Ex-Pros have been telling us since the weekend that we shouldn't be too hard on England. Apparently it's tough playing in the qualifiers. Then when we do reach the finals of a tournament we musn't be too hard as they struggle out of the group because it's qualifying that counts. Then when we scrape through against one of South America's/Europe's least fashionable sides, we shouldn't worry because it's reaching the last eight that's important. Then when we fail in yet another penalty shoot out it's safe to admit we aren't a team full of 'world class' players - we only have one 'world class' player in my opinion.
I am fed up with being fed platitudes - there are players in the England side who are good Premiership players but who quite simply are not international class - and they aren't all from Chelsea! There is a dearth in this country of international quality players and don't expect it to get better in the long run, a third of the under-21 squad for this seasons European Championships don't even play in the Premiership.
Steve McLaren has bought some of this on himself by employing Max bloody Clifford to respond to journalists on his behalf and Bill Beswick to act as sports psychologist. Letting John Terry persuade him that tracksuits are a better option than suits now looks like one of his lesser mistakes - picking Terry in the first place is a bit more serious (and I note that I have friends in places on that one - apart from Six and Span obviously).
Still, it's five months until we play Yossi's boys - at least I can get back to worrying about whether or not Tevez is going to score in the Prem.
5 comments:
Still, my daughter's chum Theo dun good!
I agree with your comments about Mungo. Why he is in the team, let alone captain, I don't know. That must have been some inspiring speech he gave before the game tonight!
The problem with England as far as I see it and have seen it for some considerable time, is that they play as individual prima dona's instead of a team. Some are worse than others but the worst offenders are Lumpard and Rooney. It never occurs to them to cross a ball or really run for a ball passed to them because there would be no individual glory in it for them.
No passion either.
Its a shame we can't blame it all on Sven any more isn't it.
Personally, I find it difficult to remember a worse England performance. As to where the blame lies, that's not so easy. Why did McLaren play three central defenders when none of the defenders chosen play that system at club level? Where was the will to win? One or two players hardly had the will to live let alone win!!!!
I agree with Mags and Shy - I hate to invoke Alf Ramsey 40 years on but he did say it was the best team and not the best players than won games. We have to get back to that idea, 11 'good' players don't make a good team.
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