Is it just me, or are they prepared to do whatever it takes to lose? I mean, they had a certain South American team by the Brazil Nuts in the 2002 World Cup and let them off the hook. They have France by the foie gras and let them off the hook. Keep the stiff upper lip, to come in second is expected. It reminds me of a quote from Vince Lombardi that goes something like 'the drive to be number one is uniquely American.' Now they have what is IMO a spectacular goal by Owen (who also put them up against Brazil in style), and a pardon from the governor Terry strike from heaven, and still they blow it when their captain, who I personally like, and who singlehandedly brought England to another level (ala the last second strike against Greece). WTF. That's crazy. And in addition to getting totally ripped by the ref again....AGAIN, poor Sol Campbell. Anyway, they seem to not have the self belief to win the big big games. Not that they're germany, for god's sake, but...
I think the English particularly the press and players, and maybe to a lesser extent their fans suffer from a genetic hubris that only the die-hard american sports fans can relate to. take for example U.S. basketball (which is my favorite sport) it is almost without doubt that the U.S. is the place to go if you want to make your name in Basketball wether you're Yao or Dirk or whoever.The same is said of anyone wanting to make it football, that they have to make it in the EPL to really arrive. Fans,the press and players of both respective sports and countries believe that it is their natural right that their teams and especially their country be considered the best. But over the past say 20-25 years you might have noticed that that hasn't been the case. I think that English football while enjoyable to watch has been hurt by the huge influx of foreign players in the EPL or it maybe the english believe their own press too much. As far as U.S. Basketball is concerned TV has definitely hurt basketball where now everyone wants to look good rather than play well. It's all about the slam dunk,the game winning three pointer and the endorsement deal. Another fact and this is one that seems to escape everyone until it comes to bite them in the ass is that other countries are not only getting better but playing the proper way or at least in style that I enjoy watching and winning effectively. Just look at how the U.S. men's basketball team got spanked at home in Indianapolis.they finished Sixth.Sixth!! It reminded me of Hungary's thrashing of England at wembley in the 50's. Both countries seem to have a very isolationist and holier than thou attitude when it comes to their respective sports and their fans seem to wonder what went wrong when they lose. That isn't the exact reason they lose but believe me that kind of frame of mind doesn't help either. In fact I believe it is hurtful to the sport and eventually the teams in the long run.
English football was set back a long way when, following the Heysel tragedy, clubs were banned from Europe.
Maybe..... Just MAYBE.... England aren't that good? Who is their best midfielder? Beckham, Lampard, or Gerrard? Would you pick ANY of these guys over: - Ballack - An aging Zidane - Figo - Nedved - Patrick Vieira - Cristiano Ronaldo They just aren't that good. The rest of the team is good, but overall, they haven't been a great team in ages. All great teams have an inspiring centerpiece in midfield.
I think England was playing alittle bit like Italy. They score and then go back for some defense. We all know that u can't play like that if u meet good teams so I think they just need some new philosofy.
They were absolutely NOT ripped by the ref. No serious newspaper or journalist or football expert outside of England saw it that way. Maybe they should start becoming winners by accepting defeat without making up excuses.
How come England doesn't paly as Great Britian? If they play as Great Britian, then couldn't they use Wales, and North Ireland, and all them people?
Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland are all part of Great Britain but are all seperate countries. At least I believe that is how it works..... DD
Rooney, Owen, Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard, Cole, Campbell. That's a pretty solid core. I think maybe Ghetto may be right that its tactics. The only time I can remember them destroying someone, ie going for it was when they crushed Germany in Munich a few years back (hi SJC) ...
Yeah, I think that was a qualification game for the world cup...wait...how far did England get there again...and how far did Germany go...hmmm .
I'd take Gerrard over all of those guys if I was building a team. He's only 23 or 24 and is already one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, his best days are definitly ahead of him, while Nedved, Zidane, and Figo (who's REALLY fallen off) won't be around 5 years from now. Ronaldo is a different type of midfielder, he an attacking winger, and will be special, he just turned 19. But I'd rather have Gerrard in the engine room than a wide man.
I think England failed because they play 2 players with center midfield mentality at the wings. Interestingly, England does not seem to have too many good winger (Kieron Dyer?).
