Their destiny is still in their own hands heading into the final match of the group stage next week, but who would care to predict the outcome of that game after this horror show. It was a dismal performance which made a mockery of the external hype and confidence in this team, not just from the patriotic supporters back home but from players, managers, fans and experts all over the world, who expected this group of players to make a huge impact at the World Cup.
I am talking about Germany, of course, and their Group D defeat to Serbia on Friday.
England's catastrophic humiliation at the hands of Algeria in Cape Town doesn't even bear thinking about.
Words fail me, so here is a statistical look at how Fabio Capello's men fared against a team ranked 30th in the world:
ENGLAND ALGERIA
POSSESSION: 53% 47%
GOAL ATTEMPTS: 14 13
ON TARGET: 8 8
Nothing between the two of them, was there? No, literally, you'd need to compare their tax returns to find any difference. I'm genuinely starting to believe that France are the lucky ones.
Manchester United's superstar forward Wayne Rooney, widely tipped for a place on the shortlist for the World Player of the Year award this year, played like a hungover pub team player and he was not alone in that category. While the star of the show was Algeria's tricky midfielder Karim Ziani, who struggles to get a place on the bench for Wolfsburg.
Where was England's most technically gifted midfielder Joe Cole? When will Capello finally ditch Heskey in favour of the free-scoring Peter Crouch? Why is the team fundamentally incapable of keeping possession for more than a few seconds at a time? There are far more questions than answers at the moment and Capello has so far failed to respond satisfactorily.
England's form is inexplicable, their apathy baffling. The bronzed players (simply sunburned in Jamie Carragher's case) look like they've had far too much sun.
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Glad I'm supporting New Zealand at this world cup.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though - I saw an excellent quote from Chris Waddle the other day, about how Spain's players will pass to a man even if he is marked - they have 100% confidence in their teammates ability to retain possession and recycle the ball. They are calm and composed and will do anything to keep hold of the ball. England's players, on the other hand, seem to regard it as a burden, all too desperate to get rid of it. Even Rooney. There wasn't one ounce of composure in that team, and to say that David James looked the most at ease is saying something.
Chinese water torture seemed a delightful prospect compared to being subjected to 90 minutes of that dross who call themselves England's best.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they were feeling the weight of their wages in their legs as they failed to produce any chances, any period of possession, any creative passage of play or anything that looked like they wanted to be out there representing England at the pinnacle of the world game.
I am now considering a move back to Australia to start following Rugby League and Aussie Rules where the players wear their heart on their sleeves and where the weather's heaps better.
It beggars belief to be presented with stories of them enjoying a relaxing round of golf and bantering about a darts league when they can't even summon an ounce of grit and determination to beat a team which doesn't even do their modest ranking of 30th in the world justice.
You're right about everything Simon. Has Capello too much of an ego to admit his failings and have the guts to change things around? I'm no expert but I can clearly see how the predictable 4-4-2 doesn't work and how putting our best central midfielder languishing on the left flank is the wrong idea. SWP replacing Lennon and offering nothing extra. The list goes on.
One thing in our favour though. Remember Italia '90? If memory serves, we drew our first games, albeit against better opposition, and had to scrape a narrow victory over Egypt to qualify top. All we need to do now is win and better USA's result against Algeria to qualify top once more. A task that, in a qualifying stage, would very achievable with the players at our disposal. Semi Finals anyone?
Jack you have no idea what you are talking about, regurgitating Waddle's material just weak. Have some original thoughts, people like you should have an internet ban. sicko
ReplyDeleteI agree with Foz, semi finals... it has to be. Every team plays poorly now and then, just like with my team on a Saturday. Sometimes it just doesn't feel right. These people are determined and driven, they have given up a real childhood to get where they are. They have been driven from an early age to be in this tournament. To play, to score.....to WIN
ReplyDeleteP.S. what's wrong with a-train?