Southampton Nightlife: Top Five Venues

Nightlife on the South Coast has always been popular, but with Brighton and Bournemouth grabbing what seems like all the headlines these days, why not check out Southampton? This student-filled city plays host to an extremely diverse range of clubs and bars. Here are five of the best places to check out:

Junk Club
Situated in the buzzing Polygon area of the city, Junk is a trendy, funky club which manages to retain a student friendly feel, in spite of its lush interiors. With two floors featuring different styles of music on different nights, you really can lap it up in your own way at Junk. Be it the cheap drink heaven of ‘Vodka City’ on Sundays or the indie filled ‘Shakedown’ on Tuesdays; they really know how to throw a party. The deep, comfortable sofas, intimate, rectangle dance floors and the stylish up-to-date décor, makes this club one of the best nights out in Southampton.

Kaos
The ultimate student night - Kaos is the place to be if you are looking for pure, unadulterated fun. With insanely cheap drinks and a strange, yet unique atmosphere, Kaos is a haven for the city’s students. Kaos is Southampton’s only student-only club (except for Thursdays) and has an extremely friendly and casual feel to it. Add this to the ecliptic music, 90p vodka mixers and the chance to meet a whole host of random people, the club certainly creates an outstanding, chaotic night out. Kaos does exactly what it says on the box.

Ocean and Collins
Ocean and Collins, affectionately known as ‘The OC’ by its partygoers is located slap- bang in the heart of the city. It is a smaller but no less entertaining venue, with a great vibe. With just the one dance floor, there is a cosy, intimate feel to the venue. Not to worry if you don’t feel like dancing right away though - there are two large bar areas, complemented with a row of extremely comfortable sofas and a quiet, luxurious VIP area. The OC plays host to the popular ‘Big Cheese’ - where you’ll get cheap drinks and the finest in cheese music.

Rhino
From the outside, Rhino appears dark and mysterious - this is not the case inside. Another smaller venue but this club features two floors, with each offering different types of musical taste to suit your needs. Tuesdays sees Rhino play host to the fabulous ‘Lets Kill Disco’, which serves up the finest in electronica alongside some seriously cheap drink deals. Rhino also offers up a chilled out vibe, but the small dance floors ensure that an energetic dance filled night is possible. A flagship venue for Southampton clubbing, without a doubt, and an essential night if your looking for the best the city has to offer.

Oceana
Southampton’s newest club and one of the biggest venues in the UK, Oceana really does have it all. With five bars, two clubs and VIP suites, it is difficult to be unsatisfied by this multi-room extravaganza. The different bars are all based on world locations, from the mesmerising white interiors of the Reykjavik Icehouse to the art deco style of the Monte Carlo bar. Oceana provides a truly unmatchable experience, be it by sheer size and complexion or the groundbreaking designs. Having opened very recently, you can be sure Oceana will soon be the premium venue for nightlife in Southampton.

Mark Tilley, MyVillage, 27th August

(article for myvillage.com/southampton)

Juande We'll Get It Right

Yet another shambles of a start to a season for Tottenham and I’m hardly surprised. Juande Ramos refuses to play Dimitar Berbatov, claiming that he’s unsettled, effectively leaving us with just Darren Bent up front. Hardly the attack to make defences tremble. Now, myself and Spurs fans everywhere are praying - just sign another striker, please.

The way Spurs have kept Manchester United hands off of Berbatov is admirable. That is, on the pretence that we would not let him leave and he would carry on playing for us, even if he was unhappy. Now he isn’t even playing, what is the point in keeping him? It’s like having £30 million sitting in the stands. Let him go now, get a hell of a lot of money for him and replace him. And do it soon, because that insignificant matter of a transfer window is looming large on the horizon.

Ramos is playing a 4-5-1 system so far this year, with Bent being the lone striker. Now, ignoring the fact that this formation doesn’t work, our choice of Bent to lead the line is inadequate. So either find someone who can play at the head of the team or just find someone to partner him. Or, even better, get two strikers who can partner each other, and leave Bent on the bench. Either way, just sign someone please.

I feel like I’m pleading with the Spurs management to do something that is so painstakingly obvious. To be fair, there’s every possibility that Spurs have been working on a deal or two behind everyone’s back and are in control of the situation. But this still leaves the fans biting on their nails at the prospect of four months with Bent up front alone.

Spurs are notoriously slow starters but, whereas it is normally down to laziness and a failure to get motivated, this year I firmly believe it is just down to our lack of an attacker. And we will not win a game until we have someone new. It’s blindingly obvious and it’s getting desperate.

The defence and midfield actually look solid. King and Woodgate were, for the most part, very good today and with Hutton to come back, the defence looks stable. Bentley and Modric are playing alright, without setting the world on fire. This should get better pretty soon, once they settle so there are no concerns here.

The problem is the attack and, I hate to say it, the management of the team. The formation is wrong and the right players have not been purchased. Spurs have sold all the right players so far this summer (excluding Robbie Keane). But they have not yet completed the process and got the right players. Maybe it will be one by deadline day, but I for one would like to see our strongest team start the season. We are once again playing catch-up, and it is all our own fault.

Sort it out Juande and sort it out quickly. Get rid of the miserable Berbatov - he is wasting money and space. Cash in on him now, use the money and sort out this mess we have, once again, found ourselves in.

Why Spurs shouldn't bow down to evil Sir Alex

In a perfect world, Tottenham would sell Dimitar Berbatov for around 25 million to Barcelona, proverbially turning round and sticking two fingers up at Sir Alex and Man Utd. They would then go and sign two high quality, proven strikers and get on with their business, forgetting the whole affair. In a perfect world, that is.

The reality is that Berbatov will continue to look miserable and privately beg to leave, which is fair enough. It is understandable for him to want to go to a better club, I just really wish it wasn’t Man Utd. I hate it when Big Four teams sign the Premier League’s best players and I especially dislike it when Sir Alex clicks his fingers and gets whoever he wants. What chance do the rest of us have when this is the reality?

Ferguson is a great manager and his record speaks volumes about his coaching ability. But, with no respect at all, he has a despicable image among most fans. You can imagine him sitting on his big throne at Old Trafford Towers, stomping his feet like a child when he is told by his aides that Tottenham are saying ‘no deal’. Whether he shoots a peasant on the streets or strangles a cat to deal with his frustration is down to your imagination. Needless to say, Sir Alex likes things his way and he believes he has the right to buy any player he wants.

He is trying to bully Tottenham into selling their best player. Ferguson has done it before. He bullied Tottenham into selling Michael Carrick and he did the same with Fulham when he signed Louis Saha. Man Utd were reported as being interested in Thierry Henry but this was dismissed as a tactic in putting pressure on Tottenham to sell. Clever but Spurs are still not budging.

Spurs have no reason to sell. In fact, it would benefit them greatly if Berbatov stayed and gave his best for the club, even if it is just till January. Spurs have just Darren Bent and Berbatov as strikers and would want to get more from their brilliant Bulgarian. It is possible that Spurs will eventually say yes to United and get a fortune of money for him. If that is the case then they will need to work quickly to sign a replacement(s).

Juande Ramos has praised Berbatov’s professionalism during the saga and one can see why. He has made very little comments in the press and has only briefly stated his desire to leave. His body language is very moody, yes, but it always is. He still performs brilliantly, regardless of whether he is smiling or not. So if Tottenham could hold their nerve and keep the door shut on United then it would be a big plus.

Barcelona are interested in Berbatov and Spurs would do well to convince him to go there. They may not get as much money but they wouldn’t see him in a United shirt and they could sign another striker quickly. And it would seriously annoy Ferguson and who wouldn’t want to see that?

Personally, I think Berbatov will go to United but Tottenham will get a lot of money for him. The only worry is that we’ll leave it too late to do a deal and we won’t be able to sign a replacement in time. But having played the situation excellently so far all summer, hopefully Juande Ramos and Daniel Levy will know what they are doing and will do the right thing in the interests of Tottenham.

What a victory it would be for the rest of the Premier League if Tottenham could manage to say no to Sir Alex Ferguson for a whole summer. Tottenham fans were certain he’d be leaving to Old Trafford straight away; now they’re privately hoping their club might just do the best out of it after all.

Let the games begin...

Ah, season preview time. How I love it. The thrill of new players and newly promoted teams, of making predictions that will never happen, of having hunches that just happen to work or you. It remains the only time where fans everywhere can have hope for anything before the dust settles and the misery of another disappointing season sinks in.

So lets enjoy these few days and indulge in a little harmless previewing, shall we? After all, how wrong can I be.

I’ll start at the top - I think the title race is between Manchester United and Chelsea again. And I’ve gone for Chelsea to win it but in all honesty it could be either team. Chelsea have very much a similar team from last year, where they did so well in pushing United all the way to the last day of the season. They have strengthened in key areas - the addition of Bosingwa at right back could be crucial as he provides defensive stability alongside burning pace and attacking ambition. They have an exceptional midfield with the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and the newly acquired Deco.

Where I feel they’ve strengthened most is in the managerial department. Luis Felipe Scolari is a brilliant coach and could provide the creative spark that was maybe missing under Avram Grant’s leadership. Scolari won’t be afraid of ruffling a few feathers. If he see’s something he doesn’t like you can bet those ego’s in the Chelsea dressing room will know about it. But he can also inspire and motivate with the very best of them and, although it may be too soon in his first season, I have a hunch he will lead Chelsea to glory this year.

Manchester United still have a glorious team and you can’t really take anything away from them. There’s no reason why they won’t go and win everything again this year. But I can’t help but think that the drawn-out saga over Cristiano Ronaldo may have a detrimental effect on morale and as much as Sir Alex tries to paper over the issue, the fact remains that Ronaldo wanted to leave. Yes, he’ll still be brilliant on the pitch but I just think the team will have been damaged by this.

As for the rest of the top four, Liverpool signing Robbie Keane was a great step for them towards having a proper title challenge this year. But that’s all it was. A step. They need more, they need a world class winger to play down the right, they need a decent pair of full backs and they need a decent centre back to support Carragher and Agger. Liverpool won’t challenge for the title this year but they won’t lose their top four status. Neither will Arsenal, who have had an unsettling summer but still have a great side. Arsenal would do well to challenge for the title but I don’t feel their side is as strong as Chelsea’s or Manchester United’s. Players like Van Persie, Fabregas and Adebayor will keep Arsenal in a strong position but at the end of they day, do they have the mental strength to win a title?

The ‘best of the rest’ league looks to be, again, an interesting one. Portsmouth have built on their great season last year by signing Peter Crouch and if he clicks with Jermain Defoe then it could be another good season for Harry Redknapp’s men. The loss of Sulley Muntari, however, is a blow. Aston Villa again look threatening, despite the hurrah surrounding Gareth Barry. Barry leaving will hurt them but they have an excellent coach in Martin O’Neill and the acquisition of Nicky Shorey and Luke Young will strengthen their defence no end.

Tottenham have, again, signed loads of players for loads of money in the hope that this will eventually be their year. It may well happen but a lot depends on a certain Bulgarian. Should Dimitar Berbatov stay it will boost Tottenham. Yes he may want to leave, but if Juande Ramos can get one more season out of him and keep him just happy enough then Spurs could do very well indeed. Luka Modric is an extremely exciting prospect and with a new goalkeeper and fresh looking defence, Spurs are on the brink. That being said, I don’t think they’ll break the top four but they should finish anywhere around 5th or 6th.

Everton have not strengthened, despite desperation from the fans and they may fall behind the rest if they don’t spend a little money. The same with Newcastle who have hardly done much in the transfer market and could be stuck in mid table mediocrity again this year. The managerial merry go rounds at Blackburn and Manchester City mean that it could be another transitional season from them but City fans will feel Mark Hughes can weave some of his magic at the blue half of Manchester, under the watchful gaze of their owner, evil Dr Thaksin.

As for teams going down, the obvious choices spring to mind. Hull have made some good signing and should they get a few lucky results then they may surprise a few people. However I feel that the other teams around them have more quality and experience. So I feel that Hull, along with Stoke, will go straight back down. Joining them, I think, will be Bolton. They look clueless under Gary Megson and how they survived last year is beyond me. They’ve lost Nicolas Anelka and El Hadji Diouf and appear to be heading south. West Brom have a bit of Premiership experience and I feel they should stay up, should they beat the teams around them.

I think Alan Curbishley will be the first managerial casualty. West Ham have a poor record of keeping patience with managers and if the poor results continue, West Ham will be stuck in the mid table and, make no mistake, Curbs will be held responsible. As for all the other trophies, I’ve gone for a Liverpool FA Cup win, purely because they haven’t won it in a few years. I think a top four team will win the Carling Cup and I’ve picked Manchester United but in all honesty it could be anyone of them. Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan will pick up the title he so craved at Chelsea and win the Champions League with AC Milan picking up the UEFA Cup, making it a Milan double. And as for teams coming up? I think Birmingham will be straight back up alongside Crystal Palace and one from Watford or Reading.

I’ve never been good at making predictions. So I have little doubt that most of what I’ve said will not happen. But it’s all fun and games and it’s the one part of the season, where I can afford not to worry about Tottenham. Here’s to the Premier League, the greatest and most thrilling league in the world.

Not as Keane as first thought

Liverpool fans are once again crowing that this will be their year for title glory after the purchase of Robbie Keane from Tottenham. And, they may be right. Keane is just the kind of signing they need and will partner the effervescent Fernando Torres very effectively. That said, we’ve heard this all before. Wasn’t Crouch supposed to be the answer to Scouse prayers? Or Dirk Kuyt? Or maybe even Andrei Voronin? Perhaps, the less said about the last name, the better.

For all Liverpool’s adulation, Spurs fans, including myself, are understandably disappointed that Keane has left. But, I draw the line at suggestions that Spurs are bitter and angry. To start, we have no reason to be. Robbie Keane is an exceptionally good player and very worthy of being at a top four club. But is he really worth the £20 million pounds splashed out on him? That is none of Tottenham’s concern as they now have the money to go out and buy another striker, one of the same quality as Keane.

Names mentioned? Andrei Arshavin is strongly linked at the moment, with the only thing to be negotiated being a transfer fee with Zenit St Petersburg. If not him, then his Russian colleague Roman Pavlyuchenko, scorer of several Euro 2008 goals. And if both fail, then it is being reported that Spurs will throw every penny and every ounce of persuasion power to tempt Europe’s hottest property, David Villa to join Spurs. Now, as much as I rate Robbie Keane, if we got any of those players as a replacement I wouldn’t be unhappy.

Losing a player of Keane’s ability isn’t the only problem. Keane was vice captain and with Ledley King missing so much football over the last two years, Keane practically captained the side. He was at Spurs for six years and had the respect and adoration of every fan. He was about as Tottenham as you could get, as demonstrated by his post match reaction after winning the Carling Cup last year. How do you replace that kind of dressing room presence? Not easily. All the money in the world couldn’t do it. Well, not straight away.

Keane said in the press that the only team he would have ever left Spurs for was Liverpool. He supported them as a boy and he wasn’t a player walking out on a club for money as we see too often in this modern footballing age. When Keane returns to White Hart Lane, I am confident he will receive a warm reception in the light of all he did for Spurs during his time at the club. The fans still respect him and you get the sense that although Keane is over the moon to be at Liverpool, he still has a soft spot for Tottenham. I don’t think it will stop him scoring at hat-trick past us, but he might not celebrate that enthusiastically!

So Liverpool are once again talking up their title challenge incessantly for the hundredth season in a row. To be honest, they’re my least disliked team out of the whole top four and if anyone should win it, I would want it to be them. But, lets face facts. We have heard it all before, and the signing of one player will not guarantee them the title.

Yes, Spurs have lost arguably their best player. But they’re 20 million quid stronger for it and, as much as I dislike him, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will have been laughing all the way to the bank. Now as long as he laughs all the way to St Petersburg for a certain Mr Arshavin or Valencia for a certain Mr Villa then I’m sure we’ll be alright next season. Bottom line - hope you do well Robbie, but I fear Liverpool fans are expecting the world from you.

The Vaughan Identity

In many ways, Michael Vaughan’s resignation as England’s Test captain is yet another sad, poignant moment in the continuing break up of THAT Ashes 2005 team. Vaughan’s inspired and superb captaincy during that series is the defining memory of his career and without a doubt what people will remember him best for.

His England career is not over. Not yet, anyway. Many players have stood down as captain and continued playing. Rahul Dravid of India and Stephen Fleming of New Zealand to name two. Vaughan says that he feels the best few years could still be ahead of him and one can only dream that this happens. At his best Vaughan is a scintillating batsman. Loaded with all the shots in the textbook, he plays his strokes with such elegance and technique that it is Vaughan in full stretch that you regularly see in slow motion on those Sky HD adverts.

However, this is the Vaughan in form and he has, in his own words, not been. His last hundred was against New Zealand in a tame draw at Lords in May and has followed that with a series of low scores against South Africa. With Vaughan you always feel that he is one innings away from finding form but this time, he has decided that his mind is not in the right place and has resigned the captaincy so as to not make his place in the team so automatic.

It is a very noble thing to do, giving up the captaincy of a national team on your own terms. Vaughan has clearly accepted that it is maybe not in the teams interests to remain at the helm and has responded as such. Whether this will actually benefit the team, who are in something of a transitional status, remains to be seen. With Kevin Pietersen being touted as the next captain, anything, it seems, is possible.

As is a return for Vaughan to the side. He has chosen not to appear in the series dead rubber at the Oval but will hope to be in contention for a return on the tours to India and the West Indies this winter. And, of course, there’s that delicious Ashes series coming next summer. Who wouldn’t bet on Vaughan playing and making the kind of scores he did that last time he played Australia as ’just a batsman’? For the record, he made scores of 183, 145 and 177.

That series was a definite highlight in Vaughan’s career so far. As was his comeback hundred at Leeds in May 2007. Vaughan had missed 18 months of international cricket due to injuries and there doubts about whether he would ever play again. Vaughan smashed 101 against an admittedly poor West Indian side but the hundred was a special moment. As was his 124 against India later on that summer, although that time the game ended in defeat for England. But for drama and excitement, nothing can beat the Ashes win in 2005. Vaughan had a relatively lean series with the bat but did manage the series high score with 166 at Old Trafford. Vaughan won praise for his inventive captaincy and the way he out thought the Australians.

Vaughan is statistically England’s most successful captain with 26 Test wins. Although he may be bowing out on a bit of a low, he will be fondly remembered as one of England’s great batsman of the last decade. And, you never know, there may be more to come. Rest in peace, Michael - you should be off to India in October.

Back to the Future

Fred's back - not that you wouldn't have noticed. The return of Andrew Flintoff to England's Test side is a momentous occasion and could have significant bearings on the little matter of the Ashes next summer. England's golden boy is back and his fans are now praying he delivers.

Makes no mistake about it: England need Flintoff in the side. The stalemate with South Africa last week identified two things about this series. One, that South Africa have a batting line-up that will take some doing over, very similar to a certain Australian batting line-up. And two, that England cannot be doing with just four bowlers. I have made this point before - it is all well and good England succeeding against teams like the West Indies and New Zealand with just the four man attack. When the decent teams come calling, it gets a bit harder. Observe England's defeats to India and Sri Lanka last year as evidence of that.

England need a bowler of hostility and quality that can provide a breakthrough or two against strong teams on flat, batting pitches. When South Africa got their heads down at Lords, they made a mammoth score and England simply didn't have the firepower to bowl them out on such a good batting pitch. Admittedly, the Headingley pitch for the second test is more bowler condusive and has a great chance of showing a result but England are right to bring Flintoff back in. Especially so if the bowlers are still suffering from their exploits in the field last week. James Anderson is a doubt with a stiff back and Ryan Sidebottom is also a worry for the match. If you believe the pessimists then Stuart Broad is also doubtful with an ankle problem. It's unlikely all three will miss the game but could you imagine going into a test match with three struggling bowlers and Monty Panesar? It would be carnage.

Hampshire's Chris Tremlett has been brought into the squad as a precaution and, interestingly, England named Nottinghamshire's Darren Pattinson as extra cover, should Anderson and Sidebottom be unavailable. It's a bold move from the selectors who ignored the obvious choices of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison or even Simon Jones to go with someone who is having a great season but is ultimately unproven. Pattinson, raised in Australia, has been a revelation this season for Notts and has likely been chosen for his ability to swing the ball. Mind you, Hoggard swings the ball better than most and this is his home ground. But what do I know about selecting?

Another interesting issue about the Flintoff recall is his posistion in the batting line-up. Flintoff is down to come in at seven and I think this is a good move. I know I have previously championed Flintoff as a number six but I think playing him one place down is a wise move. Stuart Broad's rapid rise with the bat provides a slight safety net should Flintoff fail straight away and Tim Ambrose is more than capable to bat at six, despite the harsh and pointless criticism of him recently. Flintoff will hopefully now be more comfortable at a lower place and not feel under as much pressure as he would at six. Mind you if he makes hundred then you'll be hearing calls for him to open at Edgbaston.

England had a good-ish test at Lords. They surprised people with their batting and they did manage to bowl out the South Africans once for a low score. But They were toothless on the last two days and England will be desperate for Flintoff to provide them with a spark. Certainly, it is hoped that the batsman continue their success. Or that Michael Vaughan has any success altogether. Ian Bell must surely kick on now and be a more solid batsman. I'm not demanding another 199 but a solid, helpful score will push him higher in many people's estimates.

Predictions? I'm finding it hard to call on this one. I think it obviously depends on which England turn up and if they bat first and make a big socre, I can see them winning. Should the coin fall on the other side and Graeme Smith choose to bat then I can see South Africa batting England out of the match and then ramming home their advantage with the ball. I hate to say but I think it depends on the toss. Either way, all eyes will be on a certain Andrew Flintoff and he will hopefully herald a return to those glory days of 2005.

Gentlemen, Choose Your Weapons

It seems hard to think that it is now three years since England famous Ashes triumph in 2005. Those hazy days of England’s fantastic bowling unit tearing the Aussies to shreds and runs flowing from English bats do seem a long way away now. Since that amazing summer, England have won just four out of the ten series they have played in, including a 5-0 whitewash to Australia themselves.

The team has been torn apart by injuries, built back up, torn apart again by bad form and now re-shaped in a new mould. Is the success still there? Hardly, but back to back series wins against New Zealand have raised an inkling of hope. Prior to that famous Australia series, England passed a real test of their credentials by defeating South Africa. Now, with exactly 12 months until Australia arrive on these shores, England face another crucial and challenging series with the South African’s. But this time, the Saffers look like favourites.

Spearheaded by the world’s number one fast bowler Dale Steyn and runs machines such as Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, South Africa go into Thursday’s First Test at Lord’s looking like an immensely strong team. And, England’s performances of late have been unconvincing. Yet, they are still winning, which is possibly the sign of a champion team. Who knows. What we do know is that if England can win this exceptionally hard series, then they will be a great deal more confident about the prospect of taking those Ashes back from Ricky Ponting next summer.

Can England win it? A lot has been made about the South African attack and its potential to destroy the fragile England batting line-up. Dale Steyn is a formidable bowler, a great deal different from the young speedster who debuted against England in that previously mentioned series. Fast, skiddy and with the ability to swing it late, Steyn is a lethal weapon at the moment and cannot be underestimated. He is complemented by the pace and experience of Makhaya Ntini. He has over 300 Test wickets to his name and has had plenty of success against England in the past. Morne Morkel, at over 6ft, will generate huge bounce and add into the bargain the spin of Paul Harris and you have a great looking attack.

The South African’s also have a potentially powerhouse batting order. The last time Graeme Smith toured England he scored double hundreds in his first two tests - he has the ability to make huge runs. Jacques Kallis is the key to the order. If England can shut him down, then they can potentially shut down the South Africans. Once Kallis gets going, there is often little stopping him, as shown by his three centuries the last time these two teams met. Hashim Amla is also is fantastic form with hundreds in both warm up games. There is the class and exuberance of AB DeVilliers and the experience and guile of Ashwell Prince and Marc Boucher. South Africa could post some huge totals if they get their heads down .

So what is going to stop them? England’s attack is good but inexperienced. The leader of the attack, Ryan Sidebottom, has only been playing Test cricket for a year. However, when he gets it right he is close to perfect. He swings it late, he comes from an awkward angle and, best of all, all underneath a blanket of suffocating accuracy. He wasn’t always at his best against New Zealand and England will need him to fire. Especially if James Anderson isn’t. When the conditions suit him, Anderson is absolutely world class. At Trent Bridge against New Zealand, he was unplayable, taking career best figures. However, when things aren’t with him he tends to go around the park.

England will also hope that exciting pace prodigy Stuart Broad can continue his progress in the international arena. Broad’s ability with the bat appears to have overshadowed his bowling slightly of late but do not underestimate him. He is very accurate and bowls at a lively pace too. He is still learning but he gets better with every series and he could be the surprise package if the South African’s underestimate him. And there’s always Monty Panesar to make thing interesting. Panesar will be expected to out bowl his counterpart, Paul Harris and he will look to out-fox the tourists, some of whom do not have experience playing spin.

England’s batting is worrying. Andrew Strauss aside, they do not appear in the best form and are prone to a collapse or five. However, the talent is there and the SA attack will provide a stern test of their skills. Michael Vaughan (right)generally performs when it matters and Alastair Cook simply needs to convert one fifty into a hundred to get back on his feet. Kevin Pietersen has a brilliance to succeed and Tim Ambrose looks to be competent to judge the situation well and perform. The big question marks are over Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell. Bell has fantastic technique and looks a more gifted batsman than Collingwood, who has plenty of mental toughness and character. However, the abuse he has received since the recent one day series with New Zealand may trouble his head and if he gets out cheaply a few times, his confidence could suffer and England may see him as a liability.

Lining the two sides up against each other makes this series look fascinating. They look so evenly matched it is difficult to firmly predict a winner. However, the fragility of England’s batting makes me think the South African’s will pinch this four match series. The return of Andrew Flintoff would greatly help England’s cause and here are hopes he could return for the second Test.

SA look more capable of winning this one but I’m not backing against England entirely. It seems that, in the noblest of English traditions, when their backs are against the wall, they come out fighting. They are at their best when under the most pressure and I can only hope they will prove me and a lot of people wrong.

Anyone for a Cook double hundred at Lords? Anyone? Please?