Weekend Wrap

Straight off the bat it is apologies to those who like to read what I have to say about the sporting week that was. With the launch of the pubcast, the Christmas New Year break and then getting back into the swing of work, it meant that writing was put on the back burner. So what has transpired of late that needs a look into?

Test Clean Sweep

Australia wrapped up the test series against Sri Lanka 3-0 and deservedly so. Although all three test were always going to be formality of a win for Australia, it has raised much debate about the make up of the Australian side.  Will Cowan survive for much longer if he continues to make insignificant innings that are painful to watch? If is converting his innings into centuries then one can put up with his slow nature but he needs to convert soon. Whilst I do like how he approaches the game, unfortunately he is not rewarding the selectors with their faith. With Watson openly saying he wants his opener spot back, I am sure Cowan will be nervously awaiting the next Test selection. Also it has to be asked for how long it will be tolerated for Warner to throw away his innings so often. While it is exciting for him to score at a frenetic pace, it is also a failure on his part to lose his wicket so often after reaching 30 to 50 runs. Watson also is guilty of not converting regularly and his injury problems make him a liability especially on tour where a replacement cannot be sought quickly. I cannot see all three of these batsmen going on the next tour. 

Then there is the debate over the bowlers and the rotation policy. I cannot understand the resting of players in case they may get injured. If a bowler is in form and fit to play then he should be selected. The more they treat the bowlers with kid gloves the more we will see them break down. If Starc was rested for a test because they thought he might get injured then why was he selected in the One Day squad? The same can be said for Mitch Johnson. What the selectors need to be more worried about is finding a good spin bowler to work in tandem with Lyon in India or potentially replace him. And if Mitch Johnson is in the rotation policy then he cannot play as the all-rounder which means a good all-rounder needs to not only be picked but given time.

With the announcement of the One day side I will look at doing a more indepth report of that once I have analyzed some statistics. I can say openly now though that the selection of Haddin is mind boggling and not a step for the future and if Bailey was only selected for his captaincy abilities then it raises serious questions about what the selectors are trying to achieve. I can see some changes in the selectors panel over the course of 2013.

Liverpool FC Moving Upwards

The recent form of LFC after what has been a very frustrating and inconsistent year, it appears that we are seeing what appears to be a team with more confidence and in form. The test though will be the next few games where Liverpool face a very tough run with games away to Manchester United, Arsenal & Manchester City. If Liverpool gets through this period well though it may start challenging for that top four spot. Heavy losses though will most likely see the end of it's chances to finish much higher than 6th. 

A-League Has Problems

This season the A-League has had a successful year in most areas. Crowds are good, television audience is good. The spectacle of the games is entertaining and plenty of goals are being scored. Unfortunately though one area in which the A-League has gone backwards is in the standards of the officials. When it comes to cards being issued one never knows when it will happen or what colour it will be. Incidents that cause a player to be suspended are totally missed during the game or the opposite happens where a player is shown a red card but it is found to be unwarranted and gets rescinded. Blatant offsides are missed or goals are not given due to an offside ruling only for a replay to show there was never an offside. Offsides are the bane of contention for me as this is the main thing a sideline official needs to get right yet the so often get it wrong. I can tolerate a goal being scored by a player that is a fraction offside as with the naked eye and the speed of play this is an excusable error. What is frustrating is when the player is offside by more than a metre and they miss it, or they call a player offside that is not. It makes you wonder if the sideline official guesses and if it continues may bring into uses the requirement for technology. Everyone wants goal line technology brought in but the first person who can invent something that detects offside during play will find themselves to be one of the most significant game improvers in the history of football.

What it does raise though is what does the A-League do when it comes to training and selected the officials who run the games. Is it time for marquee referees to be brought in for Australia who are used to handling big games and large crowds. 

Pubcast

The Pubcast is going well and every friday myself & the sideline reporter sit down and talk about the issues that stood out during the week to us. We welcome feedback or if you have an issue that you want us to talk about make sure you let us know. Don;t forget to listen to episode 6 to find out how you can win an LFC Fan pack as well.  If you are ever in Bundaberg and want to catch us in action let us know and we tell you where we are recording from that week. Recordings are alternating between Coral Cove bar & Restaurant (Coral Cove International Golf Course) & The Grand Hotel Bundaberg.