Interesting who Plushenko's camp watches out for - in 06' at the Olympics it was mentioned that they were watching Sandhu. Do you happen to know what they think of Lambiel and/or Joubert?
By the time of Torino, I don't think they were any longer considering Sandhu a threat - a year or two previously they were looking at him, but due to his inconsistent ability to deliver at the big events, he was probably off their radar by 2006.
In terms of Brian they know he is always a threat as the only man to have ever truly "beaten" Evgeni since the Yagudin rivalry days, not counting Sandhu's "technical" victory due to the code of points screw up at the GPF one season...Plushenko does not consider that Sandhu "beat" him at that event.
As an aside, Yagudin once felt that if Sandhu could control his jumps during competition - and also not be a head case - that he could be potentially unbeatable due to his amazing flexibility, positions, danceability, movement and flow. In other words, both of the top Russians have seen Eman as being incredibly naturally gifted - and of course also from his years of intense dance training - and know that even on their best days, they are not going to be able to "move" like Sandhu can...just as many female skaters know that no matter how hard they train, they will never move like Sasha Cohen can. Some things just can not be "created" once you've already reached a certain age...and passed a certain point.
Evgeni will always mention Joubert as a possible threat, but is quick to follow up by saying that Brian has never beaten his points total in a single program...and with the inference that he does not think Brian is going to anytime soon. Evgeni is also aware obviously that the Russian media loves to play up (and the Euro media) a rivalry between he and Joubert, and Brian is well recognized among Russian sports fans.
Lambiel is considered a big enough threat (better spins than Evgeni, good charisma, world champion) to Evgeni that Mishin no longer will work with him if Evgeni competes, but they - like most - recognize his jump inconsistencies. However, Plushenko now finds himself to a similar position Lambiel was in last year - a bit out of shape - injury plagued - and facing the motivation demons of having had a great "break" year as the champion...and now having to face the uphill battle of getting back into competitive shape, and attending hard-core practice sessions instead of PR events, etc.
Daisuke is prominent on their radar as Japan has become a huge skating machine - and they know that Daisuke WILL have big $$$ behind him for the best coaches, choreographers, costumers, etc. He will be taken care of like a thoroughbred. Daisuke has what Joubert - and Lysacek struggle with: great artistry. If he can consistently land big jumps...in competition...with Plushenko competing directly against him...then they recognize the possibility that his outstanding artistry could rival Plushenko's in the eyes of many judges.
Lysacek. He is also "blipping" on Plushenko's camp radar as Plush toured with him and got to see Evan's ability to fairly consistently land quads during tour practices. Of course, he's also a new national champion, a hard worker and even though I don't think they view his artistic ability anywhere near Evgeni's level, he seems to be liked by the judges, he's upped his program content, took Johnny's title, lands his quads, etc.
Have never heard them mention Buttle. Johnny is a skater whose ability Evgeni does admire. Hmmm....those are all I can think of right now.
They should invite Johnny Weir as a guest judge or something.
