Sunday 2 July 2006
Eriksson leaves legacy of what exactly?
The World Cup back in London
I watched the game yesterday in an heaving pub in Hackney and at around 6.45pm came the familiar heads in hands and sighs of disbelief at yet another glorious defeat. The script of course was written a long time ago - young hero dubiously sent off, penalty shoot out, and plenty of people to blame.
The silence in the pub by London Fields was deafening as all around me pink-faced men and women stared into their pint glasses in utter amazement. Sven said it was different this time, and it was. In previous occasions the country believed and despite the raw patriotic fever that I have seen all week, this time we didn't. From the minute the squad was announced people with a bigger English heart and a lesser knowledge of the game than the head coach knew that there was only bad news ahead.
But, who's the stupid one? £25m the richer, with no accountability, a few more notches on his IKEA bedpost, Real Madrid calling and a unsigned book deal lying on his doormat.
And the English game is left with what legacy exactly? What style did this alleged European super-coach impose on our game? What players did he make into world beaters? What youngsters has he nurtured through the English FA system? And are we to expect more of the same under his studious pupil Steve 'my hair doesn't move' McClaren?
The day after another wretched night for English football eaves me with a number of further questions:
1) Can cheating scumbag Ronaldo ever play in the Premiership ever again?
2) What purpose did Theo Walcott's inclusion serve? Come on Sven 50 million people are dying to know.
3) How big was Darren Bent (who was reportedly at the All England Club) and Jermain Defoe's grin last night?
4) Just how bad was Frank Lampard without the multi-talented Chelsea midfield around him?
5) Wouldn't it be great if Owen Hargreaves was one of those in "friendly talks" with Iain Dowie?
6) How fantastic was our support in Germany? That deserves some credit and frankly it deserves better than the players gave.
7) Why do I now want France to win the whole thing? Is it because they have players that caress the ball and not hoof it?
8) And does this reflect bad on the Premiership or the English FA?
9) By the way what is Brian Barwick on?
And 10), a question from my 6-year old son this morning: "What happened to Crouchy? He would've scored a penalty, wouldn't he Daddy?" ¶ 18:37
The World Cup back in London
I watched the game yesterday in an heaving pub in Hackney and at around 6.45pm came the familiar heads in hands and sighs of disbelief at yet another glorious defeat. The script of course was written a long time ago - young hero dubiously sent off, penalty shoot out, and plenty of people to blame.
The silence in the pub by London Fields was deafening as all around me pink-faced men and women stared into their pint glasses in utter amazement. Sven said it was different this time, and it was. In previous occasions the country believed and despite the raw patriotic fever that I have seen all week, this time we didn't. From the minute the squad was announced people with a bigger English heart and a lesser knowledge of the game than the head coach knew that there was only bad news ahead.
But, who's the stupid one? £25m the richer, with no accountability, a few more notches on his IKEA bedpost, Real Madrid calling and a unsigned book deal lying on his doormat.
And the English game is left with what legacy exactly? What style did this alleged European super-coach impose on our game? What players did he make into world beaters? What youngsters has he nurtured through the English FA system? And are we to expect more of the same under his studious pupil Steve 'my hair doesn't move' McClaren?
The day after another wretched night for English football eaves me with a number of further questions:
1) Can cheating scumbag Ronaldo ever play in the Premiership ever again?
2) What purpose did Theo Walcott's inclusion serve? Come on Sven 50 million people are dying to know.
3) How big was Darren Bent (who was reportedly at the All England Club) and Jermain Defoe's grin last night?
4) Just how bad was Frank Lampard without the multi-talented Chelsea midfield around him?
5) Wouldn't it be great if Owen Hargreaves was one of those in "friendly talks" with Iain Dowie?
6) How fantastic was our support in Germany? That deserves some credit and frankly it deserves better than the players gave.
7) Why do I now want France to win the whole thing? Is it because they have players that caress the ball and not hoof it?
8) And does this reflect bad on the Premiership or the English FA?
9) By the way what is Brian Barwick on?
And 10), a question from my 6-year old son this morning: "What happened to Crouchy? He would've scored a penalty, wouldn't he Daddy?" ¶ 18:37
