SportsDesk

Handball, Theoklitos and the Norwich cause

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:44:00 GMT

There was a bit of debate in the press box on Saturday over Norwich City’s penalty against Tranmere – which obviously played a big part in the Canaries' win.

I always used to watch games safe in the knowledge handball should only be given if it’s a case of hand to ball – an obvious, deliberate attempt to gain an advantage.

But time and again, I’d watch games – mostly Norwich – and see referees blow up for offences when there was clearly no intent.

So now, when I watch or report on a game, for me handball comes down to whether the offender gains an advantage from the ball striking him.

Paul McLaren flung every part he could in front of Adam Drury’s shot, which was on target. Unfortunately his arms were out too – and they were what stopped the City left-back’s effort troubling keeper Luke Daniels.

It was definitely unlucky the ball struck his arm, but clearly a penalty. And seeing the replay convinces me more.

Now, I don't really want to go over old ground BUT I know some are not too comfortable with the reporting over Michael Theoklitos.

'Bias' is a word I've seen and, with football being based on opinions, these things are always difficult to quantify.

Here’s how I’ve seen it in the games I have watched.

Theo commanded his area very well at Palace in pre-season, without having to make a save of note.

I think he had some blame in at least six of the seven goals against Colchester on the opening day of the season.

Against Southend Reserves City won 5-0 and he had little to do, but made a good reflex save.

Watford Reserves saw him deal with a similar amount of activity, but make a terrible mistake in conceding the penalty which settled the game.

Last night against West Ham's youngsters he needlessly rushed out for a cross he had no hope of getting, leaving a header Werndly only needed to flick on target to score. He'd had very little to do up to that point.

He's a top bloke, but a keeper struggling for confidence and guilty of making mistakes that have cost goals in games which he’s seen limited action.

When he starts earning results with his performances, like any Norwich fan, then the bias will come - in the usual, healthy, partisan way.

Until then, I’ll say what I see.

Jenson Button, F1 world champion... hmmm

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:35:00 GMT

I must confess, even after he took six of the first seven grands prix this season, I didn’t think Jenson Button would become Formula One world drivers’ champion.

If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago, my money would have gone on Sebastian Vettel.

It just didn’t feel right. Jenson is an innocuous Formula One man, poodling around in average cars making his millions on the marquee sport’s over inflated gravy train – and this coming from someone who doesn't mind watching a bit of the action. My sportsdesk neighbour Phil Banyard would have a few more choice things to say.

As it was, it only took an unspectacular second half of the season to cement what a clear technical advantage laid the foundations for in the opening months.

But, for all my doubts, Jenson’s drive on Sunday was genuinely impressive.

The way he set about overtaking and making up places – his attacking, exciting and supreme driving – in a race so important, one that would have seen others retreat into their shell, was more than deserving of a world champion.

It’s a shame he kept going on about how good his drive was to Jake Humphrey and co afterwards – but then, he is a F1 driver. Modesty will never be a strong point.

Good on Button for going some way to prove he is worthy of the championship – next season, with Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren set to return to the groove, could be a cracker.

Moving on down

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:37:00 GMT

It’s been all change for the sportsdesk since last weekend – and the news journos, photographers etc.

We’ve crashed down about 10 feet to reside just behind the reception at Prospect House, a delightful building, as we all know.

The ceilings are higher – possibly the sole reason for the move – and we’re near the windows, which is always good.

All the important people are lined up in a circle on the middle of the floor – The Hub, as it’s known. The genius is, they only need to turn round in their chair to find themselves in a handy war room huddle.

I’m desperate for the whole floor to turn red when this happens – a kind of ‘Deal or No Deal banker’ moment – but such features are probably a little way down the list of priorities.

The main problem is the lack of televisions, which are yet to be installed in our new surroundings.

As I type, I think the management is working out where they’ll go – and I’m working hard to get a good view.

It was a perk of the job, the television, watching the Ashes and Olympics in full flow while working hard (I was, honest).

Allow me to self indulge - or the cricket gets it

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:14:00 GMT

The sportsdesk is not like every office – cakes and social gatherings don't come around very often.

There has been the odd birthday occasion leading to a few doughnuts in the office, although I’m usually away for them so I can only assume the rumours are true.

But today, I stopped off at Tesco in the pool car on the way back from this morning’s pre-match presser at Colney so we could all celebrate my National Certificate Examination pass.

Basically, it’s the sheet of paper that says I’m a fully trained senior journalist – and not just on sport, but anything.

Originally, I failed by one mark but after laying my own money on the line, sports editor Richard Willner and I appealed and the good old NCTJ obliged by giving me, not one, but three new marks. Good times.

And then, this afternoon I find out I’m on a shortlist of three for the NCTJ’s Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2009 trainee sports journalist of the year.

No, it doesn’t warrant a second helping of cakes next week.

So there we are – the most self indulgent post on this blog to date.

But you should be thankful. It’s much better than writing about the cricket, seeing as England have just lost wicket number six for 100-odd against Australia in their Champions Cup semi. Bad times.

Theoklitos - Rubbish or hard doneby?

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:35:00 GMT

I would like to know the last time a Norwich City Reserves match report caused such a stir on the Pinkun.com message board.

I have to say it’s quite amusing – and the perfect proof football is all about opinions.

No hidden agendas, everyone. Just reporting what I saw – and that was Michael Theoklitos making a mistake which cost City the game against Watford on Wednesday.

And there was nothing really wrong with George Francomb’s back pass, either. If there was, I would have mentioned it.

Theoklitos has got to expect the pressure – I’m sure he’s putting himself under a lot of it as well after the Colchester game.

That result put him in the spotlight – all City fans want to know how he's fairing.

Plus, it was by far and away the most interesting line from the game.

So that’s why I wrote what I wrote. I’m not trying to justify it, obviously, because there’s nothing wrong with it. But it’s always good to have your say.

A view from outside Carrow Road

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:59:00 GMT

Hello. Andrew Fitchett here, this week’s sports desk work experience boy. Since the desk has a distinct yellow and green air to it, I thought I might give an outsider’s view on Norwich and their various ups and downs (and downs, and downs…)

Sorry to start with that bit of sarcasm – wouldn’t want to get off on the wrong foot. Truth be told, Norwich are a club that I have a lot of history with and attachment to.

As a Norfolk boy, born and bred (I grew up in the cosmopolitan town of Thetford), City always loomed large on my footballing horizon as I was surrounded by fans of the county’s biggest club.

To make things more interesting, living on the cusp of the Norfolk/Suffolk divide meant there were always plenty of Ipswich supporters loitering; a mixture that provided great entertainment for a non-partisan viewer like me.

My first ever experience of live football was at Carrow Road – a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Wimbledon – and down the years friends have served as ball boys, mascots and even players.

As if to make up for that Wimbledon shellacking, my first trip to see my beloved Spurs was hijacked by Mike Walker’s City side in a 3-1 win for the Canaries.

Years later, whilst working a summer job as a tiler’s assistant, I had the pleasure of laying a new floor in Chris Sutton’s palatial conservatory.

I never did remind him of the brace in that game which spoilt my first ever day at White Hart Lane – but I’m sure he wouldn’t have had much sympathy!

With plenty of card-carrying Canaries among my friends and family, I’ve never felt too far away from what’s going on at the club, but in all honesty, the last few years have somewhat passed me by.

Oddly enough, last year’s relegation got me back on track with City and it’s great to see the side seemingly on an upwards path with Paul Lambert in charge.

Sure, it is early days, but the new gaffer is making the right noises, the fans are packing out all four corners of the ground (as always) and the results are heading in the right direction.

The incredible thing for me, looking at the side nowadays, is the playing staff. For fans of the club, entrenched as you are in every little detail of what’s going on, things never seem to change as fast.

Personally, my memories of Norwich are of either top quality players such as Chris Sutton or steady, experienced old-heads like Malky Mackay and Dion Dublin.

Now the club lacks those household names, but the crop of promising young players coming through spells good things and a well travelled individual like Lambert can only help their development.

Despite my other blasphemous allegiances, I’d love to see Norwich climb the divisions again. The East Anglian Derby would be a welcome return for starters (although with the way Ipswich are going, the two sides might end up missing each other) and beyond that, having Norwich back in the Premier League would be great for the city.

Dreams of top flight football might be a distant possibility – one step at a time and so on – but with the club on the right path the optimism should start to return.

If they do get there, I’ll certainly be backing them in every game. Apart from two obvious exceptions, of course.

Class from Craig Bellamy, comedy from Mark Hughes

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:24:00 GMT

I don’t want to turn this into an anti-Manchester City page – but yesterday’s derby at Old Trafford was a Premier League classic.

I’ve always been a big Craig Bellamy fan (the footballer, at least) and he scored a couple of cracking goals.

Although his second seemed a mistake from United keeper Ben Foster, it also came from Bellamy’s patience and composure in front of goal - the sort of style honed at Colney and enjoyed at Carrow Road.

He just waited for the keeper to commit before rolling the ball home.

But even though they were playing United, I just couldn’t bring myself to want ‘Man Citeh’ to take anything from the game.

It's the same with Fulham, Wigan, Blackburn and Chelsea. Having too much money just feels like cheating.

That’s probably why most are amused by Ipswich and Roy Keane at moment, having felt sorry for Jim Magilton.

Match of the Day 2 has Michael Owen’s winner timed at a second after the final whistle should have been blown.

I loved Mark Hughes’ comments afterwards: “United were given a little more time than they should have been given to get the goal.

“Historically it has happened before. I was in teams here where we always had a little bit of benefit. I never felt it was an issue when we played here. But since I have left maybe I have changed my view on that.”

Presumably that’s because it’s not going your way any more, Sparky? You’ll have to throw a bit more money at it instead.

Not too sharp from Emmanuel Adebayor

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:55:00 GMT

We all saw what Emmanuel Adebayor got up to in his first appearance against Arsenal for Manchester City at the weekend.

Clearly, he should be on the end of a fairly hefty ban – either incident on its own would merit that.

The rake across Robin van Persie’s face gets worse each time you see a replay. Adebayor’s look down at the Arsenal striker appears to rule out anything of an accidental nature being involved.

And then there was Adebayor’s impressive turn of pace to get from one end of the ground to the other, and celebrate in a way that was only ever going to result in the obvious reaction from Arsenal fans – who wouldd blame them?

Maybe they should have let the Gooners supporters loose? It probably would’ve been less comic than the seemingly endless supply of pies and rolls thrown onto the pitch.

Football is a passionate game and goal celebrations are one of the greatest releases during 90 minutes, for fans and players.

But I suspect Adebayor knew what he was doing by the time he raced across the dugouts – let alone the opposite goal.

This isn’t a scapegoat issue like Eduardo’s Celtic fling. This is the real deal, and it is quite right he faces a ban of several games on the back of his violent conduct charge against Van Persie, and improper conduct charge against the Arsenal supporters.

Does it make him the Premier League’s most hated player? He’s probably there, but with a handful of others.

What's in your Lowestoft Journal?

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:08:00 GMT

As JR takes a well deserved break from the office, it will be me taking over the Lowestoft Journal sport duties for the week.

That means trying to tidy up, sub and layout around 10 pages of sporting action from England’s most easterly point – and hopefully with the help of the story machine that is Boggy (Mark Boggis), providing his partner holds off popping for one more week.

I’ve had the pleasure of following Lowestoft in their two FA Vase runs, as well as the odd Ridgeons League game, and it was fantastic to see them promoted from the Eastern Counties League for the first time in their history this summer.

And they’ve seemingly started life in the Ryman League as if they want to go straight through it and overtake King’s Lynn as the region’s top part-time outfit.

Speaking of the Linnets, you can’t beat Carl Heggs for entertainment; his interviews are always laden with jewels – sadly, most of them are not printable.

Kirkley & Pakefield have made a good start to their Ridgeons campaign as well, so it’s fair to say the world of Lowestoft is enjoying its football.

When I do the live Pink’un coverage of Norwich City matches, there is always someone who says they would love this job – and so they should.

I hope they think of subbing Lowestoft’s finest when they say it, just as much as watching City scramble to a drab draw against Walsall.

Crossing the divide

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:58:00 GMT

Hi. This is Josh Clarke, currently on work experience at the EDP sports desk. I’ve been asked by Michael to write a blog for the site (he’s no doubt doing some important ‘paperwork’), so I thought I’d give you some musings about how I’ve found my placement, as well as my larger connection to sport in Norwich.

My name may ring a slight bell in the heads of the most hardcore of NCFC fans – I was actually an apprentice with the club a few years back but was forced to retire due to a severe bout of ACL ruptures.

Other than a few appearances for the U19s as a schoolboy, I was limited to all of one appearance for the Academy during my time at Colney, most of it was spent in the gym trying to rebuild my withered legs. On the upside though, I was lucky enough to receive personal tuition from the club for my A-levels. In that respect, I’m not too dissimilar from Tom Adeyemi – yet my A's in philosophy, English literature and psychology differ very much from Tom’s more scientific orientation and, of course, I never quite broke into the first team.

So here I am now, fresh faced and empty pocketed after graduating from the University of Leeds, trying to make the cross from one-time reasonably successful sportsman to (hopefully) successful sportswriter.

After spending three years writing essays on Shakespearean sonnets and the postmodern condition in literature (don’t ask – I’m not sure I’ll ever really know), I can finally sink my teeth into something juicy and attempt to write about my life’s passion… sport.

Of course, the transition is difficult. After witnessing a dismal performance or a missed chance, the urge to lace up a pair of boots always overpowers the desire to pick up a pen – so I’m currently chaining myself to the chair in order to ensure some sort of adequate lingual output. Hopefully one day this will evolve into some sort of intelligent and objective writing style.

My week so far at Archant has been extremely enlightening. Under the watchful eyes of Michael and Richard I’ve learnt about the ins, outs and typical goings-on behind the scenes of a newpaper's sports desk, as well as writing a few things myself. In a week of momentous sporting incidents including a victorious England team in the Ashes, a highly eventful athletics World Championships and Premier League upsets... I’ve so far covered water-skiers from Wymondham and the Old Catton girl’s football team.

I guess it’s a big ladder to climb.

A Bolt from the blue. Sort of

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:37:00 GMT

I knew it. At the time I remember thinking he looked a little off the pace, a little tired. He certainly didn’t look on form.

As Usain Bolt said himself after struggling to break the 200m world record in Berlin on Thursday night: “I can definitely say I didn’t expect that because I was a little bit tired. My form was going backwards. It wasn’t a good race but it was a fast one.

“Not mentally, physically it was harder because I wasn’t in the best of shape. I just want to go home and sleep.”

You imagine if Bolt was sleep walking he’d still run quicker than the rest of the field, who fell behind the Jamaican within three strides of the gun in the sprint final and eventually slipped more than half a second adrift at the tape.

And the 200m was almost a contest compared to the weekend’s 100m, in which Bolt took his previous record apart.

I remember seeing Carl Lewis, Franky Fredericks, Maurice Greene, Ato Boldon all slowly chip hundredths away at breaking 10 seconds.

On Sunday Bolt crossed the line in 9.54 seconds. Incredible.

It’s worth remembering Michael Johnson’s world mark in the 200 – 19.32s set at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 – was seen as a record that would take something special to beat. Bolt is definitely that– and he only turned 23 today. As I put in a recent tweet, they probably need a test for whether he’s human or not.

“It definitely means a lot because I showed people that last year wasn’t a joke,” said Bolt, after his World Championship sprint double. “I went through some problems this season but I came out here and showed the world what is possible.

“If Queen Elizabeth knighted me would I get the title 'Sir Usain Bolt?' That sounds very nice.”

Wouldn’t it just. At least he has his place cemented in sporting royalty. The man is a legend in our own lifetime, and we’re the ones who get to see him in action.

A bit of trial and error for new Canaries coverage

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:20:00 GMT

As you may already have seen, we’ve been trialling a new service for Norwich City games.

The idea is one of me, Jonathan and Sportsdesk Pete will be texting updates live from every City game this season, while at the same time posting your comments and answering questions.

Pete first brought this in at the end of the last campaign - sadly I never got to see how he described Norwich’s abject performance at The Valley.

I had my first two attempts this week, at the Manchester United and Crystal Palace friendlies, while Jon makes his debut at the Wigan game on Saturday.

It’s fair to say the two hours are very intense on our side of the computer. For the game at Selhurst Park we had more than 10,000 people following the game - and with all the messages, comments and questions that brings, you have to remember to actually look at the game.

Thankfully, I think people will realise posting every comment and answering every question, while also trying to commentate, simply won’t happen.

But there will be a good chance to answer questions before the match, as well as at half-time and full-time.

So far, it has been really fun to do and seems to be popular as well, considering people can interact with us while listening to commentary on the radio. Over the season, I’m sure it will keep growing.

At both of my games there was plenty of interest from fans of City’s opponents as well; United and Palace supporters wanting to know how their side was doing, along with the odd attempt to start a riot with the watching City supporters - all good banter, naturally.

If we can get the dongle problems sorted out (insert your own joke here, there were plenty of them on Tuesday) that affected the Palace coverage, we should be on to a winner.

Andy Murray's year at Wimbledon? Doubt it...

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:38:00 GMT

So, is this the year for Andy Murray?

His five-set victory over Stanislas Wawrinka on Monday night was the stuff of ‘British challenger at Wimbledon’ legend, originally made famous by Tim Henman.

The question is, has Murray already peaked, leaving the Wawrinka thriller as the high point?

Or was it just a bit of familiarity breeding contempt as he tried to outsmart his training partner?

His quarter-final with wildcard Juan Carlos Ferrero should answer that question. Either way, I cannot see anyone – even Murray on top form – toppling Roger Federer.

The most supremely efficient player ever to grace a tennis court looks too good for the opposition and although the rejuvenated Andy Roddick and Leyton Hewitt are giving excellent accounts of themselves after a few ropey years, you suspect Rafael Nadal would have been the only one able to threaten Federer’s chances this year – and him making history with a 15th Gland Slam title.

That said, I do have good powers of affecting history with my predictions, so expect The Fed Express to slip out at the last eight stage to Irlo Karlovic on Wednesday – incidentally, a player who is yet to lose a service game in this tournament.

* It would be remiss of me not to reply to the last blog from Mr Jonathan Redhead, pictured right, and his apparent jealously of my slow-right-arm-ticklers that have accounted for nine wickets in less than 20 overs for Newsman Cricket Club.

All right, I’ll admit a lack of experience in my cricket career did ensure the inevitable victory for Coach & Horses’ arrived a few balls earlier. But hey, I just turn up and do my thing – however erratic that turns out to be.

I’m sure Jon’s time will come to show what he can do this summer (he’s yet to be selected, by the way).

The target for this season is four, JR (wickets that is, not wides).

As for the suggestion of my 'likeness' in appearance to the cringe-worthy Freddie-from-Big-Brother (with Pete Raven and Phil Banyard equally culpable) - harsh, too harsh.

Charlotte Edwards - my part in her success

jonathan.redhead@archant.co.uk — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:16:00 GMT

So the England women’s cricket team are the best in the world.

Well, actually it’s something we’ve known for quite some time to be honest. Let’s face it, if owning the Ashes, the 50-over version of the World Cup and now the Twenty20 version isn’t enough to make you the best, then I don’t know what is.

And do you know what? I’m going to take some credit for their success.

Now there are some people in Archant Towers who would unfairly suggest that I should not be allowed within 50 yards of a women’s cricket team.

But the reason I’m taking credit for their world domination dates back nearly 20 years.

It was the early summer of 1991 (it could have been 1990, but I’m getting on a bit now so the old memory is a bit hazy), and I was about to play my first ever game of proper cricket.

Out were the orange balls and blue stumps of Kwik cricket, and in were the pads and hard red ball and the smell of leather and willow.

It was in the People’s Republic of Fenland that I made my debut for March Town Under 11s against local rivals Ramsey.

Now like me, many of my team-mates, including my younger brother, were playing their first games, and unfortunately, we’d heard they were a bit handy.

Not only had they been playing for a while, they also had on their team, gulp, a girl.

That girl was none other than current England captain Charlotte Edwards - and boy was she good.

She tore us apart that evening.

I’m pretty certain (although the scorebook has apparently gone missing despite my best efforts to locate it), that she top scored for Ramsey and also took at least four wickets.

Of course, one of them was not mine.

Yes, I can remember one important part of the game, and that was that I top scored for March with 21 not out.

Indeed it was my highest score for years, but I was determined that no girl was going to get me out.

I think I got a couple of wickets too, but it was definitely the batting which made me most proud.

And now as I survey my less than completely successful cricket career, I cling, sadly, to the forlorn hope, that perhaps somehow, Charlotte Edwards learned something from me on her way to becoming the captain of the best team in the world.

Perhaps it was my intent to hit everything to the leg side. Perhaps it was my obvious desire to make sure the ball did not hit me at any cost.

Perhaps it was the tears welling up in my eyes as one of her deliveries hit my in the thigh as I hadn’t got round to getting a thigh pad and it hurt like hell.

Perhaps some of these things led her to become the star, and MBE, she is today.

I doubt it, but like most failed sportsmen, when you don’t quite have the ability, the memories get better and better as the years go by.

So maybe, just maybe, I’ve contributed to England becoming the best.

Fat chance!

We could do with Charlotte Edwards in Norwich at the moment. To be precise, a certain member of the sports team could.

Although I missed the game, reports have come back to me that a certain Michael Bailey, aka Freddie from Big Brother (pictured right), cost the Newsmen team success in a recent midweek game.

Coming on to bowl with only the ’death’ overs remaining. Bailey apparently delivered an 11-ball over, with five wides to hand Coach and Horse the victory.

It appears his ’unique’ bowling action let him and the side down. It will be interesting to see if he is selected for the next match, but in the meantime, he could do worse than watching the tapes and trying to learn a thing or two from the England women.

Canaries take advantage of C.Lakey's absence again

michael.bailey@archant.co.uk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:06:00 GMT

There is an unwritten rule as far as the EDP's Norwich City correspondent Chris Lakey goes – when he’s off, news breaks.

It happened on several occasions last season and, after ploughing a tough furrow since City’s relegation and Bryan Gunn’s reappointment early last month, Lakers takes a week off and the Canaries duly announce their first summer signing - Matt Gill - and a new chief executive - David McNally.

I probably won’t speak to Chris until Monday, but I know for a fact the week’s events will not have gone down well with him; only because he hasn’t been in the office to cover them.

As for today's [Friday] news, I keep trying to claim credit on the sportsdesk for the club’s announcement.

Getting up-to-date information on City's search for a new executive, new board members and new investment has been such hard going.

Bored of getting the closed replies to requests for an update or statement (which, admittedly, the club has no particular responsibility to give) and after arguing my case here on a few occasions over the last two weeks, I got together with JR to produce seven questions to put to the board.

After a lengthy discussion with City’s media man, Joe Ferrari, he agreed to sort out some answers. having had little news on the situation for five weeks, it was more than due an update.

That was Wednesday. By Thursday, Joe was telling me the answers would arrive today – and that they did.

Okay, so it’s probably a little fanciful to claim mine and Jon’s ‘seven questions from the EDP’ quickened up the club’s announcement.

For me, it was important we were visibly asking the questions – and now most of them have been answered.

Question seven read: “When Neil Doncaster left, he said it was so the club could make a ‘fresh start’. Has that happened and how?”

I think Delia used an answer to that in today’s press conference.

Where the club goes now, and maybe more importantly how it gets there – that’s become the interesting and exciting part.

In fact, it probably needs a new list of questions for the new City chief. I’ll give him a week or two to settle in first.