That's not OEM's article, it's Oliver Butler's. It'll be interesting to see whether Neil's views are similar.
either the link is directing to a different article or Steven made another mistake cause its a OEM article for me. Come on steven there are so many now its almost not fun any more :)
(ok well maybe it is)
I can also see some of the sentiment here, but thing is we have had the top guys before and its not really got us anywhere, we don't really have much to lose, at least Leon is at a closer age to the others, although i guess that's the same with greg, and i doubt if he messes up he will have a huge pay off like JL had.
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Count Zero - Creator of the Statistical Tennis Extrapolation & Verification ENtity or, as we like to call him, that steven.
That's not OEM's article, it's Oliver Butler's. It'll be interesting to see whether Neil's views are similar.
either the link is directing to a different article or Steven made another mistake cause its a OEM article for me. Come on steven there are so many now its almost not fun any more :)
(ok well maybe it is)
I can also see some of the sentiment here, but thing is we have had the top guys before and its not really got us anywhere, we don't really have much to lose, at least Leon is at a closer age to the others, although i guess that's the same with greg, and i doubt if he messes up he will have a huge pay off like JL had.
Same article, but it definitely had Oliver Butler's name on it when I looked at it - it was written in OEM's style so I did hit the link and check 3 or 4 times before posting that. All very weird!
Has the Count been hacking into the Times site to try and make me look stupid? LOL (message to the Count - I don't need your help to do that )
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
It must be very difficult to pen hard hitting articles when you have to speak to the people you are criticising. Perhaps best to put the article in someone else's name? Just a thought.
The appointment looks like the LTA currying favour but it might well be a good appointment. Leon has a reputation as very hard working and thorough. Admittedly he is very close to Andy. Indeed he even wrote a book about the joys of touring the junior circuit and rooming with a precocious adolescent, which he enjoyed immensely! Honest!
The Times article seems to be too disparaging of Smith. He would not have been selected as Andy's coach and for these subsequent positions unless he was very good at his job. As for DC captain the main attributes are picking the right players and creating a good atmosphere amongst the team. And taking the flak when things go wrong. It that latter sense a thick hide may be neccessary.
Although 60% wanted Greg apparently, he was the only big name left in the running. Andy knew Greg would not be shy to criticise publically if he did not play, so put him under too much domestic pressure. Perhaps he did a deal of sorts and we will see more of him in DC. He may have been reluctant to play under other people.
If Andy decided to play it will probably be Andy/Huchins plus two others with Murray/Hutchins in doubles.
No, I say! It needs to be Flemski in doubles!
Not surprised about this result. We knew Lloydy was going to go, and after Tim ruled himself out and Petchey professed to be very surprised if he was approached, and no way was Miles gonna do it when he's got Andy to focus on, Greg was the only big name still left in it. It was either gonna be him or else a totally obscure choice. From the way Draper was talking it seemed a likely possibility that Greg wasn't going to get it. Hope that Smith can do a better job of it.
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King of Slice "He's on a one-man mission to bring the slice back to tennis." Inverdale
This article which struck me on first reading (and again on closer inspection) as containing too much rabble-rousing drivel was originally attributed to Oliver Butler - I'm sorry to see that OEM was the author.
Is Smith retaining his current post in addition to the DC position?
This article which struck me on first reading (and again on closer inspection) as containing too much rabble-rousing drivel was originally attributed to Oliver Butler
Thank you for confirming that, I'm glad it wasn't just me seeing things!
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
Yes, a very encouraging interview and he does a very good job of saying he's going to be the complete opposite of JL while diplomatically not actually mentioning the former captain.
Also http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-1265509/Andy-Murrays-pal-Leon-Smith-helm--Britains-No-1-play-Davis-Cup.html Muzza has said he had nothing to do with the appointment (except as far as saying 'anyone but Greg' perhaps ...), which actually sounds more than plausible (why would he want to add to the pressure on himself to play by doing that), so it comes back down to whether the LTA appointed Leon as a sop to Andy hoping it would influence him to play (which would be worrying) or whether they really think he's the best man for the job ... whatever the reason, hopefully he'll prove to be the latter!
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!