Cook serves up another masterclass August 11, 2011 ENGLAND opener Alastair Cook admitted he owed his team-mates a big innings, as his unbeaten century helped his side into a position of total dominance over India on the second day of the third Test at Edgbaston. Cook struggled during the early stages of another marathon effort, but eventually weighed in with 182 runs in [...]
Return of enforcer Lawes allows Johnson to pick favourite lock August 11, 2011 NORTHAMPTON lock Courtney Lawes has shown his England team-mates he packs just as much of a punch as emerging centre Manu Tuilagi – and intends to prove it against Wales tomorrow. Lawes and Tuilagi, who shone on a bone-crunching debut in last weekend’s win over the Welsh at Twickenham, have taken in turns to pummel [...]
Stricker in record breaking form August 11, 2011 AMERICA’S Steve Stricker equalled the lowest round in Major history with a magnificent 63 to take the lead on day one of the 93rd US PGA in Atlanta. But it was a day of toil for several other leading contenders with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy braving a wrist injury which looked as though it could [...]
CATCH THEM IF YOU CAN August 11, 2011 Man United are my tip for what looks like a riveting Premier League season UNCERTAINTY caused by riots has overshadowed the start of the Premier League season a little, but if we look past that there is every reason to believe this term could be one of the best yet. I expect a step up [...]
TERVOR STEVEN’S PLAYERS TO WATCH August 11, 2011 SERGIO AGUERO He’s been on our radar for some time and now he’s here. I’m intrigued to see how Aguero fits in at City in place of, or even alongside, his fellow Argentinian Carlos Tevez. PHIL JONES Sir Alex Ferguson has already spoken highly of young Jones, who can play in defence or midfield. I [...]
ARSENAL August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD Miserable. Public restlessness of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, coupled with Wenger’s reluctance to spend, has created an atmosphere of pessimism unknown in the Frenchman’s reign. TRANSFERS IN: Gervinho (right) (Lille), Carl Jenkinson (Charlton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton); OUT: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Denilson (Sao Paulo, loan), Tom Cruise (released), Mark Randall (Chesterfield), Wellington (Levante, loan), [...]
CHELSEA August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD Cautiously optimistic. Andre Villas-Boas (right) has great credentials to succeed at the Bridge, while his youth may bring the fresh approach they seem to need, although this is by far his biggest challenge yet. TRANSFERS IN: Lucas Piazon (Sao Paulo), Thibaut Courtois (Genk), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht); OUT: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, [...]
TOTTENHAM August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD The lingering gloom from a disappointing end to last season has not been lifted by a summer of inertia in the transfer market and uncertainty over the future of star performer Luka Modric. However the expectation is still that Spurs will be among the top six come May, if not in the top [...]
QPR August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD Euphoria of promotion has been usurped by disbelief at reluctance of mega-rich owners to invest. TRANSFERS IN: D Gabbidon, K Dyer (both West Ham), J Bothroyd (Cardiff); OUT: P Chimbonda, G Mahon, G Tofas, L Brown, J Oastler, Josh Parker, R Rose, M Leigertwood FORM Last season: 1st, Championship Last trophy: Ch’ship, 2011 FIRST FIVE FIXTURES [...]
FULHAM August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD Every reason for fans to be optimistic about arrival of seasoned boss Martin Jol. TRANSFERS IN: P Kasami (Palermo), JA Riise (Roma), D Burn (Darlington), C Somogyi (Rakospalotai), M Gecov (Slovan Liberec); OUT: D Stockdale (loan), J Greening, Z Gera, E Johnson, D Kamara, K Dikgacoi, J Pantsil FORM Last season: 8th Last trophy: 2nd Div, [...]