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Joined October 2013
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Englisman turned Kiwi. Aspiring sports media maestro!
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With the Six Nations over and the Lions Tour of New Zealand just three months away, we take a look at five mouth-watering individual…
With the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand a matter of months away, I take a look at ten reasons why rugby…
Leeds United took another step closer to a return to the Premier League on Friday night with a 3-1 win away at Birmingham City.…
The second Ashes Test match wrapped up on Monday with Australia completing a 218-run victory and taking a 2-0 lead in the series. However,…
If there’s one positive that can be taken from England’s dismal showing in the 2013/14 Ashes series, it’s the steely resilience of baby-faced batsmen…
As David Moyes wandered down the Old Trafford tunnel following his side's defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, he may have been re-evaluating his expectations.…
Liverpool fell to a 3-1 away defeat to Hull overnight, seeing them slip to fourth place on the Premier League ladder, seven points behind…
Arsenal has enjoyed a memorable week. A solid home victory against Marseille in the Champions League, followed by a convincing 3-0 away victory at…
With the FIFA World Cup in Brazil just over seven months away, I take on the role of Roy Hodgson and pick the men…
Not since the days of Eric Gerets, Enzo Scifo and Luc Nilis under the leadership of Guy Thys has the Belgium national team boasted…
This season's edition of the English Premier League is turning out to be one of the most hotly contested in the last decade. Not…
That’s still got to be more in favor of Australia’s players than England’s. It’s not looking good for Captain Cook and his men.
England better brace for another Johnson onslaught
Yea, people forget that Australia haven’t completely fired with the bat. If the English pace attack gets rolling you never know what could happen.
SPIRO: The Ashes haven't been won back, yet
Shane Watson is the biggest tosser not just in the Ashes but world cricket. Pietersen has an ego but he has the stats to back it up.
SPIRO: The Ashes haven't been won back, yet
2 weeks ago I laughed at this John, but given the recent form of United’s midfield and Everton’s continued success I think I’m starting to agree with you. Get rid of the egos and bring in some players who are actually passionate about playing for England.
My England squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
He was able to bring consistent success to Everton on a short budget. They continually ‘punched above their eight’. I agree, United need someone who is used to winning silverware and working with big name players (and their egos). It’s almost as if Moyes hasn’t realised that hes coaching a big side now and can bring in bigger players. Signing Fellaini was a joke.
Moyes not the only one to blame
With Rooney, Van Persie and Kagawa, I can’t see a place in this team for him. United should do Everton a fvour and give him back. Maybe try swap him for Baines haha. Carrick needs someone next to him and they need to purchase a solid rock to put at the back.
Moyes not the only one to blame
Since when have the Wallabies been on the rise? I agree with your assessment of the cricket team but the Wallabies have proved nothing. They should be beating sides like Wales. The real test will be the rugby championship and I still think that they will be far shy of the All Blacks.
Is Australian sport on the rise?
I wouldn’t say Charles Pitaua is under-rated. On the ed of year tour he pretty much established himself as a starting winger with Julian Savea. He is all class and I think everybody in New Zealand is aware of that. He could be a real star in 2015.
The underrated XV of 2013
2 words: Boyd Rankin. He could be England’s savior at Perth. Give the big fella a go on the bouncy wicket.
SPIRO: The Ashes haven't been won back, yet
Surely you’d get rid of Nathan Lyon though Will. A fast wicket in Perth warrants and extra pace bowler. Or is Shane Watson enough?
SPIRO: The Ashes haven't been won back, yet
England need to bring in some of there tall pacemen to complement the fast surface. Boyd Rankin should come in for Swann and Tim Bresnan deserves a go to replace the Panesar. Get rid of Stokes as well and give Gary Ballance a go in the middle order.
England better brace for another Johnson onslaught
I’m an England fan and as much as I would like to think England can fight back, I have to be realistic. Mitchell Johnson is going to blow us away in Perth, no doubt about it. The best England can hope for is some welcome rain to save them. If not I’m predicting an innings victory for the Aussies.
England better brace for another Johnson onslaught
Completely agree. Moyes does not have the experience to manage such a successful side. Perhaps it was best to go for Mourinho after all.
Moyes not the only one to blame
Gundogan looks good, but Dortmund have proven with Lewandowski that they are not afraid to fight to hang on to their best players.
Moyes not the only one to blame
I’m not a Man United fan Will, just calling it as I predict it. Unfortunately I’m condemned to a sorry life supporting Leeds United. We’ll be back one day!
Moyes not the only one to blame
Yea I agree with your point on Valencia. He is very under-rated and performs well for United, I just doubt he can do it consistently as I said. The problems are definitely centrally and I do think United need to bring in a superstar name if they are going to compete. Any ideas?
Moyes not the only one to blame
What a class that was. They’ve made a movie about them, check it out.
Moyes not the only one to blame
Yea it looks like Coltman is going to be that third hooker, but if they drop Mealamu too, the hooker position all of a sudden looks very weak. I think it will be a similar case as with Carter. Mealamu will be picked as experienced cover and will therefore be a handy addition to the team.
I actually think Savea could quite easily surpass Sam Cane this season, he looks to be improving rapidly. But Richie McCaw is now a cult figure in New Zealand, it would be an utter crime to strip him of the captaincy. He is now, in my opinion, the greatest All Black of all time and whilst he is still playing well he has to be kept in charge.
There’s also the whole issue of stripping him off the captaincy but keeping him in the team. Would the All Blacks be the All Blacks with Richie McCaw in the side but not captain? Other famous sides have tried stripping a captain but keeping him in the side. As an Englishman my thoughts go back to Beckham losing the England captaincy but still being selected for the side. That ended up being a bit of a joke.
It can work though. It was beneficial to Ross Taylor in the Blackcaps, but there were other issues involved there. I think that a player of McCaw’s magnitude cannot be in the All Blacks if he is not captain and I have no doubts that Steve Hansen has very much got McCaw in his plans as captain for 2015.
Tough calls must be made on waning All Blacks
He’ll be given time Morgan. The same thing happened when Fergie first took charge. There were calls for his head after poor results but they stuck by the Scotsman. And boy were they rewarded.
Moyes just needs to be give time, but more importantly the freedom to spend. The difference between Fergie and Moyes is that, with the terrible development programmes in place for British players these days, Moyes is not going to be lucky enough to have 5 or 6 young superstars come through his ranks, as Fergie did with Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers.
Can’t agree with your biased call regarding Everton mate. Europa League will be as far as it goes for them. Top 4: Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United.
However, I’m impressed with Ross Barkley, definitely one to watch for the future.
Moyes not the only one to blame
The AB’s have huge depth at 10 now, with the big three of Cruden, Carter and Barrett. Completely agree that Cruden and Barrett have now passed Carter, but Carters leadership and experience will be invaluable at a World Cup as you have said. However, 2013 saw a few more promising young no.10’s coming through the ranks (Marty Banks, Ihaia West, Hayden Parker etc). They are all probably still a wee way off an AB’s jersey but it makes for strong competition which realistically isn’t good news for Carter. There is also the introduction of Benji Marshall. Could he prove he’s worth an AB’s spot? I am unsure.
I agree with you assessment of Woodcock, Charlie Faumuina, Wyatt Crockett and the Franks brothers have all proven that thye are worthy All Blacks props. At hooker however, I’m still not convinced by Dane Coles and after Hore’s retirement that leaves Mealamu as the only established hooker. It will be interesting to see who comes in as the third hooker next year, but I think it’s vital that they keep Mealamu around to help nurture these new boys.
As for McCaw, Morgan you’re a brave man suggesting he may need to be stripped of the captaincy. Sam Cane has proven he can do the job but McCaw has shown this season that he is still world class and is still the number one no.7 in my mind. The rapid rise of Ardie Savea will make things very interesting. Next year will certainly be a defining one for the AB’s.
Tough calls must be made on waning All Blacks
Regardless of who Australia drew they were unlikely to advance. So to be testing themselves against the world absolute best wont be such a bad thing and gives them the opportunity to pull off a massive upset and turn the tournament on its head.
The optimist's guide to the Socceroos' 2014 World Cup draw
Is there a possibility (if nines takes off) that we’ll see rugby union sevens specialist players getting involved?
NRL Nines 'can be as big as Origin'
As a passionate England fan I was getting really worked up by Johnson’s torments. He made himself look like a whining baby who wasn’t getting what he wanted. He’s all smiles when things are going his way, but the first time he wasn’t doing well he started chirping.
Don’t even get me started on Shane Watson, the guy is a muppet. Was good to see Kevin Pietersen put him straight back in his place when he started getting lippy.
Brave Root stands tall against onslaught