England had it coming, hadn’t they? After losing to France, they blew it in an almost similiar fashion - sitting back and dropping too deep after taking the lead.
I read an article from former Nottingham Forest lengendary coach Brian Clough, he predicted England wouldn’t go far as they simply didn’t possess the same technical ability as their more gifted European opponents. His points were proved right. Watch carefully, against better quality opponents, England lack the ability to hold on to the ball. While the likes French, Portguese could pass the ball comfortably to each other, England’s pass simply got cut off too easily.
And they don’t have a player who could hold on to the ball, or taking on defenders. A team with no winger can very much tell the story. And the point is, at this level, once you lost the ball, it would take you a long time to recover. And after a long period of time chasing the ball, the players’ energy level would drop further than their opponents.
It’s easy to point fingers on Beckham’s outrageous penalty miss (again), or Rooney’s injury, but that didn’t tell the whole story. Portgual didn’t play well at all, just like France didn’t play well against England neither, but both team came out as the winning sides. It’s simple, after England took the lead, and they became so negative, as a result, it was like inviting their opponents to attack them. Tactics like this, you can only wish luck is on your side. On this evidence, luck clearly has not been on England’s side.
One positive note though, Ashley Cole has played one of his best games in an England shirt, totally shut out C.Ronaldo, and clamly converted a penalty which Titi would be proud of!
6 Responses to “England out… who to blame?”
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June 25th, 2004 at 9:10 am
Good points, Andez.
One would think that, with Beckham clearly out of form (being nice, here) and taking a more defensive position, he would be the guy to hold posession and direct it when sitting deep. Sadly, he never really showed up to play. I think he let England down, not just by his failure to put the ball in the net, but by the fact that he’s the captain and he had a stinker.
And I’ll join you in a Cheers! to the Gunners on the squad. Ashley was terrific in containing Ronaldo who will be a major threat this coming season, and Sol should have been the hero. I didn’t “see” the play, so I couldn’t tell if it was a foul. With Sol being such a monster, I could see how scrawny Meier would blow the whistle on him. Anyhow, great experience for both!
As for Pires, Freddie, Paddy (who’s out for today. Good.) Titti…BE CAREFUL!!!
June 25th, 2004 at 9:52 am
Scotty, poor Sol was definitely an unlucky man in major tournaments! In 98 his goal could have won it for England, yet Shearer committed a foul and got ruled out. It happened again last night, I saw the replay, Sol, again, didn’t foul anyone (he was climbing on the top of Terry!), it looked as if Terry had pushed the keeper a bit, but i have seen goals allowed in this situation. It’s a close call.
June 25th, 2004 at 10:03 am
I forgot about the one in ‘98! Poor guy. Let’s hope the jinx doesn’t make its way back to Highbury.
June 25th, 2004 at 11:38 am
We were being bossed about by Portugal but were defending very well. I could see no reason for swapping Hargreaves for Gerrard. We’ve seen it before when AW has made some dodgy substitutions. It was only matter of time before they deservedly equalised.
We should’ve, could’ve held on. I blame Sven for the decision that let them back in and the ref for being a Swiss Banker, (rhyming slang, work it our yourself).
Penalties - a lottery if you get it on target and the keeper saves it - well so what. If you’re paid ?100,00 a week and can’t tell the ground is unstable, then give up and go home.
Roll on the World Cup
June 25th, 2004 at 3:13 pm
Not to worry Scotty! Sol is a lucky star for us! Ever since he arrived, we have won 2 Premierships and 2 FA Cups in 3 years. And remember before he arrived at Highbury, he used to be troubled by injury quite often at the Lane, yet he rarely missed a game for us! Talking about changing of fortune!
June 25th, 2004 at 8:35 pm
Good points.. Dodgy decisons and nothing else. More than a Swiss toast.
I could do better than that coach of England. I really really believe that. All his tactics were wrong. He is not a good tactician. After the french game I said it he should go and was right. 2 Swedes dont add up. Sven and G. Taylor are one of a kind.
Still proud of our boys and true Roll on the World cup.