England Expects…

…well actually it doesn’t atm thank God - and that might just be our saving grace!

After years of playing crap football with tournament results to match (Sven, McClaren, Postman…), we now have a manager and squad to intrigue us in competition. England are now dark horses at the very least. Who, barring Sun-‘reading’ rose tints, would’ve thought it, eh?

No, I’m not one of the hordes of middle Englanders who sense and brag about improbable world domination on the back of a couple of half decent results. Far from it.

But we do have to acknowledge, appreciate and admire what seems to be going on atm: looks and feels like Woy’s in the pwocess of westoring a little bit of pride in our national team... A couple of months in (if that) and his record reads:

Norway 0 England 1
England 1 Belgium 0
France 1 England 1
England 3 Sweden 2

Sure the opposition hasn’t been top notch BUT let’s be honest, these are all teams in England’s league over the past few decades: all teams who’ve asked questions of us and put us in our place one way or another.

So what’s the difference between Hodgson’s mob and those that choked so badly in South Africa? For me, it’s the mind-set. That odious, unrealistic and entirely counter-productive nationalistic arrogance has gone for the moment: not just from the squad itself but from the media and the fans up and down the country too from what I can see.

Sure it was there in the days of the Kevs and Trevs but there’s no denying that Eriksson, Sad Mac and Capello each milked it for all it was worth too, as it covered up their own inadequacies.

Not so Woy on the evidence to date. He’s more in the Ramsay mold, quieter and more discreet, not given to hype whilst all the time building solid foundations from which careful adventure becomes possible.

Now THAT’s the old England: no pretentions, just quiet quality on the rise.

On this point, I have to disagree with the world and its auntie. Sure player quality, technical ability and this ‘tippy tappy’ stuff is all well and good - but it ain’t the be all and end all of a successful (international) team.

What is, is quality management. The fact is that England with one or two exceptions, have been sadly lacking in this department throughout the last century (and not just in football either!). It’s been all about the 6 ‘Ps’ hasn’t it? Poor planning and preparation equals piss poor performance…

That’s really what the likes of Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Argentina, Brazil et al have all had over us for so long. It’s what makes for team preparation, organisation, spirit and game plan; and it comes from education, good ideas and equally importantly: the drive to get things implemented behind the scenes.

All this applied to national character and resource (England’s being no less impressive than anyone’s else’s) and packaged in a little humility - because no one knows the score before the final whistle. Good managers simply weigh up the odds, prepare and then hope, knowing that great expectations invariably lead to one thing - disappointment.

Quality managers approach each new challenge cautiously, feeling the opposition out in the run-up as well as when tournaments and games get under way; and let their plans unfold when they think the time’s right.

Forget the punditry and the match reports. Forget player ratings, goals and clean sheets. Forget even Woy’s underwhelming wecord... this quality management approach is, for me, THE big positive that’s happening with England atm. We’ve inadvertently found ourselves a (stop-gap) gaffer who understands and practices the art of management.

Woy’s quickly got the squad’s attention and increasingly, their and our respect. He’s got a game play that’s founded on a difficult to penetrate compact 442 where the back and midfield lines fan out when the opportunity arises. Not particularly attractive but undeniably practical and effective.

Early days yet but with the assistance of young Gary Neville (what a choice, a man with passion and brain!), I can see us coming up trumps under this regime – and that’s a first for donkey’s years. No, we probably won’t achieve the real heights any time soon but certainly some very solid, bespoke England, foundations in place.

We fans can argue the toss about Rio, Terry, Henderson and so on (personally I was dead against the inclusion of Carroll…) but no doubt the guv’nor knows what he’s doing within the context of his vision.

Ramsay was equally questioned for his selections. His justification is the same as Hodgson’s - it’s not about the best individuals, it’s about the best team! Jimmy Greaves was THE in-form striker back in the day but Ramsay opted for Geoff Hurst, a player little better than Andy Carroll. Jackie Charlton wasn’t the best CB, nor Nobby Stiles the best half back etc. etc. – but these guys got the top medals when the opportunity arose.

So, for me, win, lose or draw against Ukraine, Spain or whoever, we’ve got our England back to some extent, Let’s just go forward with hope, humility and decent professional management - and leave all that ridiculous arrogance and expectation behind us.

Looks like we’re gradually building momentum and could be we’ll peak at just the right time - just like them Rs eh?!!

COY ENGLAND!!

Your thoughts?

 

"On this point, I have to disagree with the world and its auntie. Sure player quality, technical ability and this ‘tippy tappy’ stuff is all well and good - but it ain’t the be all and end all of a successful (international) team."

Epic post Brix, glad you feel England is getting its mojo back. I think Roy is doing a decent job with a very limited bunch of players. Have to take issue with the above - 'tippy tappy' has got Spain a World Cup and a European Championship, and a big shout for the current one. The six countries you quote have at least one thing in common - their players usually love the ball and they are good at keeping it. Which is why, between then, they have been successful in most international tournaments.
But agree Roy is cutting his cloth well, simple game plans, difficult to beat etc. the results are good, the spectacle less so, but impossible to expect more.

 

Very good Brix!
Agree with a lot of that, although arrogance is what Brazil built countless World Cup wins on and Spain seem pretty arrogant too!! IMO players need to play with confidence, which in turn leads to playing with a little arrogance too. I get the point about the fans being arrogant in their expectations and I actually think we've seen the back of that!
I like Roy and he does seem to be able to react from the touchline to changing circumstances....something that Sven and Capello were patently incapable of doing!!
When he has our best side available to him, Roy could well be a big success.
Nice to read a post from an Englishman who clearly wants to be proud of the National team instead of all this self-loathing bollox!!
COY ENGLAND!!

 

Many very valid points in there Brix.

I agree that the lack of hype from all quarters has lifted some pressure and the bottle-boy mentality seems to have gone. I'd expect all and sundry to get carried away if we get to the quarters but this is the first chance we've had for 20 odd years to build up momentum actually within the first chance tournament.

I agree also with the point about tippy-tappy football. The worst thing we can try to do is emulate Spain or Brazil and one of my biggest annoyances is the lack of retreating our domestic playing style on the international stage (irrespective of success).

A high paced, mixed passing game is our forte and we would look at Germany as the example of how to succeed with that type of play.

 

To be honest Brixt, I haven't had time to read your article, BUT, if England don't start expecting, then and only then, will you guys go far! So, I hope the tabloids lay off, and who knows what would happen, huh?

Just back from Gdansk late last night, and all I'm expecting now is a nice, expensive and quiet pint of Guinness......just one though!

 

Like us, Spain underachieved for many years prior to Luis' (Aragonés) appointment as manager in 2004 and their Euro title in 2008; and then that of the excellent Vicente del Bosque thereafter. These managers were the first to apply nouse in finding the right blend in terms of players, formations and game plan to win tournaments. There's no denying that, perhaps like us, Spain had always had the potential in terms of league, major teams, players etc.. Again an example of quality management with the vision and skills to make things work for them.

Fact is, management is a profession in itself that takes knowledge and ability to consistently achieve the desired results. For all the money in football, able management is key to all things. We tend to think it's a matter of luck or personal judgement; and place too little emphasis on qualification (formal or informal) and too much on jobs for the (incompetent) boys.

 

England Expects ... I would in fact enjoy it if England won this thing as it would be by complete accident thus proving that you take away the pressure then anything is possible. I prefer tippy tappy of course as it'a lot harder to do.

 

Very good stuff ... anyone think that if Redknapper had got the job England would get to a better place sooner? I do he plays football in the right way for me.

 

Hodgson is a decent guy and I hope for his sake that England get a result against Ukraine. I would hate to see the media turn on him. While Swden were poor I was still impressed by England's attitude in coming back to get a win.

 

We've got a fairly workmanlike, functional and occasionally exciting Premier League team competing in an international tournament.

 

Major blunder not giving 'Arry the job, you have only to look at the way Spurs played this season to see his philosophy and although Hodgson is doing as well as he can with the squad available he doesn't seem to want to take any risks which will mean we are often reacting to play rather than dictating the play...

 

Harry Redknapp must be the first manager in history to crack under the pressure of NOT having the England job.

 

Let's kick this idea in the head immediately. Arry played good football with players he accumulated from all over the world at great expense. He would have struggled to do the same with this squad as they are not good enough players. Roy far better equipt to get something out of this bunch IMO. Won't be pretty though.

 

But isn't it's other name 'simple ball'? Thought your preference was for players to express themselves (Taarabt-like)... Fact is, the two styles are most effective when alternated at key moments.

 

That's true about 'Arry, Stan - but the outstanding quality in his management is his fairly unique ability to take over losing teams (Southampton, Portsmouth, Tottenham) and immediately reverse fortunes by getting unfamiliar players to perform with confidence and as a unit.

 

In order for simple passing to work you need technically gifted and creative players (otherwise it looks like Swansea at LR).

Arsenal have played the best football in the last 10 years of the Prem but Man U play the most effective through their varied style (that allows more flexibility when chasing games).

 

Can't agree with that though - he wheels and deals pretty well but usually gets his preferred line up by trial and error. He is high maintenance and spends a small fortune wherever he's been. He gets them playing well once the tteam is settled.

Harry needs his transfer market whereas Hodgson has a proven International track record.

 

Tippy tappy or keep the ball or simple football allows any creative player in any team the time to express himself

It's a automatic mode that compounds and allows expression against time

I watched England pass a lot against the glorious French only for them to knock it long under no pressure and wellbeck was caught offside

 

Yes but how much time do you need? It took Taarabt 8 months to score a PL goal FFS.