Sports Ladder (6th - 12th October)

Sports Ladder returns after a long period away and will now be more focused on its inital objective which was to look at who has moved up and down a ladder of public opinion. Before the break it had descended into simply finding which sportsman or woman had a good week and who had a bad week but my aim is to change it back to its original format. Enjoy!


UP - Jules Bianchi / Marussia - A touching start to this weeks ladder as the thoughts and prayers of the Formula 1 community are firmly behind a speedy recovery for Jules Bianchi. Following his accident in Japan a week ago, the Frenchman remains in a critical condition. Hamilton dedicating his Russian GP win and Marussia opting not to replace Bianchi at the weekend are just two examples of the compassion shown from the paddock this week.

UP - Roy Keane - The Irishman will have divided opinion with the release of his autobiography but no one can deny the boldness of the former Manchester United captain in voicing his concerns about Sir Alex Ferguson. Standing up to the former United manager is something few have dared to do so in that sense you have to admire his courage. That said, Keane never was one to shy away from conflict.

UP - Wade and Thornton - It's pretty rare that you get to see a nine-dart-finish in darts, especially on television. James Wade and Robert Thornton had other ideas this week though, as they both knocked down 501 with just nine darts. Wade stepped up first before Thornton replied to send the World Grand Prix crowd into raptures. Wade went on to win the match but realistically, darts was the winner.

UP - Simone Biles - Britain re-fell in love with gymnastics over the summer after the success of Claudia Fragapane and the rest of the team at the Commonwealth Games. However, it was a different teenage sweetheart who stole the show at the World Championships with America's Simone Biles sweeping up an outstanding four gold medals including the best all-rounder. British gymnasts may be the best in the Commonwealth, but the World is still yet to be conquered.

UP - Bayern Munich - The German champions have long been known to treat their fans with the utmost respect and this shows no signs of changing if this week is anything to go by. With Munich's Champions League match with CSKA held behind closed doors, 55 fans rented a room in a nearby skyscraper to watch the match. Munich refunded all 55 of these fans, much to the shock of most English fans who have never seen such generosity from their club.

DOWN - Umberto Gandini - Bitter, is the only word to describe the comments made by AC Milan Chairman Gandini this week. His suggestion that big clubs in Europe should have a wildcard if they don't qualify is quite frankly ridiculous. An alternative would be to play better football and run the club more intelligently so that then you can qualify legitimately like the rest of the teams. Unsurprisingly my opinion of him has decisively dropped this week.

DOWN - Justin Gatlin - Lord Coe this week questioned the decision to nominate Justin Gatlin for World Athlete of the Year after the sprinter has served out two seperate doping bans and I would have to agree. It is one thing letting ex-sprinters race again but to nominate them for awards is certainly a contentious decision. All this week has done though is re-highlight the ongoing drugs problem in athletics.

DOWN - Andy Murray - I think it's fair to say that 2014 has been a year to forget for Britain's number one. Murray has won just one tournament and reached just four tournament semi-finals all year. This week was no different as he tumbled out of China to David Ferrer. Murray seems to be suffering psychologically as he cannot seem to close out matches at the moment and the up-and-coming tennis stars are ready to pounce on the wayward Brit. 2015 cannot come quickly enough.

DOWN - England's Bowlers - Whether you like him or not, there is no question that Kevin Pietersen is one of England's best batsman in recent years. He has always been a bit of an outcast in the England camp though and this week's revelations about his treatment by some of England's bowlers perhaps proves why. With Steve Harmison backing up Pietersen's claims about bullying, it looks like some of the bowlers may have been knocked for six by the claims.

DOWN - Ben Flower - There is no better way to endear yourself to the public than to punch an opponent in the Grand Final of this seasons Rugby League. Flower took just two minutes to launch two punches on opponent Lance Hohaia, earn himself a red card and ultimately cost Wigan the game and the trophy. So literally an example of letting me down, letting the kids down, letting the team down, but most importantly letting himself down. At least an eight game ban awaits.

Real in Control of Semi-Final Tie

Real Madrid hold a slender one goal advantage heading into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich as a nineteenth minute goal by Karim Benzema proved to be the only thing separating the European giants.

Despite dominating possession for most of the game, Bayern came away from the Bernabeu empty-handed as a solid Madrid defence kept them at bay. The German team failed to properly test Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal, save for a Mario Gotze chance in the second half.

At the other end of the pitch Real Madrid may come away disappointed to have just got the one goal after a number of free-flowing counter-attacks were not converted. While Karim Benzema tucked away a neat move, Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Mario also both had decent first half chances to extend the lead which they blazed over the bar.

Bayern quickly settled into a passing rhythm whilst Real struggled to maintain posession in front of their home crowd. Bayern nearly capitalized on this sluggish start when Arjen Robben's deflected shot flew narrowly past the post.

But it was the Spanish side who hit first with vitually their first attack of the game. A classic counter attacking move saw Ronaldo set Coentrao free down the left, his low cross tucked into an empty net by Karim Benzema.

The goal kick-started Real, who nearly had a second moments later when Ronaldo sent his towering header straight down the keepers throat. Di Maria then had a lengthy shot comfortably saved by Manuel Neuer as they hit Bayern with another fast-paced counter-attack.

For all their early possession Bayern failed to create any real chances in the opening half an hour and were fortunate to find themselves just one goal down as Cristiano Ronaldo sent a seemingly simple chance uncharacteristically over the bar.

That wasted opportunity was looking like it could be costly as Bayern ramped up the pressure, the German outfit creating a number of half chances, most of which were flowing through the hugely influential Robben.

Once again though it was Real causing the serious problems as Angel Di Maria found himself with acres of space on the right hand side. However, like Ronaldo, he was unable to capitalise firing his shot high into the stands as his team mates looked on in despair.

Despite leading at the break, Real would have received an inevitable ear-full from Ancelotti as they struggled to maintain possession or convert their chances. And for a brief moment it looked as though they may get a second, Ronaldo testing Neuer with a low shot, palmed away by the German international.

The second half quickly settled into a similar rhythm to the first, Bayern flirting with the Spanish box but unable to create anything dangerous with Real quite happy to soak up the Bayern possession and hit with pace on the counter.

Ancelotti had quite evidently pushed his team higher up the pitch in the second half and this nearly became their undoing, Robben driving through the centre of the park but his shot found the grateful arms of Casillas.

On the touchline Guardiola was the first to crack, replacing the ragged-looking Rafinha with Javi Martinez in an attempt to keep Madrid's advantage to just one. Regardless it was still the Spanish side testing the opposition keeper, Ronaldo capitalising on a quick free kick to call Neuer into action again.

Guardiola acted again, this time bringing on the young German international Mario Gotze as Real Madrid were forced into the substitution of Pepe as the centre-back tweaked his hamstring in an awkward fall. Both managers were keen to mix things up in the final fifteen minutes, as Ronaldo departed for Gareth Bale on his return from injury as well as Thomas Mueller entering the fray for Bastien Schweinsteiger.

As the game drew towards it's conclusion Bayern continued to dominate possession, Mueller flashing a drive round the post. But the big chance came in the eighty-third minute. A mix-up on the right hand side allowed the ball to fall to an unmarked Gotze in the box. The German fired a snapshot but Casillas was equal to it, producing a splendid save to maintain his clean sheet.

There was almost controversy in stoppage time as it seemed as though referee Howard Webb had failed to award Bayern a penalty, but the Englishman made the correct decision as Xabi Alonso nicked the ball ahead of a furious Mueller.

The two sides will meet again next Tuesday for the decisive leg at the Allianz Arena.

Sports Ladder (6 Jan - 12 Jan)

UP - Thomas Hitzlsperger - It shouldn't have to be a story but the fact that it is means that it must be addressed. In today's society Thomas Hitzlsperger must be commended for coming out as homosexual in the sporting environment. It's a tough world to come out in and hopefully it will encourage others to do the same.

UP - Broad and Prior - Another serious story this week as Matt Prior and Stuart Broad successfully managed to talk a man out of jumping off a bridge. In particular, Broad applauded Prior for being "pretty inspirational" in the way he successfully managed to talk the man down. It certainly puts all of the sledging that occurred over the last series into perspective after controversy surrounding the withdrawal of Jonathan Trott.

UP - Stephen Bunting - Probably the last time darts will feature on the sports ladder for a while as Christmas AKA 'Darts Season' has finished. Nevertheless, a big congratulations to first seed Stephen Bunting for winning his maiden BDO World Darts title at Lakeside. He successfully dispatched a number of top players including Robbie Greene and Alan Norris, the two in-form players of the tournament. Surely only a matter of time before he converts to the richer PDC.

UP - Bournemouth Fans - Who says the beauty of the FA Cup is dead? When rain defeated the FA Cup tie between Bournemouth and Burton it was postponed to a later date. However with Burton fans making a pointless 300 mile journey to get there, Bournemouth did not want to see them disappointed. Between the fans they managed to raise nearly £3000 for the return trip. Good on the cherries!

UP - Bayern Munich - Similar to Bournemouth with regards to tickets. The cost of a ticket for a match at the Emirates has been a topic of some controversy for a number of seasons after it has gained an accurate reputation as the most expensive football trip in England. Therefore Bayern Munich decided to subsidise their fans half the price of the ticket for the Champions League clash. This after they last year refunded all fans for League games because it was not competitive enough. Lucky fans 'ey?

DOWN - Juan Martin Del Potro - Del Potro won the Sydney International in the run-up to this week's Aussie Open and it seeded fifth with an outside chance at the title. However, a strange story emerged yesterday regarding his lack of rackets. Del Potro announced that he only has two of his preferred Wilson K-Frames left compared to the six-eight rackets his opponents will probably have. Let's hope he doesn't snap a string!

DOWN - Theo Walcott - Bad news for both Arsenal and England this week as it was announced that he is out for the remainder of the season and will miss the World Cup with ligament damage. Walcott will be gutted after already missing a large part of the season through injury. Tottenham fans will no doubt see the funny side though, after he mocked them upon departure from the pitch by holding the two fingers in the air to signify the 2-0 advantage in the game.

DOWN - Kevin Pietersen - Despite being the highest England run scorer during the Ashes calamity, Pietersen has certainly been the main 'fall-guy'. His wild shot selection and apparent attitude problems have led many to question whether he deserves to play for England again. Captain Alistair Cook also refused to back Pietersen which would certainly suggest there are problems there and the question remains to be asked whether we will see Pietersen in an England shirt again.

DOWN - Mike Jones - I never like to pick on referees as we all know they have a hard job, but it was a very strange decision to disallow Cheick Tiote's goal against Manchester City on Sunday. Ignoring the fact it was a lovely strike, it didn't actually break any rules. Unless, Gouffran getting out of the way of the shot counts as interfering with play, then there really was no reason for it to be disallowed. Hart would never have got there and his view was impeded by four City players. It could have been a very different game.

DOWN - Lindsey Vonn - The 2014 Winter Olympic games has suffered a big blow in the loss of one of its more recognisable athletes as Lindsey Vonn announced this week she would not be partaking. A persistent knee injury has meant that Vonn will be unable to compete in Sochi and defend her Downhill gold won in Vancouver four years ago. Maybe a Brit could win it instead! Or maybe not.