New beginnings...

Hello everybody! Just a quick message for those who are interested with what I've been up to of late. You may have noticed that I've been posting less regularly in the past few weeks, which is merely a result of being back at uni and unfortunately having actual work to do! But I will keep posting as and when I have things to say and time to write for the blog.

Since I've been back at university, I've taken up an exciting new opportunity. For the next term, and perhaps longer, I will be a sports editor at York Vision. Vision is one of two campus newspapers in York, and has won the Guardian Student Publication of the Year award five times in the last decade, including most recently in 2011. I'm really looking forward to working with the great team at Vision and helping the paper (an in particular the sports section) go from strength to strength. It has a reputation for top quality journalism, and I hope to be able to contribute to that over the coming months.

I have also recently taken on sub-editing duties for The Student Journals. This is a really important part of the journalism process and is a really useful skill to learn. Already in my first few days at Vision, I have benefited from what I have learnt sub-editing for TSJ. I've been doing this for about a month already and will continue to do so.

So in summary, I've been broadening my horizon's beyond this blog, which has been a great vehicle for my writing during the summer. I will keep updating it when I can. I would just like to finish by thanking everybody who has ever read the blog, for your support and kind words. It's been a great encouragement as I pursue a career in journalism!

Much love

Michael

“Maybe we couldn’t”: Are Americans about to elect Mitt Romney as their President?

Four years is a long time in politics. It must feel like a lifetime for Barack Obama. In 2008, he was the young, charismatic Senator from Illinois who wowed not only America, but the world. His powerful and emotive rhetoric, his convincing and reassuring tone, made him one of the most popular political figures in the world. Today, he is but a shadow of his former self. The message of hope as exemplified by those iconic posters and the slogan “Yes we can,” has been replaced by a sense of disappointment. Last week, in the first Presidential debate of the 2012 campaign, Obama was soundly beaten. In a political landscape where personality often takes precedence over policy, Obama has somehow let slip from his grasp the affections of the American electorate. What was at one stage unthinkable might, on 6 November, become a reality. Barack Obama might fail to be elected for a second term as President of the United States of America.

Fortunately for Obama, the 2012 crop of Republican candidates for the presidency left a lot to be desired. There was Newt Gingrich, whose policies included a vow to build a moon base. There was Rick Perry, the Texan governor whose hilarious inability to remember the third agency of government he intended to cut destroyed his chances. There was Herman Cain, former chairman of a pizza company (no joke), who stumbled on a question about Libya as though he had never heard of the country, and then ended his campaign after accusations of sexual harassment. There was Rick Santorum, who held rather antiquated views on same-sex marriage, abortion and contraception. Even more fortunate for Obama, some of the more charismatic Republican figures, such as former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin and New Jersey governor Christ Christie, chose not to run on this occasion, as did the businessman and television star Donald Trump.

So Barack Obama will compete with Mitt Romney for the chance to serve as President of the USA for the next four years. Romney is an enigmatic character. The platform for which he stood to become the Republican candidate was incredibly far removed from the platform he once used to be elected as Governor of the liberal state of Massachusetts. Even now, weeks before the election, it is difficult to get Romney to commit, one way or the other, on most issues. Romney is the archetypal “baddie”. He wouldn’t be out of place in Jim Henson’s Muppet Show, as a character intending to knock down the Muppets’ theatre to drill for oil. His announcement in last week’s debate that he would cut funding to PBS, home of another of Henson’s creations, Sesame Street, might just make that a reality.

The election campaign has been gaff-central. The advantage Obama has had, however, is the scale of his gaffs. The President has been found wanting on numerous occasions, but he hasn’t committed the cringeworthy offences of his opponent. A recently surfaced video, in which Romney writes off 47% of the population of the USA who will never vote for him, is remarkable. It is true that Romney is terminally unable to win over African American and Hispanic voters. But surely it is his job to try, rather than castigate them (or, as has been the case in some Republican governed states, change the voting regulations to try and make them ineligible). Obama has not yet faced such a disastrous gaff. Trust me, if he had, Fox News would be all over it and we would all know about it.

Obama’s problem, though, is the disappointment of his first term. It is human nature that, when given a choice between “likely to fail” and “proven failure,” people would chose the former. I am not suggesting that Obama’s term has been totally disastrous. But his opponents have been able, with relative ease, to portray his economic, foreign and in particular healthcare policies as having missed the target. Obama brought much of this on himself through his undoubtedly feel-good but perhaps too ambitious campaign in 2008. Expectations were high, and despite some bright moments, there have been far too many disappointments. Suffice to say, any other year, with a strong Republican candidate, and Obama would be packing his suitcases and moving his papers out of the Oval Office.

The American electorate, then, finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Neither candidate has instilled confidence that they can bring positive change in the next four years. To be brutally honest, neither has yet said much at all about what they would do in the next term, instead resorting to the personal attacks on their opponent and vague statements which have made the aftermath of elections so hard to predict. The fact that Mitt Romney is anywhere near Obama in the polls shows just how dissatisfied the American people have become with their President. That Romney currently leads is a damning indictment. And come 6 November, if the American people chose to elect a man like Mitt Romney, then Barack Obama can only have himself to blame.

Wonga, Newcastle United and football’s moral compass

On Tuesday, Newcastle united announced a brand new sponsorship deal with the infamous payday loan company, Wonga. This has led to heated debates about whether the deal is moral. In my latest contribution to Natter Football, I take a look at the club, the deal and why the criticism borders on hypocrisy.

http://natterfootball.co.uk/2012/10/wonga-newcastle-united-and-footballs-moral-compass/

Ruthless Cod Army put York in their Plaice

York City were left to rue not making the most of a brilliant spell early in their game with Fleetwood, as the visitors came out 2-0 victors. In a battle between the two sides who achieved promotion from the BlueSquareBet Conference Premier last season, high-flying Fleetwood continued their charge up the League Two table and sit 3^rd after ten games with six wins. York, however, look likely to have to settle for mid-table after a third defeat. The Minstermen sit 14^th and, whilst looking strong enough to stay clear of the relegation places, have a long way to go if they are to challenge for the play-offs.

The end result was in stark contrast to York’s bright start. The first 30 minutes saw York dominate in both possession and chances. In truth, it was probably the best spell of football I have seen in my year attending York City games. The pre-match rain continued to fall, making the surface skiddy which helped York’s quick, zippy passing. Within a minute, Matty Blair and Michael Coulson had worked Town keeper Scott Davies. As time passed Fleetwood got more in to the game, but York were the stronger team and continued to create chances. For half an hour, York were battering the Cod Army.

But the first goal changed all that. After it, City began to panic and lost the composure which had seen them threaten Fleetwood’s goal with effortless ease. Up to the goal, central midfield man Danny Parslow had barely seen the ball; York’s attacking was so fast and efficient, the ball was zipped from defence straight up the wings and into attack. But when York’s defence failed to close down on the edge of the box, Junior Brown was allowed the space to fire a shot just inside Michael Ingham’s right post from 25 yards. It wasn’t particularly deserved, and was the team’s first clear chance of the half. But it shell-shocked York, who were happy to hear the half-time whistle when it came.

But if the last ten minutes of the first half had been poor from the hosts, the second half was even more disappointing. Gone was the fluid attacking play that had defined the first 30 minutes, replaced by more frantic play. York were playing like a team who were a man down; Fleetwood’s players dominated midfield as though they were outnumbering their counterparts. Whereas York began resorting to the long ball as a sign of desperation, Fleetwood used it throughout to a more devastating effect. City centre backs Chris Doig and Chris Smith were terminally unable to deal with the high deliveries. This gave the visitors’ a couple of good chances before they added a second. The best saw David Ball round Ingham but fire his shot across goal, coming out off the far post; the rebound was blocked on the line. But finally the run of play told, and as Smith again did not deal with a long ball, Steven Gillespie was put through and slotted home.

York’s early display was so good that they may still have had a strong claim to have deserved a point. But in truth, Fleetwood looked comfortable after that opening spell and despite the odd chance, York didn’t look likely to pull the game back. And were it not for a couple of top class saves from Ingham, the reverse may have been greater. As it is, York have to move on to the weekend, as Rotherham United are the visitors. Back-to-back home games gives York their best chance to bounce back to winning ways.

Ingham, 7, another great goalkeeping display, though could work on kicking distribution

Fyfield, 7, lively on the overlap early on, and did little wrong defensively

Smith, 3, struggled with high balls all day, should have done better for second goal

Doig, 4, also had trouble with long ball and seemed on different page to Smith

Challinor, 6, solid defensively and going forward, throw ins always a threat

Parslow, 5, rare quiet game, was unable to control the middle of the park

(Bullock - 70'), 5, minimal impact after coming on

Blair, 6, was unable to sparkle in second half when called upon

McLaughlin, 6, in an overcrowded central midfield had only slight influence

(Taylor - 83'), 4, only major contribution was to set up a late chance for Town

Walker, 7, as usual, put himself about and worked incredibly hard for team cause

Chambers, 5, attacking runs came to no avail against stout defence

Coulson, 6, heavily involved early on, but dropped off as game wore on

(Johnson - 70'), 5, a couple of bright moments but also a couple of sloppy ones

Italics indicates Man of the Match

Europe wins it for Seve

Europe came from behind to record a record breaking victory in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club. Late on day two, Europe trailed 10-4 and only pulled it back to 10-6 overnight thanks to some heroics from Ian Poulter. Nonetheless, it was still an uphill struggle, but Europe chipped away at the American lead throughout, before Martin Kaymer holed a clutch put on the 18^th green to confirm victory. The final score was 14.5-13.5, meaning Europe not only retained the Cup, but won it outright.

The final day singles went back and forth on a crazy afternoon. Every time Europe got a run together, the Americans would hit back. But the tone was set by Europe’s lead-out players, with the top 5 matches all ending in European victories. Luke Donald led by example, and was 4 up with 4 to play. A minor wobble was overcome, and he beat Bubba Watson 2&1. Rory McIlroy won by the same margin over Keegan Bradley, despite having overslept and having no practise time. The Northern Irishman never trailed at any point in his match. But the star was Paul Lawrie who, without fuss, annihilated the in-form Brandt Snedeker 5&3. Snedeker was level par in his round, but Lawrie collected four birdies and an eagle in a mistake-free round.

Saturday Six-Pointer: 29/09/2012

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Chelsea have well and truly established their title winning credentials. Undefeated, with five wins from six games, has shown this on paper. But it’s wins against rivals that really count at the end of the season. Arsenal had impressed so far, none more so than in a comfortable 2-0 win at Anfield earlier in the season. I was beginning to consider them title contenders. But where the Gunners often fall short is against the other teams likely to challenge at the top. So, for every hard-earned draw like that against Manchester City last week, there is an underwhelming defeat like the 2-1 reverse against Chelsea. For the Blues, the season is looking bright. Both Manchester clubs have looked short of their best so far. And while Fernando Torres remains a shadow of his former sense, he is certainly an improvement on the player who was more likely to get a yellow card than score a goal for Chelsea. If he can continue to contribute to the goal-scoring, that could be the difference between Chelsea fighting for a Champions’ League spot, or challenging for league title glory.

My Three Teams: York City FC and Sunderland AFC

In my latest contribution to Natter Football, I have taken a look at the fortunes of York City FC and Sunderland AFC. This is a follow-up to my season preview, found here  and comes after the first part, covering Darlington FC, to be found here.

Here's the link to my new article. Enjoy!
http://natterfootball.co.uk/2012/09/my-three-teams-part-two-york-city-fc-and-sunderland-afc/#comment-6635

Ryder Cup 2012: The Greatest Event in Golf

The Ryder Cup is the greatest event in golf. Sport is at its best when it is partisan; one team against another. In individual sports, spectators can support their favourite but rarely do so with the fervour with which they would support a team in a head-to-head battle. For this reason, the Ryder Cup is hotly anticipated.

The Europe-USA battle is always an intriguing one. Golf is a sport invented by the Scots and made popular by Europeans, but it was traditionally perfected by the Americans. The USA has won the fêted trophy on 25 occasions, and lost only 11 times. But in recent times, Europe has become the dominant competitor having won four of the last five events. It is ironic that the beginning of Europe’s domination of the Ryder Cup coincided with the continent’s struggles in major championships. From Paul Lawrie’s victory at the Open in 1999, no European won a major until Padraig Harrington in the Open in 2007. In that time, Europe won the Ryder Cup three times in succession, each time convincingly. Since then Europe’s fortunes in the majors as improved, but Ryder Cups performances have waned. Europe won the last event in 2010 which went down to the wire on a dramatic extra day forced by rain, after a comfortable US victory in 2008.

My Three Teams: Darlington FC

Before the start of the football season, I wrote a preview for the three teams I follow: Darlington FC, York City FC and Sunderland AFC. That blog post can be found here:
Football Season Preview: My Three Teams

Now, a month into the season, I have revisited this post and written a brand new pair of articles for Natter Football looking at how the teams have fared so far. The first article traces the fortunes of Darlington FC in their inaugural season in the Northern League Division One. It was written earlier this week, before the loss in the Durham Challenge Cup to Hebburn Town. It can be found here:
My Three Teams: Part One, Darlington FC

The second part will look at York City and Sunderland, and will be posted at the start of next week.

Champions League Game-Week 1 Round-Up

I've done a round up of the games from the first week of UEFA Champions' League fixtures for The Student Journals. Follow the link to find it!

http://www.studentjournals.co.uk/comment/sport/1867-champions-league-round-up-city-hart-break-as-real-snatch-late-winner

The Fastest Man on Three Wheels: Why David Weir should be BBC Sports Personality of the Year

I've written an article for The Student Journals about why David Weir, who won four gold medals at the London Paralympics, should be recognised as BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In what has been a vintage year of British sport, Weir's acheivements stand out. Add to that the public response to the Paralympics, which fulfilled the 'Inspire a Generation' slogan even more so than the Olympics, and it becomes apparent that our Paralympians deserve more recognition at the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

Click here to read The Fastest Man on Three Wheels: Why David Weir should be BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Saturday Six-Pointer: 15/09/2012

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Some might see it as a bit cliché to say that the Premier League is unpredictable. Inexplicably, many people insist on debating whether the Premier League is better or worse than La Liga. Of course, this is ultimately irrelevant. And the answer would depend on what exactly you are looking for. At the end of the day they are the best two leagues in the world, and that is what matters. One thing in common so far is unpredictability. Because, while Real Madrid have lost two of their first four games, the Premier League this weekend saw another array of startling results. Out-of-sorts Aston Villa comfortably beat in-form Swansea City, while undefeated West Brom were thrashed by Fulham. Meanwhile both Chelsea and Manchester City were unable to win away games against opponents who have not yet won a game between them. The Premier League is starting to become a graveyard for the accumulator. Predicting more than one or two correct results in any given week seems to be getting harder and harder. Yesterday, out of eight fixtures, I predicted only two correct results (and those were the more obvious home bankers of Manchester United and Arsenal).

Thrifty on TV: New Den, Old Dragons and same old format

Dragons’ Den returned for a tenth series on BBC2 last night, with the tried and tested formula of the show given no major changes. That said, I was worried as the opening titles came on. It seemed for a moment that the recession had finally hit for the Dragons, as their despair led them to be perched on the edge of tall buildings. But alas it was merely the introduction. I was immediately struck by the sheer height of Peter Jones. It has never been a secret on the show that he was tall, but when lined up next to the other Dragons (and not sat back comfortably in his chair) he towered above them.

The intro proceeded to give clips of the Dragons attacking faceless “budding entrepreneurs” with their characteristic relentlessness, plus the odd bit of discord within the group. Clearly the producers of the show know their audience. I would suspect that very few tune in to Dragon’s Den for the business ideas. It’s the Dragons’ entertaining ferocity, aimed at those pitching and at each other, which gives the show its unique angle. Next, after an exasperated cry from Duncan Bannatyne (we couldn’t see what was going on beneath the camera), we see Deborah Meaden (of all people) making an offer. Dragons’ Den in a nutshell, and we’re only one minute in. Need not bother watching any more then?

Walker’s crisp finish salvages point for York

Jason Walker scored a goal in the last minute of injury time as York’s unbeaten run continued with a 2-2 draw against Chesterfield at Bootham Crescent. Walker was in the right place at the right time as he placed his shot into the top corner from eight yards after four minutes had been added. City had been trailing by a goal when Ashley Chambers sent in a cross to the back post, which captain Chris Smith knocked down into the path of frontman Walker, who made no mistake. The full-time whistle came just seconds after the restart. It was no less than City deserved, in a game which was fairly even but in which York had the lion’s share of the play and the chances.

The first half was a very even affair, though York looked very composed, both in possession and when Chesterfield had the ball. There weren’t any clear-cut chances in the first half-hour, but when the first one came Chesterfield (eventually) converted it. A brilliant double save from City keeper Michael Ingham wasn’t enough as the Spireites converted at the third attempt from close range, Sam Hird the man on hand. City hit back straight away, Ashley Chambers' free kick forcing a diving save from Richard O’Donnell. But soon after Michael Coulson levelled the scores, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and chipping the ball past the on-rushing O’Donnell.

Premier League 2012/3: Predictions 2.0

You could argue that making a new set of predictions after the first three games of the season is a bit of a cop-out. But I disagree. The first three games are far from indicative of how the season will go. Last year, Wolves took seven points from their first three games. They won only three more matches all season. Importantly, the transfer window has now closed. Although there is always the chance players will be added in January, the current squads will have to last for the first half of the season at least. So, I’ve decided that at this point in the season we know enough to make some more educated predictions, without knowing so much that it’s a cop-out.

The positions in brackets indicate the positions I predicted before the start of the season in “Premier League 2012/3: Predicitions”.

1st               Manchester City (2nd)

First time out, I genuinely agonised over whether to go for United or City to win the title. In their first three games, City have convinced me they should have been top. They haven’t actually played very well, but they have found a way to win games, or draw in the case of Liverpool. They maybe didn’t strengthen as much as hoped on deadline day, but the squad is still strong and deep and you would back them to add in January.

New system creates new problems for Liverpool

This is my latest contribution to the website Natter Football. In it, I take a look at Liverpool's start to the season. I question whether Brendan Rodgers may be taking a too radical approach, and whether he will be given the time to achieve his goals at Anfield.

It would be interesting to see what others think of Liverpool's start and prospects. So head over to Natter Football and join the debate.

Click here to read "New system creates new problems for Liverpool."

NFL Predictions: Texans to go all the way?

Right, so here is my division-by-division predictions for the 2012 NFL Season, including wild-card picks, followed by a mock post-season. Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree!

AFC East: New England Patriots

It’s difficult to bet against the Patriots wit Bill Belichick at the helm and Tom Brady under centre. Put them amongst a rebuilding but yet not competitive Buffalo Bills side, a declining New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, who start with a rookie at QB, and the Patriots should stroll the regular season.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens-Steelers rivalries is one of the best in the NFL. Their matches usually throe back to the good old days of the NFL, with defense and running games dominating. Expect the Bengals also to be in the mix, but they might struggle due to the tough division. Cleveland Browns, as is too often the case, only making up the numbers

NFL Preview: Open season in store for ‘Year of the rookie quarterback’

The National Football League season gets underway in the USA tomorrow night, as the defending champion New York Giants host their great rival Dallas Cowboys at the New Meadowlands. On Sunday, 26 of the 32 teams get their campaigns underway before the final four teams get underway on Monday night. The NFL is one of the best sports to watch as a neutral. Every year, the competition is wide open. True, there are a few teams like the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, who are competitive every year. But they are not dominant. Meanwhile, there are always a few dark horses, coming from nowhere to challenge for honours. This season will be no different.

Saturday Six-Pointer: 01/09/2012

This week's Saturday Six-Pointer, looking at Spurs' crazy transfer window, hope for West Brom and West Ham, and what QPR could learn from Manchester City.

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Tottenham Hotspur had one of the more interesting transfer windows. Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea last season for trying to change too much too quickly, dropping established figures like Frank Lampard. Presumably, his new bosses at Spurs have given him the free reign to overhaul the squad which he did not have at Chelsea. Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart have left the North London club, with a host of players including Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey coming in. This year is likely to take on a transitional feel for Spurs, as the new players bed in. It might well have long term benefits. It was the drop-off in form that did for Harry Redknapp last year, rather than the final league placing. With the changes made in the squad this year, Spurs will surely be satisfied with any European qualification this season. To achieve that, they have to learn how to hold on to a lead. An underwhelming start against Newcastle United has been followed with back to back 1-1 draws in which Spurs relinquished the lead. Both were against opposition you would have expected them to beat. They languish on two points from three games. Looks like AVB’s job is far from simple, and far from over.

Thrifty on TV: Looking for an intellectual Challenge? Then Only Connect…

It is a long-held belief that the quality of programming on television in the UK has taken a significant downturn in the past few years. Reality shows, and even worse, faux-reality like The Only Way is Essex have contributed greatly to this perception. But if you look hard enough, there is intellectual programming to be found on TV. Spare an hour between 8pm and 9pm on a Monday evening, and you won’t be disappointed with the double header of University Challenge (BBC2) and Only Connect (BBC Four).

The joy of quiz shows like these isn’t that you can answer all the questions, but the immense pride you feel if you answer any of the questions. With University Challenge, the breadth of subjects which are covered every week means that the majority of viewers will find something that they know the answer to. The show is an entertaining watch. Admittedly it can get off to a slow start, with bonus questions (asked to the team who has correctly answered a starter for ten) taken at a leisurely pace. But as the half-hour show progresses, the pace grows more frantic. Jeremy Paxman takes on the role of condescending school teacher, growing more irate each time he has to implore a team to hurry up with their answer. He has perfected the angry “come on,” as well as the scoff at team members’ incorrect and ill-informed stabs in the dark. It would be easy to see Paxman as over-the-top, but in actual fact he augments the entertainment value of the show. As a man best known for giving an unparalleled grilling to the country’s most powerful men and women, there is no let-up from Paxman for these lowly students.