Anyone fancy a bet on Lewis Hamilton winning this year’s F1 title?

The newcomer became the first driver ever to finish on the podium in his first three races when he came second in Bahrain on Sunday.

The 22-year-old is now joint top of the standings and, for once, it looks like all the hype surrounding a British driver might actually be true.

We all remember when Jenson Button burst on to the scene and everyone was saying he would be the next English world champion – but that hasn’t exactly gone according to plan has it? Five or six seasons later and he has still only won one race – not the stuff of which legends are made.

However, Lewis seems to be a whole different kettle of fish.

Admittedly he is driving for what is probably the most competitive car on the grand prix circuit but, according to the experts, he is showing composure and ability far in excess of his years and experience. At times he is even out-driving world champion and team mate Fernando Alonso and that can’t be bad for a rookie.

In all seriousness, Lewis’ first win can’t be far away already and, once that is taken care of, why not have a flutter on him becoming world champion in his debut season?

It might never have happened before but there’s always a first time.

Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler has become the latest player to be linked with a move to a country where football is not treated like a proper sport. In his case, though, it is Australia and not the US that beckons.

Liverpool’s former England international – now little more than a bit part player at Anfield – is top of the Sydney FC’s shopping list as they try to follow America by recruiting “stars” in a bid to increase the game’s popularity in a country where it comes way down the native’s list of priorities.

Normally I would warn against players doing this. It just smacks of mercenary desperation when they accept offers to play football in countries where the sport is as popular as Prince William at a Middleton family barbeque.

But in Robbie’s case I think it might not be such a bad move. He is immensely wealthy in his own right now and doesn’t need football to keep him in nasal plasters.

And unfortunately for him, his love for Liverpool is such that he won’t really be able to put his heart and soul into playing for another English team. With that in mind, why not pop down under for a year or two in a state of semi-retirement?

It’s got to be more fun kicking a ball around in the Ozzie sun than sitting gathering splinters on the Liverpool bench.

Relegation battle

It’s game on down at the bottom of the Premier League. At least for my boys it is anyway.

This season’s relegation battle looks like going to the wire although Sheffield United took a huge step towards safety on Saturday when they beat West Ham 3-0.

Over the course of this, our first season in the top flight for more than a decade, I have come to accept that we might not, ever, probably manage to win the title.

But, equally, I have come to believe that there is no reason why we shouldn’t be competing in mid-table. For the first few games everything was a little bit beyond us but, once we settled in, things have not been too disastrous.

Obviously, due to time constraints, I am writing this before last night’s game against Manchester United in which we probably got a complete hiding.

If we did, let’s hope it doesn’t make too much of a mess of our already dodgy goal difference and, equally, doesn’t completely destroy our morale for the run in.

Coming at such a critical time of the season, games like this are anything but enjoyable which is a pity for the Sheffield United players who would otherwise be relishing a trip to such a magnificent venue.

Then again, fingers crossed we should be back there next season, all being well…

Major own goal

Earlier this season all the so-called experts were insisting that the FA had scored a major own goal by not appointing Martin O’ Neill as England manager.

At the time Villa were the last unbeaten team in the Premier League, were playing some pretty decent football and looked like they could push on from there.

However, a few months down the line and they found themselves just a few points away from the relegation zone, unable to score goals and generally underperforming across the board.

Admittedly Villa are now safe after stringing a few wins together but, even so, it has hardly been the season of promise we were assured was on its way. And that despite the club spending big by its own recent standards.

It would be unfair to judge Martin on just one season and I am sure he will at least be given all of next to make his mark on the club.

But it just goes to show that, just as you shouldn’t be so quick to write off a manager as a zero, you shouldn’t be too quick in making him a hero either.

Sunday League goalie

Not all football is fun and games. Let’s spare a thought this week for a Sunday League goalkeeper in England who had a weekend to forget.

Injury time in his team’s cup semi-final and he saves a penalty, assuring his team’s progress in the process.

However, he won’t play any part in the final itself. Why? Because his somewhat overzealous team mates broke his arm in celebrating his save…

Contact James on: [email protected]