England Stumbles

Shit Happens, But This Doesn't Come Along Too Often....

Euro 2008 Qualifiers

Israel 0 - 0 England

You know some days, things just don't go your way. It's like everyone thinks you owe them a living, even a packet of yoghurt drink. Trust me, the following is really random but it does apply to what happened last night at Tel Aviv.

I took it out and without recapping it back properly, placed it into the fridge horizontally. 20 minutes into the first half, I went into the kitchen and aghast to see yoghurt drink all over my floor. So I had to take like 15 minutes to clean everything up, mop the floor and clean up the fridge. Mind you I don't do any of these stuff at home.

After 15 minutes, I was anxious to see whether there's anything that moves on the score board and to my disappointment, there wasn't. Sat down and watch the final few minutes before half time and I came to a conclusion that mopping the floor and cleaning the fridge is more entertaining.

No actually, I just felt that McClaren has a big clean up to do. Egos are overflowing like the yoghurt drink out of the uncapped bottle and if nothing is done to it, it's pretty easy to see the consequences of all these.


You know, the European Qualifiers is hanging by a thread, in England's case of course. It has a potential to become a catastrophe and it already seemed to have gone a little awry at this point of time.

Yet again, it was toothless and abject. Only a handful could go back to their homeland with pride while it seemed like a disaster not to go away from Israel with 3 points, you're probably wrong. Because you have over-estimated this bunch, like I've mentioned few days back.

The fortune they possess are something many could only dream off and their work rate on the field is on the contrary, much to be desired. Perhaps the chase for personal glory have eaten up their hunger for the honour of the team and country.


Big time charlies and egoistic players in the team who are untouchables, commanding the dressing room and cliques formed within the squad. Players vying for power while some couldn't be bothered.

Manager seeing all these, does absolutely nothing to stop the spilling of ego within the squad. In lieu, he made the players with power stronger and it was as if the team picks itself. Players could go out for a 90 minutes walk and stroll back into the dressing room as if nothing happens because he knows damn well, that he'll get selected in the next match anyway.

I doubt there's even a plan on the board for them to follow, or maybe it's just 'play however you want, just like what you do at your club'. All was at a mess and when things starts to get awry, it's always too late. Always a step slower.

And no matter how many goals this team will score past the might of Andorra, fans and critics will still remember the inadequacies of this team. If McClaren doesn't clean up the spilled egos, it might be a little too late. Top 2 places are a step out of reach for the Three Lions.

The Case Of 'Asking For Too Much'

Case 1: Rafa Wants Reserve To Be In The Professional League

Rafa: Let's take our reserves, name them Liverpool B and take over the Nationwide League One!

Alex Miller: HELL YEAH!


It's a ludicrous ask from Rafa Benitez as he suggested that reserve teams of the major clubs in the Premiership should have the privilege to be in the lower leagues but for once (okay, maybe not once), I'll beg to differ.

I'm not a fan of any of the lower league teams and I don't watch them due to the lack of media exposure but one thing I do know is those teams might not be playing at the highest level but they do have history and are still hugely followed. Putting a Liverpool B (or Castilla, whatever) is going to cause an uproar.

Shows that how ignorant the big clubs are, actually.

No doubt the reserves needs to play more games and that the current reserve league doesn't provide the necessary competition for the players. There are up and coming stars that struggle to break into first team while the reserve team provided little challenges for the young lad.

There's a gap between the reserves and the first team and that's the aim of the suggestion by Rafa. Bridging this gap is going to be tough but I don't think throwing them into lower league side will be beneficial.

What I mean is that there will be clubs that MIGHT lose their position at the league due to the emergence of a certain big club's reserves and getting relegated IS big problem now. Survival in the league ensures constant flow of coffers into the club while relegation usually means 'you go down there for a few years and rebuild'.

As I was making my rounds, I noticed this certain article from SquareFootball.net that was on this topic and the writer and I had the same thoughts. Since there's Champions League, why not create a Champions League for the U-21 team?

Let's say the first team set off for their Champions League game while the U-21 will also get to play against other youth teams. This will not only give the youngsters more regular football, it also gives them the chance to compete against youths of other countries and that'll definitely strengthen ties between clubs (maybe only, if massive brawls don't happen that is).

It's going to take a radical change before anything can be done about the gap between the reserves and the first team. If the FA and UEFA are prepared to, then they must take the route where it benefits everyone and makes no one upset.


Case 2: Asking Too Much From The Over-rated XI

In case you're asking what over-rated XI I'm talking about, it's none other than our favourite, England.

Stigmatised by the media as a mediocre bunch of overpaid players who couldn't give a toss about the pride of the nation, now the task they're given by the press is as if they need to win 3 consecutive World Cups. "Better win Israel or... *sharpens knife*" are their thoughts now, we all know it.

Come on, face it. This England team isn't very good. There are half arsed players, jealousy and schemes within the dressing room, politics in Soho Square and a very average manager at helm. Perhaps, the expectation of the press is putting a little too much pressure on them.

But what do you expect? These are players who can do a decent job, week in week out, for any team but their national team.

Yet at the same time, you got to ask where's their pride of wearing the national colours. An honour and privilege has been abused and now it looked like a social club where you can only get into if the people within it are happy with you. (See Joey Barton)

Many England fans are torn by the current circumstance. They want England to win because frankly, which fan doesn't. But they want they to lose ugly so that they can get rid of McClaren fast.

But whatever the outcome, I think McClaren is here to stay. Afterall, the FA is ran by some half wits (apologies, but it's true) from the start and the appointment is just farcical. Losing this game will only put more pressure on him, no less.

But the outcome of a win at Tel Aviv is going to have more impact on the team that getting trounced. It'll give fans false hope once again and then everyone will go through a roller coaster ride once again and at the end of it, feeling empty.

And let me reiterate once again, that the current England squad isn't as good as what people make of them. Over-hyped, that's what the press likes to do. And their current plight might be due to the players believing in their own hype.

Don't expect anything too much from this bunch. They'll do decent, nothing more, nothing less.

Smile, It's England Time

"Too good not to qualify" were from the mouth of former England captain, David Beckham. As England's credential will be severely tested this Saturday in Israel, England manager, Steve McClaren, will have a lot to ponder about.

That includes the starting line up for the game as it's going to be one hell of a ride there. The Israelian national team have only lost twice in their last 18 home games and with the English side looked all but convincing for the past few games (or actually years), Israel knows they stand a chance to send ripples across European football.

So now, with your football knowledge, guess the starting eleven that Steve McClaren will put out to face Israel. In fact, it's actually quite easy.

Robinson;

Carragher, Terry, Rio, P Neville;

Gerrard, Lampard, Hargreaves, Lennon;

Rooney, Defoe;

I pick this team not because it's the best but it's what McClaren is going to put out. It's fairly obvious the man who used to manage 'Boro doesn't like players from another midlands club, Aston Villa, and therefore, whether Gareth Barry is present or not, it doesn't really matter to him.

Without 'influencial' 'best right back in the world', Gary Neville, he will have to pick from either Luke Young or Jamie Carragher for that role. Back to his usual utility role for England, it's going to be Carra. We all know it. He'll be playing anywhere but centre back.

Defoe will play because there is no Crouch and no England managers know how to use Andy Johnson the proper way. If indeed, he starts, then he'll be shafted to the right flank again while Defoe, 22 caps and no goals speaks a lot. He just don't make the cut.


And they don't even have the Plan A to go for..