Geraint Thomas wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Having seen first hand his trophy cabinet in his front room I can confrim that it's heaving with many, many awards & acolades.

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Can't we be happy that 4 different British cyclists have won the SPOTY in recent years and there may be more to come.

Clearly you are ignorant because I stated he'd won a goal scoring trophy, dubious at best anyway given the claimed goal that got him the 'golden boot' would not be accorded if reversed for an own goal. It's a minor side bar, an irrelevance, it's not a title or a record unlike all the others. he's an absolute nobody and he stole a podium off others with far greater achievements at national and global level.

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Can't we be happy that 4 different British cyclists have won the SPOTY in recent years and there may be more to come.

Clearly you are ignorant because I stated he'd won a goal scoring trophy, dubious at best anyway given the claimed goal that got him the 'golden boot' would not be accorded if reversed for an own goal. It's a minor side bar, an irrelevance, it's not a title or a record unlike all the others. he's an absolute nobody and he stole a podium off others with far greater achievements at national and global level.

"he's an absolute nobody".

Not doing too badly, is he.

Rapha Nadal wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Can't we be happy that 4 different British cyclists have won the SPOTY in recent years and there may be more to come.

Clearly you are ignorant because I stated he'd won a goal scoring trophy, dubious at best anyway given the claimed goal that got him the 'golden boot' would not be accorded if reversed for an own goal. It's a minor side bar, an irrelevance, it's not a title or a record unlike all the others. he's an absolute nobody and he stole a podium off others with far greater achievements at national and global level.

"he's an absolute nobody".

Not doing too badly, is he.

I notice the Times yesterday - front page! - just had a tiny article saying something like "Cyclist beats Kane to Sports Personality of the Year".  Just some no-name cyclist, clearly... 

brooksby wrote:

Rapha Nadal wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Can't we be happy that 4 different British cyclists have won the SPOTY in recent years and there may be more to come.

Clearly you are ignorant because I stated he'd won a goal scoring trophy, dubious at best anyway given the claimed goal that got him the 'golden boot' would not be accorded if reversed for an own goal. It's a minor side bar, an irrelevance, it's not a title or a record unlike all the others. he's an absolute nobody and he stole a podium off others with far greater achievements at national and global level.

"he's an absolute nobody".

Not doing too badly, is he.

I notice the Times yesterday - front page! - just had a tiny article saying something like "Cyclist beats Kane to Sports Personality of the Year".  Just some no-name cyclist, clearly... 

Quite expected to see that as the headline on the BBC sports webpage 

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

 

...the claimed goal... would not be accorded if reversed for an own goal. 

Charming as usual. Did you read that one back at all? Yes that is how goals work, they say who scored them and if you didn't score one you didn't score one. Lucky you are just another internet nonentity with a chip on his shoulder, and Harry Kane is famous, wealthy, successful, popular and humble; all qualities you lack.

Organon wrote:

Some remarkable ignorance of geography and/or political terms here as usual. I hope some of you don't need to take a citizenship test soon. I'd just like to point out that Harry Kane did actually win the Golden Boot, an actual prize at the World Cup, something an Englishman hasn't done since 1986. Let's not get parochial here.

Can't we be happy that 4 different British cyclists have won the SPOTY in recent years and there may be more to come.

I'm pretty sure that I'd fail that. I am somewhat proud of this too.

ktache wrote:

G was presented with a TdF trophy to replace the one that was nicked, on Sunday Brunch.  I think he thought it was going to be a joke one, it is Sunday Brunch after all, but it was real, and quite a touching moment.  It was a thing of beauty and then he left it on the corner of the table, so easy to knock off.

Or nick...

alansmurphy wrote:

Here is a Tottenham Shirt c.1995 with some successful grafing:

 

https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/german-player-steffi-graf-looks-up-to-the-sky-after-winning-news-photo/51603682

Close enough

alansmurphy wrote:

 

Here's a few:

 

http://www.perspecsnews.com/read/sport/messi-v-kane/Skl5v8J_Gf/rJgfWbWlmf

 

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2572963.html

 

They are bits of stats without a huge amount of context but show that Kane is certainly of a high level. I don't think he's as skilful a player as Messi and Messi has done it for a decade. On the other hand, he's great for his age and has continued to improve year on year. I think the fact that he has played for a just above average England team and a good Tottenham team (certainly no City, Barca etc.) means his achievements are greater. Also, I like he's a team player, does the dirty work etc. I'd have him at the Rovers!

Yeah, we're gonna need some more graphs with those stats.

(disclaimer: I've got Kane in my fantasy football team, but I'm also doing quite badly this season)

alansmurphy wrote:

In fairness Hawkins, Kane was only 17 when those stats begin, made a Europa league debut in August 2011. Messi and Ronaldo are playing for the best teams in European football, Kane has heled drag Tottenham upwards.

Yep, I'd like to see some more up-to-date stats that includes Kane, but couldn't find any (didn't look for very long though).  I'd be surprised if he's anywhere close to Messi though.

daturaman wrote:

I'm wondering what Chris Froome needs to do in order to win SPOTY.

Become more gregarious, write some top selling books, spend more time in the UK

Then again I doubt Froome gives two hoots about SPOTY.

IMO Simon Yates' achievements this year we're greater than Thomas' but he doesn't have the same media profile.

Sorry, double post

daturaman wrote:

I'm wondering what Chris Froome needs to do in order to win SPOTY.

Simple. Be actually British and not simply hold the passport. Seems like a genuine nice bloke though.

Well done Geraint. Acheivement and personality.

Sports personality is a bit of a misnomer; Sports performance of the year is a little more accurate.

Cue standard SPOTY bickering.

Plasterer's Radio wrote:

daturaman wrote:

I'm wondering what Chris Froome needs to do in order to win SPOTY.

Simple. Be actually British and not simply hold the passport. Seems like a genuine nice bloke though.

Well done Geraint. Acheivement and personality.

Sports personality is a bit of a misnomer; Sports performance of the year is a little more accurate.

Cue standard SPOTY bickering.

 

Having lit the blue touch paper with Froome and his passport.... I can't see anything to bicker about here.

daturaman wrote:

I'm wondering what Chris Froome needs to do in order to win SPOTY.

You need to remember that this is a vote of the masses, not a vote by devotees of road racing who can add up the points each has scored. The masses remember what they see on the news, and in most cases, think the tour de France is the only game in town. They have never heard of the The Giro or The Vuelta ( Yates has also achieved much this year) , and probably associate Froome with a near ban, and urine being thrown in his face. They find the "boy next door" or "Alp d'huez man!" attitude of Thomas appealing. Also, Thomas actually has a personality!

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Both Hamilton and Thomas are essentially the best of the best. Can't say that for the footballer.

Statistically he's the best English goalscorer of his generation, up there with greats like Shearer, Rooney, and Lineker (none of whom won SPOTY - for some reason only creative midfielders have won it in the modern era)

He's probably at the level of Ronaldo if he was playing for a better team.

kil0ran wrote:

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Both Hamilton and Thomas are essentially the best of the best. Can't say that for the footballer.

Statistically he's the best English goalscorer of his generation, up there with greats like Shearer, Rooney, and Lineker (none of whom won SPOTY - for some reason only creative midfielders have won it in the modern era)

He's probably at the level of Ronaldo if he was playing for a better team.

My footie mad mate says this is cobblers. Says he's a world class player but not elite. I have no real clue because football isn't on my radar unless utterly unavoidable, like the World Cup.

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Both Hamilton and Thomas are essentially the best of the best. Can't say that for the footballer.

Statistically he's the best English goalscorer of his generation, up there with greats like Shearer, Rooney, and Lineker (none of whom won SPOTY - for some reason only creative midfielders have won it in the modern era)

He's probably at the level of Ronaldo if he was playing for a better team.

My footie mad mate says this is cobblers. Says he's a world class player but not elite. I have no real clue because football isn't on my radar unless utterly unavoidable, like the World Cup.

Ronaldo and Messi are IMO two of the top 5 players to ever play football. Of course Kane's not at that level but he's the next level down and probably in the top 10 of footballers playing right now.

Joe Totale wrote:

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Both Hamilton and Thomas are essentially the best of the best. Can't say that for the footballer.

Statistically he's the best English goalscorer of his generation, up there with greats like Shearer, Rooney, and Lineker (none of whom won SPOTY - for some reason only creative midfielders have won it in the modern era)

He's probably at the level of Ronaldo if he was playing for a better team.

My footie mad mate says this is cobblers. Says he's a world class player but not elite. I have no real clue because football isn't on my radar unless utterly unavoidable, like the World Cup.

Ronaldo and Messi are IMO two of the top 5 players to ever play football. Of course Kane's not at that level but he's the next level down and probably in the top 10 of footballers playing right now.

As much as I like Kane (my wife is a Spurs fan), he's nowhere even close to Ronaldo and Messi. They are truly in their own category - have a little look at this article for the statistical analysis: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/

Redvee wrote:

Given Lewis Hamilton was also in the frame, I was expecting Geraint to come second. When Lewis was announced as second place, straight away I knew it was Geraint.

No, Hamilton isn't that well liked, just look at previous years when he's not even in the top 3, there's an arrogance to him, real or just perceived. I'll cheer him along in F1 and will him to win, because he's a Brit. 

As soon as Kane was announced as 3rd, I knew G was 1st.

The BBC propaganda machine had failed to get Kane to No1, and Jimmy Anderson was there to represent core BBC sports, but both hadn't achieved anything memorable in the sporting year, especially compared to our cyclists.

There must be some sore heads in the BBC sports department, as they'll all have drowned their sorrows, as yet ANOTHER cyclist has won SPOTY. For all the money invested in our national football team, the best thing they did was win a penalty shoot out.

Kudos to Lizzie Yarnold, Dina Asher Smith and our women's netball team, who actually won stuff, but they don't have the public profile of G, which was boosted by all his extra TV apperances.

New rules next year, no public vote, just a secret BBC panel, just so the footballers can win something