Cook boring? We won 3-0 so he can’t be bad, say England stars November 4, 2013 ENGLAND have rallied to defend Alastair Cook after Australia great Shane Warne fanned the flames ahead of the winter Ashes series by labelling the tourists’ captain “negative, boring and not very imaginative”. Warne’s latest broadside, less than three weeks before the series begins in Brisbane, also called into question Cook’s leadership qualities during the summer [...]
Winter sports urged to unite to oppose World Cup date change November 4, 2013 PLANS to reschedule the 2022 football World Cup face fresh hostility after the international skiing federation (FIS) called on all winter sports to unite in opposition to a switch away from the tournament’s traditional summer slot. Qatar has been named host, though concern over the intense heat during summer – the average temperature in July [...]
Football Comment: Judgement day looming for London bosses at both ends November 4, 2013 FOR TWO managers of London clubs the moment of truth is drawing near, and this week could have a decisive impact on their fortunes. At Arsenal, Arsene Wenger is poised to discover just how realistic his side’s trophy aspirations are in two testing away fixtures, at Borussia Dortmund tomorrow and Manchester United on Sunday. Beating [...]
Tottenham look blunt in attack but no need to panic November 4, 2013 TWO OF the season’s most impressive sides clashed at Goodison Park on Sunday, but neither delivered on expectations. At this stage you are looking for signs that a team is bang in form. Tottenham nor Everton would argue they were at their best in a 0-0 draw. I anticipated more from Spurs, who looked blunt [...]
Hart reacting well to City axe, says Pellegrini November 4, 2013 OUT of favour goalkeeper Joe Hart will again be given a watching brief when Manchester City take on CSKA Moscow in the Champions League tonight, but manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed the stopper is supportive of the decision to be dropped to the substitutes bench. Following a string of errors for England and City already [...]
Moyes fears Sociedad strength but hopes United seal progress November 4, 2013 MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes has called on his players to extend their winning run to five matches against Real Sociedad tonight and seal qualification for the Champions League knockout stages. A 1-0 victory over Sociedad at Old Trafford last month began their current run of four straight wins in all competitions. Moyes has called [...]
Golf Comment: Fine week for Europeans as season finale nears November 4, 2013 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter threw the kitchen sink at him but in the end Dustin Johnson held firm to win the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Sunday. The American, who finished on 24 under par, beat Poulter by three shots but only after the lead changed hands several times on the final day. Johnson played fantastically [...]
Twelvetrees to stay at centre against Pumas November 4, 2013 MISFIRING centre Billy Twelvetrees is set to be handed a fresh chance to prove his international credentials by head coach Stuart Lancaster with Argentina the next visitors to Twickenham on Saturday. The 24-year-old, playing alongside debutant Joel Tomkins, produced an underwhelming display in the 20-13 win over on Australia at the weekend and was unable [...]
Leguizamon to lead Argentina November 4, 2013 ARGENTINA No8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon has been named captain for Saturday’s clash against England at Twickenham, with regular skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe out injured. The 30-year-old Lyon back-row forward, who has 52 caps, takes over the armband for all three November Tests after Fernandez Lobbe fractured his elbow playing for Toulon 10 days ago. [...]
England hit by Hardaker exit November 4, 2013 ENGLAND have been hit by the withdrawal of full-back Zak Hardaker ahead of their final group game of the rugby league World Cup on Saturday. Hardaker chose to withdraw from the squad because he felt “unable to commit to the England Rugby League programme”. The decision was “due to personal issues”, England added. The move [...]