Sport magazine 317

Issue 317 | August 9 2013

Contents

18

Issue 317, August 9 2013 Radar 05 Guess who?

An A-Z (and, er, 1-9) of footballing greats, as depicted in a new set of illustrations. We struggled with A...

06 Ortis remembered On the eve of the World Athletics Championships, we celebrate the glorious disaster of a former host

08 We go again The three tomes you should not be without ahead of next weekend’s big Premier League kick-off oFeatures this coming week

18

A-Z of the Premier League Fergie’s gone, but we have all you need to know for the new season: from A for All change to Z for Zaha

29 Rio Ferdinand The Manchester United centre half looks back at Sir Alex’s departure and ahead to life under David Moyes

32 Brad Haddin The Ashes are staying in England, but the Aussie wicketkeeper is determined to go down fighting

05

36

29

36 World Athletics Champs In the absence of Jessica Ennis-Hill, we pick out the Brits most likely to bring home the borsch from Moscow

Cover illustration by Peter Strain, peterstrain.co.uk. This page: Matthew Peters/ Manchester United via Getty Images, Paul Gilham/Getty Images

40 Rugby League The top two in the Super League clash, as Wigan host Huddersfield

Extra Time 46 Gadgets The new Peachtree amp that adds the warmth to your digital music

48 Kit Six pairs of shiny new football boots – although you’ll only need the one

54 Entertainment

54

Moviegoers are treated to a second Ass-Kicking, while White Lies offer you their Big TV experience | August 9 2013 | 03

Radar

p06 – The Friday Night Lights boxset and our favourite fictional sports shows

p08 – The history of football on TV, with Brian Barwick

Guess who?

W

e have put together our own A to Z later in the magazine, to hail the return of the Premier League (on page 18), but the one to the right here is a far more continental affair – which, by the Prem’s standards, is good going.

Created by design studio 67inc, it features illustrations of 35 football legends in the style of the old trading cards that were popular in the dark pre-video game era: one for each letter of the alphabet, plus nine more added in presumably to fill the space.

So, how many players can you name from their silhouette and letter/ number alone?

Football Legends A to Z print, £40 from 67inc.com

| August 9 2013 | 05

Radar

Screen pass he critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights follows the fortunes of the Dillon Panthers, a high school American football team in smalltown Texas coping with pressures piled on by their friends and families while navigating the playbook of adolescent life.

The full boxset, featuring all five seasons, has just been released on DVD – so you can get a grip on the less-glamorous end of the American football hierarchy before the NFL starts next month.

And, should you finish with it in good time, we’ve picked three more of our favourite fictional sporting shows below. £24, amazon.co.uk

T

Sports Night

A kind of sporting proto-West Wing, Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night ran for two seasons from 1998 until the turn of the century. Set behind the scenes at a sports news programme, it features lots of the rapid-fire dialogue the screenwriter would go on to make his name for. We’d love a British version – imagine Jim White played by Martin Sheen.

“Jessica Ennis.

Goodnight” S

Eastbound & Down

Dream Team

Crude, lewd HBO comedy about Kenny Powers: an arrogant, burned-out baseball pitcher who has, as he says, “been stripped of all of my god-given talents”.

Those talents include – and we’re paraphrasing here – throwing a ball very fast and, how shall we say, becoming a close acquaintance of any woman he so chooses.

Following the fortunes of Harchester United – splicing their purple-clad players in with real Premier League action – Dream Team ran for 10 seasons, plus a threeepisode 1980s spin-off (seriously). It was loved for its larger-than-life characters, such as livewire striker Karl Fletcher, and for its ludicrous storylines, such as Fletcher coming back as a ghost after his murder.

adly, the Olympic heptathlete champion won’t be at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow this week – and she’s not the only one. Another who definitely won’t be making the trip is presenter Ortis Deley. He had a memorable nightmare fronting Channel 4’s coverage of the last World Champs in Korea two years ago (worth checking out the clip if you haven’t seen it at tiny.cc/lyv40w).

“It was tough,” says Michael Johnson, the sprinting legend who had the misfortune of sitting next to Deley as the former CBBC presenter more often than not devolved into a sweaty mess of jumbled lines. “It was harder than it looked. I think Ortis gets too much of the blame. I felt really bad for him.”

06 | August 9 2013 |

Our top three Ortis gaffes “History in the making as Oscar Pistorius from South Africa makes history.”

In an empty studio: “So... we have a gloriously sunny day here in... the studio. We’ve seen some action this morning as well.

Jessica Ennis. Good night.”

Trying to introduce Usain Bolt (middle name, St Leo): “We talk to the hottest athlete of the moment, the honourable Leo Usain Bolt, Leo… St Leo Usain Bolt. We’ll be talking to him after the break.”

Radar

Armchair fandom T

Are you ready for the new season?

Y

eah? Well, do you know what Man City’s record transfer fee received is? Or how many league appearances Lukasz Fabiański made for Arsenal last season?* Well, now is your chance to swot up. The Sky Sports Football Yearbook (£16) is a dense bible of every stat you could want about English football – it’s basically what you’d get if you printed out Martin Tyler. The Racing Post Football Annual (£9) is more geared towards betting, obviously, and offers tips and info on English and European football. There’s also our very own Premier League preview supplement, Kick-off, which you can pick up inside next week’s issue of Sport.

08 | August 9 2013 |

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

*£21m for Shaun Wright-Phillips; 4 appearances. Images: Corbis, Mirrorpix, Rex Features, Press Association

his season’s clash of the titans between Sky and newcomers BT Sport is the latest twist in the long history of football on the box.

It’s told in detail by Brian Barwick in Are You Watching the Match Tonight? As well as looking almost exactly like the long-suffering husband from Keeping Up Appearances, Barwick has been the head of sport at the BBC and ITV, and the chief executive of the FA, so it’s safe to say he (probably) knows what he’s talking about. There have been highs – such as the brutalist architecture of Jimmy Hill’s chin and the soothing tones of Des Lynam – and lows: the aberration that was ITV’s The Premiership, for example. Sure, we can’t hear U2 without breaking out into a cold sweat any more – but flicking through the book, we’re inclined to say it’s been worth it.

Out Thursday, £19

Radar Editor’s letter Disaster management: McCoist is facing a tough season on and off the pitch www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmagazine

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Commercial

Dark storms brewing As men in suits battle for control of Rangers, the biggest losers are once again the fans

R Acting editor Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1

It is all too easy for critics to sneer at the desperate current state of the game in Scotland, and it must have been even easier for fans of Celtic – currently 1/100 favourites to retain their Scottish Premier League title – to gloat as their bitter rivals departed the Scottish League Cup away at the mighty Forfar last weekend.

But the dark reality behind such black humour is that Rangers is a club in the throes of a destructive and bitter civil war. The resignation of non-executive chairman Walter Smith on Monday is the latest chapter of a sorry tale in which a group of shareholders led by billionaire Jim McColl is seeking to overthrow the current Rangers board – and thus end the enduring influence of the controversial former chief executive (and still major shareholder) Charles Green.

All of which leaves manager Ally McCoist in a perilous position as his side – “the worst Rangers team ever”, as Green called it last week – begins its Scottish League One campaign at home to Brechin on Saturday. It’s not hard to

sympathise with McCoist. He’s a club legend seemingly doing his best in deeply trying circumstances, but it’s easier to feel for the Rangers fans – 34,000 of whom have loyally shelled out for season tickets to watch their club host the likes of Airdrie and East Fife this season.

It is not their fault the club got itself into the financial mess that precipitated multiple relegation and the Green takeover, and it is not their fault that the reputation of the club they love continues to be dragged through the gutter.

The likelihood is that things will get worse before they get better, too. But thus seems to be the way of the modern football club in turmoil... just ask fans of Coventry City.

So New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has been pitched a record 211-game ban for what Major League Baseball has called “his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances over the course of multiple years”. The use of steroids in baseball is nothing new, of course, and A-Rod has previous – but for one of the sport’s biggest stars to be found guilty of such a serious repeat offence shows how far the worldwide fight against drugs still has to go.

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are has it been that Scottish football has featured so prominently in these pages, but it’s becoming difficult to ignore the shambles of an organisation that is currently masquerading as Rangers Football Club.

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Radar Opinion

It’s like this…

Bill Borrows

Flats on Friday

L

@billborrows

@davidflatman

David Lyttleton

with his victim. Player and club, which had been fully supportive of him, were then forced to apologise after the direct intervention of Liverpool’s owners.

It really takes something to drag Dalglish into such a humiliating PR disaster, but Suarez managed it.

In August 2012, Suarez signed a new long-term contract. And then, in April this year, he decided to take a bite out of Branislav Ivanovic. The club backed him again – but two months later, after Liverpool had finished outside the Champions League places, he said he wanted to leave because of the intrusive nature of the press in this country. Arsenal have made an insulting bid of £40m plus £1 – such is the level of disrespect Suarez-era Liverpool now meets... and from a club that hasn’t won a trophy since 2005.

Liverpool fans gave the Uruguayan a standing ovation when he deigned to play in Steven Gerrard’s testimonial last weekend. “That showed you the class of the supporters,” said Brendan Rodgers after.

“That was a message from them, they love him here.”

It was nothing of the sort. It was an act of desperation from fans of a club that should be challenging for titles disguised as a tired ‘Scousers versus the world’ gesture. It was embarrassing.

Is Suarez bigger than the club that Shanks built?

That’s the question you’ve got to ask yourselves.

For the sake of your reputation, take Arsenal’s money and get shot asafp.

ast week I wrote about doping and, with an almost sad predictability, cycling and sprinting were the sports that featured most.

While I didn’t receive the torrent of disagreement I feared, some interesting questions came through on Twitter.

One lady said she really didn’t like my column, primarily because it rang true. One bloke called me something silly, and another asked about drugs in my sport, rugby.

This is an interesting one. There have been a handful of drug-related issues in my time around the sport, but these have primarily been to do with recreational drugs.

As for performance-enhancing drugs (or ‘steroids’, as the rest of us call them), I know of very few instances of doping in rugby union. A couple of positive tests came out of South Africa a few years ago – one of which was very quickly cleared – and we did hear about some players being banned from the lower Welsh leagues a couple of years ago. Across the sport, though, it doesn’t seem to be an issue... and that makes me wonder why.

One explanation might be that the players are so far ahead of testing protocols that they cannot be caught, but I just cannot see there being anywhere near enough money knocking around for that to be the case. Cash is growing in the sport, but not to that level. The players are tested a lot and at random times, so the chances of blagging it are thin. Which leaves the explanation that they don’t get caught because they just don’t do it.

I readily acknowledge that some of these guys look almost unnatural. I used to play with a guy called, ironically, Peter Short: he was 6ft 6ins and, despite weighing in at over 20 stone, had so little body fat that a six-pack was visible through a fitted T-shirt. This was a freakish specimen, yes, but he got there through incredible genetics and years of tireless graft in the gym and on the field – not drugs. He always seemed to be the chosen one when it came to ‘random’ testing, but relished making the testers feel as awkward as possible by undressing and singing every communication in the voice of Shirley Bassey. “Come in here, my darling,” I once heard him shout to the man with the clipboard.

“I might need your steady hand this time around.”

The main reason I don’t believe steroids are an issue in rugby union, though, is that the sport doesn’t really seem to fit. With sports like cycling and sprinting, one facet of fitness is taken to an extreme. Sprinters need incredible speed, cyclists need incredible endurance (and, as a by-product, recovery). Rugby players could use drugs to strip fat and make muscles stronger, but so much of the game is about technique, and drugs don’t help with that. I have seen many stunning athletes fall away because they just weren’t good enough at the game.

Gym heroes do not by definition make good players.

If undetected, I imagine drugs can be very useful in sport – but they cannot produce better core skills and they cannot make someone tactically aware. Put simply, they cannot help with the feel of the game, and feel is what it’s so often about. Just ask Shorty and his tester.

It’s time for Suarez to go

I

t’s difficult for men of my age to sympathise with Liverpool FC. In my childhood, a visit from, almost inevitably, the league champions invariably resulted in defeat. Off the pitch, events at Heysel in 1985 took the lives of 39 Juventus fans and English football out of Europe.

On the train to Lime St for one night match in the mid-1980s, we were advised by police to pull the blinds down and get under the tables as we were about to enter ‘bomb alley’. And if the paving slabs didn’t get you, Stanley was always waiting.

This all ended at Hillsborough. We were suddenly all football fans together, harassed by the police and demonised in the press, and the last City scarf I ever owned was left on the Kop in that period of disbelief and mourning. Kenny Dalglish was rightly deified for his actions in the aftermath of the tragedy – and the fans’ fight for justice since has been astonishing and awe-inspiring. For those who still think of ‘Liverpool 4’ as one half of a depressingly familiar scoreline rather than a postcode, it became possible to appreciate what ‘This is Anfield’ was all about.

I loved it when they won in Istanbul, and the club has maintained the highest standards during a tough period of managed decline that has seen Manchester United overtake their record number of league titles.

And then came Luis Suárez. In 2011, he was fined £40,000 by the FA for racially abusing Patrice Evra, and compounded this by refusing to shake hands

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Frozen in time

14 | August 9 2013 |

At the US PGA at Oak Hill Country Club in New York this weekend, Tiger Woods attempts to secure his first Major win for more than five years. He’s in his late 30s, his body is creaking and, if his final-round display at the Open last month is anything to go by, he’s becoming an increasingly irascible character on the golf course. But he remains the world number one by a country-club mile and, as he showed in his destruction of the field in Ohio last week, he can still keep a crowd utterly absorbed like no other golfer in history. Watch and learn, Rory. Watch and learn. | 15

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Eyes on the Tiger

is for

all change

New managers, TV coverage and tech

“Change in all things is sweet,” Aristotle once told the world. And, if the Greek philosopher were around today, he’d be more than sweet enough ahead of the new Premier League season – because change is rife across the English game’s top table. For the first time since its inception 21 years ago, there will be a Fergie-shaped hole on the Old Trafford sidelines. And, with Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City also firing or hiring (or both), four of last season’s top six start the season with a new man at the helm. In fact, Arsène Wenger’s 17 years at Arsenal aside, the longestserving manager has clocked up only two and a half years in the job (his name, if you haven’t guessed, is in the margin). Next week’s big kick-off also brings with it goalline technology, the arrival of BT Sport, the first top-flight South Wales derby, Fulham’s fantastically facial-haired new owner Shahid Khan, new kits, new signings and a new ball (see B). And that’s before we even start on the joy of having Ian Holloway, José Mourinho and Paolo Di Canio in the same league. Sweet indeed.

is for

is for

ball...

...and this season’s science-filled sphere

We don’t remember the exact date the launch of a new ball became such a big deal, but by golly, we’re

willing to embrace it. Because Nike’s new Incyte ball has us as excyted as ever. With RaDaR (Rapid Decision and Response) technology for improved visiblity, as well as a five-layer construction that promises a better first touch and a cleaner, faster strike, it can only mean more goals, right?

And when has that ever been a bad thing?

dead man(agers) walking

18 | August 9 2013 |

Michael Laudrup

Paolo Di Canio

Martin Jol

Alan Pardew

Reported to have been at odds with the board, but has subsequently spent a lot of money in the summer. A failure to repeat last year’s heroics and the unflappable Dane might start to feel the heat. A European adventure has proved the downfall of many.

A bad start might be excused because he took over only in March, but Di Canio makes our list because he’s capable of doing something crazy enough to force his chairman’s hand.

Has brought in a lot of new faces, on whom rests his reputation.

It would take a heart of stone to fire the likeable Dutchman, but American businessman Shahid Khan is throwing money at his new toy – if results are not up to scratch, a sexier coach might be the order of the day at Craven Cottage.

The mayhem behind the scenes at St James’ Wonga Arena (we’re 5,853 per cent sure that’s what it’s called now) means Pardew is on a tightrope, despite his eight-year deal.

A poor run of results, and JFK could be back in the hotseat.

Alan Pardew is the second-longest serving manager in the Premier League. For now…

Who is likely to cross the line first in the annual sack race? The runners and riders are...

Premier League A-Z is for

coups

Forget spending £30m on Fernandinho or £26m on Roberto Soldado... here are the players who will light up the league without emptying the coffers

is for

Gerard Deulofeu Everton, loan After he scored 18 goals for Barcelona B last season, the Catalan club secured the long-term future of their midfielder with a €30m buyout clause. Deulofeu has all the skill you’d expect from a Barca graduate, as well as set-piece ability to offer an alternative to Leighton Baines.

Everton

Maarten Stekelenburg Fulham, £4.8m Having lost Mark Schwarzer to Chelsea, Fulham fans should be pleased with their new man between the sticks.

A World Cup finalist with Holland in 2010, Stekelenburg won two titles in 11 seasons with Ajax (where he played under Martin Jol) and helped Roma to sixth in last season’s Serie A.

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When Skies Are Grey fanzine editor Graham Ennis on the season ahead

“It’s a big season for Everton. But then, it always is.

Once again, we face the so-far-unsubstantiated threat of losing our best players as idle newspaper speculation repeatedly demonstrates that two plus two can make any number you want.

Any club would struggle to replace players of the quality of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, so hopefully we won’t have to.

Such is modern football. As supporters, we can only hope the transfer money is made available for replacements and spent wisely. Of course, the man responsible for doing that has changed. It’s fair to say Evertonians were in two minds about David Moyes’ exit: the ‘stay-ers’ feared a return to the dark, disappointing days of Walter Smith; the ‘go-ers’ thought the grass might be greener. But everyone wanted to give him a good send-off, and we were all pleased that this was done with dignity.

Still, Roberto Martinez has brought a bit of fresh air with him, with the players pointedly referring to an enjoyable pre-season – referencing Moyes’ (dare I say) dinosaur training methods, which may or may not have been responsible for many a poor start to our league campaigns.

Similarly, there is talk of ‘attacking football’ and 3-4-3 formations. Both strike hard at the core of Moyes’ footballing philosophy, which seems to work best with one man up top and everyone being aware of their defensive duties.

All this points to a positive mood among supporters, and the season is much anticipated.

Maybe part of that is the sense of the unknown.” @wsagfanzine

Marc Muniesa Stoke, free A torn anterior cruciate ligament in July 2012 saw Muniesa fall out of favour at Barcelona, and his €30m buyout clause turn into a free transfer, but he allies a cool, passing ability with his defensive solidity. Offers cover at left back and centre back. No-nonsense Ryan Shawcross he is not.

Emanuele Giaccherini Sunderland, £6.5m Juventus sold the Italian international (14 caps, two goals) after the midfielder won back-to-back Serie A titles with the Turin club.

Has the ability to create through the middle as well as out wide. Scored the fastest goal in Italy’s history in a friendly against Haiti in June, after just 19 seconds.

fixtures...

... and four mouth-watering clashes to get in the diary

Monday August 26: Man Utd v Chelsea The first big clash of the season. The champions versus the pretenders, with new men in opposing dugouts. Could – nay, should – set the tone for the next nine months.

Sunday September 1: Arsenal v Tottenham Whether Gareth Bale is there or not, this one is always going to be huge – and with the white half of north London believing they can usurp the reds this season (again), this seems like their best chance.

Tottenham will also have had a month to get their big signings settled in. As will the Gunners. What? Oh.

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goalline tech

Hawk-Eye has added value to Wimbledon and the Ashes. Can it do so in football?

Goalline technology finally comes into force in this season’s Premier League. The Hawk-Eye system that will be used in England is meant to work like this: seven cameras focused on each goalmouth track the position of the ball to within a millimetre, using clever software to work out when it’s crossed the line. If it does, a signal is sent to the referee almost instantly, so there will be no more tears from fans, and no more reprieves for the likes of Roy Carroll. And one less thing for the rest of us to talk about, argue over and enjoy.

Sunday October 27: Chelsea v Man City Between José Mourinho’s unprovoked verbal assaults on Manuel Pellegrini, and the latter’s damaging victory over the former’s Madrid side when the two came up against each other in the Primera División last season, there isn’t a lot of love lost here.

Saturday April 19: Everton v Man Utd What sort of welcome will await David Moyes?

If Everton are struggling and United going for the title, this one could have more bite to it than an on-field encounter with Luis Suárez.

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headlines

The back-page exclusives we expect to see over the next nine months

No Way, José Any time one of Mourinho’s [rumoured] January transfer bids is turned down.

Look Roo’s Back The first time Wayne Rooney returns to Old Trafford with his new club. If he has one.

He’s lost the Paolo-t Di Canio does something crazy, the papers use an awful pun.

A Hollo Victory Crystal Palace win their first game of the season – we don’t like to speculate as to when this will be. >

| 19

Illustrations: Peter Strain, peterstrain.co.uk. All pictures Getty Images

Jose Campana Crystal Palace, £2m Campana helped Spain to two consecutive European U19 Championships during his time at Sevilla, and was sold only because of the club’s perilous financial situation.

With Glenn Murray injured and Wilfried Zaha gone, Campana could be the touch of class Palace crave.

Premier League A-Z is for

inbetweeners

They’re not going to trouble the top four, and they’re not going to go down. Probably

Fulham The biggest change at Fulham is the swapping of one moneyed eccentric for another, with Shahid Khan now bankrolling the Cottagers. A change of goalkeeper is the major on-field difference, while Darren Bent’s expected arrival will be a boost.

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Norwich A fascinating season lies ahead for the Canaries, with the arrival of several quality players at Carrow Road. Leroy Fer, Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel are players who could push the club to another level: between seventh and 10th, then.

Southampton Victor Wanyama’s £12.5m signing is the biggest headline coming out of St Mary’s, but Mauricio Pochettino is tweaking rather than reinventing a squad that failed to win in their final six games of last season. Holding on to Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw is key.

West Ham Were never pulled into the relegation dogfight last season, but only because the sides around them were considerably inferior. Andy Carroll has signed on permanently, but not a lot else has changed at Upton Park. Big Sam can’t afford to rest on his laurels.

José

talkSPORT’s Spanish football expert Lee Roden ponders if the Stamford Bridge hotseat is set to be filled by a different Mourinho

person to person. But anyone familiar with Mou from his time at Chelsea is likely to agree that the biggest difference between his spell on the Iberian peninsula as compared with his time in England was a loss of the sense of fun that used to surround him. At Chelsea, Mourinho perhaps occasionally crossed the line of what was considered acceptable from a manager – but more often than not he was more of a mischievous scamp, causing trouble in a manner similar to that of a pantomime villain. And he knew it.

At the Bernabéu, that self-awareness seemed to gradually disappear, and his actions became quite unsavoury... nasty, even.

Fellow managers were targets of his ire with little to no rationale.

And, indeed, the targets in question were often soft ones. A case in point was Manuel Pellegrini, who never criticises opposition coaches – yet he was singled out by Mourinho on more than one occasion, most notably when Mou reminded the world that he would ‘never’ coach a club like Malaga. Considering Mourinho had taken Pellegrini’s job at Madrid just two seasons prior, it is difficult to see what the Portuguese had to gain by launching attacks on the Chilean.

And he was made to eat his own words when Malaga effectively ended Madrid’s hopes of retaining La Liga in the winter of last season.

With Mourinho now back in the comfortable environment of Stamford Bridge, it will be intriguing to see if the more relaxed persona he has shown this summer lasts deep into the season once the stress levels are cranked up... and if the fun, pantomime Mou of old gives way to his more grizzled, cynical incarnation of recent years.”

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kit

The change tops set to split opinion

Away strips have always been something of a mixed bag, but some of the change

kits on show in this year’s Premier League make it a bloody sight more mixed than usual. Particular shout-outs must go to Manchester United’s ‘stainhiding tablecloth’ effort, and whatever the hell that is from Liverpool. >

20 | August 9 2013 |

Swansea third £45

Aston Villa away £45

Manchester United away £50

Tottenham away £40

Liverpool third £40

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Illustrations: Peter Strain, peterstrain.co.uk. All kits featured (apart from Swansea) available from sportsdirect.com

“By the end of his reign at Real Madrid, it felt like virtually everyone in Spain had an opinion on José Mourinho, often varying wildly from

Premier League A-Z

London

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Why the capital has a serious chance of breaking the Manchester duopoly...

‘Mind the gap’ is a familiar refrain on theTube – and it’s

something that applies equally to the performance of the top division’s London clubs over the past two seasons, as their Mancunian rivals have pulled away on their own.

Not any more, though. No siree. José’s back in blue, Arsène has money to spend and Tottenham are bigger than just one man. Right? Well, Mourinho’s return could bring a stability to Chelsea that the club has lacked in recent years.

With the class of player he has at his disposal, the King’s Road crew have to be favourites for the title in many people’s eyes. Arsenal and Tottenham, though, are a

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different matter. Yaya Sanogo’s arrival is unlikely to placate the long-suffering Gunners, leaving Wenger under pressure to get a star name in before the window shuts.

And yes, you may have read a thing or two about Spurs and the transfer window this summer. Their Bale-out money could be the making of the club, and allow them to crack the top four (they couldn’t do it with him last season). Then again, is there any compensating for the number of key goals Bale scored last time round? Whatever happens, the London challenge is certainly looking stronger than it has for a few years. Mind the gap, Manchester – it’s getting smaller.

Manchester...

For so-called ‘noisy neighbours’, Manchester City have been uncharacteristically quiet about their transfer dealings

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BT SPORT Jake Humphrey CBBC presenter turned composed F1 anchor has torn himself away from his bi-weekly love-in with David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan to front BT’s Premier League coverage. Chummy. managerial appointments, David Moyes arguably offers the most stability. Combine his squad of serial winners with a strengthened Man City side itching for revenge, and it’s easy to suggest that the Premier League trophy will remain in Manchester for a fourth year running.

new boys

We cast our eye over the three sides fresh out of the Championship

Cardiff

What’s changed? 30-goal Glenn

Manager: Malky Mackay Star man: David Marshall Kept 18

Murray is out until January. Zaha has gone. A lot rests on new men Dwight Gayle and Jose Campana.

Can they stay up? Not if you listen to the bookies.

league clean sheets last season.

What’s changed? Steven Caulker is in from Spurs, and 20-year-old Danish striker Andreas Cornelius has signed from FC Copenhagen.

Can they stay up? They have the infrastructure and the money. Yes. Crystal Palace Manager: Ian Holloway Star man: Jonathan Williams

Diminutive midfielder’s ability to beat men will soften the blow of Wilfried Zaha’s departure.

22 | August 9 2013 |

SKY SPORTS Jamie Carragher Former Liverpool man joins former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness, former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville, the man all Scousers love to hate. Enjoy.

BBC Mark Chapman Taking over from Colin Murray on MOTD2, cheeky Chappers has covered football, cricket, the NFL and rugby league on the radio, TV and in his many columns. Knows his stuff.

…and why the northwest won’t give up its power easily

so far this summer – while United clumsily pursue Cesc Fàbregas with all the grace of a drunk approaching a girl in a nightclub. The Citizens have spent big and signed class, steering clear of marquee players and acrimonious moves and instead focusing on intelligently strengthening their squad – Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetić and Álvaro Negredo can all fill roles where City were found wanting last season. The news from Manchester’s other club has mostly covered the tedious Wayne Rooney saga, but the brutal truth is that his presence – or lack thereof – is largely irrelevant to United’s fortunes.

There’s no denying that Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure provides an opportunity for the likes of City and Chelsea, but they are in similar transitionary states. Of the three new

pundits

New Nevilles or a load of Lawrensons? The fresh faces that will be critical and (we hope) analytical

Hull Manager: Steve Bruce Star man: Robert Koren

Club captain has been here before with West Brom.

What’s changed? Danny Graham is in on loan, and George Boyd, Maynor Figueroa, Steve Harper and Yannick Sagbo join him.

Can they stay up? Not this time.

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odds

Three new season bets from Mark Langdon, digital football editor of the Racing Post

“Manchester City have a better squad and a better manager than last season, and they are no longer

up against Sir Alex Ferguson. This looks to be a perfect opportunity, then, to claim back the Premier League title. City are rightly favourites, and should be shorter than 23/10.

Back the Belgian beast Christian Benteke to take the Golden Boot at 18/1. The Aston Villa hitman smashed 19 league goals in a stunning debut campaign, and there is still much more to come from the improving 22-year-old.

Finally, a British player has won the PFA Young Player of the Year in each of the last five years, and Wilfried Zaha can continue that run at 16/1.

Moving to Manchester United will give Zaha the platform to dazzle, and he won’t be fazed by the Old Trafford transfer.”

David James England’s former number one will be an expert analyst after years of writing regularly for The Observer. Safe hands.

Steve McManaman After stints with Setanta and ESPN, McManaman brings his slick delivery and even slicker hair to BT. Like Michael Owen, he has a big interest in horses. Unlike Owen, he doesn’t go on about it.

Michael Owen Purveyor of some of Sport’s favourite tweets of all time (for their banality, mostly). Nags on about horses.

Owen Hargreaves Secured punditry job after sending in a video of himself analysing a lunchtime five-a-side kickabout. Probably. >

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Illustrations: Peter Strain, peterstrain.co.uk

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Premier League A-Z is for

quotes

We're not sure these words of questionable wisdom will stand up

“I will always manage one way and that is talking to my staff, talking to my players, talking to my peers – as well as people like the owner – to make sure we are on the right agenda. Joe [Kinnear] now fits in there. But he can’t interfere with me managing the team and I won’t let him. I made it very clear to Joe.”

We sit back and await Joe Kinnear’s non-interference with interest, Alan Pardew.

“Last season was a disappointing one, but the simple truth was that the squad just wasn’t strong enough. The Europa League also took its toll because of injuries and that was felt in the league.

My job is simple: to bring in quality players who will give the manager more options.”

Still, at least Kinnear sounds like he knows his job. But it’s not going too well so far...

“I respect him a lot and I will show it always. In football, things like this happen. Sometimes, even if you are friends and respect each other, you say something the other doesn’t like and you react.

But at the end of the day I respect him a lot and I have the feeling that he is the same in relation to me. I wouldn’t bet for one single problem between us.”

It’s worth noting Jose Mourinho’s thoughts on Arsène Wenger down.

“At a top club, you have to be prepared to fight for your place.

We have a great squad and I’m confident we can achieve what we want.”

Samir Nasri prepares for another season of getting his head down and not complaining.

“You’ve got to play them, so playing them straight off, you just get on with it. We’ll give it a real good go, you won’t get two tougher away ties. But we’re looking forward to it.”

Paul Lambert is not entirely convincing ahead of Aston Villa travelling to Arsenal and Chelsea in their first two fixtures.

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relegation

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The teams likely to be anxiously looking over their shoulders (again) this season

stats

Facts and figures to turn you into an instant expert (Alan Shearer, take note). All from WhoScored.com

Aston Villa Youth is the order of the day for Paul Lambert once again, but it’s the re-signing (as opposed to resigning) of Christian Benteke that is the feather in Villa’s cap.

Reproduce last season’s form, and the Belgian will see Villa safe. At a push, they could make the top half.

3.9

Newcastle Little surprises at St James’ Park thanks to the seemingly perpetual chaos behind the curtains. Would benefit from chipping out another nugget or two from their French goldmine in order to cope with injuries.

Pardew and Kinnear are at the coalface...

38% 19.4

Stoke A somewhat stagnant force last season, Stoke may be reinvigorated by Mark Hughes’ arrival. Sparky has brought quality in at the back, though not much has been done about their (lack of) attacking threat. Home form and elbows could keep them up again.

Sunderland Paolo Di Canio has brought in eight new faces (at the time of writing), but the quality is questionable. Jozy Altidore (one goal in 28 games for Hull the last time they were in the top flight) could take the pressure off Steven Fletcher, but don’t bank on it.

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interceptions per game for Man City’s Fernandinho in last season’s Champions League.

City already had one of the meanest defences in the league last season. The Brazilian will allow Yaya Toure to roam forward with more frequency.

of Tottenham’s league goals last season were scored or assisted by Gareth Bale – without the Welshman popping it in the top corner every other game, they would have been 27 points worse off, sandwiched between West Ham and Norwich in 10th.

42%

shots per game for Liverpool last season – the highest in the league.

That was mostly Luis Suárez greedily smashing it into the side netting from an impossible angle after dribbling past three defenders, so this number might drop for the first six games. Stoke hit the fewest, with just 10.2 shots per game.

of attacks that came down the left side of the pitch for both Wigan and Everton last season, making them the most lop-sided teams in the division.

Thursday night fight

Once their top-four challenge fades, expect this quartet to fight it out for those coveted Europa League places

An intriguing season lies ahead on Merseyside, with Everton getting used to life without David Moyes and a few new faces at Liverpool. The red half look the stronger, especially if they can hold on to their wantaway Uruguayan talisman, while the Toffees are something of an unknown quantity under their new manager. Arouna Kone, Joel Robles and Antolin Alcaraz all arrived from the DW Stadium after a campaign that saw them relegated under Roberto Martinez last term, but the

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Spaniard is chasing one or two others who have experience towards the top end of the table. Anyone who saw Swansea’s first foray into Europe last week, meanwhile, will see that Michael Laudrup’s men are likely to be a stronger force this season, with Wilfried Bony and Jonjo Shelvey reinforcing their squad. West Brom will rely on Nicolas Anelka (who, at 34, is playing for his sixth Premier League club) to take over where Romelu Lukaku left off.

underachievers

The players who need to offer a bit more bang for their bucks this season

Hugo Rodallega (Fulham) Since he arrived at Fulham, Rodallega has provided three goals and one assist in 29 league appearances.

Joe Allen (Liverpool) Remember him? He cost £15m, but has seen his chances limited by injury. His passing stats indicate a successful stint in the middle, but the problem is a lack of cutting edge and incisive passing. Zero goals, zero assists, zero presence.

Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) Continues to show promise, but last season should have been his breakthrough one. Instead, a bit of the Andy Coles about his shot-to-goal ratio. One in 27 appearances is not good enough.

Nikica Jelavic (Everton) Six goals before Christmas. One goal after. Costing £5m, Jelavic promised much – his new manager will expect a better return, especially with Arouna Kone knocking at the door. >

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Premier League A-Z

valleys

Wenger

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The Welsh giants sit at the top table together for the first time

He’s the Premier League’s longest-serving manager, but Arseblog News deputy editor Andrew Allen tells us why the next year could be decisive for Arsène

Cardiff’s promotion means two Welsh teams will meet in the top flight for the first time when they play Swansea on November 3. It’s one of the

“More than ever, it feels like the summer transfer window holds the key to Arsenal’s season and Arsène Wenger’s future.

fiercest rivalries in British football: recent clashes have been marred by coin-throwing, stadium vandalism and post-match fighting – and that’s without even touching on the antics of Swansea’s unruly mascot Cyril the Swan (who is notoriously badly behaved). Cardiff boy Craig Bellamy scored a late winner for the red Bluebirds in their last meeting with the Swans in 2011. Thankfully, his cool head will calm everyone down if it boils over.

Our rivals are in a state of managerial flux and, following the swashbuckling end to last term, there’s a tentative optimism around the club.

What’s more, we know for a fact we’re sitting on a big pile of cash – the type of money that buys the missing pieces of the puzzle.

There’s no hiding the fact that failure to reinforce in the coming weeks will be deemed inexcusable.

While the signing of an injury-prone French kid – Yaya Sanogo – evoked nervous laughter, the failed pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain and the ongoing Luis Suarez saga have since set alarm bells ringing.

Do the supporters think Wenger is the right man for the job? It’s a tough question to answer.

There are few figures in the game who could have managed the club any better on the stringent resources he’s had at his disposal in the past decade. Time and again since moving to the Emirates, he has lost key players and somehow clung on to our top-four credentials. It’s been miraculous at times, and for that he has the respect of not just Gooners, but (most of) the football fraternity. The man still has an eye for quality, is much loved by those who play under him and produces great football.

What he needs to do now is win something. After diligently guiding Arsenal through troubled waters, he deserves a shot at ending the trophy drought and to be the man who spends our new riches. If he secures silverware this season, few would object to the Premier League’s longest-serving manager being handed a new deal. He may of course have his eye on an exit, either way. Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to snap him up and, when his contract ends in a year, they might well get their man.

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XI to watch

We pick the men likely to make the PFA Team of the Year shortlist

Lloris Tottenham

Azpilicueta

Vidic

Caulker

Gibbs

Chelsea

Man Utd

Swansea

Arsenal

Navas

Oscar

Fernandinho

Coutinho

Man City

Chelsea

Man City

Liverpool

Bony

Negredo

Swansea

Man City

It would be sad if he left with his reign divided between nine years of success and eight years of comparative disappointment. These are complex times at the Emirates. For so long we’ve wanted to gamble with the high rollers. Now we wait for Arsène to show us his hand.” @AAllenSport

Whoever wins the league will have a huge say in the PFA team of the year. Despite that likely outcome,

26 | August 9 2013 |

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youth is out there

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Four British (and Irish) youngsters we expect to make the grade

Nathaniel Chalobah, Chelsea After impressing in Watford’s run to the playoff final, the tall defensive midfielder has his eye on a Premier League breakthrough, even if it’s with another loan deal. Possesses power and skill in abundance.

Graham Burke, Aston Villa You might not have heard of Villa’s Irish striker, but he might just get a few chances this year. Having topped the scoring charts in last year’s NextGen series, he has the raw talent needed at this higher level.

Ross Barkley, Everton Barkley has been tipped for big things several times in his career, but injuries have held him back. Roberto Martinez, though, has indicated the youngster is part of his plans.

Jordon Ibe, Liverpool Signed from Wycombe in December 2011, having become their youngest league goalscorer. Scored in Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Preston in pre-season.

Zaha

Can Man Utd’s new boy cut it in the Premier League?

Since David Moyes’ arrival, Manchester United have been notable by their absence in the transfer market. Apart from the arrival, pre-Moyes, of Wilfried Zaha. For the England international (that Sweden cap counts), then, the pressure is on. He’s gone from potential loanee to the man tasked with providing the wide spark that a combined force of Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia failed to conjure last season. Welcome to the big league, Wilf.

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Illustrations: Peter Strain, peterstrain.co.uk

a total of eight teams are represented in our XI. In goal, Hugo Lloris has had a season to settle and can only benefit from being Tottenham’s undisputed number one. Our two full backs had good seasons last year, and are likely to repeat their habit of getting forward and supporting the considerable attacking options available to Chelsea and Arsenal. The centre-back pairing sees a returning colossus in Nemanja Vidić and a man who we think can make a name for himself in Cardiff – Steven Caulker, the club’s record signing.

Philippe Coutinho looked spectacular in his end-of-season cameo last term. Jesus Navas will offer Man City a spark down the right, and tends to rise to the occasion (witness his goal against Barcelona last season). Chelsea’s Oscar has shone fleetingly – expect more from him. Fernandinho will be a rock for City in the centre of the park.

Up front, Alvaro Negredo has been brought in to get goals for Man City, and we reckon that’s exactly what he will do. The partnership of Michu and Wilfried Bony at Swansea, meanwhile, is one we can’t wait to see in action.

Rio Ferdinand Matt Prior

New

Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand’s 12th term as a Manchester United player won’t be like the rest.

He tells Sport how he sees the beginning of the post-Ferguson era hange. It’s a small word, but one that usually has big implications – something Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United colleagues have been coming to terms with since May 8 2013.

That was the date Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his 26 and a half years in charge of the club – and when he left a squad of players that had come to embody his winning mentality wondering who would replace him.

“There’d been rumours about him leaving in the press that morning,” recalls Ferdinand of the day he discovered his manager of 11 seasons was leaving. “So the lads just came in for training and were like: ‘What’s going on?

Is he going? Is he staying? What’s happening?’

We all thought it was just paper talk. But then he came in and announced it in the meeting before training. Everyone was just shocked.

It was an emotional moment. When he walked out of the room, everyone just sat there stunned and couldn’t believe it. It was pure disbelief, really.”

Ferdinand and his colleagues didn’t have to wait long to find out who would take his place in what is surely now the hottest seat in football. The appointment of David Moyes was announced days before Ferguson’s final game in charge at Old Trafford, and the outgoing manager used his emotional post-match speech to urge United fans to stand by their new manager. >

“When he walked out of the room, everyone just sat there stunned and couldn’t believe it. It was pure disbelief” | August 9 2013 | 29

Rio Ferdinand “It’s a sign of how great a person he is that, on his last day at Old Trafford, he mentioned the new manager and the backing he should get – just like the support he had when he first came through the door,” says Ferdinand. “He was just letting the fans know: don’t follow the trends of other clubs; don’t be too hasty in trying to get people out of the door. Give them time, because that’s what he got – and look what happened.”

Always improving With 432 appearances in a United shirt, Ferdinand is second only to Ryan Giggs (on 941) of the current squad – as such, he is one of the senior players whose backing Moyes will be keen to secure in his first season in charge. Even so, he says the 50-year-old Scot ensured his reign began in typical Moyes fashion – with plenty of graft.

“The first few days were double sessions, so he wasn’t messing about, which is good,” he reveals. “And I think it’s welcomed. The manager is lucky that he’s come into a bunch of players who, although they’re are all at different stages of their career, still have the same hunger and desire.

“I think that’s a reflection on the previous manager, because that’s what he used to demand from the team. This manager has come in to take over and he’ll have new ideas, new philosophies on certain things, and we’ll be there to take it all on board. The aim from all of us, though – including the manager – will be to win trophies. As I said, though, any information he’s giving us, we’re standing there and taking it in, soaking it up like sponges, and trying to better ourselves as individuals and as a team.”

With Giggs taking on the role of playercoach for the new season, and former United left back Phil Neville on board as first-team coach, Moyes won’t be short of options should he need advice from some of the club’s oldest heads. And that’s something Ferdinand believes will be invaluable as the season progresses.

“With those two, he has lots of experience right there,” he says. “There’ll be times – like when we’re in the Champions League and over the Christmas period, when we have so many games to play – when the squad needs

to be rotated. That’s something we’ve always been successful at, so if the manager needs to ask about how it was done in the past, I’m sure he’ll feel free to do that. That’s why we’re there – to be a sounding board.

“If it was me – if I was the manager coming in after such a successful man like Sir Alex Ferguson – I’d always ask questions. What did he do at this point or that point coming up in the next two months? It’s great that the manager has various avenues he can go down to get that information. It’s invaluable.”

While Ferguson’s success has given Moyes the hardest of acts to follow, it has also left him with a club philosophy Ferdinand believes is ingrained in Old Trafford’s every crevice.

“The word ‘desire’ is what comes into my head when I see the [previous] manager,” he explains. “His desire, his hunger to win, to be successful and to be at his best at all times. He demanded it from the players, too. That was probably one of the biggest changes when I came to United from where I’d been before. The mentality of being successful was what I needed, what I wanted, what I craved. In that sense, I landed on my feet when I signed for United.”

The club didn’t do too badly out of his arrival, either. With a 500th appearance

You say goodbye, I say hello: Ferdinand applauds as Old Trafford bids farewell to Ferguson; training with Moyes in Sydney on United’s pre-season tour

in a United shirt surely not too far away, Ferdinand is assured of his place in the club’s history, alongside his former manager.

Both men will hope that, one day, Moyes will be in a position to join them.

Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag BT Sport will show Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial exclusively live on August 9. Rio is working with BT Sport as an interviewer, programme-maker and football expert. BT Sport is free with BT broadband and available via BT’s own TV service, the Sky Digital Satellite Platform and online at btsport.com or via the BT Sport app

Ferdinand’s testimonial at Old Trafford tonight gives him a chance to think back over his Man Utd career and pick out a few of the many highlights...

“My best moment? I can’t name just one. I could say winning the league for the first time [in 2003, his

30 | August 9 2013 |

first season with the club], because it gets the monkey off your back.

You just think: ‘Thank god I can say I’ve won it when I retire.’ But then straight away you think: ‘I want to win it again and again.’

“And then winning the Champions League in Moscow [in 2008] was an unbelievably

emotional evening, too.

You never think in your wildest dreams it could happen to you – maybe to other people, but not to you. Then probably the manager’s last title [in May] – number 20. It’s part of the club’s history now, so to play a role in his last title-winning team was a great honour.”

All pictures Getty Images

Rio’s review

Brad Haddin

Playing for pride

We speak to Aussie wicketkeeper and vice-captain Brad Haddin, as the Baggy Greens lick their wounds ahead of today’s fourth Test

32 | August 9 2013 |

A

fter 215 minutes at the crease in the second innings of the first Test of the Ashes at Trent Bridge, Brad Haddin would have been sweating already – even before he got the faintest inside edge on a ball from Jimmy Anderson. It was an edge so fine that the England bowler didn’t initially appeal – and the Australian wicketkeeper might have thought he’d get a reprieve in a match defined by undue second chances.

“I knew I’d hit it,” he tells us – something that he confirmed to England wicketkeeper Matt Prior with an almost imperceptible nod after his opponents decided to review the decision. It was a sad end to a brave innings from the 35-year-old, his 71 bringing Australia to within 15 runs of an unlikely victory.

“It was an exciting Test match, and the way the tail fought to the end was obviously good,” he says now.

“But from our point of view, to get so close and not get a result was disappointing.”

Still, there was enough in the team’s display to hint that they might not be the pushovers we were expecting this Ashes summer – an impression Michael Clarke and co did their best to destroy in the second Test at Lord’s. “Everyone was disappointed with the result and the way we presented ourselves at Lords,” admits Haddin, who struggled to continue his form at the home of cricket. A pair of single-figure scores with the bat sandwiched some missed catches, as he twice let edges fly past him when they were seemingly his for the taking.

“I thought they were both going straight to first slip, but I will take responsibility for them,” he said afterwards. “They were my fault. They were obviously my fault.”

“The rivalry and excitement is second to none.

This is where you want to be tested, this is where you want to be... out there in the line of fire”

Room for improvement It was a typically frank reaction from the straighttalking Aussie, who speaks of the team wanting to live up to their reputation – or, at least, the weight of their country’s rich cricketing history.

“It’s about getting out there and presenting ourselves the way we know we can,” he tells us.

“The way we played at Lord’s was unacceptable.”

It’s a strong statement for a player only recalled to the side in March – but as a senior member and recently appointed vice-captain, it’s one Haddin clearly feels he has the authority to make. Because of the prolonged brilliance of his predecessor Adam Gilchrist, Haddin made his Test debut only in 2008, at the age of 30. He was therefore determined to get back into the side as quickly as possible after losing his place to 25-year-old Matthew Wade in October last year.

“There was never any doubt in my mind that I could get back to this level,” he insists, adding that he bears his younger rival no ill will. “It’s no different to any other member of the team. We’re all here under one banner trying to bring the urn home, so from that point of view we’ll do whatever we can to help each other get better and move forward as a group.”

Despite a marked improvement from the Australians, and from Haddin behind the stumps, the urn will remain in England for at least a few more months, with rain having scuppered Australia’s chances of victory on the final day of the Third Test at Old Trafford earlier this week. Haddin has nothing but good words for the man in charge of trying to win it back: coach Darren Lehmann, who was brought in shortly before the series began.

“Darren is a very well-respected figure – he came in at short notice, but what he’s done with the group has been outstanding,” he says. “He has a good understanding of the game and where he wants to take the group, so it’s been very refreshing.”

Tricky decisions A lot of the negativity around the team had been focused on captain Michael Clarke, although he swatted much of it away with an imperious batting display at Old Trafford. Clarke has come under fire for the way in which many believe Australia have wasted their reviews this summer – something that cost them the wicket of a non-walking Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge, most notoriously. Perhaps understandably, Haddin believes the system needs tweaking to take the decision away from the players.

“I think DRS should be in the hands of the umpires,” he says. “The DRS isn’t a tactic, when to use it or when not to. It’s there for the howler. So, from that point of view, if you think it’s out, then you refer it.

“From where I stand, though, I definitely have a role to play in it. But so does the bowler or first slip.

There’s no hidden answer or formula behind it.”

It’s no doubt something the team will discuss as they look back on a series they can no longer win, and look ahead to November.

“I actually think having the next series straight away is a good thing for cricket,” he insists. “You get 10 Tests of the best cricket you’ll possibly play – not just for us, but for the supporters.”

They might have succumbed to a mixture of pressure and weather in the first three Tests, but Haddin and Australia are still up for the fight.

“This is the pinnacle of cricket for us – this is what we want to be involved in,” he says. “The rivalry and excitement is second to none. This is where you want to be tested, this is where you want to be... out there in the line of fire.”

Amit Katwala @amitkatwala Sports performance brand ASICS is a proud sponsor of Cricket Australia in this summer of great cricketing rivalry

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Stu Forster/Getty Images

Friday > CriCket | england v australia: fourth test | riverside ground, Chester-le-street | sky sports ashes hd 11aM

Ashes

ENGLAND

Alastair Cook (C) 6/10 Batting: 145 runs at 24.16.

Two half-centuries, but England’s ice-cool batting machine is spluttering at the crease. A bit of a by-the-numbers captain at times, but gets a bonus mark as he’s a respected leader who has all 10 of his teammates battling for him.

AUSTRALIA

Michael Clarke (C) 8/10 Batting: 319 runs at 63.80.

His 187 in the third Test could be retitled How to Bat Against Spin: A Documentary

by M Clarke (and a copy given to every Australian batsman).

Had struggled with a bad back and poor form until then, but is an imaginative and attacking captain.

34 | August 9 2013 |

Joe Root 7/10 Batting: 242 runs at 48.40.

Bowling: 3 wickets at 11.00.

‘Wireless’ (router – geddit?) has looked stodgier opening than he did batting freely at six. Still, he made a memorable 180 at Lord’s, while he’s also chipped in with three wickets.

Jonathan Trott 4/10 Batting: 122 runs at 20.33.

Timed the ball sweetly for the first two Tests before getting out a few times in most un-Trott-like fashion.

At Old Trafford, however, his brain looked scrambled.

Will have spent the week in the nets.

Kevin Pietersen 6/10 Batting: 206 runs at 34.33.

In 2005, he had the skunk hair; in 2013 he has the dodgy knee.

It’s called getting old, KP – but his innings of 113 in the third Test shows his ability to make a crucial ton survives. Not quite fully fit or in form, but he’s getting there.

Ian Bell 9/10 Batting: 381 runs at 76.20.

‘Belly Doesn’t Flop’.

‘Saved by the Bell’.

‘Sherminator: Salvation’. Ian Bell deserves all the big headlines after sublime knocks under real pressure.

His 109 in tricky conditions at Trent Bridge is the pick.

Jonny Bairstow 5/10 Batting: 161 run at 32.20.

Has shown flashes of class and is a lively fielder, but his only 40+ innings was his 67 at Lord’s (and that after he was clean bowled on 21, then recalled after it was revealed as a noball). Shot selection has to improve.

Matt Prior (W) 5/10 Batting: 69 runs at 17.25.

Catches: 10.

His wicketkeeping has been high quality and he’s a key, savvy voice in England’s use of DRS in the field, but a stalling innings of 31 in the last Test can’t hide the fact Prior has been out of sorts with the bat.

Tim Bresnan 7/10 Bowling: 7 wickets at 28.14.

Batting: 46 runs at 15.33.

His role as a high-end nightwatchman has been hit-and-miss, but he’s delivered control with the ball.

Has been his team’s top wicket-taking fast bowler in both of the Tests he’s played.

Stuart Broad 7/10 Bowling: 6 wickets at 52.00.

Batting: 154 runs at 38.50.

His mark may look generous, given his six wickets have been expensively bought, but Broad has often bowled tightly for scant reward. His flashing blade has secured vital runs.

Graeme Swann 8/10 Bowling: 19 wickets at 27.36.

Batting: 49 runs at 16.33.

Hasn’t bowled at his very best, yet Swann has still taken 19 wickets. How so?

He’s a world-class spinner of guile, craft and aggression. The England player that Aussies covet most.

James Anderson 8/10 Bowling: 15 wickets at 26.06.

Batting: 16 runs at 8.00.

Probably deserves 11/10 for his Herculean final-day display at Trent Bridge: England’s swing king took all five wickets to win the game. Solid, if less spectacular, since.

Shane Watson 5/10 Batting: 146 runs at 24.33.

Bowling: 1 wicket at 114.00.

Has the flowing mane of a lion, the steely abs of the tin man, yet bats with the brain of a scarecrow. The mystery of Oz is why this gifted strokemaker hasn’t fixed his technical flaws.

Chris Rogers 6/10 Batting: 185 runs at 30.83.

His skipper stole the headlines, but Rogers’ positive, dashing 84 set the tone for early domination in the last Test. However ‘Buck’ struggled for form in the first two Tests and played his part in some DRS batting review howlers.

Usman Khawaja 5/10 Batting: 93 runs at 23.25.

Looked fluent in making a half-century at Lord’s and got a stinking decision at Old Trafford, but yet to demonstrate real resilience. May not be good enough to bat at number three for Australia – but who else do they have?

Steve Smith 7/10 Batting: 181 runs at 30.16.

Bowling: 4 wickets at 22.25.

Flopped with the bat at Lord’s, but his six-hitting, counterattacking scoring has been a welcome boon, while his leg-spin has been tidy.

Has enhanced his reputation thus far.

David Warner 5/10 Batting: 46 runs at 23.00.

His first innings: a woeful mix of boos and laughter, after a ludicrous review.

His second innings: a punchy (sorry) 41.

Shadow-boxing in the field while England’s trumpeter played the Rocky theme: a nice, cheeky touch.

Brad Haddin (W) 7/10 Batting: 159 runs at 31.80.

Catches: 19.

Nearly the hero of an unlikely Trent Bridge comeback. Struggled with his glovework early in the series, but looked great in the last Test – exemplified by his terrific leap to catch out Alastair Cook.

Peter Siddle 8/10 Bowling: 16 wickets at 21.68.

Batting: 33 runs at 6.60.

Economical, tireless and deceptively skilful, Siddle is the possessor of nagging accuracy and a face like a clenched fist.

Has shouldered the burden of Australia’s attack excellently.

Mitchell Starc 7/10 Bowling: 8 wickets at 27.12.

Batting: 78 runs at 26.00.

Lots of pace, bounce and a bit of swing, but has bowled a few too many bad deliveries, hence his being dropped at Lord’s.

Showed at Old Trafford he can hit crisp batting strokes.

Ryan Harris 8/10 Bowling: 11 wickets at 18.00.

Batting: 26 runs at 26.00.

Possibly rested for this Test as he’s an injury-prone ‘Rhino’.

However, Harris has bowled superb, lateswinging, skidding, pinpoint deliveries to seriously unsettle England’s batsmen.

Nathan Lyon 5/10 Bowling: 1 wicket at 103.00.

Batting: N/A. Harsh to judge him on one Test, but while he showed control and some turn, KP smashed him out of the attack. Closer to an Aussie Ashley Giles than a Swanny.

What’s the Australian for ‘Wheelie Bin’?

Stu Forster/Getty Images, Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

On your marks

England may have retained the Ashes, but going into today’s fourth Test they have the series still to win. Taking the two teams’ likely line-ups, Sport rates the performers so far

World Athletics Championships

MissiOn tO MOsCOw Moscow 2013 faces the unenviable task of trying to recreate the glow surrounding London 2012 when the World Athletics Championships get under way on Saturday. It’s a challenge made infinitely harder by two not entirely unrelated factors:

1. The absence of some of the sport’s biggest stars 2. Some of the sport’s biggest stars having failed drugs tests But these championships can still be saved. And it might not even require Usain Bolt to reignite the afterburners he left in Berlin during the 2009 World Championships – although that would be useful.

Follow Sport’s guide to which Brits are most likely to party like it’s 2012 in Moscow. Then close your eyes, lie back and think of Stratford...

36 | August 9 2013 |

SATURdAy > WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS | MOSCOW BBC ONE 6AM

Christine OhuruOgu Age 29 events 400m, 4x400m relay When to WAtch 400m final: Monday August 12, 6.15pm; 4x400m final: saturday August 17, 4.30pm

Been there, dOne that

The 2007 world champion over 400m has been awarded the honour of being GB team captain in Moscow, the hope being that her habit of peaking for the major championships will rub off on her teammates. She might have failed to defend her 2008 Olympic title in London last summer, having been relegated to silver behind US sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross, but Ohuruogu heads to Moscow in promising form: she ran a season’s best time of 50 seconds dead at the Anniversary Games last month – the fourth fastest time of her career.

Her nemesis Richards-Ross won’t be there at all, though – hampered by a toe injury, she failed to make it through the USA trials. Standing in Ohuruogu’s way of another world title will instead be 2011 world champion Amantle Montsho, the Botswanan who set her 400m PB of 49.33s in Monaco last month. If the GB captain is going to lead by golden example in Moscow, she’ll probably have to break 50 seconds to do so.

honourable MenTionS To:

recovering chaMPionS: Dai greene anD greg ruTherForD

One is a reigning world champion, while the other won Olympic gold just 12 months ago. Both Brits go to Moscow on the back of injury-disrupted seasons, however. Logic says neither is likely to be at their best in Russia, but what does logic know anyway?

FeiSTy FourSoMeS

The women’s 4x400m and men’s 4x400m squads both won European indoor gold earlier this year, and stand good chances of bringing silverware home from Moscow. The women’s squad is particularly strong and, in Christine and Victoria Ohuruogu, boasts the first British sisters to feature together at a World Championships.

brighT young ThingS

Katarina Johnson-Thompson faces the task of filling Jessica Ennis-Hill’s golden shoes in the heptathlon, while in the 800m 18-year-old Jessica Judd is one to look out for after she won her first senior title at the European Team Championships in June. Her ascent has been a rapid one – she’d never even been on an aeroplane until she went to the World Junior Championships in Barcelona last year (where she won silver). In the 200m, 19-year-olds Adam Gemili and Delano Williams will look to reach the final of an event that was dominated by the Jamaicans at London 2012.

Perri ShakeS-DrayTon

Age 30 events 5,000m, 10,000m When to WAtch 10,000m final: saturday August 10, 3.55pm; 5,000m final: Friday August 16, 5.45pm

Age 24 events 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay When to WAtch 400m hurdles final: thursday August 15, 5.45pm; 4x400m final: saturday August 17, 4.30pm

The Main Man

Possibly the British athlete of whom most is expected in Moscow, Farah is going there to do the double he was so painfully close to in 2011.

Then, with 300m of the 10,000m remaining, Farah glanced up at the big screen and was convinced he had enough of a lead to clinch victory. He didn’t.

Beaten to the finish line by 2006 world junior champion Ibrahim Jeilan, disappointment was etched all over Farah’s face. Just a week later, however, he was all smiles again after winning gold in the 5,000m – becoming the first Brit ever to become world champion over the distance.

In Moscow, Farah’s mission will be double gold – as it was at London 2012 – and the omens look good. He showed off his remarkable turn of pace in breaking Steve Cram’s 28-year-old 1,500m British record in Monaco last month, and set a 3,000m personal best of 7:36.85 at the Anniversary Games. Another Super Saturday required, then, Mo. And then a Fantastic Friday, if you will.

TiMe To Shine

The Londoner is yet to win a senior title in her individual event (although she was part of the gold medal-winning 4x400m relay team at last year’s World Indoor Championships, and took the 400m title at the European Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year), but she’s been getting closer with every passing season.

She failed to even make the final of her chosen 400m hurdles at London 2012, but she set a personal best at the Anniversary Games one year later to show she’s back to her best. ShakesDrayton posted a time of 53.67s, but was overhauled on the home straight by Czech Zuzana Hejnova, who set the fastest time in the world this year (53.07s) to beat the Brit into second.

In Moscow, Kori Carter of the USA will also be in the hunt for the title, but Shakes-Drayton knows her time is coming. Gold might be beyond her reach for now, but the podium certainly is not.

Five worlD STarS To waTch

1

Usain Bolt (JAM) 100m, 200m, 4x100m Missed out on the 100m final in Daegu thanks to an illegal start, but should see off Justin Gatlin’s threat to win the title back in Moscow.

Also likely to light up the 200m and 4x100m.

2

Bohdan Bondarenko (UKR) High jump The 6ft 5½ ins high jumper leapt higher than anyone has done since 1994 when he set a PB of 2.41m in Lausanne last month. He has Javier Sotomayor’s world record of 2.45m in his sights.

3&4

Ashton eaton (UsA) and Brianne theisen-eaton (cAn) Decathlon and heptathlon Eaton is the decathlon world record holder and Olympic champion; Theisen won the prestigious Hypo-Meeting in Gotzis earlier this year. The pair met as teenagers at the University of Oregon and married last month.

5

Blessing okagbare (ngR) 100m, 200m, long jump The 2008 Olympic long jump bronze-medallist has twice defeated double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (over 100m and 200m) this season. | 37

Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Sainsbury’s, Paul Gilham/Getty Images, Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Mo Farah

Magic MoMEntS ext Wednesday the oldest rivalry in international football returns when two Vauxhall-supported and sponsored nations, England and Scotland, face off at Wembley in a game you can hear live commentary of on talkSPORT. It was November 30 1872 when England and Scotland met for the first time, at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow – where 4,000 people paid a shilling each to watch the first official association football international end in a 0-0 draw. Since then, there have been 110 meetings in the Battle of Britain, with England winning 45 of those, Scotland winning 41 and 24 draws. You can be forgiven for not remembering every single one of those matches, but here’s a few England v Scotland classics that should live long in the memory...

N

1. March 31 1928: England 1 Scotland 5, WEMblEy StadiuM

The 1928 British Home Championship didn’t start well for either side, with neither managing a win from their first two games of the tournament. Although Scotland’s team selection for the big match caused consternation at home, with a number of regulars dropped and not a single member of their forward five measuring taller than 5ft 7ins, 11 trainloads of Scotland fans travelled from Glasgow to London. They were rewarded with a lively start, albeit from the wrong team, as Billy Smith struck the post in the first attack of the game. But the Scottish response was swift, with Alex Jackson heading the opening goal after just three minutes. And their lead was doubled just before half-time, thanks to a rasping left-foot strike from Alex James. England held out for 20 minutes of the second half before Jackson scored his second and Scotland’s third goal of the game. James’ second made it four before the newly nicknamed Wembley Wizards finished off their scoring, Jackon completing his hat-trick. A late consolation goal from Bob Kelly was barely noticed as a fabled Scottish football moment was completed.

1

2. april 15 1961: England 9 Scotland 3, WEMblEy StadiuM

The 1960-61 British Home Championship had been stuffed with goals even before this dramatic finale between England and Scotland, which took the tournament tally up to 40 goals in six matches – a ratio of 6.66 goals per game. Jimmy Greaves’ hat-trick won him most of the post-match accolades, but it was a passing masterclass from Johnny Haynes that stole the show. The Fulham skipper tormented a Scotland team that wasn’t short on talent, with the likes of Dave Mackay, Denis Law, Davie Wilson and Billy McNeill in the side, and scored two goals of his own to boot. A brace from Bobby Smith and goals from Bobby Robson and Bryan Douglas completed the rout that remains the biggest margin of victory in the history of the Battle of Britain.

38 | August 9 2013 |

4

2

Advertising Feature

3. april 2 1966: Scotland 3 England 4, hampdEn park

Months before taking part in a World Cup on home soil, England took on the rest of the home nations – none of whom had qualified for the biggest tournament in world football. Goals from Geoff Hurst and Roger Hunt gave Alf Ramsey’s side a two-goal lead before Denis Law pulled one back for the Scots just before half-time. Hunt’s second came not long after the break to restore England’s two-goal cushion, before Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone scored Scotland’s second to test England’s nerves. When Bobby Charlton netted England’s fourth with 16 minutes remaining, it looked as though the Tartan Army’s hopes were over. But there was one more twist to come, with Johnstone notching his second in the 84th minute.

England managed to hold on, though, to become British Champions just three months before they would lift the world crown.

4. april 15 1967: England 2 Scotland 3, WEmblEy Stadium

Scotland’s most famous victory against England came less than a year after England lifted the World Cup, when they travelled to Wembley as part of their European Championship qualifying campaign. Despite fielding a side containing four players who would go on to win European Cup medals in Lisbon one month later, and two Rangers players who would lose to Bayern Munich in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final the same week, Scotland were massive underdogs going into the game. After all, they were playing an England side that contained virtually the same 11 who had won the World Cup only nine months earlier, and that had gone 19 games undefeated. But it was Scotland who took the lead, with Denis Law’s 27th-minute goal separating the sides until Bobby Lennox made it 2-0 with 12 minutes of the match remaining. A goal from the injury-hampered Jack Charlton gave the home crowd hope of a comeback, but Jim McCalliog’s goal three minutes before full-time secured a famous victory for Scotland. It was not, however, enough to get them to the 1968 Euros – they finished one point behind the winners of their qualifying group: England.

5. JunE 15 1996: Scotland 0 England 2, WEmblEy Stadium

From the day the draw placed Scotland and England in the same group for Euro ’96, anticipation was building about the first meeting between the sides in seven years. With both teams drawing their opening games of the tournament, the three points on offer in the Battle of Britain became even more crucial. A tense first half ended goalless, but Jamie Redknapp’s introduction at half-time provided the Three Lions with some impetus and Alan Shearer benefited, opening the scoring after 53 minutes. When Scotland won a penalty in the 76th minute, Gary McAllister stepped up, but David Seaman dived the right way to preserve England’s lead. Minutes later came one of Wembley’s greatest goals – Paul Gascoigne’s sumptuous flick and smash past Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram. Magical – if you’re an England fan, that is.

Listen live to England v Scotland on Wednesday August 14 at 8pm

3

dESign an adam

I

f you’ve been paying close enough attention, you’ll have seen our preview of Vauxhall’s Design An Adam challenge in the magazine a few weeks ago, where the likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and James McArthur took part in a series of challenges to create specially designed England and Scotland Adam cars.

As Lead Sponsor of both nations, Vauxhall gave you the chance to win your nation’s car by showing support for your country, and now 20 lucky fans from each nation have won the chance to attend the England v Scotland match on August 14. The competition reaches its climax at half-time at Wembley, when two winners will battle it out in a penalty shootout to win their car.

There will be only one winner, so if you’re at the match be sure to get behind your nation!

Log onto youtube.com/ vauxhallfootballtv to watch the challenges and follow us on @vauxhallengland and @vauxhallscot for more opportunities to win prizes.

Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images, SMG/Press Association Images, Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Dennis Oulds/Central Press/Getty Images, Stu Forster/Allsport

5

@VauxhallEngland

@VauxhallEngland VS @VauxhallScot #Support

WWW.Vauxhallfootball.co.uk

@VauxhallScot

| 39

7 Days OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

AUG 9-AUG 15 HIGHLIGHTS » Football: Community Shield – Man Utd v Wigan » p42 » Football: England v Scotland » p42 » Rugby Union: JP Morgan 7s Final » p43 » Golf: Solheim Cup » p43 » Tennis: Western & Southern Open » p44

Friday RUGby LEaGUE | WIGaN WaRRIORS v HUDDERSFIELD GIaNTS |DW STaDIUM | Sky SPORTS 3 8PM

One Giant opportunity This clash between league leaders Huddersfield

the magical ingredient has been inspirational

Giants and second-placed Wigan Warriors should

scrum-half Danny Brough (pictured).

PA Wire/Press Association Images

effectively decide who finishes top of Super League.

Brough may be a slight figure, but he’s got an

Wigan are no pushovers at home, however, and came through a testing match against Hull Kingston Rovers last week (21-16), despite missing key players

For a number of seasons the Giants have promised

enormous boot, quick feet and a shrewd rugby brain.

such as Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards. Skipper Sean

much but have failed to deliver – they will be seen

Sitting behind a big pack, he’s able to dictate play –

O'Loughlin also picked up an injury during the game,

as the real deal if they win at the DW Stadium.

and those spiralling bombs are a constant threat.

but England wing Josh Charnley showed why he’s

The Scotland international is also the leading

the competition’s leading try-scorer with two classy

Anderson in his first season as head coach. Anderson,

goal-kicker in Super League. After a series of

touchdowns.

once part of a fearsome Bradford Bulls outfit, has

not-always-happy stints at three other Super League

fashioned a side very much in that image: a tough

clubs, the 30-year-old seems settled at Huddersfield

with some sublime skill on show – and it's the latter

pack of forwards and big, physical three-quarters, but

and recently signed a new five-year contract.

that invariably decides the contest.

It will be a wonderful achievement for Paul

40 | August 9 2013 |

It promises to be rough, tough and at times brutal,

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7 Days SUNDAY FOOTBALL | COmmuniTy ShieLd: WigAn v mAnCheSTer uniTed | WemBLey STAdium | iTV 2Pm

Take your seats...

The Community Shield is billed as the season’s ‘traditional curtain-raiser’, but there is no curtain left

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL | engLAnd v SCOTLAnd | WemBLey STAdium | iTV 8Pm

...but don’t chuck them on the pitch

– thanks to Twitter and 24-hour sports news, we all know exactly what’s been going on behind the scenes

It’s been 14 years since England and Scotland last

all summer. In Manchester United’s case, that’s very

played each other – when England booked their place

little. New manager David Moyes has collected a lot of

at Euro 2000 despite losing 1-0 to the Scots at

air miles, but few new players. He’ll approach his first

Wembley thanks to a Don Hutchison header.

‘competitive’ game with some trepidation after mixed results in the pre-season tour of Oz and the Far East.

For Moyes, this year’s shield is a first opportunity to

There has been crowd trouble around this fixture in the past, so we assume that it took careful consideration from the FA to schedule it as part of its

get his hands on some silverware in his new role – and

150th birthday celebrations. And, going back almost as

in many ways it’s a must-win. Expect a strong United

many years for the first game of this rivalry (a 0-0 draw

team, then, with youth prospects deployed in

in Glasgow in 1872), the Scots were the team to beat.

pre-season given a chance – keep an eye out for

It’s very different these days – England will go into

talented Belgian playmaker Adnan Januzaj

the game expecting a comfortable victory against

and striker Jesse Lingard, who scored four

a side ranked below the Cape Verde Islands. Jordan

in pre-season.

Rhodes could be a menace, though – he scored 27

New Wigan manager Owen Coyle, on

goals for Blackburn last season – and 33-year-old

the other hand, has been busy window-

Kenny Miller (17 goals in 68 international appearances)

shopping. Roberto Martinez took three

has been recalled after scoring six goals in 12 games

players with him to Everton – Antolin

this season for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the

Alcaraz, Arouna Kone and loanee Joel

MLS. And don’t be surprised if, just three days

Robles – and Coyle has signed eight

before the start of the new season, some of

new names to replace them. In fact, the

England’s star names are curiously absent. That,

Latics appear to be a stronger side than

though, might give a chance for some of the less

the one that went down, with Grant

established names to stake their claim for

Holt the highest-profile name among

September’s crucial World Cup qualifiers.

the new men. He scored in Wigan’s 4-0

Despite the rarity of the fixture, it has been in

rout at Barnsley last weekend, and was

danger of not selling out – as many as 10,000

joined on the pitch by fellow debutants

seats remained unsold at the beginning of the

James Perch (from Newcastle) and

month, with the FA originally allowing only

former England keeper Scott Carson

England supporters who had previously

(from Turkish club Bursaspor).

attended international matches to apply.

42 | August 9 2013 |

FRiDAY RUGBY UnIOn | JP MORGAn 7S FInAL | THE RECREATIOn GROUnD, BATH | BT SPORT 7PM

The stars of sevens

Joel Hodgson (Newcastle)

Seven minutes each way, six teams in action,

the 7s circuit in

five points for a try, forecast looking good

some style.

The Falcons’ 15-a-side playmaker has brought his mix of pace and beautiful hands to

(we’re cheating now), three sides in each pool, everyone wants. It’s no 12 Days of Christmas,

Steph Reynolds (Gloucester)

but the final of the JP Morgan Sevens – now

The young winger

in its fourth year – has its own gifts to offer,

showed raw pace

as the six qualifiers from last week’s group

in abundance when

stages head to the Rec with pre-season

he notched up four

silverware in mind.

tries to secure the

two clubs from London, and a trophy that

Cherry and Whites’

Worcester, Harlequins and Newcastle are

final spot.

the teams to watch – they each won all three of their games in qualifying last weekend. we can look forward to some cracking

Charlie Walker (Harlequins)

encounters. The two Pool winners (Saracens,

There’s plenty of

Leicester and Gloucester are in Pool B) meet in

talent in Quins’

the evening’s final, but who are the men likely

squad, but Walker’s

to light up Bath on a Friday night (a role we

mixture of pace and

naturally presumed is normally reserved for

balance makes him

our columnist David Flatman)? We’ve picked

a danger in the

out three to watch out for...

smallest of gaps.

And, brilliantly, they’re all in Pool A – meaning

THURSDAY > GOLF | SOLHEIM CUP | COLORADO GOLF CLUB | SKY SPORTS 1 11PM

gets under way next Thursday without one of its most familiar faces. Former world number one Laura Davies has played in every Solheim Cup held since its inception in 1990, and is the tournament’s highest points scorer. But the 49-year-old missed the cut in the recent British Open and was overlooked for a wildcard pick by captain of Team Europe, Liselotte Neumann.

Davies helped Europe win the most recent Solheim Cup, held in Ireland in 2011 (a win that made it 8-4 in favour of the USA overall), but will have to watch from afar as they look for their first ever victory on American soil in Colorado next week.

Up against a USA team headlined by British Open winner Stacy Lewis and Cristie Kerr – playing in her seventh straight Solheim Cup – and also featuring Paula Creamer and Angela Stanford playing their fifth in a row, Neumann’s side is up against a wealth of experience.

Not that they’re short of it in the European ranks, with Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew both appearing in the competition for a seventh time. Neumann has also put her trust in youth, selecting 17-year-old Charley Hull (pictured) with one of her captain’s picks. Hull finished second in her first five tournaments this year and is playing the kind of fearless golf Neumann believes might just make a difference Stateside.

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand | 43

Victor Fraile/Getty Images, Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images, Ben Hoskins/Getty Images, David Rogers/Getty Images, Pete Norton/Getty Images

Europe look for Cup-set

The women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup

7 Days Sunday > CriCket | Women’s Ashes test: englAnd v AustrAliA | Wormsley, BuCkinghAmshire

“We've not turned into a bad team overnight”

Women’s Ashes Only Test: Wormsley August 11-14 First ODI: Lord's August 20 Second ODI: Hove August 23 Third ODI: Hove August 25 First Twenty20: Chelmsford August 27 Second Twenty20: Southampton August 29 Third Twenty20: Chester-le-Street August 31

England captain Charlotte Edwards on the new-look

very small. I think that makes it harder to take, but it

shots], because obviously we’re not quite as strong as

Ashes and chatting DRS with the Queen

also shows that we’re not that far from where we want

the guys. I welcome more pace on the ball. We’ve all

to be. We’ve got a very strong bowling attack and

grown up playing boys’ cricket, so Ellyse Perry and

This Ashes series is decided over seven matches and

there’s a lot of experience in our batting line-up.

Holly Ferling are quick in terms of women’s cricket.

three different formats: are you happy about that?

We’ve not turned into a bad team overnight.”

But in terms of what we’ve faced outside of that,

“I’m really excited. It’s something that our Ashes series

we’ve faced a lot quicker. They are very good bowlers,

needed. There’s still a real desire from the players to

Having so narrowly missed out to Australia

play Test cricket, so we want to keep that, but equally

a few times of late, do you owe them one?

we have to meet the demands of what the public and

“We want to put the record straight, but revenge isn’t

You explained cricket’s decision review system to the

media want, which is T20 and ODI for us at the

something we’re focusing on. Australia fully deserve

Queen at Lord’s in July. How did that come about?

moment. So it’s a fantastic balance.”

their tag as the number-one team in the world, but we

“I was very lucky to get the opportunity to sit with her,

know we’re not far off. We’re two evenly matched

and it was at the time when Joe Root was reviewing a

sides, so it’ll be a fantastic, tightly contested series.”

decision. So the Queen asked me what was happening

You lost in the World Twenty20 final to Australia last

but we’re looking forward to it.”

year, then suffered an agonising ODI World Cup exit

and I had to explain what was going on, which was

in February. How tough have the last 12 months been?

Do you enjoy batting against the vaunted

quite interesting given all the DRS issues we’ve had in

“It’s been disappointing, because we’ve been to two

Australia fast-bowling attack?

the Ashes Tests so far. But once I explained about why

World Cups and haven’t performed as we would have

“Yeah – as female cricketers, we often struggle more

he was given out, she thought it was good for the

liked. However, the margins of defeat have been very,

when the pace is off the ball [in terms of hitting big

game. So it’s got the Queen’s approval.”

MOnday > tennis | Western & southern oPen | CinCinnAti, ohio | sky sPorts 3 4Pm/ British eurosPort 2 6Pm

Commence US countdown The final test for the world’s top tennis

after pulling out of last week’s Montreal

players before the last Grand Slam of the

Masters with a back injury – leading Murray

year comes in Cincinnati, where both the

by four wins to two.

men’s and women’s tours stop off for a

Federer is also the defending champion,

week of hard-court action.

All of the top five men and women are

last five Cincinnati finals for the world

Nadal’s entry form should come stamped

number one, so he’s probably due one.

with a giant asterisk, given he has already

The women’s title has been far harder

put his knees through the trauma of the

to call, with six different winners from the

Montreal hard courts this week.

past six tournaments – none of whom,

If past years are anything to go by, the

44 | August 9 2013 |

year’s final. That was a fourth defeat in the

committed to playing – although Rafael

surprisingly, has been called Serena

men’s tournament is a battle between

Williams. Li Na took the honours in 2012,

just two players: Andy Murray and Roger

when Williams’ 19-match winning streak was

Federer. Between them, the pair have won

ended in the quarter finals by Germany’s

the Cincinnati title for the past six years,

Angelique Kerber. Unsurprisingly, a bit of

with the Swiss star – also an injury doubt

racket smashing ensued.

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Jan Kruger/Getty Images, Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

thanks to his win over Novak Djokovic in last

The nationʼs beers are dropping into London

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The UK’s top sport magazine The biggest interviews The best previews

iPad edition on Newsstand now

GBBF

Extra timE Making the most of your time and money

P54 there’s no room for punks in suits.

Just real heroes, who can really Kick-Ass (2)

Gadgets

tasty tunes apart from a few embarrassing shuffle moments, we’re big fans of digital music. Perhaps the one

thing holding it back is a lack of what audiophiles call ‘warmth’ – something lost in the compression process – and it’s this problem that the Peachtree decco65 amp is designed to solve.

It takes the compressed audio stream from your smartphone, laptop or tablet and, with a combination of tubes, valves and whistles, churns out sonic performance equal to a high-end CD player. All of this is great news, although even incredible sound might not save your blushes when 5,6,7,8 by Steps comes up on shuffle.

From £849 | peachtreeaudio.co.uk

autographer

The world’s first ‘wearable camera’ intelligently takes photos for you during the day.

The wide-angle lens and GPS tagging ability makes it great for hands-free travel shots with no fuss, or if you have an exciting occupation to share – such as ‘sports journalist,’ you might be thinking. But honestly – in our case, you’d just get a lot of shots of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Wikipedia page. £399 | shop.autographer.com 46 | August 9 2013 |

Samsung S9 Ultra HD 4K tV

Ultra HD, or 4K, is the next step up from HD. The pictures are breathtaking – there’s as much of a gap between this and HD as there is between HD and regular TV. We can’t really do it justice here, but the screen is 85 inches.

We’re probably going to wait for the price to drop, and for TV to make up the technology to catch up – though our illusions about certain presenters’ looks have already been shattered. £35,000 | selfridges.com

Now tV Box

The televisual equivalent of Joe 90’s glasses, the Now TV box can turn any TV into a smart one for just a tenner. Connect it to your wi-fi for instant access to free online services such as BBC iPlayer and pay-as-you-go offerings such as Sky’s NowTV, which lets you stream movies and buy day passes to Sky Sports content. Could prove invaluable when the season starts next weekend. £10 | shop.nowtv.com

interphone motioncam mini LCD action Camera

Aimed at the kind of nutters who race around the Isle of Man every year, but usable in almost any situation, the budget interphone Motion Cam differs from the more famous GoPro camera and most other things of this ilk because of its LCD screen, which lets you review any footage you’ve taken instantly (after pulling safely into a lay-by, of course). £110 | topgearsuperstore.com

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ET

Kit

Buy nEw BooTs!

As Ron Burgundy almost said, there’s only one thing a man can do when suffering a spiritual and existential funk. And www.prodirectsoccer.com is here to help

2

1

4

3

6 5

1. nike HyperVenom Phantom

Designed for “a new breed of attacker who is agile and deceptive”, so obviously they’re worn by Neymar (and Wayne Rooney).

The NikeSkin upper features a 3D textured surface for superior ball feel, while an ‘agility cage’ inside adds stability. £159.99 48 | August 9 2013 |

2. Puma Power Cat 1 Graphic

With a synthetic textile upper and ‘Dia del Futbol’ graphic on the upper and tongue (you can just make it out here), these powerful cats also feature Puma 3D PST DUO technology – which increases the boot’s ‘rebound properties’, helping you strike the ball with greater power. £134.99

3. Lotto solista FG

Set to be worn by a select group of Serie A players, the Italian brand's fully reflective boot offers microfibre lining, water-resistant material and a removable EVA insole. Plus, they love to discuss the path they've taken in life and where things went wrong. See, we told you they were fully reflective. £119.99

4. adidas adizero F50 TRX FG synthetic

They look like they were designed for Team GB last summer, but these adizero F50s – weighing in at just 165g – were actually developed with Lionel Messi, who was obviously keen on including the Sprintskin Dualmax upper to ensure a light touch. £164.99

5. nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Designed to produce enhanced friction, the Speed Control texture on the upper of the Mercurial IX FGs delivers support and touch for a lethal combination of speed and skill. As long as you have the aforementioned speed and skill in your locker, obviously. Tip the scales at 214g. £159.99

6. adidas Predator LZ TRX

The Predators have long been king of the football boot jungle.

The re-engineered ‘Lethal Zones’ with super-light geometric SL rubber on this latest incarnation means they keep up that royal tradition in style, offering optimum ball control in absolutely any weather condition. £159.99

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Grooming

WE’vE BEEn ExpECTInG you…

Don your tux, we’ll be the ones sat behind an oak-panelled door sinisterly petting a cat. You know the score

The range

Roger & Gallet L’Homme

For the purposes of a consistent theme, we’re going to refer to the range you see before you as Roger [Moore] & Gallet L’Homme, after the man who, in 12 years as the world’s most sophisticated secret agent, raised more eyebrows than he tossed out questionable one-liners. And we’re sure you’ll raise a few eyebrows of your own with (from left) Roger [Moore] & Gallet’s original L’Homme EDT – a cypress wood fragrance with a head of lemon and aromatic mint giving way to a heart of lavender, clove and ylang-ylang. Woody base notes of vetiver, oak moss, sandalwood and patchouli seal the deal. The Sport EDT (think skiing off a sheer cliff face) goes with grapefruit and aromatic notes of tea that lead to a blend of woody notes with amber and vetiver (both £33.50 for 100ml). And, before you splash either of those on, Uncle Rodge has kindly provided a Shower Gel (£9.50 for 200ml) and Shaving Foam (£11 for 150ml) to get you started. The one-liners, however, are down to you. marksandspencer.com

The fragrance James Bond 007 Quantum

Like any good Bond film (not Quantum of Solace, then) the latest fragrance from the 007 stable opens with a spectacular sequence of juniper berries – designed to be evocative of the Vesper Martini – bergamot and citrus. Sandalwood and leather follow, with bottom notes of violet leaf. An “invincible combination when the stakes are high”, we’re told. Mission accomplished, then. £42 for 125ml | harrods.com 50 | August 9 2013 |

The deodorant Q Fine Fragrance Body Spray

What were you expecting – an exploding pen? Q branch don’t go in for that any more. Instead, your underarm hygiene has become their priority, with Renew (a sparkling oriental woody fragrance with green fruity notes) Invigorate (an aromatic, woody fragrance with chypre elements and a floral violet facet) and Courage (citrus top notes of bergamot on a heart of black pepper) for what Q says is “confident, everyday sophistication”. £2.99 for 150ml each | Available nationwide Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

A very, very smooth price.

In-store

| Online

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£

| Mobile

Download our FREE app. Search for ‘ASDA’ on:

Award Winning App

Selected stores. Available while stocks last. Offer available from 8am on Friday 9th August 2013. Offer ends 14th August 2013. Online delivery charges may apply. Mobile network charges may apply. Mumsnet Best Award 2013, awarded by Mumsnet.

52 | August 9 2013 |

T

hinking of sporting a naughty pair of budgie smugglers this summer?

Then we suggest you fire up YouTube, watch the Miller Lite commercial featuring Sabina Gadecki here, and think again.

Not only does the American actress, model and host for the fifth season of the World Poker Tour (on the Travel Channel, since you ask) know her sporting swimwear, but she is also currently stepping out with David Lee, a forward for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. “We’re in different careers, but in a way they are very similar,” Gadecki told athletesquarterly. com recently. “You may have God-given skill and luck, but it’s the hard work that helps you get ahead.”

She’s not as responsible as the sound fashion advice and Band-Aid (witness her left foot) might suggest, however, having confessed on Twitter to missing jury service in June. Jury’s out on this one, then? Don’t be ridiculous.

Apix Syndication/Josh Madson

Golden state

Extra time Sabina Gadecki

| 53

eT

entertainment

TeenAGe KiCKs

Inept superhero Kick-Ass tries not to be upstaged by his schoolgirl sidekick, while White Lies unleash their big noise

Film

Music

Big TV White Lies

Jim Carrey has said that a change of heart over the violence in Kick-Ass 2 means that he can’t promote the film (unwittingly giving this sequel a huge promotional push). The original nailed it as both a superhero parody and a stylishly brutal comic-book film in its own right – and the follow-up is in the same vein. It sees nerdy hero Kick-Ass become part of an Avengers-style team with potty-mouthed Hit-Girl (above) and Carrey’s Colonel Stars and Stripes.

DVD

The Place Beyond the Pines

It may not quite be the trailertrash Goodfellas it sets out to be, but there’s a lot to love about this sprawling crime drama. In particular, Ryan Gosling burning up the screen as a motorcycle stuntman-turned-bank robber.

Bradley Cooper also produces a fine performance as a conflicted, amitibious young cop, before it all drags a bit in the final third.

Out Monday 54 | August 9 2013 |

However, the villains look set to steal this film: a motley crew given un-PC names (The Tumor, Genghis Carnage, etc) by a gimped-up Christopher MintzPlasse. It probably won’t match its predecessor’s laughter count – if only because a 15-year-old girl dropping the c-bomb on a villain before butchering him is less amusing than when she was 12 and we weren’t expecting it – but the action scenes look far slicker and it has a dynamite cast. An ass-booting combo.

Out Wednesday

Book

Red or Dead David Peace

The Damned Utd author turns his attention to Bill Shankly in this intense, 700-page epic. Shanks’ obsessive passion for the city of Liverpool, its people and the football club is split here into a two-part novel. The first focuses on Liverpool FC’s glorious rise under his guidance, the second on his discontented retirement.

Hankies at the ready, LFC fans.

Out now

Book

Music

Melody Calling The Vaccines Not a full new album from the London foursome, but a fourtrack EP that’s breezier than a summer holiday in Wales.

The title track is an aptly tuneful, infectious slice of indie-pop, while Everybody’s Gonna Let You Down is less downbeat than you might assume. A pleasingly jaunty, off-the-cuff effort. Like the cheekily-Beatles cover, too.

Out Monday

The Guts Roddy Doyle

Doyle’s The Commitments sequel sees the return of the Dublin soul band’s manager, Jimmy Rabbitte. He’s still in the music business, but he’s also 48 years old, with a family, and has bowel cancer. Which isn’t great craic. Still, as ever with Doyle, there’s wit, warmth and exuberant swearing found in even the toughest of situations.

Out now

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© Universal Pictures

Kick-Ass 2

Heavy metal is apparently an influence on White Lies’ third album, but to us it doesn’t sound too different to what they’ve crafted before: grandiose, stadium-sized indie-rock. First release Getting Even shows off the band’s strengths and weaknesses. That means meaty hooks built on 1980s synths and throbbing guitars – but also a touch cheesy, both musically and lyrically.

Still, singer Harry McVeigh’s impassioned baritone makes even the most cliched couplets sound spine-tingling. The boys may fancy themselves as Joy Division, but they’re really more a British-style Killers. And there’s nowt wrong with that, lads.

Out Monday

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