First things first, Nadal vs. Djokovic. What a fantastic Champion for Wimbledon. In the age of X-Factor, we got the whole sob story build-up including Djokovic’s journey to tennis stardom. But all that aside and focusing on the Tennis, it was fantastic to see someone step up to the level of Nadal, and to a certain degree brutally taking the game to Nadal. I might not be a tennis nut, but I’ve seen enough tennis to appreciate the 5 game streak over the end of the first set and start of the second. Simply breathtaking.
A little note of the Haye vs. Klitschko ‘fight’. Klitschko looks like a heavy weight and Haye is just pretending. Nuff said!!
Also entertaining me this weekend is the battle for the Olympic Stadium. I can’t help thinking that once a club finally gets their hands on the stadium, they’ll be looking to get rid of it in a hurry. I’m expecting my fellow bench mates to have the real facts and stats on this conundrum.
Of course I’m obliged to round-off this piece with a quick mention to the sale of Gael Clichy to Man Citeh for the reported figure of £7 million (a good fee I feel for a guy with 12 months left on his contract). I don’t want to sound like one the many gooners out there that will inevitable discredit the 8 year service Clichy gave to Arsenal despite role he tried to fill in the absence of Ashley Cole, but there are a few details I think need pointing out.
It’s pretty clear that since 2007/08 season in which Clichy was voted in the PFA team of the year, his abilities have seriously declined. Many fans and pundits will point out the fact that for a full back his crossing was a disgrace, and more empathetically he was unable to hold a defensive line along side any other Arsenal.
For this, I blame Wenger. I wish Clichy all the best and I won’t be too surprised to see his defensive abilities improve when he’s drilled in training by Mancini.
Could Murry truly be inspired by the achievement of Djokovic? Is Haye deserving of a rematch? Do West Ham seriously expect to fill 60,000 seats or even fund the required improvements to turn the Olympic Stadium in to a Football Arena? Is Wenger going to sign a new left or switch Vermaelen to left back with Samba and Cahill coming in?
Role on the British Grand Prix next weekend.
JF
Actually, one last thing on Wenger’s comments and ‘waiting for the first big transfer before clubs start spending’. Man Utd have already spent £60 million, Liverpool £20 million, Newcastle have signed 5 players, and that doesn’t include the fact that Chavski, Man Citeh and Liverpool started their summer spending in January with the big money signings of Torres, Suarez, Dzeko, etc.
You’ve got to wonder if Wenger thinks before he speaks anymore...?!
Funnily enough I didn't study the tennis until the Murray hype got me to watch the Nadal match which Nadal won comfortably. I don't have a clue why the British public thought (almost expected) Murray would beat the then-world's number one, but anyway!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased for Djokovic, and I'm pleased that there is real competition at the top of the tennis world rankings. Competition which could last a while and could capture the public's imagination - inside and outside of the Grand Slam tournaments.
I don't think weight is the main issue with the Haye/Klitschko situation - rather the fact that Wladimir is as Haye taunted - a machine. A boxer who doesn't stray much off the gameplan. A boxer who knows how to gain points. Despite all Haye's big talk, taunts and showmanship before the fight, Klitschko was smart, and didn't get sucked in, and ultimately made Haye look like a fool. To his credit, outside of the 'toe-gate saga' where David tried to make excuses for his defeat (without actually making excuses), he has come across as humble and quite respectful. However he may feel the sting of his pre-match hype, as Wladimir may just refer the Hayemaker to his brother Vitali, rather than entertain a rematch... It may be time for Haye to quit as per the original plan.
The Olympic Stadium saga needs its own article, but what I would say is that I was more excited that Spurs would be seeking funding to assist with the original Tottenham project, so my fingers are crossed on that one.
As for Clichy - simply put he is a poor defender who often gets caught out of position. £7m for him is a good deal for Arsenal - although there is no guarantee that the heir apparent Kieran Gibbs is ready. Also, this deal gives the impression once again that Arsenal are a 'selling club', so does not do well for the Gunners' rapidly diminishing public profile. Sometimes you need to hold firm just to show a strong face...
Similarly, sometimes you have to spend over the odds to get the man you need, even though it may hurt your pride to spend the extra funds. With this in mind if Arsene is interested in the likes of Gary Cahill, he should bite the bullet and give Bolton what they want...