I’m ready for the pressure, insists Hodgson, as he prepares to inherit England job’s poisoned chalice May 1, 2012 ENGLAND’S new manager Roy Hodgson insists he is strong enough to handle the pressure of the most high-profile role of his lengthy career, after completing a whirlwind 48 hours by signing a four—year deal yesterday. Hodgson’s appointment came in for criticism before it was even confirmed, with questions raised about why Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp, the [...]
Roy thrown straight in at the deep end May 1, 2012 IF HE was in any doubt beforehand, Roy Hodgson got a taste of the singular scrutiny to which England managers are subjected when he faced the media for the first time yesterday. Perched slightly awkwardly, Hodgson was bombarded with just about every awkward question imaginable. Could John Terry and Rio Ferdinand coexist in peace? Would [...]
Care and Haskell can make South Africa tour, says Lancaster May 1, 2012 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has opened the door for Danny Care and James Haskell to return to the international set-up for this summer’s tour to South Africa, though he accepts the duo will never be coached by Wayne Smith. The Harlequins scrum-half was overlooked by England for this year’s Six Nations following myriad off-field controversies [...]
Di Matteo: Cup places available May 1, 2012 CHELSEA interim manager Roberto di Matteo has urged his fringe players to force their way into his FA Cup final plans by beating Newcastle to strengthen their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish. The Italian insists his side are focused on tonight’s game, in which they could climb two places from sixth, though he [...]
Echoes of Muamba incident as Norwegian swimmer, 26, dies May 1, 2012 NORWEGIAN world champion swimmer Alexander Dale Oen has died, aged just 26, following a cardiac arrest, in the latest such incident to affect apparently healthy sportsmen. Dale Oen, who won 100m breaststroke gold at last year’s World Championships in Shanghai, was found collapsed at a training base in Arizona, where he was preparing for the [...]
Fortress Anfield breached again May 1, 2012 LIVERPOOL 0 vs FULHAM 1 LIVERPOOL’S preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup final took a blow as their poor home form continued to allow Fulham to win their first game at Anfield and draw level with them in the Premier League. “I don’t think it can be described as a performance,” said unhappy Liverpool manager Kenny [...]
Moyes content despite Stoke’s late leveller May 1, 2012 STOKE 1 vs EVERTON 1 EVERTON wasted the chance to steal a march on rivals Liverpool after substitute Cameron Jerome secured a Premier League point for Stoke with a 69th-minute equaliser in an occasion best forgotten. “[Finishing above Liverpool] is not desperately important, the important thing is to finish in the top 10 and this [...]
Lynagh released from hospital May 1, 2012 FORMER Australia and Saracens star Michael Lynagh has been discharged from hospital as he continues his recovery from a stroke. Lynagh was admitted to intensive care a fortnight ago in Brisbane where it was discovered he had suffered a blocked vertebral artery. The 48-year-old wrote on Twitter yesterday: “Almost exactly two weeks after my stroke, [...]
Cleverly eyes Bellew rematch May 1, 2012 ■ BOXING: Wales’s WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will consider a rematch with Tony Bellew if he fails to secure a unification bout against another champion. “He [Bellew] looked impressive and that’s an option,” said Cleverly, who controversially outpointed Bellew last October. “If he had a world title then that would help, we could have [...]
Brailsford sets Wiggins target May 1, 2012 ■ CYCLING: Team Sky’s team principal Dave Brailsford says Bradley Wiggins’ priority is to defend his Criterium du Dauphine title before he targets the Tour de France. “Our intention is for Bradley to defend his title,” he said.