Why England can win Euro 2012

It might all seem like doom and gloom at the moment being an England fan. Roy Hodgson's first game in charge was a relatively straight forward 1-0 against a Norway side who won't be competing at the European Championships. It didn't tell us anything we didn't already know. It was boring and predictable.

England's group consists of a very strong French team - arguably their strongest since their win in 2000, a bogey team in Sweden who England continue to mysteriously struggle to beat, and host nation Ukraine. Everybody knows playing at home is always an advantage.

Not only are the games going to be tough but a number of key players are missing from the squad. The majority of the country is at a loss to explain why Glen Johnson and Stewart "no goals or assists" Downing are in the squad ahead of Micah Richards and Adam Johnson, or why Jordan Henderson is on stand-by to replace Frank Lampard while Paul Scholes stays at home. Of course Wayne Rooney is suspended for the first two games, Danny Welbeck is struggling with an injury and Andy Carroll is struggling to find the barn door from 6-yards.

However, there are some positives to hang on to. Ashley Young is on form and has four goals in his last four starts for England. If he can continue anything near to that form into the Euros then who knows what can happen. Giving Steven Gerrard the captaincy might just have been a stroke of genius. The Liverpool midfielder has had a largely indifferent season but the responsibility of leading his country out at a major tournament might just be the push he needs.

A fully fit Scott Parker could be another key for England, giving the back four extra protection and allowing Gerrard the freedom to go forward - especially with the absence of Gareth Barry.

England are defensively solid. Joe Hart is the best goal-keeper in the Premier League and one of the best in the world. Three of the back four - John Terry, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole, who have all recently won the Champions League with some outstanding defensive displays along the way, are used to playing with each other at Chelsea. They work together in training every week, and that could be a massive advantage over the other teams in Group D.

To progress in the tournament England will need players like Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll to find consistently good form. Every championship, however, at least one team defies the odds and over-performs. Everyone in Europe has written off the Three Lions but if they can get past the group stages then anything can happen, and with exciting prospect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the secret weapon - England could just be this year's surprise package.

Let's all be optimistic! COME ON ENGLAND!

How long before having a spliff is as acceptable as enjoying a cold pint on a hot summers' day?

Dr. David Nutt has raised some interesting points this week in the long running cannabis debate. The problem is that most of these points have been argued time and time again. Of course the typical arguments have cropped up once again like “horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy” and “nobody has even died from a cannabis over-dose”.


This may all be true but is it really something MPs and Lords are going to take into consideration when deciding upon the legalisation of cannabis? The case for legalisation has had considerable backing with Richard Branson claiming this week that pushing through legislation decriminalising marijuana is “win win” for the government. Tax it, he said. You free up valuable prison space by not convicting small time users of the drug, waste less tax payers money and police time in making their arrests in the first place and earn the government money from taxing the produce.




It might not be long before farms like this are common place in Britain


Legalisation can only be a good thing. It would mean introducing a whole new industry to Britain – and mark my words, this industry would be huge. It would create thousands of jobs. Growers will be required to farm the crop, drivers will be needed to transport it, and someone will be needed to help sell it.

In the current financial climate, the government can ill afford to pass up such an excellent opportunity to pull some of that illusive “drug money” back into the economy. Of course, importing and exporting will be relatively off the menu for now but if Britain were to take the plunge and commit to its decriminalisation – others will surely follow.

Those sceptical of the proposals should look to Portugal for reassurance. Not a single person has been arrested there in 10 years for a drugs offence and drug-related deaths have been reduced.

Dame Judy Dench has also given the campaign her backing saying if it is proven that the current stance on drugs is failing then “immediate decriminalisation” is necessary.

Once people get used to the fact that cannabis is not actually harmful if used properly then we will see the benefits of its medicinal properties. With the right instructions for use, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

So with much high profile support, are we really nearing a time when a joint will replace the cigar as the standard after dinner treat? As Dr. Nutt would argue...it’s certainly healthier.