Monday, 2 September 2013

Summer of Sport: August 26-September 1

Monday

A bit like people reading this blog, people must have been thinking 'who cares?' with the story that English cricketers were sprinkling all over The Oval pitch after play on the final day. That is there main celebration after all

On a similar vein, Sky sources indicated that a new club was now in for Gareth Bale. Fortunately, it is now only a week until transfer deadline day.

A great afternoon with me flicking between Notts playing Kent in a must-win YB40 match and the Brits in action at the US Open. Happily, Laura Robson and Dan Evans won with Evans in particular causing an upset with a straight sets win over 11th seed Kei Nishikori.

Notts then secured their semi-final spot just moments before Monday Night Football started. Geoff Shreeves was unable to contain himself, gleefully announcing that Wayne Rooney started and Chelsea had no strikers with Lukaka (his word not mine) on the bench. Worse, my fantasy football captain Juan Mata was joining him. Cheers Jose.

Tuesday

The football last night was bad enough, but somehow Roy Hodgson seemed to think it was outstanding before announcing an England squad which had Raheem Stirling and James Milner in after their great starts to the season.

Plenty of drama in the League Cup which is carrying on from last season's stunning exploits. Incredibly, Notts County managed to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield having been battered for most of the match but then succumbed at the end even with Liverpool a man down having used all their subs.

Some interesting happenings tonight, showing why cup football is so thrilling. Peterborough spanked Reading 6-0 which go alongside their 5-0, 4-2 and 5-1 wins (all away from home) in six matches this season.

Yeovil caused the biggest controversy, scoring a late equaliser instead of giving the ball back to the Birmingham goalkeeper after an injury, before taking the lead in extra time and then deliberately allowing Brum to equalise. That's what we call shaky ethics. Birmingham won on penalties.

In the Shampions league Aaron Ramsey scored twice more, proving that his resurgence may be Arsenal's best signing this summer. And possibly last.

England announced their ODI team with separate squads to play Ireland and Australia. With several big names rested it prompted former captain Michael Vaughan to suggest fans should get a slight refund which in turn prompted Stuart Broad to call his comments disrespectful. And then the Yo Momma jokes came out...

An interesting story from the US Open where Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz was knocked out by Argentine qualifier Maximo Gonzales, ranked 247 in the world. Complaining of a bad back, the Pole argued with the umpire, served underarm (which he was asked to serve again), lay on his stomach asking for a back massage and asked for pain pills but was told he had taken too much medication already.

Wednesday

11 changes from Forest but they still beat Millwall in extra time to progress to a third round tie at... Burnley. Oh great. The draw did deliver though with Liverpool getting Manchester United with Luis Suarez set to be available.

The other big story was Bale not turning up to training which is about as exciting as me telling you what I had for lunch.

And Andy Murray began his defence of the US Open with a straight sets win over Michael Llodra. Such is the farce that is the organisers of this event (think no covers for the court and the men having to play Saturday and Sunday) the defending champion had to wait until the end of the third day to complete his match.

Thursday

Shock of the day, Chelsea get a piss easy cup draw which happens in every competition (see FA Cup third round draw against lower league opposition at Stamford Bridge every year). Arsenal's celebrations as qualifying for the 16th year in a row lasted all of one day before they were told they were to play Dortmund, Napoli and Marseille. Time to whip out the cheque book Arsene and re-signing Flamini on a free does not count. I'll let him off if Pascal Cygan makes a comeback

England got smashed all around the Ageas Bowl by the Finch hitter although they responded well thanks to some decent hitting from Joe Root.

But normal service was resumed with the women winning their Ashes and another Aussie losing to a Brit at the US Open where Evans beat Bernard Tomic whose Dad wouldn't let him practice with him last year because Evans wasn't good enough. Evans' reward is a third-round against Tommy Robredo and having to buy Greg Rusedski dinner.

Friday

Not much action during the day but the evening delivered. After a tense press conference where he denied having an inferior record against Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho saw his team twice lose a lead and lose on penalties.

Soon after Murray progressed to the third round of the US Open, but it was another story which caught the eye. Englishman Brian Davis had a share of the lead in the Deutsche Bank Championship. This is a man who has had a foot injury since July after falling down some stairs trying to save his Chinese food. That's a heroic cause.

Saturday

Not a day to talk about the football. We were waiting until the hour mark for a single Premier League goal in the 3:00 fixtures whilst Forest blew a lead a Wigan and lost. But as bad as today was, I'm still disappointed there is an international weekend coming up.

At least there was something to cheer at the cricket where Alex Hales once again got out in the 90s in a winning cause. At least it meant the Aussies don't win any series against us. Hopefully that will continue.

Unfortunately Evans couldn't continue that winning feeling but it was a great effort from him and hopefully there is more to come.

Sunday

Sensational transfer news today. Kaka has rejoined AC Milan on a free transfer. Are you kidding me? That's an unbelievable piece of business there. Oh and Bale joined by Real but nobody cares.

Watching Liverpol beat Manchester United made me think. There really isn't much difference between the two sides if you add Luis Suarez in. It just goes to show how unbelievably good Fergie was. He's the only irreplaceable manager in world football so for United not to spend means they can only go backwards.

I've also been impressed with Brentan Rodgers if you don't listen to him speak. He's built from the back and made Liverpool hard to beat and stylish to watch and he's now added goals. His signings have done well and I can't think of any (off the top of my head) who haven't done well except maybe Fabio Borini who has been injured.

I'm a big believer that there is good value in the transfer market if you look in the right places and don't act like QPR signing rejects. Dortmund built a great squad on a budget, clubs like Udinese, Napoli and Porto sign great talent from South America and sell them off for a massive profit and Juventus signed Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente for a combined £12m. And remember they signed Andrea Pirlo on a free.

Back to the football and apparently Roy Hodgson was unhappy being sat with the scouts at Anfield. Maybe he should just enjoy his position as he could be removed in a month if results don't go well.

Unfortunately the North London derby didn't deliver but it was just that sort of weekend in England. At least Spain made up for it somewhat with a good match between Champions League sides Real Socielad and Atletico Madrid which the visitors won 2-1 and Valencia v. Barcelona. It was 1-0 Barca when I flicked over to see Murray wrap up his third round match and then a few minutes later when I turned back it was 3-1. And then a minute later 3-2 just before the half-time whistle was blown. A hat-trick from Messi and two goals for... Helder Postiga (yes really and the first was a bit of a worldie). Despite a host of missed chances, that was how it ended.

If you're missing Monday Night Football's absence tomorrow then it's worth checking out the golf where Sergio Garcia is in the lead, two shots ahead of the incredibly in-form Henrik Stenson. There is a stellar field out there and it's only going to get better for the next two weeks.

Oh and breaking news coming in. Mesut Ozil to Arsenal. Right. I thought he was off the Chelsea, they need that type of player to add to their squad.

Meanwhile...

Story of the Week: Goalkeeper gets sent off... then helps save a fan's life - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-23847287

Good on Papiss Cise in allowing Newcastle fans to come round his house for a bbq. I'm not sure he would have done the same if he played for Liverpool

Michel Platini thinks transfer fees are robbery. Has he not seen Fifa's Presidential elections?

Good on Daniel Sturridge in getting out of his car to join in with a fan who was copying his celebration. I suppose it's easy to celebrate when you're banging them in for fun -  http://gerrard8fanpage.lockerdome.com/articles/109071470

Mitchell Johnson is targeting an Ashes recall this winter. As are the England players (Perth aside)

Franck Ribery was awarded the Uefa Best Player Award for last season. Is it just me who finds this bizarre?

Tweets of the week: I couldn't decide between these two, so enjoy both. If you're on Twitter, David Johnson is the best in the business. And on that note I'll sign off for the summer. We've had Justin, the Lions, Murray at Wimbledon and the Ashes with cameos from Mo and the football. Cheers for reading and enjoy Transfer Deadline Day

@davidaj09
Arsenal have signed Mathieu Flamini! Thats like telling the World, you wipe your Arse with your right hand. Its best kept quiet Arsene

There is as Much chance of seeing Defoe in a shirt? As there is of me walking around Co-op with my balls hanging out.

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