Bollocks

Not that there's too many foreigners: I agree completely with you about that. But the modern Italian footballer seems to value international football, doesn't he? And Serie A has been powerful and rich for 20 years.

I think our players care passionately. But I also think we chronically underestimate just how difficult this job has become. For various reasons to do with climate, culture and coaching, English footballers palpably lack technique when up against continental or Latin American counterparts; and moreover, have grown up in a country which values pace, power, workrate and getting the ball upfield fast and early over patience, wit and skill. How many two-footed players do we produce? How many English defenders actually pass the ball, rather than hoof it?

Then, at international level, they come up against technically accomplished opponents, and tactics and possession are everything. So what they need is a truly accomplished manager, with vision, hardness and huge coaching authority, developed by managing at the very highest (Champions League and/or international) level, preferably in more than one country. Because an England manager is expected to succeed, despite real limitations in the raw materials available to him: and to make us more than we in theory should be requires someone very special.

But in such a man's continued absence, all our players can do can muddle through despite no proper tactical plan, and with square pegs continually played in round holes. Is Joe Cole a left winger? No. So naturally enough, whenever we pick him there, we end up narrow - and worse, it's often as part of just a four-man midfield, against opponents who flood it. Then we slag off the pegs for not fitting the holes - it's ridiculous! We've had this left sided problem for years - yet do we look for a balanced team, preferably with a left wing back or at least left sided player on the wing? No: then we're surprised when we end up unbalanced and all over the place!

THAT's what I mean. Only a truly accomplished manager (Klinsmann would be my choice) can sort this out - and only a complete change in our culture, coaching and what we expect of footballers in this country will solve the problem long-term. Otherwise, what happened last night will become the norm - but no way is it because the players "don't care".

Posted By: thebigfeller, Nov 22, 08:44:26