Formula 1; Forever dominated by Michael Schumacher before his first retirement back in 2006 where he won 5 championships on the bounce from 2000-2004; is now home of two proud Englishman doing their country proud in a working team... Something that just recently couldn't have been said for another English team.
As great a driver Michael Schumacher was, the sport somewhat died under his reign at the top of the sport. But then his retirement came in 2006 and we saw the sport take alight when Michael Schumacher's team mate Felipe Massa shone in his first season along side the seven-time world champion. But it wasn't Felipe Massa that took Michael off his throne. It was Fernando Alonso. His composure that he brought to the sport in 2005 to de-throne Michael Schumacher from what seemed to be a never-ending reign was the kick in the teeth other up and coming drivers needed to get that confidence that they too can now win the Formula 1 championship.
Since Michael's last championship win in 2004 we have had a new winner each year, except for Fernando Alonso's double in 2005 and 2006. The finales to each season keeps getting better and better. There's no holding back with teams, all the drivers are pushing their cars to the best of their abilities and fighting every corner like a savage beast chasing its prey, taking the perfect line and ready to pounce on any driver getting in their way to the top.
What's great for British fans though is the current Mclaren team of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Both very much at different ends of their careers: Jenson Button a respected driver around the Formula 1 circuit and Lewis Hamilton a feared driver among the circuit making his presence a dominant one each coming year. The past two years we've seen both of them pick up the glorious drivers championship, reminiscing past British winners such as Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell. It was 2008 when Lewis Hamilton proved his credentials with winning the drivers championship, and like any Englishman, he kept us on our toes! In what has strongly been debated as the most exhilarating finish to a formula season we say Lewis Hamilton win his championship on the very last turn in the Brazilian grand prix. Jenson Buttons championship win in 2009 was somewhat a fairytale considering months before the season had started he was without a team and then winning 6 of the first 7 races in the calender almost guaranteed him the drivers championship in what was seen more as a controlled drive by an experienced man on the circuit finally getting his just rewards for his efforts in formula 1.
Now in the same team together they sit firmly at the top of the leader board halfway through the season. Unlike the Red Bulls who are spitting their dummies out in every race we have seen a great partnership and rivalry build between two great British drivers. In the race we saw Vettel and Webber battle it out too hard enforcing a bust up between the two we saw almost the same happen with Jenson and Lewis but proving they have respect for each other they put on a great show battling it out as hard as any other competitor, within an inch of touching rubber.
It's something we as Brits aren't accustom to see of late: a team of Brits working well together and being on top of the world. Its refreshing for the sport as well though as the team doesn't have a favourite, just two drivers that are able to drive at the best of their ability to battle for the championship and its working a treat at the moment both of them looking pretty at the top of the leader board ahead of what seems to be a field of unhappy families. Red Bull and the strongly denied (but blatantly obvious) rivalry between Vettel and Webber; Mercedes and Michael Schumacher back to his schemey ways of pushing to the head of the queue on his team-mate and Ferrari with two drivers that have no respect for each other as team-mates and constantly under-performing on race days.
The sun seems to be shining brightly over the Mclaren garage then whilst in contrast a storm is brewing in teams following and lets hope the storm blows away and lets hope the lads can get to the end of that rainbow in Dubai on the 14Th November... You never with the English weather.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Thought I'd join in bringing up the brave issue on Englands poor world cup.
Why did England endure a poor World Cup Campaign? Why didn't our big names step up to the occasion? Just two of the questions that rolled through every English fan after having to cope with a world cup worthy of being branded the worthless cup judging on how the players played.
Now i realise that this issue has time and time again been brought up after nearly every world cup since 1966 and its not right to be compared to that team, but when you have a generation of players nicknamed 'the golden generation' you can't help but think this time around should have been special. It was all set for a magical stage for our golden generation to make their final mark on the worlds biggest stage. A country full of cheers and renowned for its upbeat atmosphere; most players' last world cup; an almost faultless qualifying campaign... How could they ruin this chance?
As England fans we've come accustom to knowing that are team doesn't play 'the beautiful football' but as that's what we see from the best teams in the world like Brazil, Spain, Argentina we can't help but pile on the pressure to produce magic moments like they do. The way England approached each game in the world cup was totally wrong in the fact that all the lesser sides were playing counter attacking football and the better sides were playing in what seemed to be an open field of play. England however seemed to just play with the four defenders; an occasional burst from one midfielder when they felt like it and then absolutely nothing at the front. The football they played represented an almost metronome type illusion where passes would go back and forth between defenders and soon the fans start to go in a sort of hypnotise state resulting in the fans to get slightly angry... no one likes falling asleep at a football game!
I can sit here gladly talking about how Fabio Capello got his team completely wrong like every other pundit... and i think i will considering they did shocking. The dropping of Walcott from the squad was pretty much the main talking point as we then looked at our team he had chosen and new he wouldn't play Joe Cole as he had reluctantly done so in the past, there was only Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips to count on for any attacking prowess down the wing. Even though Theo Walcott did have a season hit with injury he has still proven himself at international level to be a great threat to any wing-back facing his rapid pace. Yes James Milner was probably our one player we look back on and think 'he did us proud' but how many great teams have wingers that can attack: Brazil and Robinho; Argentina and Lionel Messi; Germany and Ozil... the list goes on for these sides and Walcott can prove himself as this type of player for England. A player that must feel devastated as anyone to be excluded from the squad had to be Adam Johnson. His club form was electrifying since his move to Eastlands and had every right to stake a claim for his spot in the England squad. Players like these we missed big time to try and go down the wings, attacking that full-back, getting into the box and into a dangerous position.
For whats probably been the most argued debate for an England midfield duo the Gerrard/Lampard partnership didn't disappoint in relation to our expectations in how they will most likely not work together. The USA game was the one game where we thought 'hey there looking pretty good' but as soon as Barry got fit and somehow replaced Gerrard in the middle of the park things went to pot for the England midfield. Gerrard, as loyal as he says is for England just cannot play on the left wing, not because he's not left footed but because hes not a winger. Simple enough for every one to see apart from Fabio Capello. We all know Gerrard's at his best like he is for his club when he links with the front man as a very attacking midfielder and we know Lampard is also known for that but when we ever see Gerrard link up with Rooney there is always a little spark that comes to life in the two of them producing some scintillating football at times. But when Gerrard was shoved over to the left wing there was no real width on that side as he'd drift in looking to work a partnership leaving any side willing to exploit the whole that is then created.
So obviously, we had a world cup worth very much forgetting about: The players, no matter how much they say the put the effort in, did not show the desire we expect from footballers earning heaps of money going after footballs biggest prize; The manager had made mistakes in his squad as many past managers for England have done and the fans have a wasted a few bob in the process.
Next up is the Euro 2012 qualifiers and only time can tell for what waits over the horizon for this current crop of England players and will change among the squad.
Now i realise that this issue has time and time again been brought up after nearly every world cup since 1966 and its not right to be compared to that team, but when you have a generation of players nicknamed 'the golden generation' you can't help but think this time around should have been special. It was all set for a magical stage for our golden generation to make their final mark on the worlds biggest stage. A country full of cheers and renowned for its upbeat atmosphere; most players' last world cup; an almost faultless qualifying campaign... How could they ruin this chance?
As England fans we've come accustom to knowing that are team doesn't play 'the beautiful football' but as that's what we see from the best teams in the world like Brazil, Spain, Argentina we can't help but pile on the pressure to produce magic moments like they do. The way England approached each game in the world cup was totally wrong in the fact that all the lesser sides were playing counter attacking football and the better sides were playing in what seemed to be an open field of play. England however seemed to just play with the four defenders; an occasional burst from one midfielder when they felt like it and then absolutely nothing at the front. The football they played represented an almost metronome type illusion where passes would go back and forth between defenders and soon the fans start to go in a sort of hypnotise state resulting in the fans to get slightly angry... no one likes falling asleep at a football game!
I can sit here gladly talking about how Fabio Capello got his team completely wrong like every other pundit... and i think i will considering they did shocking. The dropping of Walcott from the squad was pretty much the main talking point as we then looked at our team he had chosen and new he wouldn't play Joe Cole as he had reluctantly done so in the past, there was only Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips to count on for any attacking prowess down the wing. Even though Theo Walcott did have a season hit with injury he has still proven himself at international level to be a great threat to any wing-back facing his rapid pace. Yes James Milner was probably our one player we look back on and think 'he did us proud' but how many great teams have wingers that can attack: Brazil and Robinho; Argentina and Lionel Messi; Germany and Ozil... the list goes on for these sides and Walcott can prove himself as this type of player for England. A player that must feel devastated as anyone to be excluded from the squad had to be Adam Johnson. His club form was electrifying since his move to Eastlands and had every right to stake a claim for his spot in the England squad. Players like these we missed big time to try and go down the wings, attacking that full-back, getting into the box and into a dangerous position.
For whats probably been the most argued debate for an England midfield duo the Gerrard/Lampard partnership didn't disappoint in relation to our expectations in how they will most likely not work together. The USA game was the one game where we thought 'hey there looking pretty good' but as soon as Barry got fit and somehow replaced Gerrard in the middle of the park things went to pot for the England midfield. Gerrard, as loyal as he says is for England just cannot play on the left wing, not because he's not left footed but because hes not a winger. Simple enough for every one to see apart from Fabio Capello. We all know Gerrard's at his best like he is for his club when he links with the front man as a very attacking midfielder and we know Lampard is also known for that but when we ever see Gerrard link up with Rooney there is always a little spark that comes to life in the two of them producing some scintillating football at times. But when Gerrard was shoved over to the left wing there was no real width on that side as he'd drift in looking to work a partnership leaving any side willing to exploit the whole that is then created.
So obviously, we had a world cup worth very much forgetting about: The players, no matter how much they say the put the effort in, did not show the desire we expect from footballers earning heaps of money going after footballs biggest prize; The manager had made mistakes in his squad as many past managers for England have done and the fans have a wasted a few bob in the process.
Next up is the Euro 2012 qualifiers and only time can tell for what waits over the horizon for this current crop of England players and will change among the squad.
Friday, 16 July 2010
My enthusiasm of sport expressed through one mindless rant
I guess my enthusiasm for sport came like any normal boy and mine came abouts in 1996 sitting around the house probably running into walls with a siv bowl on my head as most 4 year olds do when Liverpool played newcastle. It was probably the first time i had sat still without pestering my dad about pokemon or some other 90's craze and just sat in amazement at this showpiece of a match. Needless to say i chose Liverpool as my team to support after that 4-3 memorabilia game. However at the time, and being four years of age, i had no sense on how i would get to see liverpool games... considering i live 4 hours away in Kent. However i am still very much a die-hard Liverpool fan with passion... and a lot of patience, something no liverpool fan can do without.
So even though i havent had to thank liverpool fc on countless trophies over the years i can say thank you for bringing me into the glorious sporting industry and have a love for it so much i am willing to pursue it as a career.
Time for a little insight to who i actually am for anyone interested. My names Stuart Ballard. I'm 17 years of age and have somehow along the years at cornwallis academy school developed an interest in actually writing as a career. Im a budding sports journalist with my brain stored with useless facts about many sports that i care to write about, enjoying the challenge of say commentating on an intense match of boules. I currently am writing sport articles for my school (The Cornwallis Academy) magazine, and have recently had a double page spread article published in the schools magazine that goes around Maidstone (The Vibe). Hoping for more chances to just write about what i love in the future for newspapers, clubs... Anything as i enjoy writing so much.
I realise my blogs are able to be commented and am very open to constructive critism... I can't constantly have reviews from my mum! So feel free to comment and help out a young journalist willing to learn his ways.
I tend to have a main focus on football as i have spent my life almost worshipping the sport, no matter how frustrating it can be, it has to be one of the most addicitive drug as it slowly becomes a huge part of your life. Having such a love of football did lead me onto many other sports in swimming, golf, tennis and athletics, other sports like rugby or cricket i saw more as an enjoyment to be a part of the school team yet still with the passion i have for my wide range of sport im willing to learn what i need to about any sport i have to write about which is why i shall be aiming to provide a vast range of reviews on any sport im able to give an opinion on.
Being at the end of a pretty much forgetful world cup (not only for England but for its lack of actual flowing football played) and the pre-season in the football calender, football won't be on the agenda for a while so giving me a chance to take a crack at such sports as formula 1, tennis, golf, athletics anything really i think i know enough about to give a fair review on.
Here's hoping that you enjoy the start of many more mindless rants on sport and any feedback is welcomed. :)
Cheers for flicking through.
Stuart Ballard
So even though i havent had to thank liverpool fc on countless trophies over the years i can say thank you for bringing me into the glorious sporting industry and have a love for it so much i am willing to pursue it as a career.
Time for a little insight to who i actually am for anyone interested. My names Stuart Ballard. I'm 17 years of age and have somehow along the years at cornwallis academy school developed an interest in actually writing as a career. Im a budding sports journalist with my brain stored with useless facts about many sports that i care to write about, enjoying the challenge of say commentating on an intense match of boules. I currently am writing sport articles for my school (The Cornwallis Academy) magazine, and have recently had a double page spread article published in the schools magazine that goes around Maidstone (The Vibe). Hoping for more chances to just write about what i love in the future for newspapers, clubs... Anything as i enjoy writing so much.
I realise my blogs are able to be commented and am very open to constructive critism... I can't constantly have reviews from my mum! So feel free to comment and help out a young journalist willing to learn his ways.
I tend to have a main focus on football as i have spent my life almost worshipping the sport, no matter how frustrating it can be, it has to be one of the most addicitive drug as it slowly becomes a huge part of your life. Having such a love of football did lead me onto many other sports in swimming, golf, tennis and athletics, other sports like rugby or cricket i saw more as an enjoyment to be a part of the school team yet still with the passion i have for my wide range of sport im willing to learn what i need to about any sport i have to write about which is why i shall be aiming to provide a vast range of reviews on any sport im able to give an opinion on.
Being at the end of a pretty much forgetful world cup (not only for England but for its lack of actual flowing football played) and the pre-season in the football calender, football won't be on the agenda for a while so giving me a chance to take a crack at such sports as formula 1, tennis, golf, athletics anything really i think i know enough about to give a fair review on.
Here's hoping that you enjoy the start of many more mindless rants on sport and any feedback is welcomed. :)
Cheers for flicking through.
Stuart Ballard
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