The Importance of Sport (NEW CONCEPTS)

[Mick Harper]

Selected Highlights

43. Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
40. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
32. Ezri Konsa (Arsenal)
25. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
15. David Raya (Arsenal)
09. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
06. Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal)
05. William Saliba (Arsenal)
04. Gabriel (Arsenal)
03. Declan Rice (Arsenal)

[Mick Harper]

You're one down in a three-match series. It's the last session of the fourth day of the second test. You're miles behind with only a few wickets left. Do you

A: Bat circumspectly to try to get to stumps, hoping Day Five will be a washout and hence the destiny of the series will still be all to play for?
B: Throw one wicket away in order that the sole specialist batsmen left can complete his century and get 'on the honours board', then throw away the remainder of the wickets in a happy go lucky, let's get it over, slugfest from tailenders?

Clue: It may be cricket but it's not test cricket etc

[Mick Harper]

Why is one always filled with an air of confidence when catching sight of Xabi Alonso in the Chelsea dugout? I'll pick out a few possible reasons that spring to mind

* Rugged good looks without any tinge of the matinee idol
* A hairstyle that is businesslike though not aggressively so
* His default facial expression, serious but not solemn.

But that could be my dad. Is it because we remember

* Five years as the maestro at Anfield
* Five more at Real and three at Bayern
* A hundred plus caps for his country
* 'The finest midfielder of his generation.'

All true but irrelevant for a managerial career. So is it

* Unexcelled managerial success at Leverkusen
* Dignified departure from Real politicking
* Being a Basque.

Nowhere like enough to guarantee success at the Bridge. But it does it for me. How about you?

[Mick Harper]

Did you notice Martinez, the newly arrived goalie from Villa, was hunkered down with his Chelsea team mates in the pre-kickoff heads together bonding ritual, came up too soon, looked around and hurriedly ducked back down into the huddle.

Then, after a bit, he came up again but it was still too early doors. He looked around one more but this time mutely expressed his dissent from such tiresome collective folderol by declining to go back down again.

My verdict? Emiliano will soon be on his travels. I used to be a goalie and I know: you're already considered a bit weird by your outfield team mates so you always keep your head down.

[Wile E. Coyote]

The Eagles have lost all three pre-season practice games. This is because they refused to use any of their best players in case they get injured, and also refused to try out anything that might give away their new offensive scheme.

They could lose now to the Commanders because of lack of practice.

Still there is hope, after one quarter of failed clever, clever play passes, Philly will revert to the tried and trusted, of Jalen just getting it to Saquon, or Tank, and just letting them run through or over the opposition.

[Mick Harper]

[Mick Harper]

But at least they didn't lose 37-13 to the Browns (the Browns!) because as The Adulterer said, 'We're very thin. I couldn't risk anyone who is actually going to play when the season starts.'

"That's all very well, coach, but what happens when they do and get injured?"
"I don't know, I'll have to ask... er... I'll get back to you on that."

[Mick Harper]

I asked my boyfriend to buy me a romper suit for Christmas in Fulham's away colours: powder blue with pink flashings. He said, "Sure thing, doll, but I'm a bit brassic so I'll have to Jimmy Hill you for it."

[Mick Harper]

Commissioner Goodell has predicted an NFL team outside the USA is inevitable so The Athletic was coming up with suggestions. Starting with a couple of inevitables, here are my comments

* The Mexico Azteca and the Toronto Mounties
* The London Monarchs/ the London Royals showed what the Americans think about us rather than what we think about ourselves
* The Glasgow Greens shows Americans don't know much about Glasgow
* The Berlin Blitz shows they don't know much about German history either
* Though the Dublin Rebels just about passes muster
* Whether the Vatican City Bishops will get the home gates is problematic unless they're playing the Arizona Cardinals
* The two I liked were Stockholm Syndrome and Seoul Train.

[Mick Harper]

Meanwhile the real thing has already gone global.

[Mick Harper]