sport magazine 324
DESCRIPTION
In this week's Sport: Liverpool: A Study - it’s 23 years since the Liver Bird last sat atop its league perch. Is the club ready to challenge again, or is there another false dawn on the horizon | Ryder Cup 2014: we pick out the rookies who Paul McGinley and Tom Watson may be studying closely | Chris Robshaw on leading Harlequins back to domestic glory, their Heineken Cup opponents and being England captain | Santi Cazorla: Arsenal's Little Magician on his club’s chances of lifting silverware this season | Plus our preview of every Premier League and English team's Champions League gameTRANSCRIPT
Issue 324 | September 27 2013
Old flameIs the fire back in Liverpool’s eyes?
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06
Issue 324, September 27 2013
Radar
06 FIFA 14
Been battling into work despite GTA
V’s availability at home? EA’s latest
release means it’s time to surrender
08 Social climber Cycling writer Daniel Friebe picks
out some of Europe’s undiscovered
ascents for us from his new book
13 Ronaldo: scores goals But you knew that. We compare
how many, and how often, from his
spells in Manchester and Madrid
o this coming weekFeatures
20 Liverpool: A Study It’s 23 years since the Liver Bird last
sat atop its league perch. Is the club
ready to challenge again, or is there
another false dawn on the horizon?
29 Ryder Cup 2014 With one year to go, we pick out
the rookies who Paul McGinley and
Tom Watson may be studying closely
34 Chris Robshaw On leading Quins back to domestic
glory, their Heineken Cup opponents
and being England captain – for now
38 Santi Cazorla The man Arsenal fans call the Little
Magician on his club’s chances of
lifting silverware this season
Extra Time
52 Grooming Smile like Henry Cavill with Oral-B’s
sparkling new ‘superbrush’
54 Gadgets The best on-ear headphones for
listening to whatever it is you like
56 Kit What’s that you say about Jonny
Wilkinson’s new clothing brand?
60 Entertainment Hugh Jackman’s latest role takes
several dark turns in Prisoners
20
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Contents
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| September 27 2013 | 05
06 | September 27 2013 |
Radar p10 – Colin McRae’s legacy explored in a new book
p08 – Become king of Europe’s extreme, undiscovered mountains
TA V has incapacitated half the
population with its addictive
gameplay and, like a secondary
missile strike, FIFA 14 is here to finish
the job. There are some neat new features,
including a 2v2 Seasons mode online and the
addition of legendary former players to the
popular yet baffling Ultimate Team mode.
The gameplay feels looser, thanks to more
realistic first touches, so it’s pleasing when
you do manage to string some quick passes
together. There are lots more of what Martin
Tyler would call ‘comings together’ – a new
impact engine means players react to such
clashes in news. Overall, it’s a small but
satisfying step forward before the big leap
that will arrive with the next-gen consoles.
game on
G
FIFA 14 is out today
on Xbox 360 and PS3.
The next-gen versions
(pictured, top) will be
released in conjunction
with the Xbox One and
PS4 later this year
08 | September 27 2013 |
Radar
Bealach na Bà from Tornapress
Scotland
Height: 626m
Length: 9.5km
Average gradient: 6.5 per cent
A British climb to rival the giants of
the Tour de France in beauty and, if
the wind blows, difficulty. The old
drovers’ road is best attacked from
the deserted shores of Loch
Kishorn in the east; there, it begins
its ascent into the jaws of a deep,
dark corrie and natural wind tunnel
that presents an evil ordeal.
Port de Larrau from Logibar
France/Spain
Height: 1,585m
Length: 14.8km
Average gradient: 8.14 per cent
The scene of five-time Tour de
France winner Miguel Indurain’s
final abdication in the 1996 race.
The Port de Larrau straddles the
Franco-Spanish border and, from
the French side, is rated by some as
the hardest climb in the Pyrenees.
It is certainly one of the most
eye-catchingly gorgeous.
Grüntenhütte from Kranzegg
Germany
Height: 1,477m
Length: 4.3km
Average gradient: 14.6 per cent
A climb so steep that it takes us
into the realm of extreme sports,
for no ‘normal’ pro road race would
ever brave gradients this severe.
At the top, an overwhelmingly
beautiful view of the Allgau Alps
awaits from a hut selling the finest
local Bavarian lager Prost to anyone
who makes it that far!
Secret ascentsF
or every d’Huez or Ventoux,
there’s a forgotten climb
that’s just as brutal.
In Mountain High, cycling scribe
Daniel Friebe and photographer Pete
Goding documented the better-
known two-wheeled tests in Europe.
The sequel, Mountain Higher, looks
at some of the lesser-known
’undiscovered’ climbs from across
the continent. We asked Friebe to
select three of his favourites.
Mountain Higher: Europe’s Extreme
Undiscovered and Unforgettable
Cycle Climbs (Quercus, £25)
is out now
Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Tigers
Won the triple crown in 2012
and has continued in a similar
vein with a remarkable 2013,
hitting for .350 average, 44
home runs and 137 RBIs (runs
batted in). Miggy, still only 30,
has hit more than 30 homers
in nine of his past 10 seasons.
Chris Davis
Baltimore Orioles
King of the long ball in 2013:
Davis has slugged 52 home
runs, 37 of them by the
All-Star Break. He has joined
only two players – Babe Ruth
and Albert Belle – in hitting
more than 50 home runs and
40 doubles in a single season.
Yasiel Puig
LA Dodgers
Puig arrived on June 3 and
took the Majors by storm.
At the start of July, the
Dodgers were bottom of the
NL West. They have now won
the division, partly thanks to
his batting average of .327
and 18 home runs.
Mariano Rivera
NY Yankees
At the season’s end, Rivera,
43, will retire as the greatest
closer in history. He returned
from a torn ACL in 2012 to
claim 44 saves, making his
career record 652 – more than
300 ahead of the next closest
active player, Joe Nathan.
Jose Fernandez
Miami Marlins
The rookie jumped from
A-League baseball (three
leagues below the Majors) to
start for Miami. Currently has
the second-best ERA (earned
run average) in the Majors,
and has held opponents to a
.182 batting average.
e’ve picked out five of the best performers*
from the MLB regular season, which comes
to an end this weekend Top marks
All
pic
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. *A
ll s
tati
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co
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W
© 2013 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Offi cial FIFA licensed product. © The FIFA name and OLP Logo are copyright or trademark protected by FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. The Premier League Logo © The Football Association Premier League Limited 2006. The Premier League Logo is a trade mark of the Football Association Premier League Limited which is registered in the UK and other jurisdictions. The Premier League Club logos are copyright works and registered trademarks of the respective Clubs. All are used with the kind permission of their respective owners. Manufactured under licence from the Football Association Premier League Limited. No association with nor endorsement of this product by any player is intended or implied by the licence granted by the Football Association Premier League Limited to Electronic Arts. Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
we are entertainment@hmvtweets/hmv
FIFA 14 freeFFFFII FF AA 1144 ffffrrrr ee eewhen you buy an Xbox 360 250GB console*
£199.99
*Buy an Xbox 360 250GB Console and get FIFA 14 on Xbox 360 for free. Available at participating stores while stocks last, for a limited time only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Prices correct at time of print. Offer applies only to the standard solus 250GB Xbox 360 console. Prices of other console options may vary.
££££1111 99 99 9999 99999999
10 | September 27 2013 |
Running the city
ome of the biggest names in business
(and Sport) took to the slightly sodden
streets of London last Thursday, to take
part in the annual Bloomberg Square Mile Relay.
Modesty and a subtle sense of Corinthian
spirit prevents us from reporting on a heroic
Team Sport display (oh okay then, we finished
73rd of way more than 73 teams), but we can
reveal that a wiry bunch of Barclays bankers
came home first in the scandalously rapid time
of 56 minutes and 21 seconds (far right).
Commerzbank provided the evening’s fastest
individual, with Nicholas Torry flying round the
course in under five minutes. Mighty impressive,
we’re sure you’ll agree, but still not as cool as
the collection of London 2012 stars on hand for
the evening. Namely, from left to right: Nicola
Adams, Jade Jones, Sophia Warner and Louis
Smith. Heck, some of them even ran it, too.
S
Radar
ritain’s first World Rally Championship
winner and the youngest ever driver to
claim the prize, Colin McRae would have
turned 45 this year. And he would surely have
helped maintain public interest in a sport that has
slipped off the radar somewhat since his tragic
death in a helicopter crash in 2007.
McRae captured the imagination of the British
public in a way few drivers can, with a reputation
for out-and-out speed and a win-at-all-costs
approach that helped him secure the 1995 World
Rally Championship title. He was also instrumental
in introducing new fans to the sport through the
series of video games that bore his name.
A new coffee table book, Just Colin, explores
McRae’s legacy. Authors Colin McMaster and David
Evans have pulled together more than 50,000
words of rare interviews with friends and family,
and hundreds of photographs to tell the story of
the Scot’s life in the astonishing depth it deserves.
B
Rally king
Just Colin, by Colin McMaster and
David Evans, out now (McKlein,
£39.99). Visit mcraebook.com
for more information
Gre
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Goals per game | 0.41 Goals per game | 0.91
ormer Manchester United
coach Rene Meulensteen
traces Cristiano Ronaldo’s
transformation from frustrating
winger into complete forward back
to a three-game ban in 2007, when
he and the Portuguese forward
worked on effective finishing instead
of trying to score the ‘perfect goal’.
“I told him: ‘It doesn’t matter how
you score, as long as the ball goes
in the net,’” Meulensteen told The
Telegraph. Ronaldo has acted on that
advice since his move to Real Madrid,
and his rise to the top of the world
game is the focus of a documentary
on ITV4 on Tuesday, which features
interviews with colleagues, coaches,
and the man himself. We’ve crunched
the numbers on Ronaldo at both
international and club level over the
past 10 seasons – they show that his
freakish scoring record in Spain is
partly because he takes a lot more
shots, but also because more of the
ones on target result in goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Footballing
Superstar, Tuesday 10pm, ITV4
| September 27 2013 | 13
Go
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Radar
F
Shots per game | 3.75
Goals | 140 Goals | 222
Games | 344 Games | 244
Shots per game | 5.89
On target | 1.68 On target | 2.44
Off target | 2.07 Off target | 3.45
Justadd
goals
Man Utd* Real Madrid** In
clu
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s in
tern
ati
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14 | September 27 2013 |
Radar Editor’s letter
Acting editor
Tony Hodson
@tonyhodson1
Sport magazinePart of UTV Media plc
18 Hatfields, London SE1 8DJ
Telephone: 020 7959 7800
Fax: 020 7959 7942
Email: [email protected]
EditorialPublisher: Simon Caney (7951)
Acting editor: Tony Hodson (7954)
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Subeditor: Graham Willgoss (7431)
Senior writers:
Sarah Shephard (7958), Alex Reid (7915)
Staff writers:
Mark Coughlan (7901), Amit Katwala (7914)
Picture editor: Julian Wait (7961)
Designer: Matthew Samson (7861)
Digital designer: Chris Firth (7952)
Production manager: Tara Dixon (7963)
Contributors: David Lawrenson, Lee Tiplady,
Daniel Friebe
Commercial Head of Sales: Iain Duffy (7991)
Advertising Managers:
Steve Hare (7930), Graeme Pretty (7908)
Sales Executive: Joe Grant (7904)
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Office Manager: Deborah Dilworth (7826)
Colour reproduction: Rival Colour Ltd
Printed by: Wyndeham Group Ltd
© UTV Media plc 2013
UTV Media plc takes no responsibility for the content
of advertisements placed in Sport magazine
£1 where sold
Hearty thanks to: Tim Stedman, Sarah Stade,
Imogen Gaunt
Don’t forget: Help keep public transport clean and tidy for everyone by taking your copy of Sport away with you when you leave the bus or train.
LAUNCH OFTHE YEAR
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As bad as Manchester United were at the Etihad
on Sunday – and they really were dreadful –
you had to be impressed with the pace, panache
and raw physicality of a Man City side that had no intention
of doing anything but winning the Manchester derby.
They are clearly a work in progress, but Manuel
Pellegrini’s men were irresistible – as irresistible, in fact,
as they were dismal away at Stoke the previous weekend.
That would be the very same Stoke, of course, who were
the victims as Arsenal recorded a fourth straight Premier
League win to move top of the early-season table. Seems a
long time ago that Arsene Wenger’s men were being made
to look like boys at home to a rampaging Aston Villa – who
have won two from three away yet remain pointless at
home after defeats to both Liverpool and Newcastle.
On the subject of Liverpool, Newcastle and home defeats,
who saw those two respectively losing to Southampton
and Hull last Saturday? Not I, for sure, but then I wouldn’t
have called Everton as the last surviving unbeaten team in
this season’s Premier League. I certainly wouldn’t have
predicted John Obi Mikel – one of my least favourite players
in the division – to be one of Chelsea’s scorers at home to
Fulham on Saturday, and I definitely wouldn’t have picked
Paulinho as the matchwinner Tottenham needed to move
themselves up to second with a win over Cardiff.
My point? It might not offer the best football in the world
(right now, it’s nowhere near), but the Premier League
does still offer unpredictability in the extreme. Apart from
Paolo Di Canio being a crackpot just waiting to be sacked,
that is – but we can’t get everything wrong, can we?
While I’m on football, a much-deserved shout-out to the
mighty Leyton Orient. Russell Slade’s men won 2-0 at
Brentford on Monday night to make it eight wins from eight
at the start of the new League One season. That is some
effort in what is always a tough and competitive league
– their likely top-of-the-table clash away at Peterborough
in early November could be a belter.
So Sam Tomkins will quit the Warriors of Wigan for those
of New Zealand at the end of the Super League season.
The 24-year-old could yet star for England at the upcoming
Rugby League World Cup, but he is a rare talent and the
sport in this country will miss him greatly.
Anything can happenThe Premier League is currently as unpredictable as it ever has been – and that’s why we love it
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Reader comments of the week
New mantra: “You don’t
want to finish a race like
you’ve got more left in the
tank” Super to see
@rachelatherton in
@Sportmaguk
#worldchamp
@SophieCallender
Well done @tonyhodson1 for
celebrating @NonStanford
becoming world champ in
@sportmaguk, perfect
riposte to @simonjenkins4’s
ignorance of it
@jruskin1
Left my keys at the office,
now sitting outside apt
with @Sportmaguk and
a Peroni... not ideal
Fri night but could be
a lot worse
@GField17
Downhill is slowly getting
the coverage it deserves,
Thanks @Sportmaguk,
honoured to be in it! :-)
@rachelatherton
Reading abt & remembering
R Fowler’s 5 goals v Fulham
on home debut in ’93. What
a way to introduce yourself
and what a player!
@robertwfawdon
Free iPad app available on iPad, Kindle and Android devices
Another #FF goes to
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newspaper for keeping up
to date on all sports. Pick
one up or download the
app today!
@CoryRichards
Get in touch @sportmaguk [email protected]
Serging ahead: yet only a week
earlier Manuel Pellegrini’s
team were terrible at Stoke
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16 | September 27 2013 |
Radar Opinion
Flats on Friday
There’s a new definition of ‘crisis’. Previously, ‘crisis’ has been accurately deployed
to describe the world being brought to the edge of
nuclear armageddon (Cuban Missile Crisis), the collapse
of the international banking system (Global Financial
Crisis) and Simon Cowell (Midlife Crisis), but it now seems
to be sportswriter shorthand for just losing a game.
A manic depressive caller to talkSPORT this week, a
Liverpool fan, sounded like he had been meaning to get
through to the Samaritans but speed-dialled the wrong
number. “Has Brendan Rodgers lost the plot?” he wanted
to know. Wow! Before Saturday and last time I looked,
Liverpool hadn’t lost a game for almost six months.
At the Stadium of Light there may well have been
bloody insurrection as Paolo Di Canio was overthrown
(sample piss-poor headline: “A Casualty of Wear”) – but
five games into the season and Sunderland are just six
points behind Manchester United. Crisis? Sack the
manager with nobody lined up to replace him. That’s
bound to help. Dumb? Yes. But not a ‘crisis’.
Jose Mourinho, in his new chillax mode, was wrong to
come back to Chelsea. Apparently. Last week the whole
enterprise had been a ‘disaster’ (which traditionally
comes after warnings of a crisis have gone unheeded).
The bookies were slashing the odds on him being the first
Premier League manager to lose his job this season. His
team win 2-0 against Fulham, and briefly go top of the
table. A Daily Mirror reader tweets: “The crisis is coming.”
He continues: “[Abramovich] will hate watching Chelski
going back to ugly football days… [Mourinho] sacked
before the end of the season.” Note the use of the definite
article: ‘the’ crisis is coming. No it isn’t, you silly man.
If Chelsea are off the pace at the turn of the year, they
will make a couple of major signings and be right there
come May. Not a crisis. And certainly not ‘the’ crisis.
Arsene Wenger, under fire from all corners and
reflecting on the loss to Aston Villa in the first game of
the season, put it best after Arsenal went top on Sunday:
“Look, we lost one game since the beginning of March.
That’s why it was a shock. But we won in the Champions
League at Bayern. We won at Fenerbahce. The media in
general has brainwashed a little bit the fans.”
Okay? So everybody calm down. The only person who
has a ‘crisis’ to deal with right now is David Moyes, as
his dispirited, ageing team – soon-to-be Chelsea player
Wayne Rooney aside – cannot even raise their game for
a Manchester derby. Now that’s what I call a ‘crisis’.
@billborrows
Plank of the WeekDavid Haye, London
Thanks for the interview in last week’s mag and all, but
have you any idea how inconvenienced I am by your inability
to get out of the way of a sparring partner’s right hook?
And why weren’t you wearing a headguard? There was
a weekend planned around a trip to the Manchester
Arena, and now there isn’t. Some people are so selfish.
It’s like this…Bill Borrows
By the time this article is published, Paulo Di Canio might well have been given another job
and sacked again. Sounds silly, I grant you,
but not implausible. Football’s revolving managerial
door has long been labelled ridiculous, but the effect
it has runs far deeper than simply making the big
clubs look ruthless – and it’s all to do with culture.
Look at the big clubs in football or rugby, and they
all seem to have a culture set in concrete; we could
describe their ethos from our armchair and not be
far wrong. Barcelona approach the game in a way
different from the rest – and, seeing as they’ve
been so successful for so long, many sides try to
copy them. In rugby union, Leicester Tigers are
known for breeding tough blokes in a no-nonsense
environment. These are clubs whose cultures have
been crafted and maintained over long periods
of time. So established are these blueprints for
success, in fact, that any player, coach, marketeer
or groundsman joining the club knows exactly what
they must live up to. Ergo, the culture comes first.
The first thing I think when I see clubs bringing
in new managers and sacking them before their
new email address has even been set up is that it
makes awful business sense. The wedge they must
fork out in pay-offs would make you wince. But I also
see something else. I see the soul being ripped out
of the country’s biggest, best football clubs.
You see, when football managers arrive, they
often bring with them the fitness and coaching staff
with whom they’re used to working. This makes a
good deal of sense, often linguistically as much as
anything else, but they also bring with them an
entirely fresh approach to winning – and that, as
odd as it sounds, is part of the problem. Of course
a coach will arrive with new ideas on how to run
team meetings, what formations to use, what the
weekly schedule should look like. This is fine, but it
has to be tightly managed from the very top of the
organisation, because it can ultimately lead to a club
effectively swapping cultures manager by manager.
When a manager joins Barcelona, he works to
fit in with and live up to an established culture.
He is given permission to alter training techniques,
but not to revolutionise the club. Admittedly,
a chicken-and-egg situation arises when a club
needs a culture – a soul – to call its own, but
those parameters must be set by the club and a
manager signed to fit that bill. Signing a bloke and
hoping he sets one for you rarely works, and is a
frighteningly short-term approach – with sackings
now so common, why would a manager bother to
think more than a week ahead?
What does it say about your cultural ambition
when you sign a loose cannon like Di Canio? It says
you haven’t really thought about it. Terrifying.
@davidflatman
Da
vid
Ly
ttle
ton
Culture before personality
Tatts oot for the ladsThe Stadio Olimpico hasn’t seen stomachs like this
since Gazza swapped shirts 20 years ago. Still, when
in Rome and all that, as these Legia Warsaw fans
obviously thought. Sadly for them, they travelled all
that way just to watch their boys lose 1-0 to Lazio in
the Europa League. Mighty impressive tattoos, mind.
18 | September 27 2013 |
Pa
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Frozen in time
| 19
Liverpool
20 | September 27 2013 |
| 21
The date was February 22 1991.
For Liverpool Football Club, it was two
mornings after the night before – a night
on which they had contrived to four times
throw away the lead in an FA Cup replay against
neighbours and rivals Everton at Goodison Park.
The nature of the goals they had conceded in a
dramatic 4-4 draw – defensive lapses at the heart of
a traditionally resolute rearguard – had not gone
unnoticed, but there remained little to concern the
Anfield faithful. A side managed by the club’s greatest
ever player, Kenny Dalglish, were defending league
champions; they were in a strong position to retain
their title; and, of course, they were still in the cup.
“Kenny didn’t show any signs that night, but two
days later he resigned,” recalled legendary Liverpool
striker Ian Rush some years later. “I think it just
happened that morning. We had all come in for
training, and were told to meet in the dressing room.
Kenny walked in and said he was leaving. It was
complete shock and surprise. He couldn’t say too
much, but there were tears in his eyes as he spoke.”
In purely footballing terms, Liverpool has been a
club in mourning ever since. Dalglish’s departure
precipitated a sharp dip in form from a squad that
was to endure almost two months of uncertainty
before a full-time successor, the former captain
Graeme Souness, was named. The subsequent FA
Cup replay against Everton was lost, while their
league championship was eventually ceded to
Arsenal in disappointingly tame fashion. More than
two decades on, the club that towered over English
football throughout the 1980s is yet to win it back.
But is the tide about to turn, finally, back in their
favour? Five games into the new Premier League
season, and Liverpool sit fifth, just two points adrift
of leaders Arsenal. They were top going into last
weekend, when Brendan Rodgers and his side
suffered the setback of a home defeat to Southampton,
but the signs are that this will be as open a Premier
League campaign as there has been in its history –
an opportunity, perhaps, for the fallen giants to rise.
To fully comprehend the challenge facing the
modern Liverpool, it is useful to understand where
it all went wrong in the first place. For David Usher,
editor of The Liverpool Way magazine and website,
Dalglish’s departure represents the point at which
Liverpool’s longstanding dominance of the domestic
game started to diminish.
“That really set us back at that point in time,” he
explains. “Kenny went and we brought Souness in;
that didn’t work out, and I wouldn’t say we’ve ever
really fully recovered. The Premier League started,
which brought with it a new financial aspect, and
other teams – especially Manchester United – got
a jump on us. They got it right off the pitch, and we
didn’t. We’ve never really got back to where we were.”
Power shiftIt’s a fact that causes misery enough among Liverpool
fans, were it not to be compounded, as Usher implies,
by the Liver Bird being knocked off its perch k
Sleepdisorder
Illustration by Noma Bar
After an encouraging start to the Premier League season, could English football’s deepest-sleeping giant finally be showing signs of waking? Sport examines the history of Liverpool’s slumber and asks whether they are once again ready to play among the big boys
22 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
by a certain rampaging Red Devil. While Liverpool
were relinquishing their league title in 1991,
Manchester United were following up the previous
season’s FA Cup success with victory over Barcelona
in the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Two years later, Sir Alex Ferguson would lead them
to a first league title in 26 years. But, we ask, was the
shift of power from Liverpool to Manchester mainly
about football or finances?
“It was both, really,” says Usher. “It’s all too easy
now to say that they’ve just got more money than us,
because United have always had money. Even when
we were winning titles, they often had the more
expensive team. It’s about what you do with the
money. Ferguson had a difficult start at the club, but
once he got it right on the pitch there was a snowball
effect and they became a bit of a juggernaut, which
in turn brought in even more money. Because they
got it so right off the pitch, in terms of marketing
and everything else, they just grew out of our league.”
Under the chairmanship of Martin Edwards,
United not only floated on the stock market; with the
advent of the Premier League, and the associated
growth in marketing potential of English clubs on an
international stage, they developed themselves into a
worldwide brand capable of generating huge revenues,
much of which could be spent on the squad. But as
one footballing giant dragged itself out of an ancient
malaise, another was preparing to put itself to sleep
with a particularly strong dose of complacency.
“Honestly, I think Liverpool just took things for
granted,” says Usher. “It’s often said that Manchester
United were run like a global empire, and Liverpool
like a corner shop. If we’d have got it right and done
it properly, there’s no reason why we couldn’t have
made the same success of it. I’d argue that we have
just as many supporters around the world as United,
but they just did a much better job of marketing
their brand and bringing in the money. I believe
Liverpool are getting it right now, but you’re talking
about a club needing to make up for 20 years of not
doing so. That’s not going to happen overnight.”
False dawnsEqually, it’s going to take more than four league
games unbeaten at the start of a season to convince
fans that Liverpool are once more ready to challenge
for the honours that came so easily for so long.
The poor display at home to Southampton on
Saturday served only as a reminder that this is a
club that has flattered to deceive for more than two
decades. Trophies have been won, most notably in
Istanbul eight years ago, but the reality is that the
league championship has been little more than a
distant flicker on the horizon ever since Dalglish left
his beloved Anfield (the first time) in February 1991.
“We went close a few years ago, when we came
second under Rafa Benitez,” says Usher of 2008-09,
when the team lost only twice and amassed 86 points,
yet still fell four short of their old tormentor Ferguson.
“But I think the time was under Roy Evans; it was the
whole Spice Boy era, we played great football and
looked like we were going to do great things. If we
could have managed to win a title then [the closest
they came under Evans was third, in 1995-96], then
you don’t know how things might have turned out.
But that team always found a way of shooting itself
in the foot, and things started to get away from us.
We’ve been close, but we’ve never managed a
sustained challenge over a number of seasons. To win
titles, you’ve got to be doing it year in, year out.”
Study Liverpool’s Premier League finishes in the
past two decades, and a pattern emerges: whether
under Evans, Benitez or Gerard Houllier in between,
the team has shown steady progression building up
to something nearing a genuine title challenge.
Both Houllier and Benitez managed to finish second
once, before their respective reigns wilted under
the strain of not quite returning the club they had
come to love to the pinnacle of English football.
The former’s health suffered, while the latter’s
departure came during a period of turmoil under
the ownership of the American leverage buyout
merchants Tom Hicks and George Gillett. k
“It’s often said that Manchester United were run like a global empire, and Liverpool like a corner shop”
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The subsequent four seasons have seen Liverpool’s
worst run of finishes since the Premier League began.
“Hicks and Gillett (right) must take the bulk of the
blame, but a lot of factors have gone into it,” explains
Usher. “You can make excuses for him, but towards
the end of his time at the club Rafa definitely took his
eye off the ball. [Former managing director] Christian
Purslow has to shoulder some of the blame; Roy
Hodgson was not a good appointment and did not do
well; and even though Dalglish did well as caretaker,
the new owners didn’t want him long-term and felt
forced into giving him the job because the fans
demanded it. A lot of things have combined, but the
majority of the blame for the past four years must lie
with Hicks and Gillett. Unquestionably.”
Problems at homeAnd their major failing, aside from saddling the club
with their own significant debts, was a failure to see
through the promise they made on the very day they
had their £435m offer accepted by David Moores in
February 2007: to build a new 60,000-seater stadium
in Stanley Park.
“They thought they were going to come in, borrow
more money to build the stadium after borrowing
(£185m) to buy the club, and then once the stadium
was built they thought they’d be raking it in,” says
Usher. “That was the plan, but the cost of steel went
up, so the stadium costs went right up, and it got to
the point where they couldn’t borrow the money to
build it. The debt piled up, and we were paying so
much in interest that it got out of hand. That’s where
it went wrong. They just couldn’t get the thing built.”
If Liverpool are indeed the sleeping giant of the
Premier League, then Anfield – and the club’s
protracted inability to either redevelop or move
away from it – is the ageing, outdated symbol of its
slumber. While Manchester United have spent the
Premier League years building Old Trafford into the
75,000-capacity monster that represents (or at least
used to) the club’s huge financial potential, and
Arsenal keep the balance sheet healthy with the
imposing 60,000-seater Emirates, Liverpool continue
to operate from within the four walls of a stadium that
holds few more than 45,000 spectators. While other
clubs make huge strides forward, Liverpool appear to
be standing still – despite recent claims from owner
John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group that the
finance is now in place to finally redevelop Anfield.
“Staying at Anfield and expanding is what I wanted
us to do all along,” says Usher, lamenting the £49.6m
the club wasted on the aforementioned failure to
relocate away from their current home. “Gillett and
Hicks said it wasn’t possible, as did Rick Parry and
David Moores before them. They all said we needed
a new stadium, but this has been going on for so long
– and, to me, we’re no closer to a resolution now than
we were back then. The owners can say what they want
about the finances being in place, but until something
actually happens I’ll be taking it with a pinch of salt.
We’ve been down this road many times before.”
If Liverpool are to redevelop their venerable old
ground, then it is the roads around an increasingly
derelict Anfield area – and the few houses that
remain inhabited within them – that hold the key.
There have long been questions over the club’s
long-term project to buy up the properties around
the stadium so as to facilitate expansion, and Usher
agrees that it remains a controversial issue.
“A lot of the remaining properties are owned by
private landlords who know the club is desperate to
buy them, so they’re asking for a lot more than
they’re worth,” he says. “But then you have people
who actually live there, and loads of the houses in
the streets are boarded up. It needs to be sorted out,
but the club’s attitude is that they’re not going to pay
over the odds for what these houses are worth.
“It’s all relative though, isn’t it? They might end up
having to do so, but it’s still peanuts compared to the
kind of money they’ve been splashing out on players
contributing next to nothing. I’m not necessarily
talking about players FSG signed, but at the same
time they were still paying Joe Cole £90k a week.
They’ve got to give these people a decent amount of
money so they can find somewhere else to live.”
Missed opportunityThere is no question as to the impact a redeveloped
Anfield could have on the fortunes of the team it
hosts, but matters on the pitch remain as important
as those off it. In that respect, did Liverpool make
the most of a summer in which last season’s top three
all changed manager, Tottenham sold their best player
and Arsenal once more floundered in the transfer
market before the late signing of Mesut Ozil?
“This summer was the time for the owners to
invest significantly in the playing squad, to take
advantage of uncertainty elsewhere, but it didn’t
really happen,” says Usher. “They’re not loading the
club with any of their debt, which is the main thing,
and they have made money available for transfers in
the past – but it wasn’t spent well and they’ve since
tightened the purse strings. Mamadou Sakho came
in for £15m, and Simon Mignolet for £9m, but
they’re the only ones who you would say might
improve the team rather than the squad.
“We missed out on our really high-profile targets
[most notably Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Shakhtar
Donetsk playmaker who instead opted to join k
“The bulk of the
blame lies with
Hicks and Gillett”
26 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
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Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund],
and with the players leaving the club I think we ended
up with a net spend of £16m. That’s not a massive
outlay, particularly as we’re reducing the wage bill.
“The new owners are running the club like much
more of a tight ship, and it needs that because down
the years we’ve spent ridiculous money on players
on stupid contracts. I’m not going to criticise them
for that, but then they have all this television money
coming in and they’ve just put season-ticket prices
up in certain parts of the ground – so nor am I going
to praise them from the rooftops for a £16m net spend.
They’ve not gone over and above the call of duty.”
Liking LuisDespite a strong start to the season, the depth of the
current squad has already been tested – and, at times,
found wanting. The shoulder injury sustained by
Philippe Coutinho against Swansea left the team
desperately short on midfield fluency in the 2-2 draw
at the Liberty Stadium, while the loss to Southampton
exposed a dearth of alternatives in the full-back
areas Rodgers often looks to utilise in attack.
With Glen Johnson injured and regular left-back
Jose Enrique struggling for full fitness, Liverpool
looked vulnerable in defence and lacked options
going forward – something that doesn’t augur well
for a genuine tilt at the top four. The return of Luis
Suarez could prove timely, at least, and Usher believes
the fans will be glad to see him back.
“He seriously annoyed me over the summer,”
he says. “Nobody would have had a problem had
Real Madrid come in for him and he’d told us he had
to go. No one could have blamed him, and we’d have
wished him luck. But that he actually wanted to go
to Arsenal? It was like, hang on a minute, how much
better are they than us? It’s not like he’d have been
going there to win titles and the Champions League,
is it? For all our problems, we’ve won more trophies
than Arsenal in the last seven or eight years.
“I just think he’s not the sharpest tool in the box,
and the advice he was given over the summer was
horrendous – but the one thing about Suarez is that
he only knows one way to play. Fernando Torres was
awful for a good 12 months before he left, but Suarez
is a street footballer who is genuinely desperate to
win – and by now he’s probably desperate to get
back playing, too. For now, that can only work in
our favour.”
That the team looks set to lean so heavily on a
player who spent the entire summer trying to
engineer a move away doesn’t smack of an imminent
return to the big time. Similarly, Rodgers still looks
far too reliant on a spine of players to whom any
long-term injury could be catastrophic: Mignolet in
goal, the classy centre back Daniel Agger, talismanic
captain Steven Gerrard, midfield anchorman Lucas
and livewire striker Daniel Sturridge.
This doesn’t compare favourably with the teams
they will need to eclipse in order to secure a top-four
spot, let alone win that elusive first league title since
1990. But then, maybe that’s just where Liverpool
Football Club is right now – a fact Usher, a man who
bleeds redder than most, seemingly accepts.
“I don’t complain too much about the past 20
years, because most fans would kill to have had the
success we’ve had,” he says. “Yes, we haven’t won the
league, but we’ve still been winning trophies, seen
some great football and had some great players.
Manchester United went 26 years without winning
the title; we may go 26 or more, but we’ve had some
great times in between. Winning the league all the
time in the 1980s is one thing, but even since the
titles have dried up, it’s not like we’ve fallen apart.
I don’t think we have too much cause for complaint.”
The Liver Bird is far from back on its perch, then,
but there are signs that the sleeping giant is slowly
rising from its slumber. One eye is partially open,
and the fire within still burns.
Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1
David Usher is author of Like I Say: The Story of the
2012-13 Season, amazon.co.uk
“Suarez only knows one way to play – he’s a street footballer”
| September 27 2013 | 29
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The Ryder Cup is a year away
this weekend. Will it come
close to matching the drama
and excitement of Medinah in
2012? Can Europe continue
their dominance? Crucially,
who will actually tee it up at
Gleneagles in September
2014? We analyse the top
young talent emerging on the
European and PGA tours >
THE GREATEST SHOW IN GOLF
Ryder Cup 2014
| September 27 2013 | 31
Ryder Cup 2014
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HERE COME THE ROOKIESA glance at the World Golf Rankings suggests
that the tide could be turning in the Ryder Cup.
Europe have eight players in the world’s top
30, while the USA have twice that number.
Captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson
both have three wild cards at their disposal,
and they will need to use them wisely.
For Europe, the core of the team – McIlroy,
Westwood, Donald, Rose, Poulter, McDowell,
and Garcia – are certainties to play, but
McGinley could well need to call on rookies
with his wild cards.
Here are six who will be getting attention
from the captains for the next 12 months...
MaTTEO ManaSSERO (ITaly)World ranking: 31Age: 20If he continues at his current rate of
progression, there is little doubt
that the Italian wonder boy will make
his Ryder Cup debut at Gleneagles.
Having won the British Amateur
aged 16, he won on tour the next
year, and moved his game to another
level when capturing the prestigious
BMW PGA Championship this year.
He’s not the longest off the tee, but
Manassero has a terrific short game
and appears to have ice running
through his veins.
THORbjORn OlESEn (DEnMaRK)World ranking: 49Age: 23Finished tied for second in his first
tournament as a fully fledged player
on the European Tour in 2010, and
has continued to progress ever
since. He finished ninth in the 2012
Open, and followed that with a tie
for sixth place – the best of any
European player – in this year’s
Masters. When Olesen’s hot, he’s
a birdie machine, and would be a
huge asset for McGinley to unleash
in the fourballs.
jOOST luITEn (nETHERlanDS)World ranking: 55Age: 27Like Manassero, Willibrordus
Adrianus Maria Luiten – Joost
for short – isn’t huge off the tee,
averaging under 290 yards this
season, but he is naggingly accurate.
He has won twice this season,
including under the pressure of
home support in the Dutch Open.
He may force his way into the team
by virtue of his European Tour
performances, but McGinley will
want more evidence of his ability to
perform in big tournaments before
handing him a wild card.
jaMIE DOnalDSOn (WalES)World ranking: 43Age: 37Donaldson has been doing the
rounds for some time now, having
turned pro in 2000, but has taken his
game up a notch in the past year.
He landed the Irish Open in 2012
before heading a strong field to land
the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
in January (and also recorded a
top-10 at last year’s US PGA).
His all-round game is strong and,
while he has struggled for form
recently, he could easily figure in
McGinley’s thinking.
jOnaS blIxT (SWEDEn)World ranking: 35Age: 29Big-hitting Blixt is a real wild card
– notably because he needs to ensure
he’s a member of the European Tour
before he’s even eligible. And, for
a man who plays most of his golf in
the States, that means a change
of schedule. He’s won twice on the
PGA Tour and was paired with Lee
Westwood during this year’s US PGA.
“He asked what the qualifications
are for being a European Tour
member,” said Westwood. “I said:
’You want to join because if you don’t
you can’t be in the Ryder Cup team.’”
DavID lynn (EnglanD)World ranking: 50Age: 39Lynn is a curious golfer: a real
journeyman who has finished inside
the top 100 on the European tour
every year since 2000, but never
higher than 18th, with just one win
(the 2004 Dutch Open). Yet out of the
blue he came second at last year’s
US PGA, which earned him a PGA
tour card, and he almost won the
Wells Fargo Championship in May,
only losing in a playoff to Derek
Ernst. He’s earned $1.6m this
season, mostly by virtue of his
very hot putter. >
| September 27 2013 | 33
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Jordan SpiethWorld ranking: 21Age: 20The youngest player to win on the
PGA tour in 82 years when he landed
the John Deere Classic in July, Spieth
has enjoyed an unbelievable rookie
season. Next week he makes his debut
in the Presidents Cup, and Watson
will watch his progress carefully. His
game has no apparent weaknesses
(he’s third in the all-around stats
category, behind Tiger Woods and
Steve Stricker) and – much like Ian
Poulter – he has the ability to string
birdies together out of nowhere.
Kevin StreelmanWorld ranking: 37Age: 35Quietly, Streelman has become one
of the most consistent players on
tour, finishing the season a very
creditable 13th in the FedEx Cup
standings. He makes his money by
hitting the ball straight, and is one
of the better putters on tour – the
modern version of Jim Furyk, if you
will (not that there’s much wrong
with the original). Streelman
will probably need a big Major
performance to force his way
into Watson’s reckoning, but
that is certainly possible.
Bill haaSWorld ranking: 29Age: 31Haas certainly has the breeding for
the Ryder Cup – his dad Jay played in
three, including as recently as 2004,
and is a nine-time PGA Tour winner
(and great uncle Bob Goalby won the
1968 Masters). Now Haas Jnr is
ready for the biggest stage – he has
clocked up five wins (with career
earnings in excess of $17.5m) on
the PGA tour, including the 2011
FedEx Cup. He will play in his second
Presidents Cup next week, having
won four and a half points from
a possible five in 2011.
Billy horSchelWorld ranking: 34Age: 27A year ago, Horschel was ranked
250th in the world; now he is 34th
and rising. A fine run in the spring,
when he had three top-threes in four
weeks (including a win in the Zurich
Classic), has propelled him into the
mix. If he makes the team it could get
feisty: Horschel and Rory McIlroy
had a public spat at the 2007 Walker
Cup. “He was so loud and obnoxious,”
said McIlroy, who has enjoyed more
success as a pro, though Horschel
has had a better 2013. Bring it on.
nicK WatneyWorld ranking: 27Age: 32Watney can count himself unlucky
not to have played in the Ryder Cup
before now, but he narrowly missed
out on a wild card in 2012. A five-time
winner, he has finished this season
in great form, and is one of the best
ball-strikers on tour – and, curiously,
often saves his best golf for this
time of year. The high point of his
career to date was winning the
2011 WGC-Cadillac Championship,
but he still needs to convince Watson
that he is genuinely ready for the
Ryder Cup cauldron.
luKe GuthrieWorld ranking: 88Age: 23A real dark horse for this Ryder Cup,
which may come too soon for him.
But Guthrie seems destined for the
big time and, if he continues at
his current rate, he has a chance.
He began 2013 – his first full season
on tour – with a bang, notching six
top-30 finishes in his first eight
events, enough to secure his 2014
playing rights. He also played a
practice round with Watson at this
year’s Open, so the skipper has seen
first-hand what he can do. Whether
that’s enough remains to be seen.
acroSS the pondThe USA have gone for experience with their
captain – Tom Watson is a legend in the game
and will be as well received in Scotland as
any European next September. But he has
a tough job melding together a team that
can win back the cup. Watson has opted to
reduce his number of wild cards from four
to three, intending to give players an extra
chance to make the team on merit. But, like
Paul McGinley, he may find himself turning
to rookies to make up his 12. We pick six
who are making a noise on the PGA tour –
time will tell whether they make it to
Gleneagles under Captain Watson.
34 | September 27 2013 |
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| 35
Benjamin Disraeli once said: “There is no
education like adversity.” If that’s the case,
then Chris Robshaw could well be the most
educated sportsman in England.
Overlooked for the World Cup in 2011, despite
leading the performance records in all the pre-
tournament camps, Robshaw bounced back to lead
his side to a Premiership title – winning player of
the year in the process – and take captaincy of a
new-look England in 2012. Two defeats to Wales are
all that has stood between his side and Grand Slams
in two Six Nations campaigns, while the back-row
star also led his country to a famous victory over
New Zealand late last year. Yet once again the
headlines are negative, as Robshaw found himself
overlooked for the Lions Tour and rested by England
this summer. Now he faces doubts over whether he’ll
captain his country in the Autumn Internationals this
November, with Tom Wood waiting in the wings.
The endearing thing about Robshaw, though, is that
you won’t find him complaining. The Harlequins man
prefers to do his talking on the pitch, cue a standout
performance in last Friday’s 37-13 win at Worcester.
London rivals Saracens are next up tomorrow, and
Robshaw is refusing to look too far beyond that.
LONDON PRIDE Snubbed by the Lions, rested by England and with his international captaincy coming into question, it’s been a tough few months for Chris Robshaw. As such, this weekend’s showdown with Saracens might just prove the perfect distraction
After two below-par performances, how good was
it to get a big win against Worcester last weekend?
“Very. It was awesome to get back to the way we
want to play. Obviously the Northampton game [which
Harlequins lost 6-13] was hindered by the weather,
but even considering that, both teams played well
– and, actually, there weren’t as many errors as
there probably should have been in those conditions.
Against Wasps [a game Harlequins edged 16-15],
though, we were pretty sloppy, which we just put
down to it being the opening game. We got away with
a win in the end, pretty luckily. But to get a win like
we did last Friday was great – and to play the way we
did and get a bonus-point score was great as well.”
Saracens are in town tomorrow. Can we presume
you’re expecting a slightly tougher test?
“Definitely. We know it’s going to be tougher against
Saracens, and especially their defence. We know they
pride themselves on that. And, at the other end,
they’ve scored three bonus-point tries in three
games. It’s fair to say they’re in a bit of form!”
Does the fact it’s a London rivalry add some edge?
“Yeah, I think so. It’s always a bit bigger whenever
you play another London side, and at the same time
it’s always bigger whenever you play a potential
top-four side. We’ve both been in the top four for
a few seasons, so the two things come together
and make it a game we always look forward to –
but one where we expect a bit of extra bite.”
It’s sure to be a tight game. How important is it to
keep your composure and watch the penalty count?
“Whenever you play the best teams in the league,
you probably don’t get as many chances as you would
playing someone lower down the league, so we’re
focusing on our game and taking our chances.
No matter who you’re playing, though, you identify
their strengths – and one of their big ones is Owen
Farrell and his kicking. We know that if we give him
an opportunity, he’s likely to take it, so of course
discipline is a massive thing. Whenever you play
someone with a key kicker, you have to be aware.” > Da
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Your old teammate David Strettle is on form for
Saracens, and James Johnston is in a black shirt
now too. Are you looking forward to facing them?
“Yeah, definitely. Stretts has obviously been back
here a couple of times now, and it’ll be good to see
JJ again. We’ll welcome him back, and I’m sure he’s
looking forward to coming back and seeing the
Stoop faithful. Hopefully we can make it tough!”
Do you still look forward to big games like this?
“Yeah, definitely. The weather’s a bit better this
week as well, which helps. So hopefully it will stay
that way for Saturday. We had a good result last week,
but we’ve got to back it up now. We lost our first
game at home this season, so it’s time to rectify that.”
The Heineken Cup starts in two weeks, too.
You must be pretty upset with your group?
“No, we relish it. It’s good, because they’re the teams
you want to test yourselves against. That’s what the
Heineken Cup is – playing the best teams and best
players in Europe. At the moment, they don’t get too
much better than the likes of Clermont, Racing Metro
and the Scarlets. It’s a tough pool, but that’s why
we play the competition – to find out where we stand
as a group.”
Is this squad in a good place right now?
“Yeah, I think so. It’s been lovely to have a bit of a
rest this summer, which helped. Conor [O’Shea] was
pretty good and gave us the full six weeks off to
go away and allow the body to recover and all that.
We were fresh for pre-season, so hopefully we can
take that freshness on and not burn out.”
You’ve said previously that you were knackered by
the end of last season. Did a summer off help?
“Yeah, I think so. It’s allowed me to let the knocks and
niggles recover, which you don’t get to do throughout
the season – you’re playing so much that any knock
sticks with you. To have that time off was brilliant for
me physically, and it helped me to switch off, relax
mentally and come back refreshed for this season.”
Does the Lions snub still hurt, or does it motivate
you to push on again this season?
“Neither, really. It’s in the past. It’s time to look
forward. It’s all about Harlequins now, and I want
to take the team back to where we want to be.”
What did you get up to over the summer?
“I had a bit of a break abroad and just relaxed
a lot, but I also opened up a coffee and wine shop
with a friend from school. It’s called Black White
Red down in Winchester – get on down there!”
Nice. How are your barista skills?
“They’re quite good, actually. I did a couple of barista
and wine-tasting courses in the summer, so I know
what I’m doing a bit better now. It’s just a bit of fun
really, but it’s great to have something outside of
rugby that allows me to do something different.”
You’re playing seven for Quins, but Tom Croft’s
injury means England need a six more. Have you
spoken to Stuart Lancaster about positions?
“No, England tends to be a bit of a topic at the
moment, but it isn’t about them too much right now.
Saracens have started the season on fire,
with 13 tries and a maximum 15 points in
their three games to date, as their more
expansive gameplan is coming to fruition.
And with four tries to his name so far, David
Strettle is reaping the benefits – the former
Harlequin is a man the home side needs to
keep an eye on tomorrow.
The hard running of Joel Tomkins is
another threat in the backs, while the
front-three clash – whether departed Quins
man James Johnston starts or not – will be
fascinating. For Harlequins, last week's win
against Worcester showed how dangerous
they are when things 'click', and the likes
of Danny Care and George Lowe look
reinvigorated. It's up front where they look
dangerous, though, with Chris Robshaw's
refreshed body inspiring those around him
to step up to the level they set themselves
two season ago. Quins' tight carrying, quick
offloading and high-tempo game is where
they really thrive; that’s what they will
hope to use to tire and expose Saracens
down the shortside.
Expect to see tries at the Stoop, but
we can't see beyond a tight margin –
with a losing bonus point a certainty.
Familiar faces
“The Lions are in the past. I want to take Quins back to where we want to be”
The November internationals are still five or six
weeks away, and we’ve seen with the injuries to
Brad Barritt [corrective ligament surgery in his foot]
and Manu Tuilagi [torn pectoral] that anything can
happen. I’m just planning to go out there and play
my own game, and get Harlequins off to the best
possible start in the Premiership and in the Heineken
Cup too. When we get to October and November,
we’ll start chatting about England and see where
we are.”
Does it annoy you, though, that after all you’ve
done as England captain, people are questioning
your role again?
“No, it’s what we’re used to. Stuart always said
he’s going to pick players on form and fitness, and
nobody’s safe. He’s been very open with me about
that, and it’s something I just can’t think about right
now. We have a massive few weeks coming up at
Quins, so we’ve got a tough ask before we even
get to November. These are the games you want
to play in, so there’s no point looking beyond
them just yet.”
Mark Coughlan @coffers83
Saturday AvivA PremiershiP: hArlequins v sArAcens | The sTooP | BT sPorT 1 3.15Pm
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38 | September 27 2013 |
To
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Mention Santi Cazorla to those who have
managed and played alongside him, and
their faces almost instantaneously light up.
“I don’t remember anyone else I have worked
with who was as two-footed,” said Arsene
Wenger with a joyous grin after the Arsenal
midfielder put on a sparkling display against
West Ham last season, while German giant Per
Mertesacker describes him simply as “the perfect
footballer”. Meanwhile Manuel Pellegrini, who was
Malaga coach at the time of the Spaniard’s transfer
to the Premier League, called Cazorla’s sale to
Arsenal for £12m in August 2012 an “unthinkable
gift” – though that was almost certainly uttered
through gritted teeth, rather than with a smile.
The man himself is beaming from the minute he
arrives for our interview, despite the presence of
a protective boot weighing down his right foot.
He points to it and grimaces.
“Ankle ligaments,” he says by way of explanation,
before that smile returns. “But boot is coming off
on Monday.”
The 28-year-old has been missing from Arsenal’s
line-up since a 1-0 win at the Emirates against
Tottenham, with Wenger initially predicting he would
be absent until after the next international break
in October. But the man Arsenal fans have labelled
the ‘Little Magician’ has healed quicker than first
hoped and could be back on the pitch – in the right
kind of boots – sooner than first expected.
IMpact playerCazorla has been itching to join new boy Mesut
Ozil on the pitch, having seen the German fill the
creative void left by his absence with apparent ease
since arriving from Real Madrid. “He has so much
quality on the pitch,” says Cazorla, admiringly. “That
is why him coming to Arsenal was so important,
because Ozil is a top player. And I think for the fans
it’s more – I don’t know how to explain – more happy,
no? Because such a good player coming to the club
means it’s possible to win trophies.”
Was he surprised, then, that Ozil was deemed
surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu?
“Yes, a little,” he replies. “It’s difficult to
understand why Madrid let him come to Arsenal.
But for us it’s good.” He chuckles at the thought that
Arsenal have received another ‘gift’ from La Liga,
albeit a considerably more expensive one.
With comparisons already being made between
Ozil and former Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Dennis
Bergkamp, the Emirates is buzzing with discussion
about how the team will play once Cazorla returns
from injury. “I’m lucky because I can play on the left
or on the right or as a second striker,” he says.
“So for me it’s no problem whatever system we
play. I speak with the coach and tell him I can play
wherever you want. My preference is to start
on the left but then [as the game unfolds] go to
the middle.
“Wenger speaks with me before every game and
he’ll say: ‘You play on the left, but only left when we
don’t have the ball. When we have the ball, you can
come in – you are free.’”
Chosen as Arsenal’s player of the season by
the club’s fans after his first year in English football,
Cazorla admits that “in the first season in a new
team, and with a new language, it can be difficult”.
But, he says, his team are a good fit for him.
“Because Arsenal play in the same way as Malaga
and Villarreal,” he explains. “And it suits my game.
Every coach is different, but the philosophy between
Wenger, Pellegrini and Vicente del Bosque [manager
of Spain’s national side] is similar. Pellegrini says
control the ball. Wenger: control the ball. Del Bosque:
control the ball. For me, it’s easier that they all
value the same things.”
Able to control the ball – not to mention deliver
a defence-splitting pass of the highest quality –
effortlessly off both feet, Cazorla says his technical
ability is his best quality on the pitch. He names
Diego Forlan, a former teammate at Villarreal,
as the only other player he has seen who >
Santi Cazorla
| 39
HIs second season In englIsH football MIgHt Have been Interrupted by Injury, but arsenal MIdfIelder santI cazorla Is stIll sMIlIng.
sport fInds out wHy He’s tHe HappIest Man In nortH london
MagIc Man
40 | September 27 2013 |
Santi CazorlaA
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possesses the same talent. It’s hardly surprising,
then, that before Arsenal came calling, Real Madrid
did. Twice. “Yes, there was an opportunity,” he says.
“But in football, every day the negotiation changes.
And in the end there was no possibility to go to
Madrid. But it’s no problem for me now.”
Having played alongside former Arsenal favourites
Robert Pires (at Villarreal) and Cesc Fabregas
(for Spain), Cazorla could consult with two star
names who had first-hand experience of life in the
Premier League before he made the decision to up
sticks to England.
“I spoke with them both when Arsenal came to
me, and their opinions were very important,” he
explains. “Fabregas spoke with me and told me it’s
a top club with a great history and maybe you can
win trophies there. That was a big change for my
career, because at Villarreal and Malaga it’s very
difficult to win trophies.
“I had always watched Arsenal, though, because
I loved the Premier League. It’s good football, good
stadiums, atmosphere... I remember Bergkamp and
Thierry Henry especially, because they were top
players in a good team. Why Bergkamp? He had so
much technical quality – I loved watching him play.”
Indeed, it’s the Dutchman’s name that comes up
again when we ask Cazorla how he feels about his
Little Magician moniker.
“Mag...what?” he asks, baffled by a word he’s
clearly not heard much during his first year
in England. “Ah, El Mago!” When the Spanish
translation is offered, he laughs it off modestly:
“It’s difficult, no? For me, other players are –
like Bergkamp then, and now Ozil. But I don’t see
myself as El Mago.”
LittLe by LittLeThe prefix is indisputable. At 5ft 6ins, Cazorla is
one of the smallest players in the Premier League.
“When I was younger, my size was a problem
because the teams were all full of strong players,”
he recalls. “Now it has changed: Messi, Iniesta, me.
It’s easier now. But when I started playing football,
it was hard because the players were all big and
strong. Luckily, every year it has changed a bit –
and now it’s more about technical skill rather
than physicality.”
According to Luis Sánchez – one of Cazorla’s
coaches at his first club, Oviedo – his size never was
and never will be an issue. “Santi stood out
immediately, not least because he was tiny,” he told
The Guardian’s Sid Lowe last year.
“But I never feared that size was going to be a
problem. He could already kick a ball wonderfully with
both feet, and technically he was miles better than
everyone else: he was prodigious. He could go past
you on either side, and he was the top scorer by
miles. He was dynamic, different. His talent is innate.
And besides, he got stronger: he looks little now,
but he is tough.”
Anyone who starts 37 of 38 Premier League
games in their first season certainly is that. But the
silverware promised by Fabregas and Pires didn’t
follow, and Wenger came under intense pressure
as, one by one, trophy-winning opportunities
slipped away.
“I was surprised,” says Cazorla of the questions
that were raised over Wenger’s future at the club.
“Because he has been at Arsenal for 17 years, no?
It’s a long time, and for me he’s a top, top coach –
I think the best coach in Arsenal’s history. He’s so
important in my career too, because he’s helping me
to become a better player every day.”
ConsistenCy is keyCan Cazorla put his finger on why Arsenal endured
another barren season last time round, though?
“I think the main problem is that last year we had
a good team, but we did not get regular results,”
he says. “For simple [sic], I remember one game
at home against Fulham when we were 2-0 up, then
it was 2-2; 2-3; 3-3. This year it’s important we
don’t have results like this – we need to win
every game to become champions of the Premier
League. That’s what it takes to become
champions: consistency.”
In explaining the principal reason behind that
requirement, he pinpoints the main difference
between the top flight of English football and its
Spanish equivalent. “In Spain now, it’s more tactical,
I think – more boring,” he says. “For me, Barcelona
and Madrid are so far ahead from the rest. But in
England it’s more level, more competitive. For me,
it’s better.
“It is possible, for example, that Manchester City
play against Cardiff and lose. In Spain, it’s normal
that Real Madrid play against Real Mallorca and win,
win, win – it’s very difficult for other teams. So the
Premier League is more fun, I think. But I still watch
Spanish football – I always will, because Villarreal and
Malaga are teams that I love.”
For now, Cazorla is enjoying life in north London,
where he lives with his wife and two young children.
“One boy and one girl – the girl is just five months old,
but my son is crazy for football,” he says. “All the time
it’s: ‘Daddy, football! Daddy, football!’”
His team is ticking along nicely too, sat as they are
at the top of the league. Last weekend’s victory
against Stoke was their seventh win in a row –
the club’s longest winning run since 2007.
If consistency is, as Cazorla says, the key, then the
Gunners are on course for some silverware at last.
They just need El Mago back in the team to provide
the magic to make it happen.
Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag
Santi Cazorla wears PUMA evoSPEED boots,
see www.pumafootballclub.com
CazorLa's magiC first season
49 appearances
started 37 of 38
premier League games
scored 12 goaLs
Laid on 14 assists
Won 55.7 per cent of
votes to be arsenaL’s
pLayer of the season
“footbaLL is easier now. it’s more about teChniCaL skiLL rather than physiCaLity”
Ad
am
Be
ttc
he
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ett
y Im
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7 DaysSEP 27-OCT 3
HIGHLIGHTS
» Football: Premier League » p44
» Football: Champions League » p46
» Artistic Gymnastics: 2013 World Championships » p48
» Rugby League: Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos » p50
» Golf: Presidents Cup » p50OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD
SUNDAY NFL | MINNeSOTA VIKINGS v PITTSBURGH STeeLeRS | WeMBLeY STADIUM | SKY SPORTS 2 5.30PM
42 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
In the first of two NFL fixtures coming to Wembley
Stadium this year, the Minnesota Vikings take on the
Pittsburgh Steelers. For both teams, escaping their
regular environments may be beneficial – both have
0-3 records so far this season, and sit bottom of their
respective divisions (AFC North and NFC North).
The Vikings are the designated 'home team', and
come to London on the back of a dismal 31-27 loss to
the Cleveland Browns, who even started third-choice
quarterback Brian Hoyer. The Vikings were poor on
both offense and defense, and their special teams
allowed a touchdown from a fake field goal.
Quarterback Christian Ponder was sacked six times
and booed throughout the tie, as the Vikings' passing
game failed and their offensive line couldn't create the
room for star running back Adrian Peterson to exploit.
The Steelers lost 40-23 to the Chicago Bears last
week, but they at least showed resolve in battling
back from a 21-point deficit to bring themselves to
within four points in the fourth quarter, before the
Bears scored two touchdowns. If they lose at Wembley,
it will be their worst start to a season since 1968.
When NFL bigwigs chose this fixture to be played
in London, they wouldn't have expected two winless
teams to run out. It should make for a fascinating clash,
though – neither side can afford to return home 0-4.
Loss leaders
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44 | September 27 2013 |
7 Days
A master/pupil relationship gone wrong at White
Hart Lane in the early Saturday kick-off, as smirking
Machiavelli Jose Mourinho brings his fourth-placed
Chelsea to face wronged former protege Andre Villas-
Boas and his Tottenham team. Keep an eye out for the
former walking across the pitch, laughing and holding
Willian’s hand, while grinning provocatively at the latter.
Chelsea’s signing of the Brazilian wasn’t motivated
solely in order to spite Villas-Boas, but the Spurs boss was
livid at how he was snatched away to west London at the
last minute. It adds an extra frisson of tension to this
already intriguing capital clash. The approaches of the
pragmatic Mourinho and the more expansive Villas-Boas
may differ, but both have shared similar league starts:
generally, decent results have masked deficiencies.
Spurs are predictably taking time to integrate many
new attackers – a particular frustration being the lack of
service to Roberto Soldado, clearly an adept finisher.
Chelsea have not yet adapted to Mourinho’s plans, as he
himself admits. Whisper it quietly but, at this very early
stage, they also appear a less exciting team than the one
Rafa Benitez built around Juan Mata and David Luiz (both
of whom appear persona non grata around Mourinho).
Both clubs have controlled games well, though, and
whoever wins that midfield battle may take the honours.
Expect this one to be tighter than Neil Ruddock’s Speedos.
Aston Villa are a dangerous
counter-attacking team whose
league results illustrate perfectly
how they set up better away from
home (six points from a possible
nine) than at home (none from six).
There are also doubts over the fitness
of their biggest weapon, Christian
Benteke. All welcome news to a City
side full of attacking options and
with Vincent Kompany (pictured)
showing his most imperious form
against Man Utd last weekend.
saturDaY Aston VillA v MAnchester city
VillA PArk | 3PM
A match to have fans masticating
their pre-match pies with hungry
delight, as arguably the league’s two
easiest-on-the-eye teams clash.
Swansea have avoided a second
season drop-off and look as lethal as
they did last year, yet with a deeper
squad. For Arsenal, all eyes are on
Mesut Ozil and his slick adaptation
to English football – but key to them
winning this tricky tie lies in Aaron
Ramsey (pictured). Is there a player
in the league in better form?
saturDaY swAnseA city v ArsenAl | liberty stAdiuM
sky sPorts 1 5.30PM
Suave Portuguese men square up to one another in north London, as Totteham attempt to assert control over their traditional bogey team: Chelsea
Premier League
saturDaY tottenhAM v chelseA | white hArt lAne | bt sPort 1 12.45PM
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
saturdaY hull v west ham | the KC stadium | 3Pm
| 45
To the neutral, booing the likeable
Martin Jol seems cruel – but look at
things through the eyes of Fulham
fans, who’ve watched their side coast
along in neutral for too long. That
promising first half against Chelsea
doesn’t hide the fact Fulham look
less than the sum of their creative
parts right now. Cardiff, obdurate
and with keeper David Marshall
(pictured) in superb form, won’t be
easy marks, but this is the kind of
fixture Jol knows requires a win.
saturdaY manChester united v west brom
old trafford | 3Pm
Mark Hughes started this season
with one muscular arm tied behind
his back: tasked with evolving
Stoke’s style, yet not being given a
lot in the way of new recruits. He’s
made a fine fist of it, Stoke looking a
fresher, more free-flowing side than
last season. Norwich boss Chris
Hughton is a man under pressure,
however. A fit-again Gary Hooper
(pictured) aids attacking options,
but Hughton’s conservative tactics
are not impressing Norwich fans.
sundaY stoKe v norwiCh | britannia stadium
sKy sPorts 1 1.30Pm
Unemployed psychopath Paolo Di
Canio may not be feeling too bad
about life if he eyes Sunderland’s
upcoming fixtures. Liverpool,
Manchester United and Swansea
away make up their next three – and
caretaker gaffer Kevin Ball’s tough
challenge is to get the Black Cats
scoring without the injured Stephen
Fletcher. If Brendan Rodgers
continues his curious, all-centre-
back defensive experiment, it may
help Ball (pictured) out.
sundaY sunderland v liverPool
stadium of light | sKy sPorts 1 4Pm
After that wretchedly timid opener
against Chelsea, Hull have settled
well this season. Tom Huddlestone
and Jake Livermore have helped
them control midfield battles, while
Sone Aluko offers a touch of magic.
West Ham are light on quality strikers
– witness Modibo Maïga’s anaemic
display against Everton. They at
least showed attacking verve in that
match: the form of Ravel Morrison
(pictured) has some whispering he
may yet fulfil his gargantuan talent.
Their midfield was taken apart last
weekend, but Manchester United at
least know that there’s no big, scary
Yaya Toure-types in the West Brom
team. Rather, the Baggies’ midfield
star from last season Claudio Yacob
has – like his team – started this term
sluggishly. Stephane Sessegnon
(pictured) has the quality to open
up defences, but the smarting
champions should have too much
for WBA. Assuming their midfield
actually passes to their forwards.
P W D L F A Pts
Premier League tabLe
He’s played just two
Premier League games, but
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil already
leads the league’s assist
table outright on three3
Arsenal 5 4 0 1 11 6 12
Tottenham 5 4 0 1 5 1 12
Man City 5 3 1 1 12 4 10
Chelsea 5 3 1 1 6 2 10
Liverpool 5 3 1 1 5 3 10
Everton 5 2 3 0 6 4 9
Southampton 5 2 2 1 3 2 8
Man Utd 5 2 1 2 7 6 7
Swansea 5 2 1 2 7 7 7
Stoke 5 2 1 2 4 5 7
Hull 5 2 1 2 5 7 7
Newcastle 5 2 1 2 5 8 7
Aston Villa 5 2 0 3 6 6 6
West Brom 5 1 2 2 4 4 5
West Ham 5 1 2 2 4 4 5
Cardiff City 5 1 2 2 4 6 5
Norwich 5 1 1 3 3 6 4
Fulham 5 1 1 3 3 7 4
Crystal Palace 5 1 0 4 4 8 3
Sunderland 5 0 1 4 3 11 1
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saturdaY fulham v Cardiff City | Craven Cottage | 3Pm
The sight of Steve Bruce shaking
his moneymaker on the touchline
last week as Newcastle lost to Hull
left Geordies queasy, and a visit to
Goodison for some sticky Toffees
may not settle the stomach. Everton
have Ross Barkley and Leighton
Baines in rich form, but the debut of
Romelu Lukaku (pictured) was the
real highlight of last week’s win
against West Ham. Newcastle’s
shaky defence could be ripe for
a bullying from the Belgian.
mondaY everton v newCastle | goodison ParK
sKy sPorts 1 8Pm
saturdaY southamPton v Crystal PalaCe
st mary’s stadium | 3Pm
“I can’t see a positive thing.
We were awful,” was Ian Holloway’s
commendably honest assessment
after Crystal Palace’s loss to
Swansea. His team are struggling to
find a cohesive system with many
new signings in midfield and attack,
while Southampton – despite flying
high in seventh – have scored just
three league goals. Daniel Osvaldo
(pictured) and Rickie Lambert are
yet to gel, but the Eagles might give
them time and space to do just that.
46 | September 27 2013 |
7 Days Champions League
If, as Arsene Wenger claims, 10 points will be
sufficient to see Arsenal through one of the toughest
groups in this year’s Champions League, then the
battling 2-1 victory in Marseille a fortnight ago was
a huge step in the right direction.
However, Rafa Benitez’s Napoli side will offer
a much sterner challenge. Under the Spaniard’s
control, I Ciucciarelli (or the Little Donkeys, if you will)
rediscovered some of the attacking verve with which
they wowed Europe under Walter Mazzarri two years
ago. Dortmund, last year’s beaten finalists, couldn’t
cope with the directness of the Italians’ attacking play
in the first group game, with young forward Lorenzo
Insigne a constant threat – his superb free-kick made
him the first Neapolitan to score in the Champions
League for his hometown club.
The midfield trio of Gokhan Inler, Marek Hamsik
and Valon Behrami bossed the game, although
admittedly they were helped by the Germans being
a man and a manager down, Jurgen Klopp having
been sent off after raging at the fourth official.
Arsenal’s biggest concern, though, might be the
man they tried to sign in the summer. Gonzalo Higuain
has enjoyed a fine start to his career in Naples, netting
four in five appearances, including a header against
Dortmund. Marseille’s Andre-Pierre Gignac found
space in the Gunners’ penalty area on several
occasions in their last European outing, and Higuain
will be less forgiving than the big Frenchman.
There will be chances for Arsenal, although they
will need to be wary of Napoli’s ability on the break.
Dortmund threatened despite their numerical
disadvantage (with nine shots on goal, the same as
Napoli), and the Italians gave away several free-kicks
in dangerous areas. Another opportunity, perhaps,
for Mesut Ozil to show off his set-piece skills?
The two sides met in the pre-season Emirates Cup,
where they fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw. With
both teams better going forward than they are at
the back, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar
scoreline on Tuesday night.
Danger man
Having helped his country to the final of the U21
Euros in Israel and bagged one against Arsenal
in that Emirates Cup tie over the
summer, Lorenzo Insigne has been
likened by the Neapolitan press to
Gianfranco Zola. The diminutive
attacker is a clever passer, and
will surely run at a Gunners
defence that has given
away three penalties already
this season.
Stubborn test for Gunners
All
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TUESDAY Group F: ArsenAl v nApoli | emirAtes stAdium | itV 7.45pm
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
WEDNESDAY Group D: Manchester city v Bayern Munich
etihaD staDiuM | sky sports 2 7.45pM
| 47
If Chelsea can’t finish the chances they are going to
create against opponents like Basel in Group E, this
will be a short campaign. Jose Mourinho’s failure to
buy a genuine goalscorer could come back to haunt
him, with Samuel Eto’o the latest recruit to appear
a shadow of his former self up top. There remains
talent in abundance in the Blues’ midfield, however,
with Oscar the man most likely to provide a
matchwinning contribution having notched three
goals already this season.
Steaua, on the other hand, were unbeaten prior
to their 3-0 defeat to Schalke, and will take heart
from Basel’s win at Stamford Bridge. Federico
Piovaccari has started well in his debut season for
the Romanians on loan from Sampdoria, with five in
his first 10 games.
Man City and Bayern Munich both came away from
their opening encounters with 3-0 wins, against
Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow respectively. Now
it’s business time in Group D. These sides traded 2-0
home wins in the group stage two seasons ago, but
Bayern have conceded just twice all season in the
Bundesliga, and the defending champions are a much
stronger proposition now.
That said, City look something like an irresistible
force again, after their neighbourly demolition last
Sunday. They will be wary of Bayern’s Croatian striker
Mario Mandzukic, who has bagged four in seven so far
and scored against City in pre-season. If DJ Campbell
can nab two against the Citizens, imagine what an
in-form Mandzukic can do. And then there’s Arjen
Robben. And Thomas Muller. And Mario Gotze…
TUESDAY Group e: steaua Bucharest v chelsea | arena nationala
sky sports 4 7.45pM
That England struggled to break down Ukraine in
their bore-draw in Kiev earlier this month was
(hopefully) down to them missing their one truly
world-class forward. That Wayne Rooney is back –
looking strangely reminiscent of one of Joe Pesci’s
most famous roles – and on form for Manchester
United meant David Moyes’ team brushed aside
Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 at Old Trafford two weeks ago.
“Wayne was in great shape just before he
damaged his hamstring in Thailand,” said Moyes in
a press conference last week, when asked about
Rooney’s recent form and the injury that forced him
to leave his club’s pre-season tour early. “I told you
that, but I don’t know if you all believed me.”
Belief is something United could do with more of
after their derby routing, but it’s not a problem for
Shakhtar, with Alex Teixeira also two goals to the
good in Europe after his team’s 2-0 victory at Real
Sociedad. In a squad full of Brazilian talent, striker
Luiz Adriano, playmaker Fred and former Arsenal
(and now Croatian) man Eduardo the dangermen.
This will be the first time these sides have met,
despite United’s ever-presence at Europe’s top
table. Should Rooney continue his current form, his
side will be favourites – and the star of the show will
certainly not be travelling home alone this time.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: BEST OF THE REST
WEDNESDAY Group a: shakhtar Donetsk v Manchester uniteD
DonBass arena | sky sports 4 7.45pM
If you’re left underwhelmed by the
challenges facing English clubs, we
suggest you reread the Arsenal v
Napoli preview. There are, however,
a few other games that might pique
your interest. In Group H on Tuesday,
Celtic will try to repeat their heroics
of last season against Barcelona,
who at the time of writing had
netted 18 goals in five games.
In Group G, Porto v Atletico
Madrid stands out, with both sides
having rebuilt after losing key
players over the summer. Both
also have proven goalscorers, with
David Villa at Atletico and the
in-form Jackson Martinez (five
goals in six games) at Porto.
Thirsty for more
Down to business
Oscar winner?
48 | September 27 2013 |
7 Days
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
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THURSDAY > TENNIS | RakuTEN JaPaN OPEN | aRIakE TENNIS FOREST PaRk, TOkYO | SkY SPORTS 2 7aM
New world orderIt’s the first World Championships of a new
Olympic cycle and the British gymnastics
team is missing two of its biggest names,
with Louis Smith and Beth Tweddle both
moving on to other things – reality TV
shows, mostly. But they leave behind a
promising group with the potential to
match, if not better, their success.
The GB men’s squad features four of the
bronze-winning team from London 2012,
the star of which is now 20-year-old Max
Whitlock (pictured). Having added an
individual bronze medal on the pommel
horse to his team medal at the Olympics,
he has continued his good form in 2013; he
won the English and British all-around titles
this year, as well as capturing three medals
at the European Championships in April.
Whitlock is joined by 2012 teammates
Sam Oldham, Kristian Thomas and Dan
Purvis in Antwerp, with Ashley Watson and
European pommel horse champion Daniel
Keatings completing the six-man squad.
For the GB women’s team, 17-year-old
Ruby Harrold is the leading name, having
reached the all-around, bars and beam final
at the 2013 Europeans. She’s joined by
London 2012 gymnasts Rebecca Tunney
and Hannah Whelan, as well as Beijing
Olympian Rebecca Downie.
The championships begin on Monday,
but live coverage starts on the BBC Sport
Website on Thursday, with the men’s
all-around. It continues with the women’s
all-round on Friday (BBC Three, 7pm);
men’s floor, pommel and rings, and
women’s vault and uneven bars on Saturday
(BBC online from 1.30pm); and the rest of
the apparatus finals on Sunday (BBC Two,
1.30pm). Probably skip Strictly this week.
MOnDAY > GYMNaSTICS | 2013 aRTISTIC GYMNaSTICS WORLD CHaMPIONSHIPS | aNTWERP SPORT PaLaCE, aNTWERP, BELGIuM | BBC SPORT WEBSITE FROM THuRSDaY 7PM aND BBC CHaNNELS
Back trouble and little TokyoWith Andy Murray’s announcement that
minor back surgery is likely to bring a
premature end to his 2013 season, his spot
in November’s ATP World Tour Finals is up
for grabs. And at next week’s Japan Open,
there will be more than one man with his
eyes on the Emirates ATP Race to London.
A winner of both the singles and doubles
titles in Tokyo in 2011 (the latter alongside
his brother, Jamie), Murray failed to defend
his title last year, losing to Canada’s Milos
Raonic in the semi finals. It was Kei Nishikori
who triumphed in the final, however,
becoming the second Japanese man in the
41-year history of the event to lift the
trophy, after Toshiro Sakai in 1972.
The reigning champion (pictured) will
receive a hero’s welcome from his home
crowd, but a first-round exit at the hands of
Britain’s Dan Evans at the US Open suggests
his form is not where it was a year ago.
Nishikori is the world number 12, but 19th
in the Race to London rankings, making
Raonic (11th) a more likely contender.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – one place above
Raonic – is also back in action in Tokyo,
after recovering from the knee injury that
ruled him out of the US Open.
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march 201421 hammersmith apollo london22 hammersmith apollo london 25 clyde auditorium glasgow26 apollo o2 manchesterbuy online at ticketmaster.co.uk | livenation.co.uka live nation presentation in association with wme
on sale Friday 27th september at 9am
l i v e o n s t a g e
Neither should anyone’s son.
Or Grandad. No cousins or nephews.
Not the boys from the rugby club or
the lads from the pub. No boyfriends
or husbands or father-in-laws. Not the
chap from the chip shop or the noisy
lads at the back of the bus. Not your
best mate. Not a single stranger.
No one whatsoever.
No one should face cancer alone.
With your support, no one will.
Text DAD to 70550
and donate £5 today.
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50 | September 27 2013 |
7 Days
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
All the
Presidents menThe fact that the Presidents Cup does not have an
apostrophe (and therefore nor does our headline) should
not detract from it as a spectacle. This little brother to the
Ryder Cup – between the USA and Rest of the World
(excluding Europe) – might have been one-sided over the
years, but it still provides a welcome distraction from the
monotony of 72-hole strokeplay tournaments every week.
Since its inception in 1994, the US have won eight of the
nine matches (the exception being a remarkable thrashing
in 1998). On paper, that looks set to continue – American
skipper Fred Couples has a great team and was able to
eschew Dustin Johnson and Jim ‘59’ Furyk as he selected
Jordan Spieth (pictured) and Webb Simpson as his
wildcards. His opposite number Nick Price does not have such
strength in depth; he turned to Marc Leishman and Brendon
de Jonge, which gives you an idea of his team’s chances.
Still, ROW can look to Europe’s Ryder Cup performances
over the past 30 years to see that the game isn’t won on
paper. Muirfield Village was the scene of Europe’s great
triumph in 1987 (the 18th green has just recovered from Jose
Maria Olazabal’s flamenco) – can history repeat itself?
FRIday Rugby League | supeR League QuaLifying semi finaL: Wigan WaRRiORs v LeeDs RHinOs | DW sTaDium | sky spORTs 2 8pm ThuRsday > gOLf | pResiDenTs Cup | muiRfieLD ViLLage, OHiO | sky spORTs 1 4.30pm
Underdog with biteConventional wisdom would give
Wigan Warriors a massive advantage
going into Friday evening’s qualifying
semi final at the DW Stadium. Not only
will they be on home turf, but they also
had their feet up while Leeds were
locked in a bruising 11-10 encounter
with St Helens last weekend.
Some argue that teams can lose their
competitive edge, however, and that
playing every week often gives sides
an extra sharpness and competitive
edge. Look no further than the Rhinos
for proof of that particular theory:
they’ve won the title from fifth place in
the past two seasons, without the
luxury of having a week off. And they
can point to a 20-6 victory at Wigan
just three weeks ago in the final round
of the regular Super League season.
The Rhinos also beat them 18-14 at
Headingley earlier in the season, but
lost 20-16 to the Warriors at the Magic
Weekend. And the Rhinos have major
doubts over injured forwards Jamie
Jones-Buchanan and Brett Delaney.
Both sides have matchwinners, with
Wigan boasting the prolific try scorer
Josh Charnley (pictured) and Leeds
able to counter with the electric pace
of Rob Burrow. It could all come down
to the kicking, however: Matty Smith’s
boot saw him named man of the match
for Wigan in the recent Challenge Cup
final, while Leeds will be heavily reliant
on the evergreen Kevin Sinfield.
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Extra timEMaking the most of your time and money
P60
Danai Gurira
slices and dices
as michonne
in The Walking
Dead Season 3
Brush up
Grooming
Oral-B Limited Edition 5000“You no longer need to compromise on style or performance in
your wash bag,” says Oral-B of its new ‘super brush’. Which is
something of a relief for those of us who compromise heavily
on both in every other aspect of our grooming regime/lives.
For style, witness the sleek black handle and electric blue
lighting. For performance, see six cleaning modes – including
the new ‘tongue cleaning mode’, ‘polish’ for a longer clean and
‘sensitive’, which provides slower pulsations.
Slower than what? A total of 40,000 pulsations and 8,800
oscillations per minute (unless you switch down), which Oral-B
claims will move up to 100 per cent more plaque than a manual
brush. It also features a SmartGuide that uses microchips
embedded in the head and handle to monitor brushing activity,
providing real-time guidance via the wireless digital display.
Much like having your mother stand over you as a grown man
to make sure you brush properly. We’d imagine.
£199.99 | boots.com from October
52 | September 27 2013 |
iPad edition on Newsstand now
ET
54 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
chEck yoursElfAll of your friends have adorned themselves in check at some point in the past couple of years. Stop fighting it and get yourself on board
kit
o’Neill craftsman
Thought O’Neill only
did surf clothes? Think
again. This slimfit cotton
number is proof to the
contrary, and the neutral
colours mean it goes
with pretty much
anything. Result.
£50 | 01243 673 666
Alpinestars level
Long loved by petrol
heads, Alpinestars
keep on branching out,
and this flannel shirt is
another hit. Also, black
is a slimming colour, so
this is perfect for those
with a ‘fuller figure’.
£50 | surfdome.com
Animal sandbach
Coming in sage green
and with a soft fabric
finish (details you leave
out when your mates
ask), this cotton number
has popper fastenings,
twin pockets and a
mid-fit feel. We likey.
£45 | animal.co.uk
rohan sentinel
The warm clothing types
combine their fleecey
tech with the looks of an
everyday smart shirt to
produce this rugged
beauty. Not a fan of the
blue? Fear not: it comes
in four other colours.
£65 | rohan.co.uk
firetrap Ben
Long before they were
‘in’, check shirts were for
lumberjacks – and looked
like this. Well, this cotton
number is now definitely
‘in’, and lumberjacks
are now all called ‘tree
surgeons’. It’s cray cray.
£85 | firetrap.com
fineside Thompson shirt
Do not adjust your pages. Jonathan
Peter Wilkinson OBE has made the
fashion section. That’s because
Wilko has his own clothing brand.
And this smart cotton shirt, with
integral headphone loop in the
collar, is one of his ace new releases.
Buy it: the man won you a World
Cup, for Christ’s sake.
£85 | fineside.com
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Breakfast available until 11am Monday-Friday. Most stores open Monday-Friday from 7am. Weekend opening times may vary. See in-store for details. †Beechwood Naturally Smoked Back Bacon with added smoke � avour. £2 Breakfast deal valid on Bacon, Sausage or Egg & Cheese 6-inch Subs or � atbread and either a regular size coffee, cappuccino, latte, tea, bottle of Tropicana Juice, regular 16oz carbonated dispensed drink or 500ml bottle of water. Terms and conditions apply. Not valid for double meat, extra cheese, bacon or any other extras. Prices and participation may vary. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts. ©2013 Doctor’s Associates Inc. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.
56 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Sennheiser Momentum
A more mature and classy take
on the on-ear headphone than is
offered by various music artists,
the Momentums come
in a range of colours and the
earpads are finished with
Alcantara – a tough, water-
resistant fabric. Which is odd,
because we were sure he
played for Spain.
£170 | HMV stores
Panasonic Technics
Professional DJ Headphones
Beloved by disc-spinners
from Ibiza to Oceana, these
headphones have powerful
sound, gold-plated connectors
– and they’re hinged so you can
do that thing that DJs do where
they hold it to just one ear. Just
please don’t do it on the bus –
you don’t want to be ‘that guy’.
£230 | argos.co.uk
Parrot Zik by Philippe Starck
We’re generally totally overawed by minor
advances in trivial technology, so there was
one particular feature of these sleek and
sophisticated Bluetooth headphones that had
us gushing. They have a motion sensor built
in, so if your listening is interrupted and you
pull them down to sit around your neck,
they’ll detect this and automatically pause
your music. Literally hours of fun.
£250 | amazon.co.uk
winTer (ear) warMerS
eT Gadgets As the cold starts to bite, heat up your extremities with the
power of music – and our pick of the best on-ear headphones
Turtle Beach ear Force XO
FOUr Gaming Headphones
The ‘Ear Force’ sounds like a
shady government censorship
agency from an awful dystopian
future. These headphones are
the official audio companion
for the upcoming Xbox One.
So, fittingly, you can use them
when you’re playing that game
set in a horrific dystopian future.
£99 | Coming soon
Velodyne vQuiet
These active noise-cancelling
headphones from sub-woofer
makers Velodyne have been
designed to reduce background
noise by up to 90 per cent. We’re
going to put them on while
watching the football in the
hope they’ll make Niall Quinn 90
per cent less annoying. Still
pretty irritating.
£188 | UK release date TBA
Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear
we are entertainment
@hmvtweets/hmv
SSSSee nn nn hh ee ii ss ee rr
£169.99*
*Subject to availability, while stocks last. Not all colours may be available in all stores.
MOMENTUM ON-EAR
EASILY CONTROLS YOUR
MUSIC AND CALLS
Available in 7 colours
CHECK OUT
PROJECT NOISE
WITH
ON
SENNHEISERUK
58 | September 27 2013 |
Extra time
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60 | September 27 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Blue Jasmine
Woody Allen’s late-career
resurgence continues with this
bittersweet drama starring Cate
Blanchett as Jasmine, a socialite
forced to turn to her sister for
help after her wealthy husband
(Alec Baldwin in suave form) is
exposed as a crook. Told part
in flashback, part with Jasmine
adjusting to her new life, it looks
set for some big Oscar nods.
Out today
One Summer: America 1927
Bill Bryson
Al Capone, Babe Ruth, Charles
Lindbergh and a president who
worked all of four hours a day
(and slept much of the rest of
the time) take centre stage in
this rip-roaring adventure from
the US travel writer. Focusing on
five eventful months in American
history, Bryson weaves in varying
stories with his typical wry wit.
Out now
PrisonersHugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal are
the handsome faces of this grisly but
riveting thriller about child abduction.
Jackman plays Keller, the father of
a six-year-old girl who goes missing
along with a friend. The only lead that
Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) and the
police have is a motorhome driven
by Alex Jones (Paul Dano), who they
arrest but release because of a lack of
evidence. An increasingly desperate
Keller takes a long look at Jones and
sees – yup – a social outcast with greasy
hair, thick glasses and a creepy voice,
and his mind is made up. He abducts
Jones and does everything he can
to make him talk, while the police do
their best by more legitimate means.
Part whodunnit and part bleak moral
quandary, Prisoners isn’t shy with either
the twists or the red herrings. However,
it’s the performances of the leads that
elevates it above potboiler status and
will hold you captive in your cinema seat.
Out today
The Making
of Return of
the Jedi
Gold bikinis,
giant sand
maws, Jabba
the Hutt and
Luke Skywalker transformed
from snivelling teen into badass
Jedi – the last of the original
Star Wars trilogy is sometimes
unfairly maligned. This latest,
weighty Making of... hardback
takes a peek behind the scenes
at its filming, and is packed with
photos and insight from the likes
of Harrison Ford, George Lucas
and director Richard Marquand.
The real treat, however, is the
film’s dazzling concept art,
showing off different versions
of the aforementioned Mr Hutt,
a Rancor and the Emperor in an
underground lava lair. The Force
is certainly strong with this one.
Out Tuesday
The Walking Dead
Season Three
After a slow second season, this
post-apocalypse zombie thriller
hit its stride again in its third run
by upping the action quotient.
Sheriff Rick and redneck antihero
Daryl Dixon (pictured) lead their
band of survivors to a fortified
town, but with a shady governor
in charge, the undead often seem
less of a problem than the living.
Out Monday
Days Are Gone Haim
Heavily hyped, sister-led indie
band release their debut and the
appeal is instant: impassioned
vocals, bluesy guitars and more
big hooks than a wounded pirate
convention. The Fleetwood Mac
comparisons certainly seem apt
– in a good way, but also because
they can sound curiously dated
at times. Still, the anthemic tunes
will ensure it rightly sells heaps.
Out Monday
Film Book
Film Book Blu-ray Music
STAR TuRnS
ET Entertainment Big-name casts excel in a pair of Hollywood dramas, while
a new Star Wars book helps you get inside the Sarlacc pit
AP
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