Cricket Comment: Ashes misery demands shake-up January 6, 2014 Flower and Cook deserve to stay, but their unconditional support is strange ENGLAND’S current coach and captain have just overseen the most disastrous tour for many a year, so I find it very strange that David Collier has thrown his resounding support behind Andy Flower and Alastair Cook. Following the 5-0 Ashes whitewash, everyone is [...]
Allardyce handed double boost by hopeful Hammers’ hierarchy January 6, 2014 THE West Ham board moved to alleviate growing pressure on boss Sam Allardyce yesterday by issuing a public vote of confidence and vowing to back their manager in the transfer market. The Hammers are three points adrift of Premier League safety having won just once in 13 matches and were dumped out of the FA [...]
Time for Cook to stamp mark on England side, says Vaughan January 6, 2014 FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has called on beleaguered current skipper Alastair Cook to use the fallout from the Ashes whitewash in Australia to impose his own style on the team. Vaughan has rejected claims that England’s playing staff need an overhaul following their 5-0 drubbing, but believes it is time for Cook to stamp [...]
Skip Aus Open or risk season, Robson warned January 6, 2014 BRITISH No1 Laura Robson has been urged to consider pulling out of next week’s Australian Open or risk spending most of the year on the sidelines. Robson withdrew from the Hobart International yesterday after suffering severe pain in her left wrist during her first match of the season, prompting fears that the 19-year-old could miss [...]
Schumacher in stable condition as probe starts January 6, 2014 SEVEN-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager confirmed yesterday. Schumacher has undergone two operations to remove blood clots and reduce swelling since suffering a head injury in a skiing accident on 29 December and is currently in a medically induced coma at Grenoble University Hospital in France. Manager [...]
Millwall to back boss Holloway January 6, 2014 CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Millwall have vowed to support new manager Ian Holloway in the transfer market, after the former Crystal Palace boss agreed terms on a two and a half year deal. The Lions sit just one place and one point outside of the relegation zone and have been on the hunt for a permanent boss [...]
United must win semi-final for supporters, says Fletcher January 6, 2014 MANCHESTER United midfielder Darren Fletcher feels tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Sunderland presents the perfect opportunity for his team-mates to repay the unwavering support being shown at Old Trafford despite the club’s recent slump. United have lost four of their last six home matches, including Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with [...]
Blatter blasts Brazil over delays January 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: World Cup preparations in Brazil have been heavily criticised by world governing body Fifa’s president Sepp Blatter. Six of the 12 stadiums failed to meet a 31 December completion deadline and Blatter said: “No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at Fifa.”
Referee Clattenburg in the clear January 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: The Football Association have ruled referee Mark Clattenburg’s comment to Southampton captain Adam Lallana that he was “different” since playing for England did not constitute misconduct.
Injured Patchell out of Six Nations January 6, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Wales and Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell will miss the Six Nations with a knee injury.