Insiders admit the blame lies 50-50 between themselves and Bridgestone.Will Schumacher be back?Of course But possibly only for one last season of redemption. There were times in 2005 when even the legendary champion's driving lacked that final edge of commitment - such as the N?rgring in May where he was only fifth - and even he admitted to feeling demoralised. Its aerodynamics were no match for McLaren's, and it had a problem getting the best from its tyres. Undoubtedly, this private and reserved man is a worthy world champion. Why did Michael Schumacher do so badly?The tyremakers Bridgestone carried the can for Ferrari's spectacular fall from grace, but the truth was that the F2005 was a poor car, too. Alonso was able to tailor his driving to suit circumstances and thus perhaps eased a little bit of pressure, but he also kept the team fully motivated with his performances and, as he proved conclusively to doubters in Japan, he is as fast as Kimi Raikkonen but has fewer of the Finn's personality quirks. The Renault R25 was almost bulletproof, just like the Ferraris of old in contrast to the subsequently faster McLaren. It was relatively easy to drive fast, well developed, and did its winning when it mattered, at the beginning of the season.

Whatever luck Renault had going they largely manufactured themselves. City, a Doomsday club after the demise of high-spending Kevin Keegan, are in fourth place and on course for Europe. How has Pearce done it? With honesty and force and a passion they do not teach at coaching school.. Was Fernando Alonso's victory in the drivers' championship this year a triumph for good driving, excellent engineering or the result of McLaren's unreliability?

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It was a combination of brilliant teamwork and great driving talent.

His contortions on the touchline, some said airily, would provide no more than brief comic relief. Well, the spell he has cast is enduring a little longer than that Pearce is producing intense and coherent football. Unfortunately, the new man stuttered.Send the FA for Psycho therapyGrooming an England manager, preferably one reared in these islands, is still high on the agenda of the Football Association, we are told. Better to save on that, you have to believe, and pay regular visits to the City of Manchester Stadium.There, Stuart Pearce is showing how self-grooming is the trick. A magnificent pro who felt the impact of Brian Clough's leadership, a fine, obdurate full-back for England, "Psycho's" arrival as a Premiership manager was greeted with some scepticism. It also helped on Saturday that the defeated team had a central defender, Radhi Jaidi, whose bizarre idea of countering Chelsea was to dash out of his line with his right hand held high, a version of the offside trap which cost at least two goals and reminded one old pro of one great misadventure of the past.It came when a manager who rarely indulged in light conversation with his players was impressed by the defensive instincts of a new signing He promptly put him in charge of the offside trap. From an optimum situation, the biggest budget, the deepest squad, highly motivated players, absolute control of playing affairs, he has intelligently capitalised on his work as the most successful coach in European football over recent years.