Saturday, 11 February 2012
FA chiefs to discuss Terry’s role
Published on Friday 3 February 2012 01:07
John Terry faces a D-Day over his England captaincy with Football Association leaders expected to decide as early as today whether he should give up the armband due to his racism trial.
FA chairman David Bernstein yesterday contacted all the other members of the 12-strong board to seek their views on Terry’s captaincy after yesterday’s announcement that the Chelsea defender’s court case, where he is accused of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, will not take place until 9 July – after Euro 2012.
One or two board members have argued strongly that Terry should not be the England figurehead with such a serious charge hanging over him, and that the FA should act immediately rather than putting off a decision until the next board meeting on 23 February.
The spectre of England being forced to make a complaint about racist abuse from the crowd when playing matches in Ukraine this summer has been raised – it would be difficult for the FA to take the moral high ground if England’s captain is himself facing a criminal charge for racism.
Other board members believe the FA are in a no-win situation and that if they remove the England captaincy from Terry they will be accused of pre-judging the case and ignoring the principle of innocent-until-proven guilty. Terry’s barrister yesterday entered a formal “not guilty” plea at Westminster magistrates court.
England manager Fabio Capello is another factor and the Italian has previously insisted that he should be the one making the decisions over the captain.
Some significant voices have been raised calling for Terry to stand aside, while reports have quoted sources close to the player saying he had no intention of resigning the captaincy.
Damian Collins, a Tory MP who sits on the culture, media and sport committee and who has made a name for himself as a campaigner for Fifa reform, said Terry had to stand aside.
Collins said: “He is in a public position as England captain. Anyone else in a public position faced with such a criminal charge would stand aside from their position and then if cleared be able to return to that position.”
Social Media Predicts the Super Bowl
Track Social's social media analytics platform has been used to predict the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.
Using millions of cells of data and robust mathematical models, to benchmark the performance of the teams in the social media, Track Social discovered how to translate Social Media Activity into Super Bowl Victory.
Just like the real thing, the Social Super Bowl gets played in four quarters, each quarter representing one of the four pillars of social media success: Presence, Audience, Engagement, and Buzz.
The teams' performance is analyzed on these metrics, and a prediction has been made as to which team will proudly raise the Super Bowl Lombardi trophy this Sunday. So will it be the redemption seeking New England Patriots? Or will it be another upset by the New York Giants? Let's get to the game to find out!
**1st Quarter: Social Presence**
Social Media Presence measures a team's visibility online, how well established and active it is on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Establishing a dynamic online presence is the first step in capturing a social media audience, and in this quarter, the Pats are starting off strong with a Track Social grade of A. As for the Giants? B+. The Pats dominated the first quarter, now onto the second!
Patriots: A
Giants: B+
Social Presence Winner: Patriots
**2nd Quarter: Social Audience**
The Audience category measures the total number of ongoing relationships a team has formed through Likes and Follows. While both teams received "A" grades, for having solid social fan bases, this one goes to the Pats. Why? Because on Facebook alone, the Pats have well over 3 million fans, nearly twice as many as the Giants. With just 1.6 million fans, the Giants have some catching up to do. They're seizing the chance to rack up as many new Fans as possible as they head toward the big game. Now, a team's performance on the field is obviously a huge factor in generating new Likes and Follows and both teams stand to gain significant numbers this week. But all that new activity doesn't guarantee success in the third quarter.
Patriots: A
Giants: A
Social Audience Winner: Patriots
**3rd Quarter: Social Engagement**
Engagement is about how successful a brand's social media interactions are with consumers. In other words, when a team posts or tweets, does anybody care? Are there crickets or are there outpourings of comments, likes, and retweets? It's possible for a team to rack up big numbers of Facebook Fans and still not capitalize on that audience if their online interactions fail to keep fans engaged. That's why the game is never won or lost in just the first half. In this quarter, the Giants make a game of it - it's a near tie in the engagement category with both teams receiving perfect grades. Charging up an already excited fan base is one of the best ways social media can magnify a brand's momentum. And one can only imagine how crazy the fans get when their teams make the Superbowl.
Patriots: A+
Giants: A+
Social Engagement Winner: Tie
**4th Quarter: Social Buzz**
The 4th quarter is crunch time and in social media, Buzz is what the big plays are all about. Buzz is a measure of how much people are talking with, at, and about a brand in the Social Media Universe. Audience numbers and engagement scores definitely play into a brand's Buzz, but so does the general level of chatter about all things related to a brand. So if a team was to make it to the Super Bowl - it'd be expected that the team would generate some Buzz! And so this quarter was close once again, A+'s to both teams! Another tie!
Patriots: A+
Giants: A+
Social Buzz Winner: Tie
**And the Winner is…**
When taken together, Track Social's four Social Pillars: Presence, Audience, Engagement and Buzz, represent the most comprehensive metrics-based approached to understanding how and why some brands succeed online while others lag behind. And when it comes to the Social Super Bowl, hands down the trophy goes to the Patriots. Straight A's ain't easy, but leave it to the Pats to be a Social Media powerhouse.
Congratulations to the winners of Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots!
Be sure to check out Track Social's NFL Zone for all the latest news on what the NFL teams are doing on social media!
About Track Social
Track Social monitors, aggregates and analyzes the Social Media accounts of thousands of businesses across multiple social media platforms. It operates around the clock, collecting millions of data elements from social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
For more information about Track Social, please visit http://tracksocial.com/
About Sprokkit
The maker of Track Social, Sprokkit, is a marketing agency based in Los Angeles, California. It prides itself on fusing the logical with the inspirational, and generally making sense out of a world full of nonsense.
For more information about Sprokkit, please visit http://sprokkit.com/
Track Social (tracksocial.com) is a Social Media Analytics platform for Smart Marketing that benchmarks brands and grades them on Presence, Audience, Engagement, and Buzz, as well as hundreds of other social marketing metrics.
New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI
The NFL season is finally coming to an end, and we are now just a more than a week away from watching Tom Brady and the New England Patriots try to get back with Eli Manning and the New York Giants. We had to wait four years for the rematch, but it is finally here. Last time these two squads meet in the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots were just one game away from finishing the perfect season. At 17-0 for the year, the Patriots were a 12-point favorite on the spread. But the 12-point underdog, managed not only to stay within the spread, but also to shock the Patriots to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Now, the Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichick, is going to try all sorts of combinations in his mad-man-like defensive strategies to try to hold off the Giants and give his quarterback, Tom Brady, a chance to show off his skills. On the one hand, Tom Brady know very well that he has to get back on his best game if he wants to pull of a win against the Giants. On the AFC Conference Final, Brady threw two interceptions without connecting a single touchdown pass, and had it not been for the rest of the team's effort, it would had been Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens the guys facing the Giants for the National Championship.
Now, the Giants are going to have to find a way to work around Bill Belichick and his unexpected defensive game plans. Because let's face it, when it comes to defending it's own yards, few teams are as flexible and malleable as the New England Patriots. The mad scientist in New England, as some writers have dubbed Belichick will try all sorts of schemes to get the Giants offense into trouble. So don't be surprise if the New England Patriots suddenly turn wide receivers into defensive backs and opt to move a 325-pound tackle all over the defensive line while effortlesly switching from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4, all in the same drive. When it comes to Belichick and the postseason anything is possible. And the Giants know that by heart.
Now, one thing is for certain. The Patriots have pulled this uncommon game patterns based on their speed and agility, but overall, because they have played smaller teams. This time around, not only are they playing their biggest game of the season, but also, one has to note that the Giants' wide receivers are far superior to those of the Broncos or Ravens. Some sports writers are already taking guesses on how this match will play out. As of press time, the Giants are a 3-point underdog in the NFL betting spread. Then again, if the Giants opted for a three-receiver set against the Patriots' base 3-4, Victor Cruz would be covered by a linebacker, and that could mean that the agile and swiftly paced Cruz could take an advantage and be as effective as he was against the San Francisco 49ers, one of the best defenses in the nation.
Stephen Lars is a prominent sports blogger and currently covers NFL Football, previews and handicaps for the BetIAS' Sports Betting Blog . You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
Snedeker wins at Torrey Pines
Hanger: What a crazy ending at Torrey Pines. Gary McCord said he was in the car when he heard about Kyle Stanley's triple on the 18th. He had to turn around to get back for the playoff! Does this strengthen Stanley's resolve or scar him for life? Callaway X-24 Hot Irons
Shipnuck: It's brutal. To make an 8 on the last hole to blow the tourney is a nightmare. To do it on an easy par-5 is inconceivable. Van de Velde salvaged a 7 on a much harder hole.
Hack: Minutes before the triple, Nantz and company were praising Stanley's caddie for guiding him through the tournament. That's why it's 72 holes, folks, or sometimes more.
Gorant: The real killer is that Snedeker's tee ball on the second playoff hole would have gone into the Pacific if not for the TV tower.
Herre: Scarred for life. Kidding. No one enjoys seeing someone spit the bit like that. Stanley actually hit a good approach on 18 but was unlucky. He's too good a player to let this destroy him. We'll be hearing from him again. Callaway X-24 Hot Irons
Hanger: Agree. All golfers have had heartbreaks like that, though most of us on much smaller stages, and we still keep going.
Gorant: Nah, I always birdie 18.
Van Sickle: CBS analysts completely dropped the ball by supporting Stanley's decision to lay up in regulation at 18. He should have blown his second over the green; the stands are a free drop. And if you go for the green in two and hit the water, you take a drop and hit your fourth shot on. In Stanley's defense, his third shot was a beauty, but it took a severe backward bounce and spun into the water. Bottom line: if Stanley goes for the green in two, he'd be holding the trophy right now. Callaway X-24 Hot Irons
Lipsey: That hurt. Hopefully he bounces back, and soon. Such talent, but memories like that are hard to shake.
Van Sickle: Stanley is a stud. He once won the Southern Amateur by holing a 50-foot birdie putt to beat Mike Van Sickle. Mike was OK with that until the next day, when he learned that the Southern Am winner also won an invite to Bay Hill. Then he was ticked off!
Rouse: Can he come back? It depends on his mental toughness. A guy like Rory can implode (Masters) and come right back to win (U.S. Open). It's a case-by-case situation. Time will tell.
Dusek: He won't be scarred for life -- he's too talented and confident -- but the next time he's on the first page of the leaderboard on Sunday, he'll have to ignore a Callaway X-24 Hot Irons in his head.
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Stanley eager to move on
Kyle Stanley is keen to put the collapse that cost him the Farmers Insurance Open last week behind him.
The American seemed to be heading for his first PGA Tour victory after finding himself five shots clear heading into the final round at Torery Pines and still leading by three with only one hole to play Titleist 712 AP2 Irons on Sunday.
But instead of triumph, he suffered an agonising defeat as he made a triple-bogey eight at the 18th to send him into a play-off with Brandt Snedeker - which he promptly lost.
The crushing blow left him in tears afterwards, but he's vowed to put the loss behind him and start building again.
"I'm just going to continue to work hard with Titleist 712 AP2 Irons and do what I can do each day to get better, and as long as I continue to do that, I'll be back," Stanley said in Phoenix on Tuesday, where he is preparing for this week's Phoenix Open.
Stanley added that he never had any intention of pulling out of this week's tournament.
"If anything probably the opposite," he said. "Nothing has changed and nothing is changing."
At one stage on Sunday, Stanley found himself a full seven shots ahead, but his lead soon started evaporating - and nowhere quicker than at that fateful 18th hole after a mishit Titleist 712 AP2 Irons shot to the green sent his ball spinning into the water..
"It's a crazy game. It can love you, it can hate you," said Stanley.
He added that he'd been "overwhelmed" by the support he had received, both from the fans and his fellow pros, many of whom took to Twitter to express their empathy.
Stanley also doesn't regret letting his emotions show during the post-tournament press conference.
"I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve a little bit, it just kind of came out," he said. "It was very tough to swallow. But that's one of the things I learned is, I think you need to really be prepared for whatever this Titleist 712 AP2 Irons can throw at you."
At one stage on Sunday, Stanley found himself a full seven shots ahead, but his lead soon started evaporating - and nowhere quicker than at that fateful 18th hole after a mishit Titleist 712 AP2 Irons shot to the green sent his ball spinning into the water..
"It's a crazy game. It can love you, it can hate you," said Stanley.
He added that he'd been "overwhelmed" by the support he had received, both from the fans and his fellow pros, many of whom took to Twitter to express their empathy.
Stanley also doesn't regret letting his emotions show during the post-tournament press conference.
"I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve a little bit, it just kind of came out," he said. "It was very tough to swallow. But that's one of the things I learned is, I think you need to really be prepared for whatever this Titleist 712 AP2 Irons can throw at you."
http://www.luckygolf18.com/goods-465-Titleist+712+AP2+Irons.html
Stanley ready to move on after Torrey Pines collapse(2)
Stanley, like Garrigus, was going for his first PGA Tour victory. Both grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Both are in the top class of power players in Titleist 910 D2 Driver. The similarities end there.
Stanley, who grew up in the Seattle area, was an All-American at Clemson who played in the Walker Cup. He is in his second full season on the PGA Tour, so naturally skilled and polished that his long-term outlook is better than some of the rookies who won last year.
Garrigus, from Oregon, didn't have the grades to get a serious scholarship offer. He spent two years at junior college before hitting the mini-tours. Then his career was nearly derailed with drug and alcohol addiction that put him in a 30-day clinic. He remains an open book, which reads like a comedy given his self-deprecating sense of humor.( Titleist 910 D2 Driver)
``It was a lot easier for me,'' Garrigus said. ``I think the personality I had made it easier to deal with. It's just golf. I don't know if he thinks of it that way. I want to reach out and talk to him. I don't know if he wants to hear what I have to say, and I don't care. He's a good kid, and I don't want him to get shook up over it.''
Stanley appears to be well on his way.
His family was with him Sunday night, along with a close friend and his agent. He managed to eat. The sun came up the next day. He just signed up for Twitter a few months ago and picked up about 4,000 followers in 24 hours, those who felt badly for him or were impressed how he handled him Titleist 910 D2 Driver in defeat.
He received text messages from Steve Stricker, who beat Stanley with a birdie-birdie finish at the John Deere Classic last summer, and from Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few, whom he doesn't even know personally.
``That's why I thought that was so cool,'' Stanley said. ``I've been watching Gonzaga play basketball since I was 3 feet tall. I live and die with every game they play Titleist 910 D2 Driver. I try not to miss any of them. So that was real special to hear from him.''
The other messages, including a phone conversation with Zach Johnson, were equally meaningful.
Eventually, anyway.
``I know I may not have believed it on Sunday night, or even Monday morning, but everybody just kept telling me I'll be a lot stronger for it, and I agree with that. I will.''
Garrigus bounced back from that Memphis meltdown by winning the final PGA Tour event of the year at Disney. Stanley recalls watching Rory McIlroy's collapse at the Masters last year - and how graciously he faced the press after an 80 - and quickly pointed out that McIlroy was a U.S. Open champion two months later.( Titleist 910 D2 Driver)
He believes something good is coming his way, and although the support has been overwhelming at times, Stanley is not interested in dwelling on Sunday at Torrey Pines.
After taking the 36-hole lead at Torrey Pines, Stanley was asked what appealed to him about Titleist 910 D2 Driver when he first got hooked. It was the independence of the game, that he alone determined his success, and he alone had to cope with his failures.
That figures to serve him well.
``There's not much anyone can say at the time to make you feel better,'' he said. ``It's just kind of a gut check. I've got to dig deep. And out of this whole process, I'm going to figure out a lot about myself.''
http://www.golfclubssupplier.com/goods-234-Titleist+910+D2+Driver.html
Hansen hits back in spat with Sir Alex
Published on Thursday 2 February 2012 02:54
YESTERDAY we told you about Sir Alex Ferguson having a go at Match of the Day’s Alan Hansen in his programme notes before Tuesday’s game with Stoke.
You won’t be surprised to learn that today we’re telling you about how Hansen has hit back.
Fergie claimed before the Stoke game that Hansen had said United had not played well for 18 months and would end up with egg on his face, just as he did when the former Liverpool skipper famously declared: “You never win anything with kids” on his first viewing of the team containing Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham But Hansen has denied he said what Ferguson accused him of. “I really don’t know where that has come from,” he said on Tuesday night’s programme. “I never said that at any stage.
“What I said was that, over a period of 18 months, they haven’t been as good as they have been in the past. I have also said that, if you take the three teams at the top, Manchester United have consistently played worse than Tottenham and Manchester City. But it is to their credit that they are where they are. In 1995 I said you can’t win anything with kids. In 2012, I never said you can’t win anything if you are hopeless.”
Super Bowl 2012 Live Stream
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Super Bowl XLVI will be an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2011 season.
It will be the 42nd annual championship game of the modern-era NFL and is scheduled to be played Sunday, February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kickoff time is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. EST.
Here's what the extra week gets us: an extra week of interviews we don't really care about and insights that aren't that insightful. It's 100 players and half as many coaches talking about how committed they are to their teams, how winning the game will be the pinnacle of their careers, and how they are dedicating this game to their mother/father/high school coach/Porsche repairman. No one is stupid enough to tell us their game plans, and unless someone says something truly outrageous -- and "guaranteeing" a victory stopped being outrageous after Joe Namath did it -- there's little we will read or hear this week that will mean anything. And that includes the piece you are reading at this very moment.
Here's something else that the extra week off got us: unless you count watching the Pro Bowl, which you shouldn't, we had no legitimate excuse not to do chores around the house last Sunday or to avoid going to see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, a movie so execrable that even my wife turned to me and whispered, "Maybe we should be watching the Pro Bowl." (Note to film makers: Don't market a movie as "not being about September 11" when it not only is about September 11, but the only emotion in the whole movie comes when the towers collapse with one of the film's characters inside. Oh, I was supposed to say "spoiler alert" first? Tough.)
The only person who arguably will benefit from the extra week off is Rob Gronkowski, who will have additional time to rest and rehabilitate his sprained ankle. Yes, other players get to rest and recover, too, and I'm sure they appreciate that, but "Rob Gronkowski's Ankle" is getting so much attention now that you half expect it to be the first guest on Letterman tonight. David Letterman: "So how are you, Rob Gronkowski's Ankle?" Rob Gronkowski's Ankle: "I'd be better if I hadn't just sat through Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Dave."
"It's unbelievable," Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater said Tuesday. "To do it at the highest level -- I remember doing that in high school. It was like, 'Oh, man, get me off the field.' You really respect Julian, how unselfish he's been all year. He's trying to do whatever it takes for the team to have success."
Edelman's offensive production has declined since he had 37 catches as a rookie for the Patriots in 2009. He had seven catches last season and only four this season. But he has remained an effective punt returner, averaging a franchise-record 15.3 yards per return last season and 10.6 yards per return this season. And now he gives the Patriots another option to cover opposing receivers who line up in the slot.
The Giants hope to take advantage of Edelman's inexperience at the position, according to comments attributed in recent days to wide receiver Mario Manningham.
Manningham was asked again Tuesday about facing Edelman, and said: "We know he's a great player but we want to go out and do what we have to do to win, no matter what it takes. He plays wide receiver. He's not a real defensive back. Did he get drafted as a defensive back? .?.?. We're confident. I hope he's out there."
Edelman declined to respond directly to Manningham's comments. "I'm not really worried what Mario Manningham is saying right now," he said. "I'm more focused on doing my job, and that's preparing right now."
But Edelman said he doesn't think opposing offenses have targeted him this season.
"I don't think I've had that many [passes] caught on me," he said. "Not that I'm doing such a great job. But the coaches have done a great job helping me out with the scheme and preparing me each week for what I have to focus on, instead of focusing on the big picture of the defense."
Edelman, who is listed at 5 feet 10 and 198 pounds, played quarterback in junior college and then at Kent State, but drew little interest from NFL teams at that position. He passed up an opportunity to play quarterback in the Canadian Football League.
Basic Golf Tips for Beginners
Almost everyone is fond of some sport or the other. There are people who like playing cricket, some are fond of basket ball, hockey, while some love playing golf. It has gained huge popularity in the recent past and as a result more and more people are interested in knowing about golf as well as how to play it. If you are determined that you will learn how to play golf then it becomes necessary to know about golf basics and with the help of these basic Golf Tips you will be able to learn how to play the game easily.
However, you may be thinking where to find the basic Golf Tips for the beginners. The best source for tips on golf is the internet. There are several websites providing tips on it and you can use them to know every facet of the game. They also have articles as well as links for different golf sections in order to provide additional information. The two resources which can be really useful to you are videos providing free Golf Tips and review blogs. These resources provide information about golf which you will require to get started. They also provide information on the scoring system, selecting right kind of equipment, various kinds of shots as well as golf rules and manners. You will also find e-books written to help the beginner golfer, woman golfer and senior golfer along with great resources providing Golf Tips for beginners. There are links to provide information about best balls and golf clubs for the beginners as well.
Now in order to start playing golf you will definitely require some equipment. The things which you would require are a golf club set, tees, balls and a bag. As per Golf Tips it is not necessary to buy all the above mentioned things; you can borrow them in exchange of rent from the golf courses. But if you think that you are really serious about the game and want to become a professional golfer then buying a good set of clubs, a bag and balls can be worth it. However, it is very important to make a sensible purchase because spending large amounts of money in buying golf clubs which are of no use to you is not right.
Thus, with the help of Golf Tips for beginners available on the internet you will definitely be able to learn playing golf.
Van Persie denied as Bolton hold firm
Published on Thursday 2 February 2012 03:08
BOLTON 0 ARSENAL 0: Robin van Persie was twice denied by the woodwork as Arsenal were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
The Netherlands international, who also had a header cleared off the line early on, hit both the post and the crossbar in the second half as the Gunners slipped up on their travels again.
Wanderers clung on determinedly after David Ngog had missed two chances in the first half to add another point in their bid to avoid relegation.
Wojciech Szczesny’s challenge on Mark Davies had the home crowd appealing for a penalty with a couple of minutes remaining but referee Chris Foy saw nothing wrong. Nevertheless it was the home side who left the pitch happiest with the point.
An extensive guidance towards the requirement of PGA tour card
Since you are a fresher in the domain of golf, you might have wondered previously as to how a golfer can land up on the PGA tour. To play as a member of such tour, you must have a membership card. You can get the membership card by being on the most popular and the top 25 listing of the PGA qualifying tournament. If you are able to finish in the top 25 list of the nationwide money list for the present year or in case you are the winner of the three national golf tournaments in a particular season, then you are eligible to get the membership card.
There are also many other eligibility criteria for getting a membership of the PGA tour card. Some of them are like you must be a major champion, or multiple tournament winners etc. If you belong to the category of top 50 in a lifetime career earnings, then too you are eligible. If you are a golfer who finished ranking between 126 and150 on the money list of the previous year, then there is some conditional status that you must fulfil in order to get a membership.
In case you are a fresher and want to attend the PGA qualifying tournament, then you have to submit an application to the tournament administration and also pay an entry fee for the tour. The PGA tour is usually held during the late fall and is an annual event. Thus always make sure to submit your application before the deadline of the tournament gets over.
Usually the tournament has three stages and also a pre added round known as the pre-qualifying round. All the stages are played in different locations of the country and usually take several months in the process. Usually the top 25 finishers of the final round are eligible for the tour card. Apart from this, you must also be more than 18 years of age by the first round of the PGA tournament of the first tournament of the season to qualify for the tour card.
Unless you have already won a previous PGA qualifying tournament or have played the national tour, you have to earn this card via the pre-qualifying tournament. In case you are an amateur, you must also have a handicap index of minimum two in order to participate in the tournament. This PGA tournament is also known as the qualifying school.
West Brom leave it late to deny Fulham
Published on Thursday 2 February 2012 03:09
fulham 1 west brom 1: A LATE goal from substitute Somen Tchoyi earned West Brom a share of the spoils at Craven Cottage last night.
Fulham began life after Bobby Zamora without a recognised striker and it showed. While Martin Jol’s side kept possession with ease, they only had Clint Dempsey’s second-half effort to show for their hard work.
The hosts were made to pay for their futility eight minutes from time when Tchoyi, having come off the bench five minutes earlier, latched onto a pass from Scotland’s James Morrison to fire past David Stockdale.
Fulham pressed for a winner deep into stoppage time, although they were unable to find a way through and were met by boos at full time as West Brom manager Roy Hodgson secured a point on his first return to his former club.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Golf Swing Played by Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is an extremely talented golfer. He is considered to be one of the best golf players all over the world. He became very popular in a very short span of time proving that he is a really good player. People have seen him growing from a young school kid to a great professional golfer. There are people who want to know about his style of playing golf so that they can try playing like him if possible. It is said that Tiger Woods golf swing is nothing but pure power. He is an expert and plays so gracefully and finely on the golf grounds that it is nearly impossible for anyone to copy his style of golf swing.
The secret behind Tiger Woods' having the best golf swing is his dedication towards the game as well as health and fitness that it can be really difficult for anybody to knock him off. He has a great talent which is absolutely pure. Tiger Woods is very strong and spends a lot of time in increasing the strength of his upper body. Therefore, in order to play golf swing with strength it is very important to train your body so that you can act in the right way at the right time and with proper strength.
Now if you want to know Tiger Woods golf swing then it is very important to know a few things. The first important thing which you must know is body rotation. Body rotation is the key for perfect golf swing and it is necessary to practice it regularly to get it right. There are few exercises which you can do to acquire his body rotation and power. The next important thing is follow through. All you need is practice and if you try hard you will be able to achieve a complete follow through and the yards will come closer and move away from your instinct to hit the golf ball.
Another important thing to know the Tiger Woods golf swing is that you can see the golf games played by him and note his steps. You can even browse the internet or search for some books where you can look for simple steps of learning it so that you can hit the ball more accurately and improve your game everyday.
Thus, by gathering all information from internet and books as well as with continuous practice you will definitely be able to golf swing like Tiger Woods.
Aston Villa 2 - 2 QPR: Alex McLeish’s men fight back to thwart QPR
Published on Thursday 2 February 2012 02:57
CHARLES N’Zogbia scored his first goal for Aston Villa and spoiled the debut of QPR striker Djibril Cisse as Alex McLeish’s side rallied from 2-0 down to salvage a point at Villa Park.
Cisse scored a stunning debut goal and then Villa defender Stephen Warnock’s own goal doubled their lead. But Darren Bent gave the home side a lifeline before half-time with his 100th Premier League goal before N’Zogbia equalised.
“We showed a lot of resilience again to come back but I was not pleased with the first-half performance,” said McLeish. “The goals were a joke but we were pedestrian, there was no imagination or creation. The goal just before half-time gave us an injection and during the break we demanded that we played with a much greater tempo.
“We need to see that for 90 minutes in games.”
Cisse needed only 12 minutes to make an impact for his new club after his move from Lazio had only received final clearance 90 minutes before kick-off.
There was an element of luck about the build-up with Shaun Wright-Phillips scuffing his shot into the path of Cisse. But the finish was clinical as the Frenchman drilled a low shot across Shay Given into the far corner of the net before celebrating with a trademark somersault.
Villa tried to retaliate and Ciaran Clark shot just wide after a neat chip from Robbie Keane while QPR keeper Paddy Kenny clung onto a low Bent drive.
But, after 29 minutes, an own goal from left-back Warnock doubled QPR’s lead. There seemed little danger when Taye Taiwo delivered a deep cross but Warnock inexplicably headed the ball back across Given into the far corner of the net.
The home side came close to reducing the arrears when Kenny turned away a Richard Dunne header from a Stiliyan Petrov centre. Keane was unfortunate when his shot deflected off Petrov and struck the woodwork with Kenny well beaten.
Bent got up well to direct a header past the post from an Alan Hutton centre before reducing the arrears with his 100th Premier League goal in injury time. Keane played in Hutton and, in typically predatory fashion, Bent was in position to convert from close range.
Villa started the second half on the attack and their former player, Luke Young, was booked for bringing down N’Zogbia.
Kenny was again tested to deny Keane away to his left after being found in space by Stephen Ireland. But Jamie Mackie completely miskicked with the goal at his mercy from a low Wright-Phillips cross. After 79 minutes N’Zogbia brought Villa level with his first goal since his £9 million summer move from Wigan.
Petrov supplied the left wing cross and N’Zogbia volleyed his left-footed drive past Kenny.
QPR manager Mark Hughes said: “I thought Cisse was excellent and everyone can understand now why I wanted to bring him to the club. We only got clearance for him to play as I was walking into the entrance at Villa Park when a text came through. He is going to be vital for us. He was bright, intelligent and powerful.”
Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Ireland, Petrov, Clark, N’Zogbia, Keane, Bent. Subs: Guzan, Heskey, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner.
Queens Park Rangers: Kenny, Young, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Taiwo, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Mackie, Hulse, Cisse. Subs: Cerny, Hill, Hall, Smith, Ephraim, Macheda, Balanta.
Attendance: 32,063
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)
Best Super Bowl Commercials 2012
The Super Bowl (SB) is a once a year sporting event which has become the biggest sporting event in the world. The SB is the top two teams that battled a league and a playoff to compete. Previously known as the 'World Championship Game' the game evolved over time and became the SB. The 2011 SB was viewed by over 111 million viewers which surpassed last year's 102 million viewers. The 111 million viewers made the national record of the most watched television program in history. The game was viewed in over 50 million households and watched from ages 9 - 67 years.
With such huge ratings in the 90's it soon become clear for organizations and TV networks that advisements and money could be made. America started seeing commercial ads during the SB. This has now become a huge Business that there the presses hype what and which commercial ads that are going to be shown get as much coverage as the actual game itself. The entire major brands such as McDonalds, Cobra and Budweiser spend big money to be viewed at the biggest sporting/television event of the year. With the SB able to bring in these huge consistent viewers year on year there was a lot of money to be made by these networks.
Best Super Bowl commercials 2012
This year's 2012 SB will be broadcasted by NBC. They have 58 30 second ad slots available. Each slot has been sold for a minimum of $3.5 million where the most expensive slot was by the real estate giants Century 21 paying over $4 million for their 30 second slot. Even with the current economic crisis there is still a huge demand for buying and selling homes in the United States and Century 21 want to be the first choice for realtors. One trend that is becoming popular with SB ads is the need to produce teaser ads before the game. These are ads that show clips of the ad before the grand unveiling on SB Sunday. We know that Century 21 have broadcasted over 15 teaser ads for the SB 2012 game.
Best Super Bowl commercials 2012
The game also has an international presence and is now broadcasted all over the world. There has been a question whether to show the commercial ads internationally. However business that advertises in the United States feel that there would not be the return on investment promoting their ads to different countries. Firstly around 80% of the ads that have spots only sell products of services that are only for United States consumers. Secondly, American Football is not well common sport as it is in other countries. For example in the United Kingdom, soccer is their main sport and the closest sport to American Football is rugby. If you are interested in viewing the best Super Bowl commercials of 2012, please click one of the links above.
Thanks for reading,
Zoheb.
Lean to be a better defensive back
Run responsibilities begin when the defender realizes that the play is not a pass or when he is aware of that the pass is thrown out of his location.
When playing a zone defense, the defensive back must assume pass when the ball is snapped. Each time it looks clear that a running play was called, the defender adapts his backward movement and starts moving forward or laterally into the proper rotation or pursuit path. The man to man defender must listen for verbal directions from teammates to alert him whether or not a pass or run is called. If the ball has been run, the defensive back should abandon his coverage assignment and also pursue the ball carrier.
Whether a defensive back is playing man-to-man or zone, in the event that the pass is thrown into some other area, the defender must sprint to the area in the hope of:
producing the tackle if the pass is complete
catching the tipped ball if it is short as well as tipped by a linebacker
stripping the ball if it is caught by the receiver
recovering a fumble when one occurs
blocking for a teammate if he has intercepted the ball; the receiver should be the very first target to block
Helping the run responsibilities rely on the defensive theory of the coach. The cornerback will often have the wide responsibility on a sweep or option, but that responsibility could be given to a safety. The safety might be able to read the run faster mainly because he is actually very likely to be playing a zone or, if in a man-to-man defense, viewing the tight end on his side.
The backs off of the point of attack ought to take the path essential to make sure that they can make the tackle if necessary. This requires a deeper angle for the backs farthest from the point of attack.
Playing the blocker is another skill defensive backs need to master. Frequently the defensive back has space to maneuver around the blocker that is moving quickly. A simple fake one way along with a move the other could be sufficient to get the blocker off the path and also be ready to make the tackle. This is often applied when the ball carrier is some distance from the blocker.
If blocking is properly timed along with the ball carrier is close to the blocker, the defensive back must meet and beat the blocker. If this is necessary, the defender should drop his weight over the leg with which he tends to make his lift, typically the inside leg. He anchors his back leg to absorb the hit of the blocker, gets his pads under the blocker's and rips with the arm over the forward leg. The other arm, generally the outside arm, punches up through the blocker's shoulder. The elbow must stay close to the body and then under the shoulder. The elbow must stay close to the body and under the shoulder. The palm and also fingers should be up.
Tackling has to be "sure" in the secondary. For that reason, the defensive backs may tackle high. They should be adept at working the high form tackle. They must be able to slow the ball carrier to allow the pursuit to catch up. When tackling, the defensive back is not concerned with knocking the ball carrier backward, but with "wrapping him up" with his arms or forcing him out of bounds. The defensive back should never permit the ball carrier two ways to go. He should always take away the running back's possibility of cutting left by being on that side of the back. After that he takes an angle at the ball carrier, realizing that he can go merely to the right.
Stripping the football
Stripping the football from the receiver has to be attempted when the ball is caught or after it has hit his hands. When the receiver has his back to the defender, such as a hook pattern, the defender can bump him hard with his chest while bringing his hands under the elbows of the receiver and also ripping the arms outward and upward. This is often referred to as "playing through the receiver." The defender's contact should occur just as the ball contacts the receiver, not before.
An alternate kind of strip on a hook or comeback type of pattern comes from top to bottom, with the defender bringing his arms around the receiver and downward, trying to make contact with the ball and also driving it downward.
Novak Djokovic defeats Rafa Nadal for Australian Open Title
I believe that the word epic is used a little too often by sport writers and commentators. On very few occasions is the match, the game, or a given performance really worthy of such an adjective. Novak Djokovic defending his Australian Open Championship on Sunday against Rafael Nadal put on one heck of a matchup, that extended for little under 6 hours of the finest Tennis that we have seen in decades. They put everything they had into this game. Keeping nothing to themselves, Nadal and Djokovic put on one of the finest matchups for the 15,000 fans at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, who cheered from the moment both players began the warm-up until Djokovic received his trophy.
It took Novak Djokovic 5 hours and 53 minutes to outlast Rafa Nadal in what can certainly be called an epic game. The No. 1 ranked player in the world took a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory over Rafael Nadal in what has been the longest championship match in a Grand Slam since the Open Era began in 1968. This was a very tough game. Djokovic had to overcome a break in the fifth set, but he managed to win his 5th Grand Slam title and make it into the elite list of players who have managed to win 3 consecutive Grand Slams, a list that includes the likes of Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Rod Laver, who was among the 15,000 fans himself watching the Final of the Australian Open.
So, perhaps what we should note here is that the two of them have made it to all the Grand Slam finals played since the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, and each time it has been Djokovic the one in charge of making the best out of each matchup. Now, Novak has only one Grand Slam pedding in his wish list: the evasive Roland Garros. Many are already expecting to see these two players make it into the final of the French Open in May. Nadal has been a very strong player on clay, as a matter of fact he is dubbed the King of Clay, but last year, Djokovic won the majority of the clay-court tournaments but what ousted by Roger Federer in the semis. If both could make it to the final, it would be perhaps an even more competitive match than this one.
This match was really about holding off the pain. "I think it was just the matter of maybe luck in some moments and matter of wanting this more than maybe other player in the certain point," Djokovic said in the postgame interview. "It's just incredible effort. You're in pain, you're suffer(ing). You're trying to activate your legs. You're going through so much suffering your toes are bleeding. Everything is just outrageous, but you're still enjoying that pain."
This was a demanding game. Particularly for the Djoker who had to play for almost five hours to leave Andy Murray behind in the semifinals. RAfa Nadal didn't have it easy either. He really had to go into overdrive mode to defeat Roger Federer, but despite the difficult matches in the semis, these two really put on an epic show in the Australian Open Final.
Stephen Lars is a prominent sports blogger and currently covers Tennis Grand Slam, previews and handicaps for the BetIAS' Sports Betting Blog . You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
Supporters’ group calls on Rangers owner to clarify season ticket finance deal
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The RST has asked for clarification over recent media reports. Picture: SNS
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 16:01
The Rangers Supporters Trust have asked owner Craig Whyte for clarification on the Ticketus deal which has sparked further speculation about the club’s long-term future.
Whyte yesterday denied claims he had used a loan secured on future ticket sales to facilitate his takeover in May, which involved paying off a debt of £18million to Lloyds Banking Group.
However, in a statement released on the club’s official website the Rangers chairman did admit to borrowing money from Ticketus - a London-based group who allow clubs to borrow money on the strength of future season-ticket sales.
Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston, who was opposed to Whyte’s takeover, questioned the long-term use of Ticketus and urged the Motherwell-born businessman to explain exactly how he has spent advance season-ticket revenues.
Rangers are waiting on a tax tribunal verdict concerning payments made to staff in benefit trusts and the case could cost the Scottish champions up to £49million - which would almost inevitably see the club go into administration.
Gordon Dinnie, chair of the Trust, contacted Whyte last night urging him to “publicly clarify the situation both for our members as shareholders and the wider Rangers support”.
A statement on the Trust website today read: “On behalf of the board and members of the RST the chairman of the Trust contacted the club chairman on Tuesday evening urging him to publicly clarify the situation both for our members as shareholders and the wider Rangers support.
“Supporters are rightly concerned about the club’s financial future with the verdict of the tax case just around the corner and reports of season-ticket revenue being re-mortgaged for the next four years will only heighten fears.
“Supporters have been aware in the past of how Ticketus was used to borrow money against Champions League income which would come into the club later in the season but borrowing on season-ticket money over four years seems to see the club enter dangerous and unchartered waters.”
The RST body also raised the issue of Whyte’s delay in calling an annual general meeting.
Trading in shares in Rangers was suspended last month after a delay in publishing the club’s audited accounts.
The RST statement continued: “Specifically, we have urged the chairman to give serious consideration to quickly setting a date for the AGM; and retaining a properly liquid public market in the shares of the company with the same standard of accounting information which has previously been available to shareholders.
“We believe these steps would go some way towards addressing the genuine concerns of our members and the wider support.
“We would rather concentrate on cheering on the team but recent developments like failing to get accounts signed off, not holding an AGM and now this new debt all raise serious questions.
“We have urged the chairman to give serious consideration of a way to clearly set out how he funds the club at present and in the future win or lose the tax case and communicate this to the support.
“We are aware, as is every Rangers fan, that the outstanding HMRC case has severely inhibited the manner in which the club has been able to operate.
“Coverage of this issue has been predominantly speculative, frequently prejudiced and occasionally hysterical and whilst the RST appreciates the robust statement from the chairman we feel the steps outlined previously will go a long way to alleviate a wide range of concerns.
“But regardless of the tax case outcome, members of the RST and the Trust board remain committed to working with all members of the Rangers family to take the club forward.”
Join the network and know cool soccer games online
One of the most popular games of middle ages, soccer gained its modern form in 19th century. In the early 20th century, after
the foundation of Federation International de Football Association (FIFA), it got spread in the whole world and became one of
the most popular games. League matches started to be played in England in 1888.
According to The Soccer Industry Council of America, by 1994, more than 13,000,000 boys and girls under 18 years old were
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their time and enjoy the game together. Soccer is also known as football in some countries. This game develops a feeling of
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very hard to win the match.
Soccer game is played between two teams with the help of a referee. You enjoy free kick soccer games to score goals and
dominate your opponent. Soccer teaches you team work and management so as to take your team forward on the path of
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It is the game of gamers. If you want to win every match, which you play in, you should learn the basics of this game and
overcome all your weaknesses before you enter the playground. The playground witness stiff competition and you can't leave
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A soccer coaching is the best place to practice your game and find out where you are doing mistakes. It helps you to connect
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Hearts give kids a chance
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 12:07
HEARTS’ February school coaching courses are likely to prove popular with Edinburgh’s aspiring footballers so the club is urging anyone interested to book early.
Community coaches at Tynecastle have a fantastic week of football lined up for children aged between five and 12, which takes place on the community pitch behind the stadium’s Wheatfield Stand from Monday, February 13, until Friday, February 17.
Lessons will include one-versus-one coaching, ball mastery and shooting as well as fun challenges and games. The course is suitable for players of all abilities, including anyone who has not played football before.
To book the course, which costs £25 for the week, or for more information, email Alex on grassroots@homplc.co.uk or call 0131 200 7218 (leave a message if no-one answers).
Tynecastle Under-19s fight back to reach Cruden Bowl last four
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 12:08
Goals from Daniel Mason and Kevin Airlie saw the hosts through after Steven Wright had given Hunterfield a half time lead.
Tynecastle will now meet Cavalry Park in the semi-final.
Referee Thomson declared the pitch playable before kick-off, and both teams found it difficult to create chances in the first half. Hunterfield were the stronger team in the first half and their first clear scoring opportunity came after 18 minutes.
Daniel Lyell was fouled on the edge of the box by Mason after a mazy dribble but Lyell’s free kick went into the wall.
The away team opened the scoring after 40 minutes when Wright’s low shot was well placed into the bottom left corner after Kieran Glen supplied the assist.
It looked like Hunterfield would continue to be on top at the start of the second half. David Liddle shot wide from the edge of the area after Shaun Murray’s shot was blocked in the 49th minute. Two minutes later, Murray could only shoot wide from 12 yards for the Gorebridge side.
Tynecastle gradually began to find their rhythm and they grabbed an equaliser after 59 minutes. Craig Sutherland’s free-kick was not cleared by the Hunterfield defence and Mason powered the ball into the bottom left corner.
They could have scored again three minutes later but Airlie’s volley went over the bar after Ross Gunning’s low cross.
The Hunterfield team still created some chances in the closing stages and would have scored if Glen was able to control a cross when one on one with goalkeeper Danyal Walthew after 78 minutes.
Airlie grabbed the winning goal for Tynecastle with eight minutes remaining, heading into the left side of the goal from Sutherland’s corner kick.
After 88 minutes, Hunterfield substitute Ross Quinn was nearly gifted an equaliser when the Tynecastle defence lost possession but he shot over the bar.
Hunterfield goalkeeper Kyle Hill pulled off a fantastic save in the final seconds of the match, diving low to his right to deny Gary Nicholson. Hunterfield 94 coach Colin Quinn felt that his team were unlucky to lose the match.
He said: “We were probably the better team but we did not perform in the second half. We were a bit unlucky with some of the decisions but we did not threaten their goal enough in the second half. We probably had most of the possession and played the better football but we did not take our chances.
“Our main priority this season is the league. We want to win that and we are top of Section B. We’ve got through to the latter stages of most of the cups and narrowly lost the semi-final of the South East Region Cup. We’re not too disappointed that we’ve lost this cup match, as the league is our priority.”
Tynecastle coach Andy Greig felt that the team was deserving of their win because of their second-half play. He said: “It was a really stuffy match for us in the first half. We didn’t get going and they were on top for most of it.
“Once we got reorganised at half time we were getting into our stride and by the last 20 minutes we were dominating the game. All in all, I think we just about came out deserved winners. We’ve got a really good chance of finishing second in the league and we’re now in two semi-finals and two quarter finals. We have a great opportunity to come away with some silverware.
“The boys have to keep going as there’s still a lot of games to be played. As we saw against Hunterfield, the conditions can sometimes be quite difficult but we have a great group of players here and if we continue to play like we did in the second half I think we will end the season with at least one cup and maybe two.”
Tynecastle: Danyal Walthew, Jordan Gunning, Murray Dobie, Euan Rodgers, Craig Rennie, Gary Nicholson, Fergus Lockhart, Daniel Mason, Kevin Airlie, Ross Gunning, Craig Sutherland, Joseph Greig, Samuel MacNab, Craig Bremner, Mark Hanlon, Stephen Lee.
Hunterfield 94: Kyle Hill, Jed White, Joshua Chisolm, Duncan Wilson, Alistair Elliott, David Liddle, Kieran Glen, Shaun Murray, Daniel Lyell, Steven Wright, Blair Monteith, Ross Quinn.
Craig Paterson warns graft ahead for Hibs
By ALEX SCHWEITZER-THOMPSON
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 12:08
The Gambian Roberto Carlos may prove at least slightly removed from the Brazilian of the same name, but Hibs fans will have to wait for the type of stylish, cavalier approach synonymous with the latter as their club attempts to dig themselves out of the hole they share with Dunfermline at the foot of the SPL.
“I play like Roberto Carlos – that’s is what everybody calls me in Gambia,” says Pa Saikou Kujabi, Pat Fenlon’s sole permanent signing among a raft of new arrivals on transfer deadline day yesterday. “At my previous clubs, they’ve likened me to Roberto Carlos as well. I like to go forward and support the attack from left-back. I love playing like that.”
Such a prospect will be certain to excite Hibs fans, although Kujabi may have to wait to fulfil his promise of replicating the form of attacking flair once exhibited by fellow full-backs, and ex-Hibees, Ulises de la Cruz, Steven Whittaker, and David Murphy.
Former Hibs defender Craig Paterson, who made more than a century of appearances for the Easter Road club between 1979 and 1982 and now works as a radio football pundit, says Fenlon now has at his disposal a squad with the required attitude to avoid relegation – but that Kujabi and the likes of Callum Booth may have to reign in their natural desire to get forward for the time being.
“When you’re in the position Hibs are in, the first job is to defend,” said Paterson. “When you’re on a decent run, that’s when full backs can start to overlap wide players and go forward.
“Hibs aren’t making teams work hard enough to score against them. If they can do that, then they can work on the type of expansive football Hibs fans want to see. For the moment, it’s noses to the grindstone just to dig out the results they need. The football that’s nice to watch has to come later.”
Many Hibs fans may well gladly endure months of miserable football as long as their team survived.
Given Hibs’ league position and defensive troubles – they have conceded ten goals in their last four games – it is understandable that Fenlon’s focus in recent weeks has been on bolstering his backline. Norwich City full-back George Francomb and Coventry centre back James McPake have both arrived on loan, while the versatile Matt Doherty yesterday signed on a temporary deal from Wolves with a view to slotting in anywhere across the defence.
Francomb impressed in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Rangers, while Paterson feels the Hibs boss has found in McPake the type of player required to successfully negotiate their way up the league.
“It’s down to the players to turn it round – the manager can only do so much and, in times of crisis, your big players need to perform.
“McPake didn’t play for 90 minutes at the weekend but was vocal at the back and showed good leadership. It would be lovely if Fenlon could nail a back five – counting the goalkeeper – to build a solid foundation. The manager has given plenty of players the opportunity but they haven’t all grabbed it.
“Garry O’Connor and Leigh Griffiths are back among the goals, but it’s time for one or two others to score goals. Without those two on Saturday against Rangers, Ivan Sproule was Hibs’ top goalscorer with two goals all season.
“The players know exactly the situation they’re in, and every weekend it’s hard graft. They’re the only people who can dig themselves out. The same goes for the new players who have come in – there’s no time to settle properly, and the manager needs them to hit ground running. Fortunately for Hibs, they are not adrift at the bottom of the SPL on their own.”
Bottom club Dunfermline, who have themselves struggled since returning to the top flight as First Division champions and sit a point below Hibs, made improvements of their own yesterday with the permanent signing of 23-year-old defender Jordan McMillan from Rangers and by loaning his Gers team-mate Kyle Hutton.
It goes without saying that Jim McIntyre’s Fifers, despite being early-season favourites for the drop, will not accept consignment to the second tier lightly. At the same time, Hibs cannot afford to rely on their rivals to simply drop points; the pressure is on Fenlon’s men to begin to construct a winning run, the type of which last season helped lift them from trouble under manager Colin Calderwood as the SPL split approached.
“Dunfermline are the new team in the league and are looking to cope with SPL football,” explained Paterson. “They don’t have the budget Hibs do, and Jim McIntyre will point to that to put pressure on Fenlon.
“It’s because of the size of Hibs that they can’t afford to play First Division football. They have a wonderful new stadium and training complex, and it’s vital they stay in top division. It’s a serious situation but there is time to turn things round.
“A couple of results, fortunate or not, puts points on the board and gives them something to build on. Hibs have never won consecutive games this season, so it is a big ask, but at the end of last season when they were in a bad time, they ran off five wins.
“It’s a difficult one for the manager, he’s had to get players in he thinks can make a difference. Confidence is in short supply, and it looks like a dogfight between Hibs and Dunfermline. The club needs something good to happen – and soon.”
Paterson pinpoints the lack of shutouts achieved by the Hibs defence this season as the downfall that has contributed most towards a poor campaign. In the last 24 months, Hibs have played 68 SPL games – and in only 11 have they prevented the opposition from scoring. This season alone, that league record reads three in 24.
“The biggest problem just now is a lack of clean sheets,” said Paterson. “You’ve got to go back to the 0-0 at Parkhead [in October] for their last one. When you’re losing goals on a weekly basis, you’re going to be under pressure.
“At the moment, Hibs are looking for a strength to build on, but they are conceding at one end and not scoring at the other.”
Both scoring and preventing the concession of goals is a challenge to be accepted by players across all positions throughout the team, but Hibs, as some of the calamitous acts of “defence” witnessed at Ibrox attest, suffer from a decidedly frail backline. However, Paterson is upbeat about the club’s chances of remaining in the SPL, saying that the evidence of the requisite character in the Hibs squad was laid bare in the 3-2 victory at Dunfermline in mid-January.
“It’s not going to be easy. Hibs have had one home win all season – that kind of stat tells you where they are. They produced the goods against Dunfermline when all eyes were on them, and that’s the kind of spirit and determination they’ll need in the next few weeks.”
HIBS boss Pat Fenlon today revealed he’s taken African star Pa Saikou Kujabi on trial at Easter Road, as he continues his bid to further strengthen his squad.
Hibs boss Pat Fenlon was today casting his eye over South African internationalist Matthew Pattison and Gambian cap Pa Saikou Kujabi as he weighs up last-ditch bids to strengthen his squad with the transfer window slamming shut tomorrow.
Hibs manager Pat Fenlon will use every minute leading up to tonight’s transfer deadline to attempt to strengthen his squad.
WITH time running out before the transfer window slams shut, keep up with the latest transfer news from your club with our regular updates.
PAT Fenlon’s re-shaping of Hibernian continued yesterday after the Easter Road club confirmed the signings of former Rangers target Jorge Claros, Gambian left-back Pa Saikou Kujabi and Wolves defender Matt Doherty.
Hibs: Pat Fenlon brings in four new faces, while Hart and Sodje leave club
By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 02:18
PAT Fenlon’s re-shaping of Hibernian continued yesterday after the Easter Road club confirmed the signings of former Rangers target Jorge Claros, Gambian left-back Pa Saikou Kujabi and Wolves defender Matt Doherty.
The Coventry City striker Roy O’Donovan has also arrived on loan from the Championship club until the end of the season, making it seven new signings since Fenlon took over late last year. O’Donovan spent a spell at loan with Dundee United in 2008, scoring one goal in 11 appearances. He has scored once in 13 appearances for Coventry this season. Heading out of the club are full-back Michael Hart and striker Akpo Sodje. Both have been released from their contracts and leave Easter Road with immediate effect.
As was the case last year, Hibs have made extensive changes to the squad in January in the hope of arresting a run of wretched form. Colin Calderwood, the then manager, made six new signings – including Sodje – this time last year but they failed to inspire a sustained up-turn in fortunes. Calderwood was sacked in November, just a year after his appointment.
Fenlon is clearly hoping that such wholesale changes have a positive effect this time around. Hibs currently lie in 11th place in the Scottish Premier League, just a point above bottom side Dunfermline. The Easter Road side have a home clash with Kilmarnock in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, and all the new signings should be available including Claros, who has secured a work permit having been capped 29 times by Honduras.
The 26-year-old has joined on a 12-month loan from Honduran top flight club Motagua while the 25-year old Kujabi has signed an 18-month contract following spells at Austrian clubs Grazer AK and SV Ried and FSV Frankfurt in Germany. He is a free-kick specialist and has been nicknamed the “Gambian Roberto Carlos”. Claros spent two weeks at Murray Park but was not offered a contract. Fenlon, however, moved swiftly after watching the midfielder perform in a bounce game at East Mains earlier this week. The capture of Claros can be considered a coup for the Easter Road club.
At the weekend Rangers manager Ally McCoist revealed that the Ibrox club were unable to offer the player a deal, news which prompted Hibs to act. Defence has been Fenlon’s main concern. He has already signed centre-half James McPake on loan from Coventry for the rest of the season. Norwich City defender George Francomb has also joined until June. Having spent most of the year in Scotland, Claros claims to have taken a shine to Scottish football already. “I am happy to be here at Hibernian,” he said last night. “I have been treated very well since I arrived in Edinburgh. Now I hope to give the right results on the pitch for the team. I have now been in Scotland for two weeks and feel I have learned a lot about Scottish football. The game is very fast over here and I am looking forward to playing in the SPL. The Scottish fans are very passionate about football.”
He also paid tribute to Celtic’s Honduran defender Emilio Izaguirre. “Everyone has made me feel welcome during my time here and I am also very thankful to my good friend Emilio Izaguirre, who has made me feel at home in Scotland as I do in Honduras,” Claros said.
Kujabi, meanwhile, has also previously had trials with Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham. “I’m really happy to sign for Hibs,” he told Hibs website. “I have to thank the manager for believing in me and making me a Hibs player. I can’t wait to start here and show the Hibs fans what I can give back to the club.”
Kujabi claims his style of play has led to comparisons with Roberto Carlos in his homeland “I play like Roberto Carlos – that is what everybody calls me back in Gambia,” he said. “At my previous clubs, they’ve likened me to Roberto Carlos as well. I like to go forward and support the attack from left-back. I love playing like that, it’s my type of football. I’ve scored from free-kicks before in Germany and Austria and I can’t wait to play for Hibs.”
Hibs also announced the signing of Doherty on loan until the end of the season. The 20-year-old – who can operate at right-back or centre-half – played for Fenlon at Bohemians before moving to Wolves in 2010, and made his Premier League debut against Liverpool this season. “I’m excited about playing for Hibs and working for Pat again,” he said. “My aim is to do as well as I can for Hibs then go back and challenge for a first team place at Wolves next season.”
SPL Fanzone: Rangers
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 04:13
We were given a glimpse of a post-Jelavic future and it wasn’t quite as grisly as some had made out.
Yes, it may well be the worst Hibs side in a decade, but we saw four goals and impressive showings from Mo Edu, the consistently excellent Sone Aluko and, most welcome of all, a return to form for Steven Davis. A resurgence of our midfield, both creatively and organisationally, is absolutely essential if Rangers are to sustain a defence of the title.
While it was interesting to hear Celik cheered at Ibrox for the first time, a wide man with 18 goals in 68 appearances won’t provide the surgical finishing that Nikica Jelavic brought to the party.
If Craig Whyte doesn’t replace the Croat, it will be a long-odds gamble more in line with his predecessor’s practices.
Stephen Smith
SPL Fanzone: Aberdeen
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 03:59
Gritty and ugly were perhaps two of the kinder words used by those present to describe our performance on Saturday, but we’ll never say no to three points.
It seems we’ve had a productive January with experience in the form of Russell Anderson, Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes coming in, Daniel Uchechi hopefully providing the elusive creative spark, and Mark Reynolds throwing some genuine quality into the mix. New contracts for Isaac Osbourne, Scott Vernon and Andrew Considine also mean we’ve got a spine for the long-term.
There is the disappointment of losing Kari Arnason but the mutterings of discontent might just be turning into reasonably positive noises, for once.
Brian MacRae
SPL Fanzone: St Mirren
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 04:16
It was important to stop our run of defeats last weekend and taking a point from Inverness is always a decent result, considering our record up there. They had been flying before our visit and to come away with something – even if we didn’t score – made it a decent Saturday.
However, if we want to stop looking over our shoulders and push to make the top six, we desperately need to start turning draws into wins.
Hopefully, we can beat a different Highlands team in the Scottish Cup this weekend. Ross County cannot possibly be as negative as Hamilton were in the last round and will no doubt be wanting to show they are ready for the step up to the SPL. They’ve been cup specialists in recent years and knocked out many top flight sides – including ourselves – so we can’t take anything for granted.
Stuart Gillespie
Novak Djokovic is back in the Finals after beating Andy Murray
It took the Australian Open defending champion a little less than five hours to defeat Andy Murray in the semifinals of the first Grand Slam of the season. Both players showed signs of weakness at one point or another, and even though Djokovics moments of struggle were much more evident than those of Murray, at the end the Serb took the best of his game to defeat Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5.
Now, the No. 1 ranked player in the world will face the Spaniard Rafael Nadal for the Championship Game on Sunday. If he manages to defeat Nadal in the Australian Open Finals, he will then become part of the elite 5 players who have managed to win three consecutive Grand Slams. The list includes the likes of Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and his championship rival, Nadal.
This was an intense match. Murray wanted to find a little vindication since it was the Djoker himself who had stripped him from taking the Australian Open exactly a year ago in the finals. But once again, and despite the phenomenal fight put on by Murray, Djokovic won the match.
Both players recognized that the match was simply extenuating. It was a phenomenal game, filled with momentum swinging plays that kept the crowd at Melbourne Park cheering for the whole 5 hours. "You have to find strength in those moments and energy, and that keeps you going," said Novak Djokovic in the postgame interview. "At this level, very few points decide the winner. "I think we both went through a physical crisis. You know, him at the fourth set, me all the way through the second and midway through the third. It was a very even match throughout, from the first to the last point."
Murray hired Ivan Lendl as his personal coach just over six weeks ago. And Murray himself believes that he has already seen quite a positive change in his game. Perhaps with a little more time together, Lendl, an eight-time mayor winner could get Murray to reach the apex of his game. Despite the good fight, it's got to be a very though setback to deal with. Let's not forget that before been outplayed in this year's semifinals, Andy Murray had managed to reach the Australian Open finals on the two previous years. And had lost them both, two Nadal and Djokovic.
It is still uncertain whether Novak Djokovic is still holding on the momentum he build last season, when he had one of the best years ever played by a tennis pro. The Djoker finished last year at No. 1 after winning three of the four majors. His only loss at a Grand Slam came at Roland Garros against Roger Federer, in the French Open Semifinals. Before that, Djokovic had only won a single Grand Slam, the 2008, Australian Open. Then again, he had also missed 11 straight Grand Slam finals, until 2011 kicked in. Now, on Sunday, he will have a chance to get back on the winning steak if he manages to defeat Nadal.
Stephen Lars is a prominent sports blogger and currently covers Tennis Grand Slam, previews and handicaps for the BetIAS' Sports Betting Blog . You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
Manchester United 2 - 0 Stoke City: United get out of a spot of injury bother with penalties
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Javier Hernandez strokes home his penalty to put Man United ahead. Picture: AFP/Getty
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 02:29
A PAIR of penalties from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov proved enough to give injury-ravaged Manchester United victory over Stoke at Old Trafford.
Without 11 senior players though injury, including both his goalkeepers, Sir Alex Ferguson gave Premier League debuts to Ben Amos and substitute Paul Pogba.
However, they were never seriously threatened by a subdued Stoke outfit, who failed to respond after they were punished for fouls on Park Ji-sung and Antonio Valencia.
Twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper Amos was handed his debut as both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea were ruled out.
It had been reported that Lindegaard suffered an ankle injury in training yesterday, while De Gea was forced to return home after complaining of feeling ill.
Amos’ first touch was a routine back pass as United made the initial running.
He had to watch closely to ensure Jon Walters’ long-range effort bounced wide before Michael Carrick had a shot charged down at the other end.
It was turning into an open contest and after Chris Smalling had gifted possession to Kenwyne Jones, the Stoke forward got himself to the edge of the United box where he thrashed Rio Ferdinand’s half-clearance wide.
In-form Valencia was again looking like United’s most likely method of breaking through Stoke’s formidable defences.
It was Jonny Evans who tried to send Hernandez through, the Mexican falling foul of a marginal offside decision.
Carrick had a long-range effort deflected wide by Wilson Palacios, then a far more dangerous strike from Paul Scholes fizzed inches wide off Crouch with Thomas Sorensen stranded.
Marc Wilson got to Park’s low cross just before Hernandez, then Robert Huth stepped in to clear just as Dimitar Berbatov was about to take aim.
Patrice Evra went down in the box but referee Mike Jones was unimpressed.
United’s stand-in skipper then curled a low cross into the side-netting when he was trying to pick out Hernandez.
Valencia strode on to a superb reverse pass from Berbatov but Sorensen was able to push the cross away.
Stoke’s attacks were becoming increasingly rare and Jones did not help much when they did press forward, screwing a 20-yard shot badly wide.
United’s most fluent passing move was started and ended by Carrick, who laid a pass off to Park before continuing his run to end up on the end of Berbatov’s neat lay-off but his effort rolled narrowly wide of the far post.
United finally broke through when Berbatov and Scholes combined to release Park inside the area.
The Stoke players were convinced Jermaine Pennant took the ball when he lunged in but replays showed Jones got the call spot-on when he awarded a spot-kick and Hernandez sent Sorensen the wrong way.
At the start of the second half, Huth booted a Valencia cross away from danger at the other end, then Berbatov failed to take advantage of some brave tackling from Smalling inside the Stoke box.
It was not long before the Bulgarian had the chance to make amends though as Walters hauled Valencia back inside the visitors’ box.
Despite Hernandez’s previous effort, this time Berbatov assumed the responsibility and beat Sorensen with a shot to the bottom corner as the keeper went the right way.
Berbatov did impede Hernandez a minute later as the Mexican tried to profit from more good work by Valencia.
Cameron Jerome replaced Crouch not long afterwards as Tony Pulis tried to inject some life into his team.
It was almost an hour before Stoke won their first corner, which ended in disappointing fashion as Wilson crashed his shot into a crowd of defenders.
Stoke kept coming forward though and Amos needed two attempts to collect Jerome’s downward header.
Huth was booked for sending Evra flying, then Valencia set up Berbatov in injury time, only for the striker to prod wide.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
The Benefits Of Golf
There is absolutely no doubt that golf is sweeping the world off its feet. There are many who believe that no major social gathering is complete without a golf outing; that no major convention is complete without a golf tournament; and some major weddings must schedule prenuptial tee-off times for the bride, the groom, and their guests. Interestingly, certain NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball stars spend almost as much time on the golf course as they do on the playing field. Some even make contract decisions based on the golf facilities of competing cities!
Hollywood feels similarly about golf. Samuel L. Jackson is a huge fan, even though he only started playing at the age of forty five. There are also movie stars who state in their contracts that location sites must provide easy access to major golf courses. And then there are stars such as Johnny Mathis, who spend more time on the golf course than on their jobs.
Golf is increasingly becoming less male and less white, too, in part because of networking possibilities and in part because it is a fun way to stay in shape. Experts believe that golfers that walk eighteen holes once or twice a week can improve their health dramatically. Golf is also the game of choice for a number of physicians and health care professionals. "Usually when I walk and play a round, I lose about four pounds," says teaching pro Marvin Childress.
Minorities are turning to golf not only because the game is fun and challenging, but also because the game provides a great deal of access and networking opportunities that are not always readily available in the boardroom. The senior vice president of Nova Chemicals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Pina learned this the hard way when he was invited to play the game with his boss but had to turn him down since he did not know how to play. So, Pina made sure that never happened again. After a crash course, he hit the links and discovered the real world. He says, "I saw how business was conducted on golf courses. I saw how relationships and trusts were built." He was surprised to see the level of business that is carried out on the course. "The account executives delivered all the news they needed to deliver instead of having a business meeting, and it was done in an environment that was more cordial and far more supportive, because you're playing a game as well as conducting business."
Black women are among the most passionate supporters of the game today. Another golf plus, according to the publisher of the African-American Golfers Digest, is that the game gives you a personal edge. Given that golf is such an expensive sport to play, it can act as a major personal selling point. There is, moreover, a fraternity or sorority of golfers, and once a golfer meets a golfer - a client, CEO or a potential date - they enjoy an instant rapport. Although corporate executives and celebrities spend relatively large amounts of money on club fees and green fees, most golfers spend relatively modest amounts playing municipal courses.
Celebrity golfers like Michael Jordan are fueling the golf craze. Not only do people pay attention to what celebrities are doing, but they also try to incorporate the competitive spirit of the likes of Jordan. Leonard S. Coleman Jr., former president of baseball's National League, says he enjoys golf because "it's extremely competitive, and I relish playing the game with my friends and competitors." And the vice president of multicultural marketing at Schieffelin & Somerset Co. says he enjoys the camaraderie of the game and the opportunity to relax in beautiful natural settings with like-minded colleagues.
SFA compliance officer: ‘I don’t watch Sportscene with pen poised’
By ANDREW SMITH
Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 02:40
SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny has been as elusive as Lord Lucan in the past four months but that all changed yesterday when the 39-year-old former procurator fiscal went public for the first time since he was appointed in October.
He oversees the SFA’s new disciplinary procedures, a series of protocols which, like the man himself, have been seriously misunderstood.
Lunny’s hope is that, whenever he moves on, he will be remembered as having applied the rules “fairly and uniformly”.
That was his guiding principle in ten years in legal circles, which also gave him life experiences which will help him deal with the criticism from those who have sought to present him as some sort of one-man kangaroo court when, in reality, he is neither judge nor jury.
Lunny spent three years working for the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal in the Hague and then another organisation in the city called Euro-just. He spent a year and a half on a case involving a hospital in Vukovar in Croatia, put under siege by the Serbian army who later took 400 men away and shot them.
“I prosecuted the three soldiers who were thought to be in charge of that process and didn’t stop it from happening. The indictment related to 260-odd victims. On that scale, it’s quite hard to get your head around. But it’s the small individual stories you remember rather than the scale of it. One story which sticks in my mind is from another case in Kosovo against the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Basically they’d taken someone and wrapped him in barbed wire, tied him behind a car and dragged him for two or three miles. When the UN came to exhume the grave years later they found around 50 bodies in a canal, and one of the skeletons was found still wrapped in the barbed wire. Right away, out of all those bodies, they knew who that one person was, someone with a family, a background and a life.”
After that, Lunney can be sanguine about accusations such as the one from Motherwell manager Stuart McCall who slated him for a “trial by Sportscene” after Michael Higdon was referred for a gesture that the club stated was merely a goal celebration.
Lunny said: “I don’t sit with my pen and paper watching and saying ‘right, that’s you got a ban’ or whatever. To be honest when I see something that might be a case my heart sinks.
“I’m not looking for the work, there’s enough work there. I just want the process to work as best it can. I’m like everyone else, I want our football to be about great play and great goals.”
Lunney hs personally referred only two cases. From a list of 144, only 12 have come through video evidence. He is a conduit, deciding which cases go before an independent panel. Indeed, much more of his time has been taken up sifting through potential breaches of player registrations, of which there have been 29 cases. Most of his cases involve comments made by managers to officials and media. His non-football, legal background may have been a bugbear for Ally McCoist and Sone Aluko when it came to the winger’s diving charge but Lunny sees that another way.
“I understand exactly where Sone Aluko was coming from and it’s true. I cannot deny that, I’ve not played at any level,” said Lunny. “I play five-a-sides with my friends, on a Thursday here when I can. But I love the game, I’ve watched it all my life. People have focussed on Sone Aluko’s comment about me not being a footballer. There are plenty of cases of registrations and other matters where not being a footballer has been an advantage. If you are sitting looking at the complicated registration rules it’s nothing to do with the laws of the game.
“The whole idea that I decide on the football side of things, to put it in plain man’s language, is pretty bogus. I’m taking professional, expert advice on breaches of the rules and looking at the evidence and tying that together with the rules. I have to ask if there’s a case to answer and will it be proved. Part of that is asking ‘what is the evidence’. If it’s a fan saying ‘I watched from the stand and I saw someone elbow a player’ I will make inquiries and if there’s no evidence to back that up the chances of it going forward are very slim. Whereas if the BBC or Sky or ESPN or the newspapers have a photograph or a piece saying this happened in a match I will go and see if there’s evidence for that. I will speak to John Fleming and his refereeing development unit. Is it a breach of the rules? And we’ll take it forward from there.
“There is a misunderstanding that I hand out bans. I don’t ban anyone. There is evidence presented and rules to be applied to that within the laws. In the cases where a fixed penalty is offered that is built into the rules.
“If, for example, there is a piece of violent conduct or a gesture or whatever, where it really is incontestable, you can avoid the whole process of a club and players coming to Hampden. The offer goes to them and they are entitled to accept or reject that. If they reject it they are not appealing anything; the onus is still on the compliance officer to prove the breach before the panel. It’s the panel’s decision.”
Even if a case starts with a clip from Sportscene being analysed, Lunny has little sympathy with the notion that SPL players face greater scrutiny than any others. “It’s like getting caught speeding on camera and complaining that there was a camera there,” he said. “There is a responsibility on clubs and players when they are so much in the public eye at the top end of the game to set the example that we want for the younger players.
“When players and managers have been through to Hampden and we’ve gone for a coffee as we have waited for a decision they are happy they have had a fair hearing and appreciate that I’m not there to get anyone done. I’m there to lay the evidence before the panel and I am being fair. I’m encouraged by the personal feedback.”
Lunny says he came into the job with his “eyes wide open” and, even knowing all the potentially nasty downsides, he had “no reservations” about taking on the role.
There have been numerous complaining emails. And one hand-written letter condemning Lunny that, far from irritating him, is a correspondence he will treasure.
“It was from a fan accusing me of being one sided, who was keen to point out that he was not a ‘bigamist’ but thought I was a Celtic fan. I’ve got that at home and I’m going to frame it.”
Golf for Beginners
Golf For Beginners - Learn How to Play Golf. Golf for beginners can be tedious and time consuming. Even the most avid golfer can look back to the days when they were trying to learn the ins and outs of the game of golf, and wondering how hard it could be to hit a ball in a hole. These golfers learned that it is, indeed, more difficult than it looks to get that ball in to the hole, but learning a few golf techniques can make it an enjoyable hobby and sport. Perhaps the best tip that is given to the beginning golfer is to find an instructor that will show you the ropes. In case you have a local country club, try asking there first about any specials or promotions that they may have going on for beginning golfers.
If there is not a golf for beginners class in your budget or one that will fit in to your schedule, you can still learn the basics of golf through books and videos. When you have a basic grasp on the ideas, grab a set of clubs, and go practice. The elderly adage "practice makes perfect" is never more true than it is with the game of golf. Reading a book or two and then practicing the techniques by yourself will enable you to play along with your colleagues or friends and have a foundation to build on.
One of the first things you will have to learn in golf for beginners is how to grasp your club. There are multiple variations on how to grip a golf club, and it is a subject of much debate which one provides the most exact shot. There is an interlocking grip that is sported by Tiger Woods, the Vardon grip, and the Baseball group which is the grip of choice for junior players or those with smaller hands. Trying all the variations ought to give you some idea of what will work for you.
Golf for beginners instruction ought to address the mechanics of your swing and follow through, as well. These skills will improve and grow overtime, but having a firm basis is paramount. The pressure you have on your club needs to be analyzed over and over again in order to find one that is comfortable and will still stand behind the power that is necessary to project the ball the distance that it needs to go. After these skills are achieved, building a stellar game is only a matter of time.
Read more articles on golf for beginners and get all the information you need to improve your golf technique by visiting http://www.directgolf.biz