Lewis is Back

Hooray! Lewis Hamilton is back.

Despite the numerous molecules that have dodged Hamilton’s dire season seems to be a distance thing of the past. He surpassed all expectations and realities to lead and win the Hungarian Grand Prix in such dominant and frantic fashion.

All through his led there was the sneaky suspicion that he was on a verge (it’s known to happen) of a fatal mistake that would epitomise his tough season once again. But gladly there was no choke, no mistake and signs of the rekindling Brit yesterday was a breath of fresh air.

Rightly fellow Brit Jenson Button has been taken all the plaudits this season and
Hamilton has been portrayed more of a villain than a nation hero for much of it but this win will bring an awe of optimism for driver, as well as McLaren, to propel himself to start challenging the leaders.

Although it’s not a result that they can get carried away with but the signs that Hamilton, who once was the icon of so many, can right his wrongs.

It does seem decades ago that Hamilton took his spot at the spearhead of the podium but now he might get that winning feeling back again. This is also Martin Whitmarsh’s first win as team boss, after replacing Ron Dennis, and he will earmark this victory as his finest he has ever witnessed after his team has been dragged through so much this year.

From Liegate to the controversy in Malaysia, McLaren has been through it all. Coming to Hungary was big, after the significant updates to his dwindling MP4-24 model at Germany, it was time to show why he’s still the current World Championship and he duly did.

This is arguably his finest victory, his 10th and best. It was Lewis’ first victory since China last season, and his emotional exploits have been missed, Button is animated but it’s not with the exuberance that Hamilton shows.

Button was hoping for much more in his Brawn but Lewis’ victory helped his fellow Brit out. Keeping the Red Bull’s at bay is what he did and as the season heads into its second half, Lewis could become Button’s biggest ally.

Lewis, on the other hand, can leave Budapest Hungary (Sorry) for more.

Johnson is Struggling. Gladly.

The Ashes is often celebrated as the biggest and best cricket contest; it has the potential to make or break any gifted individual. Mitchell Johnson baffling form so far this series is an implacable godsend for Andrew Strauss’ men and after his frightening form against South Africa last winter, the England team must be relieved that he is not just struggling he’s struggling badly.

Johnson pronounced himself as one of the leading young fast test bowlers in cricket after his one-man mission against a strong Springboks team, where he took eight for 61; he became Australia’s leading talisman as they touted him as a possible replacement for the almost irreplaceable Glenn McGrath.

Johnson’s pace and power in often seen as his strong point, ask Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith what’s it like to face Johnson, both retired hurt after a devastating bowling display, but what he supplies in speed and power he lacks in control and consistency. When on song he is one of the best. At Kingsmead, Johnson removed Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie in his first over but the way he took on the vastly experienced Kallis and Smith was most remarkable. He broke Smith’s hand and split Kallis’ chin that highlighted his fearsome attitude and promising potential. Cricket commentator Peter Roebuck even described him as ‘the best fast bowler in the world’. Seems absolutely laughable now doesn’t it?

His bowling so far in this Ashes series, couldn't dent a tin of Victoria Bitter nevertheless dent England’s hopes of reclaiming the Ashes. He bowled wide, he lacked control, he’s not dependable and even the ‘mastermind’ that is Ricky Ponting often ignores his pledges to bowl to wrong his rights. The English batsmen have gone after him (when they can actually reach the ball) and Australia are seemingly paying the price.

They can’t rush Brett Lee back quick enough and if Johnson is omitted from the third test, it would not be the biggest surprise. Johnson’s confidence is shot to pieces and it might take a little while to get those pieces back together – God knows Ponting is not the man to help restore confidence he’s too busy being the very sorest of losers.

Johnson was heavily tipped to succeed and be successful this summer, and he was one of Australia’s most hyped Ashes debutants for years. Perhaps he was expected to do more and be the lynchpin of the visitors attack and that may have just heaped the pressure on to him a little too much. Every time Ponting hands Johnson the new ball he must feel like he’s handing his wife over to Shane Warne for a romantic evening – nothing good can ever come from it.

Johnson’s three for in England’s first innings of the second test does not speak volume of how bad his bowling has been. He conceded 132 run in just 22 overs and that’s a cardinal sin in test cricket. Ben Hilfenhaus bowled nines overs more, got four wickets and went for 30 runs less. England’s second innings didn’t go much better for Johnson either as he ended up wicketless and completely out of sorts.

For England’s sake, let’s hope his awful form continues.

Saints Takeover Complete

Alas, Southampton Football has been taken over and just in time too.

It’s been somewhat of a few difficult months for the South Coast side and only last week they had to sell two gems in Andres Surman and David McGoldrick on the cheap just to be able to pay the staffs wages.

Surman was sold to Wolves for a mere £1.4 million and McGoldrick moved for a seven figure sum to Nottingham Forest as the club tried hard to balance books.

Now the saviour is not in the form of fans idol Matt le Tissier but in the form of a 61 year old German.

But no doubt the fans and everyone to do with Southampton doesn’t care who takes over as long as they have the clubs good intentions at heart.

Markus Liebherr is the man that now has taken control of Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc and all the company’s assets and now will embark on rebuilding the club that starts in League One on minus 10.

Joint Administrator Mark Fry insists: “The sale of the Saints to Markus Liebherr is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the club.”

And too right.

With the money that will now be invested into the club it will be back in the Championship in no time.

It was believed that Markus Liebherr was attracted by many great qualities Southampton could offer such as a solid fan base, a first class stadium and training facilities and the potential to regain a future Premier League place.

For the first time in months Southampton are on a high after they’ve been tumbling down hill for months. Although they start on minus ten don’t bet against an immediate return to the Championship.

West Brom gets Cox's Signature

Personally, I thought there would be a lot clubs after Simon Cox’s signature, nevertheless West Brom sweet talked the youngster to join them before the transfer window rush began.

Cox becomes Roberto Di Matteo’s first signing as Albion boss costing the club £1.5 million plus £400,000 with add-ons.

Cox’s revelation for Swindon Town last season was astounding and a move up the division was not only likely but inevitable.

It was West Brom that made the first move and he duly signed. West Brom are a huge club and has real credentials for an immediate return to the top flight after finishing rock bottom in the Premier League.

Swindon, last season, narrowly avoided the drop and if it wasn’t for Cox’s goals they would facing a prospect of a very difficult season in League Two.

He finished the season joint top goal scorer with Bristol Rovers’ Rickie Lambert – both scoring 29 goals. The Reading born hitman will be relishing playing in the Championship as he found games at his first club Reading hard to come by.

Loans at Northampton and Brentford soon followed but after performing superbly on loan at Swindon he moved permanently for a fraction of what West Brom are paying.
The Baggies were short of goals in the top flight and they look to avoid similar struggles this term.

Cox will get goals plenty of them too. West Brom must be looking for at least a play off place as this will be one of the most competitive Championship seasons to date.
He may show what Reading are missing and reject letting him go so cheaply.