England take note; Scotland has taught you the lesson

User Rating: / 6
PoorBest 

England: It's the players who are to blame

By Gary McDaniel

As the post-mortem begins into England's sorry exit from the World Cup, the finger of blame has started to point in the direction of Fabio Capello.

The Italian is regarded as one of the finest football managers in the game today, maybe not now by a certain few million across the border.  Capello though doesn't lose much credit in my eyes.  Yes you can question some of his decisions but the brutal truth for England is that they are just not good enough.

The first England manager I remember was Bobby Robson.  During the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, Robson was heavily criticised by the media for being in charge of the worst start to a World Cup finals made by an England side.  Pictures of Robson, deep in thought at the team hotel, prior to their must win final group match against Poland were beamed back to the UK.  Was it too much for the former Ipswich Town boss?

England of course beat the Poles and went onto the Quarter-Finals and lose out to Argentina and the infamous 'Hand of God'. Robson had redeemed himself and staved off the knives that were out for him on their return.

Two years later in West Germany, at Euro '88, England were out played, out thought and out classed by the Soviets, Dutch and Irish.  They went home without a point and for many it spelt the end for Robson.  

The two years prior to Italia '90 were at times brutal with regards to criticism from the English press towards Robson's team. You wouldn't have blamed him for walking away as at times it was nasty.  He managed though to guide them to the finals even though there were calls for him to change formation or style of play. Sound familiar?

Robson dug deep and even though in the eyes of many, draws against Holland and Ireland were seen as disappointing, although they were a lot better than the results against both nations two years previously, the press just were not happy and who was to blame?  The manager of course.

After a last gasp winner against Belgium in the 2nd round and a nervy win over Cameroon in the Quarter Finals, England were in the last four.  Now I believe this was an over achievement for a side that only truly had two world class players in their squad, Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker.  

England's achievements in 1990 were celebrated by their supporters even though they lost out on penalties to West Germany in the semi-finals.  It was but a shot in the arm for English football. It had suffered deeply from the tragedies of Hillsborough and Bradford, to the ugly scar of hooliganism and the disgraceful scenes from Heysel in Belgium.  This was the start of a new beginning, or so they hoped.

Bobby Robson departed, after the FA told him prior to the 1990 finals that his contract would not be renewed.  He would go onto map out a fantastic career in management abroad with the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon and Porto.  He is now regarded as one of the finest managers of his generation but during his time in charge of England you wouldn't thought it, due to his treatment from the media.

Next to take the hot seat was Graham Taylor, a manager who had a big reputation after relative success with both Watford and Aston Villa.  It proved to be a period in which Graham Taylor was more remembered for being a turnip than a successful England manager.  That is how nasty it can get.  Some would say it was fair as he seen over a period in which England bombed at Euro '92 in Sweden and then failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1994.  

1992 was a pivotal year in English football as it hailed the arrival of the FA Premier League.  An up to date slicker version of the English top flight with a multi-million pounds contract with new broadcaster Sky.  Many said it wouldn't work.........

So the domestic league wasn't suffering but the national team sure was.  Who was to blame?  Taylor? Yes in the eyes of the press and ultimately the England fans.  It was though a transitional period for England.  Players such as Shilton, Butcher, Stevens, Robson, Barnes and Lineker were gone or too long on the tooth for the job.  Those that had been left were just not up to the job.

Taylor went through the exit door as England prepared to host the 1996 European Championships.  Step forward the wise cracking El Tel (Terry Venables) to the rescue.

After leaving Spurs in 1991 the cockney wide boy had been treating himself to a sabbatical from the game but couldn't turn down the opportunity of returning to manage his beloved England.  A definite supporters choice for the job, a manager who will stir the passion of the nation as they host Euro '96, oh 30 years have hurt and all that........

England fans look back on that tournament with fond memories and regard it as a turning point for the national team and the support it receives from the English public.  You could also say that although England did well in reaching the semi-finals they rode their luck along the way, Spain in the quarter-finals in particular.  Overall though things were looking up for England but after the dust settled on Euro '96, Venables was off after confirming he would leave the job prior to the finals due to personal circumstances.

England turned to Glenn Hoddle to take charge of a generation of England players who in the eyes of some were on the verge of greatness, again were have heard that before.

The former Chelsea manager guided England to the World Cup finals in France in 1998.  A squad of players which included the rising stars of Michael Owen and a certain David Beckham.

It was good night though for the English as they departed in the second round to Argentina on penalties.  Hoddle was wise enough to allow most of the blame to lie at the door of Beckham, who needlessly got red carded for a kick at Diego Simeone.  

It didn't though take long for Hoddle to go. He made some unwise comments about people with disabilities in a newspaper interview.  A press connection again but this time the fault lies completely with the manager.

Up next was the man loved so much by the Toon Army that they can forgive him for walking away when the going got tough, a point that should have been clear for the FA.

Euro 2000 was the starting point for the demise of Keegan's England.  Yes he takes some of the blame but technically it was a poor England side, fraught with stage fright.  Keegan walked after an abysmal performance against Germany in the last England match at the old Wembley.

The FA then looked beyond the borders of England for their next manager, surely someone with a gleaming CV can take this, what was viewed by the media and FA as a great group of England player's to the next level.  Swede Sven Goran Eriksson was seen as that man.  A manager with great managerial success at club level.

Eriksson started his reign with great vigour, a 5-1 defeat of Germany in Munich was the highlight.  A result so greatly revered by England fans it is up there with 1966.  Ultimately though the result was really just a token gesture.  It was one of the worst German sides in history but they managed to reach the following year's World Cup final in Japan.  How can they do that? Was the cry from the English.

England were knocked of that World Cup in 2002 by eventual winners Brazil.  The Brazilians played most of the match with 10 men but were comfortable winners in the end.  As Danny Mills, England full-back, has said since "We were simply not good enough."

England's Euro 2004 campaign showed some hope, especially the emergence of Wayne Rooney. Who played through that tournament with a passion and belief that was nowhere to be seen in 2010.  Why?  

The media started to question Eriksson and after the WAGS debacle at the World Cup in 2006.  Questions started to be asked if he was the right man to take England forward..... Had he not already?  England departed Germany, in 2006, in the usual manner... Penalties.  In truth though their performances were never inspiring.  Eriksson left.

"We need an Englishman to take charge," was the cry from Fleet Street.  There was though a distinct lack of good English managers around, just like their current lack of good English goalkeepers.

Middlesbrough manager, Steve McClaren, who had just taken the Teeside club to their first European final was chosen as Eriksson's successor.  It wasn't the ideal choice for some but he was English.

England failed to qualify for the European Championships in 2008, for the first time in 24 years.  Who got the blame..... Yes of course it was McClaren, the Wally with the brolly.  

McClaren has now restored his reputation as a good manager after guiding the unfashionable FC Twente to the Dutch title last season.  He now hopes to continue that success at German side Wolfsburg.

Now ever since I can remember it has been predominately the manager that has been blamed for England's constant failures on the big stage.  A country which invented the game, has more professional football clubs than any other country, has a league which generates millions and a craving for success amongst its fans.  Where is the fault?

For all England's glitz and glamour, with the Premier League, its national team is a bunch of over rated footballers who are mutton dressed as lamb.

As the final whistle blew on Sunday and England were out, after an awful display against a young talented German side, it was Capello who the media predominately focused upon.  He should go! Are some of the opinions of those in the press. If I was Capello I would go, get out of it.  Go and restore your faith in the game by managing again at club level.  For me, Capello looked a frustrated figure at the lack of basic skill shown by many of his squad.  Yes it's ok to criticise now of his selection of Emile Heskey but prior to the World Cup all the press were happy for him to partner Wayne Rooney.

England fans point to the qualifying campaign as a factor to build up hopes prior to the finals.  Yes they negotiated themselves through a relatively easy group.  Croatia, the side which knocked England out of Euro 2008 but failed miserably in the finals.  Ukraine, who beat in England in their home game, were knocked out by Greece, probably the worst team in South Africa, in the play-offs.  The form book didn't back-up for a team looking to go far in the finals.

Then we had the pathetic carry on surrounding the possible disharmony within the squad. Oh we are bored......... Nothing to do........  We all have to eat together.......  No mobile phones allowed at the dinner table.......  How pathetic!

I heard a Radio 5 Live reporter say that he felt sorry for the players as he felt they were being treated like children by Capello.  They don't get treated like that by their clubs back home, he should have more faith in them???  What and allow them to have flings with other player's wives?  Ok might be a bit extreme but I must have a short memory or was it not the media who criticised Eriksson for his policy of allowing players and wives to do what they wanted in Germany four years previously?

Capello felt discipline and respect was needed within the squad, not that it was extreme by any manner but for players to complain of boredom?  Sorry lads but you are living in a 5-star hotel, involved in a World Cup Finals which is the biggest sporting event in the world and you're there representing your country and you’re bored?

Britain has just witnessed its public sector staff bare the brunt of the recent hatchet job of a budget form the Chancellor.  Who the right-wing press say they have a cheek for moaning as they fear for their jobs.  But yet we have a bunch of multi-million stars living in the best safari park in South Africa, representing their country, which millions of other would wish to do, but yet say THEY ARE BORED!!!! Walking about with a face which looks as if as if they have just been turned down for a crisis loan at the Brew...... Come on!

These are the same players who will return home take the initial flack, but sit back and watch yet again the manager get it in the neck, then fly off to some exotic location to recharge their under used batteries.  Arrive home a few weeks later and say they are ready to give everything for their employer.

These are the Premier League stars who believe their own ego, which is massaged throughout the domestic season by the same members of the media who will tear Capello to shreds.  

The question is as to why can these so called stars perform so well on the Champions League stage with their clubs?  Maybe the foreign influence at their clubs makes them look like a better player?  Or maybe when it comes to England they just don’t have the bottle to stand up and take the responsibility.

More serious questions have to be asked about the future of the English game.  A decreasing amount of English players in the Premier League, a lack of opportunities for young English talent.  Hey it's a mirror image of the Scottish Premier League of 15 years ago and take note England look what happened to our national team!

Don't' be surprised if in four years time another sorry chapter is added to England's recent World Cup history.