Edberg backs Robson over decision to cut ties with coach October 21, 2013 BRITAIN’S Laura Robson has made the right decision in jettisoning a third coach in 18 months, according to former world No1 Stefan Edberg. The Swede, who won five of his six grand slam titles under British coach Tony Pickard, believes Robson, 19, can improve by focusing on honing her strengths rather than trying to eliminate [...]
Becker raises doubts over Federer’s Olympic ambition October 21, 2013 LONDON 2012 silver medallist Roger Federer hopes to play at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but former world No1 Boris Becker believes that ambition is “far fetched”. Federer reached the Swiss Indoors second round yesterday to maintain his charge towards the World Tour finals at the O2 Arena. But after a forgettable year for the [...]
Tottenham winger Townsend our new Bale, says Vertonghen October 21, 2013 TOTTENHAM winger Andros Townsend can emulate the world’s most expensive player and former team-mate Gareth Bale, according to defender Jan Vertonghen. Townsend followed up his back-to-back eye catching displays with England to net his first Premier League goal for Spurs in their 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday. The 22-year-old was last week rewarded [...]
Police chief tells fans there is no place for flares in football October 21, 2013 LIGHTING flares inside stadiums cannot become part of the culture of English football, the game’s police chief Andy Holt has warned. Two men were arrested on Sunday and later bailed after a flare thrown from amongst travelling Tottenham supporters at Villa Park hit assistant referee David Bryan. And Holt is concerned a growing number of [...]
England to host Danes in March October 21, 2013 ENGLAND will host Denmark in March in what is likely to be their final home friendly before next summer’s World Cup, the Football Association confirmed yesterday. The match at Wembley on 5 March follows two friendly fixtures next month, against Chile on 15 November and old rivals Germany four days later. Roy Hodgson’s men are [...]
English and French wait on Celtic clubs’ call – for now October 21, 2013 But plans put in place should they have to go it alone ENGLISH and French clubs are refusing to set their Celtic counterparts an ultimatum to join a breakaway competition but have already started planning next season’s European club rugby without them. Premiership and Top14 chiefs have ruled out taking part in a tournament under [...]
Saracens do their bit to quell Euro tensions October 21, 2013 SARACENS have urged Heineken to stay involved in European rugby following a trip to its Amsterdam brewery. Plans for a breakaway tournament means the role of title sponsor of Europe’s top club competition is up for grabs, with rivals Guinness reported to have held talks. Sarries hooker Schalk Brits, who made the trip with his [...]
Collingwood wants to defend title before hanging up whites October 21, 2013 FORMER England star Paul Collingwood is planning to retire at the end of next season and is weighing up whether to pursue coaching or punditry. The 37-year-old all-rounder captained Durham to County Championship glory this year and wants a shot at defending the title before bowing out. “I am enjoying myself,” said Collingwood, who won [...]
Phillips in hot water at Bayonne October 21, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has been summoned by Bayonne chiefs amid reports he arrived at a club meeting under the influence of alcohol. Phillips, 31, was suspended by the club last year for what they called “unacceptable off-field behaviour”. The French side said he was among several players called to explain themselves to [...]
England boss: Italy loss can help us October 21, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England coach Steve McNamara believes the shock warm-up defeat to Italy at the weekend can help them win the World Cup. McNamara believes losing 15-14 to the 500-1 tournament outsiders helped “blow away cobwebs”. He added: “We came up with a performance that wasn’t great but that hopefully will put us in a [...]