Football Tonight

Football Tonight 25/09/17

Saturday's episode of 'Football Tonight' was intriguing to watch as you had three of the most gifted Premier League English players from the early 21st century in Frank Lampard, Steven Gerard and Rio Ferdinand. 

The subject of tonight's debate was about footballers and their pre-match routines, what they do and why they do it?

The point in which Lampard made about sticking to the same routine when he was playing well is such a valid point,  I can't understand why nowadays some footballers decide to do different things everyday like play FIFA on the XBOX or PS3 after one game and then just decide to go to the gym at the last minute.

The part where Ferdinand speaks about players from the same country are not as interested as playing for their club is intriguing and sums up where English football is at this point in time.

When the England trio speak about England's lack of success during there career, the main issue that was pointed out by Gerrard was that none of the players felt like they were not playing as a team and were  'very individual' as in they didn't feel part of a team who played a 'certain way under a certain manger'. This quote sums up one of the main issues involving senior international football in England.

I like the way in which they show the questions in which people have tweeted in to ask the experts as it makes it clear to understand the subject of debate.

It's also good to see that all three players still want to be part of the game even though their career is finished because it emphasises their desire and passion for football.

The subject on playing for your club rather than country is another factor of why England weren't as successful in major tournaments post the 1966 World Cup, especially when these three were in the squad. It was club rivalry which created a barrier in which effected the communication and relationship between the players.

This sums up the problem with English football, it's the lack of willingness to play for the country rather than your club. Let's imagine Gareth Southgate selecting an England squad of Manchester United and Liverpool players. These two clubs have been rivals for many years and that's to do with wanting to be the most dominant and successful team in England, particularly in the north west. and sometimes having that sort of rivalry can have a bit of a negative influence on each player as well as the team, so it's to do with club pride rather than country.

Charlton Athletic vs Mk Dons

The Valley Visit

On 18th November I attended a live match at The Valley between Charlton Athletic and Milton Keynes Dons. It was a chilly Saturday afternoon with a crowed attendance of 10557. 

The match was entertaining and ended in a 2-2 draw. The hosts opened the in scoring in the sixth minute through striker Josh Magennis whose header flew into the top left corner via a corner kick from Jake Forster-Caskey.

The Addicks were the dominant side in the first half and almost doubled their lead when  Forster-Caskey's  strike came back off the inside of the post. 

Right winger Mark Marshall had a glorious chance to put the hosts 2-0 up, but MK Dons keeper Lee Nicholls stood strong and kept the Dons in the game.

In the 63rd minute, the Dons were back in the game thanks to a header from substitute Kieran Agard who came on for Ryan Seager, the 28-year old netted in his 14th goal of the season. 

This goal certainly fired up Robbie Neilson's side and boosted their confidence heading into the last third of the game.

In the dying moments of the game, the Dons were awarded a penalty when midfielder Peter Pawlett was brought down inside the box.

Seeking his second of the game, Agard stepped up to take the spot kick and sent keeper Ben Amos the wrong way firing the ball into the top right corner of the net. to rescue a point for the Dons.

Following the match was the manager's press conference and Charlton Athletic boss Karl Robinson was disgruntled by the referee's decision to award a spot kick to the Dons.

'The referee cost us the game. He had a better angle than the assistant referee to give the penalty and didn't give it.That was the softest decision he gave all day.'

Joshua vs Breazeale text commentary

Anthony Joshua vs Dominic Breazeale     

The atmosphere inside the O2 Arena is action packed with the song 'California Love' in the background as we get ready for this IBF Heavyweight title match between defending champion Anthony Joshua and USA's Dominic Breazeale.

Bell rings and we're ready to go. 

Round 1

Joshua throws left hook but misses Breazeale by a whisker.

Joshua throws a jab at Breazeale and hits him on the face to gain a point.

Brezeale looking vulnerable as Joshua starts to take control.

Brezeale gets another jab to the face.

Joshua attempts a 1-2  but Breazeale stands strong and blocks it.

Joshua goes for a jab and hook

Round 2

Joshua off to a quick start with a couple of jabs and hooks at Breazeale.

Joshua attempts another hook but misses.

Joshua throws jab at Breazeale.

Breazeale almost loses balance.

Joshua takes control and uses 1-2 punch on Breazeale.

Joshua is looking hungry now, I fear for Breazeale.

Round 3

Joshua starting to take control throwing a few jabs, but Breazeale throws a punch back.

Joshua staying patient by picking his shots.

Breazeale doing everything he can to stay in the fight.

Breazeale attempting a comeback and starts off with a left hook on Joshua's face.

Joshua throws another punch at Breazeale.

Round 4

Joshua in driving seat, but history shows that the fourth round is a stumbling block for him, will it prove to be so today?  

Doesn't look like it. Another jab from Joshua but Breazeale throws back a hook.

Breazeale showing stubborn resistance despite Joshua's dominance.

Breazeale seams to be behind Joshua in terms of picking his moves, he is struggling to keep up with the speed of Joshua's movements.  

Round 5

Joshua throws a punch at Breazeale's face.

Joshua begins to take control.

Another hook by Joshua on Breazeale. Breazeale looking a touch weary.

Round 6 

Joshua in the driving . seat with three punches.

Joshua goes for another jab to the face.

Another three jabs by Joshua on Breazeale.

Round 7

Another three jabs by Joshua on Breazeale's face.

Breazeale lands a jab on Joshua's face.

Breazeale beginning to raise is his game but hear comes another jab and hook by Joshua.

Joshua lands another hook and a three jabs on Breaseale.

Breazeale down. Joshua wins the match 

Joshua has his 17th KO in a row and defends IBF Heavyweight title. 

Rugby Tonight

BT Sport- Rugby Tonight

I attended a live show called 'Rugby Tonight'. This is a live show which gives you a round up of the latest news and gossip on rugby in the UK. The atmosphere inside the studio was fun like, everybody was enjoying themselves by getting involved with the show. 

The show had one guest Andy Gomarsall and two pundits Ben Kay and Ugo Monye. I thought they spoke well and had a great understanding of the sport as ex-players. 

I don't have a great interest in rugby, but for me the show was quite entertaining. It reminded me of another live sporting show I used to watch every Saturday morning called Soccer AM where they also have guests such as ex-footballers and present footballers. 

I also acknowledged the fact that most of the audience were in rugby kit which again symbolises their passion as fans of the sport. 

The thing I enjoyed the most was Gomarsall having ago at the tackle bag because it looked fun and really jeered up the crowd which created an intriguing atmosphere.

It's a good job that the bag didn't have something like bricks inside, otherwise they would have possibly needed to call the ambulance because the way in which he dove into the tackle bag head first and with such great impact made me flinch a bit. 

This was also a show where the audience were standing up rather than being seated which initially at one stage I thought this was going to be exhausting, but it didn't feel that way as the show was only an hour long.

Most of the audience where dressed in rugby kit, which again suggests that they have a huge passion for the sport and are identifying themselves as proper rugby fans.  

  

Am I too fat or too short To Be A Cricketer?

Am I Too Fat or Too Short To Be a Cricketer?

Some people say you fave to be a certain physique to be a good cricketer, But I disagree. If you are physically fit enough to throw, catch, run and hit a ball you can be any size and weight. 

Let's look at England and Nottingham left arm spinner Samit Patel who once lost his place in the England squad due to being overweight and a low fitness level. Samit has represented England on a few occasions but has never cemented a spot in the team. Yes you have to be fit, but you need to be cricket fit which is what Samit has improved on over the last 5 years. 

Another player who has not been playing lately for his country due to fitness is New Zealand's Jesse Ryder. Ryder is known to be a powerful left handed batsman who likes to hit big sixes, but he isn't that quick at running between wickets nor in the field. It just shows that if you're good enough and fit enough to do two or even all three facets of the sport, you should be allowed to play cricket no matter what your weight is. 

According to Sport sociologist Jay Coakley, a typical sportsman or sportswoman must have the ability to:

• Make sacrifices for the sport
• Strive for distinction 
• take risks through pain 
• go to the limit

These elements are crucial in any sport, specifically the more physical ones such as taking a risk through pain. Coming back to cricket, one thing that has improved drastically  over the years is the fielding. nowadays we se cricketers throwing down the stumps and taking spectacular catches which were almost impossible a decade ago. 

Let's not forget that catch Bermuda's Dwayne Leverock the fattest cricketer in the world took at the 2007 World Cup to dismiss India's Robin Uthappa.

WC 2007 Dwayne Leverock catch

Not a bad effort from the big man isn't it?

It just goes to show that you don't have to have a certain body shape to play cricket,  it's all about fitness.

Kruger Van Wyk a wicketkeeper from New Zealand apparently is the world's smallest cricketer with a height of just 1.19metres. Mohammad Irfan the left-arm pacer from Pakistan is the world's tallest cricketer with a height of 2.16metres. So you can see that there is no specific height in which you need to be to play cricket, you just need to be good enough and fit enough.

Having said this, we are now in an era where most cricketers like to do more strength training to build up their physique. Most fast bowlers like to have a strong upper body which helps to put more speed on the ball when they release it. They are also conscious about their diet and their weight.  

It's about how you feel as a cricketer, do you think your fit enough to bat 50 or even 90 overs? Can you cope with 5-day test matches? These are the questions that  you need to ask yourself. 

Gender and Sexism in football

Gender and Sexism in Football 

Years ago, people used to say women could not play football but now anybody can play the beautiful game. 

At the beginning of 2004 Sepp Blatter came up with a theory on how the women's game could become more popular. 'Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men – such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?'

So why is women's soccer underrated? First of all, when football was first invented in the mid 1800s, the majority of women were working in factory's or at home while the men were either at work or in this case playing football.   

The last time England's men's team reached the semi-finals of a major tournament was the 1996 European Championships where the lost to the old enemy Germany on penalties. As far as the women's team are concerned, they reached the final of the 1984 where they lost to Sweden and the 2009 European championships where they received a thumping 6-2 defeat at the hands of the old enemy Germany.    

This clearly states that the women had most certainly had more success lately than the men. But this still doesn't change the fact that we still see a lot more men's football then women. Why that is, is a good question.

If you look all the big clubs in the Premier League, most of them have  a women's football team. Take Arsenal as an example, Arsenal have been the most successful women's team winning 12 titles with the latest being in 2010. When was the last time the men won the league? 2004. So you can clearly see that the women have had the more success over the years.

Over the past few years, football has witnessed some moments in which sexism has been an issue. Let's take commentator Andy Gray as an example. Gray was sacked for making a sexist comment on the assistant referee Sian Massey saying that female officials 'don't know the offside rule'. That to me is a load of trash because many male linesmen get off-side decisions wrong, take Luis Suarez's  second goal against England in the 2014 World Cup. 

Ever since the women's Euros this summer, I would say that women's football has got a lot more popular. Whether it's to do with England reaching the semis I don't know but it has certainly grabbed the interest of fans in England.