Jack Nicklaus helps Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy

Masters countdown: Six-time champ Jack's doing his bit for Luke and Rory

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UPDATED:

21:32 GMT, 2 April 2012

If Luke Donald or Rory McIlroy should win the green jacket at the Masters the contribution of the greatest Master of all should not be underestimated.

Six-time champion Jack Nicklaus has not only offered counsel to the top two players in the world, he has even built them their own practice facility.

Or so it might feel to fellow members of the Bear’s Club in South Florida, where McIlroy and Donald have been warming up for Augusta, spending countless hours side by side on the practice areas.

Champion: Jack Nicklaus receives the green jacket

Champion: Jack Nicklaus receives the green jacket

‘I think Luke is wearing the place out,’ said Nicklaus, when asked about Donald’s dedication.

‘Every time I’m there he’s out practising his chipping and putting. It’s not luck as to why he has such a magical short game.’

Donald’s home from home is the par-three course, where his routine is as meticulously structured as every other part of his life.

Three balls are struck every three yards to leave a divot pattern that has become part of Donald’s golfing DNA.

After 30 balls, he counts how many shots stop inside a six-foot ring he places around each hole. He does this for hours, changing the distance and the style of shot, before recording the results in a performance diary.

‘I like Jack’s place because it simulates real golf,’ said Donald. ‘The greens take spin, they have contours and they change the pins almost every day, so I’m hitting different shots.’

Anything I can do to help, you can almost hear Jack saying.

The pair first met at a charity
function in Chicago. ‘We were in a car together and I asked him for
advice and how he was so successful in majors,’ said Donald.

‘He told me my driving accuracy was
probably the key area I needed to work on. That’s something I knew
myself, but hearing it from Jack gave more substance to it.

Glad: Luke Donald was grateful for Nicklaus' advice

Glad: Luke Donald was grateful for Nicklaus' advice

‘I see him around the Bear’s Club quite a lot and he’s happy to give you advice if you ask him. When it comes to preparation and things like that, it can’t but help to learn from the most successful golfer who ever lived.’

Nicklaus has also been a regular source of wisdom for McIlroy since he first set foot in America as a pro. The Golden Bear was one of the first people the 22-year-old sought out last year following his Masters meltdown.

They talked through that last round and Nicklaus told him about setting himself incremental targets in the future as the final round progressed, so he wouldn’t get ahead of himself.

It was advice McIlroy took on board at the US Open and will use again this week should he get into contention.

He’s another huge fan of the Bear’s Club – a prime reason why he settled on south Florida as his base for three months of the year.

During the first week of his three-week break from competitive golf, McIlroy worked on his long game there with his coach, Michael Bannon, before honing his short-game skills last week.

Nicklaus smiles when asked what he says to the likes of Donald and McIlroy, plus others like defending champion Charl Schwartzel and US PGA winner Keegan Bradley, that has such a profound effect.

‘I’m not sure what it is they get out of it but if it helps it certainly makes me happy,’ he said.

Let’s hope it makes the whole of the UK happy come Sunday night.

Assistance: Rory McIlroy is also grateful for Nicklaus' help

Assistance: Rory McIlroy is also grateful for Nicklaus' help

Missing faces

Ernie Els is not the only familiar face missing from Augusta this year. Fanny Sunesson, who caddied for Nick Faldo for each of his three Masters triumphs and who now works for Henrik Stenson, is at home nursing an injured back.

‘She has some nerve damage and it will be a while before we see her again,’ said Stenson. ‘She injured it in Switzerland last year and the most important thing now is for her to regain full mobility to do day-to-day things. When that happens we can see if she can come back and do some caddying and, if so, how much.’

There'll be no golf on the BBC soon

At a time when the game in the UK is at an all-time high, how can it possibly be right that interest in the game at the BBC is at an all-time low As we gear ourselves up to see how the world’s top three players fare at the Masters news comes from our national broadcaster they are pulling out of live European Tour coverage.

So much for watching Rory, Luke and Lee on the BBC. The only time you’ll see them now is this weekend at the Masters, all four days of The Open in July, the odd highlights package and that’s your lot. Talk about losing the plot.

The contempt in which they hold the game will be evident at the weekend, too. Guess who’s been drafted in to ask questions of the players

Big miss: Henrik Stenson will not have his caddie Fanni Sunesson

Big miss: Henrik Stenson will not have his caddie Fanni Sunesson

Actually, you’d never guess – former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.

How silly of me to think he would be more gainfully employed giving his expert analysis for Test Match Special at the second Test in Sri Lanka.

Contrast the BBC’s approach with the veritable army of people, golfing and otherwise, Sky have sent over for their coverage of this event.

Give it another two years and what price the Masters disappearing from BBC screens as well, with The Open no doubt not too far behind

Can Billy justify this ban on women now

What are the chances of Masters chairman Billy Payne opening his remarks to the press on Tuesday with a statement that would resonate throughout the sporting world and beyond: namely, the unveiling of the club’s first woman member

Not great, perhaps, given it is the club’s stated policy not to comment on membership issues and there are some who believe Paris will get another Eiffel Tower before Augusta gets a woman member.

Payne, however, has surprised us before, as he showed with his stinging criticism of Tiger Woods two years ago, and there is no question that the subject of women members has become a thorny issue once more.

That is because the last four CEOs of IBM – a long-time corporate sponsor of the Masters – have become members of the club and, wouldn’t you know it, the latest to hold that post just happens to be a golf-playing woman of all things. How can Augusta not invite her to become a member without appearing perpetrators of a cast-iron example of discrimination based on a person’s sex

Fair Ryo Ishikawa has been invited by Ernie Els has missed out

Fair Ryo Ishikawa has been invited by Ernie Els has missed out

It is not the only tricky matter facing Payne. The second concerns the controversial invitation given to the Japanese starlet Ryo Ishikawa.

What possible justification can there be for him receiving a second one at the age of just 20 except as a sop to the massive commercial power of Japanese television

Unlike many of my colleagues, I have no problem with Ernie Els not being given one, despite his mighty contribution to the tournament over the years.

But the argument that Ernie shouldn’t get one is based on the belief that nobody should get one and so falls down completely when Ishikawa is handed a spot.

Over to you, Billy.

Quote of the Week

‘I’d expect him to play well here. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t. He’s powerful again, he’s driving the ball well and he’s got that little bit of pep in his stride again.’

After playing a practice round with Tiger Woods on Sunday, his long-time publicist – sorry, Mark O’Meara – banged the drum regarding Tiger’s chances of a fifth green jacket.

Thorbjorn Olesen wins Sicilian Open

Olesen fends off challenge from Wood to seal first European Tour title in Sicily

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UPDATED:

17:17 GMT, 1 April 2012

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen claimed his maiden European Tour title, holding off a strong late challenge from Chris Wood at the Sicilian Open.

Wood equalled the course record with a brilliant eight-under-par 64 in perfect conditions at the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort to charge into contention, but overnight leader Olesen held his nerve to post a 69 and win by one shot on 15 under.

The 22-year-old Dane told www.europeantour.com: 'It feels amazing. I had three seconds last year, so to finally get my first win is great.

All smile: Olesen soaks up the plaudits after landing his first European title

All smile: Olesen soaks up the plaudits after landing his first European title

'I've been playing some great golf this year, without all parts of my game coming together. But this week my long and short game both came together, and it feels fantastic to finally get over the line.

'I saw he (Wood) was doing well when I arrived at the ninth, so I knew I had to go for it and make birdies, so it kind of made up my mind for me that I had to play attacking golf.

'I was definitely a bit nervous. I was just trying to focus on one shot at a time, but that's very difficult to do because your mind keeps thinking of other things. But I'm really happy to finish with a par on 18, because it's a really tough golf hole. So when I found the green with my second shot, I was very happy.'

Soaking up the sun: Olesen held his nerve after heading into the final day with a slender lead

Soaking up the sun: Olesen held his nerve after heading into the final day with a slender lead

Olesen had a mixed opening, carding two bogeys and two birdies over his first five holes. He had started the day with a three-shot advantage but soon found himself pegged back today as Wood joined him on 14 under.

The 24-year-old from Bristol, himself seeking his first Tour crown after five previous top-three finishes, was five under through five after birdies on the second, third and fifth holes and an eagle on four, and had advanced to eight under for the day to earn a share of the lead with six holes remaining.

He picked up another shot with a further birdie on 14 but blotted his copybook with a bogey on the par-five 17th, which ultimately proved costly.

Great Dane: Olesen was pushed hard by Woods who equalled the course record score

Great Dane: Olesen was pushed hard by Woods who equalled the course record score

Great Dane: Olesen was pushed hard by Woods who equalled the course record score

Olesen dropped a shot on 13 but got straight back on track with a birdie on 14 and then got over the line by parring the last four holes. Wood was nevertheless delighted with his day's work.

'It's been coming for a while,' he said. 'I've been playing really well lately and not getting the scores.

'It's nice to play well and give myself a chance. I put it in the worst possible position off the tee on 17, but didn't play a bad shot into the green – just didn't get any spin.

'The 18th was a tough hole, so I was pleased with a par to close. Unfortunately it wasn't enough in the end, but I gave it my best shot and that's all you can do.'

Olesen's compatriot Soren Kjeldsen (68) and Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts (69) finished tied for third with Spain's Jose Manuel Lara (68) a further stroke back in fifth despite three bogeys on his back nine.

Andrew Strauss is still the man to lead England: – Nasser Hussain

I was a dead man walking… Strauss is far from that

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UPDATED:

21:42 GMT, 30 March 2012

Andrew Strauss has not reached the point where he should consider his future but he will know when he goes out to bat in the second Test in Colombo next week that something has changed.

It has changed because he has now been asked in a press conference for the first time whether he has taken England as far as he can and once that sort of thought is in the public domain there will perhaps be a sense in Strauss’s mind that the vultures are circling.

He will be wondering, maybe subconsciously, whether people are questioning his leadership.

Reckless: Strauss hits straight to Dilshan at short mid-wicket

Reckless: Strauss hits straight to Dilshan at short mid-wicket

To me, any suggestion Strauss should retire if things do not go well in the second Test is premature.

There is no question the captain retains the full support of both his team and the powers that be at the ECB and that is exactly how it should be right now.

People have short memories. It was not much longer than a year ago that Strauss was leading England to the Ashes in Australia and it was only at the end of last summer that he spearheaded a 4-0 whitewash of India to take his side to the top of the world.

Think back to where England were when Strauss and Andy Flower took over at the start of 2009 in the aftermath of the Kevin Pietersen-Peter Moores affair and you remember how far they have come in a relatively short space of time.

End of the road: Nasser Hussain knew it was time to quit as captain in 2003

End of the road: Nasser Hussain knew it was time to quit as captain in 2003

Yes, they have lost four Tests this winter and questions have to be asked of England’s batting, but that does not mean the time is right to sack a captain who has achieved so much. We just have a tendency to always think that change will be for the better.

We know that Strauss will not be pushed should this series against Sri Lanka end in defeat but is there any possibility that he will jump, as I did and as other captains have done

The answer again, I believe, is no. Strauss does not look as if he has reached the stage where his brain is scrambled and he is starting to question whether he really is the best man to lead England.

My case was very different. For a start I was a worrier but I think Strauss is a very secure sort of character.

Struggling for form: Strauss has not been in good knick with the bat for a while

Struggling for form: Strauss has not been in good knick with the bat for a while

I was completely frazzled by the time I handed over to Michael Vaughan and, in truth, after the emotional upheaval of the Zimbabwe World Cup affair, I was a dead man walking.

Strauss is far from that.

But there is no question that Strauss needs runs. He only has one Test hundred in his last 48 innings and the captain needs to deliver as a batsman for his own peace of mind as a leader.

The bottom line for him and the bulk of the England batsmen is that they still do not play spin well on slow-turning pitches. Simple as that.

An unhappy time: Strauss came in and picked up the pieces after the Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores fall out

An unhappy time: Strauss came in and picked up the pieces after the Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores fall out

Flower tried to protect them after the Pakistan series by saying that he was to blame for not providing enough preparation but England cannot say that now after losing the first Test in Galle.

Strauss’s problems are heightened because he has given up one-day cricket and was not able to bat himself back into form in the 50-over game as Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen did in the UAE.

He has had just four Tests this winter and, as he is a touch player, he has not been able to get into the rhythm of batting. Ian Bell’s the same.

England are not the only side who struggle in alien conditions — think Sri Lanka and India in England last summer — but that does not mean that these batsmen cannot get it right next week and in that all-important series in India next winter.

Another disappointment: Strauss walks off after being dismissed in the second innings

Another disappointment: Strauss walks off after being dismissed in the second innings

Strauss should remember that he once scored two centuries in a Test in Chennai and Cook should remember that he scored a hundred on Test debut in Nagpur.

Above all, they should follow the example of Jonathan Trott, who showed them in Galle that batting in subcontinental conditions is not all about block, block, slog. They have to get their tempo right above everything else.

I don’t see a long queue of young openers who would be able to play the pace of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Co as well as Strauss when South Africa come to England this summer.

Carry on captain: Hussain sees no reason why Strauss won't still be captain for the back to back Ashes series in 2013

Carry on captain: Hussain sees no reason why Strauss won't still be captain for the back to back Ashes series in 2013

I believe the captain will and should be in charge for that series. And there is every chance he will do enough to still be captain for the back-to-back Ashes series next year.

For the moment, though, there is no place for him and the other batsmen to hide. They are not playing on spitting cobra pitches. They are not playing against Murali — they are playing against a spinner in Rangana Herath who you would not fear if he came up against you in a county match.

They have to wake up and realise that they are good enough to get their heads down and score runs in Colombo.

Led by their captain.

Top Spin at the Test: Bell saved by the law after bizarre helmet reprieve

Top Spin at the Test: Bell saved by the law after bizarre helmet reprieve

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UPDATED:

22:13 GMT, 27 March 2012

Ian Bell was granted a bizarre reprieve when he swept off-spinner Suraj Randiv straight at short leg. The ball ricocheted off the fielder’s shins and up on to his helmet, before wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene claimed the rebound. But Law 32.3(e) states that a catch is no longer fair if it has touched a ‘protective helmet’.

Reprieve: Bell

Reprieve: Bell

Six of the worst

England
lost six batsmen lbw in a single Test innings for only the fourth time
in their history, and the first since they drew with Pakistan at Karachi
in 1977-78. Back then, Geoffrey Boycott — out here commentating for
BBC radio — and his team couldn’t even blame the decision-review
system.

Swim's a Batty idea

England's players can at least cool down in the Indian Ocean after a hard day’s play.

There
are no team rules forbidding them from taking a dip, despite
off-spinner Gareth Batty having to be rescued from Galle waters near the
Lighthouse Hotel nine years ago after getting caught in rip-tides.

Strauss’s bad habit

Andrew Strauss keeps getting in — then getting himself out. Since the start of the India series last summer, he has reached double figures in 12 of his 13 Test innings, but only twice made fifties. This was the sixth time in that sequence he has fallen in the twenties or thirties.

Calamity Cook

Alastair Cook has the opposite problem. After Tuesday’s duck, nine of his last 13 Test innings have resulted in dismissal for 12 or fewer — but among the sequence was his epic 294 against India at Edgbaston, and a fighting 94 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Out early: Cook

Out early: Cook

Jimmy's fiver

Jimmy Anderson's first-innings figures of five for 72 mean he has now claimed a five-for against eight of the nine other Test-playing nations. The exception are Bangladesh — whom Anderson has only played against twice.

World’s best

South Africa may have fallen four wickets short of beating New Zealand 2-0 in Wellington, but a defeat for England here means they will have to win in Colombo next week to avoid slipping to No 2 in the rankings behind Graeme Smith’s team, who tour England this summer.

John Ruddy says every point for Norwich is crucial

Ruddy insists every point is crucial after man-of-the-match display earns Canaries a draw

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UPDATED:

15:47 GMT, 12 March 2012

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy maintains the Canaries must see every point gained as one more step towards securing Barclays Premier League survival, no matter how they come about.

Paul Lambert's side ended a run of successive league defeats on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against bottom club Wigan at Carrow Road, where the home side were second best for large spells and but for a man-of-the-match display by Ruddy could well have been beaten.

Nevertheless, the Canaries remain comfortably perched in mid-table with 36 points – 14 clear of the drop zone with 10 games to go.

Denied: John Ruddy has performed well all season

Denied: John Ruddy has performed well all season

That in itself is an achievement for the Norfolk club, who were favourites to be propping up the league after a swift rise back from npower League One in successive seasons under Lambert.

Norwich head to Newcastle next weekend, and Ruddy feels the 'bigger picture' has to be climbing the steps towards the fabled 40-points barrier one rung at a time.

'We were sluggish against Wigan, and we will be the first to admit that,' he said.

'But we will take the positives out of getting a point against a side fighting for their lives – it is a point towards the bigger picture and that is staying in this league.'

Ruddy continued: “Overall the whole team was below par and it is not the sort of performance that we expect from ourselves.

'That is an indication of how far we have come in a short space of time and of how we have been performing this season.

Finally: Victor Moses was the only player who could beat Ruddy

Finally: Victor Moses was the only player who could beat Ruddy

'But it is just a case of picking up points where we can – it was a below-par performance, but we still managed to pick up a point, which means we are a point closer to Premier League safety.'

Ruddy, 25, spilled a couple of long-distance efforts yesterday, but also made a couple of telling blocks as Wigan's front line of Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses – who netted a fine equaliser midway through the second half – stretched Norwich's rearguard.

The former Everton stopper has been tipped for an England call-up in the run towards Euro 2012.

Ruddy said: 'It would be a massive achievement for myself and my career, but it is not something that I am desperate for or something that I am losing any sleep over.

Safety: Ruddy and his colleagues are aiming for 40 points

Safety: Ruddy and his colleagues are aiming for 40 points

'My performances for Norwich is the main thing and if I keep performing well for them then who knows'

Another Norwich player who has an outside chance of summer action in Poland and the Ukraine is Wes Hoolahan.

The
Republic of Ireland midfielder, lasted capped back in 2008 when playing
for Blackpool, put Norwich ahead with a well-executed volley after 10
minutes.

Like Ruddy, the 29-year-old has his focus firmly on club matters.

Hoolahan said: 'It has been a great season so far and so far has been successful so far.

'I don't think anyone would have expected us to have 36 points at this stage of the season when we started.

'We are doing well. We just need to keep that going and hopefully we can get a few points before the end of the season.'

Wigan are far from cut adrift at the bottom, as only four points separate them from 16th placed Blackburn, and Latics manager Roberto Martinez remains positive.

He said: 'There will be a lot of games between now and the end of the season which will dictate the points tally needed to survive, but we'll focus our attentions on each game as it comes.

'If we replicate the levels shown against Norwich and approach those games with the same attitude then I am in no doubt we will get the points we need to stay up.'

Chris Robshaw backs Stuart Lancaster to be full-time England head coach

Robshaw backs Lancaster to become full-time England boss after stunning win over France

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UPDATED:

13:47 GMT, 12 March 2012

England captain Chris Robshaw wants Stuart Lancaster to remain as head coach, after the side's thrilling 24-22 victory over France in Paris.

Lancaster's team need to beat Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday by a large margin, as well as hoping France overturn Wales' attempt at a Grand Slam, if they are to win the Six Nations title.

Although that is unlikely, England have improved hugely under Lancaster and appear a side transformed after the disappointment of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Impressed: Stuart Lancaster (left) has improved England

Impressed: Stuart Lancaster (left) has improved England

Beaming: Lancaster was delighted with England's win over France

Beaming: Lancaster was delighted with England's win over France

He brought with him coaches Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree, and together they have produced great results.

Robshaw said: 'We have come a long way in these six weeks and the credit has to go to Stuart and his coaches. I want the environment they have created to continue and we are backing them.

'It would be right to interpret my support as a vote of confidence because we have been given an opportunity to play by our coaches and you want to go out and do that in every match.

Stay: Chris Robshaw (left) has backed Lancaster's appointment

Stay: Chris Robshaw (left) has backed Lancaster's appointment

'Stuart has created this great atmosphere which has allowed us to play the rugby we want to produce.

'I
am proud to be captain of these guys who have come together in such a
short space of time after we’d been written off. It shows a great
strength of character.'

Lancaster is now the favourite to be appointed as full-time head coach, with former South Africa coach Nick Mallett also in the running.

More support comes from full-back Ben Foden, who is pleased with the current set up.

Support: Ben Foden (left) has also backed Lancaster

Support: Ben Foden (left) has also backed Lancaster

'They have been marvellous so far,' he said. 'The thing that Stuart has done is that he has been honest with all the players and the media.

'He has done what he set out to do and created an environment and culture that is certainly positive.

'All the boys are behind him and we all buy into what he is trying to build here and everyone is enjoying their rugby and enjoying the camp.'

Leeds sign Paul Robinson on loan from Bolton

Leeds snap up Robinson on short-term loan from Bolton while Rachubka joins Orient

Leeds have signed Bolton defender Paul Robinson on loan.

The 33-year-old left-back has agreed a short-term deal until April 9.

Speaking to the club's official website, Whites manager Neil Warnock said: 'I've been looking to see if I can get one or two leaders in. Paul is a player who I have had my eye on for a couple of weeks – since I came in – but for whatever reason we just couldn't quite get it over the line.

Elland Road-bound: Paul Robinson (second left) has joined Leeds on loan

Elland Road-bound: Paul Robinson (second left) has joined Leeds on loan

'Now we've been able to do that I'm delighted. This is a great club for him and it gives us a chance to have a look at him with a view to next season.'

Meanwhile, Leyton Orient have signed Leeds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka on a one-month loan deal.

Rachubka fell out of favour at his parent club following the 5-0 home defeat to Blackpool in November and has since spent two months at Tranmere.

The former England Under 20 international will link up with his new team-mates in time to be considered for selection for the npower League One clash with Wycombe.

Rachubka becomes the fourth stopper Orient manager Russell Slade has brought to the club this season.

HRT finally begin on-track testing

Boost for HRT as they finally get their hands on this season's car… and they're confident

Ready for action: Narain Karthikeyan

Ready for action: Narain Karthikeyan

HRT will head into a season-opening grand prix with mileage on the clock of their new car for the first time.

Since their inception two years ago, the first practice session of the initial race of the year has been the first time the team has shaken down the car.

After missing the three pre-season tests this year it appeared as if that scenario would again be the case, however, HRT were able to conduct an allowed filming day at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Monday.

It was a race against the clock as the car arrived from the team's factory in Munich just after 1pm, and after four hours of tests and checks, Narain Karthikeyan eventually managed 10 laps in the F112.

Karthikeyan said: 'I had the honour to be the first driver to test it, and the first impressions are quite good.

'We couldn't do any set-up work or stuff like that, but everything seems to be working fine and there are no major problems so we can look forward to the season now.

'Everyone has worked hard and the new team management has put everything together in a very short period of time.

'They've done a proper job with the car and I'm sure it's a big step forward from last year, so hopefully we can take the competition to the teams we were fighting last year.'

Delighted team principal Luis Peres-Sala added: 'I'm very satisfied. It was a very important day for us because we were able to test some things out with the new car during this filming day.

'I'm very proud of each and every member of this team because everyone has contributed their little bit for this to be possible. Now we have to focus on Australia because we still have a lot ahead.'

Manchester United target Mats Hummels rules out summer move to

German defender Hummels rules out 30m summer move to Manchester United

Manchester United target Mats Hummels insists he has no interest in a summer move.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on the 30m-rated German international defender.

Top target: Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels

Top target: Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels

But Hummels says he's happy at Borussia Dortmund.

And the 23-year-old gave short shrift to reporters who told him about the clubs currently chasing his signature.

'But I want to stay here, why should I go I feel good here and I am
very grateful to the club that I got the chance,' said Hummels.

Premier League referees are right 92 per cent of the time

Premier League referees are always right* (well, 92 per cent of the time)

The speed of top-level English football has increased by an astonishing 20 per cent in the last five years, according to statistics drawn up by the professional referees' body.

Using Prozone computer technology, it has been established a significant rise in fitness levels has seen players in the Barclays Premier League running that much more at the 'high intensity' level; more than 21 kilometres per hour.

Debatable: Mike Dean gives Spurs a penalty as Arsenal's Song and Szczesny protest

Debatable: Mike Dean gives Spurs a penalty as Arsenal's Song and Szczesny
protest

That, they believe, is the result of the increasingly competitive nature of the Premier League and the appliance of sports science producing fitter players.

It is putting more pressure on referees because the game has become that much faster in such a short space of time.

Yellow peril: Peter Walton books Shola Ameobi

Yellow peril: Peter Walton books Shola Ameobi

Even so, modern training techniques for professional referees to meet that challenge are being introduced and match delegates – officials who monitor and mark the referees on behalf of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) – believe they are getting results.

An event occurs in a Premier League match every six seconds on average, with a referee having to make a decision every 12 seconds.

But PGMOL believe that, for the most part, the professional refs are getting the 'major decisions' right.

Statistics compiled by the match delegates claim referees get 92.3 per cent of those calls right with results for assistant referees even better; a staggering 99.3 per cent.

These figures might surprise a few managers and players, never mind fans, and they are open to interpretation given that what constitutes a 'major decision' is debatable.

In fact, any incident can divide a room – even one full of professional referees. But it is PGMOL's intention not only to meet the demands of the modern game but also educate managers, players, fans and the media when it comes to the challenge facing referees today.

They are working in tandem with the FA's disciplinary officials, who also have new issues like social media – in particular Twitter – with which to contend.