WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT
HOT GLENN MURRAY
AMID the hullabaloo of Manchester United’s defeat at Brighton, the display by the home centre forward got a little overlooked. Murray is not the most natural athlete but he delivered a performance of bruising perfection, welcome evidence that traditional centre forwards can still flourish. And his finish for Brighton’s first goal was made of gossamer.
GRAEME SWANN
THE former England spinner wrote intelligently about Ben Stokes in the Sunday Times but his suggestion that Stokes should pay for a minder on nights out was maybe a little wide of the mark. If you cannot go out without hiring someone to stop you straying into trouble then a night in with a glass of wine and the TV is probably the way forward.
TONY MOWBRAY
THE former central defender’s vocabulary has to be viewed in the context of the muck and nettles of his career so when the Blackburn manager said he wants some ‘robustness’ from new signing Jack Rodwell, the former England midfielder should prepare to run through some walls. Fair play to Mowbray for taking a chance on a boy with talent, though.
NOT ROY HODGSON
THE Crystal Palace manager was unhappy that a penalty had been awarded against his team as they lost to Liverpool and was keen to say so. ‘It’s a cause for frustration and anger,’ he said. Just as it was for Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic when his team were denied a clear penalty against Palace with the scores at 0-0 at Craven Cottage on the opening day. Hodgson was not so effusive about that incident, strangely.
TIGER AND PHIL
THE two titans of American golf will face each other over 18 holes in Las Vegas in November in what is being described as a winner-takes-all exhibition match. Except that it is not an exhibition match at all, given that the winner will pocket $9million. ‘I bet you think this is the easiest $9m you will ever make,’ said Phil Mickelson (above) to Tiger Woods on Twitter. It is at times like this that you know all hope is lost.
DANNY CIPRIANI
THE Gloucester fly-half turned up for his RFU disciplinary hearing on Wednesday wearing trainers, jeans and with his shirt hanging out. Cipriani is said by those who know him to be a decent lad. He is also clearly a bit dim.