Here we are again then folks... after 69 days of waiting... the football season officially gets underway tomorrow night as Middlesbrough take on Sheffield United. I preview the season ahead and tell you who's going up and who's going down.
Premiership
Champions: Liverpool- After finishing runner's up to Manchester United last season, I think this year could be the year that the Merseyside club finally claim their first title since 1990. After the loss of Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, Rafa Benitez has strengthed the squad with the signings of England right back Glen Johnson and imminent signing of Italian Alberto Aquilani. With the goals of Fernando Torres, and as always the influence of Steven Gerrard, their time has come.
Runners Up: Manchester City- Spending over £80m in the transfer window to date, Mark Hughes has made his City side real challengers for next season. The department that let them down last season- Defence- has been tightened with the acquisition of Kolo Toure from Arsenal so I expect to see them right up there at the end of the season.
Champions League Spots: Manchester United and Chelsea.
Europa League: Everton/Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Relegated:
Portsmouth: With the imminent change of ownership to Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, it would be fair to say that things seem to be looking up for Pompey. It may seem that way but with it being dragged out with only a week before the Premier League starts, they have no time to get players in and settled. With the departure of David Nugent to Stoke looking set to happen, the South coast club only have Kanu, John Utaka and on loan striker Fréderic Piquionne to choose from. Havent strengthened enough so I think it may be curtains for them.
Birmingham: Although they have strengthened with the signings of Joe Hart, and Scott Dann amongst others, I still dont think they have enough to stay in this league with their back up players.
Hull: Although the loan signing of Jozy Altidore brightened up their chances, I still dont think the Tigers can stay up for another season.
Championship
Champions: West Brom-Under the stewardship of Roberto Di Matteo, he should guide the Baggies back into the top flifght again at a canter.
Runners Up: Sheffield United. After the play-off final loss last season, Kevin Blackwell has not rested on his lorals and bolstered his squad with some astute signings.
Playoffs: Nottingham Forest(Additions should give them success) Reading(Should have enough to get there) Middlesbrough(Squad is good enough to challenge) Ipswich Town
Relegated: Scunthorpe, Peterborough, Doncaster.
League One
Champions: Huddersfield: Lee Clark has been astute this summer signing big defenders Antony Kay and Peter Clarke as well as adding some good attacking options like Robbie Simpson and Theo Robinson.
Runners Up: Leeds United: After the loss of Fabian Delph, Simon Grayson should recover with Michael Doyle a more than suitable replacement, their return to the big time is not far off.
Playoffs: Brighton(Additions have been good enough to make them contenders) Leyton Orient(Williams has done a superb job, suprise package this season) Norwich and Brentford/Hartlepool.
Relegated: Carlisle,Exeter, Swindon, Stockport.
League Two
Champions: Rotherham
Runners Up: Notts County
Third: Rochdale
Playoffs: Northampton, Crewe, Bradford, Chesterfield
Relegated: Dagenham and Macclesfield.
Blue Square Premier
Champions: Luton
Playoffs: Grays, Oxford, Crawley, Wrexham
Relegated: Eastbourne, Salisbury, Gateshead, Hayes/Ebbsfleet.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Strike it Lucky
Goalscorers are a key part of any good footballing side at any level. If you look at the pacesetters in each and every league around the world, they will have one or two players-normally Strikers, who they can rely on to come up with the goods if their side needs a goal.
In the Championship, even though they are conspiring to lose the league title week by week, Wolves have the strike force of Sylvan Ebanks Blake and Chris Iwelumo who have come up with 34 league goals this season. In League 1, runaway leaders Leicester City, who are almost obviously too good for the league, have had Matty Fryatt to turn to. This goes down non league level as well. Promotion chasing Stevenage have got Steve Morison, who has been watched by many league clubs this season, has netted 20 in the Blue Square Premier already.
But for Colchester United, who currently lie in 12th Place in League 1, they have not found that special talent that they can turn to. After losing Kevin Lisbie to local rivals, Ipswich Town in the summer, after netting 17 goals in a relegated side and the deadly duo of Iwelumo and Jamie Cureton the season prior to that, they havent been able to find an adequate replacement to fill the void.
The lack of firepower has been clear for everyone to see recently as the U's slumped to disapointing defeats to Walsall and a painful home loss to bitter rivals Southend, to effectively end their slim hopes of stealing a playoff berth.
Many thought that Cheltenham striker Stephen Gillespie would be the answer to the problems when he joined for a club record £400,000 fee in July. This has not proved to be the case as he has only netted five goals in all competitions this season, amount to a costly £80,000 per goal, partly due to his terrible record with injury.
But, his strike partners have also not been able to come up with the goals. Between the other five strikers that have played during Gillespie's frequent absences, including Clive Platt, Scott Vernon and loanee Jermaine Easter, there has only been 14 goals.
In fact that amounts to under a third of The U's fifty goals this term.
Irish Midfielder Mark Yeates is the Essex clubs top goalscorer with ten in all competitions and if the season is to be ended on a high, an answer to this striking conundrum needs to be found in the loan markets by boss Paul Lambert, as they face tough trips to high flying Huddersfield and Oldham in the next week.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Derby Match given a "three" rein
Well.. Well... Well... I said it was going to produce entertainment!
And what entertainment it was the games had bust up's, contentious refeering and of course, goals.
The atmosphere at Roots Hall was absoloutely buzzing. The home fans had their blue and white cards a la Wembley, in a cheap attempt to add atmosphere and the Yellow sea of U's fans found another 100% in their voices to cheer their team onto victory.
The home side had the best start and on eight minutes, a teasing delivery by on loan Ipswich left back Dan Harding got Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken going to get a ball he was never get to, allowing central defender Peter Clarke to head in unchallenged. 1-0 to the Shrimpers
Southend were now on the front foot and an unchallenged Lee Sawyer ran 20 yards and his mis-hit shot was directed in by an offside looking Francis Laurent at the far post just five minutes later. 2-0 to the Shrimpers
The U's found a route back into the game in the 35th minute when Johnnie Jackson's free kick deflected in past the helpless Adam Federici. 2-1 to the Shrimpers
The away side were now on the front foot and it could have been 2-2 when Mark Yeates' delicate lob came back off the bar and Kem Izzet missed a great headed chance at the back post.
Half Time: Southend 2-1 Colchester
Whatever Paul Lambert said at half time to his troops it worked as they came out with a new belief and came at the home side and carved out some good chances especially when Scott
Vernon missed a great header when it looked easier to hit the back of the net.
It took until the 71st minute for the U''s to find a equaliser when Yeates' perseverence in the box lead to him shooting past the goalkeeper. 2-2
The pressure didnt stop their though and nine minutes from time, sub Anthony Wordsworth rode like a salmon out of water at the back post to head home.He was engulfed by the away fans which caused the stewards to have an argument with the U's players and fans. 3-2 to The U's
But five minutes into an allotted four minutes, a contentious corner was given and the ball was not cleared and it went in and was credited to Jean- Francois Cristophe, and the home fans ran across to empty seats to the left of them to wind up their opponents. 3-3
And while the away side, will be unhappy to go away with only one point its one more than their fans could have possibly imagined getting at 1:13pm.
And what entertainment it was the games had bust up's, contentious refeering and of course, goals.
The atmosphere at Roots Hall was absoloutely buzzing. The home fans had their blue and white cards a la Wembley, in a cheap attempt to add atmosphere and the Yellow sea of U's fans found another 100% in their voices to cheer their team onto victory.
The home side had the best start and on eight minutes, a teasing delivery by on loan Ipswich left back Dan Harding got Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken going to get a ball he was never get to, allowing central defender Peter Clarke to head in unchallenged. 1-0 to the Shrimpers
Southend were now on the front foot and an unchallenged Lee Sawyer ran 20 yards and his mis-hit shot was directed in by an offside looking Francis Laurent at the far post just five minutes later. 2-0 to the Shrimpers
The U's found a route back into the game in the 35th minute when Johnnie Jackson's free kick deflected in past the helpless Adam Federici. 2-1 to the Shrimpers
The away side were now on the front foot and it could have been 2-2 when Mark Yeates' delicate lob came back off the bar and Kem Izzet missed a great headed chance at the back post.
Half Time: Southend 2-1 Colchester
Whatever Paul Lambert said at half time to his troops it worked as they came out with a new belief and came at the home side and carved out some good chances especially when Scott
Vernon missed a great header when it looked easier to hit the back of the net.
It took until the 71st minute for the U''s to find a equaliser when Yeates' perseverence in the box lead to him shooting past the goalkeeper. 2-2
The pressure didnt stop their though and nine minutes from time, sub Anthony Wordsworth rode like a salmon out of water at the back post to head home.He was engulfed by the away fans which caused the stewards to have an argument with the U's players and fans. 3-2 to The U's
But five minutes into an allotted four minutes, a contentious corner was given and the ball was not cleared and it went in and was credited to Jean- Francois Cristophe, and the home fans ran across to empty seats to the left of them to wind up their opponents. 3-3
And while the away side, will be unhappy to go away with only one point its one more than their fans could have possibly imagined getting at 1:13pm.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Derby Days are oh so special
18 months have passed since these two local rivals met and things have changed for both sides. Both have dropped a division and Colchester last time had the formidible duo that was Jamie Cureton and Chris Iwelumo against the Southend backline. Southend have lost players such as fiery captain Kevin Maher: who wasnt exactly the most popular figure with the U's fans while his nemesis and opposite number on that Easter day: Sunny would you believe, has now gone onto bigger and better things in Plymouth.
But although notable changes have been made, the passion and intensity still remains and the managers Steve Tilson and Paul Lambert add to that. And although, Tilson has played down the game as just another match, everyone knows how much it would mean to the Shrimpers boss to win.
I will know take a look at the expected sides:
Southend
Goalkeeper: Adam Federici
Defence: Simon Francis,Peter Clarke, Adam Barrett(C), Dan Harding
Midfield: Kevin Betsy,Jean Francois Christophe, Lee Sawyer, Hal Robson Kanu
Strikers: Alex Revell, Francis Laurent
Colchester
Goalkeeper: Dean Gerken
Defence: John White,Pat Baldwin, Chris Coyne,Johnnie Jackson
Midfield: Mark Yeates,Kemal Izzet, Dean Hammond,David Perkins
Strikers: Clive Platt, Scott Vernon
Key battles:
Clive Platt vs Adam Barrett: The strong ex MK Dons striker will be looking to have the beating the Southend born defender who rejected advances from Colchester and he has spiced up the already fiery atmosphere by saying "If I had came to Colchester, my family would have disowned me"
Kem Izzet vs Jean Francois Christophe: The mini midfielder has always been a fiesty character and will take the lead role in battling for the ball for the away side and he will have a tough competitor in the strong on loan Portsmouth midfielder.
Mark Yeates vs Hal Robson Kanu: Both men will be looking to get forward and not focus on defensive duties but if the Irish Wing Wizard can have the meeting of the exciting on loan winger and Dan Harding, the Shrimpers left back , then expect a flood of crosses from the right side.
Francis Laurent vs Pat Baldwin: The french sensation has become an instant hit at the club and if Colchester can control him and his partner, ex Braintree man Alex Revell then they will one step closer to going 3-2 in the last five league meetings of the sides.
Predictions: The last four meetings have produced 13 goals and indeed the last draw between the two was in September 2004 in the LDV Vans Trophy, so dont expect a hard fought out draw. After a big home win over Leeds in the week, The Shrimpers will have their tales between their legs and while the U's didnt play in midweek, they come to the other side of Essex on the back of a 5-0 drubbing of Carlisle. Colchester to sneak it 2-1.
Either way.. Entertainment will be high and the atmosphere will be rocking!
But although notable changes have been made, the passion and intensity still remains and the managers Steve Tilson and Paul Lambert add to that. And although, Tilson has played down the game as just another match, everyone knows how much it would mean to the Shrimpers boss to win.
I will know take a look at the expected sides:
Southend
Goalkeeper: Adam Federici
Defence: Simon Francis,Peter Clarke, Adam Barrett(C), Dan Harding
Midfield: Kevin Betsy,Jean Francois Christophe, Lee Sawyer, Hal Robson Kanu
Strikers: Alex Revell, Francis Laurent
Colchester
Goalkeeper: Dean Gerken
Defence: John White,Pat Baldwin, Chris Coyne,Johnnie Jackson
Midfield: Mark Yeates,Kemal Izzet, Dean Hammond,David Perkins
Strikers: Clive Platt, Scott Vernon
Key battles:
Clive Platt vs Adam Barrett: The strong ex MK Dons striker will be looking to have the beating the Southend born defender who rejected advances from Colchester and he has spiced up the already fiery atmosphere by saying "If I had came to Colchester, my family would have disowned me"
Kem Izzet vs Jean Francois Christophe: The mini midfielder has always been a fiesty character and will take the lead role in battling for the ball for the away side and he will have a tough competitor in the strong on loan Portsmouth midfielder.
Mark Yeates vs Hal Robson Kanu: Both men will be looking to get forward and not focus on defensive duties but if the Irish Wing Wizard can have the meeting of the exciting on loan winger and Dan Harding, the Shrimpers left back , then expect a flood of crosses from the right side.
Francis Laurent vs Pat Baldwin: The french sensation has become an instant hit at the club and if Colchester can control him and his partner, ex Braintree man Alex Revell then they will one step closer to going 3-2 in the last five league meetings of the sides.
Predictions: The last four meetings have produced 13 goals and indeed the last draw between the two was in September 2004 in the LDV Vans Trophy, so dont expect a hard fought out draw. After a big home win over Leeds in the week, The Shrimpers will have their tales between their legs and while the U's didnt play in midweek, they come to the other side of Essex on the back of a 5-0 drubbing of Carlisle. Colchester to sneak it 2-1.
Either way.. Entertainment will be high and the atmosphere will be rocking!
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Lets Get Ready To Rumble!
With the football season now very much upon us, I decided to let out my predictions for this season out of the proverbial black hole of a brain of mine!
Premiership:
Winners: Man United: After Ronaldo signalled his intentions to stay for this season at least, that was the first blow of what will be a thrilling bout for the title again. Ferguson could strike the second blow by signing a top class striker like Huntelaar or Berbatov, and if he does this I have no doubt that the title will be heading back to Manchester again.
Runners Up: Liverpool: You may be shocked at this prediction and you may be thinking are you still drunk from last night! Well neither: I am completely serious. With the addition of Robbie Keane to partner goal scoring machine Torres and the possible arrival of Gareth Barry, I really think that the Merseysiders could do something this season.
Third: Chelsea: With the addition of midfield maestro Deco(who is small enough to fit into the midfield space that is left when Fat Frank plays) and Dogba staying, they will do well again but not well enough in my opinion.
Relegated: Hull,Bolton and Blackburn/Wigan: Hull have not added eneough to their squad which did enough to earn promotion to this promised land last year and Bolton under the guidance of Gary Megson, have only sold players and not added enough and they will be joined in falling through the trap door by either Blackburn or Wigan. Blackburn will go if they do not keep Santa Cruz, Wigan may just have enough strength or depth and I have not put Stoke in yet simply because they could be adding human beanpole Nikola Zigic to ginger dave up front: put we will wait and see!
Championship:
Winners: Birmingham: I may be going with everyone else on this one but you really cannot see past the blue side of the midlands this year. They have kept stars like Seb Larsson and James McFadden and added names like Phillips and Bent to their squad.
Runners Up: Wolves: They have improved on their squad of last year which only missed out on the playoffs on goal difference, by adding Chris Iwelumo, Sam Vokes and Richard Stearman. I get the feeling that this year might be theirs.
Playoffs: Crystal Palace,QPR,Norwich and Coventry(Winners: Coventry): I feel that Chris Coleman with the additions of Clinton Morrison and fake welshman Freddy Eastwood may have done enough to get Coventry up in the big time again. Norwich had added true class to their squad with Wes Hoolahan and Arturo Lupoli and even though they didnt particularly impress me when I saw them against Colchester last week, I still think they may do something. Palace under the guidance of Neil Warnock should be right up there again and QPR- well they will just buy themselves promotion!
Relegated: Swansea,Doncaster and Southampton: All three of these sides have not added sufficently to their squads and I think all of them will struggle to survive this year.
League One:
Winners: Colchester: Am I am an optomist: Yes I am! For once, I feel that my team could do something this year. With the additions of David Perkins and Steven Gillespie as well as Paul Reid and Matt Heath to bolster the seemingly invisible defence of last season.
Runners Up: Leicester: After getting relegated on the last day of the season, last term, Nigel Pearson has bolstered his ranks but he will have to be quick out of the blocks or the axe will fall on him like many others preceding him.
Playoffs: Leeds,Peterborough, Huddersfield and Crewe. (Winners: Peterborough). With the shadow of his famous father cast over him Darren Ferguson has done well and built a good squad and I think they will be the suprise package this year, closely followed by Crewe. Huddersfield and Leeds will be right up there but could miss out again.
Relegated: Millwall, Bristol Rovers,Cheltenham and Hereford.
League Two:
Winners:Lincoln
Runners Up: Darlington
Promoted:Bradford
Playoffs:Wycombe,Bury,Shrewsbury and Notts County(Winners: Wycombe or Shrewsbury)
Relegated:Rotherham and Luton.
Blue Square Premier:
Winners: Torquay: The Brazil of the Conference!
Playoffs: Rushden, Stevenage,Forest Green and York(Winners: Rushden)
Relegated: Barrow, Altrincham,Kettering and Northwich.
Premiership:
Winners: Man United: After Ronaldo signalled his intentions to stay for this season at least, that was the first blow of what will be a thrilling bout for the title again. Ferguson could strike the second blow by signing a top class striker like Huntelaar or Berbatov, and if he does this I have no doubt that the title will be heading back to Manchester again.
Runners Up: Liverpool: You may be shocked at this prediction and you may be thinking are you still drunk from last night! Well neither: I am completely serious. With the addition of Robbie Keane to partner goal scoring machine Torres and the possible arrival of Gareth Barry, I really think that the Merseysiders could do something this season.
Third: Chelsea: With the addition of midfield maestro Deco(who is small enough to fit into the midfield space that is left when Fat Frank plays) and Dogba staying, they will do well again but not well enough in my opinion.
Relegated: Hull,Bolton and Blackburn/Wigan: Hull have not added eneough to their squad which did enough to earn promotion to this promised land last year and Bolton under the guidance of Gary Megson, have only sold players and not added enough and they will be joined in falling through the trap door by either Blackburn or Wigan. Blackburn will go if they do not keep Santa Cruz, Wigan may just have enough strength or depth and I have not put Stoke in yet simply because they could be adding human beanpole Nikola Zigic to ginger dave up front: put we will wait and see!
Championship:
Winners: Birmingham: I may be going with everyone else on this one but you really cannot see past the blue side of the midlands this year. They have kept stars like Seb Larsson and James McFadden and added names like Phillips and Bent to their squad.
Runners Up: Wolves: They have improved on their squad of last year which only missed out on the playoffs on goal difference, by adding Chris Iwelumo, Sam Vokes and Richard Stearman. I get the feeling that this year might be theirs.
Playoffs: Crystal Palace,QPR,Norwich and Coventry(Winners: Coventry): I feel that Chris Coleman with the additions of Clinton Morrison and fake welshman Freddy Eastwood may have done enough to get Coventry up in the big time again. Norwich had added true class to their squad with Wes Hoolahan and Arturo Lupoli and even though they didnt particularly impress me when I saw them against Colchester last week, I still think they may do something. Palace under the guidance of Neil Warnock should be right up there again and QPR- well they will just buy themselves promotion!
Relegated: Swansea,Doncaster and Southampton: All three of these sides have not added sufficently to their squads and I think all of them will struggle to survive this year.
League One:
Winners: Colchester: Am I am an optomist: Yes I am! For once, I feel that my team could do something this year. With the additions of David Perkins and Steven Gillespie as well as Paul Reid and Matt Heath to bolster the seemingly invisible defence of last season.
Runners Up: Leicester: After getting relegated on the last day of the season, last term, Nigel Pearson has bolstered his ranks but he will have to be quick out of the blocks or the axe will fall on him like many others preceding him.
Playoffs: Leeds,Peterborough, Huddersfield and Crewe. (Winners: Peterborough). With the shadow of his famous father cast over him Darren Ferguson has done well and built a good squad and I think they will be the suprise package this year, closely followed by Crewe. Huddersfield and Leeds will be right up there but could miss out again.
Relegated: Millwall, Bristol Rovers,Cheltenham and Hereford.
League Two:
Winners:Lincoln
Runners Up: Darlington
Promoted:Bradford
Playoffs:Wycombe,Bury,Shrewsbury and Notts County(Winners: Wycombe or Shrewsbury)
Relegated:Rotherham and Luton.
Blue Square Premier:
Winners: Torquay: The Brazil of the Conference!
Playoffs: Rushden, Stevenage,Forest Green and York(Winners: Rushden)
Relegated: Barrow, Altrincham,Kettering and Northwich.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Have I gone back in time?
Since 1974, we have not really seen any real examples of what is known as "Sexschy" football in Holland.
Cruyff and Neeskens epotimised it and it was thought it may never return.
Well how I have been suprised! After seeing an awful excuse for a match between Romania and France in the so called "Group of Death", something was needed to cheer me up.
So I simply switched over to ITV and prepared myself for what I expected to be a midfield war of attrition where the Italians would simply be trying to stifle the Dutch creativity.
But lo and behold something unexpected unfolded before my eyes. After Van Nistelrooy's offside opener, I thought this may just set the general tone for the game.
Gio Van Bronckhorst then cleared it off the line and after Wesley Sneijder laid the ball of to Rafael Van Der Vaart with a crisp pass, both Sneijder and Van Bronckhorst went hareing down the pitch like they had rocket packs on their backs!
The former Arsenal full back then sent a accurate cross-field ball to Dirk Kuyt who had the presence of mind to pick out Real Madrid's Sneijder who added the finishing touches to a fantastic flowing move.
A fantastic team goal which may just add a timely boost to this distinctly average tournament so far. Total Football is not quite back.. you wont see Andre Ooijer marauding up the pitch but the pass and move aspect has well and truly returned!
The Portuguese showed that they are more than capable of playing their form when Pepe scored a wonderful goal against Turkey.
But, we will have to wait and see whether Marco Van Basten's class of 2008 can win the big prize!
Cruyff and Neeskens epotimised it and it was thought it may never return.
Well how I have been suprised! After seeing an awful excuse for a match between Romania and France in the so called "Group of Death", something was needed to cheer me up.
So I simply switched over to ITV and prepared myself for what I expected to be a midfield war of attrition where the Italians would simply be trying to stifle the Dutch creativity.
But lo and behold something unexpected unfolded before my eyes. After Van Nistelrooy's offside opener, I thought this may just set the general tone for the game.
Gio Van Bronckhorst then cleared it off the line and after Wesley Sneijder laid the ball of to Rafael Van Der Vaart with a crisp pass, both Sneijder and Van Bronckhorst went hareing down the pitch like they had rocket packs on their backs!
The former Arsenal full back then sent a accurate cross-field ball to Dirk Kuyt who had the presence of mind to pick out Real Madrid's Sneijder who added the finishing touches to a fantastic flowing move.
A fantastic team goal which may just add a timely boost to this distinctly average tournament so far. Total Football is not quite back.. you wont see Andre Ooijer marauding up the pitch but the pass and move aspect has well and truly returned!
The Portuguese showed that they are more than capable of playing their form when Pepe scored a wonderful goal against Turkey.
But, we will have to wait and see whether Marco Van Basten's class of 2008 can win the big prize!
The Countdown begins.....
2 weeks and counting.....
Yes... Ladies and Gents it is that time of year again!
Wimbledon!
Undoubtedly there will be Strawberries and Cream, Sunshine, Sue Barker and of course, Rain but it wouldnt be the same without ALL those elements!
But will this be the year, that King Roger is finally dethroned?
For me there is only going to be one contender for the crown?
Rafael.........
Nope... sorry... Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian is currently ranked Number 3 in the world and is a incredibly dangerous player. His powerful ground strokes and deceptive serve are just two pieces to this complicated jigsaw of a man. He reached the Semi Finals last year and he think he can go one better and win the coveted trophy this year.
My outside bet for the tournament though is Mario Ancic .Ancic is a good developing player and has won over 70% of his matches on the surface(losing 11 out of 44). He is a good all round player and is capable of adapting his game to Serve and Volley or Baseline play which makes him a tough cookie to crumble, on any surface. Another Suprise Package may well be Nicolas Mahut. The Frenchman reached the final of the Artois Championships at Queens last year, losing to Andy Roddick, who had to save a match point. He has a good record on Grass winning 18 out of 27 matches and has finished 3rd at Wimbledon in 2006.
And in the womens draw, I am going to be obvious but Maria Sharaprova. The sheer power of the woman makes her opponents quiver and the grunt sends shivers down the spines of the crowd and I still feel there is a lot more left in the rather beautiful locker.
Yes... Ladies and Gents it is that time of year again!
Wimbledon!
Undoubtedly there will be Strawberries and Cream, Sunshine, Sue Barker and of course, Rain but it wouldnt be the same without ALL those elements!
But will this be the year, that King Roger is finally dethroned?
For me there is only going to be one contender for the crown?
Rafael.........
Nope... sorry... Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian is currently ranked Number 3 in the world and is a incredibly dangerous player. His powerful ground strokes and deceptive serve are just two pieces to this complicated jigsaw of a man. He reached the Semi Finals last year and he think he can go one better and win the coveted trophy this year.
My outside bet for the tournament though is Mario Ancic .Ancic is a good developing player and has won over 70% of his matches on the surface(losing 11 out of 44). He is a good all round player and is capable of adapting his game to Serve and Volley or Baseline play which makes him a tough cookie to crumble, on any surface. Another Suprise Package may well be Nicolas Mahut. The Frenchman reached the final of the Artois Championships at Queens last year, losing to Andy Roddick, who had to save a match point. He has a good record on Grass winning 18 out of 27 matches and has finished 3rd at Wimbledon in 2006.
And in the womens draw, I am going to be obvious but Maria Sharaprova. The sheer power of the woman makes her opponents quiver and the grunt sends shivers down the spines of the crowd and I still feel there is a lot more left in the rather beautiful locker.
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