Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sports World

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Mancini running out of excuses Posted: 12 Jan 2011 03:30 AM PST Roberto Mancini this week showed off his new prize asset to the waiting press, but in signing Edin Dzeko he has made something of a rod for his own back. What excuse can he possibly have now for not winning the league within the next eighteen months? Dzeko was right up there on the Christmas wish list of just about every top-flight manager in Europe, but it was Man City's riches which have lured him, and as a result he joins the list of strikers on the books at Eastlands, and of course he is already in good company. Already queuing up for a game are Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz, Jo, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli - not to mention Craig Bellamy who has had to move down a league to get a game. The question remains, just how many strikers does Mancini need on his books before he finds the right attacking options to overthrow an inconsistent Arsenal, a Chelsea side which looks short on confidence, ideas and spirit, and a Manchester United side which despite having been there, done it and acquired a cabinet full of Premier League trophies, are still only playing in third gear. The football betting tips suggest the title is United's for the taking, but City must surely challenge strongly given the amount they've spent. Mancini's argument has always been that a great team isn't created overnight and that his squad needs time to gel if we are to see the best from them, but Mourinho did just that when he arrived at big-spending Chelsea in 2004. He too walked into a squad which was mostly built by his predecessor, but rather than making excuses and buying time, he got on with the job of turning star individuals into a dream team. The football odds indicate City should be winning trophies, but they haven't yet. If Mancini fails to deliver a Premier League title by the end of next season, then the club's owners will be forced to make a decision - can they stick with a manager who has a track record for expensive tastes but without the ability to get the best form his players? The bottom line is that, if a club has both Dzeko and Tevez at their disposal and still can't win the league, then a change of management is probably needed far more than a change of playing personnel. Mancini, you have been warned.

Chief to miss Totesport Trophy Hurdle Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:55 AM PST Potential Champion Hurdle contender Mille Chief will miss his next intended outing in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury next month following the news that the handicapper has raised the five-year-old a massive 13lbs for his win at Sandown on January 8th. Alan King's French bred gelding put up a fine performance to win the 32Red Handicap Hurdle at the Esher circuit under the crushing burden of 11st 12lbs, ploughing through desperate ground to dish out a beating to his rivals and remind the racing public that he is still a horse of considerable ability. His trainer's immediate reaction was to nominate the Totesport Trophy as the next stop, but after learning on Tuesday that the BHA handicapper has raised his horse very nearly a stone to a mark of 158, King will now run his back-to-form star in one of the key Champion Hurdle trials ahead of Cheltenham 2011. The three options open to Mille Chief are the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on February 5, the Contenders Hurdle back at Sandown on the same date, or the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton a fortnight later. This time last year the Ski Chief gelding was ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, but recurring bouts of lameness scuppered his chance of Cheltenham Festival glory and he was given an easy time for the rest of term. A lot of punters will have their eyes on the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting, but Mile Chief in the Champion Hurdle could be one to watch. An eye-catching run at Ascot in November when attempting to give lumps of weight to handicap 'good thing' Aegean Dawn suggested that Mille Chief was on the way back, and following his six-length romp against Sophies Trophy he has re-emerged as a contender for the Champion Hurdle itself. As low as 20/1 with some firms, Mille Chief's odds would take another tumble if he does emerge victorious from his chosen prep race.

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