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Geregistreerd op: 18 Okt 2019 Berichten: 210
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Geplaatst: 25-11-2019 06:54:04 Onderwerp: Wes Morgan recently scored his first goal of the season |
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Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. David Justice Jersey . This week they discuss Jason Collins ignoring homophobic slurs, Sam Tagesons big day with the San Jose Sharks, Alex Rodriguez in the news again, and Sidney Crosbys Hart Trophy case. Bruce Arthur, National Post My thumb is up to Jason Collins of the Brooklyn Nets. Remember Jason Collins? Big guy, sets screens, commits fouls, plays defence, and recently the first openly gay player in any of North Americas four major sports leagues. He never did much as a player; he still doesnt. And in his first 10 games since signing with Brooklyn, Collins hasnt been a distraction, hasnt created a media circus, and says that only one opposing player has thrown homophobic slurs his way. And how Collins reacted to that was important. He could have named names, damaged the guys reputation, and cost him a big league fine. Instead, in the manner of Jackie Robinson, Collins ignored the slurs. He just played, with dignity. By doing nothing Jason Collins showed that nameless idiot what mattered, and that it wasnt him. Steve Simmons, Sun Media My thumb is up to the San Jose Sharks, and not because theyre my pick to win the Stanley Cup. Well get to that in another show. This week the Sharks made the most meaningful transaction since the trade deadline. They signed 17-year-old Sam Tageson to a one-day contract, and turned one day into a lifetime of memories for many. Tageson was born with a debilitating heart condition that prevents strenuous activity. But against his doctors advice, he has never stopped playing hockey. The Sharks signed him to a one-day deal, had him practice with the team, dress with the club, hang around the players, and then skate out through that gigantic shark head and stand at the blue line for the national anthem. The crowd, the bench, the building, went crazy. For one night, there was crying in hockey and everybody loved it. Dave Naylor, TSN Radio 1050 My thumb is down to Alex Rodgriguez, who once again is embroiled in controversy, this time over supposed unpaid legal fees racked up while he was trying to defend himself from the season-long suspension. If you thought we could look forward to this baseball season to some respite from more A-Rod controversy, well, think again. Theres some disputing the legitimacy of this weeks reports, with suggestions that A-Rod fully intends to pay his bills. And since he has a net worth reported at more than 300 million, why wouldnt we give him the benefit of the doubt? Wait a minute … Alex Rodriguez? Benefit of the doubt? Oh, nevermind. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up in agreement with Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who thinks Sidney Crosby is due to win the Hart Trophy for the second time, though I will take issue with Bylsma when he says there is "no question" that Crosby is the NHLs most valuable player. I do think theres a question – Im not sure why when the Penguins captain is running away with the scoring race and has appeared in all of Pittsburghs 70 games to lead the Pens to a certain Metropolitan Division title, but NHL watchers seem to want to consider other candidates. One problem with that - theres no answer to the question: who else should win? The next time you want Crosby to be better, name someone who is. Mark Melancon Braves Jersey . -- Terrelle Pryor took the opening snap of the game, put the ball in Darren McFaddens belly and saw LaMarr Woodley crash down. Phil Niekro Braves Jersey . "Opinion: Womens World Cup is the best Soccer of the year," Hanks tweeted to his 8.73 million followers on Friday. "Hey FIFA, they deserve real grass. Put in sod. https://www.cheapbraves.com/263o-bryse-wilson-jersey-braves.html .Y. -- First, Ryan Miller.Claudio Ranieri might not be keen to reveal the secrets to Leicesters success this season, but for centre-back pairing Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, its been all about keeping it simple. The experienced duo have been a mainstay for the table-topping Foxes this season, missing only one match between them, when Huth was suspended against Everton in December.Their effectiveness has been highlighted in recent weeks as the Premier League leaders have kept five successive clean sheets to keep their title bid on track, but what has made them so good this season? For starters, of the teams in the top four, they have played many more minutes together than the regular centre-back pairings at Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City.With both players enjoying injury-free seasons and only one match missed through suspension, Huth and Morgan have seen 5850 minutes of action. Robert Huth scored twice in a 3-1 win over Manchester City in February Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld had started every game for Tottenham, until Vertonghen suffered a knee injury against Crystal Palace in January that kept him out for over two months.The Belgians have played 5115 minutes together this season, ahead of Arsenals most regular pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker (4124 minutes) and Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis (3189 minutes) for Manchester City.Not only have Huth and Morgan got more game time, but they have done things slightly differently to their rivals. Most blocks among defenders in top four Player Team Appearances Blocks Wes Morgan Leicester 33 34 Robert Huth Leicester 32 31 Toby Alderweireld Tottenham 33 26 Laurent Koscielny Arsenal 27 21 Jan Vertonghen Tottenham 24 16 According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Alderweireld, Koscielny, Otamendi and Vertonghen have all made over 1000 passes this season, while Morgan and Huth have made just 516 and 525 respectively. Brian McCann Braves Jersey. Even Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has completed more passes than Morgan, despite having played 20 games less.But it is in other areas where Morgan and Huth have excelled. Leicester trio on PFA shortlist Jamie Vardy, NGolo Kante and Riyad Mahrez on shortlist for PFA Players Player of the Year The Foxes centre-backs have both made more blocks than any defender among the top-four sides, with Morgan leading the way with 34 ahead of Huth on 31.Alderweireld has made 26 and Koscielny (21) and Vertonghen (21) complete the top five, although the latter two have both missed several games this season.In terms of minutes per block, Morgan and Huth average 87 and 92 respectively, well ahead of Koscielny (109), Alderweireld (114) and Gabriel Paulista (132). Wes Morgan recently scored his first goal of the season to secure victory over Southampton The Foxes duo also rank highly when it comes to clearances - only Alderweireld (252) has made more than Huth (224) and Morgan (188) this season.They have been effective at breaking up play too, with both making it into the top five for number of interceptions.Arsenals Koscielny (105) has made the most this season, ahead of Morgan (85), Otamendi (82) and Huth (71).Next up for the Leicester duo is a home match with West Ham on Sunday, which you can watch live on Sky Sports 1 HD. Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Official Player Rating Index of the Barclays Premier League Also See: Foxes keen on Hernandez Leicester trio on PFA shortlist Okazaki: Kante league MVP Premier League table ' ' ' |
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