ROVERS SIGN MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER

Doncaster Rovers have signed Federico Macheda on an initial one-month loan from Manchester United

Doncaster Rovers have, this morning, secured a massive coup by completing the signing of Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on an initial one-month loan.

The 22-year-old who has been frozen out of the picture at Old Trafford reported to Cantley Park for training this morning and is in line to make his début in tomorrow night’s Sky Bet Championship match at Watford.

Macheda, who broke on to the scene in 2009 when he scored an injury time winner against Aston Villa, watched Rovers’ goalless draw at the weekend with Huddersfield Town from the directors box.

Paul Dickov had been linked with a move for the out of favour United striker earlier this summer but speculation went dead following the signing of fellow striker Theo Robinson.

The Italian last played for United in December during their Champions League match to FC Cluj. However, he has spent the last three years away from Old Trafford on loan spells with Sampdoria, Queens Park Rangers and Stuttgart.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: http://www.telegraph.com

DECLARATION OF WAR WINS JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES

Jockey Joseph O’Brien claimed his first win in the Juddmonte International Stakes onboard Declaration of War

Declaration Of War won the Juddmonte Internation Stakes feature race on the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York.

The 7-1 shot, ridden by Joseph O’Brien, beat Trading Leather (5-1) by one-length, whilst the favourite Al Kazeem finished in third place.

Declaration of War, who was chosen to run in the prestigious race ahead of stablemate Camelot, gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his fourth win in the Juddmonte Stakes.

Second favourite Toronado finished back in fifth place after a poor race as jockey Richard Hughes never managed to help him chase the leaders and he said after the race that his horse would have struggled to win that race over any distance.

The winning jockey said immediately after his win at York: “I don’t know if it was as much of a surprise as what it was for a lot of people.

“This guy [Declaration of War] is tough. He has been running consistently. He travelled really well.

“We always thought that he would be able to drop back to six or seven furlongs.”

Meanwhile the winning jockey’s father Aidan O’Brien said: “He has been improving with every run and everyone back home who looks after him was so positive heading into this race.

“It is hard to believe that he is having such a busy time, yet he is continuing to improve. He is a great traveller and he tries very hard.

“I think all the options are open to this horse but it will be a decision for the lads at the yard to see when he will next run.”

The late Sir Henry Cecil was the winning trainer for the 2011 and 2012 races after seeing Twice Over and Frankel claim the stakes.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: http://www.coral.co.uk

O’CONNOR SET TO REJOIN FORMER BOSS AT CITY

Former Doncaster defender James O’Connor has joined Bristol City on trial

Derby County defender James O’Connor is set to re-establish his connections with Sean O’Driscoll at Bristol City.

City, who appointed O’Driscoll as manager in January, have only picked up one point from their opening three league matches.

The Robins drew their opening Sky Bet League One match 2-2 with newly promoted Bradford City before they were edged out in a nine-goal thriller at Coventry City.

They then lost 2-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, but they did progress to the second round of the Capital One Cup after a 2-0 victory over Gillingham.

O’Connor, 28, spent six successful seasons at Doncaster before he joined Derby County in the summer of 2012 for an undisclosed fee.

This will be the third time during his career that the highly thought of right-back will join up with O’Driscoll after doing so initial at AFC Bournemouth before O’Driscoll signed him for Doncaster.

O’Connor, who started his career with Aston Villa, made 242 appearances for Doncaster before moving to the Midlands. However after a successful debut season for the Rams O’Connor has fell out of favour and it has become apparent that a move away seems certain.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: http://www.skysports.com

WIGAN RESCUE A POINT AGAINST DONCASTER

Doncaster striker Chris Brown celebrates putting his side 2-0 up just before the break.

Wigan Athletic rescued a point against newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night, curtosey of a last minute goal from defender Leon Barnett.

The visitors started the better of the two sides and their work was duly rewarded on 25 minutes when new signing Theo Robinson scored his second goal in as many games.

Doncaster, who beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 on Friday night, showed now fear of their former Premier League superiors as they treatened constantly from both wings.

The combination of former Wigan winger David Cotterill and James Husband, a tactic which worked well on Friday, caused the Athletic defence some problems as did the threat of James Coppinger and Manchester City loanee Reece Wabara down the other wing.

Rovers, who won the League One title last season is dramatic circumstances, doubled their lead two minutes before the break when Chris Brown headed in from close range.

Doncaster boss Paul Dickv, who named an unchanged side from the win over Blackburn, retained Paul Keegan and Richie Wellens in the centre of the park and they controlled the opening 45 minutes at the DW Stadium – as they had done against Blackburn – but Dickov took the wise move to withdraw Wellens five minutes after the restart after he picked up a harsh booking.

After the restart the FA Cup holders, who suffered a shock loss last weekend to AFC Bournemouth, started to get back into the game and they pulled a goal back just before the hour-mark when Shaun Maloney curled a free-kick over the Rovers wall and past the diving Ross Turnbull.

The Yorkshire outfit did not threaten Scott Carson’s goal as much in the second half but when they did they came within a whisker of extending their lead.

Tottenham loanee Bongani Khumalo saw his powerful header rebound off the post to the relief of many Wigan supporters inside the DW Stadium.

The final half-an-hour saw an onslaught from Owen Coyle’s side and Doncaster weathered the storm until the final minute of normal time when they were undone.

Wigan broke past Cotterill down the right-wing before delivering a low cross into the box which was turned home by defender Leon Barnett.

The former Norwich City centre-half – who had been linked with the Rovers over the summer – created some space inside the Rovers box before firing a low shot past Turnbull.

Paul Dickov’s side came close to instantly to restoring their lead in the first minute of added time when substitute striker Billy Paynter saw his looping header cannon back off of the crossbar.

The stalemate, which was the game in hand, moved Wigan and Doncaster to 10th and 11th respectively in the Sky Bet Championship.

Wigan manager Coyle said:

“I’m disappointed because we lost two sloppy goals after starting really well. We could have, and should have, been in front but we weren’t and that allowed them to score.

“Our reaction to the first goal was not good enough for where we want to be as a team. At half-time we spoke about character and desire.

“No manager wants to be 2-0 down and ordinarily you would be happy with a point. But in the second half we created enough chances to win.”

Meanwhile Rovers boss Dickov wanted to focus on the positives of holding the FA Cup holders to a draw on their home patch.

“I’ve got mixed emotions. I’m disappointed not to come away with all three points, but I’m very proud of the performance. To come here, against what I think is one of the best squads in the division, and play like that is excellent,” he said.

“We didn’t want to come here and sit back. At 2-0 we hit the post and that was a massive turning point because at 3-0 it would have been hard for them to come back – even with the quality they have got.

“Then at 2-2 we hit the bar with a fantastic header from Billy Paynter, so it was certainly exciting for the neutral.”

 

Wigan Athletic: Carson, Crainey, Boyce, Perch, Barnett, McCarthy, McCann (Gomez, 81), Watson (Fortune, 46), Holt, Maloney, McClean (Beausejour, 61)

Substitutes: Nicholls, Gomez, McArthur, Espinoza, Beausejour, Dicko, Fortune

Doncaster Rovers: Turnbull, Wabara (Paynter, 90), Jones, Khumalo, Husband, Cotterill, Keegan, Wellens (Furman, 51), Coppinger (Quinn, 77), Brown, Robinson

Substitutes: Maxted, Quinn, McCullough, Furman, Syers, Duffy, Paynter

Attendance: 14,304

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: Press Association

CHRISTIANSEN APPOINTED GREAT BRITAIN COACH

Doug Christiansen has been named head coach of Great British just months after being named Sheffield Steelers head coach

Doug Christiansen has been named the head coach of Great Britain.

Christiansen, 35, previously spent three-years as head coach of the Belfact Giants but he quit the club in April to take over as head coach of the Sheffield Steelers.

The American, who ended his playing career with the Edinburgh Capitals in 2010, had previously assisted former head coach Tony Hand who resigned from the role after Great Britain were relegated to group 1B in the World Championship.

“Being named GB coach is the biggest honour of my career. I am absolutely thrilled by the appointment,” Christiansen said.

“I would like to thank Tony Hand for all of his efforts the last two seasons. I learned a lot from him and it was a privilege to work for him.

“Hockey in Great Britain is at a crossroads. It is my vision to help push GB forward building a world-class programme.”

The 35-year-old Milwaukee-born former right-winger will combine his new role with his current position with the Steelers.

“The Ice Hockey UK board are excited about pushing the game forward and aspiring to be like Switzerland or Norway,” he added.

“Both nations that have created long-term strategic plans with tangible goals and realistic aspirations. Both have made an investment in the youth, while pushing the national team to new heights.”

He added: “Our intent is to set a path that can be followed from the age of 16 to the top. I am excited about what we can achieve.”

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: http://www.belfastgiants.com

VETERAN ‘KEEPER SULLIVAN LEAVES ROVERS

Former Scotland goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has left Doncaster Rovers after a six-year stay in South Yokshire

Veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has left newly-promoted Championship side Doncaster Rovers after he accepted another deal from an unnamed club.

The 43-year-old who made his name at Wimbledon during the late 1980s and 1990s before he moved on to Chelsea and Tottenham.

Sullivan, who signed for Rovers from Yorskhire rivals Leeds United in 2007, became the oldest player to play in the Football League last season.

New Rovers boss Paul Dickov told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He’s gone with everyone’s best wishes.

“We wanted him to stay on as a keeper and in an ambassadorial role but he has had an offer from elsewhere he felt he couldn’t turn down.

“I told him I was looking to bring in a number one goalkeeper and he totally respected that.

Dickov added: “He’s been a fantastic servant to the club and a brilliant professional.”

During his six-year stay with the club Sullivan made over 180 appearances and he helped guide them to two promotions, most notably last season’s dramatic victory at Brentford on the final day of the season.

The former Scotland shot-stopper went on loan last season to League Two side AFC Wimbledon and he had reportedly said that was a club where he’d like to end his playing career, so a return to them could be on the cards.

Meanwhile winger Kyle Bennett and striker Chris Brown have signed new two-year deals with the club whilst the signing of Scunthorpe’s Mark Duffy could be completed before Saturday’s match at home to Motherwell.

The ex-Morecambe midfielder cleaned up at the Iron’s end of season awards last season and it is rumoured that he has already passed his medical after he watched Rovers record a 3-0 win over Rossington on Tuesday evening.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: Empics

DICKOV GETS OFF TO A WINNING START WITH ROVERS

Doncaster manage Paul Dickov saw his side run out 4-0 winners in his first game in charge after they beat Frickley Athletic in their opening pre-season match.

Doncaster Rovers got off to the perfect start under new manager Paul Dickov after they beat Evo-Stick League Northern Premier side Frickley Athletic 4-0 at Westfield Lane.

Rovers fielded two sides that included a combination of last season’s first team regulars, youth team graduates and trialists – both of which played 45 minutes.

Midfielder Paul Keegan opened the scoring for the Rovers with a delightful chip over former Armthorpe goalkeeper Jamie Green, before a Chris Brown brace rounded off a convincing first 45 minutes for the new manager.

Into the second half and the Rovers could only add one further goal to their tally when David Syers’ fluke found its way into the back of the net. His initial effort from inside the six-yard box was well saved by Green with his legs but the Rovers midfielder saw the ball hit his face before crossing the line.

Striker Billy Paynter took some stick from the whole crowd after he saw several of his chances escape the goal. He initially shuffled his way around the stricken ‘keeper before seeing his shot cleared off the line and just minutes from time his sliding effort from four-yards out went over the bar.

The home side rarely threatened all evening and it took until the 43 minute of the match until veteran shot-stopper Neil Sullivan touched the ball with his hands.

In the second half a new trialist ‘keeper, understood to be Bolton’s Rob Lainton, had a rather quiet night for the South Yorkshire outfit and the most he had to do was punch a cross away from his goal.

Marc De Val Fernandez, the former Real Madrid midfielder, made a solid start to his Rovers career as he played the second half as a holding midfielder, this allowed Syers, Cotterill and a trialist, thought to be Sanchez Payne formerly of Leeds United, the opportunity to show their class and prove to Dickov why they deserve to be at the club.

Doncaster’s next pre-season friendly is on Saturday when they travel to Retford before another away match at Rossington the following Tuesday.

Dickov’s first match at the Keepmoat Stadium will be on July 13 when Rovers entertain Scottish side Motherwell in a pre-season friendly.

Rovers first half XI: Sullivan, Binns, Jones, trialist, Husband, trialist, Harper, Keegan, Bennett, trailist, Brown.

Rovers second half XI: Trialist, Quinn, trialist, Wakefield, Spurr, trialist, Fernandez, Middleton, Cotterill, Syers, Paynter

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: South Yorkshire Times

SHOULD BRITISH SPORTS ADOPT THE AMERICAN DRAFT SYSTEM?

Both England under 21s and England under 20s failed to make it out of their group stages in their respective tournament’s this summer.

It is no secret that in recent years sport in United Kingdom, primarily England, has not been to a standard where we can compete against a number of other nations.

We have seen our national football side knocked out either at the quarter-final stage or before in four of the last five World Cups that England have qualified for.

Likewise this summer both our under 21s and under 20s succumbed to the pressure of playing for themselves and not the country in a major tournament as both were knocked out in the group stage.

It is fair to say that the Football Association have tried to develop the new prospects of the game, but their measures just have not gone far enough. Many of them are having one or two good games lower down the leagues before being snapped up by top Premier League clubs, who do not utilise their potential.

One name that stands out is former Crystal Palace midfielder John Bostock, who signed a lucrative deal with Tottenham Hotspur when he was 16-years-old.

Where is he now?

Nowhere. In fact he was released by Spurs this summer after his contract with the club came to an end.

More recently he has been plying his trade with MLS side Toronto after spending time on loan at Swindon Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and Brentford.

In fact Bostock has never played a competitive match for the White Hart Lane side.

There are, however, many more players in the English game that have disappeared from the face of the earth after securing that dream move to a top Premier League club.

Now. I believe that if English sport’s wanted to develop their youth players and give them and future nations’ success in future tournaments could be aided by the introduction of a draft system, which is similarly used in a wide array of American sports – most notably for me hockey.

The NHL draft has been taking place since 1967 and has produced some quality players over the years that have gone on to achieve great success in the sport.

The Pittsburgh Penguins currently have four players in their team that they picked via the draft system in the past 13 years.

Captain Sydney Crosby was the number one pick in 2005, whilst Evgeni Malkin was the second choice pick the year before.

In 2003, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was the first choice pick whilst defender Brooks Orpik also came through the system in 2000.

Likewise the Philadelphia Flyers, the main rivals of the Penguins, have also utilised the draft system to their advantage in recent years with captain Claude Giroux being the number 22 pick in 2006.

The system works by allowing the teams that have not  been that successful the previous season getting the first pick of the best upcoming young players who have a bright future in the sport.

The 2013 draft took place earlier this week and watching it made me think that allowing teams to pick the best upcoming players rather than having to battle it out with cash like they currently do.

This alternative way could provide more competition in the lower English leagues and if team’s utilise the system correctly they could climb the ladder without the outside investment of foreign billionaires.

Transfer fees should still apply for the more established players that have played the game professional for one club or another, otherwise it would mean Jim White would be surplus to requirements on Sky Sports News.

With money being such an influence in the sport it cannot be completely ripped out of the game but if transfer fees for these foreign imports continue to escalate like they are then the grass roots football development in England is never going to improve any time soon.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: Getty Images

 

 

NADAL CRASHES OUT OF WIMBLEDON

Former Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was sensationally knocked out at SW19 in the first round by Steve Darcis

World number five Rafael Nadal has been knocked out in the first round of Grand Slam for the first time in his career as he lost in straight sets to Belgium’s Steve Darcis.

The world number 135 stunned a Wimbledon crowd on Court One as he won the contest 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (10-8) 6-4.

It was the second successive year that Nadal has fell early on at SW19 after he lost a five-set thriller to Lukas Rosol in the second round last year.

The Spaniard, who won the French Open at Roland Garros for the eighth time last month, struggled to adjust from the clay court to grass  and Darcis took full advantage of his discomfort.

After loosing the opening set on a tie-break, Nadal showed promise from what he had displayed on the clay court last month, but Darcis went on to extend his lead to two-sets after Nadal saved four set points.

Darcis continued the third set in similar fashion to how started the first two sets. He broke Nadal in the first game of the final set before holding on to his lead, before breaking again towards the end of the set.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray eased into the second round after a three-set victory over Benjamin Becker on Centre Court.

The Scot, who won the Olympic gold medal at SW19 last summer, beat the German 6-4 6-3 6-2.

Reigning champion Roger Federer also secured his place in the second round at Wimbledon after a comfortable straight-sets victory over Victor Hanescu.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion lost only five games on his way to victory. He won 6-3 6-2 6-0.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: tennisworld-tennis.blogsport.com

ARTHUR SACKED BY AUSSIES JUST 16 DAYS BEFORE START OF ASHES

Australia have sacked head coach Mickey Arthur just 16 days before the start of 2013 Ashes series in England

Australian coach Mickey Arthur has been relived of his duties as Australian coach, just 16 days before the start of the 2013 Ashes series in England.

The South African, 45, has been replaced by Australia A head coach and former Yorkshire-opener Darren Lehmann.

The former Proteas batsman had been extensively criticised following a poor ICC Champions Trophy campaign as well as numerous disciplinary issues within the squad.

In March this year, Arthur disciplined four first team players after they failed to submit presentations.

Vice-captain Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja were all dropped for the third test match against India. Watson was the only player to return to the side on that tour as he captained the side during the fourth-test due to captain Michael Clarke being injured.

“Naturally I’m very disappointed with how this has all ended,” Arthur told BBC Sport.

“I certainly wanted to see the job through but I accept that the team hasn’t been completely galvanised under my leadership and our performances have been inconsistent.

“We need the team to be absolutely unified if we’re any chance of beating the English.

“I do not feel let down by the players at all. You live and die by the sword. The disappointing thing is that I thought we were nearly there to cracking it.

“It has been a very challenging 18 months and I think the future is bright for Australian cricket.”

Lehmann, 43, has two warm up matches with the first team squad prior to the opening test match which starts at Trent Bridge on July 10.

The first four-day match starts on Wednesday against Somerset before they play Worcestershire next week.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Lehmann, who he played with during their time at Yorkshire, will be a success with the Australian national side.

Discipline issues have surrounded the Aussies in recent weeks and especially one individual in particular.

Opening batsman David Warner was suspended from all games until the opening Ashes test match following a bust-up in a Nottingham nightclub with England all-rounder Joe Root.

Warner, who was dismissed for just nine, in his only game of the ICC Champions Trophy was also fined £7,000 for his late-night bust up.

Prior to that Warner had been fined just short of £4,000 after he posted abusive comments about journalists on his Twitter account.

It is expected that Australia could be a much tougher force under Lehmann ahead of the back-to-back Ashes series after he led the Aussie A side to victory over Gloucestershire at the weekend.

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: http://www.news.com.au