The Future For English Football (England Football Kit / Uniform)

Member Name: northerner

Product:	England Football Kit / Uniform
Date:	09/09/02 (1111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Young and vastly talented squad

Disadvantages: Lack of character and self belief

Now the hype that usually surrounds England’s progress at a major tournament has dies down, it is time to asses the state of the national side, and examine whether England really have a chance of bringing home an international trophy. After much optimism, England’s campaign ended in a dismal second half performance against Brazil, rightly described as players who looked more like individuals waiting to swap shirts, than a team with the belief to win the game. The manager will have to rebuild his squad, showing he has learnt from the mistakes made in Japan and Korea. Much of the personal remain the same, although the mental attitude will have to change. As England begin the process of qualification for Euro 2004 they must prove that they are capable of sustaining a serious challenge for international honours.

The goalkeeping situation is one which England need to urgently address. Seaman is past his best, his reactions have slowed down, and he has lost a lot of agility, and is no longer the consistent keeper he once was. However, no one has established themselves as a tangible replacement. David James has developed his outstanding ability, but doubts remain over his credibility as an international performer. Richard Wright has progressed little since his first inclusion with the England squad under Keegan. Paul Robinson has replaced Martyn at Leeds, and impressed many with his experience and maturity, but may not be ready yet to hold down a regular place with England. If England are to seriously challenge at Euro 2004, they will have to find a new first choice keeper, and ensure he goes into the tournament with sufficient international experience. Sven looks to be relying on Seaman to make the decision to retire from international football, but if he leaves it any longer, the England manager will have to make his mind up for him. Seaman’s experience may be used to guide England through some of the more difficult qualifying, b
ut England will have to have placed their faith in a new keeper by summer 2004.

England’s recent form has been based on tight defending. Rio Ferdinand is one of the best centre backs in the world, and Gary Neville and Sol Campbell are both consistent performers at international level. Mills and Southgate are effective replacements, and Terry and Woodgate have shown the potential to play international football. England still have problems finding an international quality left back. Ashley Cole has ability going forward, but has substantial defensive weaknesses, which undermine his ability to play as a left back. Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville are consistent, but lack international ability. Wayne Bridge is yet to convince, showing potential, but little performance. England look settled playing four at the back, although playing wing backs would be better suited with the lack of left sided players. Defensively, England have pace, strength and experience, and a settled line up who are still relatively young, and will develop into one of the best defences in world football.

England have one of the most talented midfields of any team in the world, but too many are yet to produce in an England shirt. Scholes and Beckham are world class players, and England depend heavily on them to create goals. Butt had an excellent world cup, showing his ability as an international defensive midfielder, and Sinclair has proved capable of filling in on the left. However, players such as Dyer, Gerard and Joe Cole receive constant plaudits, but have yet to produce anything in an England shirt, and can’t rely on being carried by the rest of the team any longer. England’s main weaknesses have been in the middle of the park. Too often the midfield loses its shape, with Beckham and Gerard constantly getting out of position. None of the midfield have seemed willing to carry the ball forward, resorting too often to long balls that get send strai
ght back. The midfielders don’t support the strikers often enough, and only Scholes has an acceptable goal scoring return. However, the midfield is young by international standards, and may develop, providing the contribution England expect.

Upfront, England have the biggest problems. Owen has achieved success at international level, but he has, partly due to the way Liverpool play, developed too much of a one dimensional game. He will never have height or strength which is an obvious, if unavoidable weakness. However, he has become to rely on the opposition defending a line high up the pitch, giving him space to run in on goal, and even then his finishing is erratic, badly effected by confidence. Heskey’s strength and pace can’t disguise his lack of quality. He simply doesn’t have the ability to be successful at international level. Smith has an aggression and directness which England lack, but needs to prove he can score goals regularly. With Shearer, Cole and Sheringham, the most prolific English strikers, all retired, and the top teams relying on foreign strikers, there is a lack of young English strikers around at the present. Joe Cole could be employed behind Owen in a support role, but since Sheringham and Shearer, England have been unable to find a partnership which regularly produces goals.

Following Kevin Keegan’s pathetic time in charge of England, Sven Goran Eriksson was always going to be judged as a success in comparison. However, his initial progress went beyond anything that could be hoped for, culminating in the 5 v 1 defeat of Germany. However, for the first time, questions are being asked of the England manager, as expectations of one of the most talented ever England squads continue to rise. Areas of his team selection, such as his continued faith in Emile Heskey, have come under scrutiny. England have become more negative, especially in failing to commit men going forward. Mos
t worryingly, England have exhibited a lack of motivation or conviction that became most evident in the second half against Brazil. The lack of a leader on the field is problematic, but the managers inability to inspire the team was highlighted by the players as a key reason for under performance. Sven exhibits the characteristics of a manager who is used to dealing with squads of mixed nationalities, where communication is difficult. Either he needs to develop the motivational abilities that the likes of Alex Ferguson and Booby Robson have built success on, or add a coach to his team who can do the job for him. Sven will have to start producing what he initially promised.

The main problem with the current England team is the lack of character, influence and belief within the squad. The German team has less talent than England, but personalities like Oliver Khan motivated the side to performing far beyond its collective talent. A squad with David Beckham and Michael Owen as the chosen captains instantly indicates a total lack of leadership qualities within the team. There simply isn’t enough influence within the team to motivate players to perform to the best of their ability. The other problem is the lack of goals England look capable of scoring. Only Owen and Scholes have been able to get goals on a consistent basis, and when they are out of form no one else seems able to contribute sufficiently. The lack of a second striker, with Heskey’s return of 4 goals from 24 games appalling at this level, is a problem. The lack of goals from midfield is a problem, that the inclusion of Lee Bowyer will look to address. England concede few goals, but if they are unable to score any, they are going to struggle to go the distance in a major tournament.

In recent weeks the England manager has been advocating the implementation of a winter break as the only way the national side can achieve success at a major tournament. However, arguin
g for a winter break has simply become a way of removing the blame for under performance away from the manager. In all sports, it has become popular to argue that players are playing too many games when they start playing badly, rather than simply blame the players for playing badly, and in turn the manger blaming themselves for allowing them to play badly. Certain stress related injuries can be attributed to the amount of football being played. However, to argue that a few weeks off after Christmas will refresh players and allow them to perform at a higher level is wishful thinking. Lower league players often fit in an enforced winter break around Christmas at the new year, by ensuring they get enough bookings to be suspended over the festive period. Taking a few weeks out of the season will condense the fixture list into a shorter space of time, increasing demands on players, and require an intensive training regime after the break to bring the players back to match fitness which is more likely to caused injuries and tiredness. The only way to reduce demands on players is too pay less games. However, the clubs need the current fixture schedule to meet the players wage demands, and unless they agree to take pay cuts, the current number of fixtures must be maintained. The England manager will always have to face facts, that the club game is more important than the national team, and that a players first loyalty always has to be to the club who ultimately give him a living. The excuse that footballers play too many games was made even less credible by Brazil and Germany who got to the World Cup final, despite their players playing more games than any other teams.

Realistically, this years world cup may have represented England’s best chance of repeating the success of 1966. Although no European nation has ever won the World Cup outside of Europe, the relative weakness of a number of leading nations, combined with the strength of the Engl
and side their opportunity. England’s lack of belief and character against Brazil ended that opportunity, but lessons must be learnt, as this is a side that has time to develop. This is still a very young side, that will remain largely intact until at least 2006. If a new keeper is found, and more goals are contributed from midfield, the 2006 World Cup on European soil may see the trophy brought back to England, 40 years after the original success.

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