Now, after the England squad is announced I find myself with the same viewpoint on the state of the English national team and the problems it currently faces. Both top and bottom of its ladder.
One thing I cannot seem to get my head round is, people automatically assuming, if you play for a top 4 club, play in the CL, then you should and will get into the England squad. This has been happening for years, upon years, yet has England won anything? No. Have we been competent in any way, shape or form? Once again the answer is no.
However, the bigger picture needs to be resolved and that is not splashing cash at grass roots levels, but teaching youngsters the correct way, both knowledge and skill. Until that cycle starts, the old cycle of continual failure will unfortunately continue. We will continue to produce that gem player, now and again, but we want player upon player, who can perform, not the odd few. The FA automatically, presume if they splash a load of cash "Oh, we have spent this much money on this" then it automatically dictates success. Well it does not, as great as it is having top quality faculties, if those youngsters are not taught in the correct manner then, you will find yourself crashing at some point.
I would love for someone to explain to me on what basis, Young, Milner, Defoe, Smalling have been picked for England? On current form, had these players represented teams such as, Sunderland, Fulham, and Swansea or any other club lower down, they would never been picked. Yet they are being picked for the club they play for, not their current form. At the very least pick players, who are deserving of a call-up, and not those based on who they play for.
A Continual Problem With English Football
posted on 27/8/13
"football fans in general are facking moaning prîcks that think they know better than the man in the hotseat."
We all have opinions Darren, that's what makes it fun
We're complaining about the England squad because it's relevant, why the frack would we be bothered what the Dutch do.. they're just another bunch of "facking moaning prîcks"
We just aren't very good.. I think we can all agree on that.
Roy will make us no better for all his efforts.. we should have given Harry the job but the FA bottled it.
posted on 27/8/13
That wasn't a wound up dig at anyone. It's true. I'm guilty of this myself so it's nothing personal. It's just true that fans will always find a reason to moan about the national team. Doesn't matter where we are from.
I'm just questioning the reasoning of this being particular to English football. I understand the complaints. But my gripe is that it is only us that is doing it.
English football isn't great but it's still better than most and everything that is wrong just seems to be highlighted as a flaw that we alone have. When that's simply not true.
De Rossi and Giacherinni got called up for Italy at the confeds despite not really deserving to based on club form. And they were two of their best players. El Shar never should have been called up either as he was rubbish in the second half of the season.
I know you don't care about foreign teams, but it's relevant to my argument that this isn't a massive problem in England. Which the OP seems to suggest.
posted on 27/8/13
I know you don't care about foreign teams, but it's relevant to my argument that this isn't a massive problem in England
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It's not that I don't care but, sorry, it's not relevant to England. We can say what works or doesn't for them but until we try it we won't know.
The OP may be wrong but there are most definitely serious problems with England underachieving.. change is needed whatever the rest of them are doing.
posted on 27/8/13
A ha but the thing is an effective counter attacking team does not need a team to bomb forward all they need is willing runners to exploit the right situations as they present themselves during the course of a game.
And if you give crap teams like Moldova no pressure in their own half and present a solid block of 11 players in front of them you force them to stretch out they won't play a high line but the gap between midfield and the defence and striker becomes huge giving your speed players and midfield runners the time, space and opportunity to hurt players who are both inferior in athleticism and ability.
It will be poor as a spectacle but let's face it you have never been a performance over result nation.
posted on 27/8/13
Also, where did he say we're the only ones doing it?
Calm down Darren.
posted on 27/8/13
Fair play, Bales. I was just in disagreement that this is a massive problem in England. There are far bigger problems, in my opinion.
Trojan, yeah that is true but we just aren't very good at it.
posted on 27/8/13
Darren
I hate it when we fight.
posted on 27/8/13
posted on 27/8/13
I actually think Milner is a good player. Plays very well for City and England Imo. You cant have 11 world class talents on the pitch. U need a couple of workhorses in your team and Milner always gives you 100%.
posted on 27/8/13
I like Young and Milner, would take them back at Villa and am grateful for what they did at Villa. But those two, and Smalling have hardly featured so far, nor deserve to be in the squad. So, quite clearly they are being picked because of what they have done before in the past. That is the problem I have, Lambert last season for a while was kept out of the squad because players were picked on merit rather than form. He eventually gets picked and so far has shown he can do it, even though the tough work starts now for him.
I for one like the idea of the youngsters being picked, i.e. Barkley. These players are the future and if they are showing a small part of their worth in the PL....Then expose them at International level because am sure it will only bode well for the country.