2012 » contested marks and kicking the sealer to silence those who s

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United has replaced an abrasive and tough-minded Scotsman with ... another abrasive and tough-minded Scotsman. In fact, the similarities between Alex Ferguson and David Moyes are so numerous that its uncanny. They were born six miles (10 kilometres) from each other in working-class Glasgow. Their fathers were employed by the same shipbuilding company. They were both decent club players but neither played for their national team. They both have a passion for horse racing, co-owning horses. They both own raging tempers and a fiercely competitive work ethic. And, of course, they are both brilliant managers -- loyal, committed to developing young players and keen to play an attacking brand of football. The phrase "cut from the same cloth" has been doing the rounds in Britain as pundits, fans and former players assessed the likelihood of Moyes replacing Ferguson as manager of one of the worlds biggest clubs. In the end, it was never really in doubt. "He has a near-identical work ethic, character, competitiveness to that of Sir Alex," said former England manager Steve McClaren, who used to be Fergusons assistant at United. "Its the master and the apprentice." Ferguson recommended Moyes as his replacement, 15 years after approaching his compatriot to become his assistant. That Moyes turned him down, focusing instead on being a manager in his own right, shows the kind of character United has taken on. Moyes is Ferguson minus the experience and the trophies. In fact, its the lack of silverware on his CV that will lead to some raising their eyebrows at his appointment. But that would be missing the point. Under the circumstances and given Evertons skimpy budget, the 50-year-old Moyes has done a fine job at Goodison Park, finishing in the top six on four occasions after taking over in 2002 with the club staring relegation in the face. Since 2007, Everton has always placed eighth or higher. Over time, some of the football his teams have played has been attractive. "We have had a really good 11 years with David and its my and the clubs job to find a worthy successor and build on what David has quite definitely brought to the football club and move on from there," said Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who appeared close to tears as he discussed the departure of his long-time manager and close friend. "Im pretty convinced that Evertonians will only look upon David Moyes with gratitude and admiration." That Moyes will have a chance to attempt the same with world-class players at United also makes it a triumph for British football, as British managers have long been passed over for the big jobs in the Premier League. A solid defender who started his professional career at Celtic before flitting around low-profile clubs in England and Scotland, Moyes appeared a natural fit as a coach and started his managerial career in 1999 at Preston North End -- his final club as a player. Preston was in English footballs third tier at the time and gained promotion under Moyes in his second full season. In 2002, he became manager of Everton, which had lost its way after rivaling Liverpool as Englands biggest team in the mid-to-late 1980s. Everton twice narrowly avoided relegation in Moyes first three years before he came into his own in the 2004-05 season -- the first after the departure of Wayne Rooney to United -- by breaking the cartel of the so-called Big Four of United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and finishing fourth, ahead of Liverpool. However, Everton failed to get past Villarreal in the final qualifying round of the Champions League and Moyes is yet to sample Europes top competition. That he has survived 10 full seasons at one Premier League club in the current climate of impatience and short-termism is testament not only to Moyes skill but also the closeness of his relationship with Kenwright. By giving him a six-year deal, United is also ready to give him time. Moyes has become more amiable as the years have progressed. Once quite a stern figure, he is now charming and approachable. He has spent time as a pundit for BBC radio in the last couple of seasons and has also written insightful columns in the Sunday Times newspaper, often about European and world football. In fact, it was to Europe -- and, more specifically, Germany -- where Moyes was expected to head after completing his stint at Everton. "I always had the hope of being a coach abroad -- if I had the choice, I would probably go to Germany, in part because of the mentality, which is similar to mine," Moyes told France Football magazine in December. If that was just a ruse to entice the big teams in England, it may just have worked. Moyes preaches the values of stability and good football, just as Ferguson has. What he now needs to add is a winners mentality. Hell know there will be no transitional period at a huge club like United, and the presence of Ferguson in the directors box -- and his name on the stand that faces the dugouts at Old Trafford -- will always be a reminder of the job he has taken on. United believes Moyes is ready for it. "I have no doubt that he will bring an energy and commitment to deliver winning football that is part of the fabric of this club," United vice chairman Ed Woodward said in welcoming Moyes to Old Trafford. "In this respect, he is cut from the same cloth as the Old Trafford greats who go before him." Ferguson will wholeheartedly agree.Cheap MLB Jerseys . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. 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That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself.Only those AFL players lucky enough to feature in a grand final are able to properly describe the pressure created by the sports most momentous stage.They see the city of Melbourne come to life with their clubs colours.They hear the noise generated by a crowd larger than the entire population of Ballarat.They know millions around the country will be watching; that they will be responsible for the delight or despair of fans around the world.They sense the expectation, long before the ball is bounced at the MCG or Mike Brady belts out the sports anthem.For those players attempting to break a premiership drought, it is all amplified. Sydney had their turn in 2005 and, on Saturday, it was the Western Bulldogs 62-year wait for a flag that boiled down to four quarters.You could tell. Pundits described it as the loudest grand-final crowd in recent memory. They roared when Easton Wood won the toss, when Zaine Cordy kicked the first goal of the game and every highlight that followed.There were a lot.The Bulldogs could hardly have handled the occasion better, producing a grand final to rival any of the classics.It was a feel-good moment for so many people, including injured skipper Bob Murphy who was called up to the premiership dais and handed a medallion by coach Luke Beveridge.This is yours mate. You deserve it more than anyone, Beveridge said.Beveridge and Swans counterpart John Longmire grinned and joked at Fridays pre-match media conference when asked about the prospect of extra time, introduced in the grand final this year for the first time.It didnt eventuate but looked on the cards midway through the final term. Extra time would have beenn a fitting finish to a thrilling contest that ebbed and flowed in near-unbelievable fashion.ddddddddddddThe Bulldogs, so resilient in an injury-riddled season and so undaunted in a history-making finals campaign, were relentless as they completed a fairytale run to the flag from seventh place on the ladder.Excitement machine Jason Johannisen, born in South Africa and more interested in rugby union for much of his childhood, was a popular choice for the Norm Smith medal.Tom Boyd dropped a chest mark in the opening minute but settled to produce the greatest game of his career, clutching six contested marks and kicking the sealer to silence those who slammed his million-dollar salary.At the other end of the ground, it was Joel Hamling, delisted by Geelong but handed a career lifeline by the Dogs, who did an incredibly good job on Lance Franklin.From the moment Franklin trotted to the goal square after the national anthem, Hamling refused to be intimidated.It was a trait that epitomised the Bulldogs approach, especially in the second quarter when the Swans booted four goals on the trot and threatened to seize control of the low-scoring clash.Murphy, who patrolled the sideline pre-match like a Davis Cup captain, cried at the siren. The tears didnt stop for some time.Murphy will spend the rest of his life wishing he did not rupture his anterior cruciate ligament early in the season.But the 34-year-old, like so many current and former teammates to have fallen in love with Whitten Oval, will celebrate like its 1954. ' ' '