Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:52 pm  

Capello is taking a ton of flak for his "inflexibility".

His argument is "I know what I'm doing and my track record in domestic football at the top level proves it". And if Capello can't fashion England into an effective unit it's debatable whether anyone can. The problem is I don't think he's ever been in a situation where his players are so completely paralysed with nerves. England's lamentable track record of disasters since 1966, the overoptimistic expectations of the fans, our perfidious media, the celebrity lifestyles etc. etc. all add up to an unshakeable millstone of fear which crushes them. It's an English disease which Capello has neither experience or understanding of.

We'll never be free of it until we unearth players who have the mental strength, constitution and courage to rise above it.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:45 am  

Is Gourcuff the traitor? I thought it would have been Henry.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:58 am  

Red Red Robin wrote:

Until the English game decides to put football ability first and being an athlete second we will never win anything. In this country we bang on about workrate and passion and commitment as though that is all that is needed and ability and tactical nous are an afterthought. For supposedly top players their technique is poor and there is just no excuse for how inflexible they are when it comes to playing in different systems and formations.

Excellent Post.

It will need a cultural shift to achieve this though.

In this country we teach people how to win at sport before we teach them how to play.

Watch junior football and you'll hear phrases like "why can't you just knock it?", "stick it in row z" and "get stuck in to them" we actually coach skill out of kids by inhibiting creativity and have been doing for years.

Same thing happens in Rugby League, we can produce great forwards because on the whole technique and creativity are not paricularly needed. But how long is since we've produced a half-back, centre or full-back that's a world beater.

We need to encourage kids to enjoy and express themselves in their sport, not vilify them for trying tricks, passing the ball sideways or backwards and trying to play out of defence.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:03 am  

Wigan/Leeds Andy wrote:

Agree with most of that, but if we are going to get anywhere in the tournament it will likely be because of Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard. As much as possible we need to get them to try to replicate what they do for their clubs and try to build as much as possible around that, of course recognising it won't be the same because the players around them aren't the same.

At the moment certainly Gerrard and Lampard play very different roles for England than they do for their clubs and are wasted - may as well have Carlton Palmer and Geoff Thomas still playing.

At times it feels like we've got Arnold Palmer and Geoff Capes playing!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:28 am  

Red Red Robin wrote:

Until the English game decides to put football ability first and being an athlete second we will never win anything. In this country we bang on about workrate and passion and commitment as though that is all that is needed and ability and tactical nous are an afterthought. For supposedly top players their technique is poor ...

And yet their technique isn't a problem in the Champions League, which is arguably a higher standard of competition. Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard etc. have all roasted exceptionally talented players from clubs such as Inter Milan, A.C., Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern etc. And you can bet it will happen again next season.

The truth is technique was an issue in the days of Graham Taylor, but the arrival of the Premiership lifted standards all around. The top English players are truly gifted (this is recognised by their peers) and are capable of playing possession football at this level.

Talent is a red-herring. These guys are terrified of failure. Which is why they're treating the ball like an unexploded bomb.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:01 am  

Mugwump wrote:

Talent is a red-herring. These guys are terrified of failure. Which is why they're treating the ball like an unexploded bomb.

Nail on head for me. they look an incredibly nervous bunch.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:19 am  

Today's guaranteed bankers.

Paraguay, Italy and Brazil all to win - 3/1

Brazil / Cote d'Ivoire, over 2.5 goals - evens

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:44 am  

Asim wrote: I don't think just referring to them as being Africans is really the issue, it's the whole impression they are trying to give as if the "black" African teams are playing for Africa not their own individual countries (like I posted above, this theme isn't been mentioned when Algeria are playing). Denmark and Uruguay's goals aren't described as goals for Scandinavia or South America are they? Nor will it be described as a blow for Scandinavia/South America if they are knocked out. The whole "Africa's World Cup" thing is nauseating too, it's South Africa's World Cup, I don't think there's any malice in any of the punditry, it's just a bit patronising and ignorant for me. The Times column on the mythical "Africa United" theme I mentioned earlier is here, though you have to register to read it nowadays. During the Ghana match yesterday one of the radio commentators referred to the advantage that they had "from playing at home"

Asim wrote: I don't think just referring to them as being Africans is really the issue, it's the whole impression they are trying to give as if the "black" African teams are playing for Africa not their own individual countries (like I posted above, this theme isn't been mentioned when Algeria are playing). Denmark and Uruguay's goals aren't described as goals for Scandinavia or South America are they? Nor will it be described as a blow for Scandinavia/South America if they are knocked out. The whole "Africa's World Cup" thing is nauseating too, it's South Africa's World Cup, I don't think there's any malice in any of the punditry, it's just a bit patronising and ignorant for me. The Times column on the mythical "Africa United" theme I mentioned earlier is here, though you have to register to read it nowadays. During the Ghana match yesterday one of the radio commentators referred to the advantage that they had "from playing at home"

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:59 am  

GCM1980 wrote:

Nail on head for me. they look an incredibly nervous bunch.

A few years ago David james had a shocker in a friendly against Denmark(?) and was slaughtered in the press for admitting that he hadnt prepared for the match as thoroughly as normal.

He later gave an interview in which he clarified what he meant. He said he done everything on the training ground that he normally did, and he was as well prepared, physically, as ever. However on the day before the game he was led to believe that he wouldnt be playing. That afternoon he didnt spend the 2 hours that he normally did the day before a game on "visualisation" exercises ie sitting in his room imagining himself making saves, dealing with crosses etc.

The following morning he was told he would be taking part in the match. He said his immediate reaction was "Oh sh*t, I'm f***ed. He was utterly convinced that because he hadnt done his visualisation exrercises he would play badly.

That to me seems to have been a gross over reaction on his part indicating a degree of mental fragility which, if it applies to other England players, might explain their state of mind.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 : Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:04 am  

I agree with Mugwump we have some talent....but not enough.
But what talent we have is being suppressed by fear.
'We have nothing to fear but fear itself' is very appropriate here.
That's what is holding us back the crippling and unrealistic burden of expectation. That and the certainty they will be vilified in defeat.

But this needn't be the case and this is were sport psychology would help England. They should be told to enjoy their football and go out and want the ball and show what they can do....forget about the fans and the criticisms. They needn't be vilified in defeat if they have relaxed, stayed focussed on what they are good at and have given their all......they will be respected in defeat.

Look at Forlan....he is loving his football.....he is almost playing with a smile on his face.

Sometimes taking the attitude that 'I am the best,I am good and I will show you I am' works ....it does wonders for confidence and good performance often follows.

England players should be encouraged to think they are the best and go out and play....enjoy it, coupled with determination.
I have never been one who has gone down the line of respecting the opposition......that's a loser's mentality and leads to being defensive..
Think that the opposition is useless and go and beat them.

Think that Slovenia are useless and take them on.