Monday 30 December 2013 09:17, UK
2013 was a cracking sporting year, but 2014 could be even better.
I would like to see more young English players plying their trade in the Premier League which, in turn, will benefit the national team. I wouldn't say I'm confident that will happen because while a lot of people at the top level make the right noises I find that they don't always take action and do things they have vowed to, but I believe in what new FA Chairman Greg Dyke is saying and think that appropriate action will be taken to ensure our bright young things get their opportunities.
I would like to see fewer injuries, simple as that. This year has seen a record number of injuries and that is the one thing that needs to be looked at. I am not sure how they can improve things and maybe it is just luck, but we need to try and improve things. We have seen some of the biggest names and best players laid up over the last few months and that doesn't do anybody any favours. The NFL has been competitive and I want to see it get more competitive, but I want it done with the best players involved.
I'm looking forward to the continuation of overseas players doing well in the game and seeing the abundance of young talent which is coming through develop. There are two or three young Asian players - one called Cao Xinlong, who is a tremendous talent - emerging and I think we really are going to see the invasion of a lot of Asian players over the next 12 months and beyond. This season we've not had one British or Irish player win a ranking event so far and Neil Robertson continued that trend at the UK Championship. In general, if you're looking at the best young players you're looking to China and I suspect we'll see Asian players other than Ding Junhui and Marco Fu figuring in ranking tournament finals - and even winning them - in the next year.
I am looking forward to seeing if Tiger Woods can win a Major. Not only do we go to Augusta, we also go to Hoylake for the Open Championship and to Valhalla for the USPGA Championship - all venues where Tiger has won Majors before. So if Woods is going to add number 15 to his collection and end his long hoodoo, you would imagine it will be in 2014. However, I am equally excited to see if Rory McIlroy - now that he has ended his length wait for a title by winning in Australia in late 2013 - can get back to world number one or very close to it. I would love to see him run the tables next year.
