It’s definitely IPL Time

I'm loving the new Indian Premier League season. It’s giving me that football World Cup feeling, where every day, there is a match or two to look forward to. My IPL team are the Chennai Super Kings, they are not doing too well at present but it’s still early days as the tournament doesn’t finish until May 24th. What i love most about the IPL is the fact that you have some of the world’s top cricketers, including Pietersen, Flintoff, Warne, Tendulkar and Dravid, genuinely having fun whilst at the same time retaining a high level of competitiveness; add to this all the razzamatazz that is the IPL and you get a cracking spectacle – if you’re not watching it yet visit www.setanta.com and get involved!

Summer's here...

I always know when its summer as my second favorite sport, namely Cricket, makes a re-appearance in my sporting calendar. What a bonus, not only do I get to watch top football matches but I also get some quality cricket action too. Twenty20 cricket is my new passion, let’s face it cricket needed to be modernised and the Twenty20 format has done just that. I am therefore going to be totally spoilt at the weekend as this year’s IPL Cricket tournament starts on Saturday at 11:30am followed by the Arsenal v Chelsea semi final from Wembley at 5:15pm – both Live on Setanta. Summers here and I love it.

Manager Power

As regular readers of my column will know, i am a great believer that the key to a successful Premier League football club depends on finding the right manager – and then giving him the time and investment to do his job properly. Aston Villa and Everton have been great underachievers for many decades and yet in recent years they have managed to stabilise themselves by finding the right man for their top job. If Alan Shearer manages to keep Newcastle up, then i think his club needs to take a leaf out of Villa and Everton’s book. Newcastle is a club that desperately needs stability, and i think Shearer can bring this to the Toon,if given the necessary time and support. You can follow the latest fortunes of Moyes, O’Neill and Shearer this weekend, Live on Setanta – Stoke v Newcastle Sat 5:30 – Aston Villa v Everton 2pm Sunday.

It’s not over...just yet.

Only a few weeks ago people were moaning about the Premier League being a one horse race. Well,on this Grand National weekend, there are most definitely two horses left in the title chase. This weekend is where the men are going to be separated from the boys. I really couldn’t tell you how I think things are going to pan out, but by Monday morning I will have a much better idea. For years Liverpool have fallen at the final fence when they have had a chance to win the League. They must now show that they have the character, stamina and discipline to take this race to the final furlong. A potentially tricky tie against Fulham, tomorrow night at 5:30pm (Live on Setanta), awaits the Reds. It’s time for them to show their champions credentials!