Wigan Athletic - Standing Together, Side By Side

These are interesting times at Wigan Athletic. Each club has different objectives for the season, some it's winning the title, others attempting to get into Europe and for Wigan it's preserving its status in the Premier League. The longer they preserve their status the more it irritates some members of the press, fans of other clubs and poor articles like this Reading Are A Better Fit Than Wigan In PL


Not so long ago, there were many Latics fans that thought that the 7 year stay in the Premier League was coming to end. The football was slow, pedestrian, the squad lacked belief. Fans were angry, Roberto Martinez has to go, the boo boys were having a field day with Jordi Gomez in addition to the usual tripe about the lack of Latics fans. It would please a lot of people Paul Merson, Robbie Savage, the usually well balanced Shaka Hislop called them a poor side. It's what you do on the pitch that counts, if not Leeds United would always be in the EPL cause they have big crowds.

Everything has a beginning and an end. In this context of the remarkable form turn around was the very poor match against Swansea was the beginning. Roberto Martinez was the man who set up the Swansea structure and style of football. They were getting a lot of positive press for their football and Brendan Rodgers added his own character to their side. After their 2-0 win, it was like they play the Wigan style of football better than Wigan.


Disgusting

Wigan are one of the few sides that hold fan meetings where they can ask questions to Martinez, it was a credit to Martinez for fronting some angry people and no. it was not held in a telephone booth. In the 7 matches since the Swansea debacle, Wigan have gained 14 points from 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss and the loss to Chelsea was marred by officials who didn't know the rules and lacked functioning eyesight.

Form Reversal

What has changed in these 7 matches, if some visionary was able to bottle confidence as a commodity then it would be worth more than gold, oil, rhodium, saffron and truffles combined. It was no coincidence in the 2nd half of Norwich when Shaun Maloney made an appearance on the field. There were search parties out there looking for the diminutive Scotsman but when he came on he added more dynamism to the midfield than what Gomez was providing. Maloney's presence just in that half alone galvanised the team and it was the spark needed.



Wigan 1 Man U 0

The match with WBA will never be forgotten and also highlighted the old Wigan disease a lack of a goalscorer. Wigan so many chances and WBA had one chance and drew the match. Instead of getting down on themselves they were able to bounce back beating Liverpool at Anfield.


There have been so many highlights recently for a Latics fan. Normally they just assume the bend over position for Man United who have their way them. Not this time they got Man U a bit flat, but they outplayed them with brilliant possession football and as talented as Victor Moses is, his decision making skills are awful and you'd back the overs on whether he'll score or not. It should have been more and Taggart Ferguson was very complimentary to the team. After that they came out and beat Arsenal though Mr. Wenger was his sour self and forgets about the timewasting his team have done against Wigan.


Who are you kidding Mr. Wenger

Before these recent moments, the only highlight was beating Sunderland 2-1 away in which was Steve Bruce's last game, so Sunderland fans were happy as well. Considering Bruce is one of the main reasons that Wigan had so much debt which thankfully has been reduced over time.

Wigan as a unit with Al Habsi being brilliant in goal, the defence is settled and yes while they lack a goalscorer something that needs to be addressed in the off season. Previously when the passing was pedestrian, the players static, not making the runs for the passes to go into space. Now, the players want the ball to their feet, changing the tempo when needed and instead of being passive when it comes to scoring, they are sharing the goalscoring throughout the side which alleviates the pressure of not having a profilic striker. When di Santo and Gomez are scoring, then you know there is confidence in the squad. Everyone has lifted their game and are putting Roberto Martinez's tactics into place and now they're getting the rewards for playing good passing football.

This revival is very similar to SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Both are small clubs, play attractive football, have excellent young players that they know will depart eventually and need the transfer revenue.In January both were written off as relegation bound, but have managed to turn their fortunes around while sticking to their principles and backing their respective managers. Now they are in a position that their league status is determined by their own ability and not needing other results.


Roberto Martinez

While the Wigan revival from relegation fodder to potentially escaping the drop while playing entertaining football is good news. As usual there is a counter point to this with some destabilisation tactics within the press with an agenda. First of all the nonsense that Roberto Martinez is leaving the club at the end of season by the Daily Mail coming out on the day of the Manchester United match. Martinez has a rolling contract and as long as Diamond Dave Whelan is there, don't see him going anywhere just yet. Now it's Victor Moses agent stirring rubbish trying to get a better deal for himself and not caring about his client. A good agent waits for the right deal for his client where the style of football would suit them and no N'Zogbia isn't the example to follow.

Survival isn't guaranteed but the last four matches with Fulham, Newcastle, Blackburn and Wolves, it's not the hardest draw to have best of all destiny is their own hands, Martinez knows the job isn't done yet and if they survive this season it will be extra special since the recent death of Jack Sudworth for those who don't know if it wasn't for him, then there'd be no Wigan Athletic. Standing together side by side in good and bad moments.

Thanks for the memories Manolo Preciado, the relegation battle continues

Thanks for the memories Manolo Preciado, the relegation battle continues

Last week Sporting Gijón decided to sack one of the bigger characters in La Liga the Cantabrian Manolo Preciado who was the longest serving manager in La Liga. He took over at the club in 2006, leading Sporting back into the top division and kept them up them up for 3 seasons.

Manolo in better times

With a club that has meagre resources, lack of income coming in from TV rights, having to sell their best players to survive. For Sporting their goals are pretty simple, preserving their status in La Liga, of course it would be great to say they could challenge for the title or European places but it’s delusional at best.

His best achievement was leading Sporting to defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, in the process calling Jose Mourinho a canalla, and like men they sorted it out afterwards, still a great moment.

Sporting Gijón 1-0 Real Madrid

Sporting had an awful start to the season with only 1 point from their first 8 matches, sure they played Atletico, Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia in that time. Preciado had managed to turn it around with some reasonable results, while their position before the winter break wasn’t great there were no major indications of Preciado getting fired

After the winter break is where the heat was on Preciado, especially with the awful 5-1 loss to fellow relegation candidates Real Sociedad, it’s not like Sporting were playing Real Madrid or Barcelona in fact neither of those two sides had put 5 past Sporting in the last 2 seasons. This was the catalyst to Preciado’s sacking, football is such a results business and Vega-Arango delivered the final blow.

At the same time one has to look at the squad, there are a few good players there and they’re plucky, but Diego Castro was the inspiration last season and they haven’t been able to replace him. Miguel de las Cuevas hasn’t stepped up to fill the creative void. Sporting have usually been solid defensively, the manner of the recent defeats and poor defensive organisation is alarming.

Players are the ones who have to take responsibility for their poor performances. This was not all down to Preciado, you can’t have prime beef when you don’t have the best cattle. This is the problem even the critics of Preciado and others unhappy with the current position of the club, that the alternatives available aren’t likely to get any more out of the squad.

Thankfully Michel wasn’t appointed as the new manager, one he isn’t that good as a manager, two Marca keep pimping him out for any managerial vacancy and most importantly it’s hard to like a guy when you’re used to hearing the Michel Michel maricón chant.


Iñaki Tejada was the logical appointment, as he has been in the Sporting set up as an assistant under Preciado and former manager Marcelino. If he can preserve Sporting’s status in La Liga, then his reputation will grow and perhaps be a front runner to have the job for next season.

Normally when a club sacks a coach, the team normally win or play at a higher level. Huge surprise there as they are worried about their position in the side under the new guy, so they put in more effort and perhaps take responsibility for their performances which wasn’t happening previously.


Iñaki Tejada

Sporting will be frustrated with the 1-1 against Osasuna, sure it was an improved performance from the one against Real Sociedad then again it wouldn’t be hard to improve upon that. If confidence was a commodity then it would fetch higher prices than gold or truffles.

After taking the lead Sporting didn’t seize the initiative, they became conservative letting Osasuna back into the contest and they levelled with a good header. Once Osasuna levelled, they grew in confidence pressed harder for the second goal and it needed some good work from Juan Pablo who has been one of Sporting’s best this season to hold onto the draw.

Yes, there was the great goal from Trejo to steal the win against Malaga, but too many times they have conceded late goals to either cost them a draw or a win matches against Espanyol, Athletic and the clearest example Zaragoza.

Real test for Tejada is coming in the next 5 weeks up against Valencia, Atletico, Racing, Barcelona and Sevilla. Last season Sporting got excellent results against the better sides which secured survival earlier than normal, time for the players to have a good look at themselves and rise to the challenge.

Naturally I hope Sporting survive, but the same problems are still there and have been magnified. There is an overall lack of quality in the squad, sure Botia when in form is quality, Barral tries hard but de las Cuevas has to improve. Struggling to produce players from the youth academy, unsurprisingly when kids from Asturias are taken by better funded clubs, in addition to the lack of firepower and defensive issues, this will be a difficult situation to escape from.


Preciado Hall of Fame

Manolo Preciado has suffered enough in life, losing his wife, son and father, that being sacked by a football club isn’t the end for him. He did wonderful things for the club and very happy to hear that he will be a member of the club until he dies. It would be good if Racing Santander and Sporting Gijón could play for some trophy to be associated with Preciado considering his links to both clubs.

He will be missed by Sporting fans and neutrals alike who like different characters in a world that is homogenised by blandness within the sports world.

Sporting Gijón the struggle continues

Apologies this post was meant to be done before the Granada match on Sunday night, but decided to hold it back until after the midweek round, which in hindsight was a good idea and the tone has slightly altered for the better.

Before the match with Granada, Sporting were bottom of the table through a combination of poor performances vs. Atletico Madrid (away) and at home to Racing Santander, not taking their chances vs. Real Sociedad who only had 3 yet won 2-1.
One of the major reasons Sporting finished 10th last season was because of their excellent record against the big sides.

Sporting Gijón’s record in 2010/11 vs. top teams

2-0 Sevilla CF
1-1 and 0-0 Villarreal CF
1-0 Atletico de Madrid
0-1 and 1-1 FC Barcelona
Valencia 0-0
0-1 and 1-0 Real Madrid

So far this season they’ve played Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Barcelona unlike last season they haven’t picked up any points, apart from Atletico all these losses were by a single goal. Sporting played well against Barcelona, but lost to an own goal not even Gumby would have saved. Picking up points against the better sides in the return matches could be the difference between staying in the top division or relegation where they’d get half of what Levante get now from TV rights which might be enough for two beers.

Sporting are known for their fighting spirit in addition to a passionate loyal fanbase. The loss of Diego Castro to Getafe was a big blow for the club, as he was their main creative outlet last season and best attacking player. Miguel de las Cuevas needs to step up in his place to create and score more goals, the squad is limited and Preciado has to operate within a low budget. The lack of a consistent goalscorer has been problematic for a few seasons. Trejo is still adjusting to his new team, if they are to be relegated the lack of goals will prove crucial.


Sporting winning over Granada

Yes, it’s very early in the season but it was vital that Sporting won their match with newly promoted Granada. They were able to take the match 2-0, the first half was excellent some good ball movement, passing and could have had a few more. The second half wasn’t as impressive, it was like that they were trying to close down the match creating very little, but it was good enough on the day. The relief was clear on winning their first match the matches against Barcelona and Sevilla were frustrating in that Sporting played quite well, but got no points. It’s like anything, winning is a habit, as is losing but Preciado was able to lift the morale of the squad.


Sporting winning over Mallorca

After the victory at El Molinón Sporting faced the difficult away trip to Mallorca who already sacked their manager Michael Laudrup, who was undermined by people inside the club to the point where they paid a journalist to conduct a smear campaign against him. The match itself was a combination of an ordinary first half from Sporting down 0-1 at the break to a rare goal from open play, it was a good run from Pereira, but ball watching leaving Castro free to score.

Preciado must have given one of the better half time talks as Sporting came out a different side. Better ball retention, more movement from the players, they were able to create chances. Barral who was excellent against Granada was a passenger replaced at half time by Bilić who levelled within 10 minutes of coming on. Sporting’s self belief increased and putting more pressure on the home side, this time they were the beneficiary of an own goal from João Victor. There were a few tight moments at the end with Eguren giving away silly fouls. Mallorca hitting the post hitting Juan Pablo as well and not going in the goal. It’s the way of the sport' some days you play well and get nothing, other days don't play as well, yet win.

When a team has a few poor results the trigger fingers are already looking to sack the coach, thankfully Preciado’s job at Sporting is safe. He is loved by the fans and the squad, the longest serving manager in La Liga. El Presidente Vega-Arango really should give Preciado the job for as long as he wants. He has the skills to manage on a shoestring budget, nearly always losing their most talented players the next season, it takes time to integrate the new players into the squad, this and not converting their chances in the opener contributed to the poor start to the season.

In the next few weeks Sporting have a mix of winnable and difficult matches Athletic (H), Zaragoza (A), Getafe (H), Levante (A), Real Madrid (H). It's an opportunity for Sporting to build upon their excellent form in the last month, but it will count for nothing if they aren't able to convert their opportunities and positive play into points.

Wigan aim to kickstart season by Trotting over Bolton

It's been said that you don't win the championship in October, at the same time you can set the foundations for relegation in this period . Have to stick with the prediction in the Wigan season preview that they'll survive again Wigan Athletic Fighting the Good Fight . For this to happen they have turn around a run of very poor performances.

International break came at a good time as many of the players were able to get away to a different environment, which can be beneficial to a team struggling for confidence. Their last match was a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa away, while on the scoreboard this doesn't look bad the reality was different. Out of the 4 consecutive losses in the league they have had, this was easily the worst.

* Man City 3-0 - They didn't believe they could compete and Al Habsi was brilliant on this day which prevented this from being 6 or 7. The difference in class and bank balances were about the same on this day.

* Everton 3-1 - An improved performance with a score that was flattering to Everton who weren't really doing much. Two late goals from Vellios and Drenthe when everyone had pushed up for the equaliser.

* Tottenham 2-1 - Two very different halves, the first was full of ineptitude of the highest order thanks to Al Habsi it was only 2. The second half was much better and disappointing they couldn't get a point, but the level between both halves was almost as great as Cristiano Ronaldo's ego.

Coming from the 2nd half performance against the Spuds playing Villa at Villa Park, where they've had an excellent record what followed was nothing short of garbage. The passes weren't finding their teammates and it's common knowledge Der Kaiser Gary Caldwell besides getting more cards than a croupier is one of the slowest defenders around. He was exposed badly by Agbonlahor's pace, it's not like Wigan were unaware of the this fact that McLeish teams are long ball merchants, losing the ball in key areas where they can pump it long to expose Der Kaiser's lack of pace. The football was tedious from Wigan, we know Villa are going to be tedious, playing like that against a team that isn't that good in the process making them look superstars isn't acceptable.

All the problems that plagued Wigan last season, well there has been consistentcy but losing 4 on the hop isn't the type needed. Naturally being a smaller side, the squad is going to lack depth if there are major injuries. At the moment the injuries to Alcaraz and Rodallega who are the best options of stopping and scoring goals respectively hasn't helped at all. Though this provides opportunities for the other squad players who haven't been able to cement places with any confidence.


Roberto Martinez

Diamond Dave Whelan for all this foibles won't sack Roberto Martinez nor should he, naturally there are small segment of the fanbase who wants him sacked, then again there are people who think the BNP should be in power or Justin Bieber has talent. Martinez as a young coach has many lessons to learn which will improve him as manager, but he has to evolve and adapt to the circumstances around him with the squad he possesses. There have been some question marks about the players he has purchased, naturally they take time to adjust to the system and speed of the game, though question marks could be raised about the quality of scouting.

Defensively there have been mistakes which isn't surprising, especially when Der Kaiser goes in at times when he doesn't need to, create chances for the opposition. Boyce came back too soon from injury, Figueroa should never play in the centre. Defensive discipline is very important it doesn't mean putting 11 men behind the ball, holding your line and keeping shape.

Next problem is the midfield. In this case it seems Wigan need to be a goal down before they decide to move the ball with any speed, it's not about useless running which passes off as workrate because they lack the skill required to keep the ball and use it efficiently. The style of play in theory is fine, with short passing and keeping it along the ground, that's the way to do it. The key to making this effective is move the ball quickly with one or two touches to have players in motion. This isn't happening at the moment as the passing and build up is too slow, giving the opposition time to put men behind the ball. It needs the wide men or wing backs down the flank to stretch the defence to create space elsewhere, this won't work unless players try and create space for the man in possession to pass to. Currently they're more static than statues while aesthetically pleasing makes the attack like an Aero bar "bubbles of nothing".


Franco di Santo


Martinez likes playing with the lone forward "Van Basten" Di Santo he has improved quite a bit, even then all of his goals have been deflections. He isn't getting quality service from the midfield and a distinct lack of support as well. Victor Moses while getting more opportunities, still hasn't improved his decision making knowing when to pass and when to take on players, he definitely isn't N'Zogbia lite.

Lack of penetration from the midfield, moving the ball too slowly leading to few goalscoring chances which aren't being taken, putting pressure on the defence and mistakes happen under pressure, especially when the goals aren't going in on the other end. Wigan look inhibited but this is understandable losing 4 consecutive matches. Losing can be a habit as well as the poor form and results continue anxiety increases making it difficult to get out of these situations.

It's easier to find problems, then to find solutions. The players who aren't performing at moment, deserve to be dropped. There needs to be pressure coming from the bench. Crucat has potential to make an impact once he recovers from injury. Time for Shaun Maloney to be given more playing time, as Wigan need more creatively from the midfield. When they do introduce Sammon into games, they don't need to hoof it long, he is capable with the ball at his feet. van Aanholdt has looked like scoring more than anyone in the midfield this season.

Thankfully this weekends match against Bolton sees a side who are in worse form than the Latics. This counts for nowt though when it comes to local derbies, this series of two matches are the ones the Latics want to win more than the others. It won't be easy two teams low on confidence, could be quite an ugly spectacle with the odds of 1.60 Caldwell getting a card, but that won't matter as long as Wigan win.

They've shown plenty of resilience during their time in the EPL and this is another time where it will be needed. The relegation battle is usually more interesting than the top of the table, the newly promoted teams of QPR, Swansea and Norwich have handled themselves quite well so far, Blackburn are poor. Hopefully Martinez can address some of the problems and the team can start posting some better results.

There is still plenty of time left in the season, but the foundations of Premier League survival need to be reinforced this week with a win at home against Bolton or the knives will be sharpening and the sounds from the peanut gallery will grow louder and louder.

Jamaica break world record, Pearson destroys and final Daegu review

World Championships are over, thankfully it didn't end on a controversial note. Here is the last review taking in a few days action.

Never in doubt a Kenyan man would win the 3k steeplechase. The race itself was very ordinary, in fact the only interest was the last 200m where Ezekiel Kemboi won another title sprinting off a very slow pace. The celebration after the race the video says it all, sound advice would be for the guys is to learn the Kemboi dance and next time you are out at the pubs or clubs try it and the ladies will fall over trying to win your heart.



Womens javelin was arguably the best competition of the championships Abakumova with 2 throws over 71m and Spotakova fighting so hard the crowd were loving the contest. Abakumova hits 71.25, then Spotakova responds with 71.58 who was delighted, though not for long when Abakumova throws 71.99. There are many rugby teams that could use the Russian in their line up.

Mitchell Watt was talked up as the massive favourite before the long jump but he didn’t deliver the good as the veteran with no form but loads of pedigree Dwight Phillips came out of nowhere with 8.45m after that Phillips didn’t land a single jump. That’s four world titles for Phillips which makes him one of the best jumpers even though he hasn’t reached the levels of Carl Lewis, Mike Powell or the flamboyant Cuban Iván Pedroso. Watt revealed he had injury problems afterwards, he has a year to overcome these for London.

Matthias de Zordo finally ended the golden run of Andreas Thorkildsen who was current World, Olympic and European champion. Thorkildsen didn’t seem to be his usual self but full credit to de Zordo who won his first throw of 86.27. In addition to his first title de Zordo is the first left hander to win a World or Olympic championship for a long time. As for Thorkildsen, he’ll be ready for London to defend his title, even the legendary Jan Železný lost championships he was there as a coach for the Czech team and presented the medals.

Thorkildsen, de Zordo and Martinez

Sally Pearson owned the 100m hurdles it was over as soon as she went over the first hurdle technically executed the plan to a tee. Pearson ran 12.28 fastest run since Gail Devers, Harper and Carruthers ran personal bests but were lucky to be in the same photo shot. Now the other hurdlers know what level Pearson has taken it to.

Finally Usain Bolt was able to establish himself on the championships in a positive way. He stayed in the blocks had the slowest reaction time, plus not in his best condition yet he toyed with the field running 19.40. Only he and Michael “Eddie Murphy” Johnson have ran quicker says much about Bolt’s abilities at this event. Excellent run from Christoph Lemaitre running a national record of 19.80, plus my countryman Jay Saidy Ndure first Norwegian sprinter in a World final since Geir Moen ran 19.95.

Christian Taylor came out of nowhere jumped a massive 17.96 only Jonathan Edwards and Kenny Harrison have jumped further. That jump killed the competition Phillips Idowu had a fine series of jumps, but it’s not won on a series of jumps. Respect to Christian Olsson who held every major title indoors and outdoors from 2004-07, injuries and advancing age have slowed him down, just hope he’s enjoying competing.


Christian Taylor

Mariya Savinova won a fast 800m which was taken out quickly by Jepkosgei in the manner of her triumph in Osaka, sadly for her she doesn’t quite have the speed to lead the whole way but a brave fight. The controversial Caster Samenya took the lead in the straight but not able to hold on, probably a good thing that she didn’t win because the debate about whether she should be allowed to run would be reopened. The IAAF has cleared her to run rightly or wrongly, whether this should happen that’s debatable.


Brilliant ending to the World Championship with Jamaica 4x100m relay breaking their own world record with 37.04. Have to enjoy the moments when a prediction comes true as it doesn’t happen too often. Before Steve Mullings aka (Druggings) was banned for his second positive dope test, my personal feeling was that he shouldn’t be in the relay squad at all. Yes, he ran good times but Jamaica has Nesta Carter who is brilliant starter, Michael Frater who runs the back straight. As it stood it was my view that Mullings would have upset the balance of the team and Frater who steps up three or four levels in the relay would miss out.

The guys celebrating

With Asafa Powell missing out due to injury it was assured that Frater got a run and he didn’t let them down at all. To say that it was unexpected they’d break the WR without Powell is an understatement, one wonders whether it’s bittersweet feeling for him. Naturally he’d be happy for his team mates for winning and breaking the WR, but disappointed that he wasn’t a part of the team.

Yohan Blake ran a brilliant bend he has so much potential, could do some damage at 200m if he took it up seriously already has a PB of 19.76 with minimal racing. Usain Bolt was his usual dominating self in the final leg, much of the focus will be on Bolt but he wouldn’t have had the chance at the WR if it wasn’t for the work of Carter, Frater and Blake. Win as a team, lose as a team.


Now it's time for the final Diamond League events and preparation for London.

Kirani James becomes the man David Rudisha is the boss

Today is a day off from the championships, giving a chance to catch up with last night’s action and preview the finals tomorrow night.

Thankfully there were no controversies last nights, there have already been enough talking points about classifies as interference and the one false start rule which has taken away from performances on the track rightly or wrongly.

The 400m hurdles kicked off the evening action and we aren’t any closer to a clear favourite in either race. Demus was very impressive in her semi final, but that’s not the race where to peak and has shown that she can crack under pressure. The Jamaican duo Walker and Spencer have championship pedigree didn’t perform to well, but they made the final and strange things happen in finals. Hejnová was very comfortable in her run and is a medal chance, not sure she can win it.

Superman Felix Sanchez just keeps on going ran an excellent race to make final. Kudos to the longevity of his career and one of the best ever at this event. Picking a winner in this will be difficult Angelo Taylor double Olympic champion is always thereabouts but never won a world title. Two South Africans in the field while LJ van Zyl is the more credentialed athlete can see him making mistakes in the final. Culson has big chances to win as well, it’s always good when someone from a smaller nation wins a gold medal.


Fabiana Murer

Fabiana Murer triumphed in the women’s pole vault which in general isn’t a bad event when it comes to eye candy. The one thing that is impressive in this newer event is that technically the ladies are good, it’s going to take time for that side to develop but the ladies are very good especially to the female steeplechasers more on that event later.

Murer was the best in 2010 but there were doubts as Isinbayeva had taken the year off and there weren’t major global titles for her to show her skills. The Russian ice maiden crashed at 4.75 and 4.80 to finish 6th, it’s too early to write her off as finished as the dominant pole vaulter it just makes London more interesting. Anna Rogowska wasn’t in form to defend her title, it’s good when there are more winners around. Svetlana Feofanova the very consistent Russian managed to get another medal, technically very sound but just lacks a little speed to go higher.



Yulia Zaripova

Yulia Zaripova was outstanding in her win at 3000m steeplechase. She took it out from the front which personally takes a lot of courage and better when it comes off. It’s always amazing that when there are athletes (not in this case) in the distance races they know they don’t have the finishing kick yet they won’t take it out or in the middle of the race break up the rhythm. Chewya was undefeated all season but with Zaripova taking it out at a fast pace to run the legs off the Kenyans, which worked a treat. As in all hurdling events the barriers are lower for the ladies, but the African women for their talent have absolutely rubbish hurdling techniques which would make things easier, they should learn from their brothers, even the worst one has better technique than the best African woman. Zaripova was hurdling with efficiency especially in the water jump which meant she was able to keep running at that rhythm for the race.

David Rudisha continued his dominance of the 800m and ran a brilliant tactical race. He made up for the mistake in Berlin where he failed to make the final. Usually Kaki goes out very hard, but he didn’t do it this time and Rudisha controlled the race the whole way. Went through in 51.33 had to save some energy with Borzakovskiy who has a big finishing kick and Kaki lurking. In the last 100m just had a look at them moved easily away winning 0.5 sec, Rudisha was the father owning the field who were like little children.


David Rudisha

Highlight of the night on a personal level was Kirani James winning the 400m in 44.60 as was predicted in this blog (link). There should be a public holiday in Grenada as it’s the first ever gold medal for the island. James turns 19 tomorrow he ran a brilliant tactical race, knew exactly how he wanted to run and executed the plan perfectly. Merritt was the class of the field, but he needed some more of the penis enlargement stuff as he ran 44.63. It was the lack of racing that didn’t help Merritt at all, can do all the physical preparation in the world, but match racing is what counts.

Hopefully Kirani James has partied hard celebrating his gold medal as he should, paid his respects to childhood coach and Alleyne Francique who paved the way for 400m runners in Grenada. It’s important for James to have the right people around him to keep him grounded so he can maximise the huge potential he possesses.

IAAF Officials 1 Dayron Robles 0

Controversy has reigned again at the World Athletic Champs, whereas yesterday Usain Bolt knew he was in the wrong after false starting in the final of the 100m. Today’s adventure involved another disqualification in a major final though the race was completed and the reason for the disqualification less cut and dried.

One of the great joys as a fan of the athletics well depending if the individual likes distance running is watching the Kenyan men running the 3000m steeplechase. There is an untapped resource of talent at this event, it’s like the Finns and javelin throwing, Caribbean with sprinting. It’s their most prestigious event back home and the last non Kenyan to win a major championship was Francesco Panetta in 1987. Well there was Boulami who had more EPO in his system than a blood bank and was banned for doping. Shaheen doesn’t count, as he was Stephen Cherono just changed from Kenya to Qatar for the cash.

Four Kenyans in the field, they will run as a team to get rid of any opposition, then once they have dropped most of the contenders, then they will race for themselves. Kipruto is the favourite as he is just 0.01 sec outside of the world record, also Kemboi has run under 8 minutes this year. The conditions have been tough with the swirling winds, will be interesting to see what tactics they use. As for who will win, not exactly sure but it’ll be a Kenyan and personally I’ll enjoy the final which shouldn’t be too slow.

In the evening session there were finals in the mens hammer throw and pole vault, as well as the womens shot put. Primož Kozmus was defending his world title from Berlin hasn’t been in form this season, not throwing so much but he managed to get a bronze medal which was a fine achievement considering his lack of action. Pars, the young Hungarian on his last throw had a chance to pass the leader Japanese-Romanian Koji Murofishi but fell 6cm short with 81.18 and Mirofushi threw 81.24 twice. It’s good that the top three all managed seasons bests here, this is where they want to peak.

Primož Kozmus

Poland managed its 1st gold medal of the championship in the mens pole vault with Wojciechowski who won with 5.90 on countback where he cleared the height on his 2nd vault. The true surprise and star was the silver medallist Cuban Lázaro Borges who cleared 5.90m as well on his last attempt. He improved his personal best by 15cm in these champs, just hope he won’t be busted for doping offences. Yes, it was disappointing no Stevie Hooker in the final but didn’t deserve to get through.

Lázaro Borges

Valerie Adams what a champion she is. The New Zealand athlete has dominated the shot put for some time and after these championships Graham Henry should get her in to talk to the All Blacks, she knows something about winning major titles.

400m semi finals produced no surprise “The Penis Enlargement Man” Meritt looked very good, but as was said yesterday the question whether he has enough running in the legs if Kirani James can put pressure on him. James seems to have a good temperament tomorrow night could be the break out moment, the question is whether he can develop to his maximum potential or not be like Darrel Brown very brilliant junior who didn’t get it done with the big boys.

Tomorrow night besides the 400m final, we have the mens 800m final. We have David Rudisha the current world record holder but he really needs a major title, as long as he runs a tactically smart race then the title will be his. Kaki the Sudanese front runner it will be better for Rudisha if he goes the usual way and stretch the field as Rudisha’s strength will come through plus he can go with a fast pace. Just hope it’s not a sit and shit race run in around 1.45.

Jeter finally broke her drought at major championships with a solid win in the 100m. She has run plenty of fast times just not done it when it counted. Little Shellie Anne Fraser-Pryce had a slight stumble at the start, but Jeter was too solid and deserved the win.



Ivet Lalova

Ivet Lalova made the final, yes she was the best looking one in the final, but her goal was to make the final and after the problems she has suffered it’s a fine achievement. For those who don’t know she broke her femur at Athens in 2005 and was out for two years, took some time to get her confidence back but glad made the final.

Now onto the controversial part of the evening with the disqualification of Dayron Robles in the 110m hurdles final. The final was one of the most eagerly awaited of the championship and the race didn’t disappoint but what happened afterwards was disappointing to all concerned.

Robles finished across the line first from Jason Richardson who has improved greatly this season and third was Xiang Liu. This was not how it ended up, as Robles was disqualified for causing interference to Liu. The pressure was immense Robles wasn’t his usual clean technical self and Liu was hitting hurdles as well. Liu moved to the right of the lane which of course isn’t illegal and Robles hit the 8th hurdle where he lost some balance, then there was contact. As fellow finalist David Oliver said “People who think Robles did it on purpose are crazy and haven't seen his races, late in races he's been getting wide with his arms. Why would you do something intentionally that us going to mess you up as well”.

Yes, there was contact between Robles and Liu at two hurdles, but it wasn’t deliberate. The IAAF somehow concluded that it was intentional. The 100/110m hurdles is a physical event with lots of action and contact, it’s part of what makes the event great to watch. Liu wasn’t the one who protested it was the Chinese federation as Liu knows these incidents and physical contact are part of the sport.

Both guys were in their lanes and now any race where there is physical contact should come down to protest and officiating. Surprised the conspiracy theorists among us which exist haven’t made reference to Chinese intimidation, but the IAAF aren’t known for being a transparent organisation with the sports best interest at heart. The disqualification was a stupid decision, the question is now how will the IAAF handle races where there is physical contact, they need to apply the rules properly but this is subjective at best.


Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson who won the event on a technicality or bureaucratically handled the situation gracefully. Yes, he was happy that he got a gold medal but this wasn’t the way he wanted to win. He respects and is friends with Robles, naturally he wants to win the gold on the track and also would like to thank David Oliver for his sensible comments on a difficult situation.

This will be a test of Robles mentally, he has to stop the problem with the arms getting wide which has been problematic and cost him a gold medal. Strength in adversity and Robles will have plenty of prove for the London Olympics.