Another game at new Wembley...another uninspiring performance from old England. Yet again an England midfield boasting the names Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard fail to give England fans any comfort that qualifying for South Africa under Capello will prove any easier than the failed campaign of McLaren’s England....and why should it...so far it’s pretty much the same team playing pretty much the same way.
Someone once told me the clinical definition of insanity is repeatedly performing the same task in the same way yet expecting a different outcome each time...now I admit beer had been involved and that it may in fact be complete bollocks but it certainly sums up what's its been like watch the last three England coaches selection policies.
Capello this time tried to accommodate both Gerrard and Lampard by playing the former on the left hand side of midfield with predictable results...three or sometimes four men, when Beckham drifted deep and infield to receive the ball, all trying to play in the middle of midfield with no width other than that provided by overlapping full backs neither of whom are renowned for their crossing ability. The result was entirely predictable....Beckham operating in a 20 yard channel either side of the half way line playing long angled balls forward...a serious lack of width on the left...and Wayne Rooney frustrated by the lack of service dropping deeper into the hole to forage in space both Gerrard and Lampard were attempting unsuccessfully to operate.
The result, quite frankly, was an incoherent mess. The history books will show a 2-2 draw but those who watched the game will know that was very kind to England and anyone hiding behind the fact England avoided defeat is kidding themselves. England grabbed a late equaliser in each half...the second from an ugly scramble and for large parts of the game were outplayed by an under-strength Czech team that failed to get out of their Euro 2008 group. Yet again, the shining stars in The Best League In The WorldTM failed to produce at international level. Surely now is the time to say thanks and goodbye to David Beckham...surely Capello can’t be haunted by fear of the repercussions of dropping him as he did at Real Madrid...the MLS hardly has the profile or respect in Europe for Beckham to bend egg onto Fabio’s face for a second time...and to be fair if that doubt is even entering Capello’s mind then he’s the wrong man for the job.
Now’s the time for some brave decisions and now’s the time to build a squad to qualify and perform in 2010 and beyond and that surely can no longer include Beckham, of whom I have to say I’m a big fan. For me...I would give David Bentley an extended run on the right side of midfield, and Ashley Young an extended run on the left...players who are performing at club level, both have the dead ball prowess to replace Beckham and both are likely to bring a hunger to the role that seems surprisingly lacking from the current incumbents. If we must have some tall timber to throw on if required then for god’s sake make it someone other than Emile Heskey....Crouch, Bent, Ashton (who I realise was injured for this game)...take your pick but make it someone likely to be playing a role in the next two tournaments.
Yes I realise that my two choices out wide dictate choosing only two from Gerrard, Lampard, Hargreaves, Barry and Joe Cole but you know what....it’s about time someone made that call instead of trying to accommodate any of the aforementioned who are fit.
Right now England under Capello offer Croatia no greater challenge than they did under McLaren and Slaven Bilic will have seen nothing to dent his confidence in beating England home and away in qualifying this time round....in fact I think the Andorran coach might have one eye on a famous upset come September 6th given the hard work England made of them last time round.
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Speaking of England’s former coach it seems he’s transformed from the Wally With The Brolly...to the Pryk from the Dyke. If you haven’t seen it yet check out his recent interview with a Dutch journalist who spoke fluent English...it seems two months in the job in Holland has been enough for him to begin talking like a Dutchman speaking English as a second language. Maybe he’s warming up for a tilt at the Socceroos coaching staff...god forbid!
What next you ask? Maybe we'll see Fabio Capello fronting the media following England’s loss in Zagreb in his best Del Boy Trotter cockney accent saying it’s all gone Pete Tong, he’s gutted by the performance, the players looked like they couldn’t give a monkey’s but he’s hoping it will all turn out kushti in the end?
Someone once told me the clinical definition of insanity is repeatedly performing the same task in the same way yet expecting a different outcome each time...now I admit beer had been involved and that it may in fact be complete bollocks but it certainly sums up what's its been like watch the last three England coaches selection policies.
Capello this time tried to accommodate both Gerrard and Lampard by playing the former on the left hand side of midfield with predictable results...three or sometimes four men, when Beckham drifted deep and infield to receive the ball, all trying to play in the middle of midfield with no width other than that provided by overlapping full backs neither of whom are renowned for their crossing ability. The result was entirely predictable....Beckham operating in a 20 yard channel either side of the half way line playing long angled balls forward...a serious lack of width on the left...and Wayne Rooney frustrated by the lack of service dropping deeper into the hole to forage in space both Gerrard and Lampard were attempting unsuccessfully to operate.
The result, quite frankly, was an incoherent mess. The history books will show a 2-2 draw but those who watched the game will know that was very kind to England and anyone hiding behind the fact England avoided defeat is kidding themselves. England grabbed a late equaliser in each half...the second from an ugly scramble and for large parts of the game were outplayed by an under-strength Czech team that failed to get out of their Euro 2008 group. Yet again, the shining stars in The Best League In The WorldTM failed to produce at international level. Surely now is the time to say thanks and goodbye to David Beckham...surely Capello can’t be haunted by fear of the repercussions of dropping him as he did at Real Madrid...the MLS hardly has the profile or respect in Europe for Beckham to bend egg onto Fabio’s face for a second time...and to be fair if that doubt is even entering Capello’s mind then he’s the wrong man for the job.
Now’s the time for some brave decisions and now’s the time to build a squad to qualify and perform in 2010 and beyond and that surely can no longer include Beckham, of whom I have to say I’m a big fan. For me...I would give David Bentley an extended run on the right side of midfield, and Ashley Young an extended run on the left...players who are performing at club level, both have the dead ball prowess to replace Beckham and both are likely to bring a hunger to the role that seems surprisingly lacking from the current incumbents. If we must have some tall timber to throw on if required then for god’s sake make it someone other than Emile Heskey....Crouch, Bent, Ashton (who I realise was injured for this game)...take your pick but make it someone likely to be playing a role in the next two tournaments.
Yes I realise that my two choices out wide dictate choosing only two from Gerrard, Lampard, Hargreaves, Barry and Joe Cole but you know what....it’s about time someone made that call instead of trying to accommodate any of the aforementioned who are fit.
Right now England under Capello offer Croatia no greater challenge than they did under McLaren and Slaven Bilic will have seen nothing to dent his confidence in beating England home and away in qualifying this time round....in fact I think the Andorran coach might have one eye on a famous upset come September 6th given the hard work England made of them last time round.
*****************************************************
Speaking of England’s former coach it seems he’s transformed from the Wally With The Brolly...to the Pryk from the Dyke. If you haven’t seen it yet check out his recent interview with a Dutch journalist who spoke fluent English...it seems two months in the job in Holland has been enough for him to begin talking like a Dutchman speaking English as a second language. Maybe he’s warming up for a tilt at the Socceroos coaching staff...god forbid!
What next you ask? Maybe we'll see Fabio Capello fronting the media following England’s loss in Zagreb in his best Del Boy Trotter cockney accent saying it’s all gone Pete Tong, he’s gutted by the performance, the players looked like they couldn’t give a monkey’s but he’s hoping it will all turn out kushti in the end?
