Villas-Boas wouldn’t ditch relegation rule October 18, 2011 CHELSEA vs GENK CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas has added his voice to the chorus of condemnation for plans to scrap relegation and ringfence the Premier League. Managers’ chief Richard Bevan on Monday alleged that some overseas proprietors of top-flight clubs wanted the change, namely those from the United States and Asia. Manchester United boss Sir [...]
Wenger’s Arsenal feel more at home in Europe October 18, 2011 MARSEILLE vs ARSENAL ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his side’s latest Champions League campaign is offering him a pleasant distraction from what has been a turbulent start to the domestic season. The Gunners are well placed in Group F after following up a creditable draw in Dortmund with a narrow win over Olympiacos a fortnight [...]
World Cup star Cueto defends Johnson reign as Carling predicts boss may quit October 18, 2011 ENGLAND wing Mark Cueto has leapt to the defence of manager Martin Johnson as uncertainty surrounds his future following a disastrous World Cup. Johnson’s men crashed out in the quarter-finals, equalling their worst ever campaign, and were dogged by off-field controversy. That has led to questions about the future of Johnson, who also stands accused [...]
Henson joins Cardiff in fresh bid to revive career October 18, 2011 FORGOTTEN man Gavin Henson has completed a U-turn and returned to his native Wales to sign for Cardiff Blues. Lions centre Henson, who was released by French side Toulouse in the summer, has penned an eight-month contract. The 29-year-old insisted he wanted to get away from Wales when he negotiated his early release from Ospreys [...]
Cavendish fancies double glory October 18, 2011 CYCLING: British world road champion Mark Cavendish is confident the 2012 Tour de France route will aid his bid for double glory next summer. Cavendish, who won the Tour’s green jersey this year, is also aiming for gold in the road race at the London 2012 Olympics. The 2012 Tour route, with fewer gruelling mountain [...]
Quins to revert to Broncos name October 18, 2011 RUGBY LEAGUE: Harlequins RL are expected to revert back to their previous name, London Broncos, next season as part of a full-scale rebranding. The club, who have been ground-sharing with Premiership rugby union side Harlequins at The Stoop for seven years, and changed their name in 2005, are also set to change their badge and [...]
Finn to play for Otago Volts October 18, 2011 CRICKET: Middlesex’s Steven Finn will play domestic First Class cricket in New Zealand for Otago Volts next month following the England one-day squad’s current tour of India. The 22-year-old will join the Volts for a one-month stint ahead of their opening Plunket Shield match against Canterbury in Rangiora on 7 November. He will remain with [...]
Anderson: We have never tampered with the ball October 17, 2011 ENGLAND fast bowler James Anderson has strenuously denied ever having tampered with the ball in the wake of accusations levied against him and team-mate Stuart Broad by Pakistan seamer Umar Gul. Responding to the confessions of the recently retired Shoaib Akhtar in his explosive autobiography, Gul, a mainstay of the current Pakistan side, claimed: “Quite [...]
Wheldon death raises Indy fears October 17, 2011 TRACK greats have united to accuse America’s IndyCar series of allowing dangerous driving conditions after British racer Dan Wheldon died on Sunday. Buckinghamshire-born Wheldon, who was 33, was the only fatality in an horrific 200mph, 15-car pile-up during the Las Vegas Indy 300. Ex-Formula One drivers Mark Blundell and Jody Scheckter called the accident “inevitable” [...]
Youngster Lewis set for super stardom October 17, 2011 ANY lingering doubts as to whether the outstanding Englishman Tom Lewis had made the right decision in turning pro at just 20 years of age were utterly dispelled by his thrilling maiden tournament victory at the Portugal Masters on Sunday. At the time I was fully supportive of the move he made having been suitably [...]