Jose Mourinho says Tottenham are title contenders

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Tottenham are a "big contender" for the Premier League title, claiming they are one of six possible champions.

The Portuguese, 50, insists the title race is more open than during his first spell as Blues boss between 2004 and 2007. 

“Tottenham are a big contender. They have bought players with quality,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Spurs.

This is the customary nonsense that we get from managers on the eve of a game between a top four team and a team that are trying to break into that elite group.

There’s always the they are 'genuine' contenders and blah, blah, blah, the only reason Mourinho is saying this and not saying the obvious, that Tottenham have zero chance of winning the title, is so that he doesn’t do his protégé’s job for him and give any extra motivation to the opposition.

Tottenham will certainly be challenging for a top four place, but to suggest they could challenge for the title is a little far-fetched; they don’t have enough strength in depth and don’t have enough options up front.

While it’s easy to say now that any one of six can win the title by Christmas that number will have dropped to two City and Chelsea.

Those two will finish 1^st and 2^nd then it’s a fight between Arsenal and United for 3^rd with Liverpool and Tottenham fighting it out for 4^th.

I do wish managers wouldn’t make these silly declarations at the starts of seasons because they never come to fruition, they always say oh it’s the most open title race for years but come April/May it’s always been whittled down to the same two or three teams.   

David Cameron unveils marriage tax breaks plan

Plans for some married couples to get tax breaks worth up to £200 a year have been announced by David Cameron.

The prime minister said four million couples would benefit from a £1,000 transferable tax allowance from 2015.

Labour said Mr Cameron was "out of touch" if he thought the people would get married "for £3.85 a week".

This idea sounded stupid to me when I first heard about it and now it’s getting to the stage where it looks certain to become law, it sounds just as stupid.

How fragile does David Cameron and the Conservatives think marriage is that they feel the need to offer this measly incentive?

Is it really worth going through the rigmarole of passing this law just so that married couples can have an extra £3.85 a week, I think not.  

Burial space in England ‘could run out in 20 years’

Almost half of England's cemeteries could run out of space within the next 20 years, a BBC survey suggests.

And a quarter of 358 local authorities responding to the BBC said they would have no more room for burials within a decade.

Cemetery experts warned of a looming "crisis", while managers called for a change in law to allow graves that are more than 75-years-old to be reused.

Introducing a law stipulating that graves can be reused after 75 years is a way of tackling the problem, but it just so happens to be, in my eyes, the wrong way, surely the more logical thing to do would be to simply buy more land.

Why is the most obvious option being overlooked for something so unnecessary and needlessly complicated?

Aside from it being unnecessary the way this 75 year rule would work, assuming it became law, would see the remains of the original person being dug up, digging a deeper grave putting the remains of the original person back in and then using the space on top.

I can’t really see that catching on and I can’t imagine too many people being ok with having their relatives remains dug up and then being re-buried underneath somebody else.

If this ‘crisis’ is really that bad then just buy more land, it’s the obvious and, most importantly, best way to handle it.  

IPPC climate report: humans ‘dominant cause’ of global warming

A landmark report says scientists are 95% certain that humans are the "dominant cause" of global warming since the 1950s.

The report by the UN's climate panel details the physical evidence behind climate change.

On the ground, in the air, in the oceans, global warming is "unequivocal", it explained.

If you look at the climate of our planet it has gone up and down in cycles, there were periods where the climate warmed and the whole planet resembled a giant desert and equally there where ice ages, so for millions of years long before humans arrived the planet was heating up and cooling down naturally, so I highly doubt that a few hundred years of human industrialisation has had the profound effect that is being reported.

Of course I fully acknowledge that mankind is speeding up the process but I think there should be more focus on working out how to reduce the effect we’re having rather than arguing about how much of an impact we’re having, wouldn’t that be the more productive thing to do? 

Iran ready for nuclear talks, says President Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he is prepared to engage in “time-bound and results-oriented” talks on his country’s nuclear programme.

He told the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting in New York that sanctions against Iran were “violent”.

He also welcomed Syria’s acceptance of the Chemical Weapons Convention and condemned the use of such weapons.

This is a potentially significant announcement and marks a shift in position from the previous Iranian government, and at last some recognition that the best course of action will be to talk it out rather than posturing and threats.

Hopefully this will mark the start of a change in approach from both sides that will lead to real progress, that’s the hope, but later this week Iran and five permanent members of the UN (UK,US, Russia and China) are meeting so let’s see if this first step can be built upon. 

Ed Miliband hits back at energy firms over price plan

Ed Miliband would “take action” against energy companies if they defied a Labour government by raising prices ahead of his promised freeze.

The Labour leader has pledged gas and electricity bills would not go up for 20 months if he wins the 2015 election.

It has been welcomed by consumer groups angry at price hikes over recent years, but the “big six” suppliers warned it could have serious consequences.

Yes the big six energy companies are right it could have serious consequences, it would mean that they would no longer be able essentially rob the public blind when it came to setting their gas and electricity prices, under Miliband’s pans they, god forbid, might actually have to offer their customers competitive prices and act on the interests and needs of their customers rather than their shareholders.

It’s almost as if the energy companies have no grasp on reality, either they are completely oblivious to the current economic climate and think that they are giving their customers a fair deal, or they are aware but continue to rip them off anyway, whatever it is they don’t seem to realise it makes all the CEO’s look like real life Mr Burns’ and everybody hates them.

While you have to praise Ed Miliband for being the only big party leader to stand up and make a statement on this, you’d have to say Cameron and Clegg have really missed an opportunity on this issue, particularly Clegg, how hard would it have been for either of them to make a similar proclamation, they wouldn’t have even had to have gone as far just along as they showed some kind of acknowledgement and a plan to tackle it.

Newham Council ‘may quit £111m office’

A council that spent more than £111m on a new headquarters is considering moving out after just three years.

Newham Council bought Building 1000 for £92m in 2010 and spent a further £18.7m on a refurbishment. Designer light fittings alone cost £1,853 each.

Now it is understood that the council is unable to sell the old buildings it vacated and is considering moving back.

This is incredible Newham council spent £111m on a new office to bring all their services under one roof, but now they can’t shift the 26 different buildings they previously occupied.

The move was designed to save money but now they’re paying for 26 buildings they’re not using, saving a fortune I’m sure, what an example of grand scale incompetence.

If Newham council decides to move back into the 26 buildings then all you’re left with is an empty £111m building that's been in use for less than three years, I’m sure the residents of Newham are thrilled at having at council that sets such a great example to other councils nationwide of what not to do.  

Tiger Woods should be named PGA Tour player of the year

Envelopes will start to fall through front doors of PGA Tour players' mansions this week containing ballot papers for the 2013 Player of the Year

It is an award of great prestige. “We hold it dearly because it's the respect of our peers,” said Tiger Woods.

“Having a year where they think that you were deserving of the player of the year is pretty special.”

While he may have won the award ten times already it’s damn near impossible to make a case for anyone other than Woods winning the award this year.

He’s won five times in 2013, three more times than any other player, he’s regained his world no.1 spot and has a healthy four point lead over Adam Scott in second, he's earned the most money and he’s got the lowest scoring average, pretty compelling stuff.

Honourable mentions should certainly go to Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson, but there should really only be one winner.

And now to rookie of the year, there’s no need for a discussion it’s Jordan Spieth. 

Triumph Herald clocks 20 miles in 52 years

It is described as a “classic car with one careful lady owner”.

But what makes this Triumph Herald so unusual is that it has covered just 20 miles since it rolled off the production line 52 years ago.

Still sporting its original 1961 £15 tax disc, the blue and white car was delivered to the buyer's home by trailer.

This is bizarre in 1961 a woman bought a Triumph Herald it was delivered to her house by trailer and then she never drove it, and when she died her family sold it back to the dealer who sold it to her, who’s now auctioning and it expecting to make £12-15k.

It’s an interesting and bizarre story but it does throw up some questions like who buys a car and then leaves it sitting on the drive, why buy a car if you’re not going to drive it.

Also what dealer buys back a car he’s already sold, and this is the one that really gets me how can it be worth £12-15k.

I understand that some old classic cars are worth fortunes because they are rare or because of the heritage of the company that made them etc. but how can a Triumph Herald from 1961 be worth more than a lot of brand new 2013 cars that have just rolled off the production line.

It doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever.  

Man City thrash Man United 4-1

Manchester City ensured David Moyes' first derby as Manchester United manager ended in abject humiliation with a crushing victory at the Etihad Stadium.

That was a comprehensive victory and statement made by City, I said before the season started that either City or Chelsea would win the title this season and as Chelsea’s form has been indifferent, and the fact that they let their best striking option, Lukaku, go out on loan I can’t see them scoring enough goals, that is why for me City will be champions this season.

They were superb yesterday and put in the best performance of the season by a mile, United were outclassed right from the first whistle, their players looked clueless and Moyes looked out of his depth.

I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it throughout this season appointing Moyes was a mistake he doesn’t have the necessary experience to manage a club like Man United, he has zero experience of challenging for titles and has one game under his belt in the Champions League proper.

Those aren’t the credentials needed to manage a team that expects to challenge for the top honours every year, but for fans of all the other teams, including myself, the next few seasons should be enjoyable as United’s domination of the Premier League is over.

You may think this is an over-reaction or me jumping the gun, but I just can’t see United winning anything this season under Moyes tactically he isn’t in the same league as Pelligrini and Mourinho and that’s why he and United will struggle. 

Also I must mention the fact that my team, Arsenal, are top and things are looking much brighter at the Emirates, while I don't think we'll be in contention this season if we can add a few more top names in January and next summer then we can become one of the main contenders once again, instead of scrapping for fourth. 

Henrik Stenson wins Tour Championship and FedEx Cup

Sweden's Henrik Stenson became the first European winner of both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup titles - almost doubling his PGA Tour career earnings in one tournament.

Stenson carded a final round of 68 to win by three shots from United States pair Jordan Spieth and Steve Stricker.

He claimed the first prize of £875,000 and a £6.3m FedEx Cup bonus.

Nice work if you can get it, Stenson’s return to form this season has been nothing short of remarkable and some of the golf he has produced during the play-offs has been amazing and he thoroughly deserved to win the lot.

But while watching last night there was an advert for the season ending race to Dubai on the European Tour, which starts next month, and it made me think after the quality of golf I’ve seen during the FedEx Cup play-offs what’s the point.

On watching the advert there wasn’t an ounce of excitement in me to tune in; the European Tour has fallen so far behind the PGA Tour in terms of quality of tournaments, the number of star names on show, and the quality of golf it’s frightening.

The only hope the European Tour has is to merge with the PGA Tour and create a World Tour otherwise the PGA Tour will continue to innovate and streak ahead and leave the European Tour well behind.

Also watch out for Jordan Spieth in the next few years if he continues to improve at the rate he has this season he could be America’s next golfing superstar.

Sunderland sack Paolo Di Canio

Sunderland have sacked head coach Paolo Di Canio with the Black Cats bottom of the Premier League table.

The 45-year-old Italian has won three of his 13 matches since being appointed in March and taken only one point from five league games this campaign.

Sunderland said they will decide on Di Canio's successor in "due course".

Well five games in and we have our first sacking, I wouldn’t say I’m surprised that Di Canio has been sacked given that there was a story every week about how the Sunderland players weren’t happy with Di Canio’s methods, but instead of moaning maybe they should have made more of an effort to get behind the manager, because everybody knows that Di Canio had his own way of doing things.

Even though Sunderland are bottom and have made a bad start the season’s only five games old, you’d have thought Di Canio would have been given a bit more time to try and turn things round, he should have at least been given five more games.

All you can say is good luck to whoever replaces Di Canio because Sunderland’s next four league games are Liverpool, Man United, Swansea and Newcastle.

It was interesting while it lasted but the Di Canio-Sunderland experiment has gone up in flames. 

Sebastian Vettel boos unfair says Christian Horner

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says it is "unfair", "not right" and "not deserved" for fans to continually boo Sebastian Vettel.

The German was booed again after winning the Singapore Grand Prix as he has been at virtually every race since Canada apart from his home event.

Horner said: "It's so unfair. It's not sporting. The boy has driven an unbelievable race.

Of course Horner is right it’s not fair or right for the fans to boo Vettel, he has a car that is clearly much better than those of his rivals so it’s only natural he’s going to win the majority of the races and the world championship again.

If any of his nearest challengers in the title race Alonso, Hamilton or Raikkonen were driving the Red Bull then they’d have a massive lead and be coasting to the title as well, while it may be dull to watch the same guy win over and over and over, it’s not his fault it’s the other teams.

It’s up to the other constructors to produce a car that can challenge Red Bull on a consistent basis; otherwise this Red Bull/Vettel precession will carry on and on.   

Acpo issues ‘drunk tanks’ call to tackle disorder

The idea of privately run “drunk tanks” to tackle alcohol-fuelled disorder has been backed by police chiefs.

They said drunk troublemakers should be put in cells to sober up and made to pay for their care the next morning.

The Association of Chief Police Officers, which is launching a campaign on alcohol harm to coincide with university freshers’ season, said problem drinking was increasing.

This doesn’t sound that bad an idea at first, but like so many ideas the more you think about them the more stumbling blocks loom on the horizon, starting with the fact that if these drunk tanks were to become operational they would be in the hands of private companies, the same private companies who lied about prisoners tags and cocked up the Olympic security, not to name names (cough) G4S.  

Also those in charge of running a drunk tank would need medical training to judge whether someone is so drunk they require a trip to A&E, and last but by no means least there’s the thorny issue of going to someone who’s hung-over and has zero recollection of the night before and saying to them right you owe us x amount of pounds, I can’t see that going down too well.

There is a much simpler ways to tackle alcohol related crime, either bring back and implement the minimum price for a unit of alcohol or, as that idea was shelved and is unlikely to make a comeback, ban special promotions that pubs and clubs have where they sell drinks for as little as £1, that would be a better place to start.

Or if you really want to go to the extreme there is the option of plastering images of livers of heavy drinkers on bottles of alcohol, or running adds where someone is at an AA meeting and stands up and describes in excruciating detail how they lost everything because of excessive drinking, basically treat alcohol like tobacco.

North-south divide among silver surfers

There is a “concerning” north-south divide in the number of over-65s in England, so-called silver surfers, who use the internet, a charity has said.

Age UK said Surrey's older people were more than twice as likely to have web access as those in Tyne and Wear.

The charity also said poorer people, those living alone and those in relatively poor health were least likely to access internet services.

So older people who are poor or are in poor health are least likely to use the internet, really I’d never have guessed that I’d have thought getting high-speed fibre optic broadband would be top on their list of priorities.

Jokes aside that is one of the main reasons that older people in the north are less likely to be online, the initial cost of a computer and the connection and runnings costs on top of that. 

Or maybe the older people of the north simply don’t want a computer or don’t need to have an internet connection has anyone ever thought of that.

I don’t see why there seems to be this national obsession that everyone everywhere should be connected seemingly at all times, and god forbid if anyone isn’t online.

I’ve grown up with the internet and use it pretty much every day, but I completely understand that there are people out there who can’t see the point of it or who can’t be bothered to sift through the vast amounts of crap, this blog included, to get the information they want and prefer to use other means to do so.      

Why should those people have it rammed down their throats that they need to be online, if they don’t want to that’s their choice.

Shouldn’t the focus be more on ending the divide in wealth among older people in different parts of Britain rather than telling them don’t worry about that all you need is Facebook.  

Barclays ‘worst bank for honesty’

Barclays is the worst bank for honesty and customer service, according to an ethical scorecard launched today to guide those looking to switch their current accounts.

The bank picked up just four out of 100 points in campaign group Move Your Money's ratings, with the five biggest banks among the poorest performers in the 70 that were assessed.

The other high street giants, RBS, HSBC, Lloyds and Citibank, were also graded 'red' for having less than 25 points.

I’m not surprised in the slightest by the fact that all the lowest scorers were the big high street banks, particularly in Barclays case as this comes on the same day as it has announced it will refund 300,000 loan customers because of mistakes it made on their paperwork.

However, it does amaze me that such a big corporation can get away with providing such a dreadful service, I can’t think of any other industry where one of the market leaders in Britain would receive a rating of four out of 100 for any service they provided, yet it seems the banks can get away with it.

You wouldn’t stay in a hotel that scored four out of 100, you wouldn’t eat in a restaurant, buy a car or shop in a supermarket that scored so low so why on earth would you entrust your finances to a bank that scores four out of 100.  

Just proves that the biggest banks have this country by the balls and there’s nothing we can do about it. 

Crystal Palace chief calls for red cards for divers

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has called for players who dive to be shown straight red cards.

Manchester United’s Ashley Young was booked for tumbling over after a challenge by Palace's Kagisho Dikgacoi in United’s 2-0 win on Saturday.

Dikgacoi was dismissed when the pair clashed again later in the first half.

While everybody would like to see diving eradicated from the game I think a red card for everyone who dives isn’t the way to go, because that introduces a whole new problem how can you definitively tell in all cases whether someone dived.

You have those situations where a player goes down after minimal contact, but there was contact nonetheless, when they could have easily stayed on their feet, so technically isn’t that a dive as well?

I also think a straight red for a dive is a bit too harsh, I think a different way of approaching it is to keep it at a yellow card for a dive, but if the same player is booked for a clear dive on two separate occasions in two separate matches then they should receive a one match ban.

However, if a player is booked twice for two clear dives in a match then they should obviously be sent off, but instead of facing the standard one match ban, that should be increased to two matches, this harsher punishment would hopefully make players less inclined to go down after being breathed on, and more inclined to stay on their feet.   

The FA could also do more by properly retrospectively punishing players, not just for dives, take Schneiderlin’s tackle yesterday the ref somehow didn’t see it so therefore he will get away with it rather than facing the straight red and three game ban his two-footed, dangerous tackle deserved.  

Benefit cheats could face 10 years in jail

Benefit cheats are to face increased prison sentences of up to 10 years, under new guidelines set out by the director of public prosecutions.

Keir Starmer QC said it was time for a "tough stance" on benefit and tax credit fraud, as he issued the guidance for prosecutors in England and Wales.

He said the £1.9bn annual cost of the crime to the nation should always be at the "forefront of lawyers" minds.

This, in principle, makes sense introducing harsher sentences for benefit fraud will hopefully act as some form of deterrent, but for those who will continue to try and con the system the logic starts to unravel.

If someone commits benefit fraud they’re cheating the taxpayer out of money, but if those people were locked up for 10 years they would be costing the taxpayer even more money.

Instead of focusing on tougher prison sentences, shouldn’t the government concentrate on bringing the benefit cap down further so that you can’t claim more money in benefits than you can for working a full time job?

Also this £1.9bn annual cost of benefit fraud would pale into insignificance if all the government employed lawyers instead focused on closing all the legal loopholes used by big corporations to avoid paying who knows how many billions in tax.  

Offenders ‘not properly risk-assessed’ before release

Some of the most dangerous prisoners in England and Wales are not being properly risk-assessed before they are freed, a report has found.

Probation and prison inspectors said two-thirds of the plans they examined to manage the release of those serving life sentences were inadequate.

They were “shocked” by the “lack of clarity” and “confusion” over the assessments.

Right this story is unnerving for two reasons:

1. Someone somewhere thinks it’s a good idea for the most dangerous criminals, murders, rapists and violent repeat offenders, to be released and integrated back into society.

2. Those due for release weren’t being properly risk assessed.

I would imagine that if you need to be thoroughly assessed as to whether you should be released, chances are you probably shouldn’t be released.

The only problem is now that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that life can’t mean life anymore, so the only thing the government can do is try and make it so as this system runs as smoothly as possible and then hope that those released under it don’t re-offend.

You might say what about the rehabilitation side, but chances are those that are murders, rapists and repeat violent offenders have very little chance of being properly rehabilitated and successfully re-integrated back into society.  

Football: Average ticket prices fall

Average ticket prices across English football's top four divisions have fallen by up to 2.4%, the BBC Sport Price of Football study has found.

It showed prices in four main categories have reduced for 2013-14.

The annual study - the biggest in British football - includes the prices of 164 clubs in the top 10 divisions.

This is good news in that prices have come down slightly, but it is such an insignificant amount when you look at just how much ticket prices have gone up in the last five years.

It’s also frustrating to see that the Premier League saw a 4.3% rise in the cheapest tickets, despite the fact that a new bumper TV deal saw an extra £600m pumped into the top flight.

What more do Premier League clubs want, they're getting more and more money every year just for being in it, not to mention the huge bonuses paid to those who finish in the European places, it’s just crazy that despite all this they feel they need to put ticket prices up.

As an Arsenal fan I must say I’m more than a little embarrassed as we are the worst offenders, we have the highest season ticket of all and I think even our cheapest one is in the top five highest, not good.

Ticket prices should certainly be added to the list of things Greg Dyke needs to sort out during his term at the helm of the FA, and he should definitely consider capping the amount clubs can charge because how can they justify raising ticket prices when they are making more and more each year? It has to stop.  

Roy Hodgson defends England performance in Ukraine

Roy Hodgson was satisfied with England's result and performance as they took a significant step towards next summer's World Cup with a goalless draw against Ukraine in Kiev.

Hodgson's side stay top of Group H and will qualify for Brazil if they win their final two Wembley qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

After a game low on quality, and played in front of 70,000 fans, the England boss said: “Before the game, the feeling among a lot of people was that a draw would be a good result.”

He added: “I’m surprised to hear what I thought was a good performance and result might be being seen as an underwhelming performance.”

Like Roy Hodgson I too am surprised, I’m surprised that he thought that was a good performance, if he believes that to be true then I’d hate to see a bad one, if we produce that kind of performance against Poland and Montenegro next month we can kiss the plane tickets to Brazil goodbye. 

As usual we flatter to deceive, we looked comfortable against low quality opposition, Moldova, but when it comes to playing a half-decent side we revert to being a team who can’t string three paces together and who look like 11 strangers playing together for the first time, it’s simply not good enough.

It is quite unnerving that we just can’t seem to beat a team who are challenging us for a World Cup place, that’s four games against Ukraine, Poland and Montenegro, and that’s four underwhelming performances and four draws, and if that happens in the next two games then we aren’t going to Brazil.

When Hodgson was given the job I was a little surprised but he had a good record so I gave him the benefit of the doubt, however, he’s been in the job about 18 months and England have the exact same problems they had when he first took over, and his tactics are far too negative, last night just a bit more adventure could have won us that game but from the outset it was clear Hodgson was happy to settle for a draw.

It was also clear watching last night that the FA should have appointed Harry Redknapp, at least if he was in charge England would play decent football and you’d actually look forward to watching them.  

If Hodgson wants to manage England at a World Cup then next month he must be more willing to pick a team that’s attack minded and that will actually go out there and try to dictate the play, not one that just sits back and is comfortable waiting for the ref to blow his whistle.

Assuming everyone is fit England should field this team for the final two qualifiers:

GK - Hart

RB - Johnson

CB - Jagielka

CB - Cahill   

LB - Baines

CM - Gerrard (c)  

CM - Carrick

RW - Walcott

SS - Rooney

LW - Young

ST - Sturridge

I hope we do qualify and go to Brazil next year but after last night’s performance I’m not holding my breath. 

Barack Obama calls of Syria action vote

US President Barack Obama has postponed a Congress vote on military action in Syria, vowing to pursue diplomacy to remove the regime's chemical weapons.

Damascus has admitted for the first time that it has chemical weapons, and has agreed to abide by a Russian plan to hand over its arsenal.

Wow another western leader with egg on his face over his handling of the situation in Syria, the other obviously being David Cameron, who now looks even more stupid because after losing a Commons vote on military action he spent the entire G20 summit essentially lobbying for military action.

Instead its Russia’s diplomatic solution that has won the day here, could this set a precedent for future crises in countries like Syria with Russia taking the lead and the US, U.K. and other western powers taking a back seat?  

It’s hard to say at this stage but if the Russian plan proves to be a success it could happen. 

Rafael Nadal wins US Open

Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak Djokovic in a pulsating four-set final to claim his second US Open title in New York.

The Spaniard, 27, held on magnificently in the third set to go on and win a gripping contest 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 in three hours and 21 minutes.

One incredible 54-shot rally - the longest in the tournament by 20 shots - summed up a battle that thrilled the 23,000 spectators in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

I have to start off by congratulating Nadal for the manner in which he has comeback this year, when he won all those clay court tournaments at the start of the year it wasn’t that surprising and it was the same when he won the French Open, but after he lost at Wimbledon and appeared injured again you did fear that he could only compete on clay, but his run on the hard courts has been amazing, culminating in last night’s win.

The first and fourth sets were quite comfortable for Nadal, but the battles in the second and third were unbelievable, in particular that 54 shot rally, only Nadal and Djokovic seem to be able to produce that kind of tennis consistently when they go head to head, they really do bring out the best in each other.

Something that has been floated around quite a lot is whether Rafa is the greatest player of all-time, or GOAT if you prefer, and I’m of the opinion that he is because he’s adapted his game and beaten Federer and Djokovic, in grand slams, on their preferred surfaces where as they haven’t come close to beating Nadal at the French.

Nadal has a much better head to head against all his rivals, he leads Djokovic 22-15, 21-10 against Federer and 13-5 against Murray, added to all his grand slams he’s won the most master series 1000 titles, 26, he’s won Olympic Gold and the Davis Cup, the only Nadal hasn’t won is the World Tour finals and as they’ll be played on a hard court you wouldn’t bet against him winning that as well.

Another question was can he catch Rogers record of 17, again I think he can, providing he stays injury free of course, I think he’ll win at least 10 French Open titles, that would take him to at least 15 and if he keeps up his hard court form then he could easily win the US and Australian Opens again.

While that’s all conjecture, one thing is certain it’s great to see the best in the world playing at their best on the biggest stage, any sports fan will tell you there’s nothing better than watching that.      

Sepp Blatter: World Cup in Qatar maybe a “mistake”

FIFA may have made a “mistake” in awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, according to president Sepp Blatter.

Summer temperatures can reach 50C in the Middle Eastern country.

Asked by insideworldfootball.com awarding Qatar the tournament, the 77-year-old said: “It may well be that we made a mistake at the time.”

No, no, no, no, no it’s not the case that FIFA ‘may’ have made a mistake in awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, it’s more a case of they definitely made a colossal error and only now are they beginning to realise the size of the cock up they’ve made.

Qatar hosting the World Cup, whether it is in June or January simply isn’t going to work, it’s the equivalent of the IOC choosing Britain to host the Winter Olympics.

FIFA’s executive committee will meet next month to vote on whether to switch the tournament to the winter, which Blatter wants, so that’s that done the 2022 World Cup will be in played in January/February, effectively ruining all the European leagues for that season.

It’s obvious that Qatar should never have been chosen to host the World Cup, but now they have it’s even more obvious what should be done, take it off them and award to a country that doesn’t have to build everything from scratch and that can host it in the summer like it has been for the 80 years.