Olympics mean it’s time for a punt August 11, 2008 Innovative bets can add interest to the Olympic Games and the football season, says Chris Shillington So, the Olympics have finally begun, and there’s plenty to keep spread betters interested. If there’s one thing that everybody is sure of at the Games, it’s that China ought to improve on the 32 medals that it won [...]
Setanta shows ITV the way to succeed in commercial TV August 8, 2008 By now there is little more to be said about ITV. The expected bloodbath duly arrived on cue this week and advertising revenue may not recover for 18 months. How different for ITV’s rival Setanta which is broadcasting the FA Cup and England internationals. The Irish pay TV sports broadcaster goes into the new football [...]
Ferguson won’t panic buy despite injury crisis August 7, 2008 Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not desperate to sign anyone despite the club’s injury crisis. At least seven United first-team players are set to miss next week’s Premier League opener against Newcastle, including star duo Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. But Ferguson, who has shown interest in Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, [...]
Sir Alex has something up his sleeve, I’m sure August 7, 2008 Sir Alex Ferguson’s stance that he won’t be delving into the transfer market during this August window just doesn’t quite ring true with me. With Cristiano Ronaldo already out for the opening month or so of the season, the last thing Sir Alex wanted was to see any more of his squad sidelined for the [...]
…and Terry puts the boot in August 6, 2008 Chelsea captain John Terry has turned the tables on Manchester United by saying they, and not the Blues, are the ones who are past their best. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sparked a row last month by suggesting Chelsea’s squad was too old to improve on last season, when they finished second to his side [...]
Rooney virus mystery adds to United woe August 6, 2008 Manchester United are facing an injury crisis ahead of the new season after striker Wayne Rooney joined winger Cristiano Ronaldo on the sidelines. Rooney has not trained for more than a week after falling ill with a virus United suspect he contracted during the pre-season trip to Nigeria. The 22-year-old is out of tonight’s friendly [...]
City crisis takes its toll on marriage August 6, 2008 Job-losses mean divorce rates are rocketing, finds Anusha Bradley When the credit crunch bit, it was clear that banks were going to suffer and that things would look grim for many businesses. What was less predictable was the effect that it would have on divorce rates. According to a survey commissioned by law firm Mishcon [...]
Van Persie: Ade and I can fire Gunners August 5, 2008 A striker with barely a dozen league starts last season and another who flirted with a move all summer may not seem the safest bet to spearhead a title challenge. But Robin van Persie believes he and forward partner Emmanuel Adebayor are primed to end Arsenal’s three-year trophy drought. Van Persie made just 13 Premier [...]
Bentley: Spurs can break into top four August 1, 2008 David Bentley is convinced his arrival will help Tottenham break the so-called Big Four’s iron grip on Champions League qualification. Spurs have repeatedly failed to live up to expectations of reaching the lucrative and prestigious European club competition. Manager Juande Ramos was recruited from Sevilla last year and tasked with breaking into the top four, [...]
Benitez dragging his heels in transfer saga July 31, 2008 The statement from Aston Villa insisting Gareth Barry will not be leaving the club does nothing but drag an already tedious situation on and on. I really can’t see why they just don’t get on with it. Villa say they have set a deadline but you can’t tell me that, if Liverpool boss Rafa Bentez [...]