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akaTommySmith

Listed below are comments made by akaTommySmith between Thursday, 29th October 2009 and Wednesday, 18th November 2009.

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Nicest people in sport - My Top 20 08:40am on 18 Nov 2009 This had me laughing out loud several times... Got some funny looks on the train.

Great stuff...
Purple England left with red faces 9:35pm on 15 Nov 2009 England were awful, we're all agreed.

Let's not write Johnsons entire reign off though. I don't think we can say they've made no progress in 12 mths. Remember the France game in March? England were superb, their back play devastating.

So I want to give Jphnson/ Smith more time. I do worry about the coaching blend though. You can't split forwards and backs, and Smith/ Wells don't seem a good match.
Changed Haskell finds perfect Paris match 08:19am on 12 Nov 2009 You are clearly very impressionable Tom!

There are good reasons why people have questionned Haskell's character.

He might laugh off all the talk about Brand Haskell. Yet in his book, Ian McGeechan says the player and his advisors were talking about Brand Haskell during contract negs.

He has generally given the impression of being arrogant and cocky before really achieving anything. Look on his site-he would attend the opening of an envelope
What we can learn from Rooney, Dan Rooney 5:38pm on 10 Nov 2009 Agree with #14. I remember a big piece on this subject on the BBC website a while ago. Can't see that this blog has added anything new to the debate.
The rise of the English South Africans 09:08am on 06 Nov 2009 Oliver, you haven't addressed the fact that your analogy - of docs, teachers etc - was completely flawed. In fact it undermines your whole article.

International sport is about national boundaries. Now that has nothing to do with colour or creed. It is about having a deep affiliation and allegiance to a country IMO.

Comparing doctors eg is ridiculous, a totally different scenario.

And you should be careful before branding people xenophobic.
The rise of the English South Africans 3:57pm on 05 Nov 2009 Interesting subject to raise Oliver - buy I think it's obvious why people have hesitations about the likes of Pietersen playing for England.

I just can't feel patriotic about Pietersen and Trott though. They are South African. They are playing for England for reasons of personal ambition, not patriotism.

They were trained/ schooled in South Africa, so we can't take any credit for them at all. They also have very South African, and not English, characteristics, which arguably make them the players they are - ie abrasiveness and tremendous self confidence.

Tony Greig was the same. He riled Lilley, yet backed his words with deeds. I couldn't have imagined the more naturally reticent Englishmen doing the same thing.

And it's not xenophobia. If we let anyone play for England, what is the point of national sport?
Valuev, the man and the myth 11:24am on 05 Nov 2009 You say you met Valuev in the flesh Ben...what did he have to say?

(I believe he doesn't speak English, but presume there was a translator around)
Johnson primed for battle ahead 08:56am on 04 Nov 2009 This piece seems like padding to me. Describes a standard press conference I watched on sky. Sheds no new light. Johnson is always gruff.

What about talking to some of the other players; discussing what team will be; how players have been performing; how this is a chance for the young guns; what style of play Johnson will employ... even a bit about Aussie form.

Had hoped for a lot more.
Spurs learn silence is golden 08:27am on 01 Nov 2009 I'm sick of peoples' comments on these blogs. Seems we have a lot of wannabe journos out there. Why can't we make conclusions from one game? And Spurs have shipped 3 against man utd, arsenal&chelsea. So you're all saying that's top four quality???
Agassi confession lengthens shadow of doubt 1:33pm on 29 Oct 2009 Must say I am astonished by many of the comments on this blog. I understand that Agassi is a hero for many, but does that mean you're all blind to what's happened here?

#62 thefrogstar - what an arrogant comment. The piece is well written and well argued by someone who covers the sport day in, day out.

And others have said this is a storm in a teacup, fuss about nothing etc etc. Incredible.

Agassi admits he took meth several times. It's a class A drug and is on the banned list. Do you all think athletes should be permitted to take class As?

And then the big question, why did the ATP allow this to be brushed under the carpet? Because Agassi was a pin-up boy of the tour.

Surely this calls into question an organisation that runs the sport and also polices it.

As I said, quite incredible responses. People talking about a player having their own rules because of their status.

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