If I created a blog for mediocre international teams, England would certainly be in it.
A blog for mediocre international teams…I sense branching out!
The headlines were always going to be about David Beckham as he collected his 100th cap in his accustomed position of right midfield. Alas we should have known better – Becks has always delighted in surprising us, from mohicans and tattoos to raising national awareness of the metatarsal. Tonight was no disappointment. In an upset to the BBC’s predicted team formation, Becks eased into his century appearance from the comfort of right-back. It was enough to make Motty’s coat baa.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a cynical look at Beckham’s richly deserved and celebrated achievement – as ‘Arry might say: “the boy done good” - because it’s not. It’s more an assessment of why this celebrity footballer is still dominating the headlines and there is one main reason; it is far more exciting than watching or talking about England.
The so-called golden generation remain, but the silverware is missing. It is easy to get caught up in the hysteria of yet another inept England performance because when we win we are world beaters but lose and we should be relegated to a mini league with Azerbaijan, Andorra and the Faroe Islands as punishment. In truth England played against a confident and efficient France team who will be amongst the favourites to win the 2008 European Championships…
You remember, the tournament we didn’t qualify for. Well it’s still going ahead…74 days from now to be precise.
England are in a bit of a dilemna as they have a talented squad but a team lacking in substance that produces bland, static football. Players might be over-paid but that is hardly their fault, we’d all take a juicy pay rise if it was offered and so I don’t believe the notion that they don’t have pride in pulling on the national jersey. It is a question of finding a formation and style that suits and is effective - a multi-million pound dilemna for an Italian with zeros rolling into his bank account.
Any thoughts?
