Can They Do It?

Can England win Euro 2016? Or get anywhere close?

I think 'no' has to be the resounding answer to that. I thought the Turkey game was an absolute disaster and although I couldn't face watching the Australia game the scoreline doesn't suggest that we did much better.

England have some young talent - but we've had that before. We used to have the best midfield in the world on paper with Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, Scholes and so on - and we never got anywhere in the big tournaments.

Is Hodgson going to manage to pull it all together in the time remaining? I doubt it. In the end it will probably be nerves and pressure on young shoulders that will see us exit the competition prematurely.

Let's hope I'm wrong. I would hate to see, what might turn out to be, another 'golden generation' go to waste due to poor management or preparation.

Well look on the bright side, we certainly haven't peaked too soon!

Champions...

Party time for the Leicester boys

Well they've only gone and done it!

It wasn't really a surprise that it happened last night at Chelsea (see last post).

I forget the number of times Chelsea have looked down and out against Spurs at Stamford Bridge, only to rally and get a result. Spurs haven't managed to win at the Bridge since 1990.

Still, I think there is hope for Spurs, they are a young side with a good manager and he is changing the culture at White Hart Lane to a 'can do' one. One day soon they probably will win something meaningful. I just don't think they were ready to win the title this season - the last fifteen minutes of the match last night showed that more than anything. Spurs set out to have a go at Chelsea players instead of concentrating on winning the game. At least they showed a bit of spirit for once, sadly it was directed in the wrong area. To blow a 2-0 lead against a Chelsea side that aren't really playing like a Chelsea side, is not the stuff of Champions.


The last time Leicester won the Premiership

Leicester were 5000/1 to win the title. So that means they should win roughly 1 in 5000 seasons. If you imagine that Premiership football has been going on back through the ages, then 5000 seasons ago would take us back to around 3000 B.C. A long time ago. We're talking Hieroglyphic writing in Egypt, the building of the city of Troy, the constructing of Stone Henge.

In fact we know those odds are rubbish - bookmakers put them out after all. So the actual probability is probably greater. Odds of 25,000/1 might be more like it but my 'history' doesn't go back that far..

Congratulations to Leicester City.

Put The Statues On Hold...

Well it was always a big ask for Spurs to beat West Brom at home to really stay in the Premiership title race...what a bunch of plonkers. Spurs may still do it of course but only if Leicester implode spectacularly, which looks unlikely.


"The players will deserve statues...really?"

There is also the fact that Spurs have to go to Chelsea, which even with London derby status would have been a 'nothing' game for the Blues, but will probably mean something now because Chelsea can end Tottenham's hopes altogether, assuming of course that Leicester haven't wrapped it up at Man Utd.

I was at the Man City game and we played like a bunch of kids at a family picnic...not a care in the world. I don't think that will be the case next Monday. If Spurs are still in the race, then I expect Chelsea will take the game more seriously than any they have played this season...and would probably get some kind of a result.

If there was any doubt in Leicester fans minds, then there shouldn't be, because Chelsea face their team on the last day of the season. If the title is still up for grabs, then it won't be for long. Don't get me wrong, Chelsea are a professional outfit, you don't win things if you're not, but there have been lapses in professionalism this season - which is why we haven't won anything. There is 'trying' and then there is 'Trying' and I don't expect there to be much of the 'capital T' variety from Chelsea, if Leicester need a result to clinch the title from Spurs.

As for Pochettino's comments about his players deserving statues built in their honour if they win the title, how would that work? I mean at the end of the day they would have challenged for the title and beaten...Leicester City (no disrespect). Were Spurs fighting off sustained challenges from other clubs...not really. Did they overcome record points deficits...no. Sorry, but even if they win the league, the last thing that should happen is to have their players cast in stone and dotted around White Hart Lane. That honour should only go to Leicester City and only if they pull off the greatest shock in Premier League history.

It's not that I dislike Spurs, even if they are London rivals, I just hate their lack of grit. They always capitulate when the chips are down and it looks as if they have done so again.

What next then for The Foxes? Champions League glory of course!

At least they play in blue.

Can They Do It?

Zlatan...ready to destroy City?

A terrific game is in prospect on Tuesday as Man City take a great position into the 2nd leg of the Champions League. PSG might have goalkeeper Kevin Trapp back after a knee problem on Saturday, but they will be without Marco Verratti, who I think is a key player, as well as Pastore, Luiz and Matuidi, the latter two missing out due to suspension.

Kompany may be fit, Aguero and Silva should get over their 'knocks', so that only leaves City short of Raheem Sterling and he's crap anyway. City have a real chance of making their first ever Champions League semi-final.

Only that crazy dude Zlatan can upset the party!

Cheltenham 2016. Day Four...

Day Three Results:
Bristol De Mai 5/1 - 2nd
Garde La Victoire - 4/1 - Fell

Not the best day yesterday. As De Mee ran ok at the price. Cole Harden led but didn't really assert any authority on the race so the price only dropped a point in running.

Nothing strong for today. I am looking at the Albert Bartlett NH at 2.50pm. It's not an easy race so small stakes. I am going to mix up some reverse forecasts or tricasts with Shantou Village, Barters Hill and Gangster. Bet them individually or e/w or however you want. A few quid will get you a decent payout on forecasts / tricasts so just a bit of fun really.

I will just mention Up For Review for a few pennies each way at 20/1. The latter may not the strongest Mullins runner in this race - but happy enough with the price.

Shantou Village, Barters Hill, Gangster - forecasts / tricasts / win etc.

Cheltenham 2016. Day Three...

Day Two Results:
Yorkhill 3/1 - won
Vyta Du Roc 10/1 e/w - unplaced.


Yorkhill did the business turning over the short priced fav. It was a great ride by Ruby but I have to confess that for a while I thought he might get himself boxed in on the rail. Anyway, in the end it wasn't a problem in a small field. Vyta Du Roc travelled nicely but was disappointing at the end of the race - but at least we avoided the two short priced favs in that race, which both lost.

Day Three:

JLT Novices Chase. 1.30pm:

Four runners at the head of the market here. Bristol De Mai, Garde La Victoire, Outlander and Black Hercules. I will go against Mullins' Black Hercules - so far I have avoided Mullins when he's lost and backed him when he's won, so let's hope that continues! I am reluctantly scratching off Outlander too - drying ground will probably be against him.

I can't separate the final two, Bristol De Mai and Garde La Victoire. I'm not in love with either horse but I think one of them will win. If you wanted to take one e/w it would probably be Bristol De Mai.

Bristol De Mai: 5/1
Garde La Victoire: 4/1

I haven't found any big prices this Cheltenham and I never usually bet at the shorter end of the market. I just haven't fancied anything at bigger prices. In desperation I will mention As De Mee at 28/1, in the same race, for pennies each way.

For those of you that want an in running trade, you need look no further than Cole Harden in the 3.30pm who is highly likely to lead or be up with pace as usual. He was a winner for me last year at 20/1 and this is his race.

Cheltenham 2016. Day Two...

Day One Results: Atior 4/1 e/w - won.

Day Two:

Neptune Investment Management NH. 1.30pm: I am against Yarnworth at the prices and if you can get around 3/1 for Yorkhill that would be the bet.

Yorkhill: 11/4 or bigger.

RSA Chase. 2.10pm: I kind of wanted to be on Roi Des Franc (Mullins / Walsh) but I am not sure the ground will suit. More Of That probably wins this but he is short. No More Heroes could be the shorter price value against him especially if he drifts a bit more - but I am going to have a small each way bet on Vyta Du Roc.

Vyta Du Roc: 10/1 e/w.

That's it for today.