Backe set for Magpies job October 26, 2009 FOOTBALL: Sven-Goran Eriksson’s former assistant Hans Backe says he is close to taking over as manager of Notts County. Backe, who assisted Eriksson at both Manchester City and Mexico, is in talks with his fellow Swede over working under him at Meadow Lane. “I fly to Monday afternoon and will meet with Notts County,” he [...]
Athletes must set 48-year best October 26, 2009 ATHLETICS: UK athletes have been set a tough medal target of 10 for the London 2012 Olympics. Not since 1964 in Tokyo has Britain won 10 or more athletics medals in a boycott-free Games, but Niels de Vos, chief executive of UK Athletics, believes the target is “optimistic”. He said:?“Can we get to 10 medals? [...]
Waldouck out for a month October 26, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Wasps centre Dominic Waldouck has been ruled out for four weeks after fracturing a cheekbone. The 22-year-old was expected to be promoted from the Saxons squad to Martin Johnson’s 32-man England squad, but clashed heads with team-mate Serge Betsen in Saturday’s 35-6 victory over Gloucester and will undergo surgery today.
Vettel eyes second spot October 26, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Sebastian Vettel says he wants to end Red Bull’s “outstanding” season by finishing second in the drivers’ championship. Vettel lost out to Jenson Button for the drivers’ title in Brazil last week but lies two points in front of Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello in the battle for second ahead the inaugural day/night race in [...]
Super Torres strikes to lift Anfield gloom October 25, 2009 RAFAEL BENITEZ hailed the character of his Liverpool side after they ended their worst run in 22 years with an ego-boosting victory over bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Four successive defeats had thrown Benitez’s future in doubt, but not for the first time it was Fernando Torres who came to his boss’s rescue with [...]
Wenger woe as Hammers fight back October 25, 2009 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger bemoaned poor refereeing decisions as his side let a two-goal lead slip in a thrilling London derby with West Ham. Goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas sent the Gunners on their way before a strike from Carlton Cole and an Alessandro Diamanti penalty earned the Hammers a much-needed point. [...]
Button is ready to sign new 8m Brawn deal October 25, 2009 JENSON BUTTON is ready to put pen-to-paper on a new £8m deal, according to team boss Ross Brawn. The newly-crowned world champion has been linked with a move to join fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, but Brawn GP are ready to break the bank to keep the 29-year-old with the Brackley-based team. Button took [...]
Hughes berates leaky defence as plucky Fulham show heart October 25, 2009 FRUSTRATED Manchester City boss Mark Hughes pointed the finger of blame at his defence after Fulham rallied from 2-0 down to secure an unlikely point at Eastlands. Goals from Joleon Lescott and Martin Petrov inside seven second half minutes put Hughes’ men in cruise control, only for plucky Fulham to fight back with goals from [...]
Boss Johnson ready to learn extent of England’s injury hell October 25, 2009 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson will today realise the extent of a horrendous injury list as he names a revised squad for the upcoming autumn internationals. Johnson’s England host Australia at Twickenham on 7 November before facing back-to-back Tests against Argentina and New Zealand. But the boss’ plans have been severely wrecked by no fewer than [...]
Venter’s in a rage despite Sarries win October 25, 2009 SARACENS went back to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a sixth successive league victory – then walked straight into a roasting by coach Brendan Venter. The South African led a heated post-match dust-down after Sarries made heavy weather of beating rock bottom Leeds at Vicarage Road. Fiji centre Kameli Ratuvou saw them through [...]