SPOTY 2014

by raycastleunited Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:50 pm

Surprised nobody has started this topic yet... it always generates some interest on here every year.

So the cupboard is pretty bare this year. Surely it's a two horse race between Rory and Lewis.

I think Rory's achievements are greater, but Lewis will win because his title carries the greater cachet.

Pretty incredible that, in a world cup year, Gareth Bale gets short-listed when he wasn't even in the tournament. He had a great debut season but hardly set the world alight. And more so then ever before, half the short list features unknowns from obscure sports who are barely famous in their own house.

by kwinigolfer Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:53 pm

Agree ray,
Should win: Rory
Will win: Lewis

Difficult to believe anyone else has a credible claim.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:54 pm

Used to love the programme, but it's a tiresome dirge now.

Rory ought to win, but the coin toss engineering contest protagonist probably will by the power of a more willing to vote public who support F1.

by raycastleunited Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:05 pm

As a kid I used to love this programme too. There is no way I will watch it this year: I have no interest in spending an evening watching dressage and blind skiing just because Britain has some successful participants.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:07 pm

Its a truly terrible field this year. MOstly token entrants.

by beninho Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:16 pm

We always seem to have it on, while putting up the christmas decs. I would like to see Jo Pavey win, but likely will be Lewis, Rory has a chance, but i think F1 is more popular to viewers in the Uk. Neither though can be classed as sports for the common people.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:19 pm

I'd struggle to call golf a sport, but it's certainly accessible to people. It needn't be expensive at all.

by beninho Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:25 pm

It needn't be expensive, but it is. To play regularly you are looking at minimum £25 a round in most areas, raising the £40 at weekends, which would be for most people. I half decent set of irons alone must be £150, plus putter, and woods on top. If you are serious about playing you may not need top stuff but you dont want bottom rung gear. Even balls are at least £10 for 12. Plus Shoes, as will a course allow you to play in trainers? It builds up.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:29 pm

You can do it very cheaply. Set of clubs of ebay. Membership of municipal course.
Do what Mac does and get balls from a jumble sale.

You could certainly play golf cheaper than you could buy a season ticket for many football clubs, yet these are the same people who claim golf is too expensive.

My St.Andrews membership would cost me about £320 links ticket + 130 club fees if I lived in the area, half that if I lived in St.Andrews itself, what's more, you could wear jeans and trainers if you wanted.
So you don't have to pay much for a decent course.

Most sport is perfectly accessible.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:31 pm

It's terrible now and pretty much has been since they went to this overt public vote. I'd have far more respect for it if it was voted on by sports men and women, writers and other 'experts'.
I have no faith, at all, in this fad of public voting for this sort of thing. It's simply a popularity contest.

by McLaren Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:33 pm

navyblueshorts wrote:It's terrible now and pretty much has been since they went to this overt public vote. I'd have far more respect for it if it was voted on by sports men and women, writers and other 'experts'.
I have no faith, at all, in this fad of public voting for this sort of thing. It's simply a popularity contest.

I feel the same way about political elections. Why are so many morons allowed to vote?

by **navyblueshorts** Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:55 pm

McLaren wrote:
navyblueshorts wrote:It's terrible now and pretty much has been since they went to this overt public vote. I'd have far more respect for it if it was voted on by sports men and women, writers and other 'experts'.
I have no faith, at all, in this fad of public voting for this sort of thing. It's simply a popularity contest.

I feel the same way about political elections. Why are so many morons allowed to vote?

Certainly, most politics is now simply a soundbite-driven popularity contest. Voting for politicians is different anyway and, like it or lump it, has to be open to all - it's not like the SPOTY winner is going to have any say in how I'm taxed is it? Then again, these days, I wouldn't be surprised to find they'd subsequently been appointed to some 'expert' body to advise Government.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:13 pm

It's in Glasgow too is SPOTY so you can imagine loads of Scottish tokenism going on.

by kwinigolfer Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:17 pm

You mean, like Chris Hoy's Lifetime Achievement Award?
Though he doubtless deserves it.

by super_realist Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:21 pm

Wonder if Salmond has gerrymandered himself an appearance.

by pedro Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:57 pm

Yup, should: Rory, will: Lewis.

On a related topic: do you think either Messi or Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or when they both stunk at the WC? Or will Neuer be the first keeper to take it?

by **navyblueshorts** Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:25 pm

super_realist wrote:Wonder if Salmond has gerrymandered himself an appearance.

Absolutely guaranteed I would think. Probably have that muppet, Sturgeon, as well Rolling Eyes

.

by raycastleunited Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:39 am

super_realist wrote:You can do it very cheaply. Set of clubs of ebay. Membership of municipal course.
Do what Mac does and get balls from a jumble sale.

You could certainly play golf cheaper than you could buy a season ticket for many football clubs, yet these are the same people who claim golf is too expensive.

My St.Andrews membership would cost me about £320 links ticket + 130 club fees if I lived in the area, half that if I lived in St.Andrews itself, what's more, you could wear jeans and trainers if you wanted.
So you don't have to pay much for a decent course.

Most sport is perfectly accessible.

Yes, cheap in St Andrews where there is an over supply of golf courses. Not so cheap down south. Even a muni is £30+ at the weekend in london.

by super_realist Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:43 am

Lots of places in Scotland are run in a similar way to St.Andrews, Carnoustie too.

Up here in Aberdeen you can join the muni's (4/5 courses) for about 250 a year. No other fees.

Seems England is more expensive than the rest of the country.

by barragan Sat Dec 13, 2014 12:39 pm

Sure golf is fairly expensive, and it's a luxury you don't need. However, plenty folk don't bat an eyelid at spending small fortunes on other luxuries such as:
-Cigarettes
-Alcohol
-Sky subscrptions
-coffee
-Extortionate phone contacts...
The list goes on...

I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't throw money at sky. I don't waste £3 on a cup of coffee. My phone contact is £10/month. Easy choices.

by McLaren Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:19 pm

Where the hell are you getting £3 coffee. Even the hipster coffee places I frequent only charge £2.50, unless you go for a siphon or something similar.

by super_realist Sat Dec 13, 2014 2:13 pm

Mac, what's your opinion of the hipster type?

by Davie Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:32 pm

Jesus can the BBC stoop any lower with this show?

by Davie Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:51 pm

Linekar looks like he's been on a 3-day bender (yes I know it sounds like he has a voice problem but he looks like they pulled him out of a skip)

That gymnast who won the young personality must be the oldest looking 16 year old I've ever seen

Now it's horsy dancing. I hope she wins

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:52 pm

It's just terrible isn't it? I'm embarrassed for virtually everyone that has been on so far. Yarnold has been the only one who hasn't had the cringing montage.

It's been such an atrocious year for British sport, I'm surprised they could find ten people to put on the list, perhaps that's why it's such a rotten parade of token participants.

They really are trying far too hard to be inclusive of women and paralympic sports these days.

Dressage? FFS, even F1 is more of a sport than that.

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:00 pm

Is Jo Pavey actually Pam Ayers?

by Davie Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:05 pm

Gotta love the horsy dance woman though

"He's not just a horse he's my best friend. We know each other inside out. How wonderful to have a relationship with an animal like that"

*cough*

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:08 pm

I can't bear to listen, it's shiversome in the extreme.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:30 pm

I would like to get to know a horse inside out. If inside out means getting to sample a lovely horse steak.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:31 pm

for what it's worth, I think Adam Peaty is also a worthy nominee. He's pretty much established himself as the n°1 breaststroke swimmer in the world this year, albeit there haven't been any major championships (no worlds or Olympics), so he doesn't deserve to win. Rory should win, by a mile IMO, followed by Hamilton - I get the arguments about whether either of those should be considered sports, but once we accept they are (and to be fair, they're far more worthy of being called so than several other so-called sports), then Rory and Hamilton have both had great years.

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:35 pm

Problem with Hamilton is that he beat precisely ONE other person. No one else was close to being competitive and so might as well have not been in the competition. Him winning would be like Oxford winning team of the year for beating Cambridge in the boat race.
Ludicrous.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:40 pm

Super

Would you ever be willing to accept that you don't really understand F1?

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:47 pm

It's not a case of understanding it. There is so little competition in it it's beyond a joke. The only person Hamilton had to beat was his own team mate.
How can that be world champion, he's basically a champion of nothing more than Rosberg.

So, well done Lewis, you are the World Rosberg Champion.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:51 pm

Super

I will ask it again. Are you willing to consider that you do not understand F1? And will also add, do you think you have a level of ignorance on the topic?

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:54 pm

Mac, I don't like F1, doesn't mean I don't understand it.

How many teams were competitive this year? ONE.

How many drivers were in contention for the championship? TWO.

How many drivers did the eventual winner have to beat? ONE.

It's a sham of an event and it's the same every year.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:57 pm

This is pointless if you want answer the questions asked.

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:00 pm

Mac, was there or was there not any more than two drivers in with a shout? No.

That's all you need to know.

It's simply an exhibition. The real competition has NOTHING to do with the drivers, but simply which manufacturer makes the best car.

Who said I wanted your answers anyway? I care for your view on sport about as much as I care for your opinions on Golf Courses

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:04 pm

Super, I am asking if you will consider if actually that is not "all you need to know"?

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:07 pm

Why would I? The fact is there WERE only two drivers (from the same team) who could win from very early on.

A coin toss.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:13 pm

You know a coin toss usually represents 50:50 odds?

by kwinigolfer Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:15 pm

Are you suggesting Hamilton is the TOTY?

by **navyblueshorts** Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:19 pm

McLaren wrote:Super

I will ask it again. Are you willing to consider that you do not understand F1? And will also add, do you think you have a level of ignorance on the topic?

Give it up Mac. YOU have a "level of ignorance" on F1. We all do. Wind it in a bit and you might get a response.

S_R's right though, F1 is complete and utter horse. However, Hamilton will probably win, as it's simply a pointless celebrity contest. It's been a s**t show for years and reached its nadir with Giggs winning it. It's been trawling the depths ever since.

by **navyblueshorts** Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:21 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:Are you suggesting Hamilton is the TOTY?

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:26 pm

Navy

I agree that we all have some areas of F1 we don't understand given how complex it is but with super I get the feeling he has never watched or read anything about it.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:30 pm

Hamilton wins!

ouch Very Happy

for what it's worth, Pavey ahead of Peaty in third is rubbish too...

by super_realist Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:30 pm

Mac, I realise you're fishing for me to ask you to impart your pearls of wisdom to me, but I don't care for them.

F1 is almost never competitive over the course of a season, and if I watch a sport, I don't want it to be a chance procession between one of two people likely to win to be so because they supported heavily by the team which happens to have made the best car.

Is Hamilton winning World Championship an achievement of any note given that no other team was remotely close to competing? (that's rhetorical, I don't require an answer)

by JAS Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:32 pm

So there you have it, a golfer will have to win the grand slam in a winning Ryder Cup year and hope the engineering coin toss comp wasn't won by a Brit in the same year...basically.

Good shout McGinley for coach of the year though.

by McLaren Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:33 pm

Super

Wow. You are approaching the christian presuppositionalists level of debate with that response.

by **navyblueshorts** Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:35 pm

McLaren wrote:Navy

I agree that we all have some areas of F1 we don't understand given how complex it is but with super I get the feeling he has never watched or read anything about it.

Maybe, but I reckon you could have taken pretty much any competent racing driver (Touring cars, whatever), given them a little practice in this year's Mercedes and they would have either won or, almost certainly more likely, been runner up to Rosberg as World champ. F1's that dull now. It's great technology, it's amazing what they can do and the TV production etc is very good but as competitive sport goes...it's rubbish.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:41 pm

the problem with F1 is since the 07-08 seasons we've had one dominant car for a huge chunk of the season and the best guy in that car has won the title (Button in 09 followed by Vettel for the next four years). It's not been helped by the fact we haven't had two relatively equal drivers in the dominant car. This season has if anything been worse in that one car has been miles ahead of all the others, though somewhat counter-intuitively I think that hindered Hamilton rather than helping him (a better RB would have seen Ricciardo and/or Vettel take some points off Rosberg; as it was, Rosberg was able to stay close to Lewis despite being rather soundly thrashed IMO - look at the number of race wins).

Having said that, I think people are harsh on Lewis somewhat. It's not by accident that the generally better drivers tend to find themselves in the better cars after all, and in any case winning a world championship over the course of a season when so much can go wrong is still a huge achievement.

However, I don't think Hamilton deserved it ahead of McIlroy this year, not by a long shot.

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