Steve Stone's Blog

This looks just like any ordinary house, doesn’t it?

But it’s not an ordinary house. Not at all. This is the Brighton house of painter and decorator Robert W. Burns. On the outside, it seems like any other dwelling, but on the inside, it’s been transformed into an incredible art gallery, a shrine to and celebration of Renaissance art, containing wonderful reproductions of classic works from centuries gone by; portraits, wall frescos, lunettes and friezes alike. This picture book is packed with them.
Just turn the pages - you won’t believe your eyes. The house also contains original Renaissance-style portraits of Russell Brand and Wayne Rooney. Throughout the book, magenta text on pastel pink background pays homage to the most cherished colours of the Renaissance period.
As featured by BBC’s ‘The One Show’, ABC, Channel 9 Australia and AFP. Certain images are from Robert W. Burns, others included by kind permission of legendary international photographer Facundo Arrizabalaga. Check it out very soon on Amazon.

It wasn't too long ago, that people talked about British cycling Team Sky with a little smile on their face, not really believing the team could achieve very much. But today, Sky rider Bradley Wiggins made history, by becoming the first British cycle rider ever to win the Tour de France, the greatest all-round cycle race in the world. And his teammate Chris Froome finished second, to make it a British one-two. In many ways, it's all a bit of a fairy tale - who would ever have thought that 4km pursuit specialist Bradley could successfully convert to the long distances and mountains of the Tour?

I've been following the Tour de France since the 1970's, and remember great riders like Miguel Indurain and Lance Armstrong. Generally, the Tour has been the province of mainland European riders, and I never thought that I would live to see a British rider win. It really was a great team effort throughout, Bradley's teammates helping him through the Alps and the Pyrenees, after he gained an advantage in an early time trial. The result is clearly also a tribute to great planning, preparation, management and support work behind the scenes. I bet the team clears the board, in the London Olympics as well.

So well done to Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky. You put a smile on my face today, and made me proud to be British. Perhaps Andy Murray and the England football team can learn lessons, from the contribution that long-term organisation and tactics made to this victory. Well done also to the British Eurosport team, who made the three weeks of the Tour a pleasure to watch.

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Why is it that the England football team often struggles against quality opposition?

I honestly don't think it's the players. At Euro 2012, all of Roy Hodgson's regulars were world class, or of an international standard. Before I tell you what's wrong with the England team, here are my player ratings for the 0-0 draw against Italy, after which England went out of the tournament on a penalty shootout;

Hart 6. Generally protected well by the defence. A few good-ish saves.
Johnson 6. Defended well, with some good forward runs, but surrendered possession too often.
Cole 6. Defended well, didn't make much impression down the wing.
Terry 8. Again marshalled the defence with aplomb. Two crucial interceptions.
Lescott 7. Continued to impress, probably did as well as Rio Ferdinand would have done.
Gerrard 7. Good ball distribution first half, but looked tired after that, and occasionally gave away possession.
Parker 6. Continues to surprise, whilst deputising for Frank Lampard.
Young 5. A bit quiet again. Sometimes surrendered possession unnecessarily, and missed the crucial penalty.
Welbeck 5. Occasional good defensive support, but failed to get into the game.
Rooney 6. Fit, but not match-fit. Good level of effort, but often struggled.
Milner 6. The occasional good cross, but struggled a little.
Walcott 5 (Sub). Saw little of the ball, just one good run in almost an hour of play.
Carroll 6 (Sub). Game performance, but often looked swamped.
Henderson 4 (Sub). Barely got a touch.

Overall, a battling defensive effort fortunately earned the penalty shootout, which might have turned out differently, had Young not unluckily hit the bar, with the crucial penalty. England tried to follow instructions to push forward, when in possession, but after the first 25 minutes, were unable to do so, because of lack of possession in midfield.

And that's what's wrong with the England football team. A good, but not great Italian side dominated midfield possession, and gave England little time on the ball. When Italy had the ball, they sprayed it around well, and always had time, and numerous passing options. In contrast, England were always rushed, with few passing options, and gave the ball away, because Italy closed them down so well. 

And if you can't get the ball in midfield, you can't drive forward, and the ball will always come back towards your penalty box. BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen said it best, England always seemed a man short. And that's exactly the problem in midfield. It was also the problem in the 2010 World Cup, although issues in the camp didn't help.

It's OK to play a rigid 4-4-2 formation against the lesser teams, because you'll see enough of the ball, for enough of your quality to come through. But against the better teams, you need an extra man in midfield, or you won't get enough possession, and will be dominated. So why play two strikers against the better teams, when you can play just one, and use a 4-5-1 formation, giving you the extra man in midfield you need? This is what I fear Roy Hodgson should have done against Italy, and should do against the better teams, in the future.

Nevertheless, I thought that in general, England put on a good show in Euro 2012, and were unlucky in the penalty shootout.

I understood the defensive set-up against Ukraine, given the need to stop them scoring, guaranteeing at least a draw.

But I think England can afford to go for it a bit more on Sunday, for the Quarter Final against Italy. Italy don't have that much poke up front, and England have a very good defence, well supported from midfield, by Roy Hodgson's technically rigid 4-4-2 system. England's goalkeeper, and three of the four England defenders are world class, and Lescott has done very well.

To increase England's attacking options, Walcott should I think replace Milner on the right wing. Walcott has electric pace, and can run all night. By contrast, although Milner has proved his international pedigree, he does seem to struggle a little in humid conditions. I also think Carroll should replace Welbeck, who was pretty ineffective against Ukraine and Sweden, regardless of his excellent finishing skills.

So here's my eleven to face Italy;      

Hart, Johnson, Cole, Terry, Lescott, Gerrard, Parker, Walcott, Carroll, Rooney, Young.

Who's going to win on Sunday? I think England have a real chance of beating Italy. My money's on a score draw after extra time, with England winning on penalties, because Hart is the better goalkeeper. You'll be chewing on your fingernails, as England progress to a Semi-Final against Germany.

A more defensive England set-up, designed to stop Ukraine scoring, and you can't knock Roy Hodgson for that. Ukraine should have been awarded a goal in the second half, when a strike of theirs was clearly over the line. But England deserved their win, of both the game and group. Job done.

Hart 7. Assured, defence protected him well.
Johnson 6. Quiet. Gave away possession unnecessarily x2.
Cole 6. No mistakes. One good shot.
Terry 9 (MoM). Marshalled defence superbly, 2 crucial touches to deny goals, dangerous at England corners.
Lescott 6. Understandably super-cautious, did nothing wrong.
Gerrard 7. Great vision again.
Parker 6. Quiet, but solid.
Milner 6. Workhorse, not best suited by defensive set-up. Seems to struggle in humid conditions.
Young 6. Quiet, fundamentally because of defensive set-up.
Welbeck 5. Ineffective, surrendered possession needlessly x3, no goal this time.
Rooney 6. Looked fit, but out of practice. Often surrendered possession. Goalkeeping error gifted his tap-in.
Walcott (Sub) 6. No real impact, did nothing wrong.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub) 6. Looked a bit untidy, but made a nuisance of himself.
Carroll (Sub) 6. Little time to make an impact.

Job done sums it up. I'd expect a different approach for Sunday's Quarter Final against Italy, and I think England have a real chance of progressing, to a Semi-Final against Germany.

Who's going to win on Sunday? Check out http://tinyurl.com/cxzyutk 

I thought England deserved the win. Going forward, they looked more dangerous. Midfield was scrappy and clustered all game, and Sweden had the better of it, but England defended well, which was evidenced by the fact that both of Sweden's goals came from set pieces.

Hart 6. Confident, largely untroubled.
Johnson 6. Quiet but assured.
Cole 5. Uncharacteristically out of position often, needlessly surrended possession x5.
Terry 6. Lack of pace again exposed, but played well.
Lescott 6. Solid, did nothing wrong.
Gerrard 7. Great cross for the first goal, great vision.
Parker 6. Solid, continues to surprise.
Milner 7. Workhorse, some good crosses, continues to justify his selection.
Carroll 8 (MoM). Workmanlike, fantastic header for the first goal.
Welbeck 7. Not enough overall impact, but great touch for the third goal.
Young 7. Always looks dangerous and creative. Good vision.
Walcott (Sub) 8. Great strike for the second goal, set up the third.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub) 6. Little time to make an impact.

Overall, a good England performance, showing spirit, commitment, desire, urgency, and promise for the future. I think they'll get the point they need against Ukraine, to qualify for the knockout stages.

I started watching this kid during the 2010 World Cup. Even at 21 years old, he seemed to have it all; poise, flair, skill, and a cool head. I watched Germany play Holland tonight in Euro 2012, and there's no doubt about it, he's very much world class. He's 23 now, and I'm sure that in a year or two, he'll emerge further, to become one of the very best players in the world. As an Englishman, I fear that the German national team, which was generally young in 2010, will develop with him, to become a truly momentous force in world football.

The Thames River Pageant said it all for me. I had to save it from Sky Anytime, so that I can watch it again, whenever I want. The effort made by those girls and guys, who belted out Land of Hope and Glory in the pelting rain, from a moving boat in the middle of a river, was nothing short of heroic. The poor girl, second from left, was visibly shivering, but gutsed it out.

I will confess that the rendition of Land of Hope and Glory made me cry my eyes out, and I've still got a tear in my eye, just writing about it. I'm not the greatest fan of what's happening in our economy at the moment, but I am patriotic. And that song had everything, everything that was British - stiff upper lip in the face of adversity, the Royal Family (who even did a little jig to the excellent sea shanty that followed), Tower Bridge over the river, the rain, the music, the people with their flags.

What did I learn from it?

Well, I'm 49 years old, 50 in August. It made me realise that money isn't all that important, after all. Just being a part of the great British journey with this monarch means much more. Now, I almost can't imagine Britain without her.

It also made me realise just how much The Queen has done, over the years. I watched the videos that were shown - she's done it all, representing Britain for 60 years, in every corner of the globe.

I also realised, just by seeing how happy everything made the Royal Family, that they are in truth, just like us, and want the same things that we want. Not too many years ago, there were some pretty dark days for the monarchy, but now they're on top of the world, and I want happiness for them, because they deserve it.

I don't agree with his politics, but I've always liked the guy. I shared in the excitement of the morning after New Labour were elected in 1997, when he spoke about his visions for a brave new world.

The really interesting question about Tony Blair is why did he really give up being Prime Minister, and hand the reins over to Gordon Brown?

The official version was that he had a heart murmur, so the time was right for him to step down, and spend more time with his family. And he has always been a great family man.

But what did he do after stepping down? He tried to become EU President, and then became Middle East Peace Envoy. I can't imagine any two things that are more stressful, hardly the ideal roles for someone with a heart problem.

There's no doubt that the early signs of the current recession were there, when he stepped down in June 2007 (for more on that, please see http://stevestonechat.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/what-do-we-reckon-about-recession-final.html). And Barings Bank had gone down just two years earlier, when Nick Leeson gambled it away on the international futures market.

Gordon Brown is a great money man, if nothing else. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown must have known that a recession was coming, and must have known that many banks were already in difficulty because of recklessness on the futures market.

I reckon that Tony Blair worked out what was coming, and decided to give Gordon Brown his dream of becoming Prime Minister. I reckon Tony Blair did it, because after a pretty successful tenure as Prime Minister, he didn't want to go down in history, as the man who presided over the economic collapse, and New Labour's inevitable election demise in 2010.

I think that Tony was great at the Levenson Enquiry, recently, and remains a great charismatic statesman. I can't say fairer than that.

Adamo Washington is a high-flying, independent African-American lawyer from New York, with a reputation of winning cases against the big law firms. Out of respect, a big rival firm hires Adamo, for a special one-off assignment. He must travel to a racial hotbed within deep-South Carolina, to decide which one of five families, all ex-plantation owners, is most deserving of a huge grant from a mystery benefactor.

Before long, Adamo realises that each of the five families have rather murky pasts, and still harbour racist notions, going back to the days of slavery. With so much money at stake, it isn't long before the families resort to unusual tactics, in an attempt to secure the nod. At first, the tactics are simply underhanded, but then they become improper, personal, dangerous, and ultimately deadly....

As is the case with his previous books, Earl Carter once again shows remarkable understanding of locations and their cultures, and there's a great touch to detail in this particular book.

4 1/2 stars for this book. 4 stars wouldn't do it justice, so we had better make it 5.


By the way, 'Look Inside' won't work here, but do check the book out on Amazon!