Get off Tiger Woods' Back

Much has been made of Tiger Woods' behaviour on the golf course at the Masters, understandably since it was his first tournament back since he promised to change. He has come in to alot of criticism as people expected him to be more open, yet in face of numerous moronic questions from journalists, and a struggle to control his game I thought he acted admirably.

Whilst, there will be players who acknowledge the fans to a greater extent, it was always going to too much to expect Tiger to return a new human being. Personally, if he continues to pull out shots like his second on the 9th during his first round (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlVhj0MZ7yg - poor quality video of it) that is crowd pleasing enough for me!

Furthermore, he was right when he said "I looked unhappy because I just played two bad holes, if I'm playing badly I'm not gonna be smiling." This is natural, what the interviewer was expecting I honestly have no idea, and Tiger treated his question with extraordinary respect considering this was his third day of a similar interrogation.

Every golf fan is entitled to their own opinion, and many will never forgive Tiger for his disgraceful actions. But, can we stop analysing his every action to the nth degree, refrain from asking stupid questions, and just admire the greatest golfer of his generation going about his genius. Smile or no smile.

The above image is courtesy of James Marvin Phelps via Flickr and is subject to a Attribution, non-commercial share-alike Creative Commons license. Full details: http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses/

Who does Carlos Tevez belong to?

This summer Carlos Tevez has been linked with Man Utd., Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City. He can be bought for £25 million which Man Utd. were willing to pay but Tevez turned down the offer- but he real question is: 'Who are they buying him from?'.

Over the past two seasons Tevez has played for Manchester Utd. but since they had to pay a transfer fee to secure his services he obviously didn't belong to him. He definitely is not contracted to another club so he must belong to 3rd party company MSI who previously held his economic rights. Now if I am not mistaken West Ham were fined £5.5million for playing Tevez and Mascherano while they belonged to MSI so why have Manchester United been cleared to buy him. Is this another case of the much greater power big clubs and especially United hold in English football. If it had been a team such as Portsmouth -no disrespect to Pompey- who loaned Tevez for two seasons would it have been allowed? I doubt it.

I personally am hoping for the amusing situation which could theoretically occur. If none of the teams sign him then who will he play for next season. No club owns him so he can't play for anybody. I doubt very much that this will happen as he is a world class player but it would mean he would be in the same situation as a free agent. Free agents under the Bosman ruling can move for free- so since Tevez doesn't belong to a 3rd party company because he has been allowed to play for Manchester United; then when his contract runs down on 30th June, Man City, Chelsea and any other potential suitors should be able to sign him for free not this £25million pound fee which has been bandied around.

All this leads us back to the original question: Who is the 25million pounds going to? Therefore who does he belong to? And if this is not a club then Why has this been allowed? I will naively trust in the FA's judgement on the matter- that they know of the situation and it abides by all laws but with the evidence available it certainly appears to demonstrate the power the 'big' clubs hold in the way football is run.

Three predictions for the next ten years

1. Milton Keynes Dons will reach the premier league

2. A team from outside the current 'Big Four' will win the Premier league

3. £100 million will be spent on a player

Chelsea outclassed by beautiful Barca

'A job well done' the view of most people last Tuesday when Chelsea flew to Barcelona and parked ten men in front of their own goal. Hiddink had masterminded a 0-0 and Chelsea would be able to win at Stamford Bridge. But that they were so pleased with a draw shows how dominant the Catalan were on the night.

All through the match Xavi ran from corner to corner stringing moves together and pulling the Chelsea defence, just as he did to England, in Sevilla last February. The little Spaniard is a genius at what he does, matched only by Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso for connecting defence and attack with sharp incisive passes.

The English press praised Chelsea for (their admittedly excellent) organisation and solidity but had Henry and Eto'o been slightly more clinical, and the prodigious striker Bojan finished from four yards with the goal at his mercy, all the praise would be on the home side, and another inquisition into the technical weakness of Englsih clubs would be ongoing.

All night the ball seemed like an unwanted guest when Chelsea were in possession, a guest who couldn't wait to get home to his friendly neighbours- Xavi's left and right feet- where he could sit at ease. Pele once said you must treat the ball like a friend- Xavi was so well acquainted he may as well be married.

It is astounding that a team assembled for so many Russian millions and containing players of the calibre of Ballack and Lampard could be so comprehensively outplayed: albeit by a team of equal standing and with one of the most fearsome attacking triplets ever seen in world football. Drogba remained lively and had he taken his few chances gifted upon him by the Barcelona centre backs not through any Chelsea venture Hiddink's negativity may have payed off. A job well done it would have been and they could be rightly lauded. However as it is, with Barce flying to London on the back of what is being described as the greatest result in their history: a 6-2 demolition of Real Madrid in El Clasico; Messi, Henry, Eto'o et al will be- in the words of Danny Baker "licking their lips".

Benitez signs new contract

After contract talks which have been a major talking point for the last few months Rafael Benitez has finally signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2014.

Rafael Benitez was quoted on the club website as saying""My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal, I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying. I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool."

"The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history."

Chambers casts aside doubters and sets his sights on world record

Today, at the European Indoor championships in Turin, Dwain Chambers recorded an impressive 6.42 seconds in the semi-finals. This followed a field leading 6.53 secs in the first round which left his competitors trailing. Despite a false start from Italy's Fabio Cerutti, Chambers got an impressive start and by 30m was up on the field and continued to motor away from the other competitiors, before finishing in the third quickest time ever. Only Maurice Greene and Andre Cason have run quicker and when asked to comment on whether he would be going for Greene's world record in tomorrow's final he said "lets just wait and see." Chambers will need to improve his time by 0.04 of a second to beat Greene's world record of 6.39, but he looks the sure favourite to win gold tomorrow.
Also through to the final for Britain were Simeon Williamson who ran an impressive 6.61 to win the first semi-final, and Craig Pickering who ran 6.63 to finish fourth behind Chambers. Both will be vying for a medal, but all eyes will be on Chambers and his world record attempt.

The above image is courtesy of maxzix74 via Flickr and is subject to a Creative Commons license. Full details:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Champions league assessment

Chelsea Odds:7/1

Strengths: Desperate to avenge last year's heart wrenching defeat in the final and also with new manager Guus Hiddink- a shrewd knockout tactician-taking over the reins, Chelsea are revitalised and supremely motivated. Against Aston Villa they looked to be back to their defensive best and if the movement clicks upfront, goals will come with it.

Weaknesses: When Chelsea's full backs were stopped under Scolari they often looked clueless. Teams would park infront of their goal and force Chelsea to play through them, consequently they struggled. When Anleka and Drogba don't perform they lack goals and if they lose the first leg of a tie I think they can be stopped.

Key Player: Frank Lampard. Crucial to orchestrate Chelsea's passing and creativity. Alongside Deco and Ballack Chelsea have a truly formidable midfield which will destroy any team not at their best. Lampard is needed for his set-pieces and vital goals from midfield.

Champions league assessment

Bayern Munich Odds:14/1

Strengths: Great technical team and a real team spirit instilled by manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Almost all the players in the squad are capable of goals and they are a strong, experienced side- reaching their peak. Perhaps this is the year for them to make up for the disappointment of 1999.

Weaknesses: Very vulnerable on the counter attack. Despite a strong defensive midfield in van Bommel and Borowski, wide men such as Podolski, Ribery and Schweinsteiger can be unwilling to work back; thus leaving them open- especially when Lahm has pushed forward.

Key Player: Franck Ribery. Every team that wins the Champion's League needs a player of real world class quality. Franck Ribery has the potential to be that player. Injury in Euro 2008 prevented him showing his skills but this is the time Bayern need him to prove he is in the same bracket as Messi and Ronaldo.

Champions league assessment

Barcelona Odds: 11/4

Strengths: With Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield and Henry, Eto'o and Messi upfront it is easy to see why, at times, La Blaugrana's football is irresistable. Every defense will stuggle to stop this attacking force and most bookies expect the Catalan club to triumph.

Weaknesses: With all the midfielders looking for goals and both fullbacks bombing on to provide width, teams can often hit Barca on the counter. However with their current La Liga form it is difficult to see them conceding that many goals.

Key Player: Carlos Puyol. Lionel Messi et al may gain all the attacking plaudits, but when Abidal and Alves go walk about and there are no midfielders to cover it is often only Puyol holding the defense together. He wears his heart on his sleeves and will be vital to secure a clean sheet on those tough European away days.

Champions league assessment

Atletico Madrid Odds: 25/1

Strengths: Two world class strikers- Aguero and Forlan mean this team can always score goals. And with a packed Vicente Calderon behind them they are extremely difficult to beat in front of home support. If they can stay in touch on the away legs of games then anything could happen.

Weaknesses: Little depth behind their star stikers and wide men, and struggle against the big teams. Tend to lose concentration at the start of the game so if teams get at them early they will shy away from the big occasion.

Key Player: Sergio Aguero. At just 20 years of age this Argentinian forward is a prdigy and one of the hottest prospects in world football. Now could be the chance for him to show his stuff and prove why. With pace, skill, strength and a terrific shot every defender who faces him will have to be wary of the one they call 'Kun'.