From Hodgson’s disastrous tournaments to Allardyce’s one game reign…can it get any worse for England?
Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse…they did. If suffering England’s dismal performances at Euro 2016 were not enough, we then had the embarrassment of seeing Roy Hodgson’s successor Sam Allardyce leaving his “dream job”, after just 67 days and 1 solitary game in charge, by “mutual consent”. Seriously?
English football really is the gift that keeps on giving, providing the global football community with a good laugh and Schadenfreude on tap. Mine’s a large one, eh? The gunsight on English football’s pistol never seems to waver from its own foot. Unlike our players, in this case we never seem to miss.
I actually dislike being negative, being critical and being somewhat sarcastic about our national team – I really do. Of course, it’s a million times better being positive, supportive and optimistic. But really, how much more of this are we expected to take?
Euro 2008: Didn’t qualify. The Wally with the Brolly saw to that. World Cup 2010: the Capello shambles – round of 16 elimination. Euro 2012: eliminated at quarter final stage (the first knockout game). World Cup 2014: group stage exit. Euro 2016: round of 16 elimination – beaten by Iceland. And to think we previously castigated Sven for getting us to two successive World Cup quarter finals!
Any succesful national football team will rely on some crucial things. Whilst few countries may ever get everything right, you’d ideally like a national association that is strong and clear thinking – usually getting the big decisions right. Clearly, you need a skilled manager, with the ability to inspire and motivate, together with tactical nous, a thick skin, and above all, a clear gameplan as to how he will utilise the players at his disposal. A plan B (and even a C) are also handy.
Above all we need the players. Those blessed with perhaps something a bit extra, an X Factor, the ability to improvise, create, and deliver. Foot-soldiers too, an engine room. The less glamorous roles filled diligently and reliably. And all those players who fall between these two ends of the spectrum.
In the interests of looking forward and not back, lets concentrate on what England may have going forward. Gareth Southgate. Top bloke. Intelligent, calm, analytical and desperate to succeed. Nice guy – everyone says so. He is the new man shouldering our weight of expectations, for another three games of his caretaker role at least. Southgate was asked to take over from Allardyce after the Daily Telegraph “entrapment” sting of course, where Sam’s loose lips and ego – plus the desire to add a few extra quid to his bank balance – got the better of him and he gave the FA no choice but to replace him – no matter how many times we read the words “by mutual consent”.
Southgate will probably work tirelessly in the role, leave no stone unturned, and give it everything. The players are already speaking very positively about him after two games. The paying public perhaps less so, bearing in mind they were a laboured 2-0 win over Malta and an unconvincing 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
It seems likely Southgate will be made permanent manager if he makes a good fist of his remaining trial period. The FA’s appetite for yet more managerial change must surely be very small. And yet there is the small matter of one Monsieur Arsene Wenger to be considered. Out of contract at Arsenal at seasons-end after 20 years as Manager. That’s very interesting timing. If – and it is a huge if – the FA have any lingering interest in asking Wenger to take over, then surely it is June 2017 or never.
Wenger teased journalists recently with an apparent show of interest in the England job in response to a direct question, but as a sophisticate who enjoys the odd joke and has been known to be playful when the mood takes him, perhaps we should not read too much into that.
But what of the current crop of England players? How much hope do they give us? The biggest issue seems to be a clear individual and collective fragility when representing England, especially in meaningful, knock-out matches. Confidence often seems strangely low, with far too many players reacting like Samson with a haircut when the chips are down. Sir Clive Woodward used a great acronym when managing England’s rugby union team: T-CUP. Thinking correctly under pressure. Sir Clive knew that as often as possible, that’s how his players had to respond.
Many of us lament the fact we don’t see the same level of performances from our players for England that we see week-in and week-out for their Clubs in the Premier League. True – we don’t. But also, look at how much imported quality surrounds them every week, in foreign team-mates. They don’t have the benefit of that when pulling on the three lions, do they?
The current squad offers us a few young players that we genuinely have decent hopes for – Dele Alli, John Stones, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and possibly the injury-blighted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Any more I’ve missed? Below senior level, the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and the wonderfully named Tammy Abraham look promising, but are we still looking at too few players of obvious, exciting potential for comfort?
And what of Jack Wilshere? Farmed out to Bournemouth for a whole season because Arsenal were not prepared to give him the playing time they say he needs to get back to form and fitness. Hardly a ringing endorsement from his Club, was it?
Decent quality exists elsewhere in the squad with the likes of Joe Hart, Danny Rose, Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Eric Dier, Theo Walcott and Jamie Vardy….but either their age is not their best statistic anymore or they perhaps play in positions that don’t necessarily win you matches on a regular basis?
I deliberately haven’t mentioned our skipper Wayne Rooney. Wayne will be the subject of a blog in the very near future, as his story is so interweaved with the whole England story I feel it must be focused on separately.
Qualification for WC 2018 is of course a must, and Southgate should theoretically steer us there without too much stress. The real test starts if and when we get to Russia 2018. Regarding the England “Blazers”, Chief Executive Martin Glenn is pretty new, Chairman Greg Clarke is very new. Add Southgate to that mix and one might say we have three rookies at this level steering the ship. Good thing or bad thing? You can probably make a case either way.
Right now, the wounds of many recent tournament exits feel too raw to look at this England team with little more than a small-to-medium-sized hope for the immediate future. By WC 2018 we may have enough emerging players and a game plan that might offer us a punchers chance in Russia. But above all, the lack of mental strength and the psychological demons that have routinely infected England performances for too long must be conquered…or there is no point in us qualifying.
Chris Tribe
18th October 2016
Next game: Scotland (H) – World Cup Qualifying Group F – Friday 11th November, 7.45pm
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