With two-thirds of the Championship season gone, the division has been dominated by two sides - Coventry City and Middlesbrough. Since matchday four at the end of August, one of these two have occupied top spot as they aim to end lengthy absences from the Premier League. But this is not a tale of one-way traffic to glory, but exciting twists and turns characterised by winning runs, lots of goals, managerial upheaval and poor runs.
You feel an unpleasant sensation - like a sinking feeling of anxiety in your stomach as the game begins, and you think, "I'm anxious. Here we go again. I'm about to blow it." You feel your pain increasing, and the thoughts churn: "Great. I'll probably miss a whole week of work." Imagined catastrophes fill your mind. Manage these thoughts with the 3 C's: Catch it, Check it, and Change it.
The Black Cats attempted to limit Arsenal's threat from set-pieces - specifically long throw-ins - by moving the advertising hoardings to give the Gunners less room for their run-ups. "It might have been the wind," Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris joked after the game. It didn't stop Declan Rice trying to hurl the ball into the box, but given that the visitors didn't score from a throw-in and the game finished all square, Sunderland can certainly argue it was a worthwhile ploy.
Littler's extraordinary immunity to pressure is fast reaching the stage where even peak-era Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal would be taking notes. In his quarter-final against Gerwyn Price, Littler looked down and out at times until he hit a 156 checkout to clinch the match. Against Humphries, it didn't matter that his three-dart average was more than a point lower as he won five of his six sets in final-leg deciders.
Ah, now that's a nice way to start a Friday. To be honest, though, that wasn't even my favorite part of last night's game. I'm not proud of this, but I absolutely delighted in Camilo Doval's disastrous relief appearance with David Hamilton on base. I'm genuinely not sure I've ever seen a pitcher display worse body language; someone hook that dude up with A-Rod's sports psychologist.
Athletes like Justin Rose and Harriet Dart showcase the extremes of emotional response in sports, raising the question of whether showing emotion enhances or hinders performance.
Dr. Bob Rotella expressed his eagerness to assist Ireland's rugby team, stating, 'I believe I can help them build mental resilience and overcome challenges.'
A defensive front has begun to surface around Cork since their league triumph earlier this month, sandbags erected high to absorb the waves of apparent hype crashing in on their shores.