England have a midfield quandary but the system needs fine-tuning, not dismantling October 13, 2019 Overreaction clings to international football, where the relative infrequency of fixtures lends absurd weight to every result. So it was inevitable that England’s flat performance and surprise defeat in Friday’s European Championship qualifying match against the Czech Republic prompted not only justifiable soul searching about the team’s level but also some wild calls to abandon [...]
European Championship revamp keeps football open to all October 13, 2019 Every time Indiana Jones takes a plane, his journey is illustrated by a red line moving gradually towards its destination, the aircraft pivoting now and again to refuel as it traverses continents. For those still recovering from trying to understand the Uefa Nations League, the Raiders of the Lost Ark motif helps explain what will [...]
Ollie Phillips: World Cup fixture cancellation disadvantages Wales but France mutiny can go either way October 10, 2019 Typhoon Hagibis may not have directly affected Wales’s Rugby World Cup fixtures but the tropical cyclone has still managed to leave them at a considerable disadvantage. If, as expected, Wales win their final group match against Uruguay on Sunday they will finish top of Pool D and set up a quarter-final clash with the runner-up [...]
Gemini Man review: A technical tour de force, but a mediocre action movie October 10, 2019 Ang Lee’s latest film, Gemini Man is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, it stars regular Will Smith facing off against a digitally de-aged Will Smith, in a feat of cinematic engineering that is genuinely very convincing. Thanks to whatever manner of advanced Snapchat filters Ang Lee brought to bear upon the actor’s motion-captured face, Smith [...]
Czech Republic v England: Mason Mount deserving of a first start ahead of Ross Barkley October 10, 2019 Tournament qualifiers hold a strange significance for England. On the one hand they are fully-fledged competitive internationals which need to be won in order to reach World Cups and European Championships. But on the other hand, England haven’t lost one in 43 instances – an unbeaten streak which dates back almost exactly 10 years, since [...]
Chris Tremlett: Chris Silverwood has all the attributes to be a success as England head coach October 9, 2019 Chris Silverwood has been appointed as England’s new head coach and I think the ECB hierarchy have made a good decision. I came across Silverwood in county cricket and, like others, all the feedback I’ve heard has been positive: he has a simple approach, is a strong communicator and man-manager. I’ve written previously that England [...]
Under-fire Mo Farah faces moment of truth at the Chicago Marathon October 9, 2019 Sunday is a big day for Sir Mo Farah. Having chosen to sit out of the World Athletics Championships in Doha only to see his name in the news for all the wrong reasons, following the four-year ban issued to his former coach Alberto Salazar, Farah is back racing this weekend. The Chicago Marathon is [...]
‘Safe pair of hands’ Chris Silverwood brings continuity rather than innovation to England head coach role October 7, 2019 The appointment of Chris Silverwood as England’s new head coach is one which sees the England and Wales Cricket Board’s hierarchy backing continuity, rather than innovation. Silverwood has stepped up from his role of bowling coach, which he has performed for the last two years, to fill the shoes of Trevor Bayliss in an act [...]
Sam Torrance: Spanish Open win shows Jon Rahm’s potential – Major win and world No1 ranking await October 7, 2019 Jon Rahm is a proud Spaniard, so to defend his title at the Spanish Open over the weekend was a phenomenal achievement. Rahm didn’t put a foot wrong over the four days in Madrid. He looked like he thrived on the pressure, carding a five-under-par final round of 66 to finish on 22-under-par – five [...]
Ian Poulter interview: Englishman confident the Italian Open can spark a strong end to the season October 7, 2019 Ian Poulter does not have to look far for inspiration as he aims to launch a late-season charge at the Italian Open. The English Ryder Cup hero, 43, won his first European Tour title at the event in 2000 and two years later repeated the feat at Olgiata, near Rome – where he returns this [...]