I did 2 months coaching and watching coaching in Holland about 15 years ago. That was a real eye opener. The surfaces that kids at local level played on were like bowling greens. Technically able to play on one touch due to this reason. We all know what it's like over here, we are miles behind. Kids play in winter on a mud bath up a hill on a bubbly pitch while it pisses it down! 2 touches to get it under control and then your tackles!! The introduction of 3 and 4g pitches has enhanced the ability in children but they are still few and far between.
That’s the key missing piece in the squad at the moment for me: the world class creator. When you think of the season that Kane and Sterling (in particular) have had its such a shame we don’t have an Eriksen or De Bruyne or suchlike.
With all the money in the game, huge amounts should be invested in grass roots football. The academies mostly have great facilities and there would be another huge step forward if all kids had good pitches and better coaches.
Yep. Sort of agree. What we need above all else is that holding midfielder who can receive the ball from the defence and recycle possession. Winks is probably the best we have for that right now but hopefully we'll discover more. The likes of Foden and Maddison are players that should hopefully be getting into the squad and they are technically good enough to totate with Winks or whoever to get into that first pass position from the back four and keeper. I think Southgate will continue with the stylish football and hopefully we can do well at next year's Euros.
Totally agree the local pitch near me is kept to the highest standards but remember the climate is different and when they make a football pitch over here then it constructed correctly from the get go Saying that I played in Morocco for the Surfing team based near Agadir and the pitches there in the league were all on the beaches ... complete perfect pitches on hard sand skill level sensational but tactically madness Knowing first hand that English kids have to dedicate and commit 100% from a very early age and work a lot harder imo. They are often competing against a wealth of natural football thinkers from all around the world so we must be doing something different and possibly wrong. Look at that Sanchez lad he has benefited already imo by playing abroad I am very excited about England at the moment as a team hope we all give them the time We need to be able to keep the ball naturally and this team will be able to do that as my old coach in France said ... the other side cannot score if they haven’t got the ball
I sort of agree right back. I see the ball finding its way to the final third often enough, but there follows a disproportionate number of real scoring opportunities.
I didn't see it, but I saw a round-up of all our chances. England apparently out played them. Nothing game yes, but another positive experience for the likes of Sancho etc to win the shoot out.
Just watching Rory McIlroy absolutely ripping the course apart in the Canadian Open Championship, -9 in 14 holes in his final round and -22 overall. Needs two birdies to hit a 59...
I am soon leaving to see Poland v Israel at the National Stadium in Warsaw for the Euro Qualifiers. I am not expecting a great match, but am really looking looking forward to meeting a friend and having pre-match drinks of several "half-litres" of beer. It will be all the more enjoyable as the temperature is currently +30 C. On a QPR note, Poland will play in a new commerative shirt for the " Centenary of the Polish FA". It reminds me of the R's red and black halved away shirts worn in the 70's. Na zdrowie! please log in to view this image
I had very pleasant pre-match refreshment of this cold draft wheat beer which was very remarkably refreshing. Many people had a similar idea resulting in a last minute rush to enter the stadium. We arrived at our seats precisely at kick-off which was perfect timing. The match was a very comfortable 4-0 and ewas even quite entertaining. please log in to view this image
