what team medal do you think we (England)will achieve in the commenwealth games [Archive]

Observer

26th January 2006, 17:28

In my opinion, England should be able to win the Mixed Doubles, Ladies' Singles and Ladies' Doubles in the Team Event and therfore should take the Team Gold.

Although Malaysia is a strong nation when it comes to the Men's Singles and Doubles, their Ladies' Single, Ladies' Doubles and Mixed Doubles are weaker than ours.

My message to the England Team, "You can do it. Bring back the Gold Medal."

nasigoreng

26th January 2006, 18:11

Okay, Okay, the England Ladies will win the Gold.

Woody

26th January 2006, 22:03

Team competition will be very tight with the final between England and Malaysia in a repeat of the Manchester Games.

England may well scrape through for the Gold.

Individual events England will win the Mixed but that will probably be our only finalists unless Tracey can do as well as last time.

As I will actually be in Melbourne working at the games and hope to see some of the badminton I will cheer England on.

Lets try and be positive on behalf of our competitors from whichever of our Home Countries!!

North

27th January 2006, 10:20

In the team event who do you think would play singles
if either Ghaffer or Tracey Hallam was injured?

There is no obvious back up for either

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 10:25

Julia Mann???
Jill Pittard???

Either could put in match winning performances.

Likewise
Nick Kidd???
Andrew Smith???
Rajiv Ouseph???

Any of these 3 have as much chance of gaining a win as Ghaffar.

Woody

27th January 2006, 10:28

Well there is a dilema isn't there.

I suspect that Andrew Smith ot Tariq would be drafted in to play in the Men's plus Julia Mann or Jill Pittard in the ladies.

Can't pick the obvious choice of Elizabeth Cann as she will be competing for Jersy.

I wonder if Jersey are sending a team and also probably Guernsey as they did in 2002.

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 10:30

Who's Tariq???

Yep Jersey will be sending a team...probably strengthened by the addition of Mark Constable.

nasigoreng

27th January 2006, 10:55

Does anyone know if the 21 rally point scoring will be used in the Nationals. If England want to do well in Melbourne, they had better start getting used to it.

North

27th January 2006, 11:01

Sorry should have made my point a bit clearer,

if either Hallam or Ghaffer were injured just before a match
at the Commonwealth games there are no other singles
players out with the team - who would then play

None of the players you have mentioned are actually travelling
as far as I am aware, the other 4 ladies and 4 gents are
all doubles specialists

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 11:04

Nasigoreng = No I don't think it will be used.....21 point system is for IBF events only at the mo I think, so national events won't change until possibly next year.

North - surely they're taking more than 5 men and 5 women?

dlp

27th January 2006, 11:13

As Tracey Hallam can play doubles you would have thought 2 womens singles could have been picked for better cover.

nasigoreng

27th January 2006, 11:21

Thanks Luncheon. So I guess The Thomas Cup & Uber Cup Continental play-offs will be using the 21 rally point scoring. The point I am trying to make, and I am not advocating one way or another, is that England players better start getting used to the new scoring or else they will be at a disadvantage at the next 2 major events.

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 11:29

I agree (what am I doing!!!) but surely they will be practicing in training!!!
And it will be a little harsh to make the nationals 21 points rally system for all us scrubbers hoping to get in to the Nationals. (Although before I criticised for not being Patriotic....if us scrubbers had to endure the 21 point system at the nats to help the Elite players to perform better at the World Champs then...I'd be happy doing it).

North

27th January 2006, 11:43

Luncheon, per web only 5 & 5 have been picked.

Think it is a Commonwealth games rule. Dont know
if you can get round this by taking training partners
out for the singles players and if there was an
injury be permitted to substitute

Anyone know?

Markymark

27th January 2006, 11:47

You're only allowed 5 and 5, so they are taking a gamble. Most other teams will take 2 singles players I would have thought.

I don't know who would play singles. They might even concede depending on the team cos none of the other players are capable of beating the top singles players.

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 11:52

How many games of doubles do they play??? 1 isn't it??

So why not take:

Clark Doubles Emms Doubles/mixed
Robertson Mixed Kellogg Doubles
Archer Doubles Hallam Singles
Ghaffar Singles Mann Singles
Smith Singles Tripp Doubles or mixed reserve

Markymark

27th January 2006, 11:54

Cos we're less likely to win at singles and more likely to win at doubles. Blair & Clark are probably going to win more than Clark & Archer.

Julia Mann is an injury risk so it's kind of a wasted choice. And she can't beat the singaporean or malaysian girls anyway.

Luncheon

27th January 2006, 11:58

I still reckon Archer's our best mens doubles player.....him and clark would do better than blair and clark and with Robertson as a back up....you've then got space for two singles players.

But you need to have a reserve it anything happens to Hallam.......and Julia is the next best player.
If its one game of singles for both sexes, one game of doubles for men and women and one game of mixed....then you only need 3 doubles players.

Markymark

27th January 2006, 12:01

I don't agree cos there is not much point in having a back up who's going to lose anyway!

I think the Enlgand selectors have beefed up the doubles cos they know that's how England are going to win. If Tracy doesn't win, no one else in England can so why bother. My guess it that's what they were thinking.

random

27th January 2006, 13:06

Remember there is an individual event too - I'm sure they will be hoping for 2 medals in ladies doubles, 2 in mens if archer and robertson play together (don't know how likely that is) and depending how they pair up the mixed teams they will have nathan/gail, clark/kellogg, archer/tripp and possibly blair/nicholas as munt isn't going? That would make 4 pretty decent mixed pairs and the first two pairs proven, tried, tested and successful. Mens singles aren't going to get close to a medal and tracey has a chance depending on draw.

Phil McBride

29th January 2006, 09:43

I think it might be a Silver for the team event.

Can we start a poll since there are only 3 possible answers assuming people don't think England will miss out on a medal :rolleyes:

Woody

30th January 2006, 09:02

Defending champ dropped as Malaysia targets Badminton gold

World number two Lee Chong Wei at the 2005 World Championships.30 Jan 06 10:29
Malaysian shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim has been denied a chance to defend his Commonwealth gold in Melbourne after Malaysian selectors opted for two singles and three doubles players to form their Games team.
All-England semi-finalist and world number two Lee Chong Wei will bid to retain Mr Hafiz’s men’s singles title for Malaysia alongside veteran Wong Choong Hann.

Choong Hann will also play in the doubles, partnering Choong Tan Fook, while the other doubles pair will be Chan Chong Ming and Koo Kien Keat. Chong Ming was one-half of the gold medal winning Malaysian pair who took home gold in Manchester.

And national women’s champion Julia Wong has earned her biggest career break when she was confirmed as one of the two singles players in the team together with national number one Wong Mew Choo.

badmintoncoach

6th February 2006, 10:13

IF???? I think Malaysia, Silver with New Zealand Bronze. anybody got any other ideas????

badmintoncoach

24th February 2006, 10:04

I have had a change of mind? England Gold, Malaysia Silver then not sure? but not new zealand any ideas for Bronze? Or Gold and silver if you dont agree with my predictions.

AXC

28th February 2006, 21:44

Anyone know what the team draw is for Commonwealth games? I cannot find details on CG site or IBF, a link would be good.

Thanks in advance

Woody

28th February 2006, 21:52

I believe the draws are being done today on the 1st March therefore they will be on the Badminton england web site I would think Weds.

Just found some further info.

Early March Team draws will be completed and published.

9th March Individual Seedings sent by IBF to the M2006 Referee

13th March Individual draws completed and published

Markymark

28th February 2006, 22:12

England should have quite a few seeds. Scotland may have Susan Hughes seeded in the singles.

nasigoreng

1st March 2006, 11:04

In the mixed team event, Malaysia has 'rightly' ''conceded '' the mixed doubles to England. They are banking on 2 points from the Men's singles & doubles. They hope that they will pick up the 3rd and winning point from either the women's singles or doubles.
It's not rocket science I know but there you are.
Does anyone disagree.
Does anyone think Blair & Clarky can spring a surprise. I think they are capable but???

Luncheon

1st March 2006, 11:14

Normally yes...I think Blair and Clark could beat Lee Wan Wah and Choong Tan Fook......however...watching the performance of the Malaysians at the All England.....all the Malaysian pairs turned up on top form...peaking at exactly the right time. On that basis if they play as well as they did and couple that with Rexy (Malaysian doubles coach) knowing everything about Clark and Blair....I'd favour the malaysians.

How un-patriotic!!!

England will win.....
Ghaffar, Hallum, Clark and Blair, Emms and Kellogg, Robertson and Emms.....all on for comfortable wins!
We'll clean up at the Commonwealths!!!!......there seems to be the smell of gas round here....I can see 2 screens....think I'll go lie down!!

badmintoncoach

5th March 2006, 12:15

I still have England as Gold (Im bias) who do we think after tha?t lets keep it simple GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE olny 10 days to go cant wait.

fast3r

5th March 2006, 21:46

In the team event who do you think would play singles
if either Ghaffer or Tracey Hallam was injured?

There is no obvious back up for either

I would pick Kidd ahead of Ghaffar anyway as he seems to me to be a more complete player. However I can see why they picked Ghaffar as he is more experienced at the top level and Kidd needs to prove himself on the big stage

Woody

8th March 2006, 10:24

WellI have been talking to Elizabeth Cann today in Melbourne and she seems to have got over her jet lag and seemed pretty fit so Iwould rate her chances for Jersey

Ex England player Mark Constable now the Jersy Head Coach seemed happy on Monday as well.

Markymark

8th March 2006, 10:42

I would be very surprised if she got a medal in the singles. I can name 3 british girls alone who would probably beat her.

badmintoncoach

8th March 2006, 10:45

Dear woody this is a thread about the team event, not about Jersey and Mark constable, I believe he is a great coach but your asking a bit much to get a commenwealth medal??

Luncheon

8th March 2006, 10:46

Markymark...I presume you're talking about......Hallum, Wemyss and Hughes???

badmintoncoach

8th March 2006, 10:56

What team MEDAL do you think will be achieved by what country??? Come on GOLD? SILVER? BRONZE?
As simple as that?

GordonSim

8th March 2006, 11:07

Spoke to my son today and he told me the games village is sensational, he seemed most enamoured by the fact that there is a Games Centre for the athletes with 30 X Box 360's available!

He has to play Lee Chong Wei in the team event which he is delighted about. All a good experience for an 18 year old and while the team (Northern Ireland) might not threaten for any medals I am sure they will all make the most of the experience.

For medals I fancy Lee Chong Wei for the singles with all the other events going to England. Susan Hughes has a chance of a medal for Scotland in the singles.

I think England will win the team gold.

Other possible medal contenders should be Malaysia, India, New Zealand and Canada maybe Singapore depending on injuries.

badmintoncoach

8th March 2006, 11:18

can i just say sorry for going on so much about the team and wish your son all the best in Melbourne Im sure it will be a oppurtunity of a life time good luck.

Markymark

8th March 2006, 13:00

Markymark...I presume you're talking about......Hallum, Wemyss and Hughes???

absolutely

Badboy

8th March 2006, 16:05

England - gold
Malasia - silver
singapore - bronze

Individual

MS: Lee chong wei - wont be troubled, not even by wong choon hann and ronald susillo has suffered too many injuries lately and needs some more time on the circuit before he can take on someone of lee's quality again/
WS: Ill go for my home county player in Tracey Hallam, though I think the biggest threat will come from Wong Mew Choo but if Tracey can get a decent start for a change, i think she should come through.
MD: Koo Kein Keit and Chan Chong Ming will win it. I have doubts about whether choong tan fook and wong choong hann have been playing internationally together at a high enough level yet to compete and the english pairs could turn them over but i dont think will quite manage it, especially as someone pointed out with Rexy now coaching the malasians, having analsyed the english players game for years.
WD: Donna Kellogg and Gail Emms - I think they should win comfortably even against the top malasian pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.
MD: Nathan and Gail will win easily, with Them Facing Donna and Anthony Clark in the final unless the draw goes against them in which case they will play Koo Kein Keit and Pei Tty.

Woody

9th March 2006, 10:19

Firstly, yes the thread was about who was going to win the Team medal but it started some weeks ago and we went all through that.

No one has started a thread about individuals and I was merely commenting about how individuals are that are out here and enjoying themsselves.

The Games Village where I am working is looking good although at the present there are only 4,000 of the 6,000 athletes in the village.

There is lots to do and plenty of the latest X Box to play with if they wish.

Weather at the moment is a warm 28 today although its going up to 36 at the weekend.

Only complaint I have heard is from people saying there is no air conditioning and the warmer countries complaining its cold????

Drawas for the Team competition are out today but I haven't sen them other than to know that India are in the same group as England

badmintoncoach

9th March 2006, 10:29

I didnt realise you where out there enjoying yourself you lucky sod!

please keep us updated with the team event and the individuals ? Have a great time out from a coach who wishes he was there.

Markymark

9th March 2006, 13:40

As they draw nearer, it's annoying me even more that Scotland are not in the team event.

Ladies' Singles - Susan Hughes/ Yuan Weymss
Men's Singles - Craig Goddard/Gordon Thomson
Men's Doubles - Stuart Kerr/David Forbes
Ladies' Doubles - Imogen Bankier/Emma Mason Yuan Weymss/Michelle Douglas
Mixed Doubles - Andrew Bowman/Kirsteen McEwan Miller.

Ok - maybe not a medal winning team but not a pushover for most teams.

Luncheon

9th March 2006, 13:45

Maybe the Falkland Islands might have been worried...............only joking!!!!

As the games approach it seems an even stranger decision....if the likes of Hughes got a good draw......they could hit quarters or maybe even semi's. Surely that would have been good for Badminton Scotland.

Markymark

9th March 2006, 13:50

If they play well, both the Scottish girls have a great chance. Tracey is seen as the favourite to win. Rita has betaten her recently and Susan very nearly put her out of Manchester when she won the silver.

Thumb

10th March 2006, 16:33

the draw for the team event is up on the Commonwealth Games
web site. You would think some one at Bad England would
consider puting it on their own web page

No - I am not going to do their job for them - let them announce it

(and we complain when the papers ignore the sport)

Woody

11th March 2006, 04:52

Just seen the Northern Ireland Team off to play the Aussie second team in a friendly.

Bruce Topping, Mark and Alex seem hopeful of a second place in their draw. They were all bouncy and upbeat.

Ian Wright the England coach was very enthusiastic this morning when we spoke.

The Village is becoming very lively with athletes training all over the place being run ragged by their coaches and made to do some hard work.

Slightly off topic I saw one of my heroes this morning Kip Keino from Kenya who was one of the worlds greatest distance runners. He is looking very well even if his is a little heavier and greyer than he was years ago.

I am hoping to see some of the matches but i am working every day so will only get to see some evening matches. I will possibly be able to comment on what I do see.

Teams Competition - Pools

Pool A
Malaysia (1)

Sri Lanka

Northern Ireland

Fiji

Pool B
New Zealand (4)

Australia

Jamaica

Kenya

Uganda

Pool C
Singapore (3)

Canada

Mauritius

South Africa

Jersey

Pool D
England (2)

India

Seychelles

Trinidad & Tobago

This means that England are only second seeds to Malaysia.

Badboy

11th March 2006, 14:06

yeah the draws been comon knowledge for a few days, however the individual draws, if they have been made, are a lot tricker to find, and im still looking. (if they havent been made it would kind of explain why).

Thumb

11th March 2006, 18:56

sure I read somewhere that the individual draws will not be made until
17th altho the seeds should be out this weekend

Woody

12th March 2006, 11:19

The draws are not being made until later in the week.

Temperature out here today was 38 phew!!

badmintoncoach

15th March 2006, 11:17

The Forsaken

19th March 2006, 12:28

any of you guys out there, that can keep us up to date with who is doing what, it would be very much appreciated? I still think England Gold, Malaysia Silver (sorry Rexy) and Im not sure on Bronze I did say New Zealand but I believe (rumor) that they have had an injury to a team member? can anybody out there or here in the UK confirm ????? Cant wait to see who wins what??? Now is the chance for you to give your views COME ON ENGLAND. :)

Well it looks like we will be either Gold or Silver with India and New Zealand playing for bronze, although it did go down to the last match to get to the final.

Hate to say it but it might be a silver

Ben_Notts

19th March 2006, 12:54

Just watched Gail Emms in the womens doubles -v- India,

Emma is a real inspiration to us all.....I have never seen her give less than 100%

"COME ON ENGLAND" - Bring home the gold :D

Ben

Markymark

20th March 2006, 09:53

It's 1-1 in the final (after the MX and MS) and Hallam has just lost the first set 27-25. Can she not finish any games this Commonwelath Games??

I think it's not looking good. Blair and Clark haven't been on top form so far and I think they need the Women's singles. But maybe Tracey can turn it around. India won the bronze beating NZ 3-1.

Markymark

20th March 2006, 10:35

Hallam has just won the second set 22-20.

On a side note, Scotland has just won it's sixth gold medal in the pool. So, the institute is working very well for the swimmers. Why is the badminton team struggling so much?

nasigoreng

20th March 2006, 11:53

I am at work and don't have access to the telly. What's happened in the ladies singles. It's crucial, whoever wins the ladies singles will win gold.

The Guru

20th March 2006, 11:57

Malaysia win ladies singles and then mens doubles. Gold to Malaysia, silver to England. Tough luck!

nasigoreng

20th March 2006, 12:02

Thanks Guru. Phew!

Balmforthk

20th March 2006, 12:07

Hi,

England lost 3-1.

Tracy Hallam lost 21-18 in the third.

Anthony Clarke and Rob Blair lost 21-14 21-14

Markymark

20th March 2006, 12:39

Malaysia won 27-25 20-22 21-18.

They then won the men's doubles is straight sets to win 3-1 overall and England get the silver.

Luncheon

20th March 2006, 12:46

Wong Choong Hann did very well in the mixed.....a singles player, who I've never heard of playing mixed before. Losing 21-15 21-15 to one of the top two pairs in the world!!!

dlp

20th March 2006, 13:12

I think you have to wonder about the balance of the England team. We took only 1 ws and 1 ms player and 4 of each doubles players. This meant that Hallam had to play all the group matches and the qtrs, semis , finals and hers was always likely to be the key match in the final. Now she has to start playing the indivduals. Quite easily our two singles players could have been injured on day 1. Clearly the team are aiming for the individual events, lets hope it pays off.

nasigoreng

20th March 2006, 13:38

I think Malaysia would have won the WD as well. They are ranked higher.
Which woman singles player and man singles player would you take as well as. and who would you drop?

Markymark

20th March 2006, 14:01

Not so sure - Gail Emms is on fire at the moment and I'm sure she had hopes of coming home with three gold medals.

rhombus

20th March 2006, 14:21

Clearly you should have the CURRENT National mens singles champion.

Luncheon

20th March 2006, 14:31

Although on this occasion I don't disagree with you.....that rule shouldn't have to be adhered to.

If for example:
I was fortunate enough to get to the Quarter finals of the Nationals, if in the Quarters one of my opponents had to go to a family thing at the last moment (bereavement), then in the semi's my opponent got injured and pulled out, then in the final my opponent overslept and was scratched. Then I would have been National Champion.....but there is no way on earth when picking an International squad you would even consider me ahead of dozens of other players in England. Thus you cannot pick a player just because they are National champion, you have to pick it on who can do the required job.
(Probably a similar thing happens for county selections up and down the country, not always a member of the 1st team wins the restricted)

The England selectors had to decide (in their own opinions) who the right people were for the job, not necessarily who was National Champ or England no.1.

Martin Dew-Hattens

20th March 2006, 15:42

Very dissapointing !

I cannot remember the last time England did not win the gold. Its probably happened but not for many years.

Looking at the results it seems as though the mens singles was an important one to win which may have helped Tracy to get those last few points.

Of course all the players do their very best but in this case the manager has to take the blame. If you loose and don't pick your national champion then there is only one place to point the finger. Regardless of selection timings, politics you should always get your national champ into the team even as a wildcard option.

Actually I notice that Smith is actually top of the English players in the world rankings. Strange that he was not considered.

Markymark

20th March 2006, 15:55

Martin you are quite wrong there though.

The MS was never going to be the crucial match. The Malaysian guy is miles better than any English singles player so it didn't really matter who was picked.

The WS was crusical, however, and Tracey failed to close out a tight match.

rhombus

20th March 2006, 16:05

Dear Luncheon,
I think that Kidd has proved himself in the past couple of years, National Champion this year, runner-up last year. Seems pretty consistant to me. With regard to county selection, I don't think there's been many occassions in my county(Kent) where a 1st team player has not won the restricted. I can only think of 1 winner of the Mens Singles in the past 30 years who was not 1st team and won the restricted, mainly because Ray Sharp, Ray Rofe, Paul Whetnall and Nick Yates ( all past England Players ) were not playing. That individual was not picked for the 1st team because every knew he had NO chance of beating those players. In recent times the likes of Peter Knowles/Neil Waterman have always won the restricted when playing. Realistically you always know when you got a chance of winning, but it has to be on current form.

nasigoreng

20th March 2006, 16:05

Malaysia never 'really' concentrated on the Womens' side of things until badminton became an Olympic sport. Over the past 7 years you are now starting to see the difference.
MarkyMark is right, it did not matter if you put both Aamir and Nick together, Nick and Andrew, or whoever, Chong Wei would still beat them.

dlp

20th March 2006, 16:47

You certainly can't use world rankings as a guide to picking the team, quite a few of the players could have higher rankings than Ghaffar if they played the Australia / South AMerica/Africa etc events which are relatively easy but offer good points.

While I don't think Ghaffar is playing anywhere near as well as he was a year or so ago he has beaten top 16 players at the All England twice and at the worlds, none of our other singles players have had a result at the world level as yet. If looking to win the team I would definately have taken a back up singles player, after all Gail can double up in both as can Nathan without weakening the team and Hallam can play womens doubles however noone else can cover a singles. As has been said Malaysia have been far better at mens singles and doubles for the last 15 years but never had a womens team until now

Smurf

21st March 2006, 10:33

Actually I notice that Smith is actually top of the English players in the world rankings. Strange that he was not considered.

He wasn't at the time of selection, but if the selection was today he'd have a strong case following his performances in the recent european tournaments.
Personally i think Ghaffar was the right choice, he's consistant enough to not throw games he's expected to win (though his first one was a bit lazy) but also has he potential to pull off a big win. I think Kidd is consistant enough but lacks the big win potential, and Smith has big win potential but until his recent run lacked consistancy. No-one else is in the running.

I think the gold was lost by making Tracey play every game, with her being able to play doubles the ladies effectively had 5 doubles players, 4 mixed players but only 1 singles player. I'd have dropped Joanne Nicholas and taken Julia Mann, just to give Tracey a break.
Likewise the men had 4 doubles players, 4 mixed players and only 1 singles player. As it happened i don't think a second singles player would have made any difference (other than making the semi against India less scary!) as i agree with DLP, i think you'd need Lin Dan or an in form Hidayat or Gade to beat Lee Chong Wei at the moment, no-one else will do. With Robertson, Clarke and Blair all able (and hopefully fit enough?) to play both doubles and mixed Simon Archer seemed like a bit of overkill, but i'm glad he went. Would have probably taken Kidd instead though as a singles back up, and to give him experience and a confidence boost.

Rhombus, have to agree with Luncheon (just don't tell anyone!) that winning the nationals shouldn't automatically qualify you for the commonwealth games. Just because Kidd beat Ghaffar on that day it doesn't mean he can beat all the players Ghaffar can beat.

chris wild

21st March 2006, 15:13

Thats how long it will take jnr coaches like me to get LTAD into our 6 year olds to compete with their 6 year olds who are in the LTAD process. We are that far behind and it shows. Even our bright young players do not have the solid foundation of sport science oientated coaching that their bright young players have. Sorry to spoil the celebrations over our well deserved silver. We are depending on 'happy accidents'. That means players who are 'fortunate' enough to be good enough. Like the elite nations, we must 'make it happen' through a process of time ane planned coaching the right exercises at the right phase in human development. We have recently implemented LTAD & the books are on sale. We have all the ingredients to make a tasty feast of medals BUT the mixing has to be done by all us jnr coaches out there.
Incidently, there are are some usful articles on the sport4us.net website but we might get in trouble for just stealing then & psting them here
Enjoy the silver..well done our lads & lasses
Chris

Luncheon

21st March 2006, 15:34

Rhombus,
As said.....on this occasion I don't necessarily disagree with you...as Smurf said....no one in this country is likely to beat Lee Chong Wei at the moment....so it didn't matter whether Ghaffar, Kidd or You played Lee, unless he wasn't on form then he was favourite to win, if Wong Choong Hann had played, I don't think any of our guys would likely to have beaten him either!

Ghaffar's results against international top 16....I take it we're talking about his All England wins against Shon Seung Mo and Bao Chunlai. Hats off they are fantastic wins.....above anyone elses results (Smith went to 3 a couple of years ago with Bao if I remember rightly). However, they are one offs......There wasn't two bigs wins back to back.
Rightly so, he is probably the man most likely to compete with Malaysian/top singles players, but lets just keep one off wins in context.....any team can win on any given sunday.....to coin an American Football phrase. Its stringing results together that counts.

I think Warwickshire singles has been won on a couple of occasions over the last 4 years by someone outside the 1st team, likewise Hampshire singles winners haven't always been in the 1st team.

On a different note
I saw the match between Blair and Clark and the two Indians in the semi's and although I haven't seen any other games......Blair seemed to be playing really well.....he has really come on in the last couple of years.
What was his performance like in the final?

The Guru

22nd March 2006, 13:53

I agree with Martin, England should have won the Gold medal. They have always won the team event and at the last Sudirman Cup England finished 5th. Malaysia were not even in the top groups, therefore they only finished a maximum of 9th to 12th position. England's Head Coach is quoted as saying Malaysia were big favourites. How is this possible? It does not install a lot of faith in your players. Sounds like he doesn't want to accept the responsiblity for the defeat. Going from the current world rankings, England would win 3-2. Just hope the team perform well in the individual events.

dlp

22nd March 2006, 15:12

Let's be clear in the past MAS have not really had any world class women players. The Malaysian who just beat Hallam is currently no.11 but was their top ranked player in 2002 at only no.58 in the world. Going back to 98 they didnt have a womens player in the top 60. Its a similar story with their WD, the MAS top pair is now no.5 in world. England's women are as strong as in Manchester but the Malaysians have improved dramatically in the last 5 to 10 years. If Hallam had won an odd point England would have possibly got gold and noone would be complaining. I think the only question mark is not the performance of the team but the balance of the team. We should still score many medals in the individuals and I'm more keen to see how we get on in the europeans and Thomas/Uber cup.

The Guru

22nd March 2006, 17:06

Good point about the balance of the team, why or why was Simon Archer playing singles? I saw him at the English Nationals and he couldnt even move in doubles. I realise that England had 2 matches in one day, ( against Canada and India ) which would have meant that Aamir would have had to play 2 games in 1 day. But Aamir is quoted on badmintonengland website as saying he wanted to play, and it was a mistake for him not to play. He obviously wasnt asked - was this wise? Nothing against Ella, but how can you pick someone who is 4 months pregnant?

Markymark

22nd March 2006, 17:26

It was a bit odd. If they were going to throw one, it should have been the ladies' singles against Canada to rest Tracey for the Malaysia match.

Aamir was never going to win against Malaysia anyway. A very odd decision.

random

22nd March 2006, 19:31

I presume you had to compete in the team event to get a medal and it was the only game Archer played in. Maybe they didn't want to change their doubles partnership but it presumably would have been more normal to pair him with Blair or Clarke against one of the weaker teams in the pool?

Markymark

22nd March 2006, 23:22

He played mixed with Ella Tripp in one of the earlier matches.

bingobango

23rd March 2006, 00:57

The crucial match in the team event final against Malaysia was definitely the Womens Singles...which Tracey should have won....but who can blame her...she fought hard after having to play every single match in the team event so far! It was an excellent nail biting match(I have sky interactive so watched the whole thing live)

Aamir would never have beaten the Malaysian guy...he is a different class player...but Aamir was definitely the best choice for singles...although some may say his international results may have been 'one offs', Nick Kidd or Andrew Smith don't even have any one offs! Aamir has the experience and capability over both Kidd and Smith.

However, I think it was a grave error to take only one singles player for the mens and womens...which was evident with Tracey losing matchs she shouldn't have. Taking Archer was a waste of time...he played a token singles match and a mixed...why take old players who are drifting out of the scene??? and for the sake of weakening the singles...when they should have taken young players like Michelle Cheung and Rajiv Ouseph to give them some experience for future international events and given Ghaffar and Hallam some rest during the easier matches.

This seemed to work for India after all...they pulled their young players Saina Nehwal and Anup Sridhar as back up and both provided excellent results against Ghaffar and Hallam in the semi-final....perhaps Team England should take note!

nasigoreng

23rd March 2006, 08:39

mazza

23rd March 2006, 09:42

Up to the Gold medal match, England got it right. Everyone knew the WS was the crucial match. By the way Wong Mew Choo played every match for Malaysia as well. England 'banked' on winning at least 2 of the doubles, MXD & WD, if not all 3. They felt Tracey would beat Wong. The rest you know.

I had front row seats to all the final matches. I also believe England got it right. I felt Tracey had a good lead late in the 3rd game, but then suffered a bad line call which probably distracted her and allowed Mew Choo to regain authority.

The Guru

23rd March 2006, 12:43

Sorry I beg to differ, playing Simon Archer in a mens singles is not getting it right, when the 1 mens singles wanted to play. We have now already lost both the no. 3/4* seeds in both the mixed doubles and ladies doubles in their first rounds.

dlp

23rd March 2006, 22:54

Its a pity Robertson wasn't playing mens doubles with Archer as apart from the no.1 MAS all other pairs could be beatable. Archer hasn't played long with Tripp, they lost to Lindley/Rayappan at the AE, and Lindley/Rayappan didnt make the semis at the English nationals, so given that and Tripp's pregnancy its no surprise they struggled. Ghaffar, Cann and Hallam all have a good chance of making the semis. Gail Emms will play up to 4 matches today on top of playing 2 events in some of the group matches.

badmintoncoach

24th March 2006, 10:51

I was wrong I started this thread weeks ago with how do you think we (England) will do and I was sure we would achieve Gold I suppose that shows what I know???? Do we have any chances in the individuel events, personaly Im also not happy with Silver but I still believe its a great achievment. Malaysia are bloody good.

Markymark

24th March 2006, 10:59

Tracey and Nathan & Gail are in their finals.

Robert & Anthony lost are in the bronze medal play-off, as are Gail & Donna.

Elizabeth Cann & Susan Huges will play for the bronze medal in the ladies' singles and Aamir will play for the bronze medal in the men's singles.

badmintoncoach

24th March 2006, 11:20

badmintoncoach

24th March 2006, 11:25

Who are they playing in the final, I cant find the results I presume somebody from Malaysia, but as you all know I was wrong about the team event? Who ever they are playing what are there chances being N01 seeds you would think very good??

Markymark

24th March 2006, 11:44

They're playing the New Zealand pair who are second seeds.

Markymark

24th March 2006, 11:47

thank you for the up date. Do you believe the coverage on the TV for this commenwealth games for badminton has been good? And do you think the new scoring system has made a diffence to the final results?????

The new scoring system is fine - but the games do seem to go pretty quickly. The BBC was quite good at showing badminton last night - even changing the schedule to see Tracey Hallam play (and very well at that!).

The feature match was the Scots v. English mixed match. Andrew Bowman and Kirsteen Miller played really well at the start but Kirsteen fell to pieces at the end. She kept cross-court clearing (and not very deep) to Nathan Robertson. Only ever going to be one result there.

Gail Emms showed her up I'm afraid and it highlighted the huge gulf between Gail Emms and the other British female players.

badmintoncoach

28th March 2006, 12:26

Just like to say a big thank you to everybody who took part in this discussion, especially those out in Melbourne who kept us up to date with what was going on thanks. I suppose I was miles off Malyasia gold I had England, England Silver I had them as gold ( if that makes sence ) and India 3rd I didnt see that coming so yes I admit I was miles off but really enjoyed the games, Well done to the players from England and Scotland and the Commenwealth.