Sport Comment: Why size isn’t everything for Pardew when choosing clubs January 8, 2015 WHEN word got out that Crystal Palace wanted to take Alan Pardew from Newcastle back to his old Selhurst Park haunts to replace Neil Warnock, there was much chin-scratching and shaking of heads. Why oh why would the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager give up his job in charge of the Geordie nation’s beloved club [...]
Tea For Two to extend Williams’ successful record in the Lanzarote January 8, 2015 IT IS a fairly low-key weekend of racing, but there are some competitive handicaps to get stuck into at Kempton and Warwick. The William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40pm) is the highlight at Kempton and I am confident that the in-form Nick Williams can improve his impressive record in this race with TEA FOR TWO. Williams [...]
Wiggins unveils team and plots bid for Rio gold January 8, 2015 FORMER Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins has launched his own professional cycling team, named simply Wiggins, as part of preparations to become the most decorated British athlete in Olympic history. The squad will race primarily on the road although the ambitious aim is to equip four-time Olympic champion Wiggins and team-mates for a [...]
09 January on this day… January 8, 2015 1971: MANCHESTER United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Alan Gowling and Willie Morgan. Tony Dunne (nearest ball) and Nobby Stiles (far left) are pictured. Now, as then, both teams were full of footballing stars and the contest a huge occasion – 53,482 watched this 1971 battle. But few of the today’s [...]
Expect another United victory at Old Trafford January 8, 2015 RELYING on Manchester United for any sort of consistency on the pitch has been a risky strategy this season. Under Louis van Gaal, they’ve produced a range of performances more diverse in quality than an opening round of Britain’s Got Talent, from the dire to the delightful. And yet somehow they’ve managed to remain unbeaten [...]
Palace can cause a shock with Pardew back in town January 8, 2015 HAVING already parted ways with Tony Pulis before a ball had even been kicked, Crystal Palace bizarrely became the next Premier League club to relieve their manager of his duties by replacing the lacklustre Neil Warnock with Alan Pardew. Pardew’s tenure at Newcastle drew praise and criticism almost in equal measure on and off the [...]
Who will go down from the Premier League? Spread betting on relegation January 8, 2015 SPORTING INDEX’S Premier League Relegation Index gives points to teams finishing in the bottom six places at the end of the season. They are awarded as follows: Bottom = 60pts, Second Bottom = 40pts, Third Bottom = 30pts, Fourth Bottom = 20pts, Fifth Bottom = 10pts, Sixth Bottom = 5pts. All others = 0. With [...]
Barca fuel talk of blockbusting Messi transfer January 7, 2015 FOOTBALL’S richest clubs have received encouragement in their pursuit of Lionel Messi after Barcelona coach Luis Enrique fuelled speculation that the four-time world player of the year wants a transfer. Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners to strike a deal that would likely more than double the current record fee of £86m, paid by Real Madrid [...]
Oldham boss asks critics of rapist Ched Evans deal to keep views in check January 7, 2015 OLDHAM Athletic’s co-owner has confirmed the club are close to clinching the signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans but said he hoped critics of the controversial move would “keep their views in check”. Two sponsors are to cut ties with the third tier side if they sign former Wales striker Evans, 26, while Labour’s shadow [...]
LA Galaxy move is motivated by trophy potential, insists Gerrard January 7, 2015 LIVERPOOL skipper Steven Gerrard insists his move to LA Galaxy is not an extended holiday and is motivated by a final shot at swelling his medal collection. The Major League Soccer side yesterday confirmed Gerrard, who has won seven major trophies at Anfield, will join in July when his Liverpool contract expires and he leaves [...]