Tell you what though Dave at least he can pass the ****ing ball! None of the other ****s we have can!
But by the time of the next tournament, he won't be able to bend over to tie up his bootlaces! He'd have to have velcro!
This raises a major concern that I have about the new England set up. All the talk is about how well Stuart Pierce and the Under-21s have done, and the quality of our Under-19s, etc. etc. But as I see it, this idea of identifying promising youngsters early on, then bringing the "chosen ones" through the ranks, means that talented players who either drop off the notional conveyor-belt, or were never on it, get ignored. Instead of looking for talent and effectiveness wherever it is found, there's a growing tendency to look only at those who have come right through the development system.
i just don't understand how carrick couldn't get in that squad. its no wonder he refused to play again (allegedly) when he found out. likewise adam johnson, a player who can make something happen. and what the hell has poor little leon osman got to do to get in the squad? one of england's best ball players. he'd have 30+ caps if he played for any other nation by now.
Agree 100% about Osman. Many players in this country are ignored because of the team they play for or they are not a superstar by 20. Lots of media attention from been arrested also seems to help.
IMO a player who regards playing for the national team as optional, dependent on him rather than the national team manager, doesn't anyway deserve to wear the shirt. If Carrick IS one such, as alleged, no tears for him from me.
i think he just had enough in the end. he has failed to be selected on numerous occasions when far worse players have been picked instead. i'm pretty sure you'd be fed up if the same happened to you. he is exactly the sort of calm passer england required in their midfield. i don't agree with players doing what he has but i totally understand the frustration of playing arguably your best ever season of football and being overlooked for jordan henderson who is not even premier league class let alone international.
I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but, is it my yellow and green tinted glasses, or does anyone else feel Holty could have served us better than Rooney/Carroll?
I think the appointment of Hodgson was a huge mistake, the emphasis should not be about results but on developing the correct footballing mindset. The style of play is very small minded and what do we have to show for it. What child watching it is going to be inspired to want to improve their skills, if the FA are really wholeheartedly pushing a change in the countrys psyche on how we should play and teach kids how to play then why stick Hodgson in charge who is the antithesis of what we should be striving for. It is just a huge joke of an organisation. How the FA escape from all the flak I just do not know, they are appalling and backward and short term in thinking. It really makes my blood boil that they are allowed to get away with it year after year after year. Thats why I now passionately despise the England team, I really do hate all that it stands for. All the money in the world and we cannot provide a player who can even pass a ball consistently to a top level. People moan about the boring Spanish but I absolutely admire how they got to where they are, it was a wholehearted decision to play that way and backed up with excellent planning and a clear objective. Our lot haven't had a good idea to call their own for 50 years.
I thought in the main our defence looked reasonably secure and I think Cole did indeed show himself to still be one of the best left backs in world football - I'd go as far as to say he's the only England player that would get into most national sides. I think the midfield looked one paced and lacking in any real creativity, and up front we lack a world class striker - we haven't had one since Owen was last in the team. I don't think Welbeck will ever be more than a Defoe/Bent/Crouch type player - hovering around the first team but never really cementing a place.
although i agree with some of what you've said, i'd love to know which manager you'd have appointed carrabuh.
No names, certainly not a British manager as I cannot think of any who would embrace development over results or would be sufficiently clued up. Probably someone who is not a manager presently but has the correct philosophy and no baggage, as long as the objective is made clear to the public so he's given a free reign. To much blame of failure has been attributed to the players and manager, its the FA's fault we never have a decent team, its time they took some flak and protected the manager with a firm set of ideals that aren't associated with generating money. The present England team is an absolute dead dog with nothing in the near future to replace it. The team is at least 10 years away from geatting close to winning anything, use the time to change the philosophy as opposed to pretending we might win something. The English perception of football is wrong, its us against FIFA or UEFA, they seem to receive our wraith, the anger should be aimed more at home. Its our fault we never win anything, no-one elses.
