Bad boy Delon Armitage on the receiving end for Irish at Newcastle

Posted on February 19, 2012 by adminsports

Bad boy Armitage on the receiving end for Irish at Newcastle

London Irish and England full-back Delon Armitage faces the possibility of further disciplinary proceedings after a bad-tempered game at Newcastle.

Armitage, who has had his fair share
of brushes with the rugby authorities, was possibly more sinned against
than the sinner in his side's 19-10 defeat at Newcastle – a result which
keeps alive the Falcons' faint hopes of avoiding relegation.

Armitage was felled by a punch by
Falcons lock Adriaan Fondse which led to the South African being sent
off in the 60th minute by referee JP Doyle after the intervention of his
touch judge.

In the thick of it: Delon Armitage talks to a line-judge during the Newcastle game

Armitage was left on the ground holding his head but was roundly booed by the crowd who clearly felt he had made more of the incident then he needed to.

The Falcons fans were further incensed when Armitage charged into a tackle later in the game and appeared to short-arm Newcastle centre James Fitzpatrick.

There was no penalty and the referee either did not see the incident or possibly felt there was nothing wrong with the tackle, but many of the crowd disagreed and there is the possibility Armitage could be cited if the independent match commissioner feels there is a case to answer.

Squaring up: Newcastle forward Mark Wilson (second right) has words with Delon Armitage

It was also Armitage's pass that was intercepted by Newcastle wing Ryan Shortland for the crucial Falcons try. London Irish head coach Toby Booth was in no doubt that Armitage had been struck.

'I've seen it and I don't think the referee had any choice. It was a punch,' he said.

Newcastle's director of rugby Gary Gold added: 'I haven't seen the incident, but I'm sure the referee is not going to make a red card decision very easily and I'm very disappointed.

'Our backs are against the wall and that is one of things you can control and I will be very disappointed if we have let ourselves down.'

Jamie O"Hara says players must take blame for Mick McCarthy sacking

Posted on February 17, 2012 by adminsports

It's our fault! O'Hara pins McCarthy's sacking on players' poor displays

Wolves playmaker Jamie O'Hara insists the players have to shoulder the blame for Mick McCarthy's sacking as the search continues today for his replacement.

Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is set to be interviewed by club owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey after Alan Curbishley was spoken to on Thursday by the duo.

But O'Hara's thoughts are still with McCarthy who was sacked on Monday after a five-and-a-half-year spell at Molineux.

Helpless: Jamie O'Hara (left) could not prevent the West Brom rout

The former Tottenham player said: 'It was difficult to see the gaffer leave and the lads were gutted to see him go.

'It's been us who have been putting in the bad performances. He'd done a lot of the club.

'I've only been here a short time but I loved working for him and think he is a fantastic manager.

'I just hope everyone remembers what he achieved at the club. It was hard to see him go and I would wish him all the best.

'I am sure he will go on and do another great job somewhere else.'

O'Hara has apologised to the Wolves fans for the 5-1 home mauling by West Brom which sealed McCarthy's fate.

He said: 'It was one of those games which hopefully was just a freak.

Gone: Mick McCarthy was shown the door

'Obviously it was a big one of the fans, who were distraught, and we just have to say sorry to them. We fell apart in the second half.

'All the lads heads went down and everyone lost their confidence and the fans lost their confidence in us.

'These things happen even to the best teams, like Manchester United earlier in the season and Arsenal against AC Milan.

'We just need to pick ourselves up and move on.'

Morgan and Moxey hope to make an announcement by early next week on the new manager and want McCarthy's successor in place before the February 25 game at Newcastle.

Wolves dropped into the bottom three after the mauling by the Baggies and have taken only 14 points from the last possible 66.

Moxey insisted Wolves would not rush to find a replacement.

'Things are progressing,' he said. 'We are continuing to work to the timetable we indicated at the outset of this process and remain optimistic we will be able to fulfil those requirements.

'Our intention has always been to have a new manager installed in time to take charge of the team for the Newcastle match and that remains the case.

'But I stress – we want the right candidate, not the quick candidate.'

Harry Redknapp would take England to European Championships

Posted on February 16, 2012 by adminsports

Harry would take England to Euros, but couldn't manage on part-time basis

Harry Redknapp would be open to the idea of managing England at Euro 2012 this summer while remaining in charge of Tottenham.

He insists, however, that it would be 'impossible' to marry both jobs on a long-term basis, claiming such a move would hamper the national side's chances of success and be 'unfair' on the Tottenham fans who supported him during his recent tax evasion trial.

Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss after the Italian's shock resignation last week.

Hello, goodbye: Redknapp wouldn't take the England job on a part-time basis

The Football Association are keen to appoint an Englishman and Redknapp fits the bill having built up his reputation during a stellar three-year period at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp had previously hinted that he would only consider taking charge of England on a long-term basis, but the 64-year-old now appears willing to take on a dual role for a short period.

'Part-time In the short term I think it's possible for the European Championships,' said Redknapp, who then stressed such a move would not be possible after the Euros.

'In the long term it's not possible to manage a club team and manage a national team,' he said.

'It's difficult enough to manage in the Premier League without having to worry about managing the England team as well. You want to be watching England players play, you want to be watching the opposition.

'I think whoever they give the job to could only do the one job. Maybe for the Euros, it's not such a problem but once the Euros are finished and the new season starts in England, the manager has to be a Premier League manager – if it's someone who manages in the Premier League – or the England manager.

Title tilt: After winning the court battle, Redknapp got back to winning ways with Spurs (below)

'To do the two jobs, it would be impossible.'

The FA met last Friday to draw up a
shortlist for the position but they may wait until after England's next
friendly on February 29, or even the end of the season, before
appointing Capello's successor.

Having guided Spurs to third in the Barclays Premier League this year, and to within one win of the last eight of the FA Cup, the north London club would be very reluctant to allow their manager to leave White Hart Lane before the end of the season.

Redknapp himself also feels indebted to the Spurs faithful, who have been supportive of their manager during and after the 13-day trial which he called 'the most draining experience of my life'.

'Just to walk away now, when we're in such a good position, it wouldn't be fair, it wouldn't be fair on Tottenham. I have to really keep focusing on Tottenham,' Redknapp told Abu Dhabi Sports.

'I have a good job and I work with good people and I have a good team. The fans have been fantastic to me.'

Loud and clear: The message from the Spurs fans

Redknapp has been spending time in Abu Dhabi this week in order to recuperate from his trial, at the end of which he was cleared of two counts of cheating the public revenue.

Despite the break, he is well aware that the majority of the nation back home is clamouring for him to replace Capello.

'I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't the popular choice,” Redknapp added. I know I am, it's been everywhere, in every paper every day But it's not an easy one.

'This week we have Stevenage in the FA Cup, then we have Man United, then we have Arsenal, then we have Chelsea. We have some fantastic games.

'It's an important time for me with Tottenham.'

Mowbray challenges his young charges to emulate fearless McClean and knock Sunderland out of FA Cup

Posted on February 8, 2012 by adminsports

Mowbray challenges young bucks to emulate fearless McClean and knock Sunderland out of FA Cup

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has challenged his young guns to follow in the footsteps of James McClean to dump Sunderland out of the FA Cup.

The 22-year-old Irishman has been one of the stars of the Barclays Premier League side's stunning return to form under new manager Martin O'Neill after being handed his chance to impress.

He and his team-mates will make the short trip down the A19 for a fourth-round replay hoping to get the better of their npower Championship neighbours at the second attempt.

Up for the FA Cup: Mowbray

The Black Cats will arrive on Teesside without several key players through injury and ineligibility, although O'Neill's selection problems pale into insignificance alongside those of opposite number, who could be without five of the men who started the 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light on January 29.

Mowbray will be forced to draft a series of development squad players into the first-team party for the game, but he will not be afraid to do so.

He said: 'The team we are playing will have a classic example. I don't really know the history of it, other than [former manager] Steve [Bruce] will have brought the boy McClean in from Ireland, and he didn't really surface until Martin came.

'He probably saw him in a reserve match, he was perceived as a young boy, got an opportunity and he hasn't looked back.

'Some young boys at our football club who have been playing development games and not being around the team, if they get an opportunity, who's to say they don't grab it with both hands, score the winner, push themselves in for next weekend and off they go'

Keeper Danny Coyne and striker Scott McDonald are definitely out – the Australia international could miss up to 12 weeks with a knee injury – while Faris Haroun, Barry Robson and Marvin Emnes are all being assessed ahead of the game.

Last time out: Middlesbrough held Sunderland to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light

Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca is available after suspension, but 19-year-old striker Curtis Main, who made his senior debut as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 league draw with Crystal Palace, could be one of the main beneficiaries of the club's injury crisis.

Mowbray said: 'You have got to remember, this boy came from Darlington on a free transfer less than a year ago, so we shouldn't be expecting him to pull up trees.

'He has some raw attributes that can hurt teams, as he has done in the development squad this year.

'He is almost up to a goal-a-game ratio – he is doing okay and he deserves an opportunity somewhere along the line, and yet I wouldn't want to burden him with huge expectation.

'He is just a young boy striving to forge a career for himself after the disappointment of being let go by Darlington, so we will wait and see.

'If he gets a chance, I'm sure it won't be through a lack of effort and desire if he doesn't succeed, but let's hope he can find the net if he is given the opportunity.'

Monty Panesar has class, but Grame Swann is still No 1 – Nasser Hussain

Posted on February 6, 2012 by adminsports

Panesar has class, but Swann is still my No 1 spinner…

There are a lot of people with short memories who are suddenly questioning Graeme Swann's right to be England's No 1 spinner on the back of Monty Panesar's performances here.

Just look at what Swann has achieved over the last three years or so and bear in mind that Pakistan have a majority of right-handers in their side.

That is the reason Panesar has done more bowling than Swann and that is why he would seem to have outbowled Swann in the last two Tests.

Class is permanent: Graeme Swann (right) has been outbowled by Monty Panesar

Swann hasn't done a lot of bowling in sub-continental conditions and is on a learning curve here.

Swann is also having to compete against an opposing bowler with a doosra and on wickets which suit spinners who jam it in at a quicker pace, as Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Panesar do.

I know Swann dropped a catch but he remains an important fielder for England and a batsman capable of lower-order runs.

Don't get me wrong. It's marvellous to have Monty back and I have been delighted with how he has bowled to take 14 wickets.

England v Pakistan, day four, second Test, Abu Dhabi

Posted on January 28, 2012 by adminsports

LIVE: England v Pakistan – the action on day four of the second Test in Abu Dhabi

Stay up to date with all the action on
day four of the second Test between England and Pakistan with
Sportsmail's unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the
action unfolds at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi while our brilliant team of writers
will update with their insights from the ground. Email your thoughts to joe.ridge@dailymail.co.uk or tweet @joeridge87

England v Pakistan – the essentials

England:
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian
Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Jimmy
Anderson, Monty Panesar.

1st innings: 327

Pakistan:
Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq,
Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid
Khan.

1st innings: 257

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford and Steve Davis

Click here for the latest scorecard

67th over: Pakistan 130-4 (Azhar 51, Shafiq 35)

Broad continues his spell…

66th over: Pakistan 130-4 (Azhar 51, Shafiq 35)

Panesar comes into the attack… he was outstanding yesterday. In other news, Jonathan Trott is off the field feeling ill and Steven Finn is on in place of him. Azhar works a single to midwicket. Close! Beautiful bowling from Panesar who beats Shafiq's outside edge, one from the over.

65th over: Pakistan 129-4 (Azhar 50, Shafiq 35)

Broad into his second over of the day. Shafiq dangerously mistimes a drive on the up but it falls short of Pietersen at short extra cover. Tight bowling from Broad who has conceded just 17 runs from his 13 overs. Maiden.

64th over: Pakistan 129-4 (Azhar 50, Shafiq 35)

Lots of turn for Swann but Azhar is able to work him to square leg for two to bring up his 50. Half a chance for Cook at short leg as Azhar hits it against his shin.

63rd over: Pakistan 127-4 (Azhar 48, Shafiq 35)

Stuart Broad is given the ball by Strauss. No wickets yet for him in this innings but he was very economical on day three… Shafiq is 26 by the way in case you were wondering, his partner in the middle is the same age and these two are seen as the future of Pakistani batting… they need to be the present here today though. It's very foggy out there, no movement for Broad though. One from the over.

62nd over: Pakistan 126-4 (Azhar 47, Shafiq 35)

England open up with the spin of Swann and Azhar works him to leg for a single off the day's first ball. Birthday boy Shafiq rather uncomfortably sees off the rest of the over.

Packed house: Day three was the busiest of the series so far

5.58am: The players are out in the middle, it's very overcast out in Abu Dhabi… here we go.

5.54am: Excitement building now… All the talk is that there is a bit of moisture around and it's a fine morning to bowl. Let's hope that's true and Anderson and Broad can get some joy, there was nothing in this wicket for them yesterday with the spinners claiming all of the wickets so far.

5.45am: So, Pakistan lead by 55 runs as it stands with six second inning wickets left. What lead do you think England need to restrict the hosts to to ensure that they level the series Email or tweet your thoughts…

5.35am: Before play gets underway at 6.00am GMT why not read the insights from our team of writers out in the UAE… Chief cricket correspondent Paul Newman – who will be sending his views from the Sheikh Zayed stadium throughout today's proceedings – writes his report on day three here. Martin Samuel writes from what was a rare full house in the UAE yesterday here. Nasser Hussain states the case for Stuart Broad being England's main man here. And David Lloyd gives his alternative views on another day in the desert here.

5.30am: Good morning all and welcome to our live coverage of the fourth day of this fascinating Test between England and Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. The match has ebbed and flowed over the last three days but it is the tourists who currently find themselves in the driving seat. That being said, Pakistan youngsters Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have put on an impressive 50 partnership to leave the outcome of the match far from a certainty. England will be hoping to break that partnership and clear up the Pakistani tail as quickly as possible today to leave themselves a gettable run chase on what has proved to be a brilliant Test match wicket.

Jumping for joy: Monty Panesar picked up three wickets on day three

Rory McIlroy leads playing partners Tiger Woods and Luke Donald in Abu Dhabi

Posted on January 26, 2012 by adminsports

McIlroy the star in Abu Dhabi with Woods and Donald trailing

Rory McIlroy outshone playing partners Tiger Woods and Luke Donald with a five-under-par opening round of 67 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The 22-year-old US Open champion took a share of the lead with Swede Robert Karlsson, while Woods shot a bogey-free 70 and world number one Donald a 71.

The big surprise of the opening day was the 77 by German Martin Kaymer, winner the last two years and three of the last four.

Lead: Rory McIlroy (right) impressed in Abu Dhabi while Luke Donald (left) stuttered

ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP

Click here for the full leaderboard

He was playing with Lee Westwood (72) and Sergio Garcia, whose 71 included the first hole-in-one of his European Tour career.

McIlroy's
ball-striking was not at its best, but like Karlsson he scrambled
brilliantly in his first tournament since recovering from suspected
Dengue fever.

Woods was
playing his first event since ending more than two years without a
victory last month, but did not make the most of his chances and
collected birdies only at the 11th – their second of the day – and short
fourth, where he almost holed-in-one.

Frustrated: German star Martin Kaymer endured a torrid time

Careful: McIlroy and Tiger Woods line up shots

Donald, meanwhile, followed eight opening pars with back-to-back birdies, but could not save par from the sand on the 200-yard seventh.

McIlroy had thrown down the gauntlet with a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th, holing from nine, 12 and three feet.

Then came bogeys at the 14th and 17th, but he added another birdie on the long 18th despite his wild second shot hitting the hospitality tent.

A superb pitch from the rough to three feet at the 600-yard second took him to four under and then came the added bonus at the long eighth after he had twice been in the rough and just missed the green.

He and Karlsson, who also relied on his
short game more than he would have liked, were a stroke ahead of
McIlroy's fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin.

McIlroy said: 'It was a good score
and a great way to start 2012, but I don't feel I drove the ball
particularly well and it's something I've got to work on.

'It was nothing that a good practice session won't fix.'

Joint: The Swede Robert Karlsson shares the lead

He was fifth, third and second on the course the last three years.

'I feel it suits me really well. Just one problem – it suits Martin Kaymer even better.' Not today, however.

Woods said: 'I just had a hard time getting a feel for these greens. It was difficult and my speed was off.'

Donald added: 'It was fun to be part of that threesome – Tiger and Rory are huge names in the world of sport.

'Rory took advantage of a few more opportunities. I didn't make too many putts.'

More to follow.

Gervinho – Kevin Quigley favourite image of the week

Posted on January 20, 2012 by adminsports

Kevin Quigley: My favourite image of the week… Gervinho

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Sportsmail's top snappers Andy Hooper, Graham Chadwick and Kevin Quigley will be showcasing their favourite image of the week.

Here, Kevin chooses this stunning capture of Arsenal's Gervinho as his standout selection…

My image of the week is from my photo shoot with Arsenal's Gervinho.

Whenever we do features at Arsenal we are usually limited to a small room with a back drop. Fortunately, on this occasion, I was given permission to use the indoor training centre.

I quickly set up three lights as I knew I would only have a minute with him. In our short space of time we did the usual full length and half length shots.

At the end of the shoot I said to Gervinho, 'Can you take a shot at me' He thought it was hilarious, agreed and this is the outcome…

This shot was taken using:
Nikon D3s
24-70mm
2 Elinchrom dlite 4's
1 Nikon sb900
Iso 200

Kevin Quigley: My favourite image of the week... Gervinho

Andy Carroll says Steven Gerrard will bring the best out of him

Posted on January 17, 2012 by adminsports

Gerrard can make Carroll hit the high notes! 35m flop hails return of Liverpool skipper

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll believes the return of Steven Gerrard can bring the best out of him.

Injuries to both players in the 12 months since Carroll completed his club-record 35million move from Newcastle has contributed to the 23-year-old's difficult start to his Anfield career.

Incredibly, the two England internationals have been on the pitch together just nine times in the last year and have started in the same team just once – last week's Carling Cup semi-final first leg win at Manchester City.

Rare sight: Andy Carroll and Steven Gerrard have barely featured together

Carroll arrived at Anfield with a thigh injury and when he finally made his debut it was as a substitute in Gerrard's last match before groin surgery ruled him out until the following September.

The captain's return was brief before an ankle infection sidelined him for a further two months but in the short time the 31-year-old has been back since Boxing Day, particularly in the home win against Carroll's former club, he has given the striker renewed optimism.

'We haven't had the chance to start many games together,' said Carroll, who is under more pressure to add to his tally of six goals in 33 appearances with Luis Suarez halfway through his eight-match ban.

Tough time: Carroll has struggled to live up to his 35m price tag

'I think I may have been a sub when he's started or he has been a sub when I have so it's nice to see him back.

'When you're on the same team as him in training, some of the passes he puts through for you and the chances he creates are incredible really.

'So hopefully I can keep working hard, get a nice run of games, give some good performances and get a few goals. If I can get a good run, hopefully that can kick-start me on again.'

Carroll believes a fully-fit Gerrard will give the whole club a lift and he has already made a difference in the six matches he has played.

'You can see at Melwood that as soon as he comes out on the training pitch he's just different class,' he told LFC Magazine. 'I think just him being there gives everyone else another lift and another boost.

'He's already scored three goals so you can see straight away the difference that he makes and the impact he has.'

Morten Gamst Pedersen hopes Blackburn can stay out of the bottom three

Posted on January 16, 2012 by adminsports

Pedersen hopes win over feeble Fulham will kick start Blackburn's season

Morten Gamst Pedersen feels Blackburn proved there is life beyond the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League.

For the first time for four months, and for only the second time this season, Rovers elevated themselves out of the relegation zone on the back of yesterday's resilient 3-1 win at home to Fulham.

It may only be for a short period should QPR claim a point today at Newcastle, or Wigan tomorrow somehow find a way to beat Manchester City.

On the up: Morten Gamst Pedersen scored a free-kick to help Blackburn beat Fulham

But for beleaguered boss Steve Kean and his under-pressure players, today's newspapers will at least offer a crumb of comfort as they see themselves in 17th.

Bottom at Christmas, and we know the statistic that only one team in Premier League history has ever survived from that position, Rovers have now taken seven points from their last four games.

And if ever a result proved Blackburn can survive this season, then it came at Ewood Park yesterday after going down to 10 men in the 23rd minute when Ayegbeni Yakubu was shown a red card for the first time in his nine-year career in English football.

Pedersen, who scored Blackburn's opener with virtually the last touch of the first half with a low 20-yard free-kick, underlined the relief felt within the team at their new-found status.

'Of course, it's a fantastic feeling after what has been such a tough time, and we haven't had much luck,' said Pedersen.

He shoots, he scores: Pedersen curls his free kick into the goal and then celebrates (below)

Get in: Pedersen celebrates after scoring

'We've showed it's possible after so many negative things going around all over the place.

'There are still plenty of tough games coming up, but it's good to just get the win to get out of it.

'It's a great win, one we deserved, which gives us a little bit of confidence, but now we have to build on it.

'After beating Manchester United recently we then let ourselves down against Stoke.

'So when we get back on the training ground we just have to start working hard again.

'But it will be good to go into the next game (at Everton next Saturday) on the back of a win and with a good feeling.'

Smiling at last: Blackburn boss Steve Kean celebrates getting out of the bottom three

Yakubu's red card for a high, studs-showing tackle on Danny Murphy actually galvanised Blackburn rather than set them back.

Pedersen's strike was perfect timing, as was the second from David Dunn coming just 56 seconds into the second half.

When former Rovers winger Damien Duff pulled one back in the 54th minute, there was still plenty of time for Fulham to salvage something from the game.

Instead, it was Blackburn who were the more forthright team, and they deserved their third from Mauro Formica 11 minutes from time.

'We were unlucky to get Yakubu sent off, but we didn't sit back, we kept our formation and kept two up front,' added Pedersen.

'We didn't want to defend, we wanted to attack, and it succeeded for us.

'Everybody showed discipline, we worked hard, and you get a little extra energy when you are scoring goals.'

Bright spark: Apart from Damien Duff's goal, Fulham were poor

The result also kept happy the paltry 18,003 crowd – Rovers' lowest in the league since October 2008 – with the latest protest prior to the game but a sideshow and forgotten about come the final whistle.

'I wasn't aware the crowd was so low,' said Kean.

'We hope the fans who did stay away have genuine reasons, and that with this performance and result it drags them back.

'There were players out there dying for the cause to drag us out of this horrible position we're in.

'The result takes us out of the bottom there, which psychologically is very important at this stage.'

From Fulham it was a feeble performance, one which leaves them six points above the drop zone, and with boss Martin Jol conceding they are now looking over their shoulders.

'This was a squandered opportunity,' said Jol.

'For the first half hour we were the better team and it was almost too easy, but we didn't play at a high tempo.

'At 2-1 I really thought we would repair the damage, and although I don't think we played bad in the second half, if you concede three then you are always going to make it difficult for yourself.'

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