Monday, 2 July 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
King Harry For England
King Harry, as he is affectionately known by supporters (or more specifically me), has reigned supreme at the Lane since taking over the managerial crown in 2008.
As we all know, unless you have been residing in a cave dwelling in the Bora Bora Mountains, the 64-year-old is the people’s favourite to be anointed England manager after the dismissal of Fabio Capello. He even has the blessing from the irascible king of Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson.
There has not been such a chorus of approval from the nation for one man to lead England since the days of Brian Clough. Unfortunately, the dullards at the FA passed him over for Ron Greenwood. It’s unlikely they would make the same mistake again (appointing Roy Hodgson for instance).
Old ‘Arry in his modesty has played down the notion he is automatic choice. But King Harry knows as sure as he knows the number of foreign bank accounts he has, that he is nailed on for the job. It would almost be treasonable if he decided not to replace the Italian.
As a fan my memories stretches back to the exploits of Jennings, Chivers, Peters and Gilzean. But between those halcyon days and the present there has been a lot of dross with a few euphoric moments thrown in. The most joyous was the 1991 semi-final against the Gunners where Gascoigne scored with a magnificent free-kick that was so far out that the ball must have been propelled by a jet engine.
However, this current side is the best Tottenham team I have witnessed. Credit has to go to Redknapp who has managed to pattern a side of constant underachievers into a team who display endeavour, commitment, passion and some style.
We know that the England job as the reputation of being “a poisoned chalice”. Most managers have ended their tenure in animosity, recrimination and ignominy. A career as England manager is like a career in politics – it always ends in failure.
But I suppose going through the strain of a tax evasion trial is infinitely worse. The danger of having your liberty taking away puts everything in prospective.
Its one thing having a turnip superimposed on your head in the Sun newspaper, as was the case for Graham Turner, then having to share a cell with men, who may, with the absence of females, take an unnatural shine to you.
No Spurs fan wants King Harry to depart. But it’s sadly inevitable. We now need to look for a new king – someone who will get the players performing in the same scintillating fashion as they have under Redknapp.
Undoubtedly, the Chairman Daniel Levy is a man of vision. So Mr Levy if you are reading this please move heaven and earth to obtain the services of Pep Guardiola. I am sure the Spaniard must be sick and tired of winning countless trophies with Barcelona.
As we say down in Tottenham Hale, amongst the myriad of Kebab shops and Fried Chicken outlets – The king is dead long live king – preferably King Guardiola (if he could bring Prince Lionel with him all the better).
 |
| Harry Redknapp arriving at Southwark Crown Court for his Tax Evasion Trial |
As we all know, unless you have been residing in a cave dwelling in the Bora Bora Mountains, the 64-year-old is the people’s favourite to be anointed England manager after the dismissal of Fabio Capello. He even has the blessing from the irascible king of Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson.
There has not been such a chorus of approval from the nation for one man to lead England since the days of Brian Clough. Unfortunately, the dullards at the FA passed him over for Ron Greenwood. It’s unlikely they would make the same mistake again (appointing Roy Hodgson for instance).
Old ‘Arry in his modesty has played down the notion he is automatic choice. But King Harry knows as sure as he knows the number of foreign bank accounts he has, that he is nailed on for the job. It would almost be treasonable if he decided not to replace the Italian.
As a fan my memories stretches back to the exploits of Jennings, Chivers, Peters and Gilzean. But between those halcyon days and the present there has been a lot of dross with a few euphoric moments thrown in. The most joyous was the 1991 semi-final against the Gunners where Gascoigne scored with a magnificent free-kick that was so far out that the ball must have been propelled by a jet engine.
However, this current side is the best Tottenham team I have witnessed. Credit has to go to Redknapp who has managed to pattern a side of constant underachievers into a team who display endeavour, commitment, passion and some style.
We know that the England job as the reputation of being “a poisoned chalice”. Most managers have ended their tenure in animosity, recrimination and ignominy. A career as England manager is like a career in politics – it always ends in failure.
But I suppose going through the strain of a tax evasion trial is infinitely worse. The danger of having your liberty taking away puts everything in prospective.
Its one thing having a turnip superimposed on your head in the Sun newspaper, as was the case for Graham Turner, then having to share a cell with men, who may, with the absence of females, take an unnatural shine to you.
No Spurs fan wants King Harry to depart. But it’s sadly inevitable. We now need to look for a new king – someone who will get the players performing in the same scintillating fashion as they have under Redknapp.
Undoubtedly, the Chairman Daniel Levy is a man of vision. So Mr Levy if you are reading this please move heaven and earth to obtain the services of Pep Guardiola. I am sure the Spaniard must be sick and tired of winning countless trophies with Barcelona.
As we say down in Tottenham Hale, amongst the myriad of Kebab shops and Fried Chicken outlets – The king is dead long live king – preferably King Guardiola (if he could bring Prince Lionel with him all the better).
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Will it be the Great BRITISH Olympics? - The 2012 Games are not just about the Capital
AUGUST 5th is a date most people would have made a cursory note in their diaries to keep free – will at least 9.5 seconds of it. It’s when Usain Bolt – the reigning Olympic champion - will be steadying himself on his starting blocks of the 100m final.
Millions viewing will be wondering whether the Jamaican will repeat his superhuman feats of four years ago. For many, including the media, this is what the London 2012 Olympics is all about.
This myopic view of the Olympics can be forgiven. As it says on the packet - London Olympics 2012 - suggests the Games is purely for the benefit and pleasure of Londoners plus the hoards of tourists who will be flocking to the capital.
But this is a misnomer. There will be a vast array of Olympic sporting and cultural events that are taking place across the country. Unfortunately, the media attention on these events will be inconsequential next to the exploits of the fastest man on the planet.
However, communities up and down the UK will feel the impact of London 2012 just as memorably as the stadium spectators watching arguably the blue ribbon event of the Games, on the first Sunday in August.
Gordon Arnott who heads the media operations at One North East, a Regional Development Agency (RDA) which overseas economic development within North East England shares this view.
He said: “The London 2012 Games are not just about London. The key commitments of the Games are that they benefit the whole of the UK and provide people of all ages with the impetus and inspiration to take up sport.”
Mr. Arnott believes like other areas of the UK, the North East will ensure that especially young people are able to make the most of the opportunities provided by London 2012.
Danny O’Donovan, chairman of the 2012 Schools and Young People Task Group based in Kent, echoes this.
“The media may concentrate on the Olympic events in the capital, but London 2012 represents a unique opportunity for Kent to use the Games as a catalyst to deliver new projects, initiatives and programmes for young people,” he said.
The media may consider Bolt to be the hottest ticket in town. But if journalists would occasionally venture out of the hi-tech media suites in the Olympic Village, they would see a world out there where the positive influence of the Olympics is going unreported.
A world where the volunteers, participants and agencies are doing such sterling work to bring alive the Games to their communities, may not even have time to spare to watch a Jamaican run under 10 seconds to reclaim his Olympic title.
 |
| Lord Coe and Denise Lewis launches Olympic Torch relay |
AUGUST 5th is a date most people would have made a cursory note in their diaries to keep free – will at least 9.5 seconds of it. It’s when Usain Bolt – the reigning Olympic champion - will be steadying himself on his starting blocks of the 100m final.
Millions viewing will be wondering whether the Jamaican will repeat his superhuman feats of four years ago. For many, including the media, this is what the London 2012 Olympics is all about.
This myopic view of the Olympics can be forgiven. As it says on the packet - London Olympics 2012 - suggests the Games is purely for the benefit and pleasure of Londoners plus the hoards of tourists who will be flocking to the capital.
But this is a misnomer. There will be a vast array of Olympic sporting and cultural events that are taking place across the country. Unfortunately, the media attention on these events will be inconsequential next to the exploits of the fastest man on the planet.
However, communities up and down the UK will feel the impact of London 2012 just as memorably as the stadium spectators watching arguably the blue ribbon event of the Games, on the first Sunday in August.
Gordon Arnott who heads the media operations at One North East, a Regional Development Agency (RDA) which overseas economic development within North East England shares this view.
He said: “The London 2012 Games are not just about London. The key commitments of the Games are that they benefit the whole of the UK and provide people of all ages with the impetus and inspiration to take up sport.”
Mr. Arnott believes like other areas of the UK, the North East will ensure that especially young people are able to make the most of the opportunities provided by London 2012.
Danny O’Donovan, chairman of the 2012 Schools and Young People Task Group based in Kent, echoes this.
“The media may concentrate on the Olympic events in the capital, but London 2012 represents a unique opportunity for Kent to use the Games as a catalyst to deliver new projects, initiatives and programmes for young people,” he said.
The media may consider Bolt to be the hottest ticket in town. But if journalists would occasionally venture out of the hi-tech media suites in the Olympic Village, they would see a world out there where the positive influence of the Olympics is going unreported.
A world where the volunteers, participants and agencies are doing such sterling work to bring alive the Games to their communities, may not even have time to spare to watch a Jamaican run under 10 seconds to reclaim his Olympic title.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Murray Shows True Grit In Defeat
I can’t imagine how Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray must have felt after their epic semi-final encounter at the Australian Open, which the world number one eventually secured victory in five brutally competitive sets.
Be in no doubt, this wasn’t Andy Murray of old whom 12 months ago meekly surrendered in three one-sided sets to the Serb in the final of the same tournament.
The Scot pushed Djokovic to the limit. Murray kept his composure throughout and did not chastise himself into defeat as we have seen him do on so many other occasions in the past. He gallantly fought back from what seem to be hopeless positions. Murray’s shot making in the match was bold, brave and brilliant – he never took a step back even under the most intense pressure from the four-time Grand Slam winner.
Arguably, we learnt more about Murray in this match that lasted nearly five hours than all the other of his matches including his three Grand Slam final appearances. Undoubtedly, he gave his best ever performance in this narrow and heroic defeat.
Much praise must go to Ivan Lendl, Murray’s new coach. The argument has always been that Murray has the array of shots to win a major tournament but it was whether he possesses the mental toughness to go along with it.
With the help of Lendl, and as clearly evidenced in Melbourne last Friday night, Murray is moving in the right path of adding mental stability and calmness to his formidable armoury.
Although only together for a matter of weeks the Czech’s influence can already be seen in Murray’s demeanour on and off the court. He’s no longer the whining, moping Scot with a litany of excuses for his defeats. The 24 year-old has grown from a boy into a man overnight.
Whether Murray can break into the ruling triumvirate of Rafal Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic is a moot point. You would forgive Murray if he sometimes curses the Gods to be born in the same era as three of the greatest players to ever swing a racket.
However, with the wily 51 year-old Czech in his corner, himself a Grand Slam winner eight times, Murray is only a racket’s width away from breaking into the seemingly impregnable trio.
If Murray continues his development under Lendl, that similar to London buses there maybe not one but three or four grand slam titles coming his direction before the Scot hangs up his tennis shoes.
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