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England reach an all-time Capel - low

At first, it is hard not to take out your frustrations on the players, who could have been forgiven for their absence of skill or flair if they had showed any true grit and determination to win a match. Where was their national pride? Where was their passion? Never mind 3 lions on their shirts, 3 blind mice would have been more appropriate!

After the painfully tense draws against America and Algeria, it seemd that nerves had gotten the better of the so-called “Golden Generation” of England players. So, as mere spectators, we try to justify their lack of creativity and movement by remembering the enormity of the pressure these players are under, the immense weight of expectation that rests so heavily on their shoulders. And let’s not forget how tired they all are after a gruelling season of relentless Premiership football, which doesn’t even allow them a proper Christmas break. But then we are quickly reminded of their obscene weekly wage packets and their overwhelming experience of playing and performing at the top level and our sympathies soon revert back to a simmering mix of anger and resentment.

However tense they might have been, playing on the biggest stage in the world, with the ridiculous misconception that they were somehow good enough to win the tournament, it should not have affected their desire to win. After watching teams like Chile and Ghana, who play so competitively (maybe a little too competitively in the case of Chile) with real heart and spirit, it was shameful watching an England team who, with few exceptions, looked like the effort of tying their boot laces was about as much as they could muster.

All this begs the question why? Why is there no evidence of the fantastic team spirit that apparently exists off the pitch? Why is there no evidence of any player being hungry for the victory that they seem to think is so easily within their grasp? Why is there no evidence of the star quality that these “world-class” players display on a weekly basis throughout the season for their individual clubs? What happens to these players when they put on an England shirt?

Sooner or later the blame has to fall at the feet of the manager, whose role surely has to go beyond picking the best players that are available and telling them where to stand on the pitch. Looking at our statuesque first eleven against Germany you begin to wonder if that is all Capello has really done? He kept telling us after each game that the players “know what they have to do” but did they? Really? I failed to see any real team unity or collective work ethic that is crucial for a successful World Cup campaign. And every team needs a leader, someone who can motivate the players, someone who commands enough respect that they can bring out the best in the players and above all, in my opinion, someone who speaks the same language.

This last point may seem harsh but I cannot imagine Fabio Capello giving the England players the rousing half-time team talk that they clearly needed in all of their matches. Why is it that for any other professional post to be undertaken by a foreign national, that individual must first prove his/her level of English regardless of their qualifications and experience, and yet for the top job in English football, it seems reputation alone is enough. No-one is disputing Capello’s excellent footballing credentials but maybe an IELTS band score of 7 should be among them.

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Congratulations to Spain!!

The best team won the world cup in my opinion!

Jenny
iPass

By Jenny Bedwell on 2010 07 13

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