 Writing in The Observer , G. I. F. Thomson noted that " neither crew contains an oarsman of any exceptional power , distinction or reputation " yet both crews had improved in form since their arrival at Putney . The rowing correspondent for The Manchester Guardian praised the quality of the final coaching on the Thames , and stated that " there has been no threat of influenza , and no last @-@ minute change in the constitution of either crew " . He went on to claim that " Oxford should win " . The Times ' rowing correspondent suggested that the crews were " extraordinarily evenly matched " . 
