In 2011 the decision to name Gareth Bale as the PFA Player of the Year was contentious. Detractors claimed the players who had voted for the Welshman had been swayed by a handful of glorious performances, rather than a period of sustained excellence. If there was some truth in the claim then, honouring the 23-year-old this time […]
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Brazil’s road to Rio fraught with difficulty
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s decision to return as manager of Brazil last November was heralded by fans as the turning point that would rejuvenate the national team. For many of the country’s supporters, the 2-1 defeat to England last week was a reminder of the challenge that lies ahead. As hosts of the next […]
Battling Djokovic seizes initiative
Andy Murray’s defeat of Novak Djokovic in the US Open final last September gave rise to hope of a renewed rivalry between the pair at the pinnacle of the sport. The Serb’s victory against Murray in the Australian Open final this morning was achieved at a canter towards the end and served, for British fans […]
Calculating Armstrong watches his words
During Lance Armstrong’s career it was his skill on the bike, combined with ruthless ambition and a willingness to use any means available, which set him apart. The US Postal Service cyclist used insider knowledge to anticipate the arrival of drug testers so as to escape condemnation and leave behind only a scent of suspicion. The […]
Redknapp throwing stones in glass houses
In the aftermath of QPR’s defeat at Newcastle yesterday, Hoops manager Harry Redknapp berated the club’s previous transfer policy under Mark Hughes. Redknapp was clearly frustrated at suffering the first defeat of his tenure, asserting “there are a lot of players at this club who earn far too much money”. Redknapp is hardly in a […]
Football transfer market continues to bemuse
As Barcelona maintain their 11-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga, it has been revealed that at the start of the season, the Catalans strongly considered adding to their record-breaking strike force. Not with Neymar, the prodigiously talented Brazilian forward, but with Birmingham’s Nikola Zigic, the lumbering forward with two goals to his name […]