The Official England Thread-The Team We All Support [Vol 2]
Discussion
mcelliott said:
... I think the England game reached its hiatus as far as my memory serves me, in the 1996 Euros, where we combined the pace and power game with a bit of technical ability also, but then we had the players to provide this with people like Sheringham and Gazza...
I was going to post something similar so I'll quote you 
To me, as I approach 60 and someone very interested in football, it seems a real shame that modern coaching in this country has more or less killed any individuality in young kids. When I was a kid we played with a tennis ball in the playground (that alone taught ball control skills) but more to the point everyone wanted to be Georgie Best. Dribble with the ball and if you beat a player you'd go back to beat him again! 
Now it's all receive the ball, one touch, and pass... fine but where are the next best and Gascoignes going to come from? It's real problem. Coaches have to be prepared to let kids express themselves (what an awfull expression) and fail trying rather than be afraid of not getting in the team if they don't trap the ball and pass it immediately. I agree with the previous poster, for our national team it's been downhill for the last 20 years... I'll put this thought into the mix, and then you can rip me a new one...
To some degree the national team replicates the malaise in wider society - no shortage of money, just a problem with the best use of it and the attitude of those in the spotlight. As much blame can be put on the 'leaders' as those on the 'frontline'.
Our megastar pro-footballers play just well enough to get a first team place, enjoy a fabulous lifestyle, and rarely get called out on their manifest shortcomings. Same appears to be happening in proRugby at union level, too.
Unfortunately I don't have an answer. Not sure anyone else does either. It may just be a phase - admittedly a long lasting one - and one day we might get lucky! This is where organisational ability and sound technical skills get you through - thank you Germany - or great technical nous with a little flair (Holland/Spain/Portugal).
Hoofing it up the middle to the big lad is unlikely to overcome better sides. Sobs.
I'd like to think with all the money sloshing about in the system someone could take a long view and come up with A PLAN. But I won't be holding my breath. In the meantime how about we pay the players more - couldn't hurt, could it?
To some degree the national team replicates the malaise in wider society - no shortage of money, just a problem with the best use of it and the attitude of those in the spotlight. As much blame can be put on the 'leaders' as those on the 'frontline'.
Our megastar pro-footballers play just well enough to get a first team place, enjoy a fabulous lifestyle, and rarely get called out on their manifest shortcomings. Same appears to be happening in proRugby at union level, too.
Unfortunately I don't have an answer. Not sure anyone else does either. It may just be a phase - admittedly a long lasting one - and one day we might get lucky! This is where organisational ability and sound technical skills get you through - thank you Germany - or great technical nous with a little flair (Holland/Spain/Portugal).
Hoofing it up the middle to the big lad is unlikely to overcome better sides. Sobs.
I'd like to think with all the money sloshing about in the system someone could take a long view and come up with A PLAN. But I won't be holding my breath. In the meantime how about we pay the players more - couldn't hurt, could it?
It boils down to Roy. He's never going to inspire anyone to do anything of note. He will find a way to make even talented individuals look poorer than they are.
I also think all England managers get led down the garden path by the media and aren't strong enough to go in their own direction.
For example, right now I think it's safe to say that Rooney isn't one of the form players. But, if Roy were to drop him he'd get hammered by the press.
Likewise back in the golden generation times not picking Lampard AND Gerard was sin as a cardinal sin, so the manager had to try and shoe horn them in to the detriment of everyone.
If I were setting up an England team I'd go with an approach as mentioned by others. Run, run some more and to top it off run a bit more. Play high pressing.
Pick a forward 4 of
Kane/Vardy,
Sterling - Barkley - Walcott
Let them press and then counter with pace.
Stick a couple of mobile DM's in behind Henderson/Alli/Dier/Delph that can support the press.
The back 4 and GK just do their jobs and keep it simple.
I also think all England managers get led down the garden path by the media and aren't strong enough to go in their own direction.
For example, right now I think it's safe to say that Rooney isn't one of the form players. But, if Roy were to drop him he'd get hammered by the press.
Likewise back in the golden generation times not picking Lampard AND Gerard was sin as a cardinal sin, so the manager had to try and shoe horn them in to the detriment of everyone.
If I were setting up an England team I'd go with an approach as mentioned by others. Run, run some more and to top it off run a bit more. Play high pressing.
Pick a forward 4 of
Kane/Vardy,
Sterling - Barkley - Walcott
Let them press and then counter with pace.
Stick a couple of mobile DM's in behind Henderson/Alli/Dier/Delph that can support the press.
The back 4 and GK just do their jobs and keep it simple.
The Don of Croy said:
...To some degree the national team replicates the malaise in wider society - no shortage of money, just a problem with the best use of it and the attitude of those in the spotlight.
<clip> ...In the meantime how about we pay the players more - couldn't hurt, could it?
I was struggling to see the [point being made because the two statements seem to be contradictory. <clip> ...In the meantime how about we pay the players more - couldn't hurt, could it?
mickk said:
Views on this match going ahead?
If the players are willing then yes absolutely, the 
s have already got another match cancelled tonight. Read today the FA were expecting refund requests, they received 100. They sold an extra 10,000 though. We may not be Great that often anymore but we know how to politely say fk You better than anyone.Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff