Gary Speed Passes Away at the Age of 42

It has been sadly confirmed that Wales’s national manager Gary Speed, has passed away. Speed, 42, had been given the job of managing his country in December 2010 and Wales appeared to be revelling under his guidance, winning their last three games.

As well as having a young squad packed with flair and talent, in Speed Wales had a young gifted manager who was getting the best out of a team who have often underperformed. Despite having only previously had four months managerial experience, Speed’s appointment seemed to be paying dividends with the national team playing exciting attractive football and winning their last three games. Many thought that the dragons’ luck had changed and they now had a squad capable with competing with the best teams in Europe accompanied by a self-assured respected manager.

Throughout his playing career, Gary Speed was a true modern day professional and a loyal man. To many he appeared to be happy and contempt with life, with two beautiful sons. It is a sad day for everyone to lose such a great man as well as a football icon. He will be a great loss to not only Wales, but to the world of football. R.I.P Gary Speed.

Reason's to be Cheerful for England

In the build up to last year’s World Cup, England typically allowed their hopes and dreams to get carried away with them and believed that at the end of July they could be world champions. Yet as always, the national team failed to deliver on the big stage and failed to get the success their talent warrants. However, now only 8 months away from Euro 2012 there seems to be genuine reason to be optimistic about England’s’ chances. Firstly the team surely can’t do any worse than the disaster that was South Africa. With a new squad mixed with youth and experience, England finally seem to have a balanced squad with potential. Older players of the ‘golden generation’ such as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Robert Green are being overlooked with promising younger talent such as Phil Jones, Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart emerging. Although there are still teams with better squads richer in talent than Capello has to his disposal, there are players in the England team now who have never disappointed at the international stage. This fresher approach could pay dividends for a consistently underachieving nation. 
 

The recent defeat of Spain and Sweden allowed the youthfulness of players like Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker to demonstrate how much they have to offer. Having previously been overlooked for tournaments, younger players in England now appear to be grabbing this chance with both chances. Playing with confidence and without fear, there appears to be a genuine amount of pride to be playing for their country from the younger players and a willingness to fight for the teams cause.

Once great defenders, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole have struggled since turning the wrong side of 30 and have lost that extra yard of pace that age inevitably brings and would struggle to defend against Europe’s finest such as David Silva or Cristiano Ronaldo. Phil Jones, Gary Cahill and Christopher Smalling have all proved they would deserve a place in the first eleven with assured performances in recent games. Terry is likely to be kept for his leadership qualities but the likes of Cahill and Jones would benefit his play and add pace to the backline.

The belated entry of Scott Parker to the midfield has been a blessing to England and the inspirational midfielder is revelling in his deserved belated appreciation. Parker’s leadership and commitment have also proven to be the perfect combination with Jack Wilshere’s astonishing talents. Both are truly loyal and passionate to their country and have provided stability to the centre of midfield. Assisted by the wide men of Theo Walcott and Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney is continuing to show his importance to England’s hopes and judging by the recent good form shown when playing alongside Danny Welbeck at Manchester United, the pair could form a deadly partnership for club and country.

England are no longer a group of players with individual talent, they are now a team with talent, desire and potential.

The Most Wonderful Time for a First Year

Whether a couple of old scrooges like it or not, Christmas is coming, and it’s coming fast. The streets are draped with lights and tinsel and the must-have toys are flying off the store shelves. I have always loved Christmas day and always will, however, being a first year university student could jeopardise my most favourite time of the year. I am in more debt than I have ever been in my life and have wasted the little money I do have on god knows what. Yet, when I walk through the town decorated in reds and greens, through the crowds of Christmas shoppers, and into the magical Christmas market I still get that exciting feeling I got as a child.

Last year I unwillingly let the spirit of the holiday get to me and managed to spend just over £1000 on gifts and decorations. Yes, I was one of those types who bought my own little tree for my bedroom and covered it with every decoration possible until I couldn’t see any more green. I even hung tinsel and paper chains from every corner of my walls just to add to the hype. But I think everybody should have one of these Christmas’ if you are ever going to have a relieved bank account in Decembers to come. This year though I am strapped for cash, but since when did that have to be a bad thing? I have already completed all of my Christmas shopping and have spent a mere 10^th of what I did in 2010.

Whenever I find somebody who says they hate Christmas they usually say it’s for how commercial it is and for how much it costs. Well the answer is simple; spend little but still give lots. Supermarkets like ASDA or Sainsbury’s are a great place to find offers on confectionary gifts such as wine or assorted chocolates. Most department stores also offer catalogues which are full of great Christmas savings with the products categorised by gender and age to make your decision making more pleasurable. If the shopping isn’t a problem but it’s the spirit you lack then I strongly recommend watching festive films and listening to Christmas jingles to help get you in the mood. The Miracle on 34^th Street and The Grinch are personal favourites of mine.

If you still don’t feel warm and merry inside then I suggest you think back to when you were a child. Why does all news nowadays have to be bad news? Let Christmas be that happy time of the year when everyone comes together to celebrate the holiday.

If you ask any toddler in the UK what their favourite time of year is they will probably say it’s Christmas. And who could argue with them? Whether we are struggling for money or stressing over exams, as students we can still cling on to one thing. That Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.