Mr A. Trialist

In recent weeks, Hearts have struggled to create goalscoring opportunities against teams deploying a low block. The style of play has become turgid - and fans are justifiably unhappy. However, in Michael Smith and Stephen Kingsley, Hearts could have the solution to the problem - if they are encouraged to get forward more often. First, it is prudent to address the problem that Hearts are facing - the low block. Given Hearts are overwhelming favourites to win the league, opposition teams understandably look to sit in to try and frustrate Hearts and then nick a goal on the counter. The approach has allowed Dunfermline, Raith Rovers and Queen of the South to take points off the Jambos.  When Hearts face this challenge, they often make it too easy for the opposition. There is a real lack of intensity which is easy for the other side to defend. Take this passage of play from the 3-2 defeat by Raith back in January.  Hearts have comfortable possession in their half and work it backwa...

The 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix delivered one of the most exciting races of the season. It was the first race since 2006 that did not include Lewis Hamilton following his Coronavirus diagnosis earlier in the week. His replacement, Williams driver George Russell, was desperately unlucky not to come away with the win that instead went to Racing Point’s Sergio Perez. So let’s delve into some of the major talking points of the race and what they could mean for the future.  Sensational Sergio  It is only right to start with the race winner - and what a remarkable drive it was for Perez to win his first race in 190 attempts. The win came in dramatic circumstances - he ended the first lap last after being caught up in a tangle with Charles Leclerc. Under the subsequent safety car, he pitted for new medium tyres.  The setbacks did not stop there, speaking to Sky Sports after the race Perez said he ‘had a very bad lock-up’ behind the first safety car but did not have enough spare tyres...

With the end of the pandemic now in sight, are big celebrations at Christmas really worth the risk?  This Christmas, families across the UK will be able to meet for five days, without social distancing. The Government’s assessments suggest that Christmas will lead to an increase in transmission of the virus so why are they going ahead with these plans?  The brutal reality is many people will lose their lives as a direct result of Christmas celebrations. The mental impact on those who unwittingly pass the virus onto vulnerable family members will be huge. The risk is particularly troublesome given the real prospect of vaccines on the horizon; it is even possible that we could see a return to normality by Easter. It would be particularly heart breaking to lose a loved one when the end of the pandemic is within sight.  The Christmas measures will heap more pressure onto the NHS at what is, even in normal circumstances, the busiest time of the year. January and February are t...

Reorganising the packed Formula 1 calendar is the single most effective way the sport can cut down its carbon footprint.  Formula 1 has a carbon problem. In 2018 alone the sport was responsible for carbon emissions of 256,551 tonnes. Travel produces the overwhelming majority of the sport's carbon emissions, 72.7% in 2018. Logistics like transporting cars, parts and equipment contributed 45%, transporting personnel contributed a further 27.7%.  The record-breaking 23 race 2021 calendar brings the issue of travel into sharp focus. Measured point to point from each racetrack the combined distance the sport will travel in 2021 is around 62,500 miles. It will be covered by ten different teams, each transporting between 50 and 100 tonnes of equipment and up to 600 members of staff. The calculated distance ignores the currently unconfirmed race week 4, testing and travel from the factories, meaning the actual distance is much higher.  The order of the calendar is a serious issue...