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concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
Issue 278
22/01/13
Sport
Premier League set for more January moves Amelia Glean Sports correspondent
Editors’ column Billy Sexton Sports editor It is slightly proposterous that football is still the most popular sport in the country and throughout Europe. For well over a year, controversy has surrounded the sport in the form of three malicious beasts: racism, managerial sackings and astronomical wages and ticket prices. The racism issue needs no background. Key Premier League players such as John Terry and Luis Suarez have tarnished “the best league in the world” whereas numerous black players across the continent have experienced racist chants from so called fans. It’s an issue that needs to be kicked out of the game, sooner rather than later. Managerial sackings are also becoming ever more frequent and also without good reason. Nottingham Forest’s Kuwati owners sacked Sean O’Driscoll on Boxing Day - the club had just defeated Leeds 4-2 and lay one point and place outside the playoffs. Although O’Driscoll failed to string a good run of results together, he had mass amounts of respect from the Forest players, an essential ingredient to any dressing room atmosphere. Similarly, Nigel Adkins was dismissed from his duties at Southampton on Friday despite positive results against Chelsea (2-2), Arsenal (1-1) and Newcastle. Adkins had won over 50% of his games in charge at Southampton and they were looking increasingly likely to survive the Premier League drop. Money has been an issue in football for years and it would seem that fans have had to reluctantly accept the fact that players will recieve six figure wage packets at the end of the week. Ticket prices has become an issue in the past few weeks, as a refeering official sent Manchester City players to the fans who had forked out £62 to watch 90 minutes of football. Unfortunately ticket prices and mangerial sackings look set to remain a characteristic of modern football. There is a widespread disregard for “normal” fans, with the football club becoming increasingly corporate; a real shame.
With the transfers of Demba Ba, Loic Remy and Daniel Sturridge already complete, we can look forward to a number of potential “big moves” before the window shuts on January 31. Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has admitted he wishes to return to Boca Juniors once again, although it has been reported that City intend to offer Tevez a new contract to prevent the striker leaving for free in the summer. The Argentinean has declared a hunger to return to his first club, telling ESPN’s Sportscenter programme: “The will to return to Boca
always exists, even more so with [Carlos] Bianchi as a manager. I would like to wear the shirt of the team I love again.” Could Tevez be on his way out of Eastlands before the window closes? Additionally, fresh rumours of Liverpool moving in for Dutch international Wesley Sneijder have surfaced. The star has been earmarked as a marquee signing for the Reds with a number of news reports suggesting Liverpool are looking to hijack a deal to take the talented midfielder from the clutches of Galatasaray. With Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Sneijder in the same line up, this is certain to transfix Premier League fans. Nevertheless, a move has remained unlikely with some reports suggesting Liverpool have distanced themselves from a deal in recent days. It is claimed Athletico Madrid’s star striker Radamel Falcao, who has scored 16 goals in 17 league games this season is a transfer target for big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, despite Chelsea’s longterm interest in the Colombian. With PSG also heavily linked to Chelsea’s left-back Ashley Cole, there is scope for a double upset at the hands of the French. Falcao is reportedly excited by PSG’s ambitious sporting project and although many believe it will take time for the scheme to succeed, the striker would be an invaluable asset in the clubs attempts to fashion a fiercely competitive side.
Local side Norwich City are strongly linked with Celtic’s striker Gary Hooper, with boss Chris Hughton looking to strengthen up front. Grant Holt, whose scoring record has saved the side on a number of occasions throughout the season, is battling to return to fitness and it is felt Hooper could be the right man to step in and provide a necessary alternative. An offer has also been made for Swansea City man, Danny Graham. However, Celtic rejected the Canaries’ initial approach for Hooper, with that possible transfer looking set to rumble on for the rest of the month. Everton boss David Moyes has responded to speculation about Marouane Fellaini by reiterating he is not looking to sell players in the current transfer window. Fellaini has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, with reports suggesting there is a £22 million buyout clause in the 25-year-old’s contract, which several major clubs could be looking to trigger, such as Manchester United and Chelsea. Finally, Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, formerly linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, has admitted he wants to taste life in the Premier League. However, fresh reports have claimed the striker is in advanced talks with Italian giants Juventus, a move that would see the player turning his back on the Premier League clubs currently chasing his signature.
Andy Murray strolls into Australian Open quarters Sidonie Chaffer-Melly Sports correspondent Both Andy Murray and Roger Federer have made it into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open following victories over Gilles Simon and Milos Raonic respectively. Murray has not dropped a set yet in Melbourne, and eased to victory over the Frenchman, 6-3 6-1 6-3, to record another win. Meanwhile Federer coasted to an easy win over Raonic having previously disposed of home favourite Bernard Tomic, securing a 6-4 7-6 6-1 win despite the Croation-born’s hubristic confidence that he would be triumphant. He now faces seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he continues his bid for his 18th Grand Slam title. Maria Sharapova dominated seventime Grand Slam winner Venus Williams 6-1 6-3 in just 76 minutes. It marks a series of impressive wins from the Russian, who has lost just four games in three rounds and looks set to be sure for the final. Serena Williams was victorious over Japan’s Ayumi Morita, winning 6-1 6-3 and also setting the record for the fastest speed for a serve so far in the tournament
at 128.7mph. Novak Dvokovic was also successful over Radek Stepanek in a difficult match that lasted two hours 22 minutes. The Serbian, who has five Grand-Slam titles, beat 34-year-old Stepanek 6-4 6-3 7-5 but was given an entertaining workout after the Czech charged the net 67 times. Dvokovic survived the pressure and later praised Stepanek’s performance before letting loose heavy criticism of Lance Armstrong’s recent doping confession. Laura Robson played a gripping game against former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, beating the Czech 2-6 6-3 11-9 in a match that went on late into the night. The 19-year-old Brit suffered an error scattered match, double-faulting twice in the first game only for Kvitova to win the first set by making fewer errors but struggling as well. Her 18th double-fault of the match helped Robson to secure a win, finishing it out to love. However, Robson’s campaign came to an end after she was beaten 7-5 6-3 by American Sloane Stephens. Robson’s game was hampered by a shoulder injury she sustained in training, and she had to be treated several times on court. Robson took British hopes for a women’s singles
title with her as Heather Watson was knocked out the night before by Agnieszka Radwanska. The Pole beat the British number one 6-3 6-1 in 84 minutes after a run of 11 straight wins in Auckland and Sydney. The second week of the Australian Open started on Sunday, with the women’s singles final taking place on Saturday 26th and the men’s taking place the following day on the 27th. Can Murray win his second grand slam?