Long time no blog; some snippets!

Sat at home, feeling yuck, just watched Federer/Tsonga and then the McLaren F1 car launch, loving the Button and Hamilton banter already. Glad it doesn't seem to be the Norovirus, however! Just a few musings :)

• The big news of this week of course, is that Andy Murray is through to the Australian Open final against Roger Federer. At this point, the majority of anyone reading this is likely to exclaim, "Go Roger!" or anything along the lines of pro-Fed or anti-Muzza. Consequently, I have to admit I do fall into camp Murray. Shameful I know. Now look, if the title was awarded for being the gentleman of the tournament, most graceful of the tournament, most sporting of the fortnight, or even the prize for "I can keep my mouth shut when I get excited and don't resemble the Mona Lisa", then sure, Federer would win every time. Not only this, but it comes down to the fact the Roger Federer is probably the most naturally gifted tennis player the modern world has ever seen. Federer is Swiss. They are best known for cheese. Murray is British. Now he'll have some remnant of blood contained within him that can also be found within yourselves. However faint, it will be there. My theory is - just get behind him! He's our best hope for any sort of glory for this country in both recent years, and for the foreseeable future. Like I say, Murrary's on and off court demeanour does him few favours; spared by the fact he is bloody good at tennis. And so from me, good luck Andy.

• The first of the 2010 car launches happened on Thursday in Maranello, Ferrari territory. With a striking new design, what's now known as the F10 has a Red Bull-esque front wing and a much wider body designed to incorporate the enormous fuel tanks necessary for the 2010 season. Felipe Massa, who is assuming the position of number one driver, and new capture Fernando Alonso managed to put on an entirely united front for their prestiged launch party. Wonder how long that will last. Also, Luca di Montezemolo revealed this week that had his proposal of three cars per team been accepted for the new season, then Michael Schumacher certainly would not be driving a Mercedes. The prospect of Alonso, Massa and Schumacher at the same team would certainly have any F1 fan, myself included, watering whole-heartedly at the mouth.

• Big, big game this weekend in the Premier League. Fergie calls it the game of the season so far, and he's probably not too far off with that assumption. Arsenal vs United, who won't try and watch it? Rio Ferdinand's ban is justified, he cannot complain too much (God knows what he was thinking) but with Vidic's return you'd have thought we wouldn't have too many problems at the back. The Gooners have their fair share of injury trouble now as well, Vermaelen, Eduardo, Diaby and van Persie should all be missing. And an in-form Wayne Rooney should have some fun against a slightly creaky Sol Campbell - that could well have a large say in the outcome of the match. They must approach with caution though, and I am apprehensive somewhat. You can't write Arsenal off under any circumstances, much like United!

• Finally, as a last side-note, I'm pretty sure that Owen Hargreaves's knee(s) must have exploded. Just that it's been quite a long three weeks, you see. Again.