Chennai Come Out On Top When It Matters

So with the IPL now having been completed I'll look back on what was another successful tournament. Firstly, I'm delighted to see that I got my IPL Prediction right, regarding the four semi finalists. I was slightly out with their final standings but never the less its always nice to get the prediction correct. Secondly, Well done to the Chennai Super Kings for winning the tournament despite almost being eliminated before the knockout stage. They were led by a great captain in MS Dhoni whilst also showing that they do not rely on only one or two players. The likes of Vijay, Raina, Murali, Bollinger, Ashwin and all played a key role in guiding them to their first IPL triumph.

As for their finalists, the Mumbai Indians, what on earth were they doing not bringing in the likes of Pollard and Tiwary earlier? They were by far the best team in the tournament but such is sport that one wrong decision and you could be facing defeat. A special mention has to go to Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis for superb batting displays during the tournament and well done to Ojha for finishing with the most wickets in the tournament. The biggest disappointments for me were the Kolkata Knight Riders, who promised so much but failed to deliver. As for individual players who disappointed, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden failed to light up the competition while I was expecting a little more from the likes of Lee and Yuvraj from the Kings XI Punjab and Morgan and Taylor of the Royal Challengers. I'm glad they still managed to make the champions league though which will be staged in South Africa. With the expanded IPL next year its promises to continue to build on what is the games biggest domestic tournament in 2011 hopefully.

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Sheffield United (H)

Steve Harper (6) - I felt he was troubled with a few of their corners and did not command the six yard area the way a keeper should. He did well elsewhere though.

Danny Simpson (7) - A very good performance from Danny. He may have given away the corner which led to their goal unnecessarily but he had a solid game. Involved in the second goal while he contributed to our main attacks and he defended well. I feel a lot more positive about him now.

Mike Williamson (7) - Another good performance from Mike. He made a stunning defensive block in the first half and his defensive partnership with Colo is looking really positive.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Like Williamson, Coloccini too had a good game. He made a great tackle to prevent a dangerous United attack in the 2nd half, while there were a few other notable challenges from the Argentinian.

Jose Enrique (7) - He sure looks another class in this division. He was good down our left even though today was not his best game of the season. His strength and ability to keep the ball despite being in tough situations is quite admirable.

Wayne Routledge (7) - He seemed to be our main spark in the 1st half but should have bagged at least one goal tonight. He still looks a good buy and I'll be looking to him to have a big season in the premier league for us next season.

Kevin Nolan (7.5) - He gets an extra rating point just for that brilliant finish. A goal worthy of winning any game. He also thread through a delightful ball for Routledge in the 1st half and he seemed to be up for it tonight.

Danny Guthrie (7) - A decent night for Danny even if not spectacular. His creativity in the middle is something that gets us going. Hope the injury is not too bad.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - He was again up and down tonight. He gave the ball away at times but on other occasions he went on some excellent runs. Almost scored with a beauty too.

Andy Carroll (6) - I remember thinking after about 25 minutes, Is Carroll playing tonight. If it wasn't for two fouls he gave away I wouldn't have known. He got us the penalty and had a better 2nd half but I'd like to see him become more involved.

Peter Lovenkrands (6.5) - He scored the penalty with a neat finish but he too didn't have the busiest 1st half. He does run good angles though and almost scored in the 2nd half too with a few shots.

Substitutes

Shola Ameobi (6) - Not the same impact as the last time but then again he didn't have many minutes to play with.

Joey Barton (N/A)

Ryan Taylor (N/A)

Man of the Match: Kevin Nolan

Player Ratings vs Preston North End
Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Messi, Lampard march ahead in March!

From one footballer to the next, my award to the best sportman in the month of March goes to Lionel Messi. The magical Messi, scored an astonishing ten goals in the seven matches he played in, including two hat-tricks. He guided Barcelona to the quarter finals of the champions league while they also head the table in La Liga. When on the ball, few can argue that he is simply breathtaking to watch. The way he simply glides past defenders, with skill and speed its a joy to behold. What makes him stand out more, is that he plays with a smile and tends to just want to get on with the football when fouled and diving is not part of his game, as is for many other footballers these days. He has always been compared to Diego Maradona since he started his playing career but to me, he is fast becoming the best player of this millennium thus far. His attitude is very admirable and with performances like this past month, the world player of the year might be keeping that crown for a few years to come.

My award for outstanding individual performance of the month of March, goes to Frank Lampard. The midfielder scored four goals against Aston Villa in Chelsea's massive 7-1 win over the Midlands club. Albeit two of those goals were penalties, he was still simply outstanding, along with majority of his Chelsea teammates. The fact that it was an Aston Villa side, who reached the League Cup final, are currently still in the semi finals of the FA Cup and are sitting in the top 8 of the league makes the achievement all the more remarkable.
It is also the sixth season in which Lampard has scored 20 goals or more, which for a midfielder is unprecedented. We all know Lampard to be consistent but the display against Villa was fantastic to see. For now, I look forward to hopefully seeing him at the World Cup...

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Steve Harper (6) - Didn't have much to do really.

Danny Simpson (7) - I thought he had a fairly good game. Was efficient on both defence and attack.

Mike Williamson (7.5) - Made one outstanding last ditch tackle while the score was still 0-0 and was solid overall. Great to see him back after injury.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Formed a good partnership with Williamson and despite Forest having one or two chances at goal, he generally marshaled the defence well. He was also cool and calm as always.

Jose Enrique (8) - He started the game slowly but got into the game as it went on. Finished superbly to score our second and his first for the club. I've not been this happy to see a Newcastle player score for a very long time. Fully deserved though for it was his first game back and he seems to have picked up where he left off.

Wayne Routledge (8) - A few things stood out from his performance. Firstly he played a delightful cross into the box from which Carroll almost scored in the first half while his directness was excellent. He caused problems for the Forest defence on a number of occasions and he was down to be my man of the match before Enrique scored. Our best moves seemed to involve him most of the time.

Kevin Nolan (7) - He wasn't in the game enough in the first half for my liking but he sure got more involved in the second half. Nearly scored with a well taken shot and he can claim an assist for the first goal. His experience seemed to show in the second half as well.

Danny Guthrie (7) - Apart from some poor tackles which he could have been punished for on another day, he had a good game. Took one or two good free kicks while he seemed to tick things along in midfield. He does look so much more dangerous from the centre.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - Not his most effective game but all credit to him for showing the work rate and commitment which has made him such a key player for us. His link up play with Enrique was excellent as always although he did over do things on occasions. That's part of his game though and to realise how dangerous he is, just watch how three players surround him in the build up to our second goal.

Peter Lovenkrands (6) - It wasn't his day today. Never really got into the game enough and his link up play with Carroll wasn't working too well either. He kept plugging away though so good on him.

Andy Carroll (6) - He wasted a couple of opportunities before going off just after half time. Hope the ankles not to bad but he needs to work on learning when to take an extra touch and when to shoot first time.

Substitutes

Shola Ameobi (7) - He got the vital break through with a good shot and set up Enrique with a neat back heel. Good to see him back and hopefully he can stake a claim for next season before the season closes.

Joey Barton (N/A)

Man of the Match: Jose Enrique

Player Ratings vs Preston North End

My IPL Prediction

So the IPL has once again started and this season its promised to be better than the previous two editions. Having been to last years event I can only feel that is good news for any cricket lover. What I'll do is give a brief strength, weakness and prediction for each team. Here goes:

Deccan Chargers
Strength: The reigning champions have a top order capable of putting any bowling attack to the sword. In Gilchrist, Gibbs and Symonds they can set or chase massive scores. They also do not have any other real superstars but rather have experience in abundance with the likes of Vaas, Laxman and Styris joining the aforementioned players.

Weakness: The pressure of being the reigning champions might get to them whilst the middle order is not as strong and could falter if the top order fails.

Prediction: 3rd

Bangalore Royal Challengers
Strength: Last year's runners up have a quality batting line up which boasts the variety of Kallis, Morgan, Pandey, Uthappa, Kohli, Boucher, White, Dravid and later on Pietersen and Taylor. With three wins already, a balance with all this talent looks to have been found.

Weakness: With so many quality internationals, its going to be difficult fitting four of Kallis, Pietersen, Boucher, Van Der Merwe, Steyn, Morgan, Taylor and White into one team.

Prediction: 1st

Delhi Daredevils
Strength: A top four of Gambhir, Sehwag, Dilshan and De Villiers is enough to scare any opponent whilst the dangerous Warner is also is the background waiting to get his chance. If the batting does click, they'll definately get into the semi's. Whether that happens, remains to be seen.

Weakness: The bowling is a big concern. With Parnell now injured, you get the feeling Dirk Nannes is the only real bowling threat for them.

Prediction: 6th

Chennai Super Kings
Strength: A lot will depend on Matthew Hayden, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Having made the semi's in both previous seasons, a lot will be expected of them. Experience is also something in their favour, with the likes of Murali, Morkel, Oram and Kemp on their side.

Weakness: The injury to MS Dhoni is a massive loss, but you get the feeling that Matthew Hayden carries this team very often and if teams can contain him while Dhoni is injured, they'll have a very good chance of beating the superkings.

Prediction: 4th

Kolkata Knight Riders
Strength: They have many match winners in Shane Bond, Chris Gayle, Angelo Matthews and Brendon McCullum. Any of these guys can turn a match on its head, just like Matthews showed in the first game.

Weakness: Having failed to deliver in the previous editions and a popular onwer, the team will have to deliver. That pressure alone could count against them.

Prediction: 5th

Mumbai Indians
Strength: A team filled with stars, from both home and abroad, almost their entire team is capable of doing something special. From the experience of Tendulkar and Jayasuriya, to the power of Pollard and Tiwary, and the skill of Harbajan and Zaheer Khan, add to that Dwayne Bravo and Lasith Malinga and you realise why they are amongst the favourites.

Weakness: I don't see them having any real weakness except may be the pressure of doing well with so many good players.

Prediction: 2nd
Kings XI Punjab
Strength: Quality international stars such as Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Bopara and the talented Rusty Theron hold the key for this team. Theron showed in his debut why he is so highly regarded in SA, while Yuvraj Singth and Irfan Pathan are two good allrounders in this format.

Weakness: Apart from the six players mentioned, they do not have a balanced team in my opinion and this will count against them.

Prediction: 7th

Rajastan Royals
Strength: A team not filled with many stars apart from Warne and Yusuf Pathan, and with Graeme Smith injured, the pressure may be off this team. This may help the younger ones, as there are talented players like Faiz Fazal and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala who could start to flourish.

Weakness: Both the batting and the bowling is a bit short of winning enough games in my opinion. Not enough quality in the squad and the purchases of certain players deserves to be questioned.

Prediction: 8th

Sachin Tendulkar... Earns Individual performance of the month for Febraury

I've also decided to name a single performance of every month by a sportsman, which is out of the ordinary or changed the result of a match single handledly. The month of Febraury's honour can only go to one man and very few would deserve it more than Sachin Tendulkar. The "Little Master" at 36, produced a performance few would ever eclipse against my very own South Africa. He scored 200 not out off just 147 balls in the 2nd ODI in February and showed us that he has by far been the greatest batsmen of our generation. It was his 46th ODI century, and he is showing no signs of slowing down, especially as this innings came off the back of four Test centuries in his last four Test innings. It came as no surprise that India won the game and ultimately the series and for those who have not seen the innings be sure to search for the highlights on the internet. The innings contained elegance, aggression, eventiveness, skill and class and it rightfully deserves my Individual performance of the month for February.

Rooney my performer of the month for February

I've decided that starting with the month of February I'll be naming a performer of the month for each month as we go along in the world of sport. This month's winner was an easy choice. Wayne Rooney...Mr. Man Utd... The man who many say holds the key to Englands World Cup challenge. To me he's been simply outstanding. Scoring six golas in six games, he has helped maintain Man Utd's title challenge as well as virtually cement their quarter final position in the champions league. During that six games, he scored two excellently taken goals against AC Milan at the San Siro and also the winner against Aston Villa in the League Cup Final. He's enthusiasm and commitment can be bettered by no one and at this rate accolades are surely going to continue to go towards arguably the best striker in the World.