Frank Worrall reports from the Formula One race track ...

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.     LEWIS BLEW HIS CHANCE OF FORMULA 1 GLORY THIS YEAR   - BUT BET ON HIM REGAINING HIS CROWN NEXT SEASON   FRANK WORRALL reporting for the WEEKLY SPORT. BACK in 2008 I was privileged to write the first biography of Lewis Hamilton…just months before he won the F1 crown. At the time, I predicted that not only would he triumph that year, but that he would dominate the world of motor racing for years to come. Yet since that remarkable debut season, Lewis has become very much a secondary figure to another young man who not only took up his challenge, but has literally roared past him. Yes, Sebastian Vettel is ready to be anointed as the undisputed King of F1 in Brazil on Sunday. The brilliant German has already won the title for the second year on the trot – and he will officially receive the trophy on Sunday. He has won 11 of the 18 races so far, been on pole 14 times and amassed an incredible 374 points. That total puts him 121 ahead of his nearest rival, Jenson Button, Hamilton’s McLaren team-mate who has enjoyed another first-class season himself. Hamilton is fifth in the driver rankings with 227 points – yes, he is not even the No 1 in his own team now, let alone No 1 in the world! Last season Lewis finished fourth as Vettel won the title for the first time and some pundits are even writing him off for next season now…because Vettel seems to be the man on a roll and, at 24, is actually two years YOUNGER than Lewis. The German, dubbed ‘Mini Schumi’ in his homeland (after the legendary Michael Schumacher, of course) will surely dominate the sport for years to come, the pundits say. He has it all – speed, concentration, youth on his side…and he doesn’t allow himself to be swayed by events away from the circuit, they add. And yet… If I were a betting man (which I am only on big cup final days and the Grand National) I would think very carefully before putting my mortgage on Vettel to keep winning at the expense of Lewis. I know, I know…Lewis has been Mr Inconsistency this term and most of last. But there have been encouraging signs of late that, finally, he is getting his mojo back. That, finally, he is back to the kind of form that earned him that wonderful title in 2008. That, finally – and here’s the key – he has sorted out his head…that he is back on track away from the track. For me, his downturn began before the start of last season when he sacked his father as his manager. He took a few weeks off before the campaign to relax on holiday with his girlfriend, Nicole Scherzinger, a pop star. Then he failed to make an impact during the season. In my view, there was no way he would have prepared for that campaign that way if his father had remained in charge of his affairs. For the next 18 months, Lewis continued to live the life of a boyfriend of a major star – and his results largely remained unconvincing.  My view is that he was, maybe subconsciously, rebelling against the iron fist of McLaren. He had, after all, been cocooned in the McLaren bubble for 12 years (since the age of 12), and had been pushed by his father since the age of eight to become a racer. I myself would have eventually dashed for freedom – to live some of the childhood/youth I had been denied by the iron discipline and determination it took to become world champion. But now I believe Lewis has got that freedom push out of his system – and that is why I also reckon Vettel will not have it all his own way next season. Lewis has recently split from Scherzinger and seems much more determined to work his way back to the top. He seems much more focused. The signs were there for all to see in his last race – when he won so brilliantly in Abu Dhabi. And I certainly would not bet against the boy pulling off another triumph in Interlagos. Brazil, after all, always seems to bring out the best of Hamilton. In many ways, he views it as his spiritual home and his inspiration for F1 – the legendary Ayrton Senna – hailed from there. Lewis has never denied that he bases his racing on Senna’s and he wants desperately to win there on Sunday to honour the memory of Senna. Ayrton twice won at Interlagos but Lewis has yet to do so. Don’t be surprised if he does just that on Sunday – and follows it up with a world crown next season. Hamilton is back – and you’d better believe it… CAN A NEW SENNA BECOME F1’S NEXT BIG STAR?   HAMILTON and Vettel are undoubtedly the pin-up boys of F1, the ones who draw the crowds and help sell the motor racing dream via the T-shirts, the caps and the rest of the memorabilia you find trackside at every race. But there are some very talented guys bubbling underneath them in the rankings. Jenson Button, as we have already mentioned, is the best of the rest for me. The 2009 champion, the man who has outpaced Lewis this season and a truly brilliant driver – a man who combines tactical nous with incredible skills. We are lucky to have him and Lewis – two British demons. Of the rest, Fernando Alonso is arguably the most gifted. A driven (if you’ll excuse the pun) individual and two-time world champion who is still at the top after years of excellence. The Spaniard lies third in the drivers’ standings and is the biggest challenger to Hamilton and Vettel, along with the man who is a place behind him – the effervescent, ultra-confident Mark Webber. Aussie Webber, at 35, would surely have been champion over the last couple of years given that he has been racing the wonderful Red Bull car. Would surely have been, that is, if he had not been in the same team as the prodigious Vettel. Given his age, Webber’s time has surely been and gone…just as the great Michael Schumacher is now merely an also-ran. One for the future? Well, why not the man who has family links to the tragic genius who continues to inspire Lewis Hamilton? Yes, step forward Bruno Sennna…nephew of Ayrton, who was killed on the track in 1994. Bruno is 18th in the current driver standings – but has only raced in seven of the 18 races so far. With the backing of Renault, maybe he too can become a contender to Vettel and Hamilton in coming seasons…       follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2011 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. 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Read why Fab's still prayin' and Johnson's payin' ...

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.     WHY CAPELLO’S PRAYING ENGLAND GET THE GROUP OF DEBT - NOT THE GROUP OF DEATH! Now with 44,000 digital readers and growing fast, FRANK WORRALL serves you the very best of the WEEKLY SPORT!  WATCHING Fabio Capello’s England huff and puff through their two friendly internationals over the last week left me feeling knackered. It was hard work for the players on the pitch as they battled to succeed via an unholy mix of blood, sweat and toil – and it was just as much a hardship witnessing the ugly game, rather than the beautiful one, being promoted at Wembley. True, Capello comes from Italy and as an Italian his natural instinct will always be safety first – to get the draw rather than lose with free-flowing, entertaining football. But I was left reeling and drained by the sheer brute ugliness of his team set-up and defence-first tactics. True also, I am a romantic: I believe football is there to entertain us. Yes, I know I am naïve but I would rather England go out in the group stages in Euro 2012 by having a go than stinking Poland and Ukraine out with a functional style of football that might get them to the last eight, but would certainly win no hearts or plaudits. That would mark Capello and his men down as dysfunctional dinosaurs from a bygone, desperate era, prowling for scraps in an expansively modern footballing world that has been defined by the beauty of Spain at international level and Barcelona at club level. Worryingly, Capello’s ‘brave’ new England reminded me of Denmark in the Euro championships of 1992 – horrible to watch, a grim band of hustlers and bustlers who battled and defended for their lives. But here’s the rub…that same mean team went on to win the competition and become European champions, getting by in matches by the odd goal scored and none conceded. That fact won’t have escaped Capello, a master of football history…it just scares the hell out of me that he may be planning a Denmark version 2 with England next year! So what were the high points of the last week for England? Well, the two wins obviously – especially the 1-0 victory over world champions Spain. But nine times out of 10, and in a proper competitive arena, England, even with Capello’s new defensive mantra, would have gone down by at least two goals.   Yet there were some pluses. Phil Jones, as I predicted in this very column a few weeks ago, showed glimpses of how he could thrive in midfield as an anchor man, despite his natural role being in central defence. If Capello decides on safety first, Jones will be needed in that role with Scott Parker alongside him. For me, that is merely accepting that the heart of the defence is not good enough; Jones being merely an extra safety net to compensate for John Terry’s lack of pace. Why not simply put Jones alongside Terry? Then you could open up the midfield a bit more – and add more creativity to the team.   I would put Parker in front of Jones and Terry, with Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere in front of Parker. Then you could play Ashley Young and Theo Walcott to the right and left with Danny Welbeck up front until Rooney returns for the knockout stages.   That’s assuming, of course, that England get to the knockout stages. When the pots were drawn on Wednesday, they found themselves in Pot 2. That means they could, at worst, be drawn in a Group of Death with Spain, Portugal and France.   How Capello most be praying that they get a slice of luck and are drawn with Greece and the Republic of Ireland – the Eurozone financial strugglers. Yes, that Group of Debt would be much more preferable to Capello and his bruisers! MARTIN JOHNSON HAS PROVED HE IS A MAN OF REPUTE BY RESIGNING   THIS column never said that Martin Johnson was a bad man. We merely pointed out that he wasn’t the right man to be manager of the England rugby team after the debacle in New Zealand. Johnson did his best but he was tactically naïve and never established boundaries between himself and his squad. The greatest England captain ever as a player, he found it difficult to draw a dividing line when plumped in the role as manager.   He loyally stood by men whom he had played alongside – most notably Mike Tindall – but paid a heavy price when they let him down badly. With hindsight, a tougher manager would have sent home some of the players who stepped so badly out of line. But Johnno wasn’t strong enough to do that – and England’s bid to win the World Cup descended into farce and disappointment.   Finally, he has seen the light and recognised the true nature of the situation. He has resigned and gone, rather than hanging on with no respect or being sacked in due course. And by doing so, Martin Johnson has once again earned our respect and admiration.   We all know you did your best and did what you thought was for the best, Martin. It wasn’t good enough – but it didn’t help that you were so badly let down by some of the men you put your trust in.   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2011 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

Here's why Britain would be better off without James Murdoch ...

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.     Keep British Media British Owned!   With our national press, and many influential newspapers, now in the corporate hands of James Murdoch and Alexander Lebedev, one small regional UK publisher speaks out.  "Any country which sells its own media sells it's own voice, ultimately it sells its own soul. Whether they be Russians or Americans. Keep British newspapers owned by British people," says WEEKLY SPORT publisher, Duncan Williams. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards the takeover of British media by foreign corporations, in particular British newspapers. Virtually every British newspaper is now owned either by Rupert Murdoch’s News International (itself a subsidiary of the conglomerate News Corporation), which owns The Sun, Britain’s most widely circulated newspaper, and The Times, another of Britain’s most widely read newspapers, or another massive global media corporation, a fact which has been particularly in the spotlight in the wake of the recent News of the World phone hacking scandal.The News of the World was, before its recent closure, another part of the Murdoch media empire, and exemplified the tabloid-style of journalism so prominent in recent decades.                 Some figures within the media world, such as chairman and CEO of Independent News Ltd, Duncan Williams, argue that this recent scandal is by no means coincidental; he argues that the phone hacking scandal is indicative of a wider trend of deterioration of media ethics. Whilst the case of the News of the World hacking into mobile phone messages to attain information and thus potentially jeopardising a police investigation is an extreme case, it nevertheless demonstrates how unethical the world of tabloid journalism is. Williams argues that the style of tabloid journalism brought about by foreign owned media has created a culture of sensationalism, whereby stories are focussed on scandal and negativity. This has a detrimental effect on British people and communities, and can in turn allow for events such as the phone hacking scandal to occur. Williams contends therefore that “it’s far healthier for Britain to have its press and media owned by British people”.                 Williams contends that, whilst he is someone who holds business-orientated values, “when making money is detrimental to freedom of speech, something’s gone wrong”. He also puts forward the argument that, whilst investigative journalism plays an important role in the way the media operates, citing the example of journalists’ exposure of the Watergate scandal, and that preventing media companies from carrying it out would impede freedom of speech,allowing them to use techniques such as the interception of phone calls and so forth is also a violation of this right. Therefore, in his view the correct balance needs to be addressed so that journalists are capable of unearthing important stories in ways which are ethically sound, as when media companies have both the power and the intention to invade someone’s privacy as a means of obtaining information for a story, something is not right.                 It is not only the tendency towards sensationalism produced by foreign-owned tabloid newspapers which provides a reason why British media should be owned by the British however; Williams argues that the foreign takeover of newspapers naturally leads to their content losing touch with British people and British life, hence the shift towards celebrity gossip in place of genuine news stories which are in the public interest. This, in the view of Williams, also has a negative impact on British society, as it creates a sense of detachment, and people no longer feel represented by the publications they read. It is on this notion that his company, Independent News Ltd, operates. They aim to focus their reporting on positive stories about British communities and people, thereby providing journalism which affects British society in a positive way. Williams states, for example, that Independent News may run articles about stories such as successful marriages or pay homage to war veterans who have recently passed away. In keeping with Williams’ philosophy on the ownership of British Media, Independent News is backed solely by British investors. As Williams puts it: “Our company is owned by British investors, which we feel is very important when you are providing news for people who are reading it in Britain”.                 Another reason why it is healthier for British media to be owned by the British is that, when large sections of the media are owned by a few large conglomerates such as News Corporation, it leads to high levels of media censorship, with fewer views and opinions published, otherwise known as an oligopoly. This concentration of media ownership has a damning effect on smaller media companies, as well as on the content of news publications. The media will become less pluralistic, thus undermining freedom of speech. In response, many argue that the solution to this problem is the ownership of British media by smaller, British companies, giving greater media pluralism and a broader range of opinions. British companies are also naturally more likely to reflect the views of average British people than foreign-owned media does.                 Moreover, in the wake of the News of the World scandal, Williams argues that people are losing faith in the brand of tabloid journalism perpetrated by such publications, and that “it’s an opportunity for positive, British owned media companies (such as his) to gain a voice”. While tabloid newspapers and global corporations such as News International become seen as being disreputable, British publications will have the opportunity to win favour with the public, which in Williams’ view can only be a good thing. Williams talks about the rapid changed happening in the media at this present time, and argues that they are akin to the changes that are happening in the political world. Companies such as his, he believes, have an important part to play in this media revolution, andthe apparent ‘death of journalism’ is, he contends, not a disaster for the British media, but rather a very real chance for smaller, British newspaper companies to transform the tattered state of journalism ethics.                 In conclusion, as recent events in particular have shown, the current trend of foreign-owned media publications has proven to have a negative effect on the British media as well as British society in general. Were it the case that British media were owned primarily by British investors, and that newspapers sought to represent British interests to a greater degree, there is no doubt that it would have a positive impact on British communities, British society andmedia ethics, as companies such as Independent News have tried to demonstrate through their positive style of journalism.   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2011 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

'The Manager' gets the respect deserving ...

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.       JOSE MOURINHO TO TAKE OVER FROM SIR ALEX FERGUSON AT UNITED AFTER ALL - WITH 'THE MANAGER'S' BLESSING Staying on the ball with FRANK WORRALL's latest report for your Weekly Sport! IT WAS a truly wonderful gesture by Manchester United. To name a stand after their most successful manager of all-time – while he is STILL alive. Most monuments to football bosses come years after they have died – as in the Matt Busby statue, also at Old Trafford, the Bob Stokoe one up at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Bill Shankly’s at Liverpool.  The sentiments behind them were the same gracious, reverential ones in all those cases. But it always struck me as a shame that the men who had earned their everlasting tributes at the grounds where they were worshipped would never see them. United, to their credit, have bucked the trend, naming their massive North Stand (which holds 25,000 people) after Fergie. They also plan to unveil a statue of the man behind the very same stand next year. You could see what the gesture of naming the stand after him meant to Fergie. A man accustomed to taking whatever is thrown at him, he was visibly moved and found it difficult to put together a speech of thanks. He had certainly earned the honour after notching up 25 years’ service at Old Trafford. His trophy haul over that silver jubilee period makes remarkable reading – 2 European Cups, 12 league titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and one European Cup Winners’ Cup. But it is not only with the cups and medals that adorn the United trophy cabinet that Fergie has played a blinder: the old man of the Theatre of Dreams is also ensuring that the club he loves is left in a hell of a better condition than it was when he arrived in 1986. Old Trafford on and off the pitch is simply unrecognisable from 25 years ago – from the still thriving youth policy that propelled the likes of Beckham, Scholes and Giggs through the first team door to the construction of a modern, awesome 78,000-seater stadium. When Fergie arrived in ’86 he bemoaned the lack of any youth policy at all – now, when he finally hangs up his chewing gum, he will bequeath a team that is laden with the a new batch of youthful talent. The Da Silva twins, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck to name but a few. But it is his vote on who follows him that will arguably be the biggest gift he leaves the club. Fergie is big enough and confident enough in his own legacy being remembered with affection to say out loud that the man who follows him into the hotseat must be a big, experienced character. Indeed he has already voiced that opinion. And now I hear that he has been asked who should take over and has apparently nominated Jose Mourinho as the only man who could step into such a huge shadow without any trepidation. That will not sit well with some of the board members at United – Sir Bobby Charlton in particular has deep reservations about Mourinho’s questionable temperament and style of football. But this season the Portuguese has been a changed man in Spain – keeping a relatively low profile, avoiding the temptation to drift into controversial disputes and his team are playing exciting, breathtaking football, with goals galore, that is simply out of this world. They are now on a par with Barcelona and I can see them winning the Champions League in Munich next May. Such a success is Munich, if achieved with the same swashbuckling football as Madrid are currently offering up, would certainly help change the perception of Mourinho as ‘an enemy of football’. But it is likely that Mourinho’s change of attitude comes from a quiet discussion with United’s decision makers – yes, he has been told that he is next in line and needs only to reinvent himself (ie stay out of trouble!) and keep up the new brand of mesmerising football and the throne awaits. When will he be anointed the new king of United? That depends upon Fergie and his health. I am told the ideal scenario would be for Jose to do two more years at Madrid and then step in, maybe working in tandem with Sir Alex as a director of football for one year. And will he be a success at Old Trafford? Of course he will – he is a natural-born winner who comes with the guarantee of trophies and, and this is the key reason United have plumped for him, he is the only one on United’s shortlist of three who can promise that. Of the other two, David Moyes needs to prove himself at a club a level above Everton and a level below United (say Tottenham) and the jury remains out on Barca’s Pep Guardiola. OK, Pep has won the lot and manages the greatest club team in world football – but it was all there for him on a plate. Me and my dog could have won things with the squad and youth conveyor belt he inherited. So, barring some unexpected quirk of fate or Jose losing it one time too many, Mourinho it will be – and United fans will have Sir Alex to thank for that.    ENGLAND POPPY ROW COULD BE A BLESSING FOR STRESSED CAPELLO     I HEAR that FIFA will abandon the England v Spain friendly at Wembley on Saturday if England take to the pitch with poppies sewn into their shirts. Footballs’ world organising body claims that such a move is unacceptable as it would ‘open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football’. To cut through the bullshit, what they are really saying is, ‘What if it had been the Germans who had been due at Wembley…wouldn’t that have inflamed tensions between the two nations’? The Germans have already said they would not be offended, so I don’t see why FIFA are being so stupid (then again it does come as second nature to that idiot Sepp Blatter and his cronies!) But my take on this is that, yes, England should wear the poppies – and get the game abandoned. After all, that is surely the only way Fabio Capello is going to avoid an embarrassing afternoon at the national stadium. He is facing the world champions without his best three players – Rooney, Gerrard and Wilshere. He will have to contend with the likes of Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta via a midfield spine of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry, two old blokes with no pace. And he has no Ashley Young or Rooney to take on Spain at the back. Yes, this poppy row could provide a godsend for Sgt Major Capello…who will hardly savour a team of his being outclassed – don’t rule out a 3-0 defeat - in front of a worldwide TV audience. Especially as the grumpy Italian is having to miss being at his son’s wedding for what is likely to be a very unpleasant, demoralising Wembley occasion.   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2011 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

'Goldenballs' would be best for brand Britain ...

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.     THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE BECKHAM BOSS OF TEAM GB FOR THE OLYMPICS – HE’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY FOR THEM     SO they did it…they went and chose the wrong man for the job. Yes, Stuart ‘hand on heart’ Pearce will lead Team GB in next year’s London Olympics.  The blazers on the committee who appointed him should hang their heads in shame – what a wasted opportunity to bring a real glow of warmth and hope to the country in these troubled times. Under Pearce, Team GB have as much chance of winning gold as I have of becoming Prime Minister (well, maybe not such hopeful odds given that Gordon Brown and David Cameron both got the top job in No 10!).   Pearce is a good man, don’t get me wrong – but he is Kevin Keegan lite. Just as Keegan led the England national football team to despair back in 1999, so Pearce is destined to lead Team GB to, I would predict, the last eight at best next year. He simply does not have the tactical nous, authority or simple star quality of the best bosses in the game. He is a man who believes that pure, animal passion and a love of the flag is enough to bring success. Unfortunately, as he learned in Denmark in the European Under 21s championship in the summer, it isn’t.   Pearce was the man in charge of one of the most quality blessed England squads for many, many years – yet he blew it. In that squad were the likes of Man United regulars Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck and Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge. Yet they exited at the group stages – a result largely down to Pearce’s unrelenting reliance on caution…ie not losing. With the aforementioned attacking, flair players Pearce should have let his team loose on the opposition. He should have given them a chance to impose their game on their rivals. He should have trusted them. He didn’t – and they paid the price. Yet Pearce paid no price, indeed he was lavishly rewarded for his failings…given a new contract with the England Under 21s and the top job with Team GB.   Plus there is talk within the corridors of the FA that Pearce is being given these hallowed roles to groom him for the England senior job in the future! It beggars belief that we reward mediocrity with such a fanfare of riches. I confidently also predict now that the winners of the gold in London will be Argentina.   They are masters of this tournament and know what it takes to win it. They always have an experienced hand at the tiller and choose their best players to bring home gold – their players are always desperate to appear in the tournament, they see it as a badge of honour and fight to be chosen if their clubs stand in their way.   In 2008, for example, the world’s best player Lionel Messi took on his club, Barcelona, to play for Argentina at the Games – and, yes, he took home a gold medal for his efforts. It was his country’s second successive gold in the event – and don’t bet against them making it three on the trot at Wembley next year. Given that Sir Alex Ferguson ruled himself out of bossing Team GB, I would have gone for David Beckham.   OK, he is even less experienced than Pearce, but he has that golden halo about him. He would have sparkled stardust on the team and made Britain feel good about it. He would have hogged the headlines.   He would also have had much more chance of persuading stars from the home nations to participate – he is much more the diplomat than Pearce. The likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Darren Fletcher would surely have answered his call – as, I would imagine, would the best player in Britain. Yes, Wayne Rooney would have loved to appear in the golden glow of the Beckham campaign.   I believe that David is now not good enough a player to merit a place in the squad and it seems to me a real shame that the world’s most famous footballer, and best ambassador, will most likely not be at the most prestigious footballing event in this country since 1996 when we hosted the European Championships.   We could certainly have done with some of old Goldenballs’ glitter and stardust…instead we must make do with honest but dull Pearce – football’s answer to old man Steptoe. What a shame, what a wasted opportunity.     SACK WENGER? THE GENIUS DESERVES A BLOODY KNIGHTHOOD!   THEY appear an ungrateful lot, Arsenal fans. Not all of them, mind you – just those who continually question the wisdom of Arsene Wenger. The French genius who has transformed the club from top to bottom since he arrived as a nobody back in 1996. Arsene Who? That was the general welcome he received when he arrived at Highbury 15 years ago. But over the years he has proved himself to be one of only two managers in English football worthy of comparison with the best of the lot, Sir Alex Ferguson. Wenger and Mourinho.   Yet Wenger has done so much more than Mourinho. True, the Portuguese brought unprecedented glory to Chelsea, but he didn’t also provide them with a new stadium and the ability to self finance their football team, did he? And he certainly never offered up the sort of scintillating football that Wenger has at Highbury and then the Emirates. Yes, Wenger is a genius and should be cherished. Certainly calls for his head earlier this season reflected badly on that minority of Arsenal fans.   Given the tough start he had to the campaign – when Nasri and Fabregas demanded out – he has done brilliantly to turn things around (again). The signing of Arteta was a class move, and Mertesacker might yet prove a big gem when he and Vermaelen come together as a partnership at the back.   The 5-3 victory at Chelsea and the fact the Gunners have almost achieved qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League showed there’s life in the old dog yet. Welcome back to the cheers and smiles, Arsene…although, for me, you never went away, sir.   And, while we’re at it, surely the time is not now far off when the Frenchman will earn the right to be addressed as a sir, like his old foe Ferguson?   Cameron should recommend Arsene for an honorary knighthood (or whatever the similar gong is for someone not from these shores) for his services to British football – and the remarkable, positive influence he has had on our na   THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE BECKHAM BOSS OF TEAM GB FOR THE OLYMPICS – BECAUSE HE’S JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY FOR THEM!! Now with 44,000 digital subscribers - FRANK WORRALL tells it like it is - only in your WEEKLY SPORT! SO they did it…they went and chose the wrong man for the job. Yes, Stuart ‘hand on heart’ Pearce will lead Team GB in next year’s London Olympics.  The blazers on the committee who appointed him should hang their heads in shame – what a wasted opportunity to bring a real glow of warmth and hope to the country in these troubled times. Under Pearce, Team GB have as much chance of winning gold as I have of becoming Prime Minister (well, maybe not such hopeful odds given that Gordon Brown and David Cameron both got the top job in No 10!).   Pearce is a good man, don’t get me wrong – but he is Kevin Keegan lite. Just as Keegan led the England national football team to despair back in 1999, so Pearce is destined to lead Team GB to, I would predict, the last eight at best next year. He simply does not have the tactical nous, authority or simple star quality of the best bosses in the game. He is a man who believes that pure, animal passion and a love of the flag is enough to bring success. Unfortunately, as he learned in Denmark in the European Under 21s championship in the summer, it isn’t.   Pearce was the man in charge of one of the most quality blessed England squads for many, many years – yet he blew it. In that squad were the likes of Man United regulars Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck and Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge. Yet they exited at the group stages – a result largely down to Pearce’s unrelenting reliance on caution…ie not losing. With the aforementioned attacking, flair players Pearce should have let his team loose on the opposition. He should have given them a chance to impose their game on their rivals. He should have trusted them. He didn’t – and they paid the price. Yet Pearce paid no price, indeed he was lavishly rewarded for his failings…given a new contract with the England Under 21s and the top job with Team GB.   Plus there is talk within the corridors of the FA that Pearce is being given these hallowed roles to groom him for the England senior job in the future! It beggars belief that we reward mediocrity with such a fanfare of riches. I confidently also predict now that the winners of the gold in London will be Argentina.   They are masters of this tournament and know what it takes to win it. They always have an experienced hand at the tiller and choose their best players to bring home gold – their players are always desperate to appear in the tournament, they see it as a badge of honour and fight to be chosen if their clubs stand in their way.   In 2008, for example, the world’s best player Lionel Messi took on his club, Barcelona, to play for Argentina at the Games – and, yes, he took home a gold medal for his efforts. It was his country’s second successive gold in the event – and don’t bet against them making it three on the trot at Wembley next year. Given that Sir Alex Ferguson ruled himself out of bossing Team GB, I would have gone for David Beckham.   OK, he is even less experienced than Pearce, but he has that golden halo about him. He would have sparkled stardust on the team and made Britain feel good about it. He would have hogged the headlines.   He would also have had much more chance of persuading stars from the home nations to participate – he is much more the diplomat than Pearce. The likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Darren Fletcher would surely have answered his call – as, I would imagine, would the best player in Britain. Yes, Wayne Rooney would have loved to appear in the golden glow of the Beckham campaign.   I believe that David is now not good enough a player to merit a place in the squad and it seems to me a real shame that the world’s most famous footballer, and best ambassador, will most likely not be at the most prestigious footballing event in this country since 1996 when we hosted the European Championships.   We could certainly have done with some of old Goldenballs’ glitter and stardust…instead we must make do with honest but dull Pearce – football’s answer to old man Steptoe. What a shame, what a wasted opportunity. SACK WENGER? THE GENIUS DESERVES A BLOODY KNIGHTHOOD!   THEY appear an ungrateful lot, Arsenal fans. Not all of them, mind you – just those who continually question the wisdom of Arsene Wenger. The French genius who has transformed the club from top to bottom since he arrived as a nobody back in 1996. Arsene Who? That was the general welcome he received when he arrived at Highbury 15 years ago. But over the years he has proved himself to be one of only two managers in English football worthy of comparison with the best of the lot, Sir Alex Ferguson. Wenger and Mourinho.   Yet Wenger has done so much more than Mourinho. True, the Portuguese brought unprecedented glory to Chelsea, but he didn’t also provide them with a new stadium and the ability to self finance their football team, did he? And he certainly never offered up the sort of scintillating football that Wenger has at Highbury and then the Emirates. Yes, Wenger is a genius and should be cherished. Certainly calls for his head earlier this season reflected badly on that minority of Arsenal fans.   Given the tough start he had to the campaign – when Nasri and Fabregas demanded out – he has done brilliantly to turn things around (again). The signing of Arteta was a class move, and Mertesacker might yet prove a big gem when he and Vermaelen come together as a partnership at the back.   The 5-3 victory at Chelsea and the fact the Gunners have almost achieved qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League showed there’s life in the old dog yet. Welcome back to the cheers and smiles, Arsene…although, for me, you never went away, sir.   And, while we’re at it, surely the time is not now far off when the Frenchman will earn the right to be addressed as a sir, like his old foe Ferguson?   Cameron should recommend Arsene for an honorary knighthood (or whatever the similar gong is for someone not from these shores) for his services to British football – and the remarkable, positive influence he has had on our national sport. follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2011 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. 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