As someone living in Canberra and a big fan of football I would love to see a HAL team here but I feel consistent crowd numbers may be an issue. But with the majority of Canberra’s major sporting teams (Raiders, Brumbies, GWS a few times a season) all playing throughout winter, the summer market is definitely open. There is no major cricket team here and the GWS has proved that new teams can bring big crowds to the area. Football itself is popular in the ACT with many people keen for Asian Cup 2015 matches here and despite the local competition not being the highest quality or most popular local sport, the winter congestion may have something to do with that as the local league and union comps are a good standard with the matches also usually entertaining. With the two universities here and many areas in Canberra going through massive growth there is a diverse range of people, and young people in particular, and I personally know that football is something that a lot of people like. Socceroos, EPL and A-League conversations are a common theme with a lot of my friends. The continuous success of the club would be a big issue as Canberra loves jumping on the bandwagon (the Brumbies are a current example while everything was green in the Raiders’ run to the 2009 finals) so I feel people could desert the team if they’re struggling. But overall I think the Canberra option is definitely viable but I feel the Gong option would probably be less of a risk.

Tottenham have now officially confirmed the signing of pacey Belgian international winger Nacer Chadli from Twente. Looks like a good signing and Villas-Boas will now focus on Soldado and keeping Bale at White Hart Lane. Also, reports coming out that Liverpool want Soldado if Suarez leaves so it really does look like the EPL is set for an exciting final month with a number of dramatic tug-of-wars over players sure to dominate the headlines for the coming weeks. Rooney, Suarez, Bale and Fellaini are just a few of the big names sure to be in the news. Looking forward to it!

As nickoldschool said, everything is set for the battle between mega-rich clubs PSG and Monaco to dominate the foreseeable future in France. Monaco do have some issues to sort out with the French Football Federation in the courts before they can fully start spending wildly though. Ligue 1, however, does have this uncanny knack of producing surprise packets, Montepellier last season obviously and to a lesser extent Nice and St Etienne this season. Plus Lyon and Marsielle will always be thereabouts so I’m sure they’re going to win most of the titles in the coming seasons but I don’t think PSG will have things all their own way.

Bayern are just awesome. To dominate Barca that way was outstanding and despite people saying some of the goals should not have stood, Barca were in horrible defensive situations in each of those goals so I don’t think the refereeing honestly affected the game too much. Barca looked toothless without Messi firing while every single player in the Bayern team contributed to their win. I’m not a Bayern fan but I really hope they go on to win it, and felt that way before this morning, as they’ve played the best football all tournament and possibly played the best football of any team in Europe this season.

Everyone is saying Haddin doesn’t deserve to be playing with a test average of 35. The sad truth of Australian cricket at the moment is that 35 is a decent average. Look at the stats, Warner – 39, Cowan – 32, Hughes – 33, Watson – 35, Khawaja – 29, Wade – 24, Smith – 32. Michael Clarke is not just the only player with a test average over 50 but he’s also the only player with one over 40. And the people that we’re talking as specialist batsman haven’t done much better with Shaun Marsh’s test average 27 while his first class average is 35. Chris Rogers does have the impressive first class average of 50 but Haddin’s first class average last season was 52. I think Haddin has more confidence than Wade at the moment after a strong domestic season and a good keeping performance in his one test in India. I think the VC would also give him a boost and I think he’s a better cricketer at the moment than he was a couple of years ago. I am not anti-Wade as I believe he is a quality cricketer and will play many more tests for Australia but for this series I think we need a case of short sightedness and just pick the best team right now and I believe Brad Haddin is in that. We need a team that can win this series, not grooming players for future series. After this I’m all for promoting Warner, Cowan or someone else to VC but for this series I’m happy for it to be Haddin. My squad – Clarke ©, Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Khawaja, Watson, Smith, Haddin, Wade, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Harris, Bird, Lyon and Agar. If they pick a 17th member than I think it should be Henriques who I see more of a test quality player than Faulkner and can bat at 6 or 7 and also add something with the ball. I honestly think Adam Voges should be considered as well despite his lack of test cricket. Quality performer in England and like Henriques can hold his own with the bat at 6 or 7 and add something with the ball as well. I’m sure he won’t be selected and I didn’t pick him in my squad but I thought he should be at least considered.

Can’t wait for the Knicks-Celts series. The rivalry between those two teams will be back on show and as a change from recent years the Knicks are the favourites in a playoff series. As good as the Knicks have been you still can’t help but feel the wily old Celtics are going to push them the whole way so I agree that a 6 or 7 game series is on the cards. I think J.R Smith coming off the bench will also be key for the Knicks.
I’ve also been so impressed with the Bulls this season, Coach Thibodeau has worked wonders with that team considering Rose’s situation. Noah and Boozer will be key but I think that should be another really good matchup. Good preview!

Yep can’t understand this one. Not sure what else he could do, plus he’s only 24 so even if he wasn’t in Origin plans the selectors could at least use it for representative experience for him! Maybe people just feel he is a defensive specialist because of his record and reputation but he’s handy in attack too and runs really well off the short ball. I think it’s great to see Josh McCrone there though, I think he’s a very much improved, but still underrated player.

I think the Mariners will have a win here but Melbourne will surely dominate some periods of the game if the attack gets going. Mariners should be relatively fresh and I think Melbourne’s recent inability to keep a clean sheet will cost them here. Could be a great game especially if it starts to open up and starts going end to end. Looking forward to it!

I don’t think it’s a case of being afraid I believe he really does love Santos and is happy there. He also has a young son so I think it would be hard to leave his child, especially when he is only 21 years old himself. He loves his club, he’s been playing since 17 and despite his comments and him seemingly ‘flirting’ with clubs like Barca it seems he’s very happy there. He also earns so much through sponsorship deals he doesn’t really need the huge salary that Europe can offer at the moment. Also if he moves to Europe soon and doesn’t adapt quickly he could harm his chances for World Cup selection. I do agree that for his football growth he needs to go to Europe and I’m sure that he will but for now I think he has every right to stay in Brazil a little longer.

I gotta agree with you there Ryman. I found great joy in watching the Lakers implode, especially in the first half of the season. But now three’s a part of me that can’t help but admire the way Kobe has got his offence going and the other night against Portland in particular was just awesome. I also find myself kind of hoping they make the playoffs but on the other hand I’m sure I’ll still have a little laugh if they don’t make it.

Haha yep nice use of ‘frothing’. But no it would be great to see DRose back in action and surely he would add something to a Bulls lineup that I think has been so impressive all season. The way Thibodeau has got them to perform without their star man has been an amazing effort so hopefully they can be rewarded with a fit and confident Rose for the playoffs. Pretty jealous you’re going to be able to see a lot of the action in person so looking forward to the updates!

As a Parramatta fan I’m also obviously looking forward to this game. I agree that extra responsibility might lead to improved performances for Hayne but mainly I’m just looking forward to Ricky’s influence rubbing off on the boys. His time as NSW coach shows that he knows how to create a real culture of unity and I think that’s something that’s really been missing from Parra and I think Ricky can instil a bit of that mongrel spirit and really bring the boys together. I think the Sandow-Kelly combination holds a lot of potential as well but it’s another thing to turn that potential into performances. Hopefully Loko can have some better luck with injuries this season too!

At the start of the season I honestly thought that the Knicks, Celtics, Nets and 76ers were all capable of taking out the Atlantic Division but it just hasn’t happened for Philly. I never understood the move for Bynum, it was just so risky and no one apart from Jrue has really offered much this season. I admit I’m only a casual Philly fan and haven’t seen a lot of them this season but I totally agree, it’s been such a disappointing season and there’s got to be some pressure on a lot of people involved in the organisation.

I think the coaching situation really isn’t helping the players either. Dwight just doesn’t seem to be working and I honestly think they need to trade him. For the Lakers to start playing well they need Pau to regain some confidence and form because he just seems to be lost right now. I think Nash can still work for them but the system just doesn’t seem quite right at the moment. I’m not a massive Lakers fan but I can still see them being a force as Kobe just keeps banging them in this season and looks like he’s good for a couple more seasons yet. But yes I think this season is just going to be left looking like one of the biggest flops in recent NBA history considering all the hype around their chances only a few months ago.

Almagro had his chances but yes you’re right Jason, his lack of mental strength cost him. Well played by Ferrer and he summed it up well when he just said “I just try to fight for every point.” He never gives up and I also love to watch him play just because of that fighting spirit. It’s going to be tough for him in the semi-final though even if Djokovic does lose to Berdych.

Nope looks like the curse has struck me haha Ferrer is back in the match here. Hope he comes back and wins for you Kate!

Good luck to him! I think Celtic is a great move for him and you’re really right by saying the stability will help him. Clubs like Reading and QPR who were interested in him are not a great model of stability while Celtic always seems to be a well run and organised club. And as for the Champion’s League, I can’t wait for the chance to see him going up against some of the world’s best. Would be great to see him make a real name for himself on the big stage but yes definitely plenty of years to come for him to do that.

It’s really not looking good for him right now. Seems like a bit of commentator’s curse perhaps haha?

It really does seem that she’s stuck in a bit of a downward spiral. She’s obviously always had the tendency to struggle with the mental side of her game but with raised expectations after her maiden Grand Slam as well as really being the only Australian woman with a genuine chance of winning big tournaments, all eyes are on her even more. It doesn’t help now that when we talk of Sam Stosur the articles or conversations immediately go towards the word “choker”. After a couple of incidents it really does seem now that she plays with the thought of losing or playing to not losing rather than playing to win and each loss is bringing this feelings and pressures more and more into her game. Maybe a break? Maybe a sports psychologist? Maybe a team of psychologists? I’m not sure. I agree with comments saying she just seems like a girl who loves playing tennis and doesn’t really want all the attention or pressures of being a tennis player. But that’s all part of the job and it seems like Australian crowds will rarely get to see the kind of relaxed and happy Stosur that was on show “shuffling” at the US Open last year.

Yes I’ll back this up. I currently play in the Canberra competition and at my club alone there are a number of players from the Riverina and Newcastle while other clubs have players from as far as Perth and Brisbane who were recruited with the offer of playing for the Canberra Comets. With the Comets and it’s players gaining a more attention through the Futures League as well as possible future Big Bash opportunities the feeling around here is that Canberra is a very attractive place to play.

It’s obvious that AC Milan were really hit hard econmically and part of the reason to sell Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva was to balance the books. But still I thought they would have had some plan in place to phase out the older players. Admittedly, the likes of Seedorf and Gattusso played less matches last season but surely their experience and knowledge is something that can’t be replaced around the dressing sheds. Nesta as well was an obvious leader and don’t forget that they lost the brilliant Pirlo only two seasons ago. But they also lost experienced campaigners like Mark van Bommel, Gianluca Zambrotta and to a lesser extent Massimo Oddo and Flavio Roma over the off season and experince like that can’t be replaced. It just seems a bit strange to let all those older players move on at once without leaving any of them there to help guide the youngsters into this new generation for AC Milan. Ambrosini doesn’t have the same aura as a Nesta or Seedorf while even though Inzaghi is still involved with the club it’s obvious he and Allegri don’t see eye to eye. I just think the departures of these veteran’s, including Pirlo, could havve been handled better. But I do feel for Allegri even if he isn’t quite up to it at a club with expectations like Milan. He isn’t in an easy situation.

It’s true that he’s not the defensive force and presence he once was for United but I can’t see even Anzhi paying that for him considering his injury problems. It would probably be a great piece of business for Sir Alex if he could get 30 mill for him though. The problem for Sir Alex and Man.U is that the youngsters he’s got coming through like Evans, Smalling and Jones all seem to suffer from injuries as well. It’s pretty obvious that the key to a successful EPL team is a consistent solid defensive line like the old Vidic and Ferdinand. Kompany and Lescott proved this last season while there’s been so many more like Terry and Carvalho and Adams and Keown just to name a few more partnerships in recent times. Surely the injuries to these young players must be a worry for Sir Alex when he plans to make a solid centre back partnership that will play most EPL matches together over the coming seasons. But I can’t see Vidic leaving anytime soon anyway

Not the best time for an unstable Test top order to come up against an awesome South African bowling line-up. But I remember alot of people saying last summer that India were going to flog us. Admittedly South Africa will play much better in Australia then India did, but I still think we’ll go pretty well. As for the team I can’t see too many surprises in terms of selection. It will be interesting to see how the quicks are rotated and where the selectors think they’re best suited. I think Nathan Lyon will be included while I believe Siddle and Hilfenhaus have two of thre three fast bowler spots nailed down. The biggest decision will obviously be Haddin or Wade and I think it’s going to be alot harder for the selectors to be as ruthless as some fans are in just dumping Haddin completely. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Haddin there.

Bit harsh on the poor old Phoenix that the FFA couldn’t have pushed this game back a bit. Missing key players due to World Cup qualifiers hurts any club but when the coach is taken out of the equation as well it makes it so hard. I’m sure Aloisi and the Heart will still be cautious but anything less than a comfortable win will surely be a poor result for the Heart.