Victims of poor selection?

Ah yes, the frustration of following England is back. After a first test which promised so much, all of England's failings have returned once more.

So what went wrong?

First of all, Darren Pattinson. No-one knows who picked him, and no-one seems to know why he was picked. The 29 year old Australian born seamer was seemingly plucked from obscurity to take the injured Ryan Sidebottom's place in the second test at Leeds, and he gave a solid performance. But why were players such as Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard overlooked? They are in fine form for their counties, and have more experience and pedigree than Pattinson.

Personally I would plump for Simon Jones in the next test. His bowling average is fantastic at present, and more crucially, he has stayed fit. His inclusion would give the bowling attack more pace and penetration, something that is desperately needed.

Then there was the inclusion of Andrew Flintoff.

Flintoff is a fine player, there is no doubt about that, but his return provided England with a dilemma. The decision to go with five bowlers to accomodate Flintoff was a poor one in my opinion, no less so because Tim Ambrose was promoted to bat at six, and was clearly uncomfortable in doing so. If the wicket keeper is to be considered as the sixth batter, then Ambrose is not the answer. His batting just isnt good enough for that role. Matt Prior has proved himself to be more than adequate with the bat recently, and is tidy with the gloves. He could be worth considering. Either way, the balance of the team just wasnt right here, and questions have to be answered for the upcoming Third Test.

Should England stick with five bowlers or revert to the policy that served them well at Lord's? Do England stay consistent with their selection, or make further changes?

More questions than answers? Sounds like England to me.

Another busy summer for Chelsea..

Too predictable and pragmatic last season, Chelsea are on the look out to bring some much needed flair to Stamford Bridge. You see, Abramovic wants to be entertained by his expensive toy, and wants attacking football. But not only that, he wants some trophies for his investment. With Portugese playmaker Deco and attacking full-back Boswinga already on board, who's next on Chelsea's list?

First of all there's Robinho, the Real Madrid winger who Scolari believes will provide the flair that Chelsea so desperately need. A left winger by trade, Robinho would surely make that position his own, with his only competition coming from the likes of..Florent Malouda. Furthermore, Scolari and Robinho know each other well through their Brazil days, and with Cristiano Ronaldo possibly on his way to the Bernabeu to replace the Brazilian, this one could well happen. Available at around £37 million, Robinho could be gracing the Premiership very soon in my opinion.

Then there's Kaka, the AC Milan playmaker who apparantly 'belongs to Jesus'. Does he not know third party ownership is illegal in the Premiership? But in all seriousness, this one is a bit less likely for me. With Ballack, Deco, and possibly Lampard as competition for the central midfield berth, and Kaka reportedly happy at Milan, it seems this one is all a bit of hot air. Kenyon has even said so, saying the club are more likely to pursue their interest in the aforementioned Robinho.

But its not all good news for Chelsea fans. With players coming in, there's also rumblings of big players leaving the club.

Frank Lampard could be on his way, possibly to be reuinted with old boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. Lampard reportedly wants a 5 year deal on excess of £130,000 a week, despite being the wrong side of 30, which I find obsurd. Look at Ryan Giggs, who in Lampard's position, was only offered a two year deal. He now finds himself as the club's record appearance holder, with further medals for his collection, and a new 2 year contract to boot. A big part of Chelsea's recent success, the loss of Lampard would no doubt be a huge blow for Chelsea, but they need to stand firm on this one.

Then there's everyone's favourite striker, Didier Drogba. Left behind on the club's pre-season tour due to injury, is Drogba also on his way? Linked with a move to AC Milan, who quite frankly cant afford anyone right now, I cant see this one happening. There's no obvious replacement in the pipeline for the Ivorian striker, so we'll have to contend with him for a little while yet I think. Oh joy.

All of this promises a busy summer for Chelsea, who cant afford another trophyless season, surely? All eyes are on you, Big Phil..

Spare a thought for Luton Town..

Well, someone has to. The FA certainly wont be bothering.

Then again, Luton arent a big club are they? Not like West Ham, who broke the rules but got a slap on the wrist for their troubles. So why bother?

How wrong is it that Luton and their fans are being punished for the transgretions of the previous regime? They had no part in what went wrong, yet they are the ones that suffer. And it is the fans who will suffer. The fans who week in, week out, through thick and thin, go and support the club. The fans who have done so much just to keep the club alive. And for what? A season that is over before its even started.

The FA are not supporting Luton in their time of need, instead they are helping destroy the club and their league status. It's pure incompetence of the highest order from the FA. Why am I suprised?

Macey calls time on Athletics career..

In light of all the stories concerning Dwain Chambers and his drugs scandal (more on that in a later blog perhaps) - one athletics story has largely went unnoticed in recent days.

It's the story of British Decathlete Dean Macey, and his impending retirement from Athletics.

After failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, with his score falling short by 209 points of the Olympic B standard, and his body unable to cope with the injuries sustained throughout the years, Macey has reluctantly decided to call it a day. And what a shame it is too.

You see, there is much to admire about Dean Macey. His determination and will to win is quite remarkable, and is something that any young sportsman should aspire to. Despite constant injuries, Macey has never gave up. Injuries hampered him in Sydney and Athens, with 4th place finishes in both Olympic games, but Macey finally achieved the gold medal he craved in the 2006 Commonwealth games with a true gutsy display. I had goosebumps when it happened, and it still sends a shiver down my spine when I see it now. It epitomized everything Macey was about. Even when winning the bronze medal in 2001 World Championships, he did so with strapping on his leg, defying the pain barrier once more.

And what's more, Macey was incredibly down to earth, and was not financially motivated. Throughout his career, Macey funded himself and made a lot of sacrifices, through pure love of the sport. Macey loved athletics, it's all he knew. He always participated with a smile on his face, and was a true crowd favourite, such was his tenacity and dedication.

If Macey's body was as strong as his mind, he'd be going to Beijing, and would have won a lot more medals through his career. Unfortunately injuries took their toll on Macey, and his retirement will pave the way for other young athletes to make their mark. 20 year old Daniel Awde is one, and after taking Macey's place in Beijing, he paid tribute to Macey:

"I'm in shock. He's been through so much - the guy was unbreakable. I was at Hexham last weekend and Dean said a couple of words to me. I could tell he was finding it agonising but he kept soldiering on. Watching him in the final event, the 1500m, brought a lump to my throat."

That should tell you just how highly regarded Macey is, not just as an athlete, but as a sportsman. His presense will be missed in the world of sport, at a time where drugs cheats can seemingly prosper, and petulant footballers think they're bigger than the club itself.

Dwain Chambers and Cristiano Ronaldo could learn a lot from Dean Macey. All sportsmen could.

Sepp Blatter: A slave to idiocy

Surprise suprise, Sepp Blatter is at it again.

Not content with issuing yellow cards to players who remove their shirts, suggesting that women should wear tighter shorts, or by accusing Martin Taylor of 'attacking' Eduardo - Blatter has now accused Manchester United of treating Cristiano Ronaldo as a 'modern slave'.

Now, I've heard some utter tripe from this man before, but this really is a new low, even by his standards.

To use the term slavery in regards to Cristiano Ronaldo and his bumper £120,000 contract is nothing short of ignorant, inaccurate, and insulting. Slavery is having your life effectively taken away from you, not having any freedom whatsoever, and you certainly werent paid £120,000 a week for your work.

Slavery was, and still is, a horrible practice. I'd expect more of a moral compass from the most powerful man in football.

And what's more, apparantly Manchester United are in the wrong for wanting Ronaldo to respect his recently signed 5 year contract. God forbid a player should honour his contract, eh? Let's hope Manchester United continue their admirable stance, and refuse to let Ronaldo go. That would certainly set a standard for others to follow, and players would sit up and take notice.

If Sepp had his way, players could move club year after year, regardless of their contract situation. As if modern day footballers didnt have enough power..

Do something right for football Sepp, before its too late. Retire.

Lewis hits back..

Now, I'm not a massive F1 fan in all honesty. I watch it sporadically, and to be honest usually get bored after the first few laps, and after the Ferrari/Team orders scandal of a few years ago, my attention to the sport waned somewhat. However, yesterday I thought I'd give it a go while waiting for the tennis to start. I mean sport is better than no sport at all, right?

I didnt regret my decision. From start to finish, it was pure drama. And one man took centre stage. On his own turf, in front of his own fans, with shocking weather conditions..none of it mattered. This was Lewis Hamilton's chance to answer back to his critics.

Too wrapped up in media commitments, they said. Not consistent though. Lost his focus. Oh how wrong they all were.

From the moment he overtook Mark Webber, and almost got through his McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, you knew Hamilton meant business. Hamilton was at his aggressive best here, before calming down and biding his time. He eventually overtook his teammate 4 laps later to take the lead, a lead he never relinquished.

Make no mistake, this was a great drive from Hamilton, but he was aided by his McLaren team, who shown great iniative by changing his tyres with the belief that the track would get wetter. It did. Ferrari made the wrong call here, by persisting with their tyres in the belief the track would dry out, and it probably cost them the race.

But this was Hamilton's moment. Showing maturity beyond his years, for once, the Hamilton adulation on ITV was fully justified.

The king is dead..

Talk about ripping up the script.

After 5 years of Roger Federer dominating Wimbledon, and after 3 years of personal hurt, Rafael Nadal has finally won Wimbledon, the one title that clay-court specialists seemingly never win. The one title that Federer has ruled with an iron fist for 5 years now. And it couldnt have been more dramatic.

The match began with Nadal coming out of the blocks quickly, and breaking Federer to lead 2-1. Nadal then held his nerve, and serve, to go 3-1 ahead. The rest of the set went according to plan for the Spainard, as Nadal eventually served for the set at 5-4, and did so successfully.

The second set was different, however. Federer quickly raced into a 3-0 lead, breaking Nadal early, and was more aggressive with his serve and around the net. The second set looked like a formality, but Nadal seemed to turn his game up a notch. Nadal held, and broke Federer twice. He then held again to take the set, and really take the iniative in this final. The formbook was truly being ignored.

Onto the third set, and a Nadal straight sets win was looking like a formality. At 3-3 and 0-40, Federer looked down and out, but 5 big serves brought him back from the brink of defeat. It was 5-4 to Federer when rain inevitabily hit Centre Court, and brought out a new improved Roger Federer.

Federer took the tie-break in the third set, and suddenly the crowd was behind the Champion. They wanted more tennis, and they got it. A classic was now in the making.

In the 4th set, the standard of play improved, and then some. Federer was more aggressive, more assertive. His serve was powerful, and his forehand was precise. Federer was back.

Neither player broke serve, which was testament to just how well they were playing. From Nadal's pass 10 feet from behind the baseline, to Federer's backhand winner which saved match point, this wasnt just tennis at its finest, this was sport at its very best. And centre court was hooked.

The fourth set tiebreak was something to behold. At 5-2 in the tiebreak, Nadal was serving for the title. He had the championship in his grasp. Nadal double faulted however, and seemingly the pressure had got to him. A poor point followed, and some big serving from Federer brought him back into the match. Eventually Federer won the tiebreak, 10-8, and this match had went the whole way. And no-one was complaining.

Set five, and anyone expecting a decline in the standard of play was to be mistaken. However, at 2-2 and deuce, rain fell again. The plot had thickened. Some were wondering if the final would be pushed to Monday, but luckily it passed fairly quickly, and the players came back to finish this epic, once and for all.

Back on court, and the tennis got even better, with both players thriving on the pressure, thriving on the atmosphere. At 3-4 with Nadal serving, Federer pushed for break point, but somehow Nadal held, showing nerves of steel.

Into the night it went, and at 8-7, Nadal had match point. He served to Federer's backhand, which was hit cleanly down the court to level things at 8-8. Something had to give.

Eventually though, it was Nadal who won it. At 8-7, Federer hit a forehand into the net, and Nadal was the winner. But for me, the real winner was tennis itself. A match that had everything, and a terrific advert for the sport. The best ever? In my lifetime, quite possibly.

As for Federer - he will be back, make no mistake. It took the heart of a champion to come back from 2 sets down like he did. He will come back stronger from this, true champions conquer adversity. Federer is no different.

Nadal? To do what he did was nothing short of remarkable. To win the French Open then Wimbledon takes some doing, taking into account the changes in playing style, and not to mention fatigue. There isnt a better player than him at the moment - he has set the standard, its up to others to match it. A difficult hard court season to follow for Rafa however, he needs to assert himself.

Not much else to say about the match itself - it was extrodinary, I felt mentally drained watching it. It was moments like yesterday that remind me why I love sport, and I felt privalleged to have watched it.

A shift in power?

So it comes down to this. Despite all the shocks at this years Wimbledon - the early departures of Djokovic, Blake, and Roddick, and the resurgence of Safin, Clement, and Schuettler, one thing remains true. It's Federer and Nadal in the final once again, the final we've been anticipating since last year's final. The Wimbledon crown awaits the victor, but in my eyes, there is so much more at stake.

If Nadal wins, than Federer perhaps isnt as invincible as people think. Federer wont be the undisputed number one, and the pressure to beat Sampras' record will be on. Doubts will surely begin to creep in.

There is, of course, a big if. This is Federer's surface. He is the undisputed king of grass. Nadal has made great strides to improve on the surface, unlike most clay court specialists, but he's yet to beat Federer on grass. He does have momentum however, and you have to feel Nadal wont have a better chance to win than this Sunday.

Both men have had fairly straight forward routes to the final, with Federer dropping no sets, Nadal only one, against the powerful Gulbis. Both men are in great form, and in top condition. A classic surely awaits.

People have compared this final to the Borg/McEnroe final of 1981. Borg was the Federer of his time, McEnroe was the pretender to his throne. McEnroe won in thrilling fashion, Borg retired not too soon after.

Could we yet see a similar shift in power this Sunday?

Viva Espana!

Perennial acheivers no more. Lazy journalists will now have to find another way to describe Spain, as they finally broke their 34 year duck to win a major trophy.

And how they deserved it. With a swift passing game that was too much for a distinctly pedestrian German side, Spain were worthy winners in the final. But not only that, worthy winners of a fantastic tournament. Their quality told in the end, and the best team won.

Was there a better goalkeeper than Iker Casillas? The Real Madrid stopper was as reliable as ever, and inspired confidence into his defence. I dont recall him making any mistakes, and you cant ask for any more from your Goalkeeper. Casillas lead by example throughout.

The defence? All the concerns going into the tournament were proven to be unfounded, as Spain only conceded 3 goals in the whole tournament. Puyol and co were rocks at the back, and this gave the Spanish attack the platform they needed to express themselves, and how they did that.

I'm running out of superlatives to describe the Spanish midfield, because it really was that good. It had everything, from guile and creativity, to steel and drive. And no-one epitomized this more than the player of the tournament, Xavi. One minute he was driving Spain forward, the next he was back making tackles. He and Marcos Senna were the true stars of this Spanish side in my eyes.

The flair of Silva, Fabregas and Iniesta can not be ignored however. With their quick feet and equally quick brains, they were too much to handle at times.

And finally the attack. Quick, strong, and lethal in front of goal, the Spanish attack took their chances and fired Spain to glory. Even Fernando Torres came good in the end, much like I thought he would. Playing with one striker or two, Spain were just as dangerous in the final third.

And what's more, this young side can only get better. A scary thought indeed.

The final itself was a fairly one-sided affair, with Spain having the lion's share of possession, and showing great ball retention under pressure. In terms of shots on goal the Spanish also dominated, with 13 shots on goal to Germany's 4. Germany to their credit battled away, and occasionally looked threatening on the break, but there was only one team winning this final. A victory not just for Spain, but for football in general, I'd say.

They came, they saw, they entertained. Oh, and I called it from the very beginning.