Bleacher Report - Articles by Alex Klymyszyn

England Cricket Springs Yet More Surprises

Alex Klymyszyn — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:05:24 -0400

England have once again sprung a surprise with the announcement of their squad for the First Test against the West Indies which begins at Lord's next Wednesday. Graham Onions of Durham and Tim Bresnan of Yorkshire are called up while there is no place for the likes of Bell, Shah and Vaughan.

The surprises don't end there though as both Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann have been selected, giving rise to the thought that the selectors still don't know which one is their number one spinner.

After a waiting on the sidelines of more than series, Owais Shah's services are dispensed with after just a handful of test matches while Ravi Bopara, who has spent more at time at the IPL this spring than on the county circuit will bat at the vital position of No. 3.

Bopara will have to produce and have to produce quickly, his ability at the position has to be questioned and with Ian Bell already scoring two hundreds this season his decision not to go the IPL has been vindicated. There can be no doubt that if Bopara fails while Bell and Vaughan score for their counties, the calls for their call up will become louder and louder.

The inclusion of so many bowlers must also be a cause for concern. While Onions has started the season well, the need for five bowlers in Andrew Flintoff's absence is clear for a side that has habitually failed to take 20 in the opening test of the summer.

That fact that six specialist bowlers (aside from Bopara and Collingwood) have been chosen shows that the selectors are unsure as to who can take them.

It will be interesting to see who takes to the hallowed turf next week, as contrary to national selector Geoff Miller's belief, England don't have time to build a squad for the summer, Australia are on their way and England don't seem to even know who their first choice 11 will be.

The Technology Debate: An Objective View

Alex Klymyszyn — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:03:25 -0400

So here we go again, the old debate about technology in football has reared its ugly head again. After the penalty given to Manchester United yesterday, which started off their comeback from 2-0 down, Harry Redknapp called for video technology to be used in decision making.

As a man who has watched more sport from around the world than is probably healthy I can firmly say, "Harry, it won't work so don't bother".

I say that as I write this article from my beach house on Candy Apple island watching the tide roll in. Or at least that's where I would be if technology was as perfect as every losing manager would have you believe. In truth, I write this while looking out my window on a cold miserable Midlands April evening.

Unfortunately for me however I know that somewhere there'll be someone who likes this kind of evening and thinks they're quite nice.

Here we have the problem with technology and moments like the one at Old Trafford, it's all a question of opinion. Personally i don't have a problem with the principle of technology, but only for cut and dried, decisive decisions. Goal-line technology for example is well overdue in football, but that involves a simply answer. Did the whole of the ball cross the line, Yes or No?

There's no halfway house in the decision making process.

American Football, rugby (league especially), and cricket have been pioneers of video technology, but even they have encountered violent waters when we come to matters of opinion and interpretation. The infamous "Tuck Rule" and matters over control of possession have caused endless debate in the NFL, while the referral trial in cricket has caused just as many contentious decisions as it aimed to eradicate.

Countless times I've watched a rugby league game to see a video referral decision over interference with an opposition player or grounding of the ball go against not just my judgement, but those of the commentators and seemingly most of those at the ground.

Joe Buck is far from most people's favourite NFL or MLB broadcaster, but he once made a very salient point about how technology can mislead. When judging whether an American Football receiver has gained full control of the ball or not before losing it, slow motion replays aide the appearance of control as the receiver appears to hold onto the ball for longer.

The nature of the replay makes us believe that more time has elapsed than actually did, and that the player held onto the ball for longer than they actually did.

Just because Howard Webb had another chance to look at the challenge wouldn't have automatically meant that he would've changed his decision. It could just be that his interpretation of a foul in the penalty area is different to Harry's.

Even if he did change his mind, the cynical amongst us would then wonder if the referee has it in him to stand in front of 70,000 baying fans at Old Trafford and explain that he made a slight error!

Bringing the fourth official into it would simply complicate matters further. Then he is making a judgement on the opinion of someone who has a different opinion to that of a player or manager.

Too many viewpoints cause too many problems and that would lead to just as many bad calls. Some bad decisions would still stand and some good ones would be overturned, that unfortunately is the nature of the beast.

If it's a simple, "was the ball or man over the line?" then technology works. If it's a matter of interpretation and opinion then technology can cause just as much debate as it aims to solve.

Manchester City: Football's New Supporter Test

Alex Klymyszyn — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:07:10 -0400

This week has without exaggeration been an extraordinary in the history of English football. The settling dust however is falling into the crevice of a massive divide, those who think the money of the Abu Dhabi Sports Group is a good thing and those who are dead against.

Many writers have had their say and all made excellent points, here a just a few. It'll be good to see the Big four become the Big five; no team will be guaranteed a Champions League spot; 11 superstars don't always make a team and of course the traditional question of management upheaval.

Here, however, I am purely concerned with the plight of the fans. City fans, as you would expect, have been celebrating over the past few days as if all their birthdays and Christmas' have come at once, they don't however seem to realise the bigger picture.

Repeatedly we have heard it prophesied that they are some of the greatest fans in the world and they have had to stick with their club through some very arduous times. However if success comes, and there's every reason to think that it will, City won't be exempt from the influx of 'glory supporters' and hangers-on that arrived in West London.

Then they'll be no different to all of the jibes they've aimed at Manchester United over the years. Maine Road to those newcomers will be something that they drive their sportscar down, season ticket waiting lists will rise and prices will go up as the full commercial benefits will be taken advantage of.

Fans have talked of the value of their youth system and the players they've produced such as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards. Yet assistant manager Marc Bowen has already sounded the death knell saying that

"If someone had said to me that City's youngsters would have to take a back seat and it would be detrimental to them... it's a natural progression."

So there you have it, we all know success comes at a price, the question Manchester City fans have to ask is, is it worth losing our core values for? If so then best of luck to them, they could have some great times ahead.

England vs South Africa: A Series to Stand Up

Alex Klymyszyn — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:23:16 -0400

Who knows, in thirty years time we may be looking forward to the start of this series being played for the Kevin Pietersen Trophy in honour of his work for Anglo-Springbok relations. What is for sure is that in 2008 the four-test series will be full of fire and aggression.

South Africa is seen by many as Australia's biggest rival, while England is in the lead up to their Ashes showdown next year. The winning side come August will lay claim to being the world's number two nation.

The most intriguing aspect of the battle is the amount of duels that there will be. Number one is the duel between Kevin Pietersen and the whole of the South African team.

Make no mistake there is still a whole river of bad blood between the two. Many have not forgiven Pietersen for leaving his homeland and the things he said in the process. The one-day games between the two will be no match for the intensity that the Test atmosphere will bring.

South Africa will target Pietersen and he loves a challenge. If he stands up to be counted then he could well drag some of the under-performing members of the batting line-up with him. If he fades, the cracks in England's line-up maybe exposed.

The weapon to attack Pietersen will be pace, the cards are already on the table. Ntini, Steyn, Morkel, Kallis et al will all be ready to run in pepper the England batsman in an attack not seen by many since the West Indies in the 1970s and 80s.

The pressure is on these men however to perform. Shaun Pollock is no longer there to lead the attack, Ntini needs to stand up and do that, otherwise their only real variation is the spin of Paul Harris.

It has often been a criticism of Graeme Smith's captaincy that there is no plan B. If England can negate the pace barrage and get through the early danger then Smith's brain will be tested to the full.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic series and with its place in the centre of the British summer and big crowds expected, let's just hope it lives up to expectation.

Tiger Woods: Blurring the Line Between Greatness and Stupidity

Alex Klymyszyn — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:05:23 -0400

It has often been said that there is a link between greatness and stupidity. We all know that Tiger Woods is a golfing great, no matter whether you're a fan of him or not, but is he really that stupid?

Woods took time off after the Masters to "clean out" his knee and remove damaged cartilage that was a result of his long standing ACL problem. During his rehabilitation it was found that, for one reason or another, Woods had suffered a double stress fracture of the leg.

I should note here that this is not only the science bit, as they say, but that you'll hear enough about stress fractures over the next few days to last you a lifetime.

In an attempt to keep it simple, stress fractures are not a good thing. They come from constant pressure or a rapidly increased intensity of load on the affected area. In layman's terms, it's a fracture caused by stress.

Basically, Woods went too hard in an attempt to get back to fitness, or more seriously, he played for far too long on his affected knee and it stopped absorbing pressure, which was then transferred to his bones.

This I don't have a problem with. He was either so desperate to come back that he pushed too hard or he just went on too long with a persistent injury. Either way, he wouldn't be the first modern sportsman to do it.

However, Woods, against all medical advice, I'm presuming, was so steadfast that he decided to continue in a quest that would lead to victory at Torrey Pines.

This is what I have problem with!

Stress fractures are exactly what the name says. Continuing to put stress on the affected areas as Woods did, not for four but five days, would only have increased the damage and reduced the risk of a proper recovery. It also heightens the risk of re-injury.

Now as a result of his desperate quest, Woods is out for the rest of the season, missing not only two more "less important" majors, but also the Ryder Cup, the pinnacle of Euro-American golf.

That could, worryingly, only be the beginning. If the injury doesn't heal properly, for whatever reason, it could vastly reduce the amount of stress that is able to be put on the leg and possibly even call a major halt to Tiger's career.

Was winning at Torrey Pines really worth that much? I mean really worth risking your career for?

Golf will carry on—after all it's been going for centuries. In a month or so, Tiger Woods non-participation will only be a brief mention in telecasts of the majors and the Ryder Cup.

Whether we see him back and in what condition will only depend on what his winner-takes-all-mentality has done to his injury and how it affects his recovery.

What do I know? Martin Tyler and Andy Gray at their best in Moscow.

Alex Klymyszyn — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:30:47 -0400

In the build up to the Champions League Final, Avram Grant spoke of great opportunities and great moments. I don't think he quite had Martin Tyler and Andy Gray in mind when he spoke, but once again they showed why they are the best football commentators/announcers around.

Tyler, for those of you who don't know, has been at the top of his business for over 25 years, commentating on almost every major moment there's been on a football field, whether for ITV, Sky or other international broadcasters.

Gray, the former Scotland and Everton striker has been at his side for the best part of twenty years and has become somewhat of a cult figure for his cries of "Take a bow son" and "What a ... , Martin."

Over the course of the season they do more games together than I care to remember, and they do on occasion drive me mad with their opinions on various issues, but in Moscow they were peerless. Gray for once put his head above the parapet and latched straight on to Chelsea's crowding of Lubos Michel, the Slovakian referee, emphasising his displeasure.

He continued that while watching the farce that led to Didier Drogba's sending off, afterwards remarking that if they had just thrown the ball back as to Cech, as they subsequently did, the whole situation would have been avoided.

Tyler was as accurate as ever, especially in his array of information—even recalling Ryan Giggs missing in an FA Cup penalty shoot-out against Southampton so long ago that even Giggs would have trouble recalling it. His best efforts though were reserved for his on-screen best mate relationship with Gray.

After Drogba went down from a mid-air collision Tyler dropped his right hand man in it by asking, as a former striker, whether Gray had suffered from many impact injuries in his career. Gray, not willing to call it a blatant dive or show too much sympathy for the striker, laughed it off with a "it can happen" remark.

Later when Tyler wondered how the fans would be getting home from the ground, Gray replied with the obvious, "I'm worried about how we're getting home." Tyler, on the ball as ever, fired back with a joke about Gray having a limo to take him back, to which the Scot could only laugh.

Their finest moment, however, was saved for penalties. Tyler was armed with all the facts while Gray seemingly second guessed every situation. "I daren't say it let alone think about it," Gray said as Cristiano Ronaldo wandered forward, "but what if he missed?"

A similar comment followed as John Terry wandered forward with victory in his sights and the Scotsman also immediately picked up on Terry's slip. The clincher though was saved for the final act. Anelka put the ball down and as he lined up Gray echoed the thoughts of many, "I don't like short run ups," and then after a brief pause said, "But what do I know."

He picked the save perfectly, doing all that an expert analyst should do and capping a great game for two men who work at time when commentary standards are dropping.

Tyler and Gray, take a bow.

Chelsea FC: Avram Grant Needs To Curb the Irony

Alex Klymyszyn — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:13:45 -0400

For those few people that were desperate to know what Alan Curbishley thought about the title race, it has no doubt been a good week. Clearly, Avram Grant isn't one of them. However, the problem for the Chelsea manager is that his comments clearly show he is in danger of letting things get to him.

The end of the season is always a tense and nervous time, no matter where in the table or which division you're in. Chelsea though, are climbing a mountain of tension at home and abroad. First, they had to contend with two games against their arch-European rivals Liverpool, which for once fell the way of the men from Stamford Bridge.

Sandwiched in between was a home game against domestic title rivals Manchester United, and when you add the passing of Frank Lampard's mother into the mix, it's clear it has been no ordinary seventeen days. The strain is now clearly beginning to show.

Last weekend's game was preceded by cheeky comments from Grant over the choice of referee, and how he needed to be fair. Comments on how the pressure was all on United followed the win.

During the week though, things changed, Rafa Benitez took control with a measured jab at Didier Drogba and his past antics, which not even the most ardent Chelsea fan could deny. While Drogba replied in the right way at Stamford Bridge, Grant collapsed to his knees at the finish as the emotion drained out of him, or perhaps some would say a throwback to the Special One.

Then came Friday's response to Curbishley's comments ,and suddenly the man who was trying to get under the skin of others had his torn.

What was most remarkable about the whole scenario was that it came just a day after Grant had paid his respects on Holocaust Memorial Day, a day which surely highlights the insignificance of who deserves to win what and how attractively they do it. The mountain is getting higher, and the great irony is that as the final week of the season will start, Grant will line up opposite a man who years ago cracked at exactly the same point of the title race.

Kevin Keegan's tirade on the final Monday night of the season is as famous as football interviews go. Now, after his triumphant return to Newcastle, his resurgent side, led by the Liverpool old boy Michael Owen, could push Chelsea to the limit and put the final nail in their title hopes.

That would leave Grant to load all his dice on the Champions League final in an attempt to bring glory, and perhaps safeguard his job. No easy task when he'll have to overcome himself, Manchester United, the master of mind games Alex Ferguson, and win in no-other location than Roman Abramovich's backyard.

Oh, the irony.