For those who questioned whether Gary Neville would be bold enough to criticise former team-mates, it will have been both surprising and refreshing to read his comments on the current England team.
Neville wasted little time dismissing England's Euro 2012 chances, pointing to a lack of creativity.
For the former Manchester United man's thoughts, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15232130.stm
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Saturday, 8 October 2011
MLB: Championship Series Dominate Week Ahead
All year, it was assumed that the Philadelphia Phillies were on a collision course for either the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 World Series. But, with the field narrowed to just four teams, all three of these contenders have been left to watch the action from the sidelines.
Boston flopped so badly down the stretch that they failed to reach the post-season at all while the Yankees and Phillies were edged out by the Detroit Tigers and St Louis Cardinals respectively. And so, we have Tigers-Texas Rangers and Cardinals-Milwaukee Brewers to look forward to, with the two winners advancing to the World Series.
Texas took Game 1 of their series 3-2 on Saturday night while St Louis and Milwaukee kick off on Sunday afternoon. We like the prospects of a Rangers-Brewers World Series but look forward to plenty more drama before we get there.
Boston flopped so badly down the stretch that they failed to reach the post-season at all while the Yankees and Phillies were edged out by the Detroit Tigers and St Louis Cardinals respectively. And so, we have Tigers-Texas Rangers and Cardinals-Milwaukee Brewers to look forward to, with the two winners advancing to the World Series.
Texas took Game 1 of their series 3-2 on Saturday night while St Louis and Milwaukee kick off on Sunday afternoon. We like the prospects of a Rangers-Brewers World Series but look forward to plenty more drama before we get there.
NFL: Week 5 Picks
The first bye week of the NFL season cuts the weekend schedule down to 13 games. We pick the most enticing betting lines.
Eagles (-3) @ Bills: Philadelphia are due a bounce back from their 1-3 start while the jury is still out on the Bills. The Eagles also know that a loss puts their post season hopes in serious jeopardy and that motivtion should be enough to spark a timely win. Pick: Eagles
Raiders (+5.5) @ Texans: Don't be fooled by last weekend's results for these two teams. Oakland have been impressive this year and just came up against a Patriots team that proved a match-up nightmare. Houston, meanwhile, stuttered to a win over depleted Pittsburgh. Plus, the Texans have no Andre Johnson. Pick: Raiders
Chargers (-3.5) @ Broncos: The free-scoring San Diego offense is always tough to pick against. Phillip Rivers is due a big passing day and Denver have done little thus far to suggest they can compete on the same level as the Chargers. Hard to believe San Diego won't win by at least a touchdown. Pick: Chargers
Packers (-5.5) @ Falcons: Not the easiest game to call because you fear for Atlanta unleashing their fury after last year's playoff loss. But Green Bay just has so many weapons that you can't go wrong picking the champs to cover in this one, especially with Aaron Rodgers out to stuff Brett Favre's words down his throat. Pick: Packers
Eagles (-3) @ Bills: Philadelphia are due a bounce back from their 1-3 start while the jury is still out on the Bills. The Eagles also know that a loss puts their post season hopes in serious jeopardy and that motivtion should be enough to spark a timely win. Pick: Eagles
Raiders (+5.5) @ Texans: Don't be fooled by last weekend's results for these two teams. Oakland have been impressive this year and just came up against a Patriots team that proved a match-up nightmare. Houston, meanwhile, stuttered to a win over depleted Pittsburgh. Plus, the Texans have no Andre Johnson. Pick: Raiders
Chargers (-3.5) @ Broncos: The free-scoring San Diego offense is always tough to pick against. Phillip Rivers is due a big passing day and Denver have done little thus far to suggest they can compete on the same level as the Chargers. Hard to believe San Diego won't win by at least a touchdown. Pick: Chargers
Packers (-5.5) @ Falcons: Not the easiest game to call because you fear for Atlanta unleashing their fury after last year's playoff loss. But Green Bay just has so many weapons that you can't go wrong picking the champs to cover in this one, especially with Aaron Rodgers out to stuff Brett Favre's words down his throat. Pick: Packers
Basketball: Regular Season To Take Hit On Monday
No NBA lockout meetings are scheduled for this weekend and that means no hope of salvaging the first two weeks of the regular season. If Commissioner David Stern follows through on his threat, the November 1 opener will be one of many games to be cancelled.
Several sources believe that the owners and players have made too much progress to throw a full season away, predicting that a shortened season beginning in Dec is a good bet at this stage.
One thing is for sure, though. The wait for NBA basketball goes on for at least another six weeks.
Several sources believe that the owners and players have made too much progress to throw a full season away, predicting that a shortened season beginning in Dec is a good bet at this stage.
One thing is for sure, though. The wait for NBA basketball goes on for at least another six weeks.
Football: Squeaky Bum Time for Henry and Red Bulls
Three months ago, Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls were sitting pretty at the top of MLS' Eastern Conference. Then the wheels came off, with an eight-game winless run allowing the chasing pack to first close the gap, then surge ahead.
The good news for the Red Bulls, who currently occupy fifth spot in the East but only trail the leaders by five points, is that they still have three weeks to save their season. That means they have enough time to at least clinch one of the four playoff wild card spots or even top the conference.
If New York are to do so, though, much will depend on a trio who made their names in English football. Former Arsenal talisman Henry's importance to the Red Bulls’ cause needs little explanation. The Frenchman leads the team with 13 goals, provides the bulk of the cutting edge up front and represents the star quality that brings fans flocking to watch the team.
But Henry cannot do it all himself and needs more from two team-mates who also gained experience across the pond. First, his strike partner Luke Rodgers has plenty to prove. The 5"8 poacher bounced around the Football League, starring for Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Yeovil and Notts County while also making headlines for questionable off-field behaviour. But Rodgers now has the chance to make real strides. At 29, his best football should still be ahead of him and he has the perfect mentor in Henry.
And then there is Teemu Tainio, the former Tottenham midfielder. The Finn joined the Red Bulls in March and his midfield partnership with Rafael Marquez ranks among the league's best on paper. But with Marquez spending time in the back four, they have had limited opportunities to gel. Tainio must turn the corner in the final three games and become a more dominant presence.
Only the MLS could have brought together these three players, from very different backgrounds and with contrasting levels of success, and they will be expected to play leading roles down the home stretch as the Red Bulls bid to avoid one of the worst collapses in league history.
The testing run of results has clearly taken its toll on manager Hans Backe and his players. Marquez hardly helped matters when, after a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, he said: “I almost didn’t commit any errors, so I am not worried. I think I am playing at my maximum level, and doing everything I can. I don’t have, unfortunately, four defenders on my level that can help me out.”
The good news for the Red Bulls, who currently occupy fifth spot in the East but only trail the leaders by five points, is that they still have three weeks to save their season. That means they have enough time to at least clinch one of the four playoff wild card spots or even top the conference.
If New York are to do so, though, much will depend on a trio who made their names in English football. Former Arsenal talisman Henry's importance to the Red Bulls’ cause needs little explanation. The Frenchman leads the team with 13 goals, provides the bulk of the cutting edge up front and represents the star quality that brings fans flocking to watch the team.
But Henry cannot do it all himself and needs more from two team-mates who also gained experience across the pond. First, his strike partner Luke Rodgers has plenty to prove. The 5"8 poacher bounced around the Football League, starring for Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Yeovil and Notts County while also making headlines for questionable off-field behaviour. But Rodgers now has the chance to make real strides. At 29, his best football should still be ahead of him and he has the perfect mentor in Henry.
And then there is Teemu Tainio, the former Tottenham midfielder. The Finn joined the Red Bulls in March and his midfield partnership with Rafael Marquez ranks among the league's best on paper. But with Marquez spending time in the back four, they have had limited opportunities to gel. Tainio must turn the corner in the final three games and become a more dominant presence.
Only the MLS could have brought together these three players, from very different backgrounds and with contrasting levels of success, and they will be expected to play leading roles down the home stretch as the Red Bulls bid to avoid one of the worst collapses in league history.
The testing run of results has clearly taken its toll on manager Hans Backe and his players. Marquez hardly helped matters when, after a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, he said: “I almost didn’t commit any errors, so I am not worried. I think I am playing at my maximum level, and doing everything I can. I don’t have, unfortunately, four defenders on my level that can help me out.”
For the rest of the article, visit http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/10/05/thierry-henry-co-under-microscope-at-ny-red-bulls/50335/
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Basketball: Regular Season In Grave Danger
Tuesday was billed as a very important day in the NBA CBA negotiations. Kind of do or die. It ended with glum faces all round, putting the start of the regular season in major doubt.
If a deal hasn't been struck by Monday, Commissioner David Stern will be forced to start cancelling portions of the schedule. The season is slated to start on November 1 with the champion Dallas Mavericks facing the Chicago Bulls but hope of that game taking place as planned has faded fast.
All signs point to talks dragging on throughout the month, meaning that a shortened season is far and away the likeliest outcome. Stay tuned for updates.
If a deal hasn't been struck by Monday, Commissioner David Stern will be forced to start cancelling portions of the schedule. The season is slated to start on November 1 with the champion Dallas Mavericks facing the Chicago Bulls but hope of that game taking place as planned has faded fast.
All signs point to talks dragging on throughout the month, meaning that a shortened season is far and away the likeliest outcome. Stay tuned for updates.
Football: Bradley Ready for Egypt Test
On a scale of difficulty, raising the profile of football in the United States must rank on a par with managing a highly-rated team amid a different culture and language. So for Bob Bradley, the former US national team boss, taking over as Egypt manager should not be as overwhelming as it might seem.
The 53-year-old, who was also linked with the Aston Villa job earlier in the year, has been presented with both a challenge and an opportunity. On the one hand, though Egypt have established a proud international record, with three consecutive African Cup of Nations (ACN) triumphs sending expectations through the roof, the golden era is in danger of fizzling out as senior players opt for retirement and results dip alarmingly.
Bradley has been identified as the man to stop the rot and he enters a dressing room that is still recovering from the shock of failing to qualify for the 2012 ACN, which is an indication of how this mighty squad has fallen. Restoring confidence will be no easy feat.
Then throw in the cultural and linguistic difficulties for an American working in the Middle East along with the political instability that has rocked the country – clearly, Bradley will take time to get his bearings and adjust. In that sense, it is no bad thing that Egypt missed the boat for next year’s ACN in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Bradley will have close to nine months to survey the options at his disposal before the journey towards the 2014 World Cup begins.
But amid all the obstacles lies a huge opportunity. This appointment is a huge boost for the profile of the sport in the US and speaks volumes for the progress Bradley made in his four and a half years at the helm. Given that the sport is so often competing against basketball, baseball and the NFL, the headlines are not exactly plentiful and Bradley’s achievements have somewhat gone under the radar.
From victory over Mexico in the Gold Cup final in 2007 and success in CONCACAF qualifiers to a second place finish in the 2009 Confederations Cup – beating Spain along the way – Bradley had a huge impact as US boss. The Americans also produced a creditable showing in South Africa last summer, drawing 1-1 with England in the group stage and reaching the last 16 before bowing out to Ghana. Bradley’s final act was to guide the US to another Gold Cup final, which ended in a loss to Mexico.
Previous examples of American coaches entrusted with managerial roles for other nations are thin on the ground – there are just a handful of other instances and one of those was back in 1930. So if Bradley can surpass expectations in the Egypt job, doors will open for other US coaches. If nothing else, it is a reminder that the rest of the football world has been paying close attention to the Americans’ improvements.
For the rest of the article, visit http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/10/04/new-egypt-boss-bob-bradley-flying-us-coaching-flag/50279/
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