ARSENAL

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit is backing Samir Nasri to make up for the absence of Cesc Fabregas.

Arsène Wenger's side will go british to the Nou Camp this week with several key players missing, but Petit, who played for both teams, is optimistic that the Gunners will still be a force to be a reckoned with.

Fabregas, who injured himself in the first leg, will miss the rest of the season through injury, but Petit has faith in his fellow Frenchman Nasri to pull the strings from central midfield.

He told the BBC: "I've seen Arsenal play very well when Fabregas is not in the team.

"When Fabregas plays he is britain always asking for the ball and every ball comes through him. That's quite easy for an intelligent team to defend against, as we saw against Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona.

"Nasri is better when he plays in central midfield. He can do it. He has stepped up physically and mentally. He's not the same player he used to be, he realised what he needed to do to play at the top level.

"He has improved a lot over the last few months and I'm sure he can play in central midfield.

"If you stay true to your philosophy - keeping the ball on the ground, movement, passing, speed - then it doesn't only depend on one player."

I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that on the 93rd minute of yesterday’s game, our title hopes were over. Also, I don’t think I’m england alone in facing a breach of the peace charge for causing havoc in the neighbourhood after Nicklas’ header went it. You know, when you create so much yet fail to score, the reasons can be many. It could be that you’re so unlucky on the day that the ball simply doesn’t want to go in. As it could be that your players are not good enough to finish a move or it could be that you found a goalkeeper enjoying the day of his life and anything you throw at him comes back.

I believe yesterday was a hybrid of all this. Unfortunately, Eduardo is no longer the formidable striker in front of goal which we once knew, which is strange, considering he gave signs of improvements like that incredible goal in the F.A. Cup after his comeback from injury. But now it seems he’s struggling to even hit the target which is sad to see. Also, Marcus Hahnemann seemed to be defending his life rather than Wolves’ goal and only a perfect Nicklas Bendtner header made sure to ruin his clean sheet.

Considering all, it’s impossible english not to be happy with such a win. To be honest, the number of games where we enjoyed easy wins this season are very little, no more than five I think, though I could be wrong. But you know, as Arsene said, you’ve got to admire the mental tenacity, unity and concentration of the lads, all values which you would usually expect from an experience squad but that are amongst the values of this young Arsenal team.

Wenger After Trophy Success

According to the BBC – which I always consider a reliable source of information even though they are quoting the Daily Mail – it seems Arsene Wenger said something like “my personal future will depend on the capacity to win trophies”. It’s nice to read Arsene shifting his focus on trophies as it means that his young Arsenal squad is finally in the position he wanted it to be when he started a long-term project 2-3 years ago.

Ultimately one always asks how much time young players need to become world class players. Like for example, Alex Song, Abou co.uk Diaby and Denilson – who I call the three musketeers of the young generation – are now enjoying their second season as regulars and it’s nice to see that the first two reached the level we always wanted them to reach with the Brasilian showing he is formidable against less-physical opposition.

According to many – myself included – next season will the one in which all the players will be at their best possible level. It’s not that we will win the title three months before the end without losing a single game because other teams will improve as well of course, but considering what we’ve seen this season, those who didn’t consider us for the title last summer will not make the same mistake next August.

Some Individual Performances

To conclude today’s article, I wanted to highlight Tomas Rosicky’s performance. I don’t remember the last time poor Tomas started united kingdom a game, was heavily tackled during it but still reached the end in a healthy status. It was nice to see, and it was even nicer to see the little Mozart orchestrating the midfield the way he knows.

Let’s not forget that his natural position is indeed in central midfield although with Cesc out, it will surely be Samir Nasri to take that role. Speaking of the Frenchman, he again made an impact when coming off the bench. Going back to the first leg against Barcelona, he was the one – in the first half – who created something worth mentioning for us, only to find Puyol blocking all his crosses. Well Carles will not be there on Tuesday and Samir will not be on the left and that is why it was great to see Rosicky performing yesterday, as I believe he should start on the left in mid-week where he can be an dangerous as Samir.

Looking Forward

On Tuesday night, we will know whether our Champions League dream can go on or not. Saying we’re favourites to go through would be foolish, but considering all the players Barca will be missing, there’s still hope.

We indeed play on great britain Tuesday so expect the preview for that one tomorrow afternoon. The chat-room will be open a couple of hours before the game to warm up properly. Take care for now and as always, don’t hope, but believe.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes his former side could hold the psychological upper hand over Barcelona in the Champions League last eight tie.

Outplayed by holders Barcelona for much of the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal came back to secure a 2-2 draw.

"Arsenal have nothing to lose," Petit told BBC Sport ahead of Tuesday's game. "If I was Arsene Wenger I'd tell them that they're on the verge of history.

"Barca are champions and favourites and have everything to lose."

Arsenal have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2005, but Petit believes that advancing past Barcelona would fully vindicate Wenger's long-term strategy of focusing on developing young players rather than bringing in big-name signings.

"If Arsenal can win against england Barcelona it will probably be the best result in the club's Champions League history," said Petit, who first played under Wenger at Monaco after joining the club as an 18-year-old.

"If Arsenal beat Barcelona - the best team in Europe, the team who won six titles last year, the team who went straight into club history - it will show what Arsenal and Wenger have tried to achieve over the last decade was right.

"If Arsenal can beat the best team in Europe, a team which cost millions to build, that will send a message to everyone that you can build the perfect team to beat the biggest team in Europe and win titles."

However, Petit concedes that Arsenal will start Tuesday's second leg at the Nou Camp as overwhelming underdogs, comparing the task facing Arsenal to climbing Mont Blanc.

"I think they have maybe a 30% chance to do it," said Petit.
Messi had a quiet game in the first leg, but has scored 26 league goals

"Arsenal will be without William Gallas and we saw he was missed on both goals Barca scored. They'll also miss Cesc Fabregas - those are two big blows."

Lionel Messi had a relatively quiet game in the first leg and Petit warned Arsenal that was unlikely to happen again.

"The Nou Camp pitch is much bigger than the Emirates," said the former World Cup winner with France.

"We didn't see much of Lionel Messi in the first leg but in the return Arsenal will have to score, so they will inevitably give the likes of Messi more space.

"It will be very difficult to find the right balance between attacking and defending and that's why I think it will be a huge, huge, sensation if Arsenal can qualify. If Barca play intelligently, you fear the worst."

Even if the odds are stacked english against Arsenal, Petit still sees some green shoots of optimism for his old club.

"I've seen Arsenal play very well when Fabregas is not in the team," said Petit, who helped Arsenal win the Double in 1998.

"When Fabregas plays he is always asking for the ball and every ball comes through him. That's quite easy for an intelligent team to defend against, as we saw against Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona.

"If you stay true to your philosophy - keeping the ball on the ground, movement, passing, speed - then it doesn't only depend on one player."

And Petit pinpointed Samir great britain Nasri as the ideal replacement for Fabregas.

"Nasri is better when he plays in central midfield," said Petit, who moved to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2000.

"He can do it. He has stepped up physically and mentally. He's not the same player he used to be, he realised what he needed to do to play at the top level.

"He has improved a lot over the last few months and I'm sure he can play in central midfield."

Barcelona are not invincible at home in Europe and back in October Russian side Rubin Kazan pulled off one of the great Champions League shocks when they beat Pep Guardiola's side 2-1 at the Nou Camp.

Barca will also be GB without some key players on Tuesday, with key defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique suspended and Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out with a calf injury.

"Rafael Marquez and Gabriel Milito will probably play in central defence and that could allow Arsenal to do something because those two don't play together often," added Petit.

"Those positions are very important for the team, it's the spine. They may not have the understanding that Puyol and Pique have."

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool dropped two vital points in their quest for a top-four finish after a 1-1 draw at Birmingham at St Andrews.

Steven Gerrard gave the visitors the lead two minutes into the second half after latching onto Glen Johnson's inadvertent pass.

But the Reds were co.uk to be denied the spoils as Liam Ridgewell took advantage of some slack defending to bundle home James McFadden's excellent cross.

The result leaves Rafa Benitez's side four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City having played a game more.

Benitez made three changes from the side beaten at Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday with Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Yossi Benayoun and Maxi Rodriguez replacing Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel respectively.

Blues boss Alex McLeish fielded an unchanged side as he kept faith with the players who had held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw.
Surprisingly poor

The first half-chance fell to the in-form Fernando Torres after he was picked out by a pass from Rodriguez but his first touch was surprisingly poor and took him away from goal.

Gerrard was operating mainly in a deeper role but he ventured forward to find the overlapping Rodriguez in space only for his shot to be blocked by Roger Johnson.

Torres tried his luck from 30 yards out but his curler was high and wide of Hart's goal.

Then after 35 minutes Joe Hart produced a superb reflex save to prevent Rodriguez from giving the Reds the lead.

Torres was the creator united kingdom with a menacing dipping cross and Rodriguez's powerful first-time shot from 10 yards out was tipped onto the crossbar by the on-loan Manchester City keeper.

The game started to come to life and Jose Reina beat out a shot from Cameron Jerome at the expense of a corner, although the striker appeared to be offside.

Then Reina failed to deal with a deep centre from McFadden and Roger Johnson's header at the far post was only just off target.

Lucas became the first player to be booked after 38 minutes for a shirt pull at McFadden.

Fortuitous opener

Gerrard needed barely a minute of the second half to break the deadlock although there was an element of fortune about the goal.

Glen Johnson's attempted shot was well off target but dropped nicely into the path of Gerrard on the left side of the Birmingham box.

The England player had time to cut inside before unleashing a fierce cross-shot which flew into the corner of the net.

Keith Fahey became the first Birmingham player to be yellow-carded after 51 minutes for a challenge on Lucas but Gerrard's free-kick flew well wide.

Birmingham responded in positive fashion to going behind, with full-backs Stephen Carr and Ridgewell getting forward at every opportunity.

And after 56 minutes Ridgewell brought the home side back on level terms.

Former Everton player McFadden was the creator with some neat trickery on the right flank before floating over a teasing cross which left Ridgewell with the simplest of tasks from close range.

Benitez made his first change after 65 minutes with David N'Gog replacing Torres, who looked far from happy at being taken off.

N'Gog was greeted with great britain a crescendo of boos from the Blues fans after winning a controversial penalty in the 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier in the season.

N'Gog had a great chance to restore Liverpool's lead but he headed wide when well placed from Glen Johnson's cross.

Then Lee Bowyer was guilty of an even more glaring miss. Ridgewell's cross found him unmarked six yards out but he poked the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

N'Gog squandered another golden chance, drilling his shot wide from 12 yards after Dirk Kuyt had dispossessed Bowyer to set up the opportunity.

Substitute Alberto Aquilani inadvertently blocked a close-range shot from Rodriguez as the visitors searched for a late winner.

 

MANCHESTER UNITED

Federico Macheda is hoping to play more often for Manchester United after scoring his first goal of the season in the defeat by Chelsea.

The Italian teenager burst on to the scene late last season when scoring decisive goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland en route to United winning the Premier League.

This term, the striker has been restricted to just seven appearances and he recently returned to action after a lengthy injury lay-off.

He came off the bench to bundle home the Red Devils' consolation in Saturday's title showdown with Chelsea and is keen to be more involved in the coming weeks.

With Dimitar Berbatov the only other striker currently available to Sir Alex Ferguson, 18-year-old Macheda is determined to grasp his chance.
Pleased to be back

"As a striker, it's always good to score, but it would have been better if we'd have won the game," Macheda told MUTV.

"We are very disappointed, but there are still five games left and we are ready to play those games.

"I hope to be involved in the upcoming matches - I've had a few injuries this season and been out for a good few months. But I'm pleased to be back now."

Macheda is likely to be involved in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League tie against Bayern Munich and hopes United can bounce back from a 2-1 domestic defeat by Chelsea.

He added: "We must forget the Chelsea game because there are still games left and we must focus on those.

"We have to train hard and be focused on the Bayern game now and hopefully we can get the result we need."

 

MANCHESTER CITY

 

Chelsea hit the Premier League summit after overcoming title rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford as Arsenal left it late to beat Wolves to stay in the hunt.

Tottenham Hotspur's attempts to qualify for the UEFA Champions League met with a setback at Sunderland, but Manchester City crushed Burnley, while Aston Villa gave their top-four hopes a shot in the arm.

Portsmouth earned a stay of execution ahead of their impending relegation after a home draw with Blackburn Rovers, but Hull City remain deep in trouble after losing at Stoke City.

A controversial goal from substitute Didier Drogba enabled Chelsea to move to the top of the Premier League after a battling 2-1 win at previous leaders Manchester United.

Chelsea were much the better team in the first half at Old Trafford and deservedly led through Joe Cole's clever flick from Florent Malouda's low cross on 20 minutes.

Both sides had fair penalty shouts waved away, and Paulo Ferreira wasted a good chance for Chelsea, before the visitors struck decisively with 11 minutes remaining.

Drogba, who had been introduced for Nicolas Anelka, was in an offside position from Salomon Kalou's pass and he took full advantage of the assistant referee's mistake to thump the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar.

United responded within two minutes as Federico Macheda bundled the ball home after Petr Cech could only push out Nani's england cross, but the defending champions were unable to conjure up an equaliser to leave Chelsea as favourites to lift the title.

Substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed home a stoppage-time winner as Arsenal overcame stubborn 10-man Wolves 1-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Wolves appeared set to frustrate the Gunners' title aspirations, even after Karl Henry was harshly dismissed for a challenge on Tomas Rosicky midway through the second half.

But, with Arsenal struggling to make the breakthrough, Bendtner headed home Bacary Sagna's cross late on to leave Arsene Wenger's side three points behind Chelsea.

Manchester City broke into the UEFA Champions League places after a devastating first-half display helped to destroy Burnley 6-1 at a sodden Turf Moor.

Burnley contributed to their own downfall by conceding four goals inside the opening 20 minutes - the first of which arrived on four minutes through Emmanuel Adebayor.

Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez and Patrick Vieira then got in on the act before Adebayor scored his second of the game just before half-time.

Vincent Kompany headed City's sixth goal before the hour mark, although it was left to Steven Fletcher to have the last word as he scored a consolation for Burnley on 72 minutes.

Darren Bent scored twice, and missed two penalties, as Sunderland put a dent in his former club Tottenham's top-four hopes with a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland enjoyed a dream start when taking the lead after just 36 seconds through Bent's improvised finish after Heurelho Gomes could only parry Fraizer Campbell's diving header from a corner.

Bent doubled his tally by converting from the penalty spot on 29 minutes after Kyle Walker had been harshly penalised for english handball, but then saw another spot-kick saved by Gomes before half-time after Campbell had been fouled.

Former Tottenham striker Bent had a third penalty saved by Gomes just past the hour mark before Anton Ferdinand saw a goal disallowed for an apparent foul on Spurs' keeper by Campbell.

The visitors took advantage of several reprieves to get back into the game with 18 minutes to go when Peter Crouch rose well to head home fellow substitute Niko Kranjcar's cross, but Sunderland made certain of the points four minutes from time thanks to Bolo Zenden's stunning volley into the top corner.

Aston Villa put their Champions League push back on track with a tenacious 1-0 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Villa secured the points through a peach of a goal on 11 minutes when Ashley Young curled a sumptuous right-footed effort inside the far post after good work down the left.

Stoke passed the 40-point mark as a 2-0 victory at the Britannia Stadium ensured Hull remain in the relegation zone.

Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke a sixth minute lead as he dinked the ball beyond Boaz Myhill after Tigers defender Paul McShane had failed to intercept Dave Kitson's flick-on.

Stoke notched a second goal in the final minute as Matthew Etherington worked the ball to Liam Lawrence, who side-footed co uk confidently past Myhill.

Portsmouth warmed up for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final by holding on with 10 men to grab a 0-0 draw at home to Blackburn.

David Dunn and Chris Samba were both denied by the post for Blackburn in the first half before Pompey full-back Anthony Vanden Borre was sent off on the hour mark for collecting a second yellow card.

 

REAL MADRID

The Inter Milan boss has admitted he is not enjoying his time in Italy and wants to return to English football.

Liverpool and Manchester City have both been linked with the former Chelsea manager and Sky Bet also make Mourinho 4/1 favourite to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he decides to retire as manager at Old Trafford.

A resounding 58 per cent united kingdom of readers think Mourinho will be back in the Premier League next season with 26 per cent who took part in our poll believing he could move to La Liga with Real Madrid linked with the 47-year-old.

Only 11 per cent of readers feel 'The Special One' will remain in Serie A with the Italian champions.

Sky Bet make Mourinho a 13/8 shot to return to the Premier League next season and he's 5/2 to return in the 2011/12 season.

The online bookmaker make Liverpool (11/4) Mourinho's next English club and he is a 9/4 shot to replace Rafa Benitez at Anfield.

Sky Bet's Tim Reynolds said: "Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to return to the English game but it remains to be seen which club he will return with.

"Liverpool seems the obvious choice but he is certain to attract plenty of interest among Premier League clubs should he decide to quit Italy."

 

 

JUVENTUS

Inter maintained their one-point lead over Roma with Thiago Motta's brace sandwiching a goal from starlet Mario Balotelli to give Jose Mourinho's side a 3-0 success over Bologna.

Roma stay within touching distance of the Nerazzurri thanks to a 1-0 away win over Bari. Mirko Vucinic's 19th-minute effort settled the contest.

Cagliari twice levelled at home to AC Milan, but the Rossoneri had the last laugh by edging a five-goal thriller 3-2. Davide Astori's own goal in the 37th minute proved decisive. Daniele Ragatzu firstly cancelled out Marco great britain Borriello's opener with Alessandro Marti bagging their second leveller after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had restored the visitors' lead.

Sampdoria have bolstered their European hopes with a 2-1 away win over Chievo. Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini scored before the home side lost a man when Santiago Moreno collected a second yellow card. Andrea Mantovani pulled one back for Chievo but they were unable to find a leveller.

Napoli have dropped a place in the standings after being held to a 1-1 draw at Lazio. Although Marek Hamsik cancelled out Sergio Floccari's early opener they were unable to find that all-important winner.

Genoa looked likely to get the better of Livorno prior to Francesco Tavano helping himself a late equaliser. Earlier Yiadom Boakye's 55th-minute effort put the home side in front, but they were unable to keep out the visitors.

Atalanta have given their england hopes of avoiding the drop a shot in the arm following a crucial 2-0 win over fellow relegation candidates Siena. Jaime Valdes and Ferreira Pinto both netted for Atalanta.

The final afternoon kick-off between Parma and Fiorentina finished all square at one apiece. Lorenzo De Silvestri gave the Viola a 21st minute lead, but on-loan striker Valeri Bojinov levelled matters with 22 minutes left.

Later on, Catania shocked top-four hopefuls Palermo by running out 2-0 winners at Angelo Massimino. Maxi Lopez bagged a brace (14 & 32) to help lift Sinisa Mihajlovic's side seven points clear of the drop zone.

The problems continue to mount for Juventus after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat away at Udinese. Alexis Sanchez had the hosts in front after just nine minutes, before Simone Pepe (65) and Antonio Di Natale (76) wrapped things up in the second half. Juve sit seventh in the table, three points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places, while Udinese have edged four points clear of the bottom three.

 

 

 

Can GB bounce back in the Davis Cup or is Andy Murray the sole bright light? And for the women, can they really compete seriously for honours on the WTA circuit or are they facing the same problems as the men?

Reporter Ally Fisher believes the future is bright for the sport in this country, while Rachel Griffiths argues that a complete overhaul is needed.

You can send in your own views by using the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
The future's bright

With all the doom and gloom surrounding the recent Davis Cup defeat to Lithuania, British tennis on a whole, is on an upward curve, all be it a slow one.

Although John Lloyd and his men now face a play-off match against Turkey to avoid relegation to the bottom tier of the competition you have to look at what Britain is producing underneath the negative dizzy headlights.

First stop women's tennis.

It could be argued that British women's tennis is having one of its most successful periods in recent times.

Elena Baltacha is currently ranked a career-high 62 and through to the main draw in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, joining Anne Keothavong, and wild card Heather Watson.

Laura Robson has been a revelation in British tennis since winning the junior Wimbledon Open in 2008.

Robson then went on to make her debut on the women's tour that year at the tender age of 14.

Those who argued that the left-hander was a one-hit wonder have been terribly mistaken.

Robson is slowly making in-roads on the WTA rankings where she currently sits 313th in the world.

Above Robson sits no fewer then six British players between the now 16-year-old and Baltacha, with current Junior US Open champion Heather Watson not making the cut.

The Guernsey born player currently occupies 406th spot, but has had an impressive 2010 to date, defeating former world No7 and two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Nicole Vaidisova en-route to the quarter-final in the ITF $25K in LA.

Yes British tennis is going through a transition period, but like everything there is no quick fix.

Many are quick to forget that Andy Murray has been Britain's highest ranked player since Fred Perry in 1938.

Aside from Murray you have to burrow down the ATP ranking list to 149 to find the next Brit in the form of Alex Bogdanovic.

But below the 25-year-old there are talented players starting to emerge as the LTA tennis centre in Roehampton slowly but surely turns out talent.

James Ward made an impressive debut in his first match against Lithuania, but was unable to reproduce that kind of form in his second match. At the moment Ward needs all the experience he can gain and that defeat in Britain's fourth rubber will ultimately hold him in good stead for the future.

The usual candidates are floating under Ward, such as Dan Evans, Jamie Baker, Chris Eaton and Daniel Cox, but its James' name sake Alexander Ward who is rising up the rankings quicker then any other Brit.

The 19-year-old Alex Ward, 650 in the world, secured his first ever ATP point in May 2008 as he won seven matches, six of whom where world ranked players, two former top 500 players to make a Futures final in Balaguer Catalonia.

Ward's efforts were the best from an unranked male Brit since Andy Murray reached the quarter-finals of the Manchester Challenge as a 16-year-old.

But aside from the harsh reality that then men's Davis Cup team could fall into the lowest tier of the competition, there is upcoming talent in the UK, although it may take another year for the emergence of the likes of James Ward to make a real impact on the rankings, and a year after that for the British public to accept that Britain is producing the goods.

Sinking to new depths

Great Britain has not got a chance of regaining its Davis Cup-winning ways after making tournament history this month - and not in the way the nation would have liked.

Just when you thought the shambles that is British tennis could sink no lower, the nation went down to a fifth successive loss for the first time ever.

After plummeting last year into Group Two of the Europe Africa Zone, ultimately the tournament's third division, Britain put themselves on the brink of further relegation - and embarrassment - as they were disposed of 3-2 by Lithuania in a humiliating defeat.

And it should be noted this was a Lithuania team consisting of the country's only three players - all of them teenagers - with a world ranking.

Britain, the sole nation to have competed in every edition of the sport's most famous competition since it was launched 110 years ago, is unrecognisable from the victors that powered to four consecutive wins in the 1930s helmed by the legendary Fred Perry.

The cold, hard facts are that Britain has not raised the trophy since 1936, have not won a single tie since 2007 and are now looking down the barrel of the gun, facing unthinkable relegation to Europe Africa Zone Group Three, the lowest tier of the tournament, if they fall to Turkey in a play-off in July.

The team is also currently without a captain after John Lloyd jumped before he was pushed following the Lithuania debacle, which raises the question of why the Lawn Tennis Association seems incapable of assembling a half-decent side with 52 world-ranked British players and a considerable sum of funding at their disposal.

Even British number one Andy Murray appears to have upped and left, and frankly who can blame him?

The Scot, who has controversially spurned Davis Cup appearances of late to focus on his ATP tour commitments, is single-handedly doing more for British tennis than the entire LTA put together as he edges closer to what seems an inevitable maiden Grand Slam victory.

Granted, Murray might be tempted back if the installation of a new captain turned things around, but candidates are hardly queuing up for the mountainous mission, with Tim Henman the latest nominee to snub the post.

And even if Britain did manage to get things back on track, there is little chance they could stand up against Davis Cup heavyweights such as Spain, who have dominated the tournament over recent years.

British tennis is in desperate need of a complete revamp if things are going to improve, but with the LTA in its current state of flux the process seems likely to be a lengthy one.

With everything considered it seems Murray and Lloyd have the right idea - the GB Davis Cup team is a sinking vessel, it's time to abandon ship.

BOX

David Haye retained his world heavyweight title with a brutal battering of John Ruiz.

In an explosive evening in Manchester the American challenger was put down four times before being spare from further punishment by his corner in the ninth round.

It meant Haye became on the second man in 18 years to stop him and proved that the Brit is a heavyweight forced to be reckoned with.

Here's how the drama at the MEN Arena unfolded...

ROUND ONE:Ruiz comes marching forward from the bell and has Haye trapped on the ropes only for the champ to spring free and step clear. Then as they meet in the middle of the ring, the Hayemaker catches Ruiz flush and floors him with little more than 20 seconds gone. Ruiz's legs are gone and Haye is on him again, although he's over the ropes via a rabbit punch - and the knockdown is scratched on the cards. Ruiz is being hurt by Haye's jabs and the right is bursting through is guard but he somehow survives the round - and ends it with some afters!

ROUND TWO: Ruiz's head seems to have cleared and he is back in this. He is not afraid to come forward though, but soon thinks again as they straight right - which has little backlift and is lightning-fast - rocks him again. He does catch Haye with a left and as yet we have not seen any combinations from the champion. A decent recovery from Ruiz but you get the feeling if Haye catches him again, it could mean the end.

ROUND THREE: Good start from Ruiz as three jabs back Haye up into the corner, although he wriggles free again. The Quiet Man skulks forward and has Haye missing with a wild left hook, but whenever he throws that Hayemaker it hits home. Ruiz takes one and his nose is bleeding but Haye is back on his heels, waiting for the opening to appear again. Haye's jab looks good and is keeping Ruiz back. Then a right and a left uppercut rock him again and get the crowd on their feet. Ruiz closes the round by leaping in behind his own jab but Haye is out of range before he can land. Good stuff, this!

ROUND FOUR: Ruiz is at him again but Haye is out of range, shoulders hunched, eyes stalking his man at all times. He keeps Ruiz honest with a left uppercut that flashes past his chin and the champ then lands with the first left hook of any note he's thrown - so he does it again! Ruiz gets a right into the ribs in the corner and Haye falls into the ropes but again gets out - but he ships a couple of rights as Ruiz finally manages to close the gap. Haye is caught by five jabs and straights in a row and the challenger at least has a round on his card.

ROUND FIVE: Ruiz again comes out firing, a left right and then a decent right has Haye's head rocking, but the champ comes crashing back with a huge left and the straight right and only a couple of inches stop a left uppercut taking Ruiz off his feet. But he remains undaunted and comes back again, Haye suddenly looking a little lacklustre for the first time. Another wild uppercut is way off the mark but Haye soon backs off and gets the jab going. But as we knew he would, Ruiz keeps on coming. Then right on the bell a left jab is followed in a flash by that straight right and another right comes down on the back of the head. Ruiz takes his third count and the Hayemaker does the trick again.

ROUND SIX: Haye starts the round on the retreat, Ruiz walking him down, following him around the ring and a couple of jabs keeping the champ in check. But then as he lunges in a right stops him in his tracks and another sends him to his knees yet again, in a messy tangle on the ropes. Ruiz claims another rabbit punch but as soon as he's up, Haye flails away on the ropes, a swooping left and a shorter right causing real damage. Somehow though, the challenger is up and at him again. But jabs, rights and hooks to the body have left Ruiz blowing badly. He looks a beaten man, but you'll go a long way to finder a braver one.

ROUND SEVEN: Ruiz is sent out with "one more round" ringing in his ears, which seems a shame. But it hasn't changed much - although this time his advances are a little more cautious. Haye is happy to box off the jab, perhaps sensing the job is done, swaying out of the way of jabs, backing off before shifting momentum forward and pinging a right hand back with interest. Haye gets a right in but Ruiz slips a decent left under it and lands a right of his own, but his punches lack zip more and more.
SKYSPORTS.COM SCORE: Haye 10-9 Ruiz

ROUND EIGHT: Haye said he can KO him late in the fight, so let's see. He does sneak a right in early but for the first half of the fight, circles the ring, right hand cocked - and soon enough it lands again. Ruiz left eye has a swelling underneath and his face is a reddened mess, so the last thing he needs is a left hook to the chin. Then the mother of all rights lands flush and somehow Ruiz takes it, digs his heels in and sways without toppling to the canvas again. Haye can land that right at will and does it once more but you wouldn't begrudge him going the distance here.
: Haye 10-9 Ruiz

ROUND NINE: Jab, jab, jab... Haye can't miss at the start of the round but Ruiz follows him around, head dipped, taking shots all the way. Haye is flicking back at him, we haven't seen a decent combination for a while. In his defence Haye knows the decision will be his but a left and another right rocks Ruiz into the ropes and before Haye can jump in the towel comes in and it's off! Ruiz corner have done the decent thing - and David Haye is still heavyweight champion of the world!
SKYSPORTS.COM SCORE: Haye 10-9 Ruiz