Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Once more for luck...
The prediction all ManU supporters wanted to hear: United will pay for not taking their chances in the first leg - Arsenal to progress to the Champions League final.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Superfight? Not quite
Hatton v Pacquiao this weekend is a big fight, no question – but it’s no Leonard v Hagler. Hatton’s limitations were brutally exposed by Mayweather and it’s obvious he’s only comfortable when fighting at 140 pounds. To be considered great in this day and age, you need to be able to perform at multiple weights – or at least dominate at a ‘true’ weight class. And whilst Pacquiao is unquestionably a great fighter, I don’t rate him as the pound-for-pound king – I’d put him third behind Marquez (who won at least one, and arguably both, of their fights) and Hopkins; only fourth if (as seems increasingly likely) Mayweather comes out of retirement. Furthermore, it’s unclear how comfortable Pacquiao will be fighting at such a weight (you can dismiss his last outing - De La Hoya was clearly shot). Don’t forget, he started out at 112 pounds – indeed, if he beats Hatton, Pacquiao will become the first boxer in history to claim a lineal title in four divisions (112, 126, 130 and 140). Hatton has been dominant at Junior Welterweight for a number of years, so certainly has a chance of winning. But that won’t make him the pound-for-pound king. And this isn’t a superfight.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
The rat deserts the sinking ship...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/8025908.stm
How predictable. Well good ridance I say - now bring back Hodgson on a lifetime contract.
How predictable. Well good ridance I say - now bring back Hodgson on a lifetime contract.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Bet your house on it
Given my previous record, I've been asked by some Man Utd supporters to make public my verdict on the outcome of tomorrow's tie. Happy to oblige - Utd will be knocked out and Porto will advance to the semi-finals. Guaranteed fact.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
How sporting?
The latest Observer Sport Monthly Top Ten - most sporting gestures - can be viewed here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/mar/29/10-sporting-gestures
Since I expect they will (once again) fail to print my response, I’ll detail it here. The main problem is that many of the gestures, laudable though they are, weren’t made by losers. Jack Nicklaus only conceded Tony Jacklin’s putt in the 1969 Ryder Cup after he’d already secured a tie in the match, thereby ensuring that the USA retained the trophy. Would Nicklaus have made a similar concession if Jacklin’s two-foot effort had been to win the cup? Similarly, would Paolo di Canio have caught the ball against Everton if West Ham had been losing the match? Both Andrew Flintoff and John Landy were victorious, whilst Bobby Jones’ gesture is somewhat diminished by the fact that it was made during the opening round of the tournament, not on the final day - when the consequences of his actions would have been far more significant. The last two entries on the list are plain nonsense, which only leaves the gestures by Lutz Long, Stirling Moss and Judy Guinness as truly meaningful. A number of sporting figures who repeatedly made such gestures don’t feature in the list. Legendary batsman Brian Lara always ‘walked’, even though the majority of his contemporaries refused to do likewise. Snooker star Jimmy White was the epitome of sportsmanship, frequently owning up to accidental fouls which the referee had failed to spot. And how could such a list fail to include The Corinthians, who believed that 'fair play' was an intrinsic part of football? When a penalty was awarded against them, the goalkeeper stood to one side, leaving an empty net. Can you get any more sporting than that?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/mar/29/10-sporting-gestures
Since I expect they will (once again) fail to print my response, I’ll detail it here. The main problem is that many of the gestures, laudable though they are, weren’t made by losers. Jack Nicklaus only conceded Tony Jacklin’s putt in the 1969 Ryder Cup after he’d already secured a tie in the match, thereby ensuring that the USA retained the trophy. Would Nicklaus have made a similar concession if Jacklin’s two-foot effort had been to win the cup? Similarly, would Paolo di Canio have caught the ball against Everton if West Ham had been losing the match? Both Andrew Flintoff and John Landy were victorious, whilst Bobby Jones’ gesture is somewhat diminished by the fact that it was made during the opening round of the tournament, not on the final day - when the consequences of his actions would have been far more significant. The last two entries on the list are plain nonsense, which only leaves the gestures by Lutz Long, Stirling Moss and Judy Guinness as truly meaningful. A number of sporting figures who repeatedly made such gestures don’t feature in the list. Legendary batsman Brian Lara always ‘walked’, even though the majority of his contemporaries refused to do likewise. Snooker star Jimmy White was the epitome of sportsmanship, frequently owning up to accidental fouls which the referee had failed to spot. And how could such a list fail to include The Corinthians, who believed that 'fair play' was an intrinsic part of football? When a penalty was awarded against them, the goalkeeper stood to one side, leaving an empty net. Can you get any more sporting than that?
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Fallacious prediction #2734
Okay, I know I should have learnt my lesson after predicting that Man Utd might have blown it by only drawing 0-0 at Barcelona in the Champions League last season. I just have this feeling they're going to pay the price for not converting any of the chances they created against Inter last week. The fact they were so dominant against Fulham at the weekend only increases my fears. I just don't see United playing that well again on Wednesday - and surely Inter can't play as badly as they did in the first leg? If it wasn’t Mourninho I’d certainly favour United – but as it’s him, I’m afraid I’m expecting the worst…
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