McClaren’s Academy of Odd Accents

Perhaps we are a little late with this one, but I reasoned that it was probably too good a video to pass up. We’re all well acquainted with Steve McClaren after his disastrous stint at the helm of the English football team; a spell so disastrous in fact, that he had to travel as far as Holland and the little known team of FC Twente to resurrect his career.

Anyhow, a touch too much of the Dutch Edam seems to have taken its effect on the Wally with the Brolly. His grammars gone, his answers defy explanation and the hand gestures are, well, operatic. Enjoy Steve McClaren and a lesson in ‘Dutghlish’. Yeesshhh!

Tags: Digital TV, Sport by Peter Moore
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They think it’s all over… but it’s going to start again!

In anticipation of the beginning of another frantic Barclays Premiership season, we have put our collective football knowledge together and have assembled a list of predictions. With somewhere in the region of £270m having been spent by Premier League clubs, there is the guarantee of new faces amongst the old and the usual questions linger as to whether Chelsea can wretch the title back from Manchester United and whether any of the promoted teams has what it takes to survive amongst the big boys.

Players to watch:

Nani (Manchester United):

Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo has been perfectly seduced by Ramón Calderón and spent the summer prancing around Los Angeles in tight silver shorts and a pink t-shirt, most Manchester United fans have been reassuring themselves that if he did go his fellow countryman Nani is a more than capable replacement. Quick, with a powerful shot and a magician’s bag of tricks, this could be Nani’s real breakthrough season.

Robbie Keane (Liverpool)

It was one of football’s wonderful moments of hypocrisy when Daniel Levy, the man who spent last autumn poaching Juande Ramos from Sevilla, threatened Liverpool with disciplinary action for their unethical pursuit of Desperate-Dan lookalike, Robbie Keane. Nevertheless Rafa Benitez got his man and Keane signed for the club he supported as a lad. Free scoring and full of air-punching, cartwheel celebrations, his partnership with Fernando Torres promises to be a dangerous one.

Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Two years after Sven Goran Erikson saw him as the solution to a shortage of forwards prior to the 2006 World Cup, Theo Walcott has not made the progress that some would have expected of him. As a result, the forthcoming season has to be the one when Arsenal’s razor quick forward pushes on. Mr Wenger will be expecting good performances from a player he confidently invested £12m in at the tender age of just 16.

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

The rising star of the Croatian national football team is described by many as a ‘gem.’ Modric offers Tottenham yet another attacking option and can play in a variety of positions across the midfield and also in the ‘hole’ behind the strike force of Darren Bent and Dimitar Berbatov. An undoubted talent who promises to showcase the same breed of diminutive skill that Juninho served up for Middlesbrough fans during the 1990s.

Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

It takes something rather special to prompt the mercurial Frenchman Arsene Wenger to part with the best part of £15m –and many suggest that Nasri, who has been dubbed the new ‘Zidane’, is just that. He failed to impress during the appalling French campaign at the European Championships, but his form for his former club Marseilles has been imperious and consistent. He promises to fit seamlessly into an Arsenal team that is committed to a elegant style of ‘sexy football.’

Jô (Manchester City)

Brazilian football players don’t usually come via Russia, and for that reason alone Manchester City’s £18m purchase Jô is noteworthy of attention. The young Brazilian has already won a cap for his country, notched up an impressive brace against Inter Milan and turned down a potentially lucrative transfer to Valencia. Brazilians are much more often found on the red side of Manchester, and Jô will be hoping to give the sky-blues something to cheer about

Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham)

People don’t usually come as tall as Peter Crouch, but Tottenham’s Brazilian international goalkeeper certainly does. Fresh from a successful spell at PSV, Spurs will be hoping that Gomes will offer some stability between the posts after the departure of an accident-prone Paul Robinson. At 6”7 he comes at a price of £88,000 per inch and Tottenham are going to hope that it is money well spent.

Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa)

After a year collecting his wages at Chelsea, Steve Sidwell once again has the prospect of first-team football in front of him after joining Aston Villa for a price of £5m. He joins a admirable list of red headed players to pull on the claret and blue shirt, following Tommy Johnson, Kevin Richardson, Phil King, Graham Fenton, Steve Staunton and Steve Davis.

Peter Crouch (Portsmouth)

Harry Redknapp has a ‘Dell Boy’ reputation of dabbling in the transfer market to various levels of success, but in snapping up beanpole striker Peter Crouch, he could have just landed an ace. Coupled with Jermaine Defoe, Crouch will provide the large half of a little and large striking partnership. Liverpool fans will be lamenting his loss, just as Portsmouth fans are preparing themselves for the prospect of some long ball football.

Prediction at the top:

Manchester United to cling on, but Ferguson will have to spit a few sparks at Scolari along the way. Chelsea to finish a close second.

Prediction at the bottom:

Take your pick of one from Hull, Stoke, West Brom, Bolton and Middlesbrough.

Dark Horses:

Sunderland under Roy Keane have been improving steadily, if their signings come off Tottenham should be a force to reckon with.

First manager for the chop:

Gary Megson of Bolton is the favourite, but it could go all wrong for Gareth Southgate up on Teesside quite easily too.

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Tags: BBC, Digital TV, Sport by Peter Moore
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Some of the finest moments of all time

Following on from the extended article about cricket yesterday, I thought that the time was apt to choose a selection of videos documenting memorable moments in the history of the game.

What would you nominate as your favourite cricket moment? Feel free to make any of your own recommendations and in the meantime enjoy the remainder of the English cricketing summer.

1. The best catch ever? – Paul Collingwood:

2. The infamous Australian ‘urderarm’ incident against New Zealand:

3. The Australian crowd join in with Ronnie Irani’s warming up routine:

4. Pakistan’s electric batsman, Shahid Afridi, scores 77 runs off just 35 balls:

5. Alan Donald serves up one of the most ferocious periods of fast bowling in recent memory to the ex-England captain Michael Atherton:

6. Six sixes in one over from Sir Garfield Sobers:

7. India’s Sacin Tendulkar hits the shot of his life against Andrew Caddick:

8. Andrew Flintoff has some words of advice for the West Indian Dwayne Bravo:

9. Curtly Ambrose offers a devastating spell of bowling to record seven wickets for one run:

10. Shane Warne’s ball of the century leaves Mike Gatting bemused:

Remember that Sky digital television offers customers with the very best opportunity to enjoy all of the action from the world of international cricket. You can find out more about the sporting events broadcast on digital television by following this link.

Tags: Digital TV, Sport by Peter Moore
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The advent of Pietersen signals a change in English cricketing values

My mother has always maintained that the English cricket team needs to include at least one Yorkshireman if it hopes to win anything at all. The land of Boycott, Illingworth and Truman binds together notions of grit, determination and stoicism; it forms the backbone of our national identity and in many ways is as much to England what Andalucía is to Spain.

If it wasn’t before obvious, my mother was born and raised in a village on the Yorkshire coast where things are about as ‘English’ as they could possibly be. A Union Jack flaps away on a white flag pole on the village green, there is a flint church flanked by a yew tree and the population of farmers and traders are fuelled with a rude diet of jacket potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and steak and kidney pies.

In this culture, cricket is of paramount importance. The best (and flattest) part of the village is tended carefully each summer day by a groundsman, the most comfortable corner of the local pub is held in reserve for team members, the 19 year old whippersnapper of a fast bowler can have his pick of the farmers’ daughters and a solid forward defensive is regarded with almost as much reverence as a cleanly executed off drive.

It is places such as these, in the far reaches of Queen Bess’ realm, which would have received the news of Michael Vaughn’s resignation as captain of the English cricket team and the subsequent appointment of Kevin Pietersen with more than the odd jitter.

Vaughn was a paragon of Englishness: polite, patient, cool under pressure, equally able to cajole and nudge his star players into stellar performances and to chat cordially with journalists. His displays of emotion were rare, and usually limited to Henmanesque fist-clenching whilst batting and applause from the players’ balcony.

In contrast, Pietersen is Vaughn’s antithesis. Brash, single-minded, belligerent and oozing self-confidence, Pietersen who was born and bred in South Africa displays a confidence and swagger that are not often present amongst the English. Andrew Strauss, his teammate, once said that ‘Kevin’s particular brand of self confidence seems un-English.’

Making his debut at Lords in the first match of the Ashes series in 2005, he proceeded to despatch Shane Warne for six over deep midwicket on his way to a maiden half-century. Four matches later he turned the knife upon the imperious Glenn McGrath at the Oval, peppering his bowling with a series of blows of which Joe DiMaggio would have been proud and ending on 158 as England won the Ashes for the first time in almost 20 years.

Three years on and Pietersen is the only English batsman to feature in the top ten of the ICC World Rankings and he has scored 3777 test match runs at an impressive average of 50.36. Statistically, this puts far him ahead of Gower, Atherton, Stewart, Thorpe and Vaughn and justifies his inclusion as the first name on the English team sheet.

But he has not escaped criticism. Only last Friday after attempting to reach a 14th test match century with a six, he was caught on the long off boundary, prompting Alec Stewart to suggest that he should be ‘disgusted’ with himself. Geoffrey Boycott added scathingly that ‘if I’d played that shot, I’d have wanted to bury myself right there and then.’

Whilst some feel uneasy at Pietersen’s aggressive approach on the cricket field, then there are others who must feel uncomfortable as to his behaviour off it. In 2004, a former captain, Jason Gallian, was so enraged by Pietersen’s cocky behaviour that he felt compelled to launch his kit bag off the Nottinghamshire dressing room balcony. Another foe is his old rival, the South African captain Graeme Smith. Deciding to leave South Africa in protest at the quota system to play his cricket in England, Pietersen forged a mutual dislike between the two: ‘I’m patriotic about my country, and that’s why I don’t like Kevin Pietersen,’ Smith stated in 2006.

Then there are the magazine covers, the tattoos, that infamous skunk hairstyle and his jumping jack celebrations along the wicket. There was even a cringe-worthy kiss-and-tell with an ex lover who claimed that he made her chant his name whilst they were in bed. All in all, Kevin Pietersen is certainly a character that doesn’t come quietly.

But the appointment of Pietersen might be a sign of the times, and the seasoned observer will have noticed that the game of cricket has received a drastic facelift in the past two years. We now have 20:20, Super 40 and ‘winner takes all’ matches for $20M. Television money has arrived, so have lucrative sponsorship deals and cricket players are now highly trained professional athletes with meaningful professional contracts. Gone are the days of handlebar moustaches, beer guzzlers and bacon sandwiches for tea, cricket has reached a new era.

Whilst people in Yorkshire and other such corners of Old England might feel a pang of trepidation, the appointment of Pietersen as England captain is a bold forward move by the ECB. He is innovative in his batting, his self image and his approach to sport – and whilst my mother and her clan in Yorkshire may remain sceptical, I think that for English cricket a bright future looms large.

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Tags: Digital TV, Programmes, Sport by Peter Moore
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Bad back or bad bourbon?

Most people will remember the laughing policeman, his wobbling belly laugh booming out from a 12”, drawing a grin from even the most miserable members of society. Now, thanks to the eastern European country Belarus, we now have an equally memorable character: the drunken referee.

If you think along similar lines to me, then you will probably assume that a little exercise and some stretches are the perfect preparation for refereeing a football match – add perhaps a little slow burning fuel like a banana and in modern parlance, ‘you’re ready to rock.’

Footage that has reached Britain on the Internet suggests, however, that a Belorussian referee had a little more stimulation than a pre-match banana. Staggering about the centre circle, his back arched backwards and his eyes to the Heavens, Sergei Shmolik cut a figure more reminiscent of Basil Fawlty than Pierluigi Collina.

It was after the half time interval during a league match between FC Vitebsk and FC Naftan Novopolotsk, on 5^th July when Mr Shmolik emerged onto the pitch with a wobble. Speculation is rife in the media that the official may have indulged in a spot of alcohol during the half time interval and his ignominious exit from the pitch, flanked by an official, seems to support this theory. Despite his difficulties, Mr Shmolik, in good humour, managed a royal wave to the crowd before he disappeared into the tunnel. One hopes that it will not be for the final time.

However, as an Englishman after 1966, I find it difficult to criticise Russian (or Belorussian) referees. The vicious chants of 20,000 supporters are quite enough to drive anyone to the bottle. For his part, Mr Shmolik cited the pain of a bad back as the reason for his mazy retreat. In any case, I hope he will be officiating once again soon

Tags: Digital TV, Sport by Peter Moore
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A glorious summer of ‘fiestas’ awaits

Just one week ago, the streets of Central London bubbled with the sight of thousands of Spanish football fans celebrating on the streets. Fast forward seven days and Rafael Nadal has fuelled the festivities once more, emerging victorious after a titanic tussle with Roger Federer as the new Wimbledon Gentleman’s Champion. What better time has there been to be Spanish?

The atmosphere around the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club fizzed with anticipation early yesterday afternoon before the final began. Nadal had powered his way through subsequent rounds, dismissing opponents with a shrug of his shoulders and with the clout of Optimus Prime. Waiting in the final, however, was the imperious Roger Federer. The artist of the tennis court. Quite capable of winning a tennis match whilst washing his hair.

Nadal started auspiciously. Taking the few opportunities to arise he soon led Roger Federer by two clear sets. Then, in a potent cocktail of British weather, Swiss determination and excellent tennis, the nature of the match changed. Federer was able to take full advantage of the intermittent rain delays and clawed back two sets, both on tie-breaks.

The fifth and deciding set took the players almost two hours to complete. Federer giving hope to his supporters, that included Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani, that he might complete one of Wimbledon’s most memorable comebacks. In a set which could be portentous for the immediate future of men’s tennis, Nadal emerged victorious. The end finally coming at almost ten minutes past nine when Federer slapped a forehand into the net and Nadal crumpled on the ground in celebration.

The world’s press quickly adopted a uniform opinion as the players accepted their awards from the Duke of Kent. ‘The biggest match!’, claimed the Spanish newspaper Marca. Erstwhile champions John McEnroe and Boris Becker agreed, claiming that it was the ‘best match’ they have ever seen.

An exhausted Nadal told press: ‘It’s impossible to describe. I’m just very happy. It’s unbelievable for me to have the title here at Wimbledon. It’s a dream. Always as a kid I dreamed of playing here.’

Federer was magnanimous in defeat, perhaps buoyed slightly by the fact that he remains the world’s top seeded player. ‘It’s my hardest loss by far,’ he confessed. ‘I’m happy that we lived up to expectations, but right now it’s not much of a good feeling.’

Boris Becker, summing up with day’s action, was warm in his appreciation of both of the players. ‘We were watching two of the greatest players to have played this beautiful game of tennis… the rankings may still have Federer as number one but it’s only a matter of time before Nadal takes over.’

The scene is set perfectly for a scrap between these two young tennis players that may last for the next few years. It promises to be a gripping fight.

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Tags: BBC, Digital TV, Sky, Sport by Peter Moore
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Convincing and classy. The Spanish lead the way

After thirty three minutes of the European Championship final in Vienna, the Spanish midfielder Xabi cut an appealing ball through the German defence; Fernando Torres skipped in behind the retreating Phillipp Lahm and subtly nipped the ball delicately over the arms of the advancing German goalkeeper.

It was the decisive moment in a football match defined by the fluid passing of a Spanish team that was smouldering with talent. In contrast Germany were wretched. They huffed and puffed but failed to ignite the faintest of sparks. A bit like a toothless dog trying to chew on a bone.

Somehow Spain managed not to score again and the score remain 1-0. It hardly mattered. As the referee, Roberto Rosetti, signalled the end of the match with a sharp blow on his whistle after ninety three minutes, Plaza de Colón in Madrid burst into scenes excited celebration and King Juan Carlos shook his fist defiantly in the air.

It was Spain’s first major title for 44 years and the unfortunate fact that it was a Sunday night was not going to dampen hopes of an impending party. The situation was personified by the frantic banging of Spain’s most celebrated fan, Manolo el del Bombo, who appeared on television screens beating his ‘drum of Spain’ and wearing his familiar wide-brimmed Basque beret.

In a scene laced with irony, Trafalgar Square became the epicentre of the celebrations of the Spanish community in London. Obviously the authorities hadn’t been informed of the Spanish celebratory predisposition for jumping into fountains and within two hours of the victory, a spontaneous botellón was raging amongst the dancing, the singing and the occasional water fight.

For Spain and its citizens it was a glorious end to a tournament that was infused with excitement, drama and surprise. On a personal note, I’d like to nominate Marcos Senna as my player of the tournament – and I wonder that if it is possible for Spain to win something after 44 years, then England can galvanise themselves to do something productive after 42.

We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, it’s ‘A por ellos’ and ‘¡Viva España!’

To keep up to date with the latest football news check out the latest offers on digital television packages- which allow you to stay in touch with the news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can view Spain’s thrilling victory on penalties against the Italians by watching the embedded video. Congratulations once again!

Tags: Digital TV, Sky, Sport by Peter Moore
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An important forward step

The appointment of Paul Ince as the manager of Blackburn Rovers is being heralded as an important evolutionary step in the game of football. Ince, who previously achieved the feat of becoming the first black captain of the English football team, stated upon his appointment that, ‘I’m delighted to have been given this chance.’

Following a successful period managing both Macclesfield Town and Milton Keynes Dons in the lower divisions of English football, Ince’s progression to the glitz of the Premier League can only be considered as a logical progression. His appointment, however, has given other black managers the opportunity to stress the lack of opportunities that exist for them within the game.

John Barnes, who has been dubbed by the BBC, ‘England’s finest black player’, has found making a career in football management difficult.

‘I’ve applied for numerous jobs and sometimes I haven’t even had the courtesy of a reply to my application letter,’ Barnes said. ‘Perhaps I could understand it is I was applying for jobs at the top level, but these were clubs in League One.’

The facts support Barnes’ claims. Upon his appointment Ince became the only black manager currently working in the Premier League and the only other one to be found in the entire English football league is Keith Alexander, Ince’s replacement at Macclesfield. It all leaves the hierarchy of English football management looking a whiter shade of pale.

‘I believe the situation for black managers is like it was for black players back in the 1970s. They were put out on the wing because it was deemed that they could run fast but not think too well,’ Barnes said.

Barnes’ comments are strong, but some consider them justified and necessary.

Aside from this, the question lingers of how Paul Ince’s career as a top flight manager itself will develop. Nestled snugly in the clutter of teams following the ‘Big Four’, opportunities abound at Blackburn and there is scope for him to impress.

Ince has already stated that his first challenge as manager is to secure the services of key players such as Roque Santa Cruz and David Bentley. After a career tingling with silverware and an auspicious start to his managerial career, who’d bet against Paul Ince becoming a success once again?

Follow the latest developments at Sky Sports News

Tags: Digital TV, Sport by Peter Moore
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