To the casual observer it might appear that England have been knocked out of the World Cup. The rampant optimism of a fortnight ago has disappeared, and our former heroes are being booed. But we're still in the tournament. That's right. We are only 5 wins away from being World Champions. In fact, we're only 1 win and 4 draws away from being World Champions (just need lighting to strike 4 times for us to win 4 Penalty Shoot-outs). Defeating Slovenia on Wednesday will put us into the last 16. No other result matters.
It's really not all doom and gloom. Yes, we were poor against Algeria. Very poor. But we never seemed in danger of losing. And against the US, I thought we played ok. One awful mistake cost the game. But again, we didn't lose.
Of course, the press have turned. Capello, the man who two weeks ago was set to lead us to World Cup glory is being vilified. He should only shoulder part of the blame for Friday's display. Let's not forget that it's up to the players to execute his instructions, and as they seemed unable to make simple passes for most of the game he can't be solely responsible. But he does seem to have a blind spot to Joe Cole who everyone seemed to accept a year ago had solved the left side of Midfield issue.
I am confident that on Wednesday, Cole won't start (Capello is a bit too stubborn for that), but we will see a vastly improved England side. I hope Dawson will step in at Centre Back to alleviate the pace problem, Defoe will start with Rooney and everyone will just play better. That should be enough to see us stagger into the Second Round, and we'll start playing better. Much better.
The good thing is that we're not as bad as France. At least our squad are still going through the motions of being a team. And, of course, we're not relying on a mathematical fluke to take us through (having said that, I don't think France are completely out of it yet. I'm not so sure that Mexico and Uruguay will play out a draw as there is a significant advantage of avoiding Argentina if they win the group).
The French combustion is spectacular. So very gallic. Kicking out their best player and not turning up for training is a wonderful way to see out their final few days in the tournament. I wonder how they spent their free day. Taking in a safari?
Anyway, we're not French, so please can everyone just cheer up a little bit and support the team on Wednesday.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
World Cup: Premature Expectation
As I type this the England team will be boarding a flight to South Africa taking with them the hopes of the nation and no small amount of expectation. Before each World Cup we all get a little carried away with dreams of winning the tournament, but the general consensus seems to be that we've got a more realistic shot this year than any time since 1970.
Although I don't think we are the favourites, there are a few factors in our favour that elevate us to likely semi-finalists. I think that will be our limit, but why not enjoy the dream while it lasts?
So, what are these factors?
Coach: Capello seems to be tactically sound and able to control 23 egotists. He has the respect of the players and the press haven't turned on him yet
Climate: I've always thought that always playing the World Cup of a year-round game in blazing hot summer tilts the scales in favour of the hotter nations. I imagine if previous tournaments were played in the winter England would have more than the solitary triumph. So, going to South Africa will balance things out for the temperate nations.
Goal threat: In the last few World Cups it's always been difficult to see where the goals were going to come from. We relied too heavily on set-plays and one main striker. This time, we've got goal-scorers in Midfield, and both the strikers (presumably Rooney and Crouch will start) get goals. We've got a decent right winger too, so I think we'll be a little more penetrative than normal.
Good players fit: The last 2 World Cups have been blighted by our best player breaking a metataursul in the build up and then not being fully fit. Well this time Rooney is looking in top shape and I doubt if there is a defender in the World Cup not worried about him (well, excluding the England defenders, obviously)
Draw: We've been lucky with the draw. The group is about as easy as possible and that is followed up by a relatively clear run to the semi-finals. The old cliche about no easy games at this level still applies, of course, but we should be strong enough. Shouldn't we?
I should reiterate the fact that I don't think we are the favourites. That is Spain, who are so good in Midfield that I wonder whether they ought to play a revolutionary 0-10-0 formation. But England have a few other little obstacles to overcome if they are to meet expectations:
Defence: We've looked shakey at the back, particularly in the centre. John Terry is not the player he was and Rio isn't totally fit.
Squad morale: I do wonder if the players aren't so self-centred that a Dutch-style implosion could ruin all morale and with it our chances. This is likely to be tested by...
The Press: The national press seem determined to ruin anything that is good and optimistic. For example, the Daily Mail Lord Tresman affair (well done Gary Lineker for quitting the Mail after that) and the Daily Telegraph storing up an expenses scandal for post the election. What are the chances that there is one major scandal involving a key player waiting to be deployed on the morning of our first game?
Hopefully not. Hopefully the players are innocently flying out tonight worrying of nothing more than doing themselves and the nation justice on the world stage.
I hope to be back again before the tournament starts with a more general preview of the some of the other nations. And I'll brief you on my 2010 World Cup Betting plan. Until then t'raa
Although I don't think we are the favourites, there are a few factors in our favour that elevate us to likely semi-finalists. I think that will be our limit, but why not enjoy the dream while it lasts?
So, what are these factors?
Coach: Capello seems to be tactically sound and able to control 23 egotists. He has the respect of the players and the press haven't turned on him yet
Climate: I've always thought that always playing the World Cup of a year-round game in blazing hot summer tilts the scales in favour of the hotter nations. I imagine if previous tournaments were played in the winter England would have more than the solitary triumph. So, going to South Africa will balance things out for the temperate nations.
Goal threat: In the last few World Cups it's always been difficult to see where the goals were going to come from. We relied too heavily on set-plays and one main striker. This time, we've got goal-scorers in Midfield, and both the strikers (presumably Rooney and Crouch will start) get goals. We've got a decent right winger too, so I think we'll be a little more penetrative than normal.
Good players fit: The last 2 World Cups have been blighted by our best player breaking a metataursul in the build up and then not being fully fit. Well this time Rooney is looking in top shape and I doubt if there is a defender in the World Cup not worried about him (well, excluding the England defenders, obviously)
Draw: We've been lucky with the draw. The group is about as easy as possible and that is followed up by a relatively clear run to the semi-finals. The old cliche about no easy games at this level still applies, of course, but we should be strong enough. Shouldn't we?
I should reiterate the fact that I don't think we are the favourites. That is Spain, who are so good in Midfield that I wonder whether they ought to play a revolutionary 0-10-0 formation. But England have a few other little obstacles to overcome if they are to meet expectations:
Defence: We've looked shakey at the back, particularly in the centre. John Terry is not the player he was and Rio isn't totally fit.
Squad morale: I do wonder if the players aren't so self-centred that a Dutch-style implosion could ruin all morale and with it our chances. This is likely to be tested by...
The Press: The national press seem determined to ruin anything that is good and optimistic. For example, the Daily Mail Lord Tresman affair (well done Gary Lineker for quitting the Mail after that) and the Daily Telegraph storing up an expenses scandal for post the election. What are the chances that there is one major scandal involving a key player waiting to be deployed on the morning of our first game?
Hopefully not. Hopefully the players are innocently flying out tonight worrying of nothing more than doing themselves and the nation justice on the world stage.
I hope to be back again before the tournament starts with a more general preview of the some of the other nations. And I'll brief you on my 2010 World Cup Betting plan. Until then t'raa
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