So this year's Six Nations is well and truly underway. And what an excellent set of games we've had so far! France, beaten away in Rome and then at home to Wales. Italy, displaying courage to defeat France and then timidity in the face of Scotland. Wales, reeling from 8 back to back losses cutting up the turf at the Stade de France on their way to an historic victory. Scotland, cut open by a rampant England and then ruining Italian hearts at Murrayfield.
That brings us on to the two teams that face each other today, Ireland and England. The only two teams left who can complete the Grand Slam. Ireland looked masterful last weekend. They controlled large parts of the game and prevented Wales from getting quick balls at the breakdown. England were equally brilliant against Scotland, but then it's difficult not to be when you're playing for the oldest trophy in rugby.
So, how will they fare this afternoon? Who will triumph? Well, I can certainly say one thing. Neither team will complete the Grand Slam. Previously, when there have been contenders, the 'Grand Slam' match comes towards the end. Either the penultimate game or the final match. The pressure on whoever wins today will be tremendous. Usually by this point you'd see the top three teams winning their first two matches and vying for the crown. This time, Italy is well in the mix and France has lost twice!
Going back to the match today, it will be an interesting one. Stuart Lancaster has got this England team playing a brand of rugby I haven't seen in a white and red shirt for about 6 years. Simple, efficient and effortless is how you'd describe it. The ball doesn't spent nearly as much time in the air as it used to. I alway got the feeling that Martin Johnson never trusted his backs, which was why you would always see them kicking the ball, unnecessarily wasting possession.
I like this new/old England. But not as much as I enjoy watching the Irish on their day. Owen Farrell is starting to come into his own as England's number 10, but Johnny Sexton has a few years under his belt at fly-half and looks like keeping that shirt for quite a few more. His intelligence in setting up his backs, the speed at which he throws himself into tackles and the attack and his combined kicking ability remind me of another number 10, also called Johnny.
He's also had the luxury of playing alongside D'Arcy and O'Driscoll, two of the best centres to ever grace the international stage. Farrell hasn't had that opportunity. Don't get me wrong, Brad Barritt will grow into a fine centre and Twelvetrees looked immense on his debut against Scotland, but they don't have the experience. This England back line is learning together and we're yet to see whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. What we do know, however, is that this game this afternoon is going to be one of the all-time greats.
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Sunday 10 February 2013
Tuesday 5 February 2013
F1 - 40 Days To Go
I am really excited about the upcoming Formula 1 season. It promises to be one of the most unpredictable seasons we've had for a long time.
Hamilton has now moved from McLaren to Mercedes which now means that the fastest driver on the grid is no longer in the fastest car. I think he will do well there, but eventually move on. Mercedes aren't that competitive. The new partnership at McLaren sure looks interesting. I doubt Perez will push Button as much as Hamilton did, but then he wasn't really pressurised by Barrichello in 2009 was he? I rate Perez. Some of his races last season for Sauber were impressive. He's a man who knows his car and his tyres and can set it up and race a different race than the other drivers. Imagine that in a car that can actually challenge for championships.
Now onto Ferrari, who have an unchanged lineup from last year. That's great, it really is. Alonso is a superb driver, as is Massa. He really started to recover the form he had in 2008 towards the end of last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see both drivers in the hunt this year. The question is, if Massa is ahead of Alonso come Hungary, will Ferrari still favour Fernando?
And finally Red Bull, who have yet to unveil the car they hope will deliver them their fourth championship in a row. Again, an unchanged driver lineup but don't be surprised to hear rumours of drivers replacing Webber towards the end of the season. It happens. He should stay and retire with them rather than be ousted and not have the opportunity to retire gracefully. Rubens Barrichello never got that chance, which was a shame for such a record breaker.
So, will it be four for Vettel? Will Hamilton win a Grand Prix? Or will Alonso finally win with Ferrari? The season begins in 40 days time.
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Hamilton has now moved from McLaren to Mercedes which now means that the fastest driver on the grid is no longer in the fastest car. I think he will do well there, but eventually move on. Mercedes aren't that competitive. The new partnership at McLaren sure looks interesting. I doubt Perez will push Button as much as Hamilton did, but then he wasn't really pressurised by Barrichello in 2009 was he? I rate Perez. Some of his races last season for Sauber were impressive. He's a man who knows his car and his tyres and can set it up and race a different race than the other drivers. Imagine that in a car that can actually challenge for championships.
Now onto Ferrari, who have an unchanged lineup from last year. That's great, it really is. Alonso is a superb driver, as is Massa. He really started to recover the form he had in 2008 towards the end of last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see both drivers in the hunt this year. The question is, if Massa is ahead of Alonso come Hungary, will Ferrari still favour Fernando?
And finally Red Bull, who have yet to unveil the car they hope will deliver them their fourth championship in a row. Again, an unchanged driver lineup but don't be surprised to hear rumours of drivers replacing Webber towards the end of the season. It happens. He should stay and retire with them rather than be ousted and not have the opportunity to retire gracefully. Rubens Barrichello never got that chance, which was a shame for such a record breaker.
So, will it be four for Vettel? Will Hamilton win a Grand Prix? Or will Alonso finally win with Ferrari? The season begins in 40 days time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday 4 February 2013
The Season So Far
So we've just had the Super Bowl. That can only mean one thing: we are well over halfway through the regular, associated, football season.
Manchester Uniter are currently sitting 9 points clear at the top of the table, Pep Guardiola will shortly be making his way to Munich and Arsenal have managed to sign a delicious sharing starter for 2.
So what should be made of all this? What did the January transfer window spell for each individual club? More to the point, now that Mario Balotelli has upped sticks and moved back home, is it safe to walk the streets of Manchester without being shot at with a BB gun or have a firework thrown at us?
I feel that United deserve to be where they are. If they can find a decent keeper then there's no reason why they can't win the Treble again. With a strike force capable of levelling small towns and a midfield to which small doses of bull testosterone is given in the form of ever-presents Giggs and Scholes, it's not a surprise at all to see them where they are. Van Persie is a maestro, £24m well spent. Rooney, a pit bull with no elegance, no finesse but he scores, and that's what he's paid to do.
Guardiola, I wish you the best of luck. You are inheriting a very talented squad. To which, I am sure, you will add your own inimitable touches. However, I doubt you will be as successful. But what does it matter? For £10m a year, I'll happily manage Bayern. Hell, I'd shave body parts for that money. Whatever you do, how much money you spend, you will never have a squad that even touches what you had at Barcelona. Which is a shame, because I feel you're a great coach. Most coaches work their whole lives to bring together a squad like Barça's. it was handed to you.
So my beautiful club bought Nacho Monreal. Who? Exactly. After two months of 'will he, won't he' David Villa stayed at Barcelona and we sneakily bought another left back. I can see why though. Walcott, Giroud and Podolski are scary on their day so Villa would struggle to get game time right now. Coupled with that the fact that every time Andre Santos comes onto the pitch there's a collective groan from the Arsenal fans and Monreal seems like the most sensible but of the two. He was plunged straight into the Stoke game. A baptism of fire seeing as Stoke haven't played a game of associated football in 15 years. Monreal might as well have signed up for the Six Nations. A good buy, well done Arsene.
So, he's gone. Packed up his bags and, for the princely sum of £19m, moved to AC Milan where he scored twice, on his debut. So where does this leave Manchester City? Well, a major bonus is 11 men on the pitch. But, he has left big boots to fill. He might be a nutter but he's a nutter who scores goals. And sets them up, and is involved as much as possible. Dzeko and Agüero are not like that. They are both fantastic strikers but they're lazy. Agüero isn't scoring right now anyway. They needed him in the last minutes at Anfield the other day, they can't rely on him all the time. From a team made of nothing but strikers, City now have 3. An that's not enough to win you the premiership. Sir Alex starts 3 strikers. That's why United are top. Strength in depth.
Finally, no. You will be shot at in Manchester. It's Manchester. There are parts of it even Brixton boys don't go to. And I might be moving there!
Thanks all, see you next time!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Manchester Uniter are currently sitting 9 points clear at the top of the table, Pep Guardiola will shortly be making his way to Munich and Arsenal have managed to sign a delicious sharing starter for 2.
So what should be made of all this? What did the January transfer window spell for each individual club? More to the point, now that Mario Balotelli has upped sticks and moved back home, is it safe to walk the streets of Manchester without being shot at with a BB gun or have a firework thrown at us?
I feel that United deserve to be where they are. If they can find a decent keeper then there's no reason why they can't win the Treble again. With a strike force capable of levelling small towns and a midfield to which small doses of bull testosterone is given in the form of ever-presents Giggs and Scholes, it's not a surprise at all to see them where they are. Van Persie is a maestro, £24m well spent. Rooney, a pit bull with no elegance, no finesse but he scores, and that's what he's paid to do.
Guardiola, I wish you the best of luck. You are inheriting a very talented squad. To which, I am sure, you will add your own inimitable touches. However, I doubt you will be as successful. But what does it matter? For £10m a year, I'll happily manage Bayern. Hell, I'd shave body parts for that money. Whatever you do, how much money you spend, you will never have a squad that even touches what you had at Barcelona. Which is a shame, because I feel you're a great coach. Most coaches work their whole lives to bring together a squad like Barça's. it was handed to you.
So my beautiful club bought Nacho Monreal. Who? Exactly. After two months of 'will he, won't he' David Villa stayed at Barcelona and we sneakily bought another left back. I can see why though. Walcott, Giroud and Podolski are scary on their day so Villa would struggle to get game time right now. Coupled with that the fact that every time Andre Santos comes onto the pitch there's a collective groan from the Arsenal fans and Monreal seems like the most sensible but of the two. He was plunged straight into the Stoke game. A baptism of fire seeing as Stoke haven't played a game of associated football in 15 years. Monreal might as well have signed up for the Six Nations. A good buy, well done Arsene.
So, he's gone. Packed up his bags and, for the princely sum of £19m, moved to AC Milan where he scored twice, on his debut. So where does this leave Manchester City? Well, a major bonus is 11 men on the pitch. But, he has left big boots to fill. He might be a nutter but he's a nutter who scores goals. And sets them up, and is involved as much as possible. Dzeko and Agüero are not like that. They are both fantastic strikers but they're lazy. Agüero isn't scoring right now anyway. They needed him in the last minutes at Anfield the other day, they can't rely on him all the time. From a team made of nothing but strikers, City now have 3. An that's not enough to win you the premiership. Sir Alex starts 3 strikers. That's why United are top. Strength in depth.
Finally, no. You will be shot at in Manchester. It's Manchester. There are parts of it even Brixton boys don't go to. And I might be moving there!
Thanks all, see you next time!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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