Time to deliver on the big stage (From Watford Observer)

Time to deliver on the big stage

3:27pm Tuesday 15th April 2008 in

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So the wait goes on.

After another week of promise from our British golfers it has predictably ended with disappointment.

Nick Dougherty, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Justin Rose all led at one point during this year's US Masters. But one by one they all fell by the wayside as yet another story of unfulfilled talent unravelled.

These players have long been talked about but the time to start delivering is now. They cannot keep making the same old excuses. Most of these stars play regularly on the PGA tour in the US so they know what to expect in three of the four majors.

Last year Justin Rose made an impression by finishing fifth at the Masters. And after charging to the front on day one there were high hopes that he would last the distance. But he wilted under the pressure on Friday and slumped down the field over the weekend.

Paul Casey is another genuine talent and lying in fourth, only four shots of eventual champion Trevor Immelman, going into the final round was a huge opportunity for the powerful hitter. But a nightmare round of 79 saw him finish just outside the top ten. Not even a hole in one from the flashy Poulter could inspire him to last the course on the lightning greens.

Perhaps the years of Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle have spoilt us but there should be no reason why our finest cannot measure up to the best. These same players have become a valuable part of the successful European Ryder Cup team. But when they step out of the team event and into the individual challenge of a major they just cannot handle the heat.

THEY MAY win the neutrals' admiration and all the plaudits of the press but Arsene Wenger's Arsenal won't be adding to their trophy cabinet again. It is now three long years since the Gunners won, the FA Cup, their last piece of silverware. No one is doubting the brilliance of their play which threatened to embarrass both Liverpool and Manchester United in the last week.

But they were punished in both penalty boxes and now are staring another barren season in the face. Any questions about Wenger's future are wide of the mark.

The Frenchman has been a saviour for Arsenal and the Invincibles of 2003-4 means he deserves legendary status at the Emirates.

But there are weaknesses in their squad which are preventing them from winning the Champions League and reclaiming the Premiership. William Gallas is not captain material as he so painfully showed in the debacle at Birmingham.

They are still short in attack, missing the injury-prone Robin Van Persie, and need improvements in defence and in goal. Emmanuel Adebayor has offered them a variation to their style by allowing them to go direct this season. But his form in the last two months has mirrored the team's as they have slipped out of contention.

Wenger is a prudent manager and relishes talking up how much more his rivals have spent in the transfer market. But the sad truth is that unless he and the board are prepared to splash out they will be left standing while Manchester United and Chelsea ease ahead.

The way they have performed this season deserves plenty of applause but if Wenger doesn't strengthens his squad in the summer he is likely to be left equally frustrated this time next year.