History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

WEST HAM'S CURSE OF THE NEW SIGNINGS

Alan Curbishley hopes summer signing Craig Bellamy's injury problems can be resolved once and for all during next month's international break.

The £7.5m record signing was withdrawn at half-time against Portsmouth on Saturday, and joins forwards Bobby Zamora and Dean Ashton in the physio room, much to Curbishley's frustration.

Bellamy is likely to miss tonight's (Tues) Carling Cup fourth round tie against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

"Craig has been playing in a lot of discomfort," said Curbishley. "He is able to play, but his game is restricted.

"It looks like we are going to have to close him down again - we can use the international break. It will give him a decent chance of clearing it up."

The next international break begins after West Ham play Derby away on November 10 Curbishley hopes the 28-year-old Welshman will be ready by the time they host Tottenham on November 25.

"He has an abdominal strain, and it has been creating problems in other areas," Cubishley said. "The groin area was sorted out with an operation in Germany, but the abdominal strain has come back.

"It's frustrating for everyone. We are stopping and starting all the time. It's the continuity we are struggling with."

Last season the West Ham manager lost new signings Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson to injury soon after they arrived.

He added: "I've never known so many new signings get injured. It started last season with Lucas and Matty.

"It's the same with Scott Parker and some of the others. They have come here, desperate to do well and they can't get going.

"We started the season with Bobby and Craig up front and now they are both out injured. It has been the forwards who have taken the brunt of it.

"It's mostly impact injuries though - it's nothing to do with training - and you just can't legislate for that."

Curbishley believes Coventry, with former West Ham player Iain Dowie as manager, will be a stern test.

"I've been to see them, and we know we have a game on," he said. "I think Coventry are like a lot of clubs - they have been relegated and have found it ever so difficult since then.

"We know that if we set about the game in the right way, we will give ourselves a chance."

Labels: Alan Cubishley, Craig Bellamy, West Ham United

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

Premier League round-up - Saturday's matches

Manchester United 4-1 Middlesbrough

United’s Nani netted a wonder goal, Wayne Rooney capitalised on a Stuart Downing mistake and Carlos Tevez rounded off a great team goal, before adding another. In reply, Jeremie Aliadiere scored his first goal for Middlesbrough.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “The team has come together well. With players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Nani you are going to get goals because they are good players with good ideas and good imagination.”


Birmingham 3-2 Wigan

Wigan’s Marcus Bent scored twice, but Olivier Kapo’s penalty and skipper Liam Ridgewell’s first goal for Birmingham levelled the game. Kapo scored the winner with only nine minutes left.

Birmingham manger Steve Bruce was delighted by his team’s fighting spirit. “We made a horrible mistake for the first goal and a worse one for the second, but all you can ask for is a bit of attitude to get back in the game and I couldn’t ask for any more – they came storming back,” Bruce said.


Chelsea 6-0 Manchester City

A Didier Drogba brace and goals from Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, Andriy Shevchenko and Joe Cole – his first in the Premier League for 17 months – accounted for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City.

“I am more than happy,” exclaimed Chelsea’s Avram Grant. “We are starting to play the football we want to play. We started it against Valencia and we are improving with every game. It is easier when you have players with good attitudes.”

Reading 2-1 Newcastle

Dave Kitson’s well-taken goal after the interval was equalised when Michael Duberry netted an own goal from Emre’s free-kick before substitute Shane Long scored the winner with his first touch.

Steve Coppell said of the inspired substitute: “I was just the luck of the game and at that stage I thought we had done enough to be in front. It was a good finish – for him to finish so it calmly as soon as he came on was great.”

Sunderland 1-1 Fulham

Steven Davies’ 32st minute free-kick was too good for Craig Gordon in the Sunderland goalmouth. Kenwyne Jones’ header equalised the game with four minutes left, when Sunderland were down to ten men.

“We were disappointing in the first half – I was glad to get them in at half-time,” said Sunderland manager Roy Keane. “When we down to ten men we thought we would have to have a go at them. We were unfortunate not to win the game in the last few minutes.”

“Dominating games away from home and getting undone at the last minute is a bit worrying,” conceded Lawrie Sanchez. “We are bitterly disappointed to come to Sunderland and leave with one point.”

Portsmouth 0-0 West Ham United

Nolberto Solano failed to convert a golden second-half chance, as West Ham had to settle for a point at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth started well, with Robert Green having to tip over Niko Kranjcar’s eighth minute shot. But Alan Curbishley changed things for West Ham at half-time, replacing Craig Bellamy with Matthew Etherington.

The Hammers immediately created more chances, and Carlton Cole’s shot hit bar in the 65th minute, rebounding to Solano. With the goal gaping wide the Peruvian could only head wide.

Labels: Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

Premier League round-up - Saturday's matches

Manchester United 4-1 Middlesbrough

United’s Nani netted a wonder goal, Wayne Rooney capitalised on a Stuart Downing mistake and Carlos Tevez rounded off a great team goal, before adding another. In reply, Jeremie Aliadiere scored his first goal for Middlesbrough.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “The team has come together well. With players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Nani you are going to get goals because they are good players with good ideas and good imagination.”


Birmingham 3-2 Wigan

Wigan’s Marcus Bent scored twice, but Olivier Kapo’s penalty and skipper Liam Ridgewell’s first goal for Birmingham levelled the game. Kapo scored the winner with only nine minutes left.

Birmingham manger Steve Bruce was delighted by his team’s fighting spirit. “We made a horrible mistake for the first goal and a worse one for the second, but all you can ask for is a bit of attitude to get back in the game and I couldn’t ask for any more – they came storming back,” Bruce said.


Chelsea 6-0 Manchester City

A Didier Drogba brace and goals from Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, Andriy Shevchenko and Joe Cole – his first in the Premier League for 17 months – accounted for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City.

“I am more than happy,” exclaimed Chelsea’s Avram Grant. “We are starting to play the football we want to play. We started it against Valencia and we are improving with every game. It is easier when you have players with good attitudes.”

Reading 2-1 Newcastle

Dave Kitson’s well-taken goal after the interval was equalised when Michael Duberry netted an own goal from Emre’s free-kick before substitute Shane Long scored the winner with his first touch.

Steve Coppell said of the inspired substitute: “I was just the luck of the game and at that stage I thought we had done enough to be in front. It was a good finish – for him to finish so it calmly as soon as he came on was great.”

Sunderland 1-1 Fulham

Steven Davies’ 32st minute free-kick was too good for Craig Gordon in the Sunderland goalmouth. Kenwyne Jones’ header equalised the game with four minutes left, when Sunderland were down to ten men.

“We were disappointing in the first half – I was glad to get them in at half-time,” said Sunderland manager Roy Keane. “When we down to ten men we thought we would have to have a go at them. We were unfortunate not to win the game in the last few minutes.”

“Dominating games away from home and getting undone at the last minute is a bit worrying,” conceded Lawrie Sanchez. “We are bitterly disappointed to come to Sunderland and leave with one point.”

Portsmouth 0-0 West Ham United

Nolberto Solano failed to convert a golden second-half chance, as West Ham had to settle for a point at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth started well, with Robert Green having to tip over Niko Kranjcar’s eighth minute shot. But Alan Curbishley changed things for West Ham at half-time, replacing Craig Bellamy with Matthew Etherington.

The Hammers immediately created more chances, and Carlton Cole’s shot hit bar in the 65th minute, rebounding to Solano. With the goal gaping wide the Peruvian could only head wide.

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FARRELL - GREAT BRITAIN'S NEXT STAR

Sam Burgess will make history on Saturday by becoming the youngest Test player to represent Great Britain since Andy Farrell in 1993.

That 18-year-old Burgess, who broke into the Bradford Bulls side 15 months ago, playing prop, is even in Tony Smith's squad is beyond his wildest dreams.

"It feels great, though quite surreal," says a beaming Burgess. "It was only a couple of years ago I used to watch Great Britain as a supporter.

"Everything is happening so quickly at the moment - much quicker than I expected."

The youngster impressed Smith last weekend, representing Northern Union against the New Zealand All Golds. His combative play and assist for Union's first try earned him the man-of-the-match award in the exhibition game.

It was the latest on a growing list of accolades for Burgess, though. With rugby league in his blood, he has been earmarked for great things for some time.

Father Mark played in the lower divisions, siblings Luke (20), and twins George and Thomas (15) are all on the books of Leeds Rhinos. Even his mother was a GB international.

"My family are over the moon for me," Burgess exclaims. "They are happy that everything is going the right way for me and just hope that I can keep on doing it."

Having captained England schoolboys at U15 and U16 level, the 6ft 3in forward was recently named Super League's most valuable youngster.

He takes it all with a gentle modesty: "I went to the presentation ceremony and found out I was up for it," he says.

"I never imagined I would get the award. When they shouted my name out, my heart was pounding so hard. I was in shock.

"I've had a few things like that recently. I've had an amazingly successful year. It's just come faster than I thought. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet. I'm probably still up there in the clouds.

"I set myself a series of career goals at the start of the year. My main goal was to play for Great Britain before I was 22. It will happen this weekend - just four years early."

After playing for well-respected junior teams Dewbury Moor from the age of five to 15, then Hunslet Parkside for a year, the talented sportsman - he plays golf off five, and loves cricket too - moved to local team Bradford Bulls.

The senior players have helped his development - something that he is very grateful for. He continues: "I love Bradford just because of the guys that are surrounding me there.

"Glenn Morrison, Joe Vagana and Andy Lynch have been a massive help for me this year. They have been dragging me down to do extra training sessions, making me do the right thing off the field and teaching me new things in life, making my life a lot easier and more enjoyable. A lot of my success it is down to them."

Burgess has been praised for his defensive strength, and game-changing hits, as well as his athleticism - attributes that have caused fellow professionals to liken him to Adrian Morley or Stuart Fielden, who he steps in for.

He says: "I don't mind the comparisons. It's always nice to get compliments from players and former players, but I don't try and listen to it.

"I don't try to play in any style apart from my own. I try and be different if anything. There is always room for me to learn from training with these guys. I don't really want to go and blow my own trumpet."

For the moment, Burgess is still star-struck in the presence of his childhood heroes, though they constantly remind him of his youth. "It's weird," he admits. "It's fantastic seeing them all play and they are all really sound.

"When I was younger I used to watch and look up to Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock but because I'm the young one I have to do what they tell me. I'm their little slave."

One suspects Burgess, who turns 19 in December, will not be slave to anyone, not least the New Zealand front row. Expect to see his big hits and fierce athleticism for many years to come.

Labels: Andy Farrell, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:01 pm | Permalink | Comments

PROVE WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT TODOROV - PARDEW

Alan Pardew has challenged his Charlton team to prove they can bounce straight back into the Premier League in spite of losing their top scorer and most talented player - Svetoslav Todorov - for the season.

The Bulgarian striker, who has netted three times this season, was hurt in a tackle by Krisztian Timar in Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Plymouth.

The 29-year-old, who signed from Portsmouth in the summer, sustained cruciate knee ligament damage and a fracture in his knee. He is due to undergo reconstructive surgery in three weeks' time.

"I thought it was a bad, clumsy challenge," said Pardew. "It's a big blow - it has taken out our most technically gifted player.

"Now we have to prove we can do it without him. I'm going to ask the three strikers we have to prove to me they can do it. They need to come to the fore now."

Ahead of their London derby against bottom club QPR, Pardew responded to criticisms that his team were soft against Plymouth.

"If I was a player I would take that as a motivational statement," said the manager. "We are not going to whinge, but stand up to it."

He also praised the work of visiting caretaker manager Mick Harford in an attempt to ease the pressure on his team.

Pardew continued: "The change in manager has seen an upturn in results for them. They have some good professionals.

"It's a difficult game for us because we are expecting to win and anything QPR get will be a bonus for them. The pressure will be good for us."

Labels: Alan Pardew, Championship, Charlton, Svetoslav Todorov

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:25 pm | Permalink | Comments

CITY IN SHAPE TO BETTER CHELSEA - ROYLE

Former Manchester City manager Joe Royle believes his former club can show their title credentials at Chelsea tomorrow.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's team sit in an impressive third place with a quarter of the season gone, only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Chelsea, troubled after the departure of Jose Mourinho, are outside the European berths in seventh.

New boss Eriksson has masterminded the revolution at Eastlands, with the financial help of ex-Thai President Thaksin Shinawatra, mixing cherry-picked foreign stars with some excellent youngsters.

The Swede has had no qualms lining up academy players like Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Michael Johnson and Steven Ireland alongside international stars like Brazilian Elano and Bulgarian Martin Petrov.

It's proving a potent mix, thinks Royle, who played 99 times for City in the Seventies, and lifted the club from the Second Division to the Premier League in consecutive seasons as manager in the late Nineties.

The 58-year-old said: "The City people I know are in the pinch-me zone - they are having a great time, loving it. They are so pleased with what's happening - the team are winning and they are winning in style.

"It is the best it has been at City for so long. It's a great start, and we're very close to taking the 'but' out of it now. This is a big game for City in so much as they have beaten all the sides that they should beat.

"If they are going to take it further than just a great season they have to beat somebody they are not supposed to beat. This Chelsea game comes into that category.

"It's a big test for them and I think we'll know an awful lot more as to whether this is just a fantastic start or a serious challenge after this game."

Royle also believes that Eriksson does not need to dip into Shinawatra's pockets in January, as the players at his disposal and the youngsters coming through, are doing a fine job.

"If it isn't broken then why fix it?" asked Royle. "They have already brought in a lot of senior players, but despite the rumours I don't think they will bring in many faces when the transfer window opens - there may be one or two at the most. I think Sven would be very wary about changing things too much.

"Elano looks the buy of the season, but the team have a terrific spine - the defensive pairing of Richards and Richard Dunne could play for any team in the Premier League.

"They have Onuoha as well as Richards in defence, and I am told (by Jim Castle - the head of the Academy) there are a couple of more kids who won't be far away by the end of the season. Their youth system at the moment is certainly the most productive in the country."

Labels: Joe Royle, Manchester City, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Thaksin Shinawatra

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

WONDERKID DOS SANTOS OFF TO CHELSEA?


Barcelona wonderkid Giovanni Dos Santos will have a new reprehensive as of November - super agent Pini Zahavi.

The Mexican 18-year-old, who has been on the Catalan club's books for six years, made his club debut earlier this season.

Manager Frank Rijkaard expects great things from the forward, however Zahavi is great friends with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

The close relationship between the agent and Blues boss has prompted speculation that Dos Santos will move from the Camp Nou to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

Labels: Barcelona, Chelsea, Giovanni Dos Santos, Pin Zahavi, Roman Abramovich

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:11 pm | Permalink | Comments

ASHTON: GIVE ME THE ENGLAND JOB FOR 2011

England's jubilant coach Brian Ashton, touched back down to England with one message for Rob Andrew, head of the RFU – hand me the reins for the England team and let me take them to world cup glory at New Zealand 2011.

The former Bath coach, who replaced Andy Robinson only ten months ago, inherited a team who had lost eight out of their last nine games. Against all odds, and with hardly any preparation Ashton managed to take England to the world cup final.

Yet even this fantastic achievement has not ensured he will keep his job for longer than the originally agreed period of a year – his contract is due to terminate in December.

However Ashton believes that with the correct preparation and with his superb knowledge of England’s youngsters coming through, the national side can go one better than second place in four years time.

Andrew, head of the RFU, has remained diplomatic about the subject of renewing Ashton’s contract. Ashton, by contrast, wants to shout the fact that he wants to keep his job from the rooftops.

“I love this job,” he beamed. “It’s a difficult job, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs I think in British sport, probably in world sport as well. I thoroughly enjoy coaching England.”

He believes that the work he did at the National Academy from 2002-2005 will help his case. Ashton helped to launch the Academy and has been able to keep a keen eye on up-and-coming young players as a result. His knowledge of their skills will mean that he can get the most out of their talents.

Youngsters Danny Hipkiss, Matt Stephens, Mathew (sic) Tait and Toby Flood all gained important experience by playing for England in the world cup final, and there are scores of more plying their trade in the Guinness Premiership.

“There are a load of young players coming through the game and that I know exceptionally well from my time as National Academy manager,” Ashton continued. “To be given an opportunity to work with them again would be fantastic.

“Potentially they are some of the best rugby players England have ever had. These players need managing the right way, and hopefully some of them will get the opportunity to play another 40 international games for England before they hit another world cup tournament.

“That obviously will make a massive difference in terms of experience that they will have to bring in 2011. They will be the senior players as opposed to being the junior players as they are now.”

The Lancashire-born coach admits that the preparation for this last world cup was far from perfect, and that it is import for the RFU to have a period to reflect on where things may we improved for next time.

“I took over England nine months ago – a team that had lost eight out of their last nine games,” he mused. “A lot of players who played in the world cup weren’t available in the Six Nations for me, so we effectively started out campaign four months ago. We got to the final, and were very, very close at some stages to winning that final.

“We need to go through a review process – not from when I took over but a review of what has happened since 2003, just to make absolutely certain that we give ourselves the best opportunity to prepare over four years for that 2011 tournament.

“We have to make sure that we don’t go into the 2011 tournament in January 2011 with the same sort of situation that faced me when I took over here.”

Labels: Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton, RFU, Rob Andrew, Rugby Football Union, rugby union, Rugby World Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:29 pm | Permalink | Comments

MCMANUS: SAINTS ARE THE BEST EVER

Saint Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has said that whatever the outcome in Saturday's Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos, his team will go down as the greatest in rugby league history.

Saints are still on for a back-to-back triple, having already won the Challenge Cup in a 30-8 victory against Les Catalan Dragons at Wembley in late August.

For Tony Smith, who has taken the Rhinos to three of the last four Grand Finals, this showdown will be his last hurrah before he becomes full-time Great Britain coach.

Ironically the Saints' coach Daniel Anderson and Smith were both assistant coaches together at Parramatta Eels in 2000.

Anderson said: "Tony is a very good friend of mine and it's enjoyable for our old friends at Parramatta that we have come head-to-head with each other."

Director of rugby at Leeds, Gary Hetherington, heaped praise on the departing coach. "To win in this final would be no more than Tony deserves," he said.

"He has had a really good four years with us - we have never been out of the top three - and Tony leaves us in very good shape.

"With all the work and dedication he has put into the club, to win the Grand Final would be the icing on the cake. I know all the squad want to win it for him as well."

The Rhinos and Saints have beaten each other this season, and judging by the last game they played - a 10-8 thriller edged by St Helens in the play-offs - it will be a tight one to call.

"It is really nip-and-tuck - there really isn't much between us," considered Anderson. "People can analyse it as much as they want, but in the end there is very little to separate us."

His chairman, McManus, believes that the battle will be won up front. "I think pairs of half-backs - Sean Long and Leon Price at St Helens and Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire at Leeds - and the face-off they will provide is intriguing, and will be highly influential on the outcome of the game."

Either way, McManus argued his men will still be regarded the better team: "We will go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of the game, certainly the best of this generation.

"Regardless of what happens on Saturday I think facts speak for themselves.

"We got the treble last year and so far this year we have beaten Brisbane Broncos. By beating them we beat probably the strongest team, in the strongest sport, in the strongest sporting nation in the world. It's as simple as that.

"We have followed it up with winning the Super League and the Challenge Cup.

"What people forget is that we have been at a huge disadvantage to other teams in that last season went on much longer for us than anyone else, because we got to the Grand Final.

"Then 12 of our team were away for six weeks in Australia for the Tri-Nations. We didn't actually have a close season in which to prepare for this year. So to back it up with the results of this year based on a long season previously and no close season is remarkable."

McManus' opposite man, Leeds Rhinos chairman Gary Hetherington, agreed that such a lofty statement was not far from the mark.

"The Saints have had a remarkable run, particularly in the last two years," Hetherington conceded.

"To get so far in so many competitions as they have has been a remarkable effort. Given rugby league's competitive nature and the salary caps, it is enviable if any team wins a competition.

"But to win as many trophies as they have is a remarkable achievement. We are full of respect for the achievements of the St Helens team."

Labels: Eamonn McManus, Gary Hetherington, Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos, Rugby league, St Helens

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:16 pm | Permalink | Comments

CHABAL - THE MAN OF MEN

Sébastien Chabal has become the pin-up for the French World Cup campaign, not so much for his on field attendance, but for his natural, hulking looks, and his warrior-like ferocity and physicality when he does enter the fray. His popularity has disseminated globally. Even 15 Facebook groups (at least) have been formed in his honour - ranging from Sébastian 'the caveman' Chabal to end the war in Iraq to Chabal: possibly the sexiest man on earth.

Yet as his wife admits, behind his unkempt mane of hair and tousled beard - left to cultivate in a fashion that earns him nicknames such as Attila the Hun, l'homme des grottes (the caveman) and Sea bass - there is a modest, generous and thoughtful family man.

Chabal, capped 35 times by Les Bleus, has been championed by French women for his looks - the antithesis to the metrosexual - and by the men for his sheer power. His hit on All Black No8 Chris Masoe - dubbed the ‘tackle of the century’ - and full-tilted bosh on Ali Williams is enough to make most men weep. His direct style, whether playing at No8 or, as French coach Bernard Laporte prefers, in the second row, is eye-catching and inspiring.

John Carter, who plays with Chabal at Sale Sharks, flinches at the thought of the Sea Bass in full flow. “He is naturally one of the most powerful people you will find,” Carter, who at 6ft 3ins and 16st is no wimp, says.

“He doesn’t actually need to train particularly hard to compete with most people. He can walk into the gym and keep up with (England’s prop) Andy Sheridan on the weights bench, which is quite amazing. He is a game-changer. The things he does in a game will determine whether or not his team will win or lose the game.”

Carter concedes that England are perhaps getting off lightly, as throughout France’s World Cup, Chabal has been utilised as a lock, and a replacement one at that. “At No8 he immediately has the ball in his hands and that’s where he is most effective. For us at No8 he is outstanding. For most countries he would be outstanding at No8, but Laporte wants him in the second-row.”

With only 7.5 per cent body fat, Chabal is mostly rippling muscle, and when he strips off at the Stade de France on Saturday, many an Englishman will be trembling. Yet few would imagine that this colossal 29-year-old is a relaxed and modest man, dedicated to his family and his friends.

“When I think that people imagine that Séb deliberately set out to look like Attila the Hun, it makes me smile,” Annick, his wife, said in a recent French publication (Paris-Match). “No one is more sensitive and withdrawn than him. The beard is, in fact, a way of hiding behind a screen.”

Chabal began to grow his beard when his daughter Lily Rose, now two-and-a-half-years-old, was conceived. He had planned to shear it when Lily Rose was born, but Annick liked it so much that he kept it for her. And, though the merchandising men continue to have a field day, producing T-shirts, banners and other Chabal paraphernalia, here is a man who drives a small Smart car - “you have never seen anything like it,” admits Carter - and who has confessed to being “afraid of ghosts and spiders”.

When unable to attend the family dinner due to rugby commitments he will, according to Annick, “connect up his webcam so that he is with us at the family table.”

Aside from being a devoted family man, Chabal is a great friend to his team-mates. “He is a very down-to-earth guy who mucks in with the lads - he’s very chilled out,” continues Carter. Chabal is known within the club for his generosity, advice and gentle humour.

Though not the ring-leader, he has been known for his practical jokes; his distinctive laugh booming through the corridors at Edgley Park. He is also renowned for his cooking skills - he regularly lays on team barbeques - and his kindness.

“You are friends with all your team-mates but there are some people who are more generous, and Chabal is one of them,” offers Carter.

Far from the Neanderthal image the media like to portray, Chabal would sooner be found sipping an espresso and talking politics than in a cave. “He will happily drink coffee all day,” suggests Carter.

There will be nothing so civilised about Chabal’s performance against England. Direct and punishing running will bludgeon the Red Rose’s defence. Whatever the outcome, one thing is for sure: after the semi-final he will log on to his computer and wish his little girl bonne nuit.

Labels: France, John Carter, rugby union, Rugby World Cup, Sale Sharks, Sebastian Chabal

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:59 pm | Permalink | Comments

FA CUP THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND PREVIEW: Nuneaton Borough FC v Stamford AFC (see it on the thefa.com by clicking HERE)

Nuneaton Borough of the Conference North play host to Stamford AFC - a team three levels below them, and eight tiers below the Premier League. The tie may seem a formality for Nuneaton, who held Middlesbrough to a Third Round draw two years ago.

But the Daniels - as Stamford are known as the largest man in England, 52st Daniel Lambert, who died in 1809, is buried 100yds from their stadium - are hoping to give their opponents something to chew on.

In his three years as manager at the Vic Couzens Stadium - a ground that lays claim to being the oldest in non-League history, dating back to 1870 - bricklayer Graham Drury has achieved unprecedented success.

He said: "In my first year we got promotion to the Unibond Southern Premier League. We won three trophies that year. I took the lads to the highest position they have ever been last year - eighth in the Southern Premier League.

"In three years we have been in three different divisions. It has taken us a little time to get used to this league - the Unibond Northern Premier League. The football is a bit more direct. We have had to adapt to that, and we seem to have done that now."

His players are expecting a physical encounter with Nuneaton. "They are an organised and strong northern outfit," Drury continued. "We are the underdogs, but after winning our last five games we have got some confidence about us."

Upbeat manager Drury, who believes that teamwork is the keystone to success, thinks his charges can overcome the odds and win.

"We have to go there without a fear, and go with the attitude that we have nothing to lose. I'm sure Nuneaton are thinking this is a potential banana skin. We are certainly going there for the throat.

"Our aim is to get to the first round proper - we have never got that far. I always like to break records, and I've broken a few at Stamford so far. Let's hope it continues this year with Stamford in the FA Cup this year."

Labels: David Lambert, FA Cup, football, Stamford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:16 am | Permalink | Comments

BARRETT COULD TIP THE BALANCE AGAINST LEEDS

Leeds Rhinos' chief executive Gary Hetherington fears Wigan Warriors' winger Trent Barrett could be too hot to handle in tonight's (Friday) Final Eliminator at
The KC Stadium.

Australian international Barrett was recently named Writers' Association Player of the Year and is the bookies' favourite to collect the Man of Steel award.

"He will certainly be in the running for the award," declared Hetherington. "He is an inspirational player who has had a very strong season. I know Wigan will be pinning a lot of hopes on him."

The Rhinos go into the game having lost 10-8 to St Helens last week, and name an unchanged team.

Despite Barrett's threat and the fact that they have lost to Wigan three times already this season, Hetherington insists that his Leeds team are in confident mood.

"Things are looking pretty positive and we are in good shape. We have a lot of respect for the opposition but hopefully we'll get the big result required."

Every game in the play-offs has been close, with only six points or less between sides. Hetherington thinks that the trend will continue.

"They have literally been decided in the last few minutes. On paper you would expect our game to be pretty similar. It will be a close fought match and a battle to the finish."

Labels: Gary Hetherington, Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos, Rugby league, St Helens, Trent Barrett

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:23 pm | Permalink | Comments

KAMARA: FULHAM SHOULD BEWARE KANU AND DIOP

Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara is hoping to reignite his team's season as they go for only their second win of the campaign when they host Portsmouth on Sunday, but he is wary of one or two old friends who will line up against him.

The £6m summer signing from West Bromwich Albion is looking to add to his two goals scored so far this term to lift Fulham up the table. At present they sit sixteenth in the Premier League, having recorded only seven points from their opening eight games.

Their southern coast opponents travel to London having bagged 12 points, including three from last weekend's record breaking game against Reading.

Benjani Mwaruwari scored a hat-trick in their 7-4 win against Steve Coppell's side, but manager Harry Redknapp admitted that had he been fit, Nwankwo Kanu would have started ahead of the Zimbabwean international.

Kanu is due to return from a knee injury on Sunday, which is pleasing for Portsmouth's manager and fans, but not good news for Fulham.

The skilful 31-year-old, twice named African player of the year (in 1996 and 1999), has netted three goals in six games so far this season.

The former Ajax and Arsenal forward offers much more than goals, and this is what Fulham's Kamara is most worried about. For the Senegalese international, Kanu is Portsmouth's main threat.

"When Kanu plays well it is beautiful," praised Kamara. "He is so clever. His vision is so clever. He is the best African footballer at the moment."

The other player Kamara has earmarked for Fulham's special attention is his international team-mate, Papa Bouba Diop. The former Craven Cottage star fell out of favour when Lawrie Sanchez took the reins in April.

Imposing midfielder Diop moved to Fratton Park at the end of August on transfer deadline day, and has been a key reason why Portsmouth are riding high.

"We have to watch Papa Bouba Diop who played at Fulham for a few years," warned Kamara.

"Like I hope to score against them, he will want to score goals against Fulham. I hope to see him play well, but not for this game."

Labels: Diomansy Kamara, football, Fulham, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:21 pm | Permalink | Comments

KAMARA TO SILENCE THE POMPEY FAITHFUL

Former Portsmouth striker Diomansy Kamara remembers the noisy Fratton Park faithful, but hopes to silence them when they visit Craven Cottage on Sunday.

The 26-year-old, who signed for Fulham from West Bromwich Albion for £6m in July, spent the 2004-5 season at Pompey, but had an injury-fraught time.

Paris-born Kamara was signed from Italian side Modena by Harry Redknapp in August 2004 for a then club record £2.5m.

The Senegalese international is well aware of Portsmouth’s strong support, but hopes to keep them quiet by scoring.

"They have some of the best supporters in England," Kamara said, "and I remember the boss well. But I hope to beat them on Sunday and I hope to score against them.

"Things have changed a lot at Portsmouth since I first came to England.

"A lot of people have changed. The chairman has changed and they are a bigger team than when I played for them."

After eight games Fulham are positioned just above the drop zone, having won one and drawn four, including last week’s local derby with Chelsea.

"We need to win more games," admitted Kamara. "I hope we can do this in the next few matches and against Portsmouth.

"I hope we can beat them, get up to the middle of the table, and stay there for the rest of the season."

Labels: Diomansy Kamara, football, Fulham, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:20 pm | Permalink | Comments

GIBSON ATTEMPTS TO HALT ENGLAND DECLINE

Former West Indies and Durham quick bowler Ottis Gibson has now taken the reins as England’s bowling coach from South African Allan Donald, and hopes he can quickly change their one-day fortunes. Captain Paul Collingwood has led England to defeat in eight of the last nine ODIs, and in the current series they trail Sri Lanka 1-0.

Following Monday’s 119-run defeat, Collingwood’s men take on Sri Lanka tomorrow (on Thursday) at Dambulla in the second match out of five.

The Sri Lankans skittled England for 150 thanks to some canny seam bowling, and coach Peter Moores has drafted in Durham’s right-arm fast bowler.

Gibson, who was recently named as the Professional Cricketers Association Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year, is set to develop the variety of the English bowling attack, though he warns that success will not happen overnight.

"It's a big ask,” Gibson, 38, admitted, “but this is international cricket. You are seen as the best bowlers in the country and learning has to take place quite quickly.

"My job is get them confident in the things they are going to try in the nets.

“It's not something you can practice today and walk up tomorrow and do – it's something you have to practice over a long period of time.”

Labels: cricket, Ottis Gibson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:36 pm | Permalink | Comments