Comments on: England’s National Team Is In Crisis

By: Publius

Publius — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:08:00 +0000

Not to nitpick, but England doesn’t have a population of 60 million–the whole of the UK, yes, might approach 60 million, but I believe that England’s population is more like 35-40 million. Thus, the talent pool is more limited than it would seem. Imagine if Germany were to field separate teams from Bavaria, Saxony, etc.–they’d probably only have won one World Cup too.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:50:00 +0000

1. England's first problem is Mclaren. Nothing against the man, but there is a coach somewhere that could help England shine (Jose!). I think the FA (maybe the fundamental problem) is incompetent, and they pick the wrong candidates.

2. England's second problem is the pervasive perception amongst the English that England will screw up, play bad, etc. This affects the psyche of the English players, not only because of current negative expectations by England fans, but also because the players themselves grew up in a culture where England is expected to suck. It's a self-defeating mentality that the players themselves adopt effecting their play negatively.

3. England's third problem is Paul Robinson (their goal keeping situation in general is bleak). Teams that have a strong mentality and who are successful usually have a strong keeper. Robinson gets scored on from deep every other week because he sits too far out of net and he lacks the proper reaction to compensate for his positioning. Also, he's not anything special on crosses. The players, no matter what they say, realize this. This creates an even worse team morale.

By: tyduffy

tyduffy — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:56:00 +0000

Your points about flaws in England's developmental system are valid. However, I don't think it possible to blame a dearth or lack of depth of talent is what is weighing them down. Germany was calling up people playing for FC Koln in the 2nd division to fill out a squad for that match.

They have gifted young players. Rooney and Richards come to mind. They have elite caliber players like Gerrard who would be automatic first choices for every squad in Europe. The problem is forming them into a coherent and competent unit, a task to which McClaren has proved woefully inadequate.

What top European international squad has looked good? Italy just got beat 3-1 by Hungary with a bunch of geriatrics. France has called up Boumsong in the last year. Spain are perpetually incompetent.

By: wakeman

wakeman — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:44:00 +0000

I fully agree with simon burke's comments. For me the whole feel of the game was much more positive than we've been used to. I'm no particular supporter of McClaren's but I wish pundits were concentrating more on the positives from the game.

Micah Richards was outstanding, there was fluidity to the passing at times and the players seemed to have a more confident air about them.

I don't think last night's result will do any damage at all, but there are clearly those in the media who would rather see failure and moan about it. The author of the article is using a defeat (not a catastrophic or significant one) to repeat what many ranters have said before.

And it clearly wasn't proof read!

By: Simon Burke

Simon Burke — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:07:00 +0000

to be fair England played very well yesterday - created bags of chances (Owen and Dyer each should have scored) and we were beat on 2 bizarre German goals that happen once every 30 years.
I have berated McLaren in the past but not for yesterday. We were entertaining, Germany didnt get into our half for the first 22 minutes and we created a lot.

We had a couple of missed tackles, one freak cross , one long range bomb and we have somehow lost in a game where there about 55 substitutions - in a friendly between 2 under strength teams.
I am not worried. I was actually entertained for a change watching England.

Radio 5, Football365 and this muppet are all digging the knife in needlessly.