Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at Manchester City in July to a fund of goodwill from success-starved fans - now he risks every shred of his sporting reputation by sacking Sven-Goran Eriksson.The mere mention of Eriksson's name is the catalyst for a variety of a emotions after his time of under-achievement and excess personal baggage with England.And yet the Swede now, rightly, finds himself the subject an outpouring of sympathy as Thaksin prepares to make his sacking official.Before outlining the scale of mistake Thaksin is about to make, it is only right to go back to June last year when I wrote a piece insisting the former Thai Prime Minister was wrong to appoint Eriksson.He was right. And I was wrong. Now he is very wrong.I questioned whether Eriksson was a modern team-builder and whether he had the hunger and desire to do the job at Eastlands. It was a view coloured by watching his listless performances at three major tournaments in charge of England.Eriksson has answered those charges emphatically in a first season that has been one of undoubted progression, despite a fade-out in the second half of the campaign.He has also achieved the specific goal set for him by Thaksin - namely a top ten Premier League finish.Eriksson had to work the transfer market quickly and effectively when he took over because he was barely left with enough players after the departure of Stuart Pearce and the clock was ticking on the new season.Martin Petrov and Elano brought class and creativity, while Croatia's Vedran Corluka was another success.He made mistakes, namely the £8m paid for striker Rolando Bianchi, but when a workable squad has to be assembled swiftly from the wreckage of what had greeted him, the odd gamble will fail.If Eriksson made a fatal error, it may have been by blending his new players so quickly and starting the season so spectacularly.This appeared to raise the expectations of Thaksin, a man who appears to have a slender grasp on the realities of football if he feels Eriksson's performance this season warrants the sack.As I have stated, there is a helping of humble pie with these words because I believed Eriksson would be a failure at Eastlands after the England experiences.But he had started to rebuild his own and Manchester City's reputation this season - and this should have only been the start.City have worked hard in recent years to cast aside a name for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.This has been done behind the scenes and Eriksson was in the process of putting matters right on the pitch. Thaksin is now about to throw so much good work away.Eriksson has also shown a willingness to give City's exciting crop of young players their chance and it was clear they had faith in him.Word from City is that Eriksson is a hugely popular figure, revered and respected by everyone at the club - except, it seems, by the man who matters.If Thaksin thinks his sacking of Eriksson is the decisive hands-on action the club's supporters revel in, he is guilty of a desperately bad misjudgement.City's fans, almost unanimously, are outraged by the news and the cynics might even suggest it is rather handy for Thaksin that the axe is falling after City's final home game.This spares him inevitable protests at Eastlands, although City fans will make their voices heard in support of Eriksson at Anfield and The Riverside in the final two games of his reign.Thaksin is apparently lining up Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - and while the Brazilian is a World Cup winner with his own country, what is his knowledge of the Premier League?Eriksson's departure has reportedly devastated City's squad. What now for them? What of all the players Eriksson brought in?Make no mistake, the law of football dictes that predators will now be circling the likes of Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Martin Petrov and Elano, ready to make capital of the uncertainty and unrest.Will the new man want Eriksson's signings? Will Thaksin effectively have to start spending again?What will the new man have to spend? When will he be able to spend it? And will he be allowed to spend it on the men he wants?And - crucially - will Thaksin start the sacking game again next term if City fail to achieve what appear to be his farcially unrealistic expectations?Eriksson achieved Thaksin's goal of a top ten finish with something to spare and will still be sacked. Would any manager of consequence be in a rush to join City with that backdrop?Manchester City is a club crying out for stability on the pitch after the wilderness years and Eriksson could have provided it.Sadly, Thaksin has chosen to demonstrate his impatience and sporting naivety in one fell swoop in a move that has alienated fans only too willing to give him a chance.Manchester City's fans do not deserve that. Manchester City as a club does not deserve that. Eriksson does not deserve that either.It remains to be seen whether this is the defining moment of Thaksin's reign - but he is in the process of committing a major error.

R&A chief Peter Dawson says Royal Birkdale is a challenge
Sixteen of Royal Birkdale's 18 holes have been altered for the 2008 Open, say organisers the Royal & Ancient.
Most of the modifications are focused on tightening the course which will be playing at 7,173 yards in July.
That is only 155 yards longer than when the links at Southport, near Liverpool, last hosted the Championship in 1998, when American Mark O'Meara triumphed.
The course is short compared to some, but R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said: "Believe me, it is long enough."
Since O'Meara's victory, 20 bunkers - 16 fairway and four greenside - have been added.
Significant mounding has also been carried out to seven greens which will demand more varied and imaginative recovery shots.

Iain CarterThe ninth fairway has been moved 25 yards to the left while the par-five 17th has a new green 25 yards further back and raised above the fairway.
The aim of the latter is to create a more challenging approach shot, particularly for those attempting to reach the putting surface in two.
Dawson said: "I don't think that this is a golf course you could accuse of being short, or one that intends to take the driver out of the player's hands. Far from it."
The Open, with extensive live coverage on BBC television, radio and online, starts on 17 July.

Dwayne Peel is the latest Wales injury scare ahead of the Grand Slam winners' bid to beat South Africa in June.
The Scarlets' scrum-half has a shoulder injury that rules him out of Warren Gatland's 24-man training squad.
With Gareth Cooper part of Gloucester's Guinness Premiership play-off push and Mike Phillips out, London Irish's Warren Fury, 22, comes in.
Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart and Dragons scrum-half Andy Williams are also fresh faces since the Six Nations.
Gatland said: "Andy Williams and Morgan Stoddart both have a chance to show the coaches what they have to offer and to book themselves a seat on the plane to South Africa.

"Andy and Warren in particular are in with a good shout with two injuries in their position, to Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel, being a worry for us."
Gatland remains hopeful Peel and ankle-injury victim Gavin Henson will be fit to take on the World Champions.
Henson's regional team-mates Lee Byrne and Sonny Parker will also undergo fitness tests on knee injuries to determine whether or not they should be at the training camp.
Wales will train in Wexford, Ireland for a week from next Monday. If Newport-Gwent Dragons are involved in a Heineken Cup qualification play-off, Williams and Rhys Thomas are likely to be released to their region.
We have been given the opportunity to go on a pre-tour training camp thanks largely to the support of the four regions in Wales
Warren Gatland
Gareth Delve joins Cooper as an absentee due to Gloucester commitments.
Gatland said: "We have been given the opportunity to go on a pre-tour training camp thanks largely to the support of the coaches and management at each of the four regions in Wales.
"This is not something that we will be able to do every year, because I would like to see our regions in contention for end of season honours.
"But, with no European competition left at the end of a tough season and with Leinster runaway leaders of the Magners League, we have been able to negotiate a position which will hopefully be of benefit to everyone.
"The regions have allowed us to take the players away for an intensive period of training in advance of our tour to South Africa and I would like to personally express my gratitude for their co-operation."
Gatland will take his side to a training base in Wexford that specialises in Cryotherapy, which aids the body's recovery from exercise and allows more training.
"This is our core group now, but there may also be one or two other names we add to the tour party injuries permitting and with a couple of players down in England not considered at the moment," added Gatland.
Wales will announce their tour squad on May 14.
Wales training squad:
Backs: Morgan Stoddart, Lee Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Tom James, Sonny Parker, Tom Shanklin, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Andy Williams, Warren Fury.Forwards: Duncan Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Alix Popham, Ryan Jones.

Giles Clarke feels the 18 first-class counties should remain
ECB chairman Giles Clarke has revealed he is strongly opposed to any plans to merge the 18 first-class counties into a smaller number of "city franchises".
The option has been put forward by the Professional Cricketers' Association as an answer to the Indian Premier League.
But Clarke said: "Franchise sport has simply never worked in the UK.
"Tradition and history rather than Bollywood stars and glitz are what persuade supporters to return week in, week out, to our grounds."
Speaking at the ECB's AGM on Wednesday, Clarke said his vision of an English Premier League would be based on the traditional model rather than new teams.
PCA chief executive Sean Morris said in an interview last Friday: "When you look at the broadcasting deal that will drive it, and for sponsorship partners and for fans, does playing 18 teams really stack up?"
I hope to give more details in the days and weeks ahead, but I can guarantee that everyone in the game - from playground to Test arena - will benefit
Giles Clarke
But Clarke refuted the concept of a slimmer league structure along the lines of the IPL, which features eight teams.
He said "Some of the ideas spouted in the media have been frankly ludicrous.
"Can you, I was asked by a leading television executive, imagine cricket lovers rushing down St John's Wood Road to see a franchise called Vodafone Team London owned by an ageing rock star?
"There has never yet been a successful Team London in any sport and nor is there likely to be any support for a Team Manchester or Team Leeds from traditional areas of rivalry such as Liverpool or Sheffield.
"When ECB launched their own Twenty20 Cup it was on the back of extensive spectator research and financial analysis.
"This is an exercise we will repeat before launching any new competition because we have said this tournament must be robust, spectator-friendly and economically sustainable."

Some of the individual counties' chief executives and chairmen favour a smaller number of teams, while others agree with Clarke.
American billionaire Sir Allen Stanford told BBC Sport last Thursday he was ready to invest heavily in an English version of the IPL, which he felt could be worth as much as £500m.
Clarke said: "I thank Sir Allen for his interest in cricket in England and Wales, and most of all I thank him for believing the ECB is the right vehicle through which to expand his patronage in cricket.
"I hope to give more details in the days and weeks ahead, but I can guarantee that everyone in the game - from playground to Test arena - will benefit from this deal."
The issue of sledging in modern-day cricket was also addressed by Clarke, who warned Test players must be role models.
He did not rule out the use of yellow cards "for repeat offences of sledges" in amateur cricket.

Mr Alner trained the 1998 Gold Cup winner, Cool Dawn
A trust fund in aid of a Dorset trainer who broke a bone in his neck in a car crash has been launched.
Robert Alner suffered life-threatening injuries after his car collided with a telegraph pole in Dorset last November.
Many of the biggest names in jump racing were at the fund's launch and the trainer's wife Sally said the family were "deeply touched".
"Both of us are overwhelmed by all the support Robert has received since his accident," she said.
"People have been amazing and the Injured Jockeys Fund has been there for Robert from day one.
"We can't thank everyone enough for all their efforts and are deeply touched that a fund has been set up for him."
Alner's long-time stable jockey Andrew Thornton is one of the trustees.
He said: "There are lots of practical things we can do to make Robert's life a little easier when he resumes back at the yard.
"Unfortunately most of them cost money. That's why we are launching a fund to help him."
Alner, 64, suffered serious neck injuries in the accident and is continuing to make steady progress at Odstock Hospital, near Salisbury.
The Robert Alner Fund has already been boosted by contributions from a dinner dance at Cheltenham racecourse in January.
Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann is organising a golf day on 30 June while champion trainer Paul Nicholls handed over his winning percentage from his hunter chase victories this season.
A special ball at Wincanton racecourse on 11 October is also planned

The poker world slowly seems to be becoming more and more associated with scantily clad attractive young women (See this month's item on Abi Titmuss for example) so it didn't come as too big a surprise when our good friend Catman sent us a press release featuring his better half Catgirl wearing little more than a smile. He assures us he would be more than happy to do the same to redress the balance. Up and coming player 'Catgirl' is used to setting tongues wagging in the poker world. Ask anyone who saw the 23 year old Russian contortionist when she met Doyle Brunson last year at the WSOPE. In celebration of her birthday this week, she had planned on playing in the Party Poker World Open in her

'birthday suit'. Unfortunately Channel 5 enforced a 'no nudity' policy at the final hour and instead it was to be a full body paint outfit for her heat. It was probably a good thing in retrospect, her heat included Surinder Sunar, Liam Flood, World Series of Poker Europe Runner Up John Tabatabai, and Ian Woodley, all of whom we are sure would have acted perfect gents. We are not sure, however, about the Devilfish, who is also in the heat. In the words of Catman "This heat is going to bring a new dimension of glamour to TV poker, which can often be dominated by not quite so attractive male poker faces. Who wouldn't want to watch the flushing face of the Devilfish as he tries to get a read on Catgirl's body language, then tries to bluff this lady in the buff, this will be must watch TV Poker." Catgirl said, "I've played poker for two years now and have had a lot of success in high stakes cash. Poker is about entertainment as well being a very serious business, I want to go forward as a professional player, so why not give the world something to talk about - There is a lot at stake, but I want to have some fun and if it is my lucky day, then the sky's the limit. I am grateful to my sponsors Poker Trillion for giving me this opportunity, I am playing to win." We are yet to see if the Catgirl's choice of attire is the ace up her sleeve she needs or if the Devilfish will literally explode trying to control himself. Poker Trillion CEO Andy Pryah commented "Catgirls heat is like a who's who of poker, she's going to need to have all her talent on display if she's going to take down this table", Pyrah continued to comment, "Let's just hope the likes of Flood and Devilfish don't decide to go topless!"

Ronnie O'Sullivan was in scintillating form at The Crucible
Ronnie O'Sullivan hit a breathtaking 147 to seal a 13-7 victory over Mark Williams and cruise into the last eight of the World Championship in Sheffield.
O'Sullivan led 9-7 going into the final session and continued to cue beautifully as he extended his lead.
Breaks of 71 and 60 added to the lead before a 100 took him to the brink.
O'Sullivan then polished his opponent off with the ninth maximum of his career and his third at the Crucible, a venue that has only seen seven in all.
O'SULLIVAN'S 147 BREAKS:
April 1997 at World ChampJan 1999 at Welsh OpenOct 1999 at Grand PrixApril 2000 at Scottish OpenOct 2001 at LG CupApril 2003 at World ChampNov 2007 at N Ireland TrophyDec 2007 at UK Champ April 2008 at World Champ
The 32-year-old will pick up a prize of £157,000 - £147,000 for the maximum plus £10,000 for the highest break - as long as no other player repeats the feat during the rest of the tournament.
The break took O'Sullivan eight minutes and 47 seconds to complete, three minutes longer than the astonishing world record time of 5:20 he set against Mick Price in 1997.
"As soon as I got on the first red I thought that I had to go for the 147," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport.
"Obviously it's more important to win the game but that money gives me a few options in the summer. I'll be getting a Bentley Convertible now - I've been dying to get one!
"The difference between this season and the last 13 seasons is that I've stumbled across a couple of things and kept my discipline with it and stayed patient.
"So I've never hit disastrous standards - before as soon as it went wrong I just wanted to get out of there."
O'Sullivan never put a foot wrong as he thrilled The Crucible crowd, while play stopped between Neil Robertson and Stephen Maguire on the other table inside the theatre.

O'Sullivan plans to spend the money on a car
In potting the 13th black, O'Sullivan released the last two reds with an exquisite cannon - and made the rest of the frame straightforward.
Former world champion Dennis Taylor, who commentated on the break for BBC Sport, described it as one of the finest positional shots he had ever seen.
O'Sullivan, who will face Liang Wenbo in the quarter-finals, now has the record for the most competitive maximum breaks, having previously been tied with Stephen Hendry on eight.
He added: "I really did think I was going to get beaten.
"I expected Mark to really make it count because he's a big game player.
"I had packed my bags because I thought it was one of those games that was going to get away from me."
Defeat for two-time world champion Williams means he will now drop out of the world's top 16, and will thus have to go through qualifying to make the ranking tournaments.

"I've made a big improvement from 12 or 18 months ago but it's still quite rubbish really," said Williams.
"I've got to go to the qualifiers now and I deserve to be going there at the end of the day. Hopefully I can try to get back into the top 16.
"I gave a lot of frames away when I was 50-odd up and kept missing frame ball.
"I could have been well in front after the first two sessions and instead he was.
"But the 147 was an excellent break. It's only him who can do a break like that and make it look so easy. I knew he was going to go for it from the moment he was going for the first red.
"He didn't look out of position once."

The UK's only licensed poker club Dusk Till Dawn is one of the main factors behind the rise of Nottingham among the country's poker strongholds.At least this is the opinion Barry Carter, a journalist, who wrote in a Poker News article that it is possible that the midlands area is "fast becoming the capital city for poker players in the UK".Mr Carter suggested that the high density of big tournaments taking place in Nottingham at the moment could show the city is overtaking London, which has been the traditional centre for British poker.Indeed, London has staged a European Poker Tour (EPT) event during each season of the prestigious tournament series and is home to a number of top UK players including Victoria Coren.Nottingham is not without its stars, however, with Mr Carter mentioning EPT titlist Julian Thew as a notable resident who does a good job representing the sport within the country.

28th APRIL 2008
The British Greyhound Racing Board today released its first Media Guide to the 2008 Blue Square Greyhound Derby.
To download your PDF copy of the guide, click here [File size: 6.6MB. Please right click and "Save As" to save to your local computer. Requires Adobe Acrobat version 6 or above available here].
BGRB Spokesman Peter Laurie explained:
“We have a hugely exciting Derby to look forward to in the coming weeks with the very best greyhounds from across Britain and Ireland competing for the sport’s biggest prize.
“The twelve page Media Guide that we have produced in conjunction with the event sponsors Blue Square, and with GRA Wimbledon Stadium, is designed to provide the wider media with a flavour of what the Derby means to everyone connected with greyhound racing.
“It offers a wealth of information about the event, and valuable perspectives from a range of individuals involved in the Derby, the showpiece of Britain’s third most popular spectator sport.
“I very much hope that the guide will help to generate media interest in this year’s competition and lead to the level of coverage that such an historic and prestigious sporting event deserves.”
More information:For more information on any aspect of the Derby, or to arrange interviews, receive photos or request a Press Pass, please contact Peter Laurie at the BGRB on 020 7808 7031 or at peter.laurie@bgrb.org.uk