MD is depressed. Ok, so McLaren has been sacked and yes, every cloud etc. But after last
night's game where do you begin? If managing England is the impossible job, then getting
to the bottom of our failures is even tougher. There are so many elements to it. The
England players were so poor. Particular mention has to go to Gerrard and Bridge. They were
unspeakably bad. The only one to emerge with any credit was Crouch. The 'tactics' were a
complete mystery. The last 15 minutes was as sad, moronic display of 'chasing' the game as
you'll ever see. If launching the ball as far as you can is the best route to a goal at the
end, then why isn't it at the beginning? Would Croatia have played like if they were
desperate for a goal? Did Russia in Moscow?
There's still too much talk about 'lack of passion'. Our basic problem isn't 'passion',
I'd be passionate for pity's sake, it doesn't mean I should be in the team. It's about
basic footballing intelligence. Being disciplined or innovative depending on what the
situation calls for. Look at the movement that the likes of Eduardo and Olic produced and
think which of our attackers can do this. Think about Gerrard's inability to complete
anything other than a basic pass, of the defenders not marking Olic properly, of Carson
not getting his body behind the ball, of the missed pens in previous shoot outs. These are
basic things and we haven't got enough people who have learnt this. We're in the dark ages.
Croatia were so superior it was frightening.
We have to start by appointing a clever coach. And forget any rubbish that he must be
English. Capello already sounds interested. I don't see who else is going to be better than
that. Secondly, he needs to find players who have intelligence, not merely those that are
currently playing for the Big 4. For my money that rules out Robinson, the appalling
Bridge, Gerrard, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Defoe and other bed blockers in the squad like
Downing, Jenas, Johnson etc. Owen, Campbell and Beckham are simply finished. Neville will
be too old by 2010 but if he's fit he should stay on for a bit.
Players who we should be looking to build around include Barry, Hargreaves, Bentley,
Crouch, both Coles, though Joe should be central. He's the nearest we've got to a proper
no 10. Walcott will be a player, I like Young as well. The first choice defence picks
itself but there is no back up. I'd also hope that King can get fit again as he's better
equipped internationally than Terry, but it's looking unlikely.
My team for next September, injuries permitting would be:
Foster / Carson
G.Neville - Richards - Ferdinand - A.Cole
Hargreaves - Barry
Bentley - J.Cole - Rooney
Crouch
The three behind Crouch would be largely interchangeable and fluid. The likes of Walcott,
Lennon, Young, Noble, Milner should be in the squad.
Thinking about it, we shouldn't be depressed. When you hit rock bottom there is only one
way you can go. Plus, The Mighty Boosh is on tonight...
Columnist: Greg Fearn, 2007-11-22.
|
England's Lack of Basic Footballing Intelligence (England v Croatia) 
Now post your comments on this footballing debacle...