Oh it was woeful. It was inept. Poor, weak, lacking in value. That's my summary of last night's England performance against the French.
I got the distinct impression that the England players suddenly realised that the team they were playing against would be going to Euro 2008 and they wouldn't. What else could justify a ninety-minutes containing such pitiful amounts of enthusiasm, skill and drive.
On the basis of what I saw last night, England got what it deserved by not qualifying for Austria and Switzerland. The very thought of Fabio Capello's side taking one of those valuable sixteen places at the expense of some worthier country is one that makes me slightly sick, so it's rather gratifying that England's current poor standards were confirmed in last night's match.
Whereas Capello's team played in an unexciting fashion to earn a win in his first match, this time they played in an unexciting fashion with not even a goal to show for it. Perhaps we've quickly reached the level without too much need for prolonged ambiguity.
And yes I know England were playing the world-class French side and perhaps you wouldn't expect too much against them, but this was just a complete non-committal to playing in such a fashion that would earn respect from anyone.
All of which leads me to wonder what Capello must now be thinking. Have you ever seen one of those TV shows where a member of the public hands over a family heirloom to an antiques expert and waits to be told all about it? Well I can imagine Capello taking part in something like that. Think of the conversation that would ensue…
Expert: So what have you brought us today?
Mr. Capello: It's a set of sixteen England football players.
Expert: Ah, interesting. And have you had them long?
Mr. Capello: Just a couple of months.
Expert: I see. They must give you a lot of pleasure?
Mr. Capello: Not really. I was told they'd be a good investment but they seem a bit faulty to me.
Expert: Really? Well I can see that some of them are a bit rough round the edges, but they should be OK fundamentally. Did you get them from a reputable outlet?
Mr. Capello: Not exactly. They were a bunch of men claiming to be Premier League managers. Tell me, are they worth much?
Expert: On the open market, they should easily fetch upwards of £200 million, but you'll find this England packaging will lower their value quite considerably. Probably more like £10 million for the lot.
Mr Capello: I see. Is it worth me hanging on to them?
Expert: I'd advise against it. Try to find a new owner for them that is willing to invest in a lost cause and suggest to them that they may one day be a valuable asset.
Mr Capello: Fine, OK. Thank you for your advice.
Expert: No problem… oh, and better luck with your next acquisition.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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6 comments:
The sad thing is that there is talent in England. I know many argue that English players aren't good and the prem is propped up by foreigners, but the skill is there. It seems every England manager is intent on holding onto these husks of once great players. Players age, skills diminish, and countries move on. Why can't England?
If the prem is the best league in the world, then why are the best English players from that league constantly left out of the squad? I have very fond memories of Micheal Owen, but he's aging and injury prone. Where's Jermaine Defoe? Where's David Bentley? Where's Joleon Lescott? Jermaine Jenas is working on second straight impressive campaigne, why can't he get a look?
England have nothing to play for, they gave Beckham his 100th, now knock it off. Start over with youth. There are plenty of players in the 20-26 range that can be training and playing together. By the time the World cup rolls around you'll have a team at their peak who have been developing chemistry for 2 years. Isn't that preferrable the the Nevilles playing in wheelchairs?
If they can play well and get a chemistry going, like you say Chris (b squad), then yes it would be brilliant, however the players seem to suffer from stage fright and it's about time we did something about it. Youth players are having off days as well, remember Ashley Young's debut? I'd rather not. Wes Brown is about 26 years old yet he looks like he's never kicked a ball before when he plays for Man Utd.
I saw something in the game against Switzerland, Chris O, which suggested to me that England can play attacking, good wing play, fast action play. Gerrard, J. Cole, Bentley and Rooney all got my excitement juices going. I hope they can do that again. It's also about time Hargreaves got the recognition he deserves by being made full time captain for England. What a rock the man is for Club and country. I believe the players suffer stage fright because they know nobody is going to challenge them for a place in their position i.e Rooney, Gerrard, J. Cole who have we got that can play better them then when they play well. Hargreaves however has to play well to keep his place at Club and Country so that's why he's always outstanding. We don't however have enough quality in all the places to make the crap players worried, due to obvious problems in the youth development and managers buying foreign these days.
We have to grab what young talent we have but when their crap (Walcott, Young, Headless Chicken Leenon and I don't rate Agbonlahor) what do you expect to happen.
P Shaw
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Cheers
Capello has been in the job for 2 games and you're already expecting England to beat a team from the country with Arguably the best player development system in the world?
You've got to be kidding.
For all the skill/talent that people claim to exist in England, it means nought if you can't use it properly.
Capello is an intelligent manager who has managed in one of the most technical leagues in the world. His message can't be expected to get across instantly.
My own personal belief is that we've undoubtedly got the talent in England - it's just that no manager is brave enough to try and get the players playing the way they do for their clubs. You might argue that football at club and international level are two different things, but I believe if the likes of Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves et al were told to play with the speed and fluidity they employ for their clubs, they'd feel a lot more at ease with their own approach to the game.
I think the immdeiate future of English football depends on the next few results. Win most of the next 10 games and the players respect and confidence in Capello, and his more defensive, technical, football will grow. Lose most of them and their confidence in him and his tactics will be shattered.
Capello is a very good coach, England have some excellent players, and lots of good ones. But whther end to end England can be made to play Italian style football could maybe just hinge on a result here and a decision there.
I know this does not play very well to the gallery. We prefer Football Pantomime- replete with heroes and villians. But I'll put pass a lot over to Lady Luck, at least until someone can scientifically prove that Gerrard and Rooney try snd less and play worse for their country.
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