Football’s coming home, but where’s home?
It’s the world cup soon, just in case you didn’t know, the one time I wish I didn’t work with a whole load of women, none of which are football fans and aren’t really excited about the World cup at all. All I get is a ‘typical bloke obsessed by football’ comment. I never moan when other things are discussed that don’t interest me! Anyway, that off my chest I thought I would discuss my views with you, yes you, whoever you are. I’m not saying my opinions are right they are just opinions but I’d love to hear your views!
Friendly performances
So first the recently friendly performances. Yes, they weren’t great but lets not slate them, if it was Spain or Brazil or whoever we’d be saying ‘it’s a sign of a good team not playing well and still winning’ if England play the next 8 games that badly and win I don’t think anyone we’ll remember how bad the performances were. Winning is the most important thing, end of!
The only quibble I have with the friendlies is I just feel we need to be better at defending set pieces, I am sure, however, Mr Capello will have put a rocket up certain peoples arses and it will be sorted!
What Mr Capello brings to England
I think he has brought some organisation but more importantly it’s the change of mentality that he seems to have brought to the England squad. When Steve McClaren left could anyone have actually believed we would have a chance of winning the World cup (we’ll discuss that later), I think there was a genuine worry we wouldn’t even be getting on the plane to South Africa. Whether you agree with all the decisions he makes there’s no doubt England are currently in winning ways, I just hope it continues a little longer.
The chosen 23, and the 7 that remain behind
I’m not going to run though the whole squad, just my thoughts on a few players.
Theo ‘babyface’ Walcott really shouldn’t have been near the England squad? I recently wrote that on a friend’s facebook and got slated, the reply was ‘he’s an impact player, it’s Capello’s fault because he should never be played from the start’ Really?? He can run fast but as far as I can see that’s about it, he loses the ball too much and he can’t deliver a consistently good cross. He’s replacing Beckham on that wing who is one of the best deliverers of the ball of all time, yes Beckham wasn’t the fastest but when you can deliver a ball like he could (and still can) then nobody will care. You ask any centre forward if they would like Beckham to cross them the ball? Lennon is the man for that wing he’s pretty quick himself and can get the ball into the box, I honestly don’t have an issue with Walcott not being there.
I’m a little surprised that Warnock got the shout above Baines but assuming Ashley stays fit I can’t see anyone else getting on the pitch in that position anyway. I also think it’s a shame Dawson isn’t there because I think he’s had a pretty good season. Carragher is there as cover and because of his versatility there is no really suprise he is on the plane. I’m pleased to see Jo Cole there as I think he has done wonders for England in the past and I think he has probably done the best job on the left in recent times for England. On that note, my final comment is I think it’s a shame that Adam Johnson isn’t on the plane as a genuine left sided player.
So what about our chances?
Well I heard people say we’ve not got a strong squad but I’m not quite sure I can agree with that, any team that has Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, etc has a chance. By no means are England the best team at the World Cup, but the best team doesn’t always win. Capello will have to use all his skill to get us over the finishing line, will he do it? I have no idea but can’t wait to find out!
Good luck England!