D-Day for Henry

Evening. Well we are 48 hrs out from a big game of Tri Nations rugby down in Auckland between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. If the Abs lose it will be three losses on the bounce. Is this acceptable? Simply no. Graham Henry who in my opinion should not have retained his coaching status needs to come up with a game plan  to counter Robbie Deans. However you need brains in your team to do that and I don’t think that there are any on the New Zealand team. They were out coached and out thought in Sydney and I can see this happening again at Eden Park.

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3562_3890013,00.html

How the hell can Siviatu still be in that team? He is a disgrace! As for Lauaki well the less said the better. How can the Blacks win this one? Let Dan Carter run the ship and perhaps when passing by pass Nonu and go to Smith. Nonu while impressing is a three good games, one bad. No consistency. McCaw back will be a big help but I still feel that Robbie will have a game plan and lets hope that the Blacks actually stick to theirs (if there is one) and not be sucked into playing the other teams., ala Cardiff 2007, Twickers 1999, Sydney 2008.

My pick, ABs by 2.

Man in the Stand

 

Rugby

Well, SA to good in the end for the blacks. Good game and a fair result. In case you missed it check out the reports;

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3821_3813534,00.html

Interesting to see the age old NZ tradtion of having a pop at the referee. Dreaming. Ok he was tough in the first half he did not miss much. Also, Ricky Januaries brillant solo try with 4 mins to go sealed the deal anyway. Also opens up the tournament. Cannot see the Aussies getting past SA next week in Perth.

Man in the Stand

 

Nadal…

Yes, I got it wrong. Very badly in fact.  What a game although I am not sure it was the greatest match ever. What about Sampras v Muster US Open when Pete had been told his old coach had died. He was playing with tears. Went to 5 as I recall and he won. That was emotion. However, I still agree that Nadal v Roger was a brillant game. It really felt that Nadal was always going to win for some reason. If it had not rained surely it would have been over in 3 sets.  I am not sure Roger can win the US Open in Sep and I think there will a new number 1….this being Nadal.

Cricket starts this Thursday. Lots of yap I see from Smith. Interesting as I feel the yap fires KP up but I guess Smith cannot help himself. Will be interesting to see how the SA quicks go at Lord. The wet weather this week will make it a seaming deck. This will also help the England quicks as my gut feel is that the SA batting lineup has not been tested on a greentop.  My prediction for what it is worth is a draw. The rain will play a part.

Man in the Stand

 

Finals Day

Fellow stand members. First of all, good game of rugby in Wellington yesterday between the ‘world champs’ and the chokers. Good result for world rugby I thought as the ‘champs’ are a one dimensional outfit that are very cynical off the ball and use the smash approach. Further showed that Butch James is a joke at flyhalf and Steyn surely has to come in for next weekend. As for the chokers, they did well. They more then matched the ‘champs’ up front and also in the loose. However they lose Brad Thorn for next week due to his alledged spear tackle on Smit. Not sure who will come in but next week again be close but the ABs should make it number 31 wins at home on the bounce. Shame they can’t win a world cup!

Big game of tennis this afternoon weather permitting. My Nadal and no final prediction has been blown to pieces. Perhaps is Murray had shown some heart he could have derailed him but in all honesty the two best players are playing the final. My pick is Roger. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

Looking ahead this week the first test at Lords begins. Will be interesting however with the grey weather that has hit London England they should be worried. Messers Steyn and Co will be loving the seam and swing. Will also be good for Siddo and Jimmy. Will Micky Vaughn get some runs? Will KP be able to keep his mouth shut in the build up? Who knows but looking forward to seeing some quality test cricket.

Man in the Stand

 

Rugby

Evening all.  Not going to talk about the tennis tonight as I quite clearly have had a shocker. Big game of rugby on Saturday morning. SA v All Blacks in Wellington. Schalk Burger back for the Saffas and no McCaw to play the offside rule to the limit for the Blacks. My pick is a ABs win over the World Champs by 5 points. I think it will be a battle of the forwards but think home difference will get the ABs though.

Re Johnnos first squad, I am surprised no Easter or Worsley. Both in my opinion good players who at least show some desire unlike some of the other chumps that have worn the jersey. Also, feel it is tough for Borthwick to carry the can for the disaster in NZ.

SA cricket team looking strong in their warm up. I think the England top six will be in for a work out care of Steyn, Morkel and Ntini. Lack of a quality spinner could be a issue though. Paul Harris is a muppet who could not turn the door handle let alone a cricket ball.

Will set up the Betfair online account tomorrow and get into it.

Man in the Stand

 

Tennis…

Well, the pirate is looking fairly handy it has to be said. Did not see the match as was out but by all accounts it took a very short time…I also see he will be playing some further cannon fodder in the semi. Prehaps time to revise my predication although Roger F is looking good and hopefully will be to strong for the pirate on Sunday’s final.

Man in the Stand

PS – I will get the betfair account open this week and start making some beats!

 

Wrong Again..

Fellow stand members again I have been proven wrong. Starting last night with the football. Germany were clearly not good enough and as a result Spain waltzed to the Eur opean Championship. It certainly could have been more then the 1-0 final score line as well. I guess I am not to upset as it meant I collected on the office sweep stake (£20) Well done Spain and will be interesting to see if they can keep it up with the World Cup next.

I have to laugh though as colleagues at work are adamant that if England were there they would have made the final at least……Umm, do people actually live in the same country as me? My question to them is how would England have made the final? In my opinion after watching the recent tournament England have a lot to learn. I actually believe that England will struggle to beat Croatia again in the upcoming qualifiers. They seem to play the game at such a slow tempo compared to everyone else in world football for one. Also they don’t seem desperate enough ala the Turks or even Italy escaping out of the group of death. I guess we shall see soon enough.

Interesting what is going on regarding the tennis. My prediction of Nadal not making it to the final still stands although he is on fire admittedly. Just watching Murray dig deep against Gasquet in the fourth set tie breaker. I really need him to go through as he realistically could derail Nadals challange although the pirates knee injury could hamper him.

I was thinking to make this blog more interesting and to also put my money where my mouth is to open a sports betting account and putting my thoughts into action instead of talking about it. I would then report the progress to you all.

Your thoughts and feedback on this?

Man in the Stand

 

 

I was wrong..

Yes, I was wrong regarding the cricket yesterday. Actually thought England would get their act together and knock the kiwis off but could not have more wrong. England in my opinion were a joke. Tim Ambrose is rubbish. Watching him is like looking at a rabbit in headlights. I am not really sure why Phil Mustard was dropped. I would go as far to say that Matt Prior could also be in line a recall. I cannot see Ambrose doing anything against the South Africans as he  does not offer  a presence behind the stumps or with the bat. Ian Bell is another who should be dropped. Yet again a start but not kicking on. Shah should be moved up the order for the SA series. As a prediction I think SA will take the test series 2-1 and the one dayers 4-1. My last thoughts / comments about the recent one day series with NZ is that England were arrogant in failing to realise that the kiwis can play decent one day cricket.  They are not ranked 4th in the world for nothing.

The Tri Nations kicks of this Saturday in Wellington and to me South Africa should be to strong. Yes I hear you say they are playing the All Blacks at home but I think the blacks are weak and without Richie McCaw they will stuggle. My pick is a SA win by 10 points.

Football tonight and I think Germany will be to strong.

Any thoughts / feedback welcomed.

Man in the Stand

 

 

 

 

Friday Thoughts

Fellow stand members, my predictions are looking good so far. Spain v Germany (good v bad) I still believe the cricket tomorrow will be a England win with the new skipper KP fronting up…..Tennis is getting interesting. Still stand by Roger F but could A Murray be a spanner in the works? Hope the weekend of sport delivers some top action.

Man in the Stand

 

 

Thoughts

Greetings fellow stand members. I have settled in for the footie, Spain v Russia. My pick as previously mentioned ze Germans made it through. Dreadful game and they how unlucky were Turkey? As for tonight I am going Spain as per my office sweep stake. (go the £20!!)

Now, the cricket? No surprise re the result but as for the poor sportsmanship shown by a Mr Collingwood and crew!! Poor, very poor. It shows to me that he is under immense pressure but to not call back the kiwi bat is shocking. As for for the pretend Englishman KP removing the bails, poor also. However as cheats never prosper the end result was just cause I thought. It sets it up nicely for Saturday at Lords. I am picking a England win there. I cannot see them losing three in a row.

The tennis seems to be going through the typical week one blowouts (bar Djokovic) Seeded players hammering the lesser ranked. I still stand by my Nadal predication of not making the final.

On that note I am going to sign out and watch the game. (how bad is Pleaty as a commentator?)

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Man in the Stand