It's Amazing How Poorly England Played

[imarker]

The more I think about it, the more I can't believe how bad England played in the World Cup. Oh how they must be kicking themselves. If Green doesn't make that error. If Lampard's goal is counted. If this or that and so on.

But if they win their group they would have played Ghana instead of Germany and then had the chance to play Uruguay for a place in the semifinals. The semifinals. It's just amazing that a team with so much quality, from Rooney to Gerrard to Terry and Cole, they can't even put together a few good performances. Who's fault was it? Capello and the $9 million a year they're paying him. Don't think he has to take all of the responsibility for the dismal performances.

The Robert Green gaffe could be the main reason for their downfall. The pressure mounted after that mistake. It was like a curse. And after the tie with the United States: everything became difficult.

Looking back I guess it was all there, they would win games or friendlies but with set pieces and never played as a team. They beat Mexico prior to the World Cup but were out played.

Where do they go from here, I think they've got to look at adding speed and skill. I don't know why they didn't bring on Lennon or Shawn Wright Philips versus Germany. Start those two players. And they should have kept Adam Johnson in the team. They needed some creativity something with some energy. Someone who is dynamic. Certainly that wouldn't be the only answer, but it's a start.

Rio Ferdinand's injury and missing out hurt a lot.

But the biggest loss was Wayne Rooney. He just didn't show up. Why? I wish he'd say something about it besides how the England fans were booing. Was he tired. Of course. But this is the World Cup. At least he didn't spit at the camera after losing like Cristiano Ronaldo did.

[Patrick Lynch]

Actually, it doesn’t come as a surprise at all that England played so poorly. When was the last time they produced a great major tournament performance? 1996 against a Dutch side that was torn apart by racial tensions. Oh and it was on home soil too. They were dire in 2006 when they squeaked past Ecuador in the last 16 before Portugal beat them. They did nothing against Brazil in 2002 when they faced 10 men for half and hour and the list goes on.

England cannot be classed as underachievers because they are not that good to begin with. One major final in their history, less than Uruguay, a nation a fraction of England’s size. They profess to be a great footballing nation but have only ever been in four semi finals in big tournaments, and only two since 1968. Each England national team has produced dreadful football. This is 2010, yet this English side resembled Wimbledon in the late 1980s.

Watching Spain pass the ball beautifully against Portugal and seeing Brazil use solid defence as a basis for rapier sharp counter further illustrated the poverty of England’s football. They concentrate on WAG’s and having David Beckham as some sort of ambassador. They had a goalkeeper who plays for a now relegated side and a centre half who plays for West Ham, a side that just avoided relegation. England lives off their name, despite never being ranked higher than 4 in the world. So no, it is not a surprise that they were so poor in South Africa.

[jimc]

There was an observation made in the aftermath of England's second-round capitulation to Germany. The plan should be for FIFA to ban technology altogether, nevermind introduce it to the goallines - then English fans wouldn't have had to witness the 4 German goals that went beyond theirs. Frank Lampard's 'goal' with England 2-1 down could have changed the destiny of the contest, and maybe set Fabio Capello's side up for a beating at the hands of Argentina, but nevertheless, it is accepted that the 'Three Lions' were second best during the 4-1 defeat.

Being a win-at-all-costs type, I wondered why David James hesitated for the first goal rather than rushing out, taking the ball and Klose with him? Why said goalkeeper then allowed a shot from an acute angle to go through his legs for the second? Or why messrs Johnson and Barry didn't bring their men down early in the breaks that led to the third and fourth German goals. Just putting it out there...(of course ignoring the obvious, well-documented deficiences that did occur)

Phone-ins were a source of bemusement. Many have called for an overhaul at the grass roots, a change in coaching methods, Fabio to go of course, "bring in an Englishman to sort it out." How Steve McClaren must have enjoyed those sentiments. There was also the chap who claimed England should "get rid of the lot of them, just pick players from the lower leagues." Quite...

Clearly youth will now be blooded, some of the old guard will fall. Maybe for the next campaign, the coach can stick to the squad and general nucleus of players who got him through the qualification phase, and not undermine the efforts of those who bothered to perform in Kazakhstan at the end of last season for example, by calling on players who have previously expressed their wish not to play international football anymore. And maybe by playing to players' strengths...and not relying on Emile Heskey to get you out of the mire with 20 minutes to go. Any other suggestions?

[imarker]

England have decided to keep Fabio Capello. I wonder how much this factored into their decision:

He has two years left on his contract and following the removal of a “break clause” in his deal prior to the World Cup he would be due the full settlement of his £6 million-a-year salary.

[Patrick Lynch]

The F.A generates a huge amount of revenue each year (£261.8 million in 2008) but the Wembley construction cost them a packet. However, you think they could afford £12 million for the good of their national side. Capello is not suited to that side, then again who is? Those who call for an English manager need to remember what happened with Steve McLaren in charge. Also, no English manager has won the league in 18 years (Howard Wilkinson with Leeds in 1992)

[Martin Moore]

You should not dismiss the fact that having Steve McLaren as manager means that all English manager would do a poor job. When McLaren took the reins he was far too inexperienced for a position of that type. Hodgson or Redknapp would do a great job for England, they are capable of dealing with big ego's whilst they are not afraid to drop players or change formations something that Capello seems to be. In relation to England's performance, the Rio injury I don't believe was that crucial, apart from the Germany game the defence were solid, in the group stages only the Green error led to England conceding a goal. The problem with England is that they have both Lampard and Gerrard who play in similar positions which is detrimental to the team. If a country had 11 Ronaldo's they would not all play as it clearly would not work, the situation is the same with Gerrard and Lampard. One has to be picked and not the other, no manager has been brave enough to drop one yet. With only one the team will be greatly balanced, both fullbacks will have cover in the form of wingers and Gerrard or Lampard will have the freedom to roam without leaving space to be exploited by the opposition.

[Patrick Lynch]

Hodgson is now Liverpool manager as for Redknapp, exactly what would he bring to the table that would alter England’s set up? First of all, he wouldn’t be able to do the ‘wheeling and dealing’ he is renowned for. He worked wonders to win Pompey the cup but his spell at Southampton didn’t work out. He has done well to get Spurs into Champions League qualifying but he has certainly benefited from the fact that Tottenham are an exceptionally well run club that is always able to make big money transfers. The fact is, England just aren’t that good and all Redknapp would ultimately achieve is to bring them to the quarter final of a major tournament where they would be beaten by the first good side they met as per usual. If I were a Spurs fan, I would want Harry to stay.

[jimc]

Would there be any cause in considering an 'inspirational' former player figure like Argentina did with Maradona? Okay, maybe not Gazza but what about a Shearer type figure - or is that what Stuart Pearce is there for? He'd at least be a cheaper option...