Harry Redknapp blasts QPR players after losing to MK Dons in FA Cup

Posted on January 26, 2013 by adminsports

We were a disgrace: Redknapp blasts QPR's big-name failures for abysmal display against MK Dons

By
Ian Stafford

PUBLISHED:

19:27 GMT, 26 January 2013

UPDATED:

19:36 GMT, 26 January 2013

A furious and disbelieving Harry Redknapp surveyed the wreckage of QPR’s FA Cup humiliation at the hands of MK Dons and slammed the big stars who failed him.

Redknapp watched as his side — bottom of the Premier League — were crushed 4-2 at home by a team two divisions beneath them. In the day’s other fourth-round shock, Blue Square Premier League Luton Town beat Norwich 1-0 at Carrow Road.

‘I have big-name players who believe they’re better than they are, who bang on my door insisting that I should play them,’ said 65-year-old Redknapp.

Miserable: Harry Redknapp looks on as QPR are tonked by MK Dons

‘Well, they had their chance and they
blew it. I made nine changes from the team who drew at West Ham last
week.

'This was a team that had gone five games unbeaten, that had won at
Chelsea and drawn against Spurs and West Ham, but even though I made
lots of changes I believed, absolutely, it was good enough to beat the
MK Dons.

‘I wanted to win, don’t get me wrong.
Look at the players I picked. We’re talking about signings from
Manchester United and Real Madrid in Park, Fabio and Granero.

'We’re talking about experienced pros
like Ferdinand, an England goalkeeper in Green. Surely they should have
been too good for a team two divisions below them.

'I thought we weren’t too bad up to
half time, but conceded two dreadfully sloppy goals. When we conceded
the third, which was offside, our confidence went completely.

'You can’t give away two such sloppy goals as we did. We created a mountain to climb that only got higher.

‘What it shows is that the result and
the performance answer a lot of questions. Not to me. I already knew
the answers, but to those who wanted to see certain players picked. They gave the answers.

‘I’m going to need to shift some
players out of this club this week and get a few in. If I can do that
we’ll stay in the Premier League. I’ll have the right hump now. I’ll be
no use to anybody.’

He does, however, have to find a way to lift his team before the visit of Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Good day out: MK Dons fans were delighted as their team powered through

As bad as QPR were, MK Dons deserved a lot of credit for the way they frustrated their Premier League opponents.

A club-record away following of 3,155
headed to west London to witness a performance that filled manager Karl
Robinson with pride.

'We felt we could come here and get a result,' the Dons boss said. 'I understand the gulf in teams and I respect that as well.

'QPR
is a wonderful football club with one of the best English managers in a
long, long time so you always know the difficulties it that is going to
possess.

Let downs: Redknapp analysed where his squad had come from - Estenan Granero, for example, from Real Madrid

Let downs: Redknapp analysed where his squad had come from – Estenan Granero, for example, from Real Madrid

'It is nice to make it through. The players were fantastic and I thought they deserved the result.

'It was difficult for us in the first half. We had to sit off them and they have some top, top players.

'I thought the way they responded to going in front at a Premier League ground was great. They played with no fear.

'Getting into the fourth round was a little bit of history for us and now the fifth round makes it a little more special.'

Chris Foy: England must fight fire with fire against South Africa

Posted on November 24, 2012 by adminsports

Let's get physical! Beefed-up England must fight fire with fire against South Africa

UPDATED:

22:20 GMT, 23 November 2012

The darkest hour is before the dawn. That is the message of hope England will seize upon in the final moments before kick-off at Twickenham on Saturday, as they try to emerge from the wreckage of their lowest ebb this year to stun the Springboks.

All week, the home team have brooded on their 20-14 loss against Australia and sought to channel their angst into a clear-headed backlash in today's QBE International.

The inspiration has come from events in South Africa five months ago, in Port Elizabeth to be precise.

Swamped: England were overpowered by a weakened and vulnerable Australia team last week

What has emerged is a sense that, in the countdown to the end-of-season game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, they forged a collective will to end the suffering.

Having lost in Durban and Johannesburg, the tourists summoned up the spirit to finish that series on a more upbeat note, with a defiant draw which could have wound up as a win.

What the performance that day proved to Stuart Lancaster was that his young England team possess real character, and they will need that in spades today.

The wish of the management is to replicate the spirit of Port Elizabeth prior to kick-off; the same determination to push themselves to the limit to avert another setback, another inquest.

Casting his mind back to June 23, Lancaster said: 'There was a frustration that we hadn't delivered in the second Test. There was a feeling we had let ourselves down.

'That frustration had built during the week and this week again you've got the frustration of desperately wanting to win against Australia and not quite achieving it. That is a powerful motivator.'

Asked if he can sense the same mood, the same intense focus, he added: 'I do, definitely.'

When they summoned up their tour defiance, England were being led by Dylan Hartley, in the enforced absence of Chris Robshaw.

Now it is incumbent on the regular captain to set the same bloody-minded tone this time.

Outlining exactly what the coaches expect, Graham Rowntree said: 'I want to see the same as we saw in Port Elizabeth, that pure desire for it not to be a defeat again.

Tactic: South Africa will look to dominate England in the pack

'That last hour before kick-off in Port Elizabeth was the last hour before the last game of that series.

'We were out to put a few things right. That is where we are now. We had lost two games on that tour.

'That last hour before the game we decided that wasn't going to happen again and we have to recreate that atmosphere.'

This week, everyone in the home camp has made the observation that the Springboks are not subtle in the way they play, nor expansive or visionary or varied.

England know that their opponents will come to Twickenham with the objective of smashing the doors down and the formidable power to do just that.

The hosts know what is heading their way, but handling it is another matter entirely.

Put aside the All Blacks – operating in a parallel universe of unrivalled class – and this fixture has troubled England the most in recent times.

Prior to that draw in Port Elizabeth, they had lost nine consecutive Tests against South Africa, having previously beaten them seven times in a row.

Lowest ebb: Stuart Lancaster (left) must navigate his way past South Africa before a tough Test against New Zealand

Pivotal: Manu Tuilagi will have to be at his best

The last of those wins came all the way back in November 2006, so this latest clash between the countries serves as a chance for prolonged English suffering to be curtailed at long last.

For Lancaster's regime, events before this year carry no real relevance, but they are operating within their own difficult context.

There are immediate pressures which have nothing to do with a long-standing cycle of disappointment in tussles with the Boks.

This autumn campaign is on a knife-edge. Before it began, the country's rugby public would have taken three wins from four, or two triumphs as a minimum requirement.

With the All Blacks in town next weekend, there is a danger that these modest expectations won't be met.

Defeat against weakened, vulnerable Australia has burst the feelgood bubble.

Twickenham was full of hope a week ago, now it is likely to be awash with foreboding.

The home support will have noted the way South Africa have brushed aside Ireland and Scotland with relative ease and dread another November surrender to southern raiders, in keeping with dismal tradition.

Favoured: The Twickenham faithful may be expecting a second defeat as South Africa visit

Much of the concern is founded on a defeat seven days ago which Lancaster insists was not 'as black and white' as has been suggested.

The ideal way to reinforce his argument is for his team to beat the Boks. To do so they will have to resurrect the intensity levels produced in Port Elizabeth and for large parts of the Test in Johannesburg.

With Tom Wood recalled to the back row, England must be much more efficient at the breakdown, to deliver the holy grail of quick ball.

If they can achieve that target, the Leicester half-back axis of Ben Youngs and Toby Flood will have a fighting chance of generating momentum and openings.

Yet, quick ball from rucks is but one of many requirements – England need a more solid scrum and another precise line-out masterclass overseen by Geoff Parling.

Easy does it: Zane Kirchner and Co will be expecting a backlash from England

They must stand up to the giant Springbok forwards such as flanker Willem Alberts, who pounded them to dust for a time at Ellis Park, and the young lock enforcer, Eben Etzebeth.

Lancaster's men will also be alert to the threat of Patrick Lambie's kicking repertoire.

There is an awful lot for the home side to withstand, so much so that perhaps not even the spirit of Port Elizabeth will be quite enough to save England.

For this regime, the honeymoon period ended last weekend, but defeat on Saturday would mean the darkest hour is still to come.

Another loss and – to use the American word for this time of year – it really would be the 'fall'.

London 2012 Olympics: Synchronised swimming, by Des Kelly

Posted on August 8, 2012 by adminsports

Des Kelly: Welcome to ladies of Cirque de l'Eau… but why do they do it

UPDATED:

22:31 GMT, 7 August 2012

Olympics 2012

It is graceful, artistic and undoubtedly difficult, but I spent most of my afternoon at the synchronised swimming wondering what possible use it could be in everyday life.

Most sports have a reason to exist. I can see how waving a sword about like a Team GB fencer might come in handy, particularly on the night bus.

I also understand how riding a horse is a skill worth acquiring, especially if you have forgotten your sword and want to avoid that night bus.

Erm, why The skillset of synchronised swimmers, while impressive, doesn't have place away from the pool

But smiling like an escaped lunatic and performing a vertical split upside down while your lungs fill with water That is a skillset that’s not so easy to apply outside the pool.

The only job I could think of where the combination might come in useful was ‘air stewardess’.

Perhaps all aircrew can secretly do synchronised swimming When that cabin safety announcement reaches the part saying ‘in the unlikely event of the aircraft landing on water…’ I immediately envisage not only dying after plummeting 30,000 feet, but then drowning as well, which is two deaths.

Now I can calm myself by picturing airline trolley dollies serenely emerging from the wreckage in synchronised symmetry, like a scene from a Busby Berkeley musical, politely serving gin-and-tonics with a fixed, rictus grin as the jet sinks gently below the surface. What a way to go.

This aircrew theory seemed more plausible when I discovered Russia rank as the world No 1 in synchronised swimming. As you may know, Russia also has a terrible record when it comes to air safety. Coincidence

Sadly, yes. They will not be bringing me dry roasted peanuts in business class. Firstly, because the office tries to make me fly economy; secondly, because top synchronised swimmers are full-time athletes.

The Team GB pair of Olivia Federici and
Jenna Randall reached Britain’s first final in two decades having spent
the last four years at the high performance centre in Aldershot training
42 hours a week. The results were apparent.

Sink or swim: The routine is scored for what is done beneath the surface as much as above it

Swimmers must complete eight technical elements called figures, then perform a free routine for which they choose their own choreography and music.

Len Goodman wasn’t here, but the judges mark on artistic impression and technical merit in both categories, with a maximum 50 points for each.

There are signature moves such as sculling where hand movements are used to keep afloat. Ballet leg is when one limb is held vertical and the other horizontal. Treading water is known as egg-beating. The aforementioned vertical split is swimming upside down with legs akimbo. And the pedalo is when you splash about in panic like a drunken cricketer.

Throughout all the aquatic acrobatics competitors are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool, which is where I would be found if I tried any of it.

Luckily, men are not allowed. Only
women have contested synchronised swimming since its introduction to
the Olympics in 1984. Strangely, I have heard little clamour for the men
to be given equality throughout the intervening 18 years. Maybe
appearing on Strictly Come Dancing is enough.

Even
before the swimmers reach the water, the performance begins as the duos
march and dance with a singular precision that is sustained through
their entire routine.

If
you’re having difficulty picturing this, think of what Tom Daley and
The Other Bloke do when they jump off the diving board and imagine they
also had to be in exact synch on the poolside, up the ladder, off the
board, underwater, out of the pool, in the hot tub and on the journey
home afterwards.

Smile for the camera: Performers must maintain strong facial expressions throughout their routines

These girls mimic one another’s movements so exactly it looks as if one of them is performing in front of a mirror.

It’s all very beautiful, too. Not so much Cirque du Soleil as Cirque de l’Eau with sequinned costumes straight from Vegas and waterproof make-up applied with a trowel for theatrical effect. Goggles are not allowed, even if they could fit over the mountain of mascara.

The look is only ruined somewhat by the presence of nose clips that make the contestants temporarily resemble Lord Voldemort in drag.

But I understand why this is necessary. ‘Synchro’ experts such as myself know it’s not to stop water going in, but to keep snot from coming out.

Britain’s duo performed a racy,
London-themed routine called Ravens with a soundtrack that included
bursts of The Chemical Brothers. Other nations were less adventurous. In
an earlier round, Egypt swam about to Ravel’s Bolero, which is as passe
as playing Stairway To Heaven in a guitar shop.

However,
one song stays the same. It is the Russian national anthem. It has been
played at every synchronised swimming contest since the Sydney
Olympics 12 years ago and it rang out again in London as they won
another gold.

Just champion: Russia's Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina secured gold once again

Thanks to her collection of winners’ medals, Natalia Ishchenko is known as ‘Phelps in a skirt’, a horrible image that should not put you off watching her. Because alongside her partner Svetlana Romashina, the Russian duo’s routine was close to perfection and given a mark of 197.10 out of 200 accordingly.

Spain took the silver, China bronze and Britain finished a creditable ninth above France, the USA and South Korea.

‘This was a pretty big jump up,’ said Biz Price, the team’s director of synchronised swimming. ‘They were 14th in Beijing and 20th at the world championship the year before. They’re going to keep getting better.’

Britain compete in the team event on Thursday and Friday. If you have tickets you’ll probably love it. Synchronised swimming is colourful, accomplished and requires great skill and agility.

But so does ballroom dancing, unicycle stunt riding and juggling while balancing a chair on the point of your chin. And none of those are Olympic sports. Yet.

If you’ve got this far, you might even be wondering why this article is on the sports pages. Quite frankly, a part of me does, too. It would feel more at home in among the theatre reviews. But I certainly enjoyed the show. Someone even brought a drink to my seat with a smile.

South Africa 36 England 27: No excuses for Stuart Lancaster

Posted on June 18, 2012 by adminsports

No hiding and no excuses: Another heroic failure must not be enough for Lancaster

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 17 June 2012

The gravest threat to England’s prospects would be a willingness to take comfort from heroic failure, so arguably the most heartening aspect of Saturday’ s defeat was not the on-field fightback, but Stuart Lancaster’s refusal to hide behind it.

‘Taking the positives’ has become the modern-day mantra of beaten sides trying to find hope amid the wreckage of a negative result and England did fall back on it as a central plank of their post-match message.

Yet, to have any hope of a consolation victory in the series finale in Port Elizabeth next weekend, the tourists must instead focus on the negatives.

Down and out: England look dejected as they lost the second Test and the series to South Africa

The post-mortem must be harsh and robust and not diluted by the merest hint of satisfaction at turning a potential rout at Ellis Park into a compelling contest.

If England are to produce the sort of seven-day transformation that Ireland achieved in going from cannon fodder for the All Blacks to so nearly conquering them, management and players have to agree that near-misses will not suffice.

Encouragingly, the man in charge of the whole operation insisted that rallying from 19 points down to trail 31-27 with 15 minutes to go, did not constitute a moral victory. ‘I don’t think there will be any hiding,’ said Lancaster. ‘We want to set the bar high — we won’t sit back and say that was good enough. If you review the game in the context of it being good enough to come back to within four points, there’s a danger of taking too much comfort and consolation from that.

‘But we won’t. We will review it in the context of a side that wants to win these games.’

Unstoppable: South Africa's JP Pietersen dives past England's Ben Youngs to score

What England did on Saturday was provide further evidence of the collective spirit fostered by Lancaster since he took charge at the end of last year. They dragged themselves off the floor to move within range of a stunning comeback through sheer force of will.

But what preceded the about-turn was one of the most shattering episodes any England team has ever endured, as the Springboks simply pounded them into the dirt.

Lancaster’s men were out-gunned in terms of intensity and physicality. Spirit alone is not enough, that should be a basic prerequisite. In these parts there must also be a sustained ferocity and that was lacking on Saturday. England were reeling at every collision in the first half. Their defence was all at sea.

Brought down: Tuilagi is tackled by South Africa's Marcell Coetzee

They had missed 12 tackles after just 25 minutes as they toiled in vain to contain South Africa.

/06/16/article-2160270-13A4281E000005DC-166_634x455.jpg” width=”634″ height=”455″ alt=”Good catch: JP Pietersen takes a high ball as Mouritz Botha challenges” class=”blkBorder” />

Good catch: JP Pietersen takes a high ball as Mouritz Botha challenges

And yet. And yet. There was a lack of flow in many of the attacks as passes found static runners.

Manu Tuilagi was over-zealous in
following orders to look for support runners and off-load. Part of the
problem was that the support was not close enough, so he was isolated.
In addition, the line-out, which had been immaculate in Durban, was
less precise this time.

Put aside the issues of individual players such as Ben Morgan struggling to match exploits from earlier in the season and there was a team-wide inability to keep clear heads amid the first-half onslaught.

The obvious consequence of Lancaster’s bold selection strategy is a lack of experience.

Diving over: Toby Flood scores for England

On Saturday, the wheels came off for a
time as loose passes were thrown, kicks were wild, hesitancy and
indecision ruled. The senior players needed to restore order, but it
took too long for that to happen.

So the talk of learning went on.
England are young and callow — both the coaches and the players — so
they are on a journey of discovery together. That process will mean
there are setbacks along the way and the stark truth is that these are
the country’s finest.

Aside from injured absentees such as Tom Croft, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood, the English game does not have a stockpile of talent that is being ignored. This is a raw team and the development process will be savage at times. The character of Lancaster’s side was demonstrated in their ability to make a game of it, courtesy of Toby Flood’s try at the end of a sweeping raid, his flawless goal-kicking and Ben Youngs’ brace of touchdowns in the second half.

Stop there: Ben Foden is stopped in his tracks

The revival was founded on a scrum
surge prompted by Alex Corbisiero’s arrival as a replacement, to join
forces with fellow prop Dan Cole. The London Irish loosehead should
start in Port Elizabeth, as could Tom Palmer and Thomas Waldrom.

Whatever the line-up, they must be prepared for this season finale in keeping with Lancaster’s pledge to avoid ‘hiding’ and set the bar high.

England are young and learning hard lessons but the education process cannot be used as a safety-net for defeats. If the coach is true to his word about aiming for the stars, there cannot be any excuses.

Heroic failure cannot be enough.

Diving save: Bryan Habana is tackled by Ben Foden

Liverpool face summer of discontent

Posted on May 7, 2012 by adminsports

Summer of discontent ahead for Liverpool as inquest into turbulent season begins

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 6 May 2012

They had billed it as the game when judgments could finally be made: a season-defining battle that would solve all those unanswered riddles.

In many ways, they were right. Liverpool’s FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea provided clarity on several key issues, such as the squad (it needs reshaping and strengthening), Andy Carroll (he deserves a chance to shine) and the campaign (it will be viewed with bitter disappointment).

Yet, wholly in keeping with this most puzzling 10 months, a fresh set of dilemmas emerged from the wreckage of their latest trip to Wembley, conundrums that must be tackled swiftly to prevent Liverpool being cut adrift from England’s elite teams.

Plenty to ponder: Kenny Dalglish watches his side lose to Chelsea

Suddenly the picture of how Liverpool will move forward through the summer is murky and none of the club’s hierarchy would say plans are in place. Or who will oversee them.

Defeat led to inevitable conjecture about Kenny Dalglish’s position. Some supporters are open to the idea of change but the majority are firmly behind a man who was desperate to collect the 28th major honour of his Anfield career.

Yet, on this occasion, the words of reassurance that some longed for were absent. Managing Director Ian Ayre scuttled briskly through the media corridor, declining all interview requests, while principal owner John W Henry offered nothing more than convivial handshakes and ‘hellos’.

Dalglish batted away questions about his relationship with Henry. ‘We will wait and assess the season for everything that contributes to it until after the last games are finished,’ he said. ‘I cannot be any more honest than that. Everybody is going to sit down and assess what has happened.’

Decision time: Liverpool's owner John W Henry has a tough job on his hands

While it is vital to discover why the wheels came off in the Premier League, all eyes will be on Anfield to see how the massive improvements will be made.

Firstly, it is imperative Fenway Sports Group appoint a director of football to oversee the financial, scouting and contractual duties that have been left unattended since Damien Comolli was sacked. Dalglish has said as much himself.

Secondly, it is crucial that FSG decide quickly whether Dalglish is the man for them. If the doubt remains, the inconsistency that has blighted Liverpool’s season will not be expunged. ‘We have been two different teams this season,’ said a disconsolate Steven Gerrard. ‘We have not been good enough in the league but we have done exceptionally well in the cups.

‘There are no excuses. We as players need to take responsibility for that showing because the players we have in the dressing room are certainly not eighth best in the league.’

Down and out: Steven Gerrard is dejected after his Liverpool side lost

Pepe Reina, Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel are all top performers and the injured Lucas will be another plus, while Carroll seems to have come of age.

How things have changed for the 35million man. Having had to contend with criticism for buying him, Dalglish now finds himself being criticised for not starting Carroll.

It remains a curious fact that the England striker has not started more than three consecutive games this season.

‘We are Liverpool — we will bounce back,’ said Gerrard. ‘We will strengthen in the summer and we will come back and fight again. That’s what this club does. All through my career it’s been about highs and lows. This is a big low but we will be back. I will be back. We are Liverpool.’

Nemanja Vidic never doubted Manchester United will challenge for the title

Posted on April 4, 2012 by adminsports

Vidic claims United title challenge never in doubt… with or without him

UPDATED:

15:10 GMT, 4 April 2012

Nemanja Vidic never had any doubt Manchester United would shrug off his season-ending absence and make a strong defence of their Premier League title.

When Vidic was stretchered off with ruptured cruciate ligaments against Basle in December as United crashed out of the Champions League, there were many who believed their entire campaign would be a disaster.

Already trailing to a rampant Manchester City, with Wayne Rooney and David de Gea amongst the most notable central figures struggling for form and their captain now sidelined, it was hard to see what positives would emerge from the wreckage of a devastating European exit.

Injury: Nemanja Vidic has been sidelined for most of the season

Less than four months on, United are now five points clear, Rooney has 28 goals and De Gea has made a succession of vital saves, the latest at Blackburn on Monday, that have ensured the Red Devils have taken maximum advantage of City's slump.

Vidic is still missing of course, however the Serbian is taking pride in his team-mate's achievements.

'I always believed we would challenge for the title,' he said.

'It doesn't matter who is out. Manchester United never depend on one player.

'If you look at the past, players have left and fans have said how are we going to cope

'But the manager is the best at replacing players and the team still win titles and trophies.

'That is why Manchester United are so special.'

It was not part of the plan for Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck to be exposed quite as often as they have been.

Yet, from their introduction during the Community Shield in August, the quintet have given the impression of relishing responsibility.

It is this that has helped United overcome their massive injury problems, and also provide such hope for the future.

'We didn't expect the young players would play so many games and have such influence on the team,' said Vidic.

Title challenge: Vidic was sure his team would press for the title in his stead

'This is a great plus for the club.

'Obviously we have had some injuries over the past year, which is another difficult thing we have gone through, but we have coped and been very competitive with Manchester City.

'Now we are at the top of the league and have a big chance to win it.'

The frustration for Vidic is that he has been reduced to a watching brief.

He is making good progress in his recovery, although he is determined not to push it and risk a setback, hence suggestions he might re-appear before the end of this season were always a non-starter.

'I never thought about coming back,' he said.

Lead: Manchester United are top by five points from City

'I am not pushing. I am lucky, the manager and the physios and the doctor weren't trying to beat the record.

'They didn't want me to come back in five months. There would be no point rushing to play one or two games.

'As soon as I got the injury and had the operation, I knew I wouldn't be back. I am just focussed on next season.'

Even as he left St-Jakob Park in agony, Vidic was determined not to feel sorry for himself.

Without the relentless grind of matches, other targets had to be set.

Super strike: Antonio Valencia showed why Vidic has such faith in his team-mates with a stunning goal on Monday

To this end, Vidic has a clear goal.

'When I come back I want to be at the same level I was before my injury. This is one of the things that drive me on,” he said.

'I can't change what happened. I have to get on with it.

'Even when you have an injury, there are some benefits. I know the stuff I am doing now will help me not to have this again.

'Of course, I am not happy to be out. It is a big injury. A long injury. But I am 30. I still have a few years to play.

'I don't believe I will be on top form as soon as I come back but when people say I can't be the same this is a challenge for me.'

London 2012 Olympics: One journey from 7/7 bombings to Paralympics

Posted on March 22, 2012 by adminsports

Wright set to complete amazing journey from 7/7 agony to Paralympics

UPDATED:

09:28 GMT, 22 March 2012

Martine Wright was running late for work. Staying out to celebrate London winning the 2012 Olympics had caused her to oversleep.

In the underground, she didn't reach her usual car, which dropped her off nearest to her exit. Instead, she jumped onto a closer one just as the door closed. Moments later, chaos.

A white light flashed and she felt herself being thrown. An off-duty policewoman found Wright in the wreckage and held her hand. Wright looked up. She saw a trainer; it had been blown off her foot and skewered on a piece of metal.

Horror: The 7/7 bombings in London killed more than 50 commuters

The marketing manager lost both legs on the morning of July 7, 2005, in the bombings that killed 52 commuters and all four suicide bombers. She was in a coma for 10 days. Her body was swollen to twice its normal size. Her brother and sister saw her in the hospital; they told the police it wasn't her.

Seven years later, Martine Wright is a full-time athlete. Her goal: this summer's Paralympics.

Martine remembers her mother holding her face, telling her she could have died or been brain damaged. But that didn't happen.

Wright, 39, learned to walk again with the help of prosthetic legs. She learned how to fly. She did a sky diving jump for charity. She got married to her long-time boyfriend, Nick Wiltshire.

Competitive: Martine Wright lost both legs in the bombings but will now compete for Great Britain this summer

Competitive: Martine Wright lost both legs in the bombings but is set to compete for Great Britain

But somehow, moving on required something more. She needed a goal. Always athletic – she had played field hockey at university – she looked to sports.

'I wanted to feel that competitiveness I used to feel at work – that sort of hunger for success,' she said.

She tried wheelchair tennis, but dropped it because she doesn't like wheelchairs. The relatively new sport of sitting volleyball caught her eye. Imagine regular volleyball, but with a lower net and the players with their backsides on the floor. That's sitting volleyball.

Wright jokes that the courts gleam after games.

It was at gyms like one at West London's Roehampton University, where the team trains, that Wright found camaraderie. Where else can an athlete walk in and toss her fake legs against a wall, like galoshes piled up after children come in from the snow

On a recent day, team-mates goofed around throwing balls at Martine's head while she chatted on the sidelines with a reporter. They support one another even as they fight for their place on the squad.

'They're all fighters really,' said team captain Andrea Green. And team-mates. And friends.

London's organizers make a point of giving attention to the Paralympics, which take place from August 29 until September 9.

Queen Elizabeth II will open the Paralympics as well as the Olympics, a reflection of the nation's interest in offering equitable treatment to Paralympians.

But it isn't just about attention. As the host nation, London was able to automatically qualify to send a team. But the British Paralympic Association had worries about the sitting volleyball team, which was relatively inexperienced.

The association was determined that the team rise to the competition, to be able to take to the court with powerhouses like China and hold its own. The association gave the team an ultimatum in the autumn. They had to up their game, or they would not send a team to the Paralympics.

Clock is ticking: Britain is gearing up for this summer's extravaganza

Clock is ticking: Britain is gearing up for this summer's sporting extravaganza

Penny Briscoe, the performance director for the British Paralympic Association, said the organization was determined to make sure they were ready, focused and gelling as a unit. Home team berth or no, the team was going to have to be good enough to compete against the best.

'It is about inspiring a nation of potential athletes who want to come and play,' Briscoe said, explaining the tough line. 'It is also to do with integrity. There are no free tracksuits for a Paralympics GB athlete.'

The association ruled last week that the team will compete. But now there will be a decision on who should play. That goes for Wright as well.

Despite being one of the more high-profile survivors of the July attacks and becoming an unflinching ambassador for the sport, Wright will not get a free pass. She must earn her place like any of the other players.

Equal billing: The Paralympics follow the Olympics in London this summer

'If you said to me seven years ago, look Martine, you're going to be going to one of the biggest shows on earth – London 2012… I would think you're absolutely mad,' she said.

'But I'm riding the wave. Who knows what the future can hold But what I've got to do now is keep training and make sure I get selected.'

If she does, she will wear No 7, the date that the bomb went off – moments after she sat down, looked at the Olympics story in the newspaper and wondered how she might get tickets.

Wright doesn't feel angry. She feels lucky. So many died, and so many relatives lost loved ones. The fact that she's tied to the Olympics and the Paralympics by a weird twist of fate is not simply a matter of coincidence – she says it is a reflection that things were meant to be this way.

And somehow, competing is already real. She can envision the opening ceremony. She wants her husband there, her parents and her son, Oscar, who she hopes will hold a sign reading 'Mummy'.

'There is good that comes out of bad,' she said.

Magic Monty is the only ray of sunshine for sorry England

Posted on January 29, 2012 by adminsports

Magic Monty is the only ray of sunshine for sorry England

When England sift through the wreckage of this depressing defeat they will at least find one ray of light amid the darkness.

Monty Panesar's contribution on the final two days, when his haul of six for 62 manoeuvred his side into a winning position, was largely forgotten amid the post-match recriminations.

High fives: Monty Panesar

Yet the brave decision by captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower to include the left-arm spinner paid off. Yesterday he took his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests and the first since he took six for 37 against New Zealand in May 2008.

Shane Warne once quipped Panesar had 'played the same Test 39 times'.

In his 40th he was exactly what England needed – accurate, unerring and consistent.

Strauss admitted as much in the post-match inquest, saying: 'Monty has always been a top-quality bowler – you know what you are going to get. He is going to bowl 99 per cent of the balls in the right area. When there is a bit of turn, he can really exploit that, and it is fantastic to have him back.'

It inconceivable England will not make changes for next Friday's final Test in Dubai. But Panesar should keep his place regardless of the conditions. It is the batsmen who have cost England this series and that's where any changes should come.

The bowlers have done their best and with two sub-continental tours to come this year against Sri Lanka and India, Panesar has a big role to play.

Nick Easter makes his case for England captaincy

Posted on December 18, 2011 by adminsports

Easter makes his case for England Six Nations captaincy

Nick Easter wants to lead England in the Six Nations Championship, which starts on February 4, and steer the much-criticised national side away from the wreckage of their disappointing World Cup campaign.

Easter, the 33-year-old Harlequins back-row forward, was third-choice captain in New Zealand behind Lewis Moody and Mike Tindall.

Easter hunt: Nick Easter wants to lead his country

But he is favourite to wear the No 8 shirt when England kick off their campaign in the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Murrayfield Easter said: “I”m sure coach Stuart Lancaster will add youth to England”s Six Nations squad. But he will still need to rely heavily on senior players – and I still have massive ambitions with England.

“I”m fitter and faster than I”ve ever been since first playing Premiership rugby at 25.

“The England captaincy would be a great honour. But if I got the job, I would see it as an interim appointment with England wanting to appoint someone long term at a later date.”

Northampton”s Secret Santa exchange of gifts between their players last week seems to have confirmed the departure of England winger Chris Ashton to Saracens.

Ashton”s present was a fez – as worn by Saracens fans.

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