WHO'D YOU HAVE FOR SPURS BOSS? ...

+++FOOTBALL+++

MOYES OR MOURINHO - WHO’D
YOU HAVE AS SPURS BOSS IF
WILY OLD 'ARRY DOES
GETS THE ENGLAND JOB?

HARRY REDKNAPP couldn’t have made it any clearer that he DOES want the England manager’s job. The Tottenham boss has given interview after interview saying how he just wouldn’t be able to turn away the job if he was offered it - but that, bafflingly, the FA haven’t yet been in touch.

Clever old ‘Arry is obviously trying to manipulate the FA into getting in touch and asking him to take over from the now departed Fabio Capello. His interviews have been aimed at the general public who have demanded he be installed - and quickly. The idea is that they will soon be up in arms that he has not been approached and DEMAND en bloc for his appointment!

As I have argued since Capello went, I do not think Redknapp is up to the job. He is another Kevin Keegan - all heart and no tactical nous and I fear he will be found out at international level. But what if clever old ‘Arry does get the job he so craves?

Or, more precisely, what happens to Spurs?

My view is that there are only two candidates for the job - and either can continue the sterling work ‘Arry has done at club level (for at club level, ‘Arry is a master). Put David Moyes or Jose Mourinho in at White Hart Lane and the good times would continue to roll. Moyes has worked miracles at Everton and I have no doubt he could do even better given the bigger resources and potential at Spurs.

Ditto Jose - who has proved yet again that he is a genius as he takes Real Madrid to a La Liga triumph few would have imagined given the brilliance of Barca.

So who would you choose? Well, I would go for Moyes. Because he would see it as a long-term project while Jose would always have an eye open for Fergie stepping down at Man United. And I think Moyes truly deserves a break - and a chance to prove he can cut it at the top of the league. I believe he would be a winner - possibly even surpassing ‘Arry. Yes, David Moyes is that good.

+++RUGBY UNION+++

ST GEORGE BOWS TO THE DRAGON

AS a proud Englishman I was, of course, sad to see England lose at home to Wales last Saturday. But putting aside the controversy over ‘the try that never was’, the match left much optimism for the future in its wake.

And I don’t just mean for England - no, Wales showed once again that they are not that far short of having a team that can be considered contenders to take on the Al Blacks and the Aussies - and have a chance of winning!

But while Wales are not far from the finished product, England are still a work in motion. Which means the fact the gap between England and their Welsh conquerors is not that wide is truly encouraging for stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster and his men. I was particularly impressed by young centre/fly-half Owen Farrell, who belied his years to give a performance that dictated the promising nature of some of England’s play.

And wasn’t it pleasant to watch England - even in defeat - just get through a match without any controversy! After the fiasco and disgraceful incidents that smeared the World Cup team last year, Lancaster and Co did brilliantly in projecting a new, more youthful, cleaner and more honest England.

So even if you don’t get the job full-time, Stuart - and my money’s on former South Africa head coach Nick Mallet - you certainly do have the gratitude of a nation for reigniting our love of the game, and giving England a new, honey image after that World Cup nightmare. Here’s hoping Mallet puts you in charge of the Saxons (again) if he does get the top job.

FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS

THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Premier League showdown between the teams currently second and third in the Premier League. Yes, third-placed Tottenham play host to Manchester United at White Hart Lane with much at stake. Victory for Spurs would take them a step closer to their big dream of a first Premier League title - closer to United and top-of-the-pile Manchester City. This Tottenham team are the best I have seen for many a year, well balanced and superb in attack. But it is also a team with defensive frailties - and that could let in United, who are masters of handling the pressure at this stage of the campaign.

All considered, I’m going for honours even - a 2-2 draw.

FRANK WORRALL

(For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)

Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7

Champ's League? Don't make us laugh..!!

ENGLAND’S CHAMPS LEAGUE FLOPS REFLECT BADLY
ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE
- BUT DON’T PANIC, WE’LL WIN IT NEXT YEAR!


BARRING a miracle, England will NOT have a single representative in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. As a fervent fan of English football, and an Englishman, that leaves me down and very sad. It reflects badly upon our brilliant Premier League and gives the impression – if you look at the simple stark fact of failure at face value – that our league is overrated and our teams are not as good as we would believe.

But I don’t agree with either of those arguments. OK, we have messed up on a mighty scale this season – with Man United and Man City exiting at the group stages and Arsenal and Chelsea surely on their way out now at the first knockout stage. And you don’t need to tell me that just a few years back we were dominating the competition – yes, we once even had three teams in the semis! And our participation in the last four and the finals was taken more or less for granted, much to the disgruntlement of our foreign rivals.

But now the wheel has turned and we are no longer granted easy entry to the top table. United and City are ploughing their furrow in the second-rate Europa League while Chelsea and Arsenal won’t even have that to fall back on if, as expected, they now complete their miserable surrenders to Napoli and AC Milan respectively.

So why has it happened – and will it now become commonplace? No chance, no way, stop worrying! It is a one-off – and is partly due to the two Manchester clubs not taking their matches seriously enough, and also due to the two London clubs going through a period of relative transition at the worst time of the season.

Put it this way: you really think United and City will go out at the group stage next season? Look at how they did last week in the Europa League – City beating the holders fairly comfortably in Porto and United waltzing to victory in Amsterdam over Ajax. Both Porto and Ajax have been regular competitors in the Champions League and so the victories hold some indication of how United and City are faring at this stage of the season.

I would contend that if they were both in the Champions League now, they would both advance to the next stage – providing they didn’t meet Barcelona or Real Madrid. Yes, both City and United are in the top four teams in Europe NOW – that is why it is more the pity that they are condemned to the Europa League. If City played Naples again now, with the experience they have gained from the Champions League and the form they are in, I would bet on them to knock the Italians out.

Also, if United played AC Milan, I would confidently expect them to beat the Italian veterans who crushed Arsenal 4-0 recently.

United, like City, have hit form – they went out at the group stage because Sir Alex tinkered too much with his team and didn’t give Basle and Benfica the respect they deserved. If he had played his first team, United would have cruised home.

As for Chelsea and Arsenal – well, one of the two London giants is unlikely to be in the competition next season, and I am not sure which one it will be. Their place will definitely be taken by the ever impressive Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea are an ageing team who need a swift, powerful overhaul while Arsenal are a young team who need more strength in depth with their older players. It was interesting, for instance, how out of touch Mikel Arteta looked in the San Siro – while in the Premier League he has performed well. It just goes to show the extra level of player you need to achieve success in the bigger international club (and country) competitions.

But don’t panic – next season I am confident United, City and Spurs will make the last eight of the Champions League and I wouldn’t be surprised if either United or City won it, or finished runners-up. Lesson will have been learned – that is the only real consolation from this disappointing campaign.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

+++Motor Racing+++

HAMILTON AND
MASSA TO TURN
CLOCK BACK TO 2008?

FOR me, the best season ever in F1 was the incredible 2008 one in which Lewis Hamilton won the title in his second full campaign. It was a season in which his constant feud and battle with his then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso hogged the headlines. But it was also a season in which he enjoyed a battle royal with the little Brazilian genius, Felipe Massa.

Indeed, at the end of the campaign, he had won the World Championship by a single point from Massa. After that relative high point, the likeable Massa struggled when he was badly injured in the summer of 2009 and has never really regained his form. Yet Ferrari have stuck by him and this week he is testing their new car with team-mate Alonso, who joined him at the Scuderi in 2010.

My two wishes for the new season are that Lewis wins the title again - and that Massa, whom I have a lot of time for and like, does really well, too.

A repeat of the one-two they achieved in 2008 would be terrific. And judging by Massa’s comments about the new car, he sounds as if he has got his love and ambition for the sport back. He told the Ferrari website this week: ‘There’s a lot of work to do to fine tune the F2012 but, as both Fernando and I said, I think this car has plenty of potential.’

Here’s to you realising your potential as well, Felipe. Good luck from me and all your fans in the UK.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS



THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Carling Cup Final between Liverpool and Cardiff at Wembley. You have to think that Liverpool will surely win their first trophy in King Kenny Dalglish’s second coming. A win for Cardiff would be a really shock result. So I am going for Liverpool to win by 2-0, with goals from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Meanwhile, the big match in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates, also on Sunday. I have a sneaking feeling Spurs could snatch a 2-1 win. They are in fine form and will be more rested than the Gunners, who had a tough Champions League clash in Milan on Wednesday.


FRANK WORRALL



(For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)

Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7

WEEKLY SPORT - focus group print edition

Open publication - Free publishing - More betting tips

British sport - boom or bust? Find out with our insider news...

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.          CROUCH, SCHOLES AND LAMPARD - SO ARE YOU SURE YOU STILL WANT REDKNAPP AND HIS DAD’S ARMY ENGLAND? SO NOW it can be revealed – ‘Arry Redknapp will, if made England boss, take England back to the future…with a ‘Dad’s Army revolution’. Yes, the man the whole country seems to want in the role (apart from me) will prove even less flexible and forward looking than the grumpy Italian tyrant who walked out of the job (on a tangent…did Capello really walk out – why the pay-off if that was the case! I reckon he was sacked). I hate to have to be the odd man out here; the spoilsport who throws some much-needed realism into the pot of overflowing excitement and enthusiasm about the self-styled people’s manager ‘Arry. But isn’t everyone being a wee bit too naïve about his talents? Aren’t we actually about to employ another Kevin Keegan – someone who pumps out his chest and is as proud as Larry (well, ‘Arry), but actually has little nous when it comes to tactics? I am told by pundits who know Tottenham well that ‘Arry actually has little input when it comes to the tactical side of the game and training. That Kevin Bond and the backroom boys look after that side of it all, thank you very much. And now ‘Arry comes out and admits he would bring back Paul Scholes if he lands the England job in time for Euro 2012. And that he would stick with Lampard – while ‘sources’ suggest he could sort out any differences at the back between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. Scholes, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand – jeez, are we stuck in a timewarp here…a time when Sven Goran Eriksson played them all together seven or eight years ago? All we would need added to the mix would be the dreadful Peter Crouch! Funnily enough, the Swede has beem one of those pushing the ‘Arry for England bandwagon over the past week. Eriksson said, ‘I think Redknapp will be a very, very good choice. He's English; he knows his football. He is doing a great job with Tottenham and has done a great job with every team he's had in the past, so I guess it will be him. You need to be an experienced manager used to dealing with the big names and some knowledge about international football would help. I think Harry has all these things.’ So Sven is in ‘Arry’s corner – but if that wasn’t bad enough, old ‘Arry then went and admitted he would put out a slowing, ageing team in the Euros, saying of the Man United midfielder who last played for his country eight years ago, ‘Look at Paul Scholes. Let’s be honest, you would love to have him at the European Championships. He’s that good.’ I would never deny that Scholesy has been a true great…but a 37-year-old spearheading our campaign in Poland and Ukraine - against the youthful wizardry of say Spain and Germany - along with Lampard, 33, and, no doubt, the uninspiring Peter Crouch upfront? Crouch, who even Capello, eventually realised wasn’t good enough for the international stage? Whatever happened to the idea that we would blaze the Euros with a team built around youth, pace and dizzy runs? A team with the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at the back instead of the slowing Terry and the injury-prone Rio? A midfield fizzing with the energy and wit of the likes of Jack Wilshere (if fit), Tom Cleverley, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young instead of Lampard and Scholes? And a dynamic front two permed from the likes of Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge instead of the dreaded Crouch (and even Heskey!)? Not if ‘Arry gets the nod. With Capello we suffered wage concern – as he continually failed to justify his £6million a year – with ‘Arry, it’ll be age concern. I’m telling you…be careful what you wish for…we could be heading for another Keegan-like era with England. And remember how that ended after the hullabaloo following his appointment…in tears. MOURINHO’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT HE’S won the Premier League with Chelsea, two Champions Leagues (with Inter Milan and Porto) – but Jose is well on course for what could surely be argued to be his greatest achievement yet. Last weekend his Real Madrid team stood a massive TEN POINTS ahead of Barcelona at the top of Spain’s La Liga. Yes, the very same Barca who most people consider to be the greatest club side the world has EVER seen. I must admit I never expected Jose would manage to overwhelm Barca – but he will do it, and I have to tip my hat to him. This is why there will be a queue around the block looking to hire him when he quits the Bernabeu at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho might be a pain and a moaner – but he is a fantastic football manager, who achieves results.   CYCLING   VICTORIA AND SIR CHRIS GEAR UP FOR A SPECTACULAR OPENING BASH   THERE’S a brilliant opportunity for you to get in the Olympic spirit – a good few months before the spectacular Games begin in London. This Friday (up until Sunday) the brand new Olympic velodrome will open for the first time, at the Olympic Park in East London, hosting a world-class cycling field. The UCI Track Cycling World Cup will see the likes of Sir Chris Hoy in action for the British men’s team. He will be bidding for glory in the men’s team sprint, the men’s sprint and the men’s keirin. And the wonderful Victoria Pendleton will be the star for the women, as she attempts to land the women’s sprint title, and the women’s team sprint title with Jess Varnish.     FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS   Real Madrid to win La Liga – and the Champions League. A really good double bet.   The big match in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday. I have a sneaking feeling Spurs could snatch a 2-1 win. They are in fine form and will be more rested than the Gunners, who had a tough Champions League clash in Milan on Wednesday.     FRANK WORRALL   (For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)   Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7   CROUCH, SCHOLES AND LAMPARD - SO ARE YOU SURE YOU STILL WANT REDKNAPP AND HIS DAD’S ARMY ENGLAND? FRANK WORRALL reporting for your WEEKLY SPORT! SO NOW it can be revealed – ‘Arry Redknapp will, if made England boss, take England back to the future…with a ‘Dad’s Army revolution’. Yes, the man the whole country seems to want in the role (apart from me) will prove even less flexible and forward looking than the grumpy Italian tyrant who walked out of the job (on a tangent…did Capello really walk out – why the pay-off if that was the case! I reckon he was sacked). I hate to have to be the odd man out here; the spoilsport who throws some much-needed realism into the pot of overflowing excitement and enthusiasm about the self-styled people’s manager ‘Arry. But isn’t everyone being a wee bit too naïve about his talents? Aren’t we actually about to employ another Kevin Keegan – someone who pumps out his chest and is as proud as Larry (well, ‘Arry), but actually has little nous when it comes to tactics? I am told by pundits who know Tottenham well that ‘Arry actually has little input when it comes to the tactical side of the game and training. That Kevin Bond and the backroom boys look after that side of it all, thank you very much. And now ‘Arry comes out and admits he would bring back Paul Scholes if he lands the England job in time for Euro 2012. And that he would stick with Lampard – while ‘sources’ suggest he could sort out any differences at the back between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. Scholes, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand – jeez, are we stuck in a timewarp here…a time when Sven Goran Eriksson played them all together seven or eight years ago? All we would need added to the mix would be the dreadful Peter Crouch! Funnily enough, the Swede has beem one of those pushing the ‘Arry for England bandwagon over the past week. Eriksson said, ‘I think Redknapp will be a very, very good choice. He's English; he knows his football. He is doing a great job with Tottenham and has done a great job with every team he's had in the past, so I guess it will be him. You need to be an experienced manager used to dealing with the big names and some knowledge about international football would help. I think Harry has all these things.’ So Sven is in ‘Arry’s corner – but if that wasn’t bad enough, old ‘Arry then went and admitted he would put out a slowing, ageing team in the Euros, saying of the Man United midfielder who last played for his country eight years ago, ‘Look at Paul Scholes. Let’s be honest, you would love to have him at the European Championships. He’s that good.’ I would never deny that Scholesy has been a true great…but a 37-year-old spearheading our campaign in Poland and Ukraine - against the youthful wizardry of say Spain and Germany - along with Lampard, 33, and, no doubt, the uninspiring Peter Crouch upfront? Crouch, who even Capello, eventually realised wasn’t good enough for the international stage? Whatever happened to the idea that we would blaze the Euros with a team built around youth, pace and dizzy runs? A team with the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at the back instead of the slowing Terry and the injury-prone Rio? A midfield fizzing with the energy and wit of the likes of Jack Wilshere (if fit), Tom Cleverley, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young instead of Lampard and Scholes? And a dynamic front two permed from the likes of Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge instead of the dreaded Crouch (and even Heskey!)? Not if ‘Arry gets the nod. With Capello we suffered wage concern – as he continually failed to justify his £6million a year – with ‘Arry, it’ll be age concern. I’m telling you…be careful what you wish for…we could be heading for another Keegan-like era with England. And remember how that ended after the hullabaloo following his appointment…in tears. MOURINHO’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT HE’S won the Premier League with Chelsea, two Champions Leagues (with Inter Milan and Porto) – but Jose is well on course for what could surely be argued to be his greatest achievement yet. Last weekend his Real Madrid team stood a massive TEN POINTS ahead of Barcelona at the top of Spain’s La Liga. Yes, the very same Barca who most people consider to be the greatest club side the world has EVER seen. I must admit I never expected Jose would manage to overwhelm Barca – but he will do it, and I have to tip my hat to him. This is why there will be a queue around the block looking to hire him when he quits the Bernabeu at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho might be a pain and a moaner – but he is a fantastic football manager, who achieves results. VICTORIA AND SIR CHRIS GEAR UP FOR A SPECTACULAR OPENING BASH   This Friday (up until Sunday) the brand new Olympic velodrome will open for the first time, at the Olympic Park in East London, hosting a world-class cycling field. The UCI Track Cycling World Cup will see the likes of Sir Chris Hoy in action for the British men’s team. He will be bidding for glory in the men’s team sprint, the men’s sprint and the men’s keirin. And the wonderful Victoria Pendleton will be the star for the women, as she attempts to land the women’s sprint title, and the women’s team sprint title with Jess Varnish.   FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS...  WEEKLY SPORT HOT TIP!! ++++++ Real Madrid to win La Liga – and the Champions League. A really good double bet.++++++    TIPPED THE WINK BY YOUR WEEKLY SPORT!! ++++++The big match in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday. I have a sneaking feeling Spurs could snatch a 2-1 win. They are in fine form and will be more rested than the Gunners, who had a tough Champions League clash in Milan on Wednesday.++++++     FRANK WORRALL   (For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)   Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 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

England team deserted by Capello! Italian manager abandons ship...

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.     REDKNAPP’S TOO CLOSE TO LAMPARD AND TERRY - PUT O’NEILL IN COMMANDFOR EURO 2012  ... AND MAKE WAYNE ROONEY  ENGLAND CAPTAIN !!  Frankie's fumin' and England expects... read all about it, only in your WEEKLY SPORT! SO FABIO CAPELLO has quite rightly gone – but he should NOT be replaced by Harry Redknapp.   OK, right now there are only two serious contenders now for the England job – Harry Redknapp and Martin O’Neill.   Harry is the choice of many people but his family links are a big problem. Frank Lampard is his nephew and Harry would surely feel duty bound to pick him for the squad – and with him, by extension, Lampard’s big buddy John Terry. In my opinion, Lampard is no longer an automatic selection for the squad – he can’t even get into the Chelsea team! Yet, would Harry leave him out given that he is his nephew? Also, Terry’s form has faded – he too should be left out in purely footballing terms, whatever your feeling on the controversy surrounding him over Anton Ferdinand. But if Lampard pleads with Harry for his mate to be in the squad too, would Harry be able to say no?   If he didn’t, that would take us back to square one – with the Terry problem still in the dressing room - and is what, in my eyes, clouds Harry’s otherwise attractive candidature, making him a less attractive option and more of an unnecessary gamble considering the CV of the man up against him for the role. So for me, it’s got to be O’Neill. And let me tell you, this man is no consolation prize – he is the REAL DEAL, the closest we will get to Brian Clough ever managing England (which was a dream many of us footie fans nurtured but, unfortunately, was never meant to be). O’Neill is an ideal choice – he knows the players and he knows how to get the best out of them. He treats them like adults and they respond by playing their hearts out for him. Just look how he has transformed Sunderland from relegation candidates to a potential top 7 team if you need the proof.   I believe O’Neill would swiftly sort out the Terry problem – by dropping him from the squad – and would inject pace and youth into the team, while maintaining a sensible balance of experience too. I would imagine him bringing Arsenal’s Oxlade-Chamberlain along with a centre-back pairing of Phil Jagielka and Chris Smalling. In midfield, Steven Gerrard would rule the roost flanked, injury permitting, Jack Wilshere, with Scotty Parker as the defensive holding player.   And captain? Well, Gerrard at the Euros, purely because Wayne Rooney is banned for the first two matches. But beyond that tournament it would be a great move to give the armband to Wazza. Why? I believe it would help him mature and that he would revel in the role. Also, it would calm him down, which would mean we wouldn’t keep losing him for key games and tournaments!   So come on the FA – be brave. Forget Redknapp – and give us O’Neill and a lot to smile about this summer (and hopefully beyond)! FRANKIE’S ENGLAND MANAGER FLUTTER - GUUS HIDDINK AS CARETAKER BOSS!   PS If the FA do go for Redknapp but he can’t take over until after the summer, put a bet on Guus Hiddink for the caretaker role! The Dutchman is much more suited to the job than England U21 boss Stuart Pearce…   LEWIS HAMILTON ON COURSE TO WIN F1 TITLE   AFTER a couple of disappointing campaigns, I have a sneaking feeling Lewis Hamilton might be ready to reclaim the F1 crown he believes is his by birthright. The Stevenage Rocket is the most talented and fastest man on the circuit but failed last season and the one before for two main reasons – he took his eyes off the ball and he didn’t have the best car.   Now both those setbacks are about to be remedied. Lewis is getting back down to business and certainly seems more determined to win the title than he did last term. He is moving from Switzerland to Monaco – a move which will surely help him focus better as he will be among a host of F1 drivers who live in the Principality. He will be among F1 friends and have a regular insight into the pulsating heartbeat of the sport – in short, he will not be isolated as he was in Geneva. I am told he is also working on a reconciliation with former girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger, the Pussycat Doll singer who apparently also loves Monaco!   And then there is the little matter of the McLaren. For the last two seasons Lewis has been driving a car that was clearly inferior and slower than the Red Bulls of current champ Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber. But McLaren have now built Lewis (and his formidable team-mate Jenson Button) a brand new, faster car – and all the signs are that he will now be on at least a level footing with the Red Bulls.   There’s one more factor in Lewis’s favour – this is his last season with McLaren under his current contract…and they won’t want to lose him. Trust me, they will pull out absolutely ALL the stops to help him win the title – and to sign a new long-term deal.   That’s why my money is on Lewis Hamilton to win back the F1 crown this year. It’s going to be an exciting campaign – and Sebastian Vettel, you had better beware. Lewis is coming to get you, pal!     ****FRANKIE’S OTHER FLUTTERS...****   LEWIS Hamilton to win the F1 title this year – with Button second and Vettel third.   The big match in the Premier League this weekend is Man United v Liverpool on Saturday. Liverpool beat United 2-1 in the FA Cup and I can see them being just as durable at Old Trafford – so I am plumping for a 2-2 draw.   (For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com)   Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 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. 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It's all to play for... Hot tips and reports!

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 AT MAN CITY - EVEN IF MANCINI WINS THE PREMIER LEAGUE! The Guv'nor's here and he's got his eye on all of the top games... It's FRANK WORRALL reporting for your WEEKLY SPORT! HE’S a pain in the backside, a PR nightmare for any club and he’ll do things his way or walk away. But Jose Mourinho remains the manager most clubs in the world covet - the man the directors and owners will queue up to employ. Why when he has such a load of emotional baggage? Easy one that...love him or loathe him, he is the best football manager in the world. Yes, better than Sir Alex Ferguson at the moment - then again so is Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. Nowadays you couldn’t employ old Fergie and know for sure that he would win you a big trophy. His decisions and tactics are hit and miss - look at the ludicrous way he has sidelined the brilliant Chicharito for Danny Welbeck if you want a current bit of proof. With Mourinho, you get a proven winner. It is remarkable that he has managed his Real Madrid team to a five point lead over Barca at the top of the Spanish League. Remember that this Barca team are arguably the best club side EVER - yet they are trailing behind Mourinho’s side. Given his achievements it is hardly surprising that he is such a wanted man.            And now it emerges that he will leave Spain this summer - and that he wants to return to his ‘spiritual home’...England. Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all on alert - all the biggest clubs. But my spies tell me Mourinho is going to take over at Man City - even if Roberto Mancini wins the league!              Yes, City believe they have more chance of going to the next stage - winning the Champions League - if they land Jose.             And history backs them. Mancini won three consecutive Serie A titles with Inter Milan but could not hack it in the Champions League. He was sacked after winning the title, with Mourinho brought in. Just two seasons later - Inter Milan won the Champions League. And now history is about to repeat itself at Man City... ANDY MURRAY IS GOING TO BE WORLD NO 1 THANKS TO IVAN LENDL GOOD to see Andy Murray moving ever closer to that No 1 world tennis ranking he so desperately craves. His performance against current world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open was one of his greatest ever. OK, he lost (again) but boy did he battle and push the brilliant Serb to his absolute limit. The link-up with new coach Ivan Lendl is clearly of major benefit to Murray. Lendl is passing on hints on how to cope in the heat of battle against the world’s top three – and Andy is clearly listening and learning. Even the magnificent Rafael Nadal – who played Djokovic in the final in Melbourne on Sunday – added his weight to the idea that Murray could now finally go all the way in the world’s biggest events. ‘Yes, he can be No 1 at the end of the season,’ the Spaniard said. ‘When you are able to play five grand slams in a row playing semi-finals or finals, it’s only a mental thing.’ Wouldn’t it be just brilliant if the Scot could now win his first Major this year – especially as all eyes are on Great Britain with the Olympics in London this summer. So come on, Andy, you can do it - we’re all rooting for you. ENGLAND’S NEW ERA FACES TOUGH OPENING TEST THE new-look England rugby team take on the bravehearts of Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. It is a big chance for England to put their World Cup debacle behind them. The team, along with coach Martin Johnson, arrived back from the tournament in New Zealand with their reputations tarnished on and off the field.   Now the likes of the arrogant Mike Tindall and the out of his depth Johnson have gone - and a new squad with lots of fresh young faces brings lots of fresh hope. Under the guiding hand of caretaker boss Stuart Lancaster, the youngsters have the chance to brush away the stinking cobwebs and complacency of the old regime. And both Lancaster and his prodigies have the chance to stake their claims for full-time roles in the set-up. We wish them all well - but they couldn’t have picked a much tougher opener. The Scots will be going hell for leather to get one over on the auld enemy and a victory would be a truly excellent marker of intent if Lancaster and his boys could achieve it. They will need brave hearts of their own if they are to do so... FRANKIE’S FLUTTER SCOTLAND to beat England 19-14 in the rugby on Saturday. Chelsea to draw 1-1 with Man United in the football on Sunday. (For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com) Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7   follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 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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