Tireless Advocaat backed to deliver on survival task March 17, 2015 SUNDERLAND can expect obsessive dedication from the man tasked with saving them from relegation, veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, according to one of the players who knows him best. Advocaat, 67, was yesterday confirmed as the Premier League strugglers’ new boss, following the sacking of Gus Poyet on Monday. Arthur Numan, who played under Advocaat [...]
Chilean Pellegrini refuses to accept his players have lost faith in him and his methods March 17, 2015 DEFIANT Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini last night denied claims his players have lost faith in him on the eve of their make-or-break Champions League last-16 clash in Barcelona. Pellegrini also reiterated that he expects to see out a contract that runs until the end of next season, regardless of whether his team pull off [...]
City’s flagging form could make them dangerous, warns Enrique March 17, 2015 BARCELONA manager Luis Enrique believes Manchester City’s recent slump could make them more dangerous opponents in tonight’s decisive Champions League clash at Camp Nou. City go into the last 16, second leg fixture trailing 2-1 and having achieved just three wins from their last 11 games in all competitions. Despite that run Enrique remains wary [...]
Atletico through to last eight after prevailing on penalties March 17, 2015 REIGNING Spanish champions Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League quarter-finals after knocking out Bayer Leverkusen on penalties at the Vicente Calderon Stadium last night. Atletico levelled the tie in the 27th minute when midfielder Mario Suarez’s strike found the net via a deflection off Turkey defender Omer Toprak. Garcia came closest to winning the clash [...]
KP: Harmonious dressing room is not essential March 17, 2015 ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen insists a harmonious dressing room is not a pre-requisite for success as the maverick batsman continues his bid to make an unlikely return to the international realm. The 34-year-old’s central contract was cancelled in February 2014 in the wake of a disastrous Ashes whitewash Down Under, where Pietersen was cited as [...]
Armstrong slammed over charity cycle ride March 17, 2015 A ROW has broken out over disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong’s plans to take part in a race that shadows this summer’s Tour de France in order to raise money for charity. World cycling chief Brain Cookson yesterday urged Armstrong to abandon the project, which is being organised by former England and Crystal Palace footballer Geoff [...]
Tour’s London finish shake-up March 17, 2015 CYCLING’S Tour of Britain is this year set to finish with a new route through central London which takes in Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Strand and Whitehall. The 2015 edition of the eight-stage race, won last September by Dutchman Dylan van Baarle, will start in Wales for the first time and make [...]
Ex-star plotting England demise March 17, 2015 FORMER Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas intends to use insider knowledge to the detriment of England after being appointed New Zealand bowling coach for their summer tour. The 37-year-old played 20 one-day internationals (ODIs) for England and replaces Shane Bond, who will leave his post for a role with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier [...]
Mercurial France will provide a stern title hurdle, insists Haskell March 17, 2015 ENGLAND flanker James Haskell insists their historic volatility ensures France will prove an unpredictable hurdle to overcome during his side’s Six Nations title decider at Twickenham on Saturday. France have endured an uninspiring championship but still retain a slender hope of securing the title, although a major power shift would be required in order for [...]
Easterby urges Ireland to learn from past errors March 17, 2015 IRELAND forwards coach Simon Easterby has urged his side to avoid being haunted by a repeat of 2007 as they prepare for their crunch Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. Reigning champions Ireland are level on points with leaders England and Wales in the championship reckoning, although Stuart Lancaster’s outfit hold a [...]