England's football team - 40 years of failure
London, UK
In 1968, Yugoslavia beat England 1-0 in the semi-final of the then European Nations Cup. The goal was scored by the world's best ever left-winger Dragan Dzajic. A couple of years later, England bowed out to West Germany in the heat of Guadalajara in the quarter-final of the World Cup. For me, those two results started the sticky slope that the English football team has been on ever since.
Earlier this evening, the team that represented Croatia (a former part of Yugoslavia) out-played, out-thought and out-witted a below-par English team. It'll probably mean the end for manager, Steve McClaren but when will we all realise it's not down to him or even the hapless goalkeeper Scott Carson?
In my view, these are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed:
1. Sport in my opinion, is not taken seriously in England.
2. There is no national centre for football excellence.
3. In recent years, 34000 playing fields have disappeared in England under both Labour and Conservative administrations.
4. Footballers in this country are still drawn from what was working class backgrounds. In France, Spain and Italy, in particular, footballers come from all levels of society.
5. The Premiership and Championship appear to be more important to players, supporters and officials than the success of the national team.
6. Continental players have better ball skills than English players.
7. All too often, players and managers and coaches are one-dimensional in their approach. (Just look at the first 45 minutes this evening)
8. A "quick-fix", short-term solution is the answer to everything. (i.e. the appointment of McClaren?)
9. A lack of leadership and vision from the footballing authorities, politicians and educationalists.
What's your view?
I think I'll tag
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