Japan Open: Andy Murray beats Ivo Karlovic to progress to second round

Tokyo: Defending champion Andy Murray blew out the cobwebs with a 7-6 6-4 win over towering Croat Ivo Karlovic on Tuesday in his first match since winning last month's US Open.
The Olympic gold medallist had been scheduled to face Gael Monfils in the first round of the $1.28 million hardcourt event but the Frenchman pulled out with a knee injury.
Japan's Kei Nishikori survived a fright against countryman Go Soeda, the eighth seed squeaking through 4-6 6-2 6-3 to the relief of Tokyo organisers in two hours, 29 minutes.


Murray got a workout from 2.08 metres Karlovic and was forced into a tiebreak in the first set which the Scot took 9-7 with a superb running forehand pass down the line.
A quick change of wardrobe and Murray, now in all black, waited for his moment in the second as Karlovic slammed down 18 aces, converting his third match point with a vicious backhand to the Croatian's body after one hour, 38 minutes.
Nishikori, who reached his first semi-final of the year in Kuala Lumpur last week, next plays Spaniard Tommy Robredo, a 6-2 6-4 winner over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.
Big serving Milos Raonic hit 10 aces in a 6-4 6-4 victory over Czech Radek Stepanek, sending the Canadian through to face Serbia's Viktor Troicki.

Messi does not deserve to win FIFA Ballon d'Or, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Paris: Lionel Messi does not deserve to win the next FIFA Ballon d'Or as he has only won one minor trophy this year, his former Barcelona team mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Tuesday.
"Messi had a fantastic season but he has not won that much and he has already won the Ballon d'Or three times," Paris St Germain forward Ibrahimovic, who played with Messi in the 2009/10 season, told Eurosport on Tuesday.
"It depends whether you reward an individual or a collective work.

"Xavi is still playing at a high level, Iniesta also had a great season, they won the Euro while Messi has not won anything, just the King's Cup. Messi has won the Ballon d'Or three times, it's now someone else's turn to win it."
The Ballon d'Or, which was merged with the World Player of the Year award in 2010, will be awarded on January 7, 2013.

Fifa anti-corruption probes facing resistance, says Mark Pieth

The man given the job by Fifa of investigating corruption within world football's governing body says he is "facing some resistance".

Mark Pieth, chairman of Fifa's Independent Governance Committee (IGC), told BBC Sport: "We've introduced this new, independent judicial system but I think they need to look at the past.

Continue reading the main story

“There are some, usually older people, who don't agree with what is happening”

Mark Pieth Anti-corruption chief

"They have skeletons in the cupboard, that's true."

Fifa has faced a series of corruption claims in recent years.
The IGC was set up in 2011 to look at corruption in football, producing a report in March 2012 that claimed past allegations of corruption within football's governing body had been "insufficiently investigated".
Fifa president Sepp Blatter responded to that report by introducing a new two-chamber ethics committee, but Pieth believes more needs to be done, despite the resistance encountered.
"There are some, usually older people, who don't agree with what is happening," revealed the 59-year-old Swiss professor.
He also warned football is in danger of becoming like boxing with multiple governing bodies "where you have four world champions in the end".

Tiger Woods & Justin Rose share PGA Tour Championship lead

PGA Tour Championship, round one leaderboard

• -4: J Rose (Eng), T Woods (US)
• -3: S Piercy (US), B Van Pelt (US), S Stricker (US), M Kuchar (US)
• -2: H Mahan (US), B Snedeker (US), Z Johnson (US), R Garrigus (US), A Scott (Aus)
• -1: R McIlroy (NI), S Garcia (Spa), R Moore (US), J Furyk (US), B Watson (US), D Johnson (US), P Mickelson (US)
• Selected others: +1 L Donald (Eng); +2 L Westwood (Eng) E Els (SA);

Tiger Woods and Justin Rose share the lead on four under after round one of the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Englishman Rose sank a 50-foot birdie putt on the last to set the clubhouse lead, while Woods, playing in the final group, had six birdies in his 66.
Four Americans are one shot back while Northern Ireland's world number one Rory McIlroy, who has won three of his last four events, hit a one-under 69.
Lee Westwood had eight bogeys in his round, but escaped with a two-over 72.

How the FedEx Cup works

• Players pick up points throughout the regular season in each event they play. Most tournaments give 500 points to the winner
• The top 125 players enter the play-offs, which consist of four tournaments and where victory carries 2,500 points
• The field is whittled down to 30 for the final event, the Tour Championship
• Points are reset, so the number one player has 2,500 points, number two has 2,250 and so on to number 30, who has 210
• In theory, all 30 players can win the FedEx Cup, but only the top five are guaranteed to take the trophy if they win the Tour Championship

The Englishman's rollercoaster round began with a couple of birdies but four bogeys in his next five holes threatened to wreck his tournament.

In an unusual round, that contained just four pars, the world number four mixed four birdies and four bogeys in his closing 11 holes.
Despite the final tournament in the FedEx Cup play-offs featuring the top 30 players, most eyes were on the final pairing of Woods and McIlroy, both of whom know that victory this weekend will give the winner the $10m (£7m) bonus on offer.
Woods had three birdies and one bogey on both his outward and inward nine, although he missed a 13-foot putt on the last that would have given him the outright lead.
However, the world number two was satisfied with his round. "I played well," he said. "It was a very consistent round. I hit the ball well, made a few putts, got around well."
McIlroy also had a couple of bogeys in his round but he could only muster three birdies to finish three shots off the lead.
Englishman Luke Donald had a steadier round, although he picked up his third bogey of the day on the 18th to finish on one over.
Scott Piercy also found the last troublesome. The American led on five under but double-bogeyed the par-three hole to finish alongside compatriots Bo Van Pelt, Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker on three under.
To win the bonus money, Piercy, who went into the week in 30th place, would need to win and hope McIlroy finishes 30th.
"My chances are slim to none," he said. "I think slim's about to leave the building."
American trio Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker will win the bonus money if they are victorious on Sunday.
However, Watney is last on five over, while Mickelson and Snedeker are in contention on one under and two under respectively.

Didier Drogba 'really happy' at Shanghai Shenhua

Didier Drogba insists he is "really happy" in China and intends to see out his two-and-a-half-year contract at Shanghai Shenhua.

The 34-year-old left Chelsea in the summer to join Shanghai.
Reports of financial instability at the club raised doubts over the Ivorian's future and led to suggestions he could return to the Premier League.
But Drogba has told Football Focus he expects to remain in China until the end of his contract and "maybe more".

Drogba in China

• Joined Shanghai Shenhua in June after seeing out his contract at Chelsea
• His future in China was soon in doubt when club owner Zhu Jun, who pays the star's wages, reportedly threatened to withdraw funding
• Drogba has scored five goals in seven games for the Chinese Super League outfit

Drogba has scored five goals in seven games so far for the Chinese Super League outfit

"I hope more because I'm really happy here," he said. "I miss the Premier League because it's the best league in the world, but really I don't regret my choice.
"I just arrived like two months ago so I'm really happy. I am, I'm really happy here so I have no reasons to leave. I don't want to leave here."
Drogba scored 157 goals during his eight years at Chelsea and was central to the London club's first Champions League title last season.
He arrived at Shenhua midway through the Chinese Super League campaign, eight weeks after ex-Fulham boss Jean Tigana had stepped down as head coach. The side have had a disappointing campaign and are ninth in the table with six games remaining.
"I want to stay here, as long as I can win some trophies with my team and make our fans very happy," added Drogba.
"It's difficult at the moment, but I know that there's hope and I believe."
Drogba, who also denied reports he was not being paid by the Chinese club, described winning the Champions League with Chelsea - he scored the winning penalty in the final - as the "best moment of my career".
"To be able to win it in that kind of game was perfect and it's something you will never forget," he said.
"But you have to carry on in life, so now I am focused on what I can bring to the Chinese league.
"Hopefully, within a few years, when my contract finishes here, I will be sitting with you and talking about how fantastic it was to win the Asian Champions League."

Hillsborough: Robbie Fowler wants Evra & Suarez gesture

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler says Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez should lay floral tributes before Sunday's Premier League game between his old club and Manchester United.

Suarez was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Evra last season, while the match is the first at Anfield since the publication of the Hillsborough report.
"It would be nice for Luis Suarez to put some flowers at the United end regarding Munich, and for Patrice Evra to do so at the Kop," Fowler said.

Fowler facts and figures

Born: 9 April 1975
Clubs: Liverpool, Leeds United, Manchester City, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory, Muangthong United
Liverpool record: 369 appearances and 183 goals during two spells at the club
England record: 26 appearances and seven goals
Honours: FA Cup (2001), League Cup (1995, 2001), Charity Shield (2001), Uefa Cup (2001), Uefa Super Cup (2001)

"The two clubs do have a rivalry, but some things are far more important than football and this is one of them."

Fowler, 37, feels that Suarez should commemorate the Munich air disaster of 1958, in which eight Manchester United players and three club staff died, while Evra should pay tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans killed at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989.
Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand before the start of the last meeting between the two sides, at Old Trafford last February.
Both clubs are understood to be confident that the pair will shake hands ahead of Sunday's game, where a number of tributes to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster are planned.
Two prominent United fans groups, the Manchester United Supporters Trust and the Stretford End Flags, have urged fans not to sing songs referring to the Hillsborough disaster.

Play media

The Munich air tragedy has been the subject of songs from a section of Liverpool fans, but the managers of both clubs have called for an end to such chants from both sets of supporters.
"Both clubs have a respect for each other, for what they have achieved in the game," added Fowler, who made 369 appearances during two spells with the Anfield club.
Liverpool go into Sunday's game without a win in the Barclays Premier League under Brendan Rodgers, but Fowler, capped 26 times by England, thinks the new manager needs to be given time.
"With the players he has at his disposal, he's doing alright, as long as everyone gives him time and has patience, which is what everyone at the club needs.
"It needs a little bit of stability and I reckon he is the man Liverpool need to progress, get better and start rising up that table again."

Liverpool v Manchester United: The bitter rivalry

The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United has become almost unique in its intensity since the Premier League's balance of power shifted from Merseyside along the M62 in the early 1990s.

The two cities do not simply share a sporting rivalry but also a cultural and industrial one - something mirrored most starkly in the relationship between two of world football's greatest clubs.

Liverpool and Man Utd honours

Competition	Liverpool	United
League titles	18	19
FA Cups	7	11
League Cups	8	4
Community Shield	15	19
European Cup/Champions League	5	3
Cup-Winners' Cup	0	1
Uefa Cup	3	0
Uefa Super Cup	3	1
Intercontinental Cup	0	1
Club World Cup	0	1
Total	59	60

Covering one of my first meetings between Liverpool and United at Anfield in 1988 I got a close up view of then manager Kenny Dalglish carrying his six-week old daughter Lauren in his arms while enraging counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson in the tunnel by suggesting a radio interviewer might get more sense interrogating the baby than his fellow Scot.

It was a snapshot of the fierce competition that has always existed between Liverpool and United but the incident now falls into the category of mild banter given what has become, and few would dispute this, an increasingly poisonous relationship between the supporters in recent years.
Tension has built as United have amassed league titles - eventually eclipsing Liverpool's 18 top-flight trophies with their 19th in 2011.
The rivalry has led to concerns that what should be an occasion for remembrance, emotion and sympathy when they meet in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday - as Liverpool play at home for the first time since the release of the Hillsborough files - might be hijacked by a small minority intent on ill-feeling as opposed to empathy.

Continue reading the main story

“United and Liverpool have suffered great tragedies as clubs so there should be empathy between them”

Mark Lawrenson, who played 356 times for Liverpool between 1981-88

And yet the actions of both clubs in the build-up to Sunday's game suggests this day could yet be a watershed in that fractious relationship between fans, a day when the unity that has been shown within football following the disclosure of the Hillsborough documents relating to the 1989 disaster could heal long-standing wounds.

This will be the wish of the overwhelming majority of Liverpool and United supporters inside and outside Anfield, and those in the boardrooms, at these two English and European superpowers.
As those who died at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in 1989 are remembered on Sunday, the occasion has the potential to become a turning point, a force for good in forging a new bond between the clubs' followers.
BBC Sport football pundit Mark Lawrenson, who played in many Liverpool-Manchester United matches, says the eyes of the sporting world will be on Anfield on Sunday.
"This is Liverpool's first game at home since the release of the Hillsborough files and no-one wants anything to detract from the meaning of this occasion followed by the importance of a showpiece Premier League game," he said.
"Concerns have been expressed after a small number of United fans sang anti-Liverpool songs during last week's win against Wigan but I fully expect this to be a day reflecting the mood of so many decent supporters on both sides.
"Liverpool fans have been guilty themselves in the past of singing songs about the Munich air crash but Hillsborough rises above club loyalties.
"I also think anyone who is tempted to try to mar the occasion will find themselves being embarrassed by their fellow supporters.

Liverpool v Man Utd head-to-head record in all competitions

Played	185
Liverpool wins	62
Man Utd wins	72
Draws	51

"And with plans for opposing captains Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic to release 96 balloons before kick-off in memory of those who died in 1989, I am convinced it will be a day that will do everyone inside Anfield enormous credit.

"It may even be the time when fractures in the relationship between the two sets of supporters are repaired.
"United and Liverpool have suffered great tragedies as clubs so there should be empathy between them. It is these tragic events and how they have handled them that contribute to their greatness. They are part of these clubs' history so there should be that mutual respect.
"Sir Alex Ferguson has very publicly offered United's support to Liverpool. He will stand alongside Liverpool because this is not an issue of club loyalty or a time for rivalries. Hillsborough goes beyond that."

Ferguson's record vs Liverpool

P 61

W 28

D 14

L 19

F 80

A 72

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who will take charge of his 62nd match against Liverpool on Sunday, admits that the rivalry between the cities goes back a long way further than football.

The building of the Manchester ship canal in the 1880s is often cited as the source of that historic discontent. The canal bypassed the Port of Liverpool, leading to job losses on Merseyside and disgruntlement with the new competition - it is mentioned still on the Mersey Ferry tour.
Ferguson said: "The thing about us and Liverpool is the rivalry. They are the most fantastic games.
"They're unparalleled in British history in terms of the success of both clubs and that's why we need each other. From an industrial point of view, the way industry changed when they opened the ship canal - [the rivalry] is all to do with it."

The building of the Manchester ship canal in the 1880s bypassed the Port of Liverpool

Football is so important in north-west daily life that the broader culture can be infected.
Music is an example of that - while the Beatles struck the first telling blow for Liverpool, Manchester hit back with the likes of Joy Division, New Order, the Smiths, the Stone Roses and Oasis. And yet this is a rivalry that lives in football and was fuelled by modern success, first Liverpool's, then United's.
It is striking that Phil Chisnall, who left Old Trafford for Anfield in 1964, remains the last player to be transferred directly between the clubs. As with music, civic and cultural achievements, success in football has been cyclical from the moment United won the European Cup in 1968.
At the time, the Liverpool Echo wrote: "British football can be proud of the United team who gave their all to give Matt Busby the cup he cherishes above all else. It's been a long, long drive for United to reach the top in Europe - no-one will begrudge them being the first English club to make it."
How times change. In 2005, when the Manchester Evening News reported Liverpool's Champions League triumph in Istanbul with the headline "Beyond Belief", the paper was inundated with complaints.
The eyes of the footballing world will be on Anfield on Sunday. Hopefully, the rivalry can be a respectful one.

Goals will flow for Heskey: van Egmond

He's not exactly known as a prolific goal scorer but Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond predicts his star recruit Emile Heskey will "shock a few people" in the A-League.
The Jets landed a major coup on Friday after completing the signing of the 34-year-old former England international, who only last season was still playing in the English Premier League with Aston Villa.
The striker is likely to arrive in the steel city early next week and is a decent chance of playing in the Jets' season opener against Adelaide on October 7.
Van Egmond said Heskey's crowd-pulling ability, experience, strength and ability to hold up the ball made him an ideal marquee signing.
And he also predicted he could be a menace in front of goal, despite a strike rate of one goal every 4.6 games in English football in his time with Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Villa.
Heskey also managed only seven goals in 62 appearance for England but van Egmond - citing the example of Brisbane striker Besart Berisha - tipped Heskey would enjoy a better strike rate in Australia.
"I think we have to get things in perspective here," van Egmond told AAP.
"We're talking from the EPL to the A-League and if you want to compare him not getting as many goals in the EPL to him not maybe getting as many goals in the A-League, I think that's a pretty tough comparison.
"You have a look (2011/12 top scorer) Berisha's stats prior to getting to the Brisbane Roar you definitely wouldn't have thought that he was setting the world alight in the second division in Germany.
"I think he (Heskey) is going to shock a few people with the technical ability he has ... I think some people may get surprised."
Van Egmond hoped Heskey's signing would help get more "bums on seats" in Newcastle, and around the league, and was confident he was in good condition, having spent time training with Wigan recently.
Heskey is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he played 150 league matches and scored 39 goals during five seasons at the famous club.
His best season came in 2000-01, when he scored 22 goals in all competitions as the Reds won the FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2000-01.
He has played in two World Cups for the Three Lions, and played in every match of England's 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.
"This is an exciting new period in my life and I am looking forward to making a special contribution to the A-League and most importantly, to the Jets," Heskey said in a statement.
"I hope I can help grow football at the grassroots level and also provide advice to young players at the Jets.
"The season isn't far away, so I will be in Newcastle soon, training with my new teammates and be ready for kick off on October 7."

Wanderers eye Ballack guest player stint

A-League newcomers the Western Sydney Wanderers have not ruled out the possibility of signing former German captain Michael Ballack and hinted a guest-player stint may be the way to lure the star midfielder.
Securing Ballack would complete a stunning trio for the A-League after Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero penned a deal with Sydney FC and former England international Emile Heskey joined the Newcastle Jets.
Wanderers coach Tony Popovic admits having both big names in the league has generated much more interest in his club.
"There are a lot of players that are interested now with Emile Heskey being here and Alessandro Del Piero being here," he said.
But with reports saying the Wanderers, who are funded by Football Federation Australia, would need $2.5 million for Ballack's signature, the club's executive chairman Lyall Gorman said a guest player stint is being explored.
"We're flattered by the attention that we've received from agents and oversees players in relation to interest in joining our club and there's no denying that Ballack is one of those who has been put on the table," Gorman said on Friday.
"I can assure you there's no deal that's been done at this time but we're not dismissing any options and one of the more interesting concepts for us to explore at the moment is the concept of a guest player stint of some form or another."
A week out from kicking off their first A-League campaign, the Wanderers unveiled Socceroo defender Michael Beauchamp as the club's inaugural captain on Friday.
And with much of the attention centred around former Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen star Ballack, who captained Germany to the 2002 World Cup final, Gorman was intent on redirecting the spotlight.
"The focus really should be on this Michael right here, Michael Beauchamp, at a key moment in history in our club's evolution."
Former Sydney FC player Beauchamp will lead his side in their opening clash against last season's minor premiers the Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday week.

Melbourne through to NRL grand final

Melbourne are first through to the NRL grand final after crushing Manly's hopes of defending their title with a 40-12 win in their preliminary final at AAMI Park.
After being stripped of titles in 2007 and 2009 for cheating the salary cap the Storm will have a chance to win a legitimate title at ANZ Stadium on September 30 against either Canterbury or South Sydney.
With the exception of their skipper Jamie Lyon, who scored a try in each half, Manly could hardly have played worse, with the fierce rivalry between the sides falling flat.
Manly started the match with an error on the second tackle and that set the tone for a miserable night as they suffered their first grand final qualifier loss since 1975.
Melbourne superstars fullback Billy Slater and halfback Cooper Cronk showed how much they love the big stage, both scoring a double as their side thoroughly outplayed the visitors.
Such was their dominance, the Storm should have had the match wrapped up by halftime but only led 12-6 thanks to some uncharacteristically wayward kicking by their skipper Cameron Smith and Lyon's try in the 37th minute.
But Cronk's second, coming four minutes into the second half, saw Manly heads drop again.
The torrid semi-final win over North Queensland last weekend looked to have taken its toll on the visitors, who let themselves down with a barrage of handling errors and some lazy marker defence.
After two controversial decisions by the video referee favoured Manly against the Cowboys, they were on the receiving end at the nine minute mark on Friday.
Melbourne had already opened the scoring five minutes into the match through Cronk and they mounted another charge with centre Will Chambers tackled just short of the line.
Slater picked up the ball from dummy half and dived across the line with video referees Russell Smith and Sean Hampstead ruling a "benefit of the doubt" try despite the star fullback appearing to knock it on.
After being bundled out at the same point last year, Melbourne made no mistake with this opportunity, piling on the pressure as the Sea Eagles continued to implode.
Hard-working Storm forwards Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were both rewarded with tries.
Skipper Smith, who was rested in the final five minutes, said he couldn't have asked for more.
"It's very pleasing to get 40 points so it's a great win at home," Smith said from the sideline.

Secret agent Football Transfer

The shadowy world of the football agent is one that is cloaked in secrecy amid accusations of greed. Thankfully, we've got one of the good guys on board to lift the lid on what life really is like at the sharp end of a notoriously cut throat business. 

With two weeks having now elapsed since the close of the transfer window I've had some time to take stock. When the dust settles it's important, as an agent, to assess how the market is looking and draw conclusions as to who were the respective winners and losers. As sure as Liverpool need a striker January will be here before we know it and when Jim White is wheeled out I want to be the first on the scene, cap in hand, with a raft of players ready to fulfil the needs of Premier League bosses across the country.

Outside of the game everybody thinks that once Mr White closes the transfer window with more pomp and ceremony than that which brought an end to London 2012, it's holiday time for the agent fraternity. The image of portly agents sipping pina coladas on the Costa del Sol, like some god-awful Danny Dyer flick, comes to mind. If your clients stretch to a Rooney or an Aguero that may be the case but, for the most of us, there's plenty still to do in good old Blighty.
Don't forget some transfer windows stay open for a week or two longer than they do here. Deals are still being done. Any decent free agent still commands considerable time and attention for clubs who missed out on their primary targets. Think Michael Owen to Stoke. And let's not forget there are literally hundreds of professional footballers who are desperate to get fixed up with new employers. Many of them are struggling to keep the wolves from the door. Not too many tears are shed for those that are paid to kick a ball around but it's a hard business and many are feeling the pinch.
Hopefully by this time next month I can put the mobile on silent for a week (I won't) and take, what I think, is a well-earned break. Those of you who have been following my blogs in the last couple of months will know that I've been working on a few tasty deals lately in the pursuit of the big pay-day that all agents crave. I've put the graft and hours in so I wouldn't begrudge myself the rub of the green for once.
Agent life is the proverbial rollercoaster. There's nothing you can do but sit back and enjoy the ride for only the truly naive (and we've all learnt the hard way) aren't aware that for every deal you do, ten or more others will go by the wayside. Each new negotiation sees you experience the full gauntlet of emotions and like at Alton Towers, you queue up patiently for your turn before handing control over to other parties. Thorpe Park is not the only place where you get off a ride feeling green and short changed. I've lost count of the times I've spent £100k in my head only to be pickpocketed at the last minute.
If you don't have a thick skin then this business isn't for you. I'm looking more and more like a rhino every day. You develop impunity to disappointment through experience and often learn the hard way by the mistakes you make. The only way to get back on the ride is to re-join the queue.
There were a couple of times this summer when I thought, 'what is the point of this?'. You do all this hard work setting up deals, making calls, sending paperwork, emails, getting all parties to agree transfer fees and wages only for somebody at one of the clubs or a player and his agent to cock it up. More often than not greed is to blame. Sometimes you ask yourself why you bother will all the hassle, but then you catch the right wave, the adrenalin kicks in and it all makes sense.
That's the way it goes and after a good few years in the business my philosophy when everybody else around me is saying 'it's a done deal' is to inject a little realism into the room. I'm not ordering the new Merc until I can hear Rusty Lee belting one out.
The upshot of the window just passed is that I didn't get that big deal to allow me to start doing my Harry Enfield 'Loadsamoney' impression. I made enough to keep me going and interested and I still have the love and energy to plough on.
What else would I do? When the beautiful game gets in your blood there's no alternative. It's like Ricky Hatton and the boxing...
Aside from my own deals, I found a number of transfers to be ill advised and badly thought through. I'm very suspect about the money Southampton have spent on their return to the big time. In Jay Rodriguez and Gaston Ramirez they've spent huge amounts on a pair of forwards with zero Premier League experience between them. It can be frustrating for fans when you see the same old faces recycled between those clubs that swap places between the first and second tiers and it's good to see a club be imaginative with their market moves, but surely a first season back in the top flight is about consolidation.
To be fair it's brave on the part of Nigel Adkins but for me the best signing he's made is Steven Davis. Don't forget this club nearly went out of existence two or three years back and the last thing you want is an astronomical wage bill in the Championship, should this term not pan out as the club would have hoped.
Liverpool did a very smart job of getting rid of players who the new manager felt didn't complement his style of play. Brendan Rodgers and his board were brave with who they shipped out and no doubt they reduced the wage bill to accommodate some fresh faces, but to miss out on the players they did by penny pinching would worry me if I was an Anfield regular.
It seems incredibly misguided not to deal in August and allow any new boys to bed in at their own pace. Those bought in January, and surely there will be signings in the New Year, will have to hit the ground running. It's also worth remembering that prices in January are invariably inflated. What they saved by not splashing the £6milion on Dempsey or the £20million on Llorente will be a drop in the ocean come January, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League again.
Rodgers concedes he needs to address a chronic lack of firepower and every agent in the land will have all strikers on their books taking lessons in Scouse.
Arsenal did some good business and Newcastle did well by not losing any of their highly sought after players. Fulham and Aston Villa bagged themselves a pair of excellent additions in Dimitar Berbatov and Christian Benteke. I'd back both clubs to have solid if unspectacular campaigns.
Manchester City tinkered rather than made any eye-catching signings and I'd be surprised if they have enough for a concerted tilt at Champions League glory this time around. Their time will come but, for me, it won't be this term.
In the next few weeks I'll be looking to get a few players to clubs who are desperate for a free agent or two. Sacking season is just around the corner and it's amazing how managers become more receptive to your calls around the ten-game mark. As I trawl through the list of freebies I find Darius Vassell and Salif Diao are still without a club. Worth a shout maybe? I've got contacts at a few clubs in Italy and I've heard strikers are in short supply out there. I'm sure Darius could pick up a few Italian words with the right encouragement.
Ciao for now...

 

Joshua - No pro talks

Olympic champion 'staying amateur' according to manager

Anthony Joshua's manager has revealed no talks have taken place over the Olympic super-heavyweight champion joining the professional ranks.

The 22-year-old returned to training with TeamGB on Monday after taking a break in the wake of his gold medal performance at London 2012.
Joshua intimated he was happy to stay in the amateur ranks and defend his title in four years after beating Italy's Roberto Cammarelle in the Olympic final.
And the 6ft 6in Londoner took the first steps along the road to Rio by working out at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

No change

Joshua's manager James Cook said: "The situation is that Anthony is back in the gym with GB Boxing.

"There have been no talks about turning professional. He's staying amateur. He's got a lot to learn and he's taking his time and there have been no talks with promoters and nothing has changed.
"I don't think he's even thinking about it. He genuinely wants to just get back in the gym and train. He's had 43 fights, that's the reality of it.
"He's very, very young and he doesn't want to make any rash decisions. He likes the GB set-up and the professionalism of the team around him and that's where he's at. It may be boring, but that's the situation.
"But obviously you never know what's going to happen down the line in three years' time or something."

 

Haye eyes British license

Former world heavyweight champion sets sights on Klitschko

 David Haye is to apply for a British boxing licence as he bids to line up a bout with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. 

Haye, who lost his WBA heavyweight title to Vitali's younger brother Wladimir in Hamburg last year, fought fellow Briton Dereck Chisora in July under a licence provided by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.
Chisora's British licence was withdrawn after the pair's infamous brawl in February.
Haye, now 31, was officially retired when he and Chisora fought in the press conference following the latter's defeat by Vitali Klitschko.
And the British Boxing Board of Control warned that anyone involved when Haye and Chisora fought at Upton Park in London with licences from Luxembourg would "wholly undermine the authority" of the board.
But Bermondsey boxer Haye now wants to fight under the BBBoC again.
"I'd like to thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for licensing me ahead of my July bout with Dereck Chisora in London, but I no longer require that licence," Haye told the South London Press.

British licence

"It's been well-publicised already, but the reason I applied for a licence from the Luxembourg Boxing Federation was because my opponent, Dereck Chisora, had seen his British licence withdrawn.
"The only way we were able to deliver the fight the public wanted, when they wanted it, was to both apply for foreign licences, as arranged by Chisora's promoter.
"In an ideal world, though, I'd now like to box on with a British licence. I'm a British boxer, I have never had any issues with the board and, should a fight with Vitali Klitschko happen, I'd be keen to have the British Boxing Board of Control in my corner, simply because they are so experienced and are the best at what they do."
Haye also laid down a challenge to Vitali Klitschko, seemingly hoping to ignite the 41-year-old's desire for a bout, despite the champion's move to stand for election to the Ukrainian parliament in October following his defeat of Manuel Charr earlier this month.
Haye said: "My aim is to get Vitali in a ring next year, after his election campaign has failed, and bring his WBC world title back to Britain.
"This is the only fight that interests me at heavyweight, and the WBC world heavyweight title is the one belt I'm desperate to win before I retire for good."

Champions League preview

Defending champions Chelsea, Manchester United and Celtic all take the stage as their respective UEFA Champions League groups get underway on Wednesday night.

Arsenal and Manchester City, the other British clubs involved in this season's competition, had mixed fortunes when the group stage kicked off on Tuesday, with the Gunners claiming an opening win while City faltered.
The action continues live on Sky Sports, with all eight games available to watch as Groups E through to H enter the fray

Holders Chelsea start their title defence by welcoming two-time winners Juventus to Stamford Bridge, with the Italian giants unbeaten in a remarkable 42 Serie A games.
Roberto Di Matteo's men are bidding to do what no other side has done and lift back-to-back titles this season.
In the other Group E game, Danish Superliga winners FC Nordsjaelland travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk, who are looking to better their group-stage exit last season.
Manchester United begin a record 17th consecutive campaign at home to Turkish champions Galatasaray, who will be out to cause upset at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear he does not want a repeat performance of last season, when the Red Devils failed to make it to the knockout rounds.
Their other opponents in Group H, Braga and CFR Cluj, go head-to-head in Portugal as the Romanian side embark on their third Champions League appearance in five years.

Return

Celtic start their Group G campaign at home to Turkish visitors Benfica as they return to the group stage of Europe's premier club competition for the first time in four years.
Neil Lennon's side are the underdogs in a tough pool but will hope to start brightly in front of the Parkhead crowd.
In the group's remaining game, Primera Liga giants and four-time winners Barcelona host Russian heavyweights Spartak Moscow at Camp Nou.
Last year's runners-up Bayern Munich, who lost on home soil to Chelsea in last season's final, host Primera Liga side Valencia at the Allianz Arena in Group F.
The other game in that pool sees Ligue 1 side Lille entertain Belarusian outfit BATE Borisov after falling at the first hurdle last term.

PSG boss - Why hire Ronaldo?

Ibrahimovic is the best striker in the world, says Leonardo

 

Paris St Germain have distanced themselves from a possible move for Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal captain whipped up a media storm at the weekend when he intimated to reporters after Sunday's home win over Getafe that he was unhappy with life at the Spanish giants.
That revelation put the big-spending clubs of Europe on alert with Manchester City soon reported to be preparing a package for the player.
But PSG sporting director Leonardo claims he is content with the club's squad - even arguing they already have the world's best striker in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We're very happy with our transfer market dealings," the Brazilian told radio station RMC.
"Many things are said about PSG - too many, maybe.
"Ronaldo is a Real Madrid player. We don't talk about others teams' players - that's respect.
"Ibrahimovic is the best striker in the world. So why hire Ronaldo? Zlatan is unique.
"When we talk about the best players, there is Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi - but they are not strikers. The best striker, that's Zlatan."

Affection

Ronaldo prompted a media frenzy across Europe when he admitted he was feeling "sad" for "professional" reasons after scoring twice against Getafe at the weekend.
But Real Madrid team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa is just focusing on supporting his colleague.
Arbeloa, who was quoted in Marca, told reporters: "He just needs more affection from everybody, I don't know, that's all we can give him.
"Everybody has the right to be sad. He's a person just like anyone else.
"He doesn't share the problems of most Spanish people but it's perfectly reasonable that he can be sad.
"When Cristiano says (that he's sad) then perhaps it makes more of an impression. We're all going to help him because he is our friend.
"I hope the fans haven't taken his words the wrong way. The media have great power and people are influenced by what they hear and read.
"He knows that he's with the best team and hopefully he'll stay here until he retires.
"And if the fans keep believing in him, he'll be remembered as a club icon. We will help him."

'Mistake' disappoints Mancini

City boss bemoans injuries after dramatic defeat in Madrid

 

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists his team did not lose concentration against Real Madrid but were guilty of a mistake.

Jose Mourinho's side scored two late goals through Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to turn around the Group D game in the UEFA Champions League and win 3-2 in the Bernabeu.
Aleksandar Kolarov had looked to have scored a late winner of his own after Edin Dzeko and Marcelo had traded goals.
But City caved under pressure and Mancini feels they will come back stronger for the experience.
"We didn't lose concentration," the City boss told Sky Sports.

Too deep

"We went too deep with the team. All it is, is a mistake.

"In this moment we are disappointed but I think everything has to be more strong in the future."
Mancini had some difficult tactical decisions to make as he lost both Samir Nasri and Maicon to injury and the Italian feels that denied him the chance to use Sergio Aguero from the bench.
He added: "We lose two players for injury - Nasri and Maicon.
"And we had a problem because we wanted to change Aguero because we wanted to attack more. Instead we should do this change."

Heartland aims to retain the Federation Cup – Madu

Ahead of this weekend’s Federation Cup finals at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,manager of Heartland Football Club, Ramson Madu, is upbeat that his team will retain the title,which they are the defending champions.

Heartland survived the scare put up by Prime FC in the semi-finals,as they needed a penalty shoot-out to defeat the Osogbo side at the Ilorin township stadium.

The finals on Sunday will now be between Heartland and Lobi Stars,who equally won their semi-finals game against Kano Pillars via penalties.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Madu said that playing against Lobi will not be a problem for his team: “We are out of the NPL contest but we remain focused on the Federation Cup and we are going to win the trophy back-to-back having won the championship in 2011.”

Heartland pipped neighbours, Enyimba, last year to win the Federation cup and would be looking to do a repeat,when they play Lobi on Sunday.

Kano Pillars yet to get prize money for winning the Nigeria Premier League

Newly crowned Nigeria Premier League champions, Kano Pillars,has demanded their prize money from the NPL board,following its success in winning the league title for the 2011/12 season.
Pillars are yet to get a word from the NPL board,over what they stand to get as champions of the league,days after clinching their second Premier league title.
While speaking to Goal.com media officer of Pillars, Idris Malikawa, said that it does not augur well for league,if after a very tedious league season,the club does not get anything form the organisers of the league.
“We really cannot understand why the Nigeria Premier League will just give us the trophy and medal and nobody from the board will say anything to us about the prize money,” Malikawa said. “Nobody can tell me that there is no money to give to the winners of the league.
“If at the end of the season there is nothing to show for the efforts of the club that wins the trophy, then there is nothing to play for. I am sure that if they plan very well, they can make available money for the eventual winner of the trophy.”
“Apart from representing Nigeria in the Champions League, one other motivation for the players and officials should be the prize money for the team. This is not how this league will improve.”
Malikawa further added that despite seeing some of the NPL officials at their last game of the season in Ijebu Ode,where they played against Sunshine Stars,none of the officials, told them what they would get as winners. “A lot of the board members and staff of the secretariat were in Ijebu Ode for the final game, but none of them could tell us anything about the prize money and we are still waiting for them to say something. We should not be demanding for what should be rightfully given to the winners of the league.”
Kano Pillars were technically awarded the league title, after Ocean Boys were expelled from the league for missing some of their matches, which led to the deduction of points gotten from Ocean Boys,from the top three clubs vying for the league.
Lobi Stars and Rangers had six points deducted from them, after their walk-over matches on Ocean Boys was cancelled and counted as zero.
Kano Pillars emerged winner of the league after edging out Rangers and Lobi Stars on 61 points.

Welcome home, champ! Murray arrives in Dunblane celebrate US Open title and Olympic gold medal Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2204039/Andy-Murray-homecoming-Dunblane

'Overwhelmed' Andy Murray admitted he is still coming to terms with winning his first grand slam title, as he returned to Dunblane on Sunday.
The newly crowned US Open champion began his career at the town's tennis club and returned on Sunday afternoon to celebrate his success this summer.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Murray beat Novak Djokovic in a time of four hours and 54 minutes to be crowned US Open champion and end Britain's 76-year wait for a men's Grand Slam singles titl

The win in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows emulated Fred Perry's 1936 achievement and capped a special year for the 25-year-old Scot, who won gold at the Olympic Games after he beat Roger Federer in the final - a rematch of this year's Wimbledon final where the Swiss triumphed.

Murray also won Olympic silver in the mixed doubles competition with Laura Robson.

'It's overwhelming and I've never had anything like that before,' Murray told Sky Sports News, after around 15,000 people came to celebrate his return

'I think it [the US Open win] will sink in over the next couple of days. It's been a bit of a whirlwind since the match with all the stuff the day after and travelling back, then all the stuff today with so many people.

'It's been a bit overwhelming and I think it will take a few days.

'I dreamt three days after Wimbledon that I had won Wimbledon and I woke up and was absolutely gutted that I hadn't.

'The other day I woke up after sleeping on the sofa and I was questioning whether it [the US Open win] actually happened.

'It was when I woke up and realised I had actually won the US Open that it all started to sink in.'

Murray's walkabout in the town overran by an hour after he decided against travelling on the bus with his family and friends and instead spent time signing autographs and meeting his fans.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2204039/Andy-Murray-homecoming-Dunblane.html#ixzz26pkFsf7o

US Open in pictures: The best shots from Flushing Meadows in New York

Novak Djokovic fights his way back from 2 sets down to level the match and play a deciding set.

 Serena Williams of the United States shakes hands with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus after winning the women's singles final match at the 2012 US Open

 Serena Williams celebrates match point after defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final over 3 sets

 Kyle Edmund of Great Britain and Frederico Ferreira Silva of Portugal pose with their trophies after their US Open boys' doubles final match against Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson of Australia

 Novak Djokovic celebrates his semi-final win over David Ferrer

 Novak Djokovic returns during his semi-final win over David Ferrer

 Novak Djokovic serves during his semi-final win over David Ferrer

 

Great Britain's Liam Broady narrowly loses out in 3 sets to Filip Peliwo of Canada in the US Open Junior Boy;s Final

 

Andy Murray hails victory over Tomas Berdych

 

Kim Sears is all smiles as she watches Andy Murray win his first Grand Slam title

 

Britain's Andy Murray poses with the trophy after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open in New York. Murray won 7-6 (10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. 

 

Andy Murray celebrates his thrilling 5 set win over Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2012 US Open in New York