Saturday, January 23, 2010
Can the Golden Boys bring football home
David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and Ian Broudie of The Lightening Seeds famously penned the lyrics “It’s coming home, It’s coming home, It’s coming, football’s coming home” for the 1996 Euro’s and re-released it for the 1998 World Cup and it is without doubt the chant of English fans. But although coming close in 1996, much like the 1990 World Cup Engalnd still haven’t managed to bring football i.e. a tournament trophy, home.
The ‘golden generation’ of players England presently has including Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and former Captain and Golden Balls David Beckham have so far failed to deliver in previous tournaments from Euro 2000, to win a title and the 2010 World Cup is perhaps the last chance for this group of playes to reach thier potential and get their hands on some real gold in the shape of the Jules Rimet trophy.
In order to do this England are going to have to continue their wonderful qualfying campaign where they won 9 out of their 10 games, scoring a European high of 34 goals. The aim of finishing the group stage top of Group C in South Africa looks achievable, with England missing any forseeable obstacles and being matched up against an improved USA side, Algeria and Slovenia. However, England have often come through the initial group stage, it has been upon reaching the knock out stage where England have come unstuck; losing out to Portugal, Brazil and Argentina in the last 3 World Cups in two Quarter-Finals and the last 16 and therfore could the problem be once Englands opposition are of a higher pedigree.
To be fair England only lost on penalties against Argentina and Portugal and to a contentiously lucky goal scored by Ronaldiniho against Brazil. England has a strong sqaud going into this years World Cup and the confidence gained from the qualifying campaign could prove important not to metion that Capello perhaps presents a tactically superior and certainly firmer leader than his predecessors Eriksson and McClaren. There wont be any of the WAG nonsense and media distraction England allowed themselves to be involved in at the last World Cup with Capello known for his focus on team unity, closure and organisation, even banning mobile phones and enforcing that the team eat together. There is a cohesion and structure to the England team that again could prove important should England make it through and face some of the tougher European and South American teams. However, in friendlies against the Dutch and Spanish, England seemed outclassed in movement and passing. Although Capello has the tactical nouse and experience of how to win and England have shown against Portugal and Argentina in the past that they can be resilient enough defensively to hold out and even come close to winning, there are question marks over whether England can create and most importantly take enough scoring chances to win games where a single goal could win the game.
Whether England manage to take that step beyond and manage to achieve their goal of emulating 1966 will really depend on Capello’s selection choices and like in 1966 who plays and who reaches their maximum potential when it matters such as the likes of Bobby Moore, the Charlton Brothers, Martin Peters, Gordan Banks, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball etc did in 1966. With all the potential in the squad, many players since 1998 with the exception of perhaps Beckham, Lampard, Campbell, Mills in 2002 and Owen in 1998 have under performed. Consequently, Capello must get the best out of every player for every game and pick a team and formation to both deal with the goal threat of Argentina, France, Germany who England may face in the last 16 and Quarter Final stage and also manage to create enough chances to progress wthout the need to enter a penalty shoot-out; the achillies heel of England teams. The performance of the England players is one issue, but a hurdle before a English player touches the turf is who will make the squad. Rio Ferdinand is a long term injury concern and has been short of form, England are without a regular in form No.1, the No.9 shirt is unconfirmed and up for grabs and so are the wide positions and potentially the right back. With so many selection uncertainties and few games before the tournament begins it is still unclear whether the fight for places will have a positive impact or become a disruptive element. Another key condition will be the discipline not only tactically but in general with players such as Rooney having to monitor themselves so as not to get on the wrong side of the international selection of officials, unfamiliar with the English game and whom will be less forgiving on tackles usually allowed to go in Premiership games. With red cards influencing games largely in previous tournaments, for example Rooneys red card against Portugal and Zinedine Zidane’s in the 2006 final versus Italy, with the 11 men running out eventual winners over the 10 men of France.
Overall, for England to reach that golden dream many factors will have to fall in place for Capello and his lions; from selections, to performances, to discipline and the run of the green in the ‘big’ games. Suddenly winning the World Cup seems a lot more complcated than putting a ball in a net.