So, in no particular order, here they are...
2013 HEROES
Warren Gatland – The British & Irish Lions’ win in Oz was special, especially that third test victory. Most would pick out Leigh Halfpenny as the stand-out man but, with the series level at 1-1 and the Lions on a knife-edge, Gatland was brave enough to leave Brian O’Driscoll out of his squad for the decider and take all the flak that came with it. The only way he could possibly justify it was to win, and boy did he do that. I still think we’d have won with O’Driscoll playing, probably by more. But it was brave, nonetheless.
Chris Froome – After recovering from the backache caused by carrying Bradley Wiggins through the Tour de France in 2012, Froome won the Tour in far more spectacular fashion and without the help of Wiggins, who didn’t ride this year. He doesn’t have sideburns, he’s not rude to complete strangers, and he doesn’t put himself out there, so he was less celebrated. Shame, because Froome is a brilliant rider.
Tai Woffinden – A Brit and a speedway World Champion. And he’s going to teach me how to ride a motorbike with no brakes next year. Help!
Andy Murray – Wimbledon winner. Straight sets v Novak Djokovic. Need I say more?
Ian Bell – So many people in life say you can’t do something, they are so negative, or worse still, they try to bring you down. In a 3-0 Ashes win in the summer Bell proved a lot of people wrong. Good on him.
Steven Gerrard – My favourite moment in 2013 was Gerrard scoring the second goal against Poland to guarantee England would be going to the World Cup in Brazil. It means so much to fans, to players, to everyone, to talkSPORT! Love that goal.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – I was in the Maracana for England’s 2-2 draw in June. Joe Hart’s brilliance had kept us in the game until Roy Hodgson changed things and brought the Ox on. He transformed the game and it was more than just the tactical switch. He played with a fresh enthusiasm that made all us England fans get off our seats. Loved it! And what a cracking goal. I hope he gets back fit and gets game time for Arsenal, and joins up with England for the World Cup.
2013 VILLAINS
Sir Alex Ferguson – Yes, yes he won the Premier League title. But his abrupt departure left Manchester United in an awkward situation and I genuinely don’t feel he did enough to help David Moyes out – hence the tricky start to this season.
Darren Ferguson – Two members of the same family on the villains’ list – and justifiably so. Fergie junior kept telling Peterborough fans they would be OK, they wouldn’t be relegated, he believed in the squad, etc. Most actually believed it. Not me. A 1-0 defeat at Bolton when we messed around with a free-kick in injury time instead of trying to create a scoring opportunity said it all to me – we were going down. They put up a fight and it was close. But had there been more urgency instead of calmly saying we’ll be OK then Fergie might not have got us relegated. It’s still a golden time to be a Posh fan, but he’d better rectify it this season.
Arsene Wenger – Another season climaxed in May 2013 with Arsenal fans celebrating a top four place and finishing above Spurs. They’re bigger than that, aren’t they?
Andre Villas-Boas – Wow, what can I say? His apparently amazing relationship with Gareth Bale led Spurs fans to believe the Welshman was staying. No chance. So AVB decided to take full credit for Bale’s progress (Bale went to him in the summer of 2012 to say he was unhappy). AVB allegedly turned down Paris St Germain and Real Madrid to stick with the Spurs project. Top four was the target, they finished fifth. The relationship with Bale was so special he left. And more than £100m of spending led to thrashings from Liverpool and Manchester City. Some of us knew he wasn’t the right man. People at Spurs will tell you he’s a nice man. So is Michael Buble, but I wouldn’t let him manage my football club.
Graeme Swann – The summer was OK but he bowled like me in Australia this winter and lost all respect with a disgusting comment on a social network site. He’s now announced his retirement. I won’t miss him.
Laura Robson – She did OK in the Slams. Just OK. She is funded fantastically well, she has the support of the nation – we all want her to do well. She’s chopped and changed coaches – nobody seems right. In the midst of another limp defeat to someone well below her in the rankings she will tweet something promoting a lucrative sponsor. Is it still about the tennis? Is it about success? Is she hungry for the sport? Does she have a winning mentality? I hope Robson answers all those questions in 2014. She’s still young enough to have an impact, but so far it’s not been good enough.sons-its-adrian-durhams-heroes-and-villains-2013#LAdT1biBMVDTATgd.99
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