Posted: 26 Mar 2010 02:12 AM PDT

Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld believes Tony Mowbray's unwavering determination to stick to his footballing principles ultimately proved to be his downfall at Celtic.

Mowbray's short reign came to an end after just nine months on Thursday after suffering a shock 4-0 defeat against St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Even in the wake of the defeat at Saints, the former Hoops boss could not resist having a dig at rivals Rangers, accusing them of "negative football".

But Auld said: "It looked as though it was on the cards, with the performances in the last few weeks and the inconsistency. I thought he would have done a great job there but he wouldn't change his ways."

He added: "Everybody loves philosophy but the players dictate the philosophy and the most important thing in his job was the results. I thought he did a marvellous job at Hibs and West Brom but his philosophy also knocked him down at West Brom as well when they got relegated last year."

Mowbray's fate was sealed when he finally lost the backing of the fans after the loss in Paisley, according to Peter Rafferty, President of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs.

The capitulation left Celtic 10-points adrift of Rangers - who have two games in hand - in the SPL and was their heaviest league defeat, outside an Old Firm derby, in 30 years.

Rafferty said: "I don't suppose it has come as any great surprise unfortunately because of the way the results have been going.

"The result was just one result too many for the fans. The manner in which we were defeated didn't go down well at all."

Mowbray's predecessor Gordon Strachan believes the scrutiny Old Firm managers are under is greater than ever.

Recalling Walter Smith's return to Rangers three years ago, he said: "After about six months, he said the big difference was night and day.

He said, 'The whole thing, the media thing is absolutely brutal'. Now we've got internet chat rooms; everything can start rumours that you have to deal with, which we never had before and he said it's changed completely."

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Auld: Mowbray a victim of own philosophy (PA Sport via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

Posted: 26 Mar 2010 12:49 AM PDT

Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld believes Tony Mowbray's unwavering determination to stick to his footballing principles ultimately proved to be his downfall at Celtic.

Mowbray's short reign came to an end after just nine months after suffering a shock 4-0 defeat against St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Even in the wake of the defeat at Saints, the former Hoops boss could not resist having a dig at rivals Rangers, accusing them of "negative football".

But Auld insists Mowbray's own footballing philosophy did not fit with the huge demand for results at Celtic, just as it failed to keep West Brom in the Barclays Premier League.

He told Press Association Sport: "It looked as though it was on the cards, with the performances in the last few weeks and the inconsistency. I thought he would have done a great job there but he wouldn't change his ways.

"Everybody loves philosophy but the players dictate the philosophy and the most important thing in his job was the results. I thought he did a marvellous job at Hibs and West Brom but his philosophy also knocked him down at West Brom as well when they got relegated last year."

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Izzo's methodical madness gives Mich. State a tourney advantage (USA Today)

Posted: 25 Mar 2010 08:07 PM PDT

"We all complain about the hype and the pressure. That's the best part to me," Tom Izzo was saying about his NCAA Tournament philosophy. "This is it, you lay it on the line. If it's bad game, a bad play, whatever, realize that's OK, but you're going home.

"And I love that. I think it teaches kids a lot, and it doesn't leave room for many excuses."

His team is here in the Midwest Regional without its best player, and going against a fearless upstart who is still riding a monster wave from shocking Kansas and ruining brackets from coast to coast. There is every reason to believe Michigan State is ripe for Northern Iowa's picking.

But then you look at Izzo, and remember that in the spring, he is harder to get rid of than garden weeds.

Michigan State is hurt — leading scorer Kalin Lucas out, key players Delvon Roe and Chris Allen hobbled — and backed into a corner. But forward Raymar Morgan had a thought about that Thursday.

"The show must still go on."

Northern Iowa should understand this: The Spartans in the Age of Izzo certainly know how to make the show go on.

— Five trips to the Final Four in 11 years. That includes 2001, the season after Izzo sent two first-round draft choices to the NBA from his national champions. Also 2005, when he had to beat Duke and Kentucky in the same regional.

— A .750 tournament winning percentage, third among active coaches, behind only a couple of accomplished wizards named Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams.

— A 15-3 record in the second game of a weekend in NCAA Tournament play, with all three defeats coming against No. 1 seeds.

Moral of the numbers: He knows how to have a team ready to find another level, no matter what. Just as significant, his players know he knows.

Morgan: "He doesn't sleep. He's in the film room 24/7."

Guard Durrell Summers: "Just nothing goes undone.

"Even in practice, Coach sometimes just creates adversity, and sees how we get through it."

Forward Draymond Green talked of a family atmosphere, and a bond that goes beyond box scores, especially now, with Lucas gone.

"You just feel like it's almost required for you," he said, "to pick someone else up when they go down."

Maybe that's part of the secret to Izzo, who mentions scheduling tough games early, not panicking at a bad game or two, always moving forward with a purpose. It is a coach knowing the road so well, he no longer needs a map. Just talented bodies attached to the right kind of heads.

As the tournament nears, former Spartans who have made the journey – many now in the NBA – send messages of expectations; the genealogy of March achievement.

"I think our players start believing other players," Izzo said. "It's not me that has to sell it, it's them."

"I just try to convince them it's a marathon and we're not going to let the community or the media or anybody tear you down. I'll do that good enough. But then in tournament time, I try to build them up. I just don't want to do it too early, so March seems like a good time to start."

There is an especially strong whiff of unpredictability to this tournament. Take Northern Iowa, a team that lost to 9-21 Evansville but beat Kansas.

Now, as the bracket does somersaults, public perception has Northern Iowa the favorite, Michigan State the underdog. March has gone daffy.

"You get to prove the world wrong," Green said, "and show other others what you're made of."

And they have just the guy to tell them how.

Not so down on the farm (Chicago Sun-Times)

Posted: 25 Mar 2010 10:17 PM PDT

Future looks bright for righty Hudson, OF Jordan Danks

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Every organization has a minor-league philosophy.

Some major-league teams cherish young prospects and like to hold on to them while others believe that minor-leaguers are simply pawns to use in trades to get better.

White Sox general manager Ken Williams has made strides the last four years in strengthening a farm system that had been neglected for a long time, but Williams still leans more toward moving prospects to get proven big-league talent.

So with most of the young guys who were in the big-league camp packed up and on the minor-league side of the Camelback Ranch facility, who's a keeper and who could be used to get Williams to where he wants to be later this summer?

Sox hitting coach Greg Walker was as impressed as anyone with the young wave of position talent in the system.

''I think since I've been here, this will be my, what, eighth spring camp? I think this is the best bunch we've had as a group,'' Walker said. ''How quick they make adjustments and how well they make the changes will dictate how fast they come.

''A few of them, I feel, can survive up here right now. Others might scuffle right now but could end up becoming the best players. It's just a matter of adjustments and finishing it off in turning into big-league players.''

WHAT'S THERE:

• 1. Jordan Danks, OF -- Walker called the younger Danks a ''superior defender'' but admitted he needed to ''clean up his swing a little bit, get in a better posture.'' Still, the Sox need outfielders in waiting, and knowing baby brother is on the team might help in getting John Danks to sign an extension.

Keeper or trade bait: Keeper.

• 2. Jared Mitchell, OF -- The 2010 season is lost because of ankle surgery, but the 2009 first-round pick opened some eyes.

Keeper or trade bait: Keeper.

• 3. Brent Morel, 3B -- He might end up being the best of the group, and Morel impressed Walker the most. Unfortunately, Mark Teahen is signed for the next three years. Thanks anyway, kid.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

Â•• 4. Tyler Flowers, C -- With Brent Lillibridge falling short of expectations, the Javy Vazquez deal is starting to look one-sided, especially with Flowers looking lost at the plate this spring.

In other words, re-sign A.J. Pierzynski.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

• 5. Dayan Viciedo, 1B/3B -- If he doesn't show that he can get in better shape, the $10 million deal the Sox signed him to through 2012 might seem like an awful decision. But there's too much money invested to move the player who might replace Paul Konerko at first base.

Keeper or trade bait: Keeper.

• 6. C.J. Retherford, 2B -- He's not real fast, not the best defensive player, not a pure hitter, but he's a baseball player. Like Morel, he happens to be in a bad spot -- playing the same position as Gordon Beckham.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

For an organization that seemed deep in pitching a year ago, things have dried up quickly. Two big deals made since last July 31 are a big reason why.

The Sox lost Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter and Aaron Poreda in the Jake Peavy deal, then gave up John Ely and Jon Link in the trade that brought Juan Pierre to the Sox.

WHAT'S THERE:

• 1. Daniel Hudson, RHP -- Hudson is the only young pitcher on the radar for the big-league team, and it's not even close.

''Daniel Hudson came in ready to go, and he's still in competition for the job, throwing the ball real well,'' pitching coach Don Cooper said. ''It's going to be very difficult to make a decision because he came ready. I was really happy to see that.''

But a decision already has been made. Hudson is likely to start in Class AAA Charlotte, serving as the safety net if something happens to one of the Big Five.

Keeper or trade bait: Keeper.

• 2. Charlie Leesman, LHP -- He's still in big-league camp for an extra look, and Cooper likes his makeup.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

• 3. David Holmberg, LHP -- Holmberg wasn't in big-league camp, but the second-round pick in the 2009 draft already is on the radar.

Keeper or trade bait: Keeper.

• 4. Carlos Torres, RHP -- The Sox have seen what he can do, and he may have hit his ceiling.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

• 5. Jhonny Nunez and Jeff Marquez, RHPs -- Both were staples in a Nick Swisher trade that now looks disastrous.

Keeper or trade bait: Trade bait.

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Philosophy

Friday, March 26, 2010

“Mowbray pays price for football philosophy (Give Me Football)” plus 3 more

“Mowbray pays price for football philosophy (Give Me Football)” plus 3 more

Future looks bright for righty Hudson, OF Jordan Danks

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