A LARGE SCOTCH
The usual rants accompanied England’s poor show against France this week. The French teams splendour in putting in such a great performance following a World Cup where their so called ‘stars’ wanted to be a beach in the warm, spoke volumes. The cries of lack of quality from the pundits and ex-players and one former England manager who didn’t exactly do much to change to a so called ‘purist style’ did make me laugh a little. But sums up what I guess we all feel about England. Total frustration. It’s true that a number of lower league football fans follow England. I know of people who will be sitting with or near me in the Greenhous today who regular follow our national team home and away. There is a perception that lower league fans, used to a ‘lower standard’ expect more from these ‘overpaid stars’ and hence give them the bird when they don’t perform. Wayne Rooney’s rant in South Africa was mainly aimed at those fans. However it is those lower league fans, the backbone of England’s support that is truer to a working class support that football has always aligned too. The England team at present reminds me a lot of the England Rugby team. Martin Johnson despite being a World Cup hero was being vilified in the chattering classes for poor performances and lack of excitement. Those that will have witnessed England’s performances of late will realise that actually we are now going in the right direction, despite a lot of serious pain. Whether Capello is the right man for the job (especially after South Africa is challengeable). However his use of talented youngsters blooded against those from a different nation, should be
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applauded and welcomed. Gareth Southgate’s call for experience to right all wrongs probably sums up why he isn’t in a job right now.
Whether Capello for not being the red blooded passionate Englishman is the right sight we want to see on the side of the pitch, Stuart Pearce is, and I wonder if at some stage, probably 2012, ‘Psycho’ will get nod. I would really hope.
Whether our coaching is really up to scratch is worth a challenge However it is interesting when I play football that people of a younger generation, want to trap a ball, can pass it, run with it. People of a same age I played with twenty years ago could do neither.
Coaching is better than it was. Still not good enough? Can always improve. More English players in the Premier League, absolutely. But if they are good enough, why aren’t they playing. It is about players from other countries at this point in time being better. Not just expensive lower league players. Look at Joe Hart. Was good enough and moved up. The fact is our players aren’t good enough right now. But going forward? Lets hope so!
Adrian Plimmer 25
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