You can shout at Rob Shepherd by joining his online forum from midday every Sunday. Tell him what you think of his verdict by adding your comments below.
| Sport - Main index |
Andy sixth in the world after Cincinnati triumph
MURRAY THE MASTER
ANDY MURRAY is celebrating his first Masters Series title after victory over Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati on Sunday.
The British No 1 produced a stunning performance to overcome the Serb 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in a thrilling final in Ohio.
BLACKPOOL striker Ben Burgess will this season give News of the World readers an exclusive insight into life at one of the country's less glamorous clubs. The Seasiders are famous as the club which gave us legendary winger Sir Stanley Matthews but not even their most ardent fan would claim they are still in the big-time. Ben, 26, is about to start his third season at the club, after spells at Blackburn (where he played three games as an 18-year-old for Graeme Souness), Northern Spirit in Sydney, Brentford, Stockport, Oldham and Hull. Newly married to Kate, he lives in Lytham, drives a BMW, loves playing Pro Evo on the PlayStation and is doing a journalism degree at Staffordshire University. Here he reveals the delights of seeing players on trial.
TRIAL OF STRENGTH FOR ALL OF US
YOU meet some funny people at this time of the year because so many clubs have players on trial.
At Blackpool a couple of seasons ago, we had one guy turn up with a Geordie accent listed both Middlesbrough (believably) and Real Betis (interestingly) among his previous clubs.
NotW columnist Pietersen is England skipper
CAPTAIN K.P
News of the World columnist Kevin Pietersen is the new captain of Test and one-day sides at Lord's it has been confirmed.
Pietersen takes over from Michael Vaughan who chucked the towel in on Sunday.
Tyre trouble sees Hamilton finish fifth
LEWIS FALTERS
LEWIS Hamilton came a disappointing fifth in the Hungarian Grand Prix after tyre trouble dashed his promising pole position start.
The British racing sensation now has a five-point lead in the title race over reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen after Heikki Kovalainen took the top podium place.
"My mind has told me to pack it in"
VAUGHAN QUITS
MICHAEL Vaughan has said a tearful farewell to the England Test captaincy.
Vaughan brought his own future into question after yesterday's five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the third Test at Edgbaston gave the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.
WAD A GUY
ROBBIE KEANE has wasted no time in adapting to life on Merseyside.
World's sixth-richest man sets sights on Newcastle
ANIL AMBANI TOONS UP
By ROB SHEPHERD
THE world’s sixth richest man will not be wearing a black and white Newcastle shirt in the St James’ Park directors’ box.
He will not rub shoulders with the Toon Army on away trips or press the flesh with them as they jostle through the turnstiles.
Spanish giants refuse to give up chase
REAL'S FINAL £60m RONALDO BID
By ROB SHEPHERD
REAL MADRID are preparing one final £60million bid to land Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United insist their Portuguese winger is not for sale. But last night Real boss Bernd Schuster confirmed: “The club are working hard to get a solution. We knew it was going to be very complicated.
Villa boss says Gareth will go to Liverpool
O'NEILL ADMITS BARRY DEFEAT
By AIDAN MAGEE
MARTIN O’NEILL has dramatically admitted defeat in his attempt to keep Gareth Barry.
The Aston Villa boss has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown just days after announcing that his captain and prized asset was going nowhere.
Scolari confident England ace will sign new deal
BLUES WIN LAMPARD WAR
EXCLUSIVE from ROB BEASLEY in Moscow
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is confident he has trounced Jose Mourinho in the battle for Frank Lampard.
Chelsea’s new boss now expects the England midfielder to sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.
New Spurs ace scared by Eduardo horror tackle
MODRIC INJURY TERROR
By AIDAN MAGEE
LUKA MODRIC admits the horror injury suffered by compatriot Eduardo made him think long and hard about coming to the Premier League.
The slightly-built Croat- ian played for Dinamo Zagreb on the day the Arsenal striker sustained a sickening compound fracture at Birmingham.
Hammers will retire legendary shirt for charity
NO MOORE NO.6
EXCLUSIVE by ROB SHEPHERD
WEST HAM will retire Bobby Moore’s number 6 shirt for good next week.
Matthew Upson, who currently wears it, will hand over two jerseys, one home kit, one away, to Moore’s widow Stephanie at Saturday’s pre-season game against Villarreal.
OUR MEDAL HOPEFULS
ZAC PURCHASE AND MARK HUNTER
SINGLE sculling world record- holder Zac Purchase (right), 22, and doubles partner Mark Hunter, 30, claimed World Cup wins in Germany, Switzerland and Poland this year.
Elvis impersonator Tom Daley dives in
GOLD IS ALWAYS ON MY MIND
By DAVID HARRISON
TOM DALEY will have no fears performing in front of a huge crowd — because of his days as an Elvis impersonator.
Britain’s 14-year-old diving sensation was pushed into karaoke by his father Rob to get him ready for the biggest stage of all.
Racing's drink culture will put off punters
STOP BOOZE BRAWLERS
ONE huge part of Flat racing’s appeal is to offer a summer’s day out in pleasant and secure surroundings.
But yet again we are troubled by booze-fuelled violence and the rancid atmosphere generated by groups of bevvied-up blokes who think they are amusing, appealing and attractive when merely pathetic and revolting.
Swansea: Martinez aims to prove legend wrong
YOU'RE TALKING TOSH
By MARIO RISOLI
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has an extra incentive to succeed in the Championship — to prove John Toshack wrong.
The Wales chief and ex-Swans boss stunned his old club last week by tipping them to struggle in the second tier.
Blackpool: Simon sure to struggle
GRAY DAY
by AIDAN MAGEE
SIMON GRAYSON has proved for the first time since the Stanley Matthews era that there is more to Blackpool than candy floss and kiss-me-quick hats.
The Seasiders boss can be proud of his achievement of steering his club to safety as they were tipped to be relegated this time last year.
Crystal Palace: Manager looks good for play-offs
WARNOCK IS SMILES BETTER
By AIDAN MAGEE
NEIL WARNOCK is happier in London than he ever thought he would be.
The Yorkshiremen spent 20 years of managerial career living up to the flat-cap stereotype by moaning about everything in the capital from traffic problems to exorbitant house prices.
Birmingham: Blues look full of goals
McLEISH CAN STRIKE
by AIDAN MAGEE
ALEX McLEISH might be a man under pressure — but he still fancies his chances of guiding the Blues to a return to the big time.
The Midlands club’s owners David Sullivan and David Gold have been fiercely loyal to their managers since buying the ailing club in the mid-nineties.
