Performance of the week

I know you're on the edge of your seat for this one, this weeks performance of the week. Yet again I start with the unlucky few who missed out on this fabulous award. Nicole Cook came away from Beijing with a Road race Olympic Gold medal and this week came away with a Road race World Title at the recent World Championships. Giving that it was four weeks ago the Olympics finished to turn it around and get back to competing is a stunning achievement. Fernando Alonso's win at the Singapore Grand Prix marked the anniversary of his last F1 victory and his 20th career win. He's been living in the shadow of Fillipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton all season and to come from almost no-where to cap off a stunning weekend to the Renault team was a huge effort.

I will admit this week I have been stuck between two awesome team performances Durham County Cricket Club and Hull City. As amazing as Hull City's win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium was it doesn't make a season, and Hull are still one of the favorites to drop down to the Championship. So this weeks Performance of the week goes to the new County Champions Durham.

Needing to beat Kent, who were in dire states themselves and needing Hampshire to beat Nottinghamshire the Dynamos had it all to do. Nottinghamshire had the upper hand in the first two days as they held the upper hand over Hampshire. It was the third day that decided the destiny of the title. Hampshire frustrated the Notts bowlers and for the first time all season they had no reply. Nick Pothas and Liam Dawson both hit hundreds to ensure Notts would have a hefty target going into day four. The monumental effort of day three though came from Durham. They declared on a massive 500-8 with Breese scoring 121 and Phil Mustard adding a useful 83. With just the evening session left they set about the Kent batting line-up and almost confirmed victory with a beautiful spell of bowling.

Callum Thorp was the hero of the hour taking the first five wickets and basically confirming victory. He finished with figures of 7-88 as Durham won inside 16 overs on day four with a victory of an innings and 71 runs. It was now in the hands of Nottinghamshire and with them needing a massive 441 on the final day they went for all or nothing. Dimitri Mascarenhas was on hand to take advantage as he took 4-43 and Imran Tahir who took 4-58. Notts finished on 338 all out needing a further 203 to win. It was a dominating victory from the Hawks who dominated the last two days to take the all important win, but all the plaudits went to Durham.

Having only been a county for 16 years this is their first county title. Steve Harmisson's 60 wickets was a big factor in their win as they played second fiddle to Notts all season. A lot of credit goes to the players but some attention should go to the back room staff and especially Geoff Cook who I know from experience has the knowledge and commitment to bring that club even further on in the next 16 years. His devotion behind the scenes is something to admire.

Bournemouth 3-1 Darlington

Jimmy Quinn's honeymoon period as Bournemouth manager continued as his side recorded a plucky 3-1 victory over Darlington at Dean Court.

The Cherries even though they were pegged back for long period went ahead early on through Marvin Bartley but Liam Hatch deservedly equalized after a looping header.

The game was level for just two minutes however as Bournemouth re-took the lead through Neil Austin's own goal and confirmed the win in stoppage time with Brett Pitman hammering home after a sweeping move.

After such a good start to the season Darlington will have been disappointed by the defeat in a game they dominated for large parts of the game.

With loan pairing Billy Clarke and Hatch up-front the Quakers started well.

Hatch could have opened the scoring inside 10 minutes but was denied by the bar after a David Poole cross.

A goal would have in-keeping with the start of the game but Bournemouth held off the early storm and went ahead after an individual mistake at the heart of the Darlington defense.

Rob Pudie's back pass towards his back four was hugely over hit and fell to Jeff Goulding who slid past Steve Foster before forcing a god low save out of Simon Brown only for it for fall to Bartly who slid home.

The away side went back on the offensive after the goal and it was no surprise to see them level up the scoreline with 10 minutes of the second half remaining.

Hatch won a free kick 30 yards out from the Bournemouth goal and then met a hanging miss-clearance to make it 1-1.

But his side couldn't hold out till half time as the home team re-gained the lead with similar softness at which they conceded the first.

Sammy Igoe was allowed in-behind the midfield and his shot, 25 yards out took a wicked deflection off Austin and left goalkeeper Brown completely stranded.

Darlington certainly felt hard done by and were keen to make up for it in the second half.

However Jimmy Quinn's side weren't going to give them a route back into the game and the Quakers were left frustrated for most of the second half.

Both Greg Blundell and Adam Proudlock were introduced to put some impertinence into the away sides attack but ironically it was Bournemouth who were having the more luc and could have closed the game out on many occasions.

Pitman should have sealed the win when he went clear through but fired wide, before he ended the game as a contest when he smashed the ball home from the edge of the area.

A Kick where it hurts

A week ago Paul Sturrock berated his team after loosing 2-1 at home to Norwich. Glen Roeder’s men were in truth to strong for the Devon side and ran out comfortable winner, but Sturrock decided to use the good performance of Norwich and turn it on his head as he accused his players of lacking passion.

In his post-match interview Strurock said some of his players should never play for the club again and weren’t fit to win the shirt,. Now that’s strong words from fans, from a manager it’s as bad as it can get. You can bet those players concerned were let known for their short falling.

A week on and Sturrock’s harsh words has transformed into a motivation pep talk and Plymouth have won two on the trot, both away from home and both against last season’s play-off defeated team Watford and Crystal Palace.

Now yes both of these teams are in a slight decline after last season, and both will certainly struggle to repeat what they achieved. But their fate was no-where near as bad as Plymouth’s.

Now after the back-to-back wins Sturrock has something to build on with his depleted team. After what was a truly dreadful summer in terms of transfers the team-looked odds on to be sent packing into League 1.

This of course could still happen, let it be known two wins don’t make a season, well unless your Manchester City. But it is something for them to build on. The one thing I don’t like seeing is team who have struggling basically condemn themselves to relegation because of their form, a bit like Derby County in the Premiership lasts season.

Plymouth’s early season form had a taste of this inevitability of relegation and that after loosing there best players during the summer there season was always going to end in disappointment. But now after two wins out of two they can look on hopefully towards a season that might end in disappointment but that they will certainly fight for.

Performance of the Week

Before I go into this weeks performance of the week I want to give some honorable mentions to those few who missed out on such a coveted award. I'll start with Stoke City who went to Anfield to nick a point where no-one gave them a chance, however Stoke's draw may well have come from Liverpool's neglegence and not there outstanding play. Walsall are the other football team to deserve a mention, after going down to nine men midway through the match at Brighton they were able to come away with a 1-0 win against all the odds.

But probably predicatbly this weeks performance of the week comes from Valhalla and goes to the American team after their thumping 16 1/2 11 1/2 victory over the European team. After going nine years without the trophy they were certainly due a win and with a passionate Kentucky crowd behind them they overcame what looked on paper to be a strong European team. How often have we said the same about the Americans.

A lot of people are saying this morning that Nick Faldo's captaincy and the performances of the some of our key player was the reason USA won. I would agree with the latter statement, but behind every god performance there is a good one and I would go as far to say that the American performance was good enough to hold off the Europeans even at there best.

Performances from the likes of Hunter Mahan and JB Holmes for me set the standard for the Americans and if two rookies are going to do that think how good the established players were. In fact it was the rookies who played the best, both Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk showed they haven't quiet got it right at Ryder Cup level, although Mickelson played brilliantly on the first day.

A mention should go to Paul Azinger as well. It's plain to see he shot enthusiasm and belief into this USA team that they could win this match. Many members of the team would have been apprehensive they could regain the cup, Azinger wasn't going to let them give up.

The state that let you know that this was a real team performance is this one. Europes highest scorer on there team was Ian Poulter who scored four out of eleven and half points, leaving just seven and a half for the remaining 11 players.

He was the highest scorer of the match in fact, more than any American player, and the fact that no player scored four points on there own and they still amassed sixteen and a half shows there was an unbreakable team spirit. There was a bind that they were all in it together and they could all play there part, and they did.

2008 Ryder Cup Preview

Golf's premier competition is back as Europe aim to win there fourth Ryder Cup in a row against a determined American Team. Last winners in 1999, the American's are without World Number 1 Tiger Woods at Valhalla and have to rely on a less experienced team to get them through on this occasion.

Europe on the other hand have the in form player in the world right now, Padraig Harrington. The Irishman has won both the Open championship and the USPGA championship in Woods' absence and goes into the tournament as the most feared player on the tour. Under the leadership of Nick Faldo the Europeans go into the weekend as favorites to win there six Ryder Cup in seven years, the only American victory coming at Brookline in 1999 when Justin Leonard held a 35-footer to take the title for his team.

Paul Azinger, the American captain has gone with an inexperienced team of up and coming golfers who are motivated to win this elusive Ryder Cup trophy. Most of the pressure will be at the feet of Phil Mickelson. who is one of four previous major winners in the American team. Jim Furyk will also be important to the team who have six rookies in there team, to Europe's four. The experience within Europe's eight is actually the same as in the Amercian six who have appeared before, both holding 20 caps in each team. Jim Furyk is the holder of the most caps out of the two teams, having appeared in the last five Ryder Cups. Crucially however the world number nine only has one win under his name.

This is how the two sides line-up:

EUROPE

Padrig Harrington: The in-form player in the world right now needs to step up for the European team this week and show his class can be replicated in a team format, something Tiger Woods has rarely been able to do.

Lee Westwood: This man is a colossus when it comes to this weekend, he has played in every session in where he's been picked and never will Europe need him more than now. With experienced heads not in the team Westwood has a different role to play.

Sergio Garcia: Brilliant in the fourballs, not so in the foursomes Sergio's main contribution will come in the first two days and boy does he need to put some points on the board. His singles form in not the best just one win from four starts.

Henrik Stenson: Easily made the team this year with some solid major performances, holed the winning put in 2006 expect him to be on the front line again with compatriot Karlsson not far behind him, could well make an opening day partnership.

Robert Karlsson: Didn't win a match last time out but still the team went on to take the title, hoepfully his impression will be more hardly felt by the American side who have watched him play some delightful golf this year.

Miguel Angel Jimenez: An experienced head only making his third Ryder Cup appearance amazingly is always a safe bet when a point is needed, Faldo knows he can turn to the Spaniard to pull the goods out of the bag when needed.

Graeme McDowell: One of the few players on either side who prefers the team game. This week will suit his game and the possibility of playing with countryman Harringhton will just spur McDowell on more who will enjoy the hostile home crowd.

Justin Rose: In my opinion in this competition far to late, and I'm sure he'd think the same. having missed out on four Ryder Cups he'll want to make his mark and boy does he like doing in on American soil.

Soren Hanson: After Thomas Bjorn he's only the second Dane to compete in the Cup, maybe he lacks the big game experience but deffinetly has the ability to adapt to the situation.

Oliver Wilson: One of the quieter members of the team, made his place certain with some tidy rounds on the final weekend of qualifying. With the Amercian's not knowing much about the Englishman he may be underestimated when he should be feared.

Ian Poulter: For me Europe's joker in more ways than one. Poulter knows how to step up on the big stage and can produce the sort of gold to be Europe's player of the weekend. He will certainly get up the American's noses and won't let anyone intimidate him.

Paul Casey: The best matchplayer on the team and chosen just for that. Didn't have the best of times in the Majors but that isn't the best way to judge a Ryder Cup player, a matchplay title under his belt this year shows his pedigree.

Captain: Nick Faldo- Under huge pressure to replicate what Woosnam and Langer did in the last two years and bring home hansom European victories. Faldo has put some of the pressure on himself more than he has needed to. His bold selection policy shows that he has the makings of a strong captain, but whether he can hold is together for the weekend is another matter.


UNITED STATES

Phil Mickelson: Choosen to replace Woods as captain of the team, and just like Woods his record is lousy in this competition. Called the dream team two years ago when paired with Woods, a possible pairing with Furyk would get a similar billing, the duo will have to work hard to defer from a similar outcome.

Stewart Cink: If some of the American team are loud and eccentric, none more so than there captain, then Cink is much quieter and his golf reflects his nature. Wouldn't be surprised if he outscores any of the team with his relaxed style.

Kenny Perry: Certainly a player who quiet doesn't relate to. This man will thrive on a buzzing Kuntucky crowd and certainly have a performance to follow. Sure to be in America's top two or three come singles day.

Jim Furyk: For me the more talented player on the American team, and even though his record is retched is previous years he has the ability to turn it around, maybe a break from playing with Woods will ignite his Ryder Cup passion.

Anthony Kim: As Ian Poulter is for Europe, this is my joker for the week. The big hitter Kim makes garcia look like a 14 year-old with his tie offs. Again a relative unknown in Europe is sure to spring a surprise, don't be surprised if this man brings back a bag of points for the American team.

Justin Leonard: Aside from his shocking sportsmanship Leonard is a fine player and is finally recapturing the form that saw him win the Open in 1997. Has never recorded a Ryder Cup win in his career, but of course it only took a half in Brookline, it may only take that this time round.

Ben Curtis: Still behind the biggest Open shock maybe ever seen after his victory in 2003 against an all star cast. Curtis is a confidence player who if he builds some form could be on fire by the time the singles come around.

Boo Weekley. A name that sounds like a Ghost's magazine could give the European's a real scary if he's not taken seriously. Without the Woods the best striker of a ball in the team.

Chad Campbell: The lowest ranked player in Azinger's team is one of the weaker players available to the captain. Is always there of there abouts in the majors, but that will count for very little as he prepares to face the best in the world.

Steve Stricker: With Valhalla well known for its tricky greens this man was a necessity. Stricker is one of the best putters on the tour and is sure to be used in the fourballs at some point to press home and American advantage.

Hunter Mahan: As outspoken as Poulter and just as talented, he slagged off the Ryder Cup earlier this year and was a surprised inclusion as a wide-card. This big mouthed Amercian has a lot to prove.

JB Holmes: Another player who can light up the crowd, and is sure to fire up the Kentucky home support. A perfect decoy for one of the bigger players such as Cink or Mickelson.

Captain: Paul Azinger- The carismatic captain certainly comes across better than his compatriot Faldo, but he had to have the better at something after the duo's one sided affair when it came to playing. Azinger last cap was as early as the Belfry in 2002 and althgough his record wasn't the best he is determined to put that right this week.


So there you have it a full run down of the teams and a little bit about who should impress and who could make a surprise. Now I suppose your looking for a prediction and believe me fokes, it's one the hardest to call. Captaincy wise, Azinger looks streets ahead, Faldo never looks like he's taking things seriously enough for me. The team for me are a different story. In terms of not only experience but also current form the European team look far the stronger.

Europe always seem to perform well on the first few days and then hold on during the singles. This time round I actually think it will be the Europeans who will be expected to perform in the singles. I wouldn't be surprised if we're all square going into the last day and it comes down to one match at the end. If I'm going to stick my neck out I'll go for a European victory 15-13 for me, but boy will Azinger's men play there part.

Not earing there Spurs

Is this what 70 million pounds gets you? That's what Tottenham Hotsphur fans will be asking themselves this evening after they watched there team simply outclassed by Aston Villa.

Many pundits are concentrating to much on the players they have lost rather than the players they have got, the blame shouldn't go for getting rid of them it should go to the players who are certainly capable of putting out a poor performance.

Juande Ramos, as great a manager as he is should shoulder some of the blame as well. Firstly he should start off by learning some English. I know football is a language in itself and all that bollocks but he should show some commitment to his job. The way he approaches games like he did tonight show to me that he another manager who would rather succeed in Europe than in the league.

For British clubs especially this is the wrong way of going about it, all things should start at home. The team Ramos put out tonight showed that plain and simple. Playing two holding players at home is a complete mystery to me. They are two very immobile players at that as well, in Didier Zokora and Tom Huddlestone. Starting with Darren Bent on the left was a complete waste of his ability, fortunately for him after Villa scored inside five minutes he was moved inside to partner Roman Pavlyuchenko.

The team lacked any real balance with Modric and then Jenas playing on the left the team looked out of sorts and never a threat for the dependable Luke Young. Aaron Lennon has really not impressed me since he burst onto the international scene at the 2006 World Cup. He really had a good chance to make that England right hand side position his own and his form since has really dropped.

Everything I watch him play I think of what might have been had he kept his head down and worked at his game. Unfortunately now he keeps his head down far to much on the pitch, and he can't cross the ball to save his life

Villa were everything that Spurs weren't tonight. Organised, balanced and a threat going forward. With Young and Reo-Coker on either side they look solid and attacking, and with Agbonlahor and Careew up top, two of the most made for strikers in the Premiership they troubled Spurs at regular intervals.

For me the biggest gulf in the two teams was at the back. Spurs wisely spent plenty of money on there back line. Vetran Corluka is a fine signing along with there other two right back but it really wasn't what they needed. They have a number of fine defenders at the club. Alan Hutton, who is injured at the current time is a fine right back, and Jonathan Woodgate who for me should be given a proper England go now he is fully fit is a brilliant defender. However put any of them together in the spurs defense and they look like lost school boys.

Obviously if i knew what the problem was I wouldn't be writing this blog every week, but I really can't put my finger on the reason why all these great players can't gell together. One reason i can indtify is that the back four is almost always different every game. Something that does not help the defenders gel is chopping and changing. Ledley King is the main reason for this, you never know if the guy is going to be fit or whats going on. For me they either need to go with him for every game, or none of them. he won't help the back-four stick together if he comes in every three games and mixes it up.

Not going to lie when he's in the team they look far stronger at the back. But it's when he isn't for a few games that they struggle, its not that they are bad defenders they just need games together to get used to each other.

Villa on the other hand are doing exactly that, and you can already see the back for that Martin O'Neil thinks is his first choice. That is so important for a team and this for me is the reason Villa will do better this season than they did last term.

There squad is stronger and for me they look formidable going forward and at the back. They conceded four goals in a match in four seperate occasions last season and I can;t see a repeat of that this time round.

They for me are the only team who could break into the top four. They haven't lost any of there vital players, and have bought in some super one's to bolster what was the thinnest squad in the league.

Think about it they finished sixth with a very small squad, add eight quality players to that equation and you have one hell of a side.

O'Neil is building one top side at Villa Park and guess what he's being allowed to do by one of the best owners in the Premiership, Andy Lerner. Mr Ashley take note, this is how you run your football club.

Performance of the Week

Before I reveal this weeks performance of the week I think I should give some honorable mentions to what has been a superb week or individual and team performances. Firstly the British Paralympic team who have amassed a huge 96 medals 41 of which are Gold medals, a truly stunning achievement, its just a shame they aren't given the same appreciation that our Olympic heroes received. Particular praise goes to Dave Roberts who equaled Tanny Gray Thompson's record of 11 Paralympic medals.

Other mentions should go to Theo Walcott for his hatrick in Zagreb on Wednesday night, the New Zealand Rugby team who have turned around there own fortunes to take the Tri-Nations title after beating Australia in the deciding game and Rodger Federer who won his 13th Grand Slam title at the US Open at the expense of Andy Murray.

However my Performance of the week goes to a sporting first. After achieving his first pole position Sebastian Vettel was being touted as a prospect of the future, who would have thought the future would be now. Vettel became the youngest ever winner of a Grand Prix after his stunning victory at Monza and has made the Motorsport world sit up and hail another protege breaking onto the F1 scene.

Vettel's victory is even more special if you take into account the conditions he had to put up with. The driving rain before the race had really taken its toil on the track and the surface water was making it almost impossible to see anything ahead of you. Vettel had the advantage in this respect in that he was at the front, the spray from the other cars would not affect him.

The strategy his team out him on, a one stop worked perfectly. Unlike other competitors he came in at the right time and changed tires at the perfect time, once it was clear that no more rain was expected.

And once he was infront he simply blitzed the field. Second placed Heikki Kovalainen finish eleven seconds adrift of the German and simply had no answer for his aggressive nature.

Not only was it the first victory for Vettel but it was the first win for his team Toro Rosso, the reaction they gave Vettel as he emerged from his soden car was clear to see this was a big day in the lives of the team.

Vettel also showed yesterday, that although people deny it there are other drivers out there apart from Lewis Hamilton and Flippe Massa.

He seems to have captured the hearts of racing fans with his victory and many who had abandoned the sport due to is predictability now have a new found love for it.

Commentators from all over the globe are talking about this being the greatest Grand Prix victory of all time, and boy aren't they right.

Yeovil start the process

It is common knowledge that the transition from the conference to league 2 is very little. Teams that get promoted from the conference can usually be well equipped to go for a double promotion the next season. Hereford United for example did this same feat after there second season in League 2. For a team that had been in the conference for some year and that endured so many close shaves it was quiet an achievement to take just one year to get there team in shape for promotion.

Yeovil Town had a similar transition. After two close shaves in the tricky conference playoffs, Yeovil were promoted to what is now League 2 in 2003. With 95 points and 100 goals the feat looked very impressive.

It took just two years for Yeovil to make there way into League 1, topping the table with the help of Phil Jevons to continue their promotion quest.

As they did in League 2 after there conference promotion they consolidated for a season before having another promotion push. Now without being to synical is this where the mess that they are in now all starts.

After finished fifth in the 2006/07 season Yeovil reached the play-off final facing Blackpool. After bringing a huge suppose Yeovil were beaten 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.

It's always said that playoff final loosing teams always struggle in the next season. Leeds United can profess to that, after loosing against Watford in the Championship play-off final Leeds were relegated to League 1 the following season.

Yeovil, at the back end of last season were heading for a similar fate. They won just four of there last 23 league matches as they plummeted towards the bottom four.

That sort of form isn't just relegation form its would send worry into fans for next season as well. Fortunately the points deduction of Bournemouth saved Yeovil from a proper relegation scrap.

This season however is different there are no points deductions to save them this time, and for once they are really staring down the barrel.

Where do you look for the answers to this collapse in Yeovil's fortunes? Well simply loosing there better players is a factor.

Phil Jevons followed Gary Johnson to Britol City before finding a home at Huddersfield Town, this was as big a loss as any.

Yeovil also underwent a takeover in 2006, and yes the club made the play-off final that season but could fans say its had positive affect on their teams fortunes?

Some look at the performance of the manager Russel Slade. Now it is difficult for me to say he's done a bad job completely, the play-off final defeat for me is still the turning point but he has hardly covered himself in glory since.

In all honesty how he is still in a job and taking the team forward I'm not quiet sure, it's a question Yeovil fans have been asking themselves for to long now.

So what now for Yeovil? Well can you really see them surviving relegation this season as well? i certainly can't. They have the wrong manager for the job at first, and they don't have a squad capable of challenging to stay up either, to be honest even if Slade did go the new man would find it hard to turn it around.

They club missed there chance to get rid of Slade in the summer, and now he is still at the helm it may take this season to re-build for a push at League 2 next season.

They do say for every success there is a failure around the corner, well it seems that there success reaching a play-off final at Wembley is as far as they will go for now, but don't right off a comeback at some point

Oh 'God'

I have watched with some astonishment as Paul Ince has attempted to draft in a number of player on a shoestring budget at Blackburn Rovers. Seven signings have been made this summer only one of which has been signed from another premiership club, a clear sign of the gamble Ince is taking. Paul Robinson, who while he is still a fine goalkeeper has his best days behind him.

Another goalkeeper Mark Bunn has drafter in from Northampton Town as back-up. Elsewhere Keith Andrews, former MK Dons captain has come in to help out his former manager at Dons for around 2 million, and Danny Simpson has come on-loan from Manchester United. The signing of Carlos Villanueva, Chilean player of the year leaves a lot to be desired. The only one that has impressed me in Vincenzo Grella who is a hard working midfield player, I think he could turn out to be a superb signing.

Today however we have had the icing on the cake, the 3 month temporary signing of Robbie Fowler. Now Robbie knows better than anyone that his best days are so far behind them, Dion Dublin is in better form. Not since he left Leeds has he really been in any sort of decent form, even then he was a bit part player in an exciting Leeds side. He then had an very disappointed spell at Manchester City, leaving with a rate of a goal once every four games. His cameo appearance back at Liverpool was more helping out Rafa Benitez by not wasting anymore money on ridiculous foreign signings.

His contract wasn't renewed at Anfield and he want to Cardiff City as they got to the FA Cup Final. Fowlers time at Cardiff was effectively over after he was left out of the Final by Dave Jones.

Now he has found Blackburn Rovers as he career spirals into insignificance. For Fowler personally this is a great coup and I'm very happy for him that he's back in the Premiership. For Ince though its another 'what were you thinking moment'. Why bring a player who is clearly past Premiership quality back into a league where he is doomed to failure.

It a stupid signing and is another sign that Ince is so far out of his depth, he's just lucky this season that the three promoted teams are as bad as they are, otherwise he'd be in huge trouble.

Destination....failure

As if the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo by MK Dons wasn't ridiculous enough West ham have gone a step further recruiting Gianfranco Zola as there new manager to replace Alan Curbishley. Now maybe Di Matteo's lack of experience at League 1 level will see him through at that level, but Zola's experience,which goes as far as the assistant coach for a poor Italian under 21 side, will surely be tested in one of Europe's top leagues.

I'd love to know how Zola conned the West ham board in bringing him in. What could he have possibly said to the question; 'How is your lack of managerial experience going to hinder your success rate at West Ham?. The answer to that question is a lot.

As with every manager there will be a honeymoon period, to be honest there couldn't be a better first game for Zola to value his squad while watching from the stands at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Zola has really got a job on his hands. An injury prone squad which circles around just one player, Dean Ashton in hope for success. How Zola can do anymore than Curbishley, Pardew or even Harry Redknapp for that matter really does confuse me.

The board really should have made more of an effort to keep Alan Curbishley, he was a manager who you knew could do a good job, he had experience and unless he was pushed he wouldn't leave the club for a bigger one. If Zola was in mind for the job then my mind tells me that the board tried to get Curbishley out without burning there own fingers. Why would you get rid of a reliable manager for an inexperienced Italian?

Well in the next few weeks we will find out, and for all I know it could be a partnership that will work as well as Zola did with Chelsea, if it does then West Ham really will be in dream land.

Fabiolous

I'm going to hold my hands up and say I was dreading last night. England, away from home it had all the ingredients of a horrible evening as an England fan. However it turned out to be the best evening at as England supporter since the 5-1 victory in Munich against the old enemy Germany.

A 4-1 win against Croatia was more than any England fan could have expected in there wildest dreams. I would have been hanging from the street-lamps if we had come away with anything more than a point from Zagreb. After this performance it has left me more confused than anything else, how can a team who were so shocking against the Czech Republic and Andorra turn it around a produce the best England performance for seven years.

Well there are a few factors that certainly contribute. First one being the unquestionable arrogance of the Croatian management.

"It's going to be hard and we're full of respect - but we're very confident."

Not sure that's the way to approach a high-charged international against a side you beat home and away. This would have lifted the England players, as if they needed any more motivation. This for me took more pressure off the England players and more on the plucky Croatians.

Secondly, the bold selection policy of England Manager Fabio Capello. Name me one England manager from the last, lets say 15 years who would have left out David Beckham from the line-up instead going for teenager Theo Walcott. The answer is none. No England manager has been able to drop Beckham, even Steve McLaren couldn't go through with it in the end.

Obviously the inclusion of Walcott paid off, three goals and a hugely professional performance from the 19-year old making just his second international start. It was stunning to see him have the potency and threat of a winger with the ball but still have a predatory instinct of a centre forward, reminds of another young protege and look where he is now.

Thirdly and maybe the defining point of England victory last night, being able to pass the ball. England second goal in-particular almost bought a tear to my eye last night. Not because it gave the team a two goal advantage but because it symbolised everything England sides haven't been able to do for as long as I've been watching them.

For years now we have been at teams mercy because of our inability to keep the ball. Portugal, France and Brazil have all put us to the sword and punished us for our poor ball retention, is this the time where we turn the corner. I tell you now no matter who turns out in an England shirt, if the team keep the ball and pass it well they will finally fulfil there potential.

Other plus's include the performance of Emile Heskey, whose hold up a play and the way he held the line was immense and exactly the sort of thing England needed to frustrate the Croatian defence.

And for once Wayne Rooney turned up in a Manchester United shirt and put in a pretty good performance, his ball through to Walcott for the forth goal wasn't difficult but was played superbly by the England number nine.

Also for once England didn't see the need to play with a out-and-out holding midfield player. Both Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard, who actually looked effective in an England shirt for once, interchanged and worked for each other something that I have never seen from a middle of England's midfield.

Any negatives?? Well on the face of it no. The side looked solid and dependable and actually looked like they knew what they were doing. John Terry still worries me a little, he still isn't the commanding presence that he should be in England defense, but that is scrapping the barrel.

Next month we will see the start of the qualifying campaign at home as we host Kazakhstan and then travel to Belarus. These games will shape out qualifying campaign and give us a real idea of where the team is at heading in to 2009. The road to South Africa 2010 has truly started, its nice to see England have joined the party.

Fed-excellent

Last night we saw 1 hour and 40 minutes worth of pure genius. It was mesmeric stuff coming from a man who had been written off more times than Grant Mitchell, but just like the smouldering thug he's back and better than ever.

This man is Roger Federer, world number 2 and now five time US Open champion. The second man ever to win two Grand Slams five times in a row. Rafael Nadal, World Number 1 would have run a mile had he faced Federer last night, the man looked 10 feet tall and so focused on his goal not even a plucky Brit from Glasgow was going to stop him.

The form particularly in the first set was something we haven't seen from the Swiss since his Wimbledon victory against Nadal back in 2006. It was if he was saving this performance up from then and boy didn't he let go.

He was playing shot I never thought he had in him, Murray just perplexed by the athleticism that he showed, a trait he has surely picked up to deal with the quick fire Spaniard.

Murray didn't play badly himself, yes he missed a few forehands now and again, but it was Federer's great drive to keep in every point and wear the British Number 1 down was what was Murray's undoing.

Many had written Federer off after this year's Wimbledon final, a loss to James Blake in this year's Olympic Games showed that the cobwebs hadn't been quiet blown away.

He went into this tournament knowing that not winning would send the vultures circulating his career once more. Even if his progress wasn't smooth you could sense that he was totally focused on the job in hand get to final, and see what happens.

His victory over Djokovic confirmed to many that he was 'back'. His victory over Murray now means he is closing in on reclaiming that World Number 1 position that he has looked after like a baby over these last four years.

For Murray the signs look very good. He was beaten by a superb player at Flushing Meadows, and should be proud of his performance.

Novak Djokovic you will all remember was comprehensively beaten by Federer last year, and then went on to win in Australia at the start of the year, something that is not beyond Murray.

He must not think tat bouncing straight back in the way to get over this defeat. If he wants to stand any chance in Shaghai and then Melbourne he has to prepare well and focus on the job in hand something he did superbly these last two weeks.

So both men can go away as winners here, both knowing that the time ahead could be very fruitful.

Performance of the Week

Well this weeks performance of the week would have been the winner of what is now today's US Open men's final. With so many potential stories behind this years winner it seemed like an obvious choice. Now hurricane Hannah has got in the way and I now have to look elsewhere, however I don't have to go very far.

After a superb second week at the tournament beating Stanlis Wawrinka, Juan Martin Del Potro and finally Rafael Nadal my performance of the week goes to Andy Murray for his stunning four set victory over Nadal last night.

All the ingredients were there for what was set to be a classic encounter Nadal was aiming for his third successive Slam victory, while Murray in his first Grand Slam semi-final was hoping to beat the Spainard for the first time in his career.

Murray got off to the perfect start breaking Nadal in the third game to take a 3-1 lead. He broke the world number one again in the seventh game and eventually took the set 6-2.

The second set, with Nadal again not able to live with Murray's constant baseline domination went the Scot's way. In truth he should have won the set before he eventually did in a tie-break. An incredible 7 break points fell his way without taking any of them before he took his 2 set lead.

Nadal seeked to turn the match around as he took the opening game of the set to open up his own 3-1 lead. Murray created only one chance to get back into the set in the final game before Nadal took it 6-4.

The fourth set started the same way as the third with Nadal taking another break. Murray's resilience that he showed against Del Potro shone through as he saved a double-break point to keep himself in contention. Murray then missed out on 8 break points in the next game as Nadal seemed to be closing out the set.

Murray then sensationally broke back to level the game at 4-4 and send the home crowd into raptures. He severed his own faultless service game out before unleashing upon Nadal, and he finally secured the victory with a backhand after chasing a Ndal drop shot.

This victory is amazing for so many reason, maybe most notable for the man that he beat. Nadal is a man mountain in this sport right now and a victory from anyone against him is notable in itself, in a Grand Slam semi-final is just brilliant.

It is now left to be seen whether he can push on and defeat Roger Federer in tonight's final and secure his first Grand Slam victory.

When your luck's in

Lewis Hamilton road his luck as he picked up an unlikely victory in the Belgium Grand Prix. However just hours after the race he was deducted 25 seconds and dropped two places to third behind Fillipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld.

The incident came with just two laps remaining as Hamilton attempted to overtake leader Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton went off the track and overtook the fin over the corner. Hamilton allowed Raikkonen to re-take him before having another go at overtaking him. He went on to win the race after Raikkonen crashed out on the final lap, but he has now lost his win after officials.

This decision for me is amazing. If Hamilton lets Raikkonen overtake him then surely the advantage is lost, the same distance was retained between the two drivers and the passing could be done.

Hamilton will feel hugely aggrieved if this decision is not overturned. His world championship hopes would yet again be falling apart just like it did last season. Massa would have just a two point deficit over Hamilton with Kimi Raikkonen still in the race.

This isn't the first time Hamilton has been on the wrong end of a decision and if this one were to stand then he could see his championship hopes yet again fall away.

Sky is as far as it goes

Amir Khan looked like a rabbit in headlights last night as Breidis Prescott knocked the Brit out in the first round of his WBO intercontinental lightweight defence last night. The Colombian known for his knock-out blows knocked Khan down twice before having the fight stopped inside 54 seconds.

Khan looked severely light weight against the Colombian and questions will have to be answered about why he was chosen to fight Khan, and whether Khan is really ready for world class opponents.

On this display he isn't even close. I would go as far as to say his career as a boxer is over. He showed last night that against an opponent of any sort of quality he flounders. There were questions asked about Khan durability when hit hard and we all found out last night that he has none whatsoever.

Every fighter gets knocked down at some point in there career, its just the way it goes. But the way Khan was humiliated in Manchester shows to me that this his fourth career knock down will be his last.

The humiliation goes beyond Khan himself. What about Sky themselves. Billing Khan as the next great British boxer on sky behind the likes of Lennox Lewis and Ricky Hatton. How they could give him such a high billing when Khan isn't even a proven boxer is absurd.

I wouldn't be surprised if many customers were asking for a refund after last night debacle, and rightly so.

Frank Warren isn't coming out of last night with any plaudits either. He, and Khan's new trainer will take the blame for the choosing of Prescott.

In my opinion it is a good thing that Prescott was chosen so we can all find out what sort of fighter Khan is, and we really did see his true colours, better we find out now than in a world title fight, an event which would be truly laughable.

Even worse for Warren is he now without any main headline boxers. Alex Arthur's defeat earlier in the evening, and Audley Harrison's awful points victory gives Warren a real dilemma.

So overall a real loose-loose situation for all parties last night apart from Prescott, he showed the boxing world that he is a force to be recond with. With 18 knock-outs from 20 fights he really is an executioner lets wait and see what his next scalp shall be.

England Crickets Summer Review

England have been throught the highs and lows this summer and in no uncertain terms I'm going to some it up as best I can and whether we have progressed, or taken a step back.

England started with a 3 match series against New Zealand which they won comfortably 2-0. New Zealand to be fair we're no real threat and an innings and 9 run victory in the third test unlined England's superiority in the test match arena aginst the Kiwi's.

In between and test match and one day series was a one off 20/20 international which England won by nine wickets, this was the last time England would be celebrating as New Zealand dominated the one day series winning 3-1. A series in partiular Paul Collingwood won't want to remember as he controvercly ran out Scott Styris when the allrounder was knocked to the floor by Ryan Sidebottom. Collingwood was then banned for four ODI's for his teams slow over rate and then after just a year as the one-day captain he resigned in the wake of Michael Vaughan's resignation as test captain.

Then came South Africa as the intensity heightened for England Cricketers ahead of the ashes series next year.

South Africa held out at Lords as England's bowlers were left frustrated, and South Africa tok advantage of wayward England bowling, and there crazy selection process. Firstly the option to bring in Darren Patinson for the second test backfired like a cannon as England slumped to a heavy defeat. For the next test Stuart Broad was 'rested' even though he played for Nottingham shire in the same week and infact recorded his best ever figures for them, really showing the selectors that he needed a rest. Graham Smith guided his team to there first series victory since there re-instament into test cricket in 1995.

Michael Vaughan then stepped down as England captain siteing that he had come to the end of the road. A teary Vaughan was then dropped from the team for the fourth test as Kevin Pietersen was made captain in all forms of the game. A risky appointment became a good one when South Africa came unstuck as England finished the series with a consolation win at the Oval.

England finished there summer with 5 ODI's against the South African which seemed like an unhill struggle with South Africa third in the world at the time of the series. However England pulled together and with the call ups of Sami Patel and Owais Shah inpartiulary helped England to a 4-0 win in the series. Pietersen again showing that his batting wasn't to be affected as he led England to a huge win. Flintoff's return in the test matches was a little overshadowed by the poor performances that the team were putting in but he shone in the one-day series.

He put himself as the best all-rounder in the world as he hit 186 runs in the series. His comeback to form coninsided with England as he confirmed himself as yet again England most vital player.

So in conclusion was it a good summer. Well apart from the test series against South Africa deffinetly a yes. The one day series win against the same country was the high point of the summer and very pleasing considering where England were this time last year.

Under Pietersen England look a more exciting team, just like Pietersen's playing style. With India being the next challenge we will wait to see whether Pietersen's honeymoon period as captain will extend into the winter months.

Winning ugly

I seem to being US Open crazy this week and rightly so this has been one of the most exciting 10 days of sport that I have seen this summer, and long let it continue. Predictably however, unlike this tournament I am going to talk about the prodical son Andy Murray.

The British number 1 fought through his quarter-final match in four sets against Juan Martin Del Potro to reach his first grand slam semi-final. When comparing Murray's pefformance and how he has grown as the tourament has gone on leads to believe that he has a lot more in the tank.

His performance against Stanlis Wawrinka was stunning even by his standards a 'perfect' victory is the only way to describe it. He didn't put a foot wrong all match and dominated the number 10 seed.

Against Del Potro however I saw slightly different qualities that he didn't show against Wawrinka. He wasn't as flowing as the Argentine nor was he on the attack as much. He played very defensive and picked off the 19-year old when a chance came his way. His style of play was very patient and this is a good trate if he is to suceed against Rafael Nadal.

Del Potro had clearly done his home work on Murray. It was clear to me that he targetted the Brit's backhand on every occasion he got, and yet Murray can still come home with a win? it strikes me as a very impressive performance.

Murray had done a bit of work to. He learnt to hang back during and rallies a wait for Del Potro to become frustrated and go for an impossible winner. His defensive style reminds me of Nadal who as we know is the defensive king.

The Scot also showed a huge amount character to not let that occasion get ontop of him. Del Potro clearly had the mometnum going into the fourth set and even after being broken he kept his nerve and broke back and then went ahead as he headed towards a 7-5 win in the fourth.

The traits he showed in this match show to me that he can dominate the match even when he isn't the main aggressor. His role in last nights match was very passive and he allowed himself to focus on the job in hand.

Yes he has his work cut out against Nadal in the semi-final but for me if he is ever going to beat the Spainard it is hear and now. Is he ready? I think so

US Open Quarter Final Preview

Before I start this blog I have to say this is one of the strongest last eight I have seen at a Grand Clam for some time. I honestly believe that these are the eight best players in the world right now, no doubt. Therefore I expect a climax that will rival Wimbledon of 2007, it could be special.

Rafael Nadal vs. Mardy Fish: Both men have cruised through the first week to get to this stage and couldn't be in better form right now. Nadal as we all know is in the middle of a purple patch and a period of his career that might never compare to this. This is surely his moment to shine. His serve in this tournament has particulary impressed me and has varstly improved, like he could improve anymore. Fish, as good as he is should be knocked aside here really, not only has he played more sets and games than Nadal but Nadal holds five years in age over the American. Nadal in four sets for me

Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Andy Murray: Probably the most even of the quarter-finals pits the British Number one against the fastest improving player on the tour. Murray is in his second Grand Slam quarter-final of the year and his second in his career to highlight his own resurgence. Del Potro is in a streak of form that even Rafael Nadal would be jealous of. Four sucessive tourmanment wins has taken Del Potro from a world ranking of 67 to number 17 in the world. This last eight achievement will improve his ranking even more as he ste shis sights on a top ten finish. Murray played what was comprehensivly his best match on tour, it was perfect in everyway. This should be a facinating match and with the winner set to meet Nadal in the semi-final it will be all to play for. I'm going for the sixth seed Andy Murray in five sets over his Argentine rival.

Andy Roddick vs. Novak Djokovic: For me this is the pick of the quarter-final line-up former US Open champion Roddick against Australian Open Champion Djokovic. The serb's form has slid a little since his Aussie Open win, a 3rd round exit at Wimbledon combined with a Masters series loss against Andy Murray has let Djokovic down since his galent victory in Melbourne. Roddick has been in a transition period in his career. After a disapointing Wimbledon his resurgence has been slow but encouraging for the home faithful. Both men will be eagert to have a go at Roger Federer after the year he has had and would fancy themselves to make the final if pitted against the swede. I think this could be a classic and I can barely pick a winner. I'll stick my neck out and go for Roddick with the home crowd behind him to come home in five.

Giles Muller vs. Rodger Federer: Federer has had a comfortable journey to this years quarter final and with all the attention on Nadal he has finally been able to get on with his tennis. Muller has impressed hugely on his way to this stage and has knocke dout some high profile opponents. Nicoly Davydenko the number fifth seed underestimated Muller has he heraded for a defeat in four sets. This man should not be underestimated, Federer whoose five set match in the fourth round showed that5 hs is vulnerable will not want the vulture circuling his career just yet. Federer for me in straight sets to meet his old rival Andy Roddick in the semi-final.

Performance of the Week

I thought I would start a new feature this week as sports are getting going all overt the country i thought it would be right to pick out my best player, referee, team whatever I thought was the best of the sporting week just past.

This week we start off with a real cracker, Billy Clarke's four goal performance for Darlington as they beat Macclesfield 6-0 on Saturday. Clarke became the first ever Darlington player to score four goals in a match as the Quakers destroyed lowly Macclesfield. Clarke, a former Ipswich Town youth player is currently on a 6 month loan with the club after short spells at both Falkirk and Colchester United. Jim Magilton has hesitated when using Clarke in his first team at Portman Road, but this stunning array of finishing might just make Magilton think again after his team poor start to the season

Clarke simply ripped apart Macclesfield on Saturday, but his second goal will be the one to remember. Picking the ball up 30 yard out he unleashed a cracking striker with his left foot which arrowed into the top corner, past the despairing John Brian. Clarke now has a goal a game ratio for the Quakers who after being forlorn of strikers at the one point in the season are now feeling the benefits of the extended transfer window.