AS ARSENAL'S

Whatever Arsenal's youngsters can do, Watford's can do better - that's the view
of Jay DeMerit, the Championship side's captain.

While Arsene Wenger's kids hit Sheffield United for six on Wednesday night in
the Carling Cup, Aidy Boothroyd's nippers defeated West Ham United 1-0.

And this Saturday they too play Sheffield United, this time in the
Championship, glowing with confidence.

Boothroyd has been forced to utilise his youngsters with over 10 injuries to
first-team players.

But they are rising to the challenge, 28-year-old skipper DeMerit believes.
"Youngsters coming through and performing is really what we need, and what's
happening," said the American.

"We have a small squad anyway, but with so many injuries there is only one
thing that can help us, and that is young guys stepping up and doing the job.
We have more than enough confidence that these guys can do that.


"Adrian Mariappa (21) has done a really good job coming in at right back and
Jordan Parkes (19) impressed. Scott Loach (20) in goals made some good saves
and Ross Jenkins (17) and Lionel Ainsworth (20) played very well against West
Ham too.

"Will Hoskins (22) , who was filling in for Tamas Priskin and Grzegorz Rasiak,
did a magnificent job. We needs to keep that going, because competition is
never a bad thing, especially in a small squad like this."

On Saturday's game at Bramall Lane DeMerit added: "Cup runs can always spur on
League runs, so that's what we'll be looking to do on against Sheffield United.

"I'm sure they won't read too much into the 6-0 result against Arsenal. It's
back to the Championship now.

"A defeat like that can go one of two ways - either it will kill their
confidence or they will make sure that they don't let it happen again. But that
is down to them, not us. Our job is to go out and play like we did against West
Ham."

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SEARS: I CAN SAVE WEST HAM

West Ham youngster Freddie Sears believes he can be the man to help new manager Gianfranco Zola in these uncertain times for the club.

The 18-year-old led the line against Watford in the Carling Cup Third Round on Wednesday, having learned only hours before that the club could be forced to pay Sheffield United £30m in compensation over the Carlos Tevez debacle.

And with forwards Craig Bellamy, Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole sidelined with injury, England Under-19 striker Sears thinks he has proved his worth to his Italian manager and has set his sights on a starting berth when West Ham travel to Fulham on Saturday.

He said: "Hopefully I have done enough to prove I can start for West Ham against Fulham. I played alright against Watford, I felt. But the more fit strikers we have at the club, the better.

"I'm not sure what the status of Carlton is - hopefully he will be back for the team. But if he is not, then I can fill in again for him, and help the team.

"We were disappointed to lose against Watford but we had a good result last Saturday against Newcastle and we will look to bounce back this Saturday against Fulham.

"It was good to start in the team. It was hard but I thought I did well. At half time he said: 'Keep going and try and stay as high up as you can.'"

On the compensation issue, which could mean that Zola is forced to sell his top players at a cut-price, Sears added: "We haven't really spoken as players about the compensation - there was nothing mentioned in the dressing room."

Zola said of Sears' performance at Vicarage Road: "I think Freddie did very well and he had a couple of chances.

"I can't be too demanding with him but I was pleased with the way he played against Watford. He is only going to get better and he will have a good future at this club."

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TRESCO HOPING TO EMULATE SOMERSET GREATS

Marcus Trescothick could join fellow Somerset legends Ian Botham and Viv Richards as an all-time cricketing great if he helps lead his side to their first every County Championship on Wednesday.

Former England opening batsman Trescothick has been shortlisted for the PCA Player of the Year at the end of a season when he announced his international retirement following a fight against depression and anxiety attacks.

But he has easily won his battle with the bat, striking 1,239 runs to put Somerset within touching distance of the LV County Championship title as they prepare to host Lancashire in the last four-day game of the season today.

Botham and West Indies star Richards helped put Somerset on the map with their one-day heroics in the Seventies and early Eighties.

Botham has a stand named after him, there are the Viv Richards gates at Taunton and on Wednesday they will unveil a stand named after Trescothick.

"The sides here with Botham, Richards and Joel Garner were fantastic," Trescothick said. "To be put up alongside them as the first Somerset team to win the Championship would be incredible.

"We know from winning Second Division last year we are a good side, but you only really get remembered if you win big trophies so let's hope we can pull it out."

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

SMITH COULD SIP CHAMPAGNE IN LAST CHANCE SALOON

Will Smith, the Durham batsman, admits that this season was his "last chance saloon" and now, after a superb year, the 25-year-old could be drinking champagne if Durham can defeat Kent in their final LV County Championship match.

Durham, currently third in the Division One table, could snatch the title from Nottinghamshire and Somerset and celebrate winning the title for the first time in their history.

Smith has endured a couple of tough seasons at the Riverside after moving from Nottinghamshire in 2006, but has hit form this year.

He has the best Championship average - just under 50 runs - at Durham, and has convinced himself that he is good enough to sparkle not only in the domestic game, but also higher.

Smith said: "I'm proud of the runs I have scored. Over the winter I was worried this year might be the last chance saloon for me. Maybe that has helped me.

"I've really enjoyed my cricket this year. It's given me a taste of what I want to achieve in the game and it's proved to me I can do it.

"I need to do it year in, year out now, if I want to go further in the game. It has convinced me that I can do it, and do it consistently."

On Wednesday's four-day game at Canterbury, Smith added: "We have to be optimistic. Every round of games there has been a different leader. Teams have been beating teams. There are a couple of twists to come.

"It's a case of concentrating on what we are doing. It's just another game really. The Championship places an added emphasis on it, but we have to do what we have been doing all season.

"We might have been thinking we could be slightly closer to Nottinghamshire given our position halfway through," admitted Smith. "If you had given us the opportunity to be in the shake-up we would have taken it."

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:24 PM | | Comments | links to this post

DOWIE TAKES ON MENTOR O'NEILL AND "CREAM OF BRITISH TALENT"

QPR managerIain Dowie will put friendship to one side on Wednesday when he attempts to defeat his mentor, Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa in the Carling Cup. The former Northern Ireland internationals became good pals two years ago, while at the World Cup in Germany.

And elder statesman O'Neill, who made 64 appearances for his country, has offered advice and hot drinks to 59-cap Dowie in his fledgling management career. The 43-year-old Dowie said: "Martin and I spent a lot of time together at the World Cup in Germany and we got to know each other very well and are good friends.

"I always keep track of him and of course there is the Northern Ireland connection too. I've been for a cup of tea in his office a few times. He is a very busy man but he has been very helpful."

Dowie, who scored in the 1994/95 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park to force Manchester United to a replay against Crystal Palace, is envious of the firepower his opposite man can call upon, but tips his hat for O'Neill, 56, for building a young, British side. "Martin has put Gabriel Agbonlahor in, and bought in other English youngsters Nigel Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Nicky Shorey," continued the former Coventry manager.

"They are all good young players and in Martin Laursen, Gareth Barry, John Carew, Brad Friedel and Stiliyan Petrov he has some experienced players too. Martin's side have a very good balance and it is refreshing what he is doing in regards to selecting young Englishmen, when these days teams are packed with foreigners.

"In Ashley Young, one of the best natural wingers in the game, and Agbonlahor you have the cream of British talent. I went to watch them on Sunday against West Bromwich and they were a real potent attacking threat. I don't think I need to get my players up for it. If you are not up for playing against the best young British players in the country then you should not be in the game."

On the prospect of QPR, who sit fourth in the Championship, progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup, Dowie added: "We have a very pacy defence but it is difficult when Agbonlahor drops off and even if you hold a high line he can get behind you. And John Carew is a big part of his game and a good foil for him, so we will have to be on our game.

"Martin has a history of wanting to do well in this tournament and we will be very strong. Will not shut up shop at Villa Park either, so it should be an interesting game."

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SHRECK: NOTTS CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE CAREER PINNACLE

Nottinghamshire's Charlie Shreck says winning this year's LV County Championship would be the "pinnacle" of his career.

The 6ft 7in seamer missed out when his team won the title in 2005 as he was recovering from a stress fracture in his back.

And the 30-year-old, whose table-toppers will clinch the championship if they beat Hampshire at Trent Bridge this week, is desperate to make up for that this year.

He said: "I was happy for the guys when they won [in 2005] but I did feel like I was not part of the union or the squad. I hadn't offered anything at all to the team.

"So this year, having played every game, if we win it will be amazing for me. It would be the highlight of my career. It would be great to be the best domestic team of the year.

"Four-day cricket is the pinnacle of domestic players' careers and if we can win then we will go down in the annals. It is a six-month season and it is the toughest challenge we have."

Two months before an England XI will take on a West Indies Select XI for $20m in the Stanford Super Series Twenty20 match, Shreck is in no doubt that the longer forms of the game are more important.

"I think county cricket is vital," he continued. "I view Test matches as the pinnacle of cricket. The four-day domestic games are feeders for that. In Twenty20 games, which only take three hours, anyone can win.

"The longer the duration, the better team wins, so it must be the pinnacle of our game both domestically and internationally.

"Twenty20 games are not really a test. The competitive nature of four-day games are in the field with the tactics - it is the hardest form and that is why there is such esteem in playing it. It deserves more money - we should take the money brought in from the Twenty20 game and put it into the four-day game."

Ahead of the final game, Shreck added: "We are very confident. We are a very relaxed team and we have managed to get wickets at the right times, bowl teams out and score enough runs when we have needed to. We have not really had any stutters in four-day cricket."

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MASCARENHAS HOPING TO MAKE UP FOR TWENTY20 DISAPPOINTMENT

Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas wants to make up for the disappointment of missing out on England's squad for the $20m Stanford Super Series by leading his side to their first County Championship title in 35 years.

The 30-year-old all-rounder's team face leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, knowing that victory could steal them the title - an amazing achievement considering they were at the foot of the table only weeks ago.

Mascarenhas, who took over as Hampshire captain from retired Australian great Shane Warne at the start of the season, said: "A couple of months ago, we were rock bottom, so it's been a huge turn around for us, and now he have a chance to actually win the Championship.

"There's a lot to play for. There's four teams that can win it and there's four teams that can get relegated, so it bodes well for a great round this week."

The only English player to take part in the Indian Premier League, Mascarenhas had been a regular in England's limited overs set-up since making his ODI debut in July 2007 and has 10 Twenty20 caps to his name, making him one of the more experienced players in the format.

But his exclusion from England's 15-man squad to play the West Indies All Stars on November 1 has left him angry - so much so that he demanded a meeting with head of national selectors Geoff Miller.

"It would have been nice to play for England but that's not to be," he continued. "I didn't get a call so I rang up a few days after and organised a meeting with Miller.

"He didn't say a lot really. There are four selectors and they select what they think is the best side. Unfortunately there was no spot for me.

"But I've been in for a year and played every single Twenty20 game in that year. What is disappointing is to have been involved for every game and then miss out on the big one."

"[Miller] said that the door is still open but we'll have to wait and see because you can't say I haven't been performing - I'm only 12 runs short of my best ever year with the bat in the Championship.

"Samit Patel came in and did well so he has more than warranted his spot but I still think there was a spot for me, as do a lot of people."

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:25 PM | | Comments | links to this post

JONNO PACKS DOWN WITH WAR HEROES IN £1M GAME

Martin Johnson, the England manager, retired from playing rugby in 2005 two years after lifting the World Cup, but the 38-year-old lock strapped his knees up one last time on Saturday in a charity match which also featured former Lions Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Scott Gibbs, Richard Hill and Jason Robinson.

A crowd of over 52,000 cheered as Dallaglio's Help For Heroes XV, made up of English greats, some U-20 internationals and servicemen, defeated Gibbs's International Select XV 29-10, and raised £1m for Headley Court, a Tri Services rehabilitation centre in Surrey.

Johnson, who played for 32 second-half minutes, said: "It was a very special day and emotional. The players did the occasion justice and everyone was fully committed.

"It was for a great cause, and while it was a charity game I think everyone had the same idea: you can't go into the game, when we are raising money for that cause when 52,000 supporters have come, to mess around."

Captain Robert Sugden of the Coldstream Guards returned from action in Afghanistan and had the privilege of packing down in the second row with Johnson. "It was an incredible experience, a boyhood dream," The 6ft 7in 27-year-old said.

"I only started playing rugby at university and if someone had told me then that in five or six year's time I would be packing down with Martin, Lawrence, Richard Hill and Mark Regan, I would have told them that they were a maniac! They were very generous with their time, knowledge and tactical nous. The game was excellent for the cause and very unique and moving."

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:25 PM | | Comments | links to this post

BOSNICH OFFERED CONTRACT AT QPR

Mark Bosnich, the disgraced ex-Australian international goalkeeper who is angling for a move back to England, has revealed that he was offered a contract at Championship QPR at the end of last year.

But the former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea stopper's move was vetoed by a director who did not look favourably upon Bosnich's past.

The 36-year-old was exiled from football from 2002-07 after testing positive for cocaine while at Stamford Bridge. He was tempted out of retirement last summer and had impressed in reserve games at the Loftus Road club.

"I was offered a contract at QPR in December," he said, "but it was explained to me that there was somebody on the board who was dead-set against it because of my past.

"I totally understand that. My past is not Queens Park Rangers' past."

Bosnich, who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in Australia, added: "Life in general interests me. For a long while I lost my passion for life. I did have to deal with depression. But now it's like a new dawn. What I'll do after football, I don't know.

"The answer comes to you, maybe when you're in nature somewhere, maybe in the outback. What I do know is that the world is an amazing place."

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

DOWIE: DEFENCE KEY TO QPR SUCCESS

Iain Dowie, the QPR manager, is delighted with the way his team have responded since they were downed 3-0 against Sheffield United five games ago and believes that a watertight rearguard is the key to promotion to the Premier League.

Following that defeat at Bramall Lane he enforced a new defensive system which the players have adopted with great success, conceding twice and dropping only two points since.

The 43-year-old, whose team have moved up to fourth in the Championship and take on 17th-placed Norwich City on Wednesday, said: "I think a decent defence is the key to QPR's success this season and we have spent a lot of time on that.

"We have been working hard since the Sheffield United game - we have changed the system since that disappointing display. I am delighted with how the players have responded and we haven't looked like shipping a lot of goals since then.

"It has really made a difference to us. We look much more solid and we have big pace back there - we are not going to get run away from too many times."

Dowie hinted that his defensive midfielders Alan Mahon and Mikele Leigertwood's recent performances might even marginalise Italian international Damiano Tommasi, who signed as a free agent last Wednesday.

"[Alan] Mahon and [Mikele] Leigertwood deserve a lot of credit for the success of the new defensive system," Dowie added. "Damiano, who plays in the same position, is an established international and won't take long to get up to speed, but I have to be fair to the lads who are here and incumbent.

"However he is a very welcome addition to the squad and with when he is fully fit there will be good competition for places."

Dowie is wary of 17th-placed Norwich as they are a team packed with new faces including Premier League old boys Dejan Stefanovic, Antoine Sibierski, Arturo Lupoli and Elliot Omozusi.

Dowie continued: "There's been a big turnaround at Norwich - a sea change. They have had some sizable investment down there - it's a different team.

"Carrow Road is a difficult place to play - they get 25,000 fans every week. If we're not on our mettle we'll get burnt. We'll go there in good spirits, with great heart and that's very important."

QPR travel to Coventry, Dowie's former club, on Saturday and he knows these two away games are a tough challenge.

"There are two away games coming up but we're in good form, let's go there in good spirits but also be very respectful of two good opposition teams," he added. "It will be a good litmus test and indication of where we are."

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Monday, September 15, 2008

AFRICA IN BEIJING - KENYA FOCUS

The Beijing Games were not only special for headline-grabbers such as Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt - who broke the 100m, 200m and 4x100m world records on the way to triple gold - and Michael Phelps - the American swimmer who won a record eight gold medals - but also for the African nations, and in particular Kenya.

In August, the East African country, who first competed at the Olympics in 1956, won the most medals in their history, finishing 15th in the medals table and top of the continent's tree, beating northern rivals Ethiopia, who ended 18th.

The five gold, five silver and four bronze medals was Kenya's most successful medal haul, trumping the achievements of the 1988 Seoul Games, when they won five gold, two silver and two bronze. And it was also special as it was the first time the women got in on the gold rush.

Wilfred Bungei, the men's 800m runner, finally fulfilled his potential and peaked at the right time by storming to gold at this year's Games. The 28-year-old had finished second in the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, six years ago, but had been out of the medals in major competitions until Beijing. He finished fifth in the Olympic Games four years ago in Athens, and followed it up by coming fourth in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, and fifth in Oskaka, Japan, last year.

In the women's 800m, Pamela Jelimo announced her arrival on the international scene with some style. In her first major competition, the 18-year-old backed up her win in the African Games in Addis Ababa earlier in the year by starting Kenya's gold rush at the Games, and in the process become the country's first ever female Olympic champion.

Jelimo, nicknamed the "Kapsabet Express", was unstoppable in the two-lap event, and was followed home by compatriot and reigning world champion Janeth Jepkosgei, 24, to hand Kenya a one-two finish. Not even Olympic legend Maria Mutola of Mozambique came close to rubbing shoulders with the Kenyans.

The 1,500m runner Nancy Langat, after not reaching the Olympic finals at Athens in 2004 or the 2005 World Championships, collected Kenya's women their second gold. Married to marathon runner Kenneth Cheruiyot, Langat, 27, had a double celebration as her eldest son turned six on the same day she won her medal.

Other Kenyan women to win Olympic medals include Pauline Konga, who bagged silver in the 5,000m at Atlanta 1996; Isabella Ochichi, who achieved the same at Athens 2004; and Joyce Chepchumba, who clinched marathon bronze at 2000 Sydney.

Brimin Kipruto went one better than he managed in Athens four years ago by winning gold in the 3,000m steeplechase in Beijing. The 23-year-old won the gold medal at the World Championships in Osaka and has now underlined his supremacy in the event.

And Japan-based Samuel Wanjiru, 22, closed the Games in style for Kenya by winning the 42km marathon race in 2:06.32, setting a new Olympic record. Wanjiru, who hails from Nyahururu, followed in the footsteps of Douglas Wakiihuri and Erick Wainaina - silver medallists in 1988 and 2000 respectively - sustaining the tradition of Kenyans training in Japan and making a big impression in Olympic marathons.

Marathon runner Catherine Ndereba, 36, was among the silver medallists for Kenya - the same medal she achieved in Athens four years ago. The 19-year-old Asbel Kiprop looks one for the future after coming second in the 1,500m, while 3,000m steepchaser Eunice Jepkorir, 26, and 23-year-old 5,000m runner Eliud Kipchoge also won silver medals. Richard Mateelong, Edwin Cheruiyot Soi, Alfred Yego and Micah Kogo completed Kenya's medal tally by taking bronzes.

KENYAN MEDALS

FIVE GOLD
Wilfred Bungei (800m M)
Pamela Jelimo (800m W)
Nancy Langat (1,500m W)
Samuel Wanjiru (Marathon M)
Brimin Kipruto (3,000m Steeplechase M)

FIVE SILVER
Janeth Jepkosgei (800m W)
Asbel Kiprop (1,500m M)
Eliud Kipchoge (5,000m M)
Catherine Ndereba (Marathon W)
Eunice Jepkorir (3,000m Steeplechase W)

FOUR BRONZE
Alfred Kirwa (800m M)
Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (5,000m M)
Micah Kogo (10,000 M)
Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong (3,000m Steeplechase M)

AFRICAN RANKINGS
Country Golds Silvers Bronzes Total (overall ranking)
Kenya 5 5 4 14 15
Ethiopia 4 1 2 7 18
Zimbabwe 1 3 0 4 38
Cameroon 1 0 0 1 52
Tunisia 1 0 0 1 52
Nigeria 0 1 3 4 61
Algeria 0 1 1 2 65
Morocco 0 1 1 2 65
Sudan 0 1 0 1 71
S. Africa 0 1 0 1 71
Togo 0 0 1 1 81
Egypt 0 0 1 1 81
Mauritius 0 0 1 1 81

ROUND-UP OF OTHER AFRICAN SUCCESSES

Kenya's rivals Ethiopia dominated the men's and women's 5,000m and 10,000m with Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba respectively. Both athletes doubled up and were firm favourites. Bekele, 26, won gold in the 10,000m in Athens four years ago and has won the last three World Championships, while Dibaba is world champion in the 10,000m and won bronze in Athens when only 19.

Swimmer Kirsty Coventry, 24, won all four of Zimbabwe's medals - one more than she won in Athens. She was victorious in the 200m backstroke and finished runner-up in the 100m backstroke (despite setting a world record of 58.77 seconds in the semi-final), 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley.

Oussama Mellouli became Tunisia's hero as he clinched gold in the 1,500m freestyle in his first Games.

And Françoise Mbango Etone won Cameroon their only medal when she retained her gold medal in the triple jump.

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR KENYA

Despite the troubled times Kenya have experienced domestically, there is much to look forward to in terms of athletics. Kenya's most successful Olympic Games will inspire the country's youngsters and many more gold medals are likely to follow in four years when the Olympic torch reaches London. In 2012, the likes of Jelimo, Jepkosgei, Wanjiru, Kipruto, Kipchoge, Kiprop, Soi, Yego and Kogo will all still be under 29 and the gold rush will surely continue.

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:26 PM | | Comments | links to this post

Thursday, September 11, 2008

HART HAPPY TO KEEP CLEAN SHEET

England Under-21s goalkeeper Joe Hart is delighted that he has conceded only one goal en route to a play-off game, to be played in October, and hopefully the European Championships, which take place in Sweden next May and June. He also backed Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor to break into the seniors soon.

The 21-year-old Manchester City stopper leaked only one goal - a penalty away to Portugal in a 1-1 draw - in England's eight-game qualifying group. After defeating the Portuguese 2-0 - thanks to goals from Agbonlahor and James Milner, also of Aston Villa - in the return game at Wembley last Friday night, England ended topping the group having dropped only two points.

Hart, who made his senior debut for Fabio Capello's side in June's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, is happy to be with the U-21s and is confident that the team can make it to Sweden.

After the Portugal victory, Hart said: "It feels good to win. We came here to do a job. Obviously it is even nicer to do it at Wembley but we won and we won the group now.

"It's good for me and it's good for the whole team to only concede one goal. We defend as a unit - it's not just me and the back four; it's the whole 11. We have Gabby [Agbonlahor] up there working his nuts off so it makes it easier for us.

"I think the seniors have a handful of good strikers and Gabby is knocking on that door. He is a bullet."

When asked whether he would prefer to be with the seniors in Barcelona on Saturday, as they start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra, he continued: "No I'm not bothered. As
long as I'm in an England shirt I don't mind. It's nice to be playing and it is what I want to be doing."

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MUAMBA CONFIDENT AHEAD OF PLAY-OFF

Fabrice Muamba believes that whoever England Under-21s draw on Friday for their October play-off on the road to the European Championship Finals in Sweden, the three lions are confident they will advance.

The Bolton midfielder was one of the stars when the U-21s defeated Portugal 2-0 last Friday, and was delighted to make his first outing on Wembley's hallowed turf. The win booked England’s place at the top of their European Championships qualifying group in their final game.

England's youngsters’ hopes are high, after conceding only one goal and two points from eight group games, that they can make it to the tournament in Sweden next summer.

In the 14-club draw England could face Italy, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Serbia, Germany, Wales, Denmark, Belarus, Israel or France.

The 20-year-old, born in Kinshasa, Zaire, said: "We are really confident we can win the play-off. We are very well organised as a team and really confident in our ability. We believe we can go through to the tournament.

"We wanted to win the game against Portugal and the boys did a good job - it was more of a team performance than about an individual. The boys put in a great shift in there and we deserved to win."

And Muamba was pleased that he was able to fulfil a childhood dream. He added: "It was pleasing to play in this wonderful stadium and I was happy. I was looking forward to playing here - it was an accomplishment I had wanted to do my whole life and I really enjoyed it. It was great.

"Even when we trained on the pitch in the week it was a great feeling - tonight it was even better. Friday was very, very special and the atmosphere was great. It was fantastic to have 30,000 fans cheering you on."

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:12 PM | | Comments | links to this post

CITY ARGENTINE WILLING TO BEFRIEND BRAZILIANS

Manchester City's new Argentine right-back Pablo Zabaleta is willing to put national rivalry aside and make friends with his Brazilian team-mates - and even show them how to make cocktails!

The 23-year-old, who signed for moneybags City on transfer deadline day for £6.5m, has five caps for his country and is looking forward to teaming up with international arch rivals Robinho, Jo and Elano in Manchester.

"I will become a mate with Robinho, Elano and Jo, and will teach them to make caipirinhas with the best guarana," said Zabaleta, who admitted he was shocked that £32.5m Robinho opted for Eastlands.

"I was somewhat surprised as I thought he was signing for Chelsea, having been negotiating, pushing and fighting for that move all summer."

City host Chelsea on Saturday and Zabaleta is looking forward to playing at the City of Manchester Stadium.

"It is a great stadium with good acoustics," he said. "The grass is unbelievable and perfect for playing on. I'm looking forward to making my Premier League debut.

"The project here [at City] is very interesting, with great potential. Here we will become challengers for the Premier League and European competitions.

"What nobody can forget is that I need some time to adapt in every sense, since the change will be important."

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Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:08 PM | | Comments | links to this post

MONEYBAGS QPR SIGN ITALIAN PHILANTHROPIST

Queens Park Rangers, one of the richest clubs in the world, have signed experienced Italian international Damiano Tommasi, a player famed for playing on a youth player's wages.

The 34-year-old, who spent a decade at AS Roma and was one of the club’s top-earners, famously instigated the paltry one-year contract in 2005 at the Serie A club in the name of fairness, as he struggled to regain full fitness.

The defensive midfielder, capped 25 times for the Azzuri, was paid, at his own request, the minimum youth wage of just over £1,000-a-month.

Tommasi is also noted for channelling footballers’ disciplinary fines to charitable causes.

Tommasi has joined the London club on a one-year deal, having signed as a free agent. He was released from Spanish club Levante, who were in such financial trouble that they could not pay their staff - not that the Italian would have minded.

Manager Iain Dowie was delighted to sign the midfielder who made over 250 appearances for AS Roma alongside stars such as Francisco Totti and Cafu.

Dowie said: "The signing of Damiano adds great experience to the squad.

"He’ll compliment what Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands provide in that area. In the short term, he could prove to be very useful to us.

"He has played at the highest level for club and country and to have a player of that calibre available can only be good for QPR.

"We’ve got some fantastic young talent in the squad, such as (Emmanuel) Ledesma, (Angelo) Balanta, (Daniel) Parejo and (Hogan) Ephraim, and training with someone of Damiano’s stature will be of huge benefit to them I’m sure."

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