WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT
HOT VIV ANDERSON
RECENT revelations of life struggles after sport have been highlighted by Olympian Gail Emms. Interesting to learn, then, that former England defender Anderson is spearheading a new venture to support sports stars in their retirement. Playon will launch officially next month.
SERGIO AGUERO
AT Manchester City all the talk is about newcomer Gabriel Jesus but after the gifted Brazilian missed chances at Brighton it was his senior partner who broke the deadlock. Goal stats can lie but this one doesn’t. In the last 23 games in which he has scored for City, Aguero has either given his team the lead or equalised on 19 occasions. Despite Pep Guardiola’s reservations, the 29-year-old remains a big-moment player.
YEOVIL TOWN
THE League Two team’s season couldn’t have got off to a worse start, their 8-2 defeat at Luton being the first time an English league side had conceded that many on the opening day since Wolves beat Manchester City 8-1 in 1962. City got relegated that season but maybe there is hope for Darren Way and his team after they recovered to win 3-2 against Accrington last weekend. Some effort.
NOT THE BIG GUNS
RUGBY league’s big teams have been embarrassed by Castleford who clinched the league title with weeks to spare by beating Wakefield on Thursday. Coached by Daryl Powell (above), the Tigers have only one problem as they try to reach the Grand Final in October. They don’t have a meaningful game until next month’s play-offs and maintaining their form between now and then may prove a bigger test than any provided by Leeds, St Helens or Hull.
NEIL LENNON
THE Hibernian boss did not quite cross the line with his celebrations after his team scored against Rangers but the likeable Lennon may wish to steal a line from the great waste of Manchester air that was once Mario Balotelli and ask himself: ‘Why always me?’
KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON
WE try to avoid repetition in this column but some people won’t go away. Another major tournament has passed Johnson-Thompson by without the gifted heptathlete coming close to reaching her potential. Some athletes don’t have what it takes to bring their true selves to the big stage and, at 24, KJT looks exactly like one.