http://www.thefa.com/news/england/2014/dec/england-dna-launch FA have launched a new initiative to improve England players. Called the England Way...has an emphasis on personal development as well as on football. Sound familiar anybody?
A load of words and faff that don't actually mean that much. Mainly because the people at The FA won't be arsed enough to implement them. Sorry, is that too negative?
I'm wondering if they intend to make more of an effort to have continuity by bringing players through the age groups. There have been quite a few players who feature in the u17-u21 with no guarantee they will be full internationals. Perhaps they want to see a pathway that you get at teams like Southampton. Must help if players are used to playing with each other. There will always be star players that leapfrog the system, but could be an idea. I do like the idea of players having social responsibility...they represent their country and the threat of being dropped should be held over them to encourage good behaviour.
It is one tiny step. It smells of PR, but let's hope it is a real step, albeit a small one. Next they need to address the issue of ball control, skill and focus on better coaching for the masses at grass roots level. They need to employ coaching police.
