Friday August 22, 2008 09:08

England Under Capello, Just More Of The Same?

Posted by The Soccer Blogger as International Leagues

I’ve waited a day or so to start writing this article just in case Wednesday night, as I’d hoped, was just in fact a “Dallas - Bobby Ewing in the shower” senario I had of course simply just dreamt the whole sorry nightmare. Wrong! I didn’t and it was that much of a nightmare.

I know I shouldn’t judge and criticise, I know I shouldn’t be throwing my hands in the air whilst wailing and gnashing my teeth, but holy ****! The score of 2 - 2 might sound ok but whatever you do, it you weren’t unlucky enough to be at the game and you haven’t seen any of it yet, don’t bother wasting your time to watch any highlights. Although I obviously say “highlights” in a kind of post modernist ironic sort of way!

Before I go on, if in deed I can even be bothered to continue writing about it, I found one quote very interested. It was a quote from Wayne Rooney and after the game, he said and I quote:

“We can beat any team. The fans don’t have to be worried. Everything will be OK.”

Well, that’s all fine and dandy Wayne but I think you’ll find that most people watching on Wednesday evening weren’t too worried about how you and Man Utd are going to get on this season, they were more concerned about England!

Fabio Capello, The England Manager Even more worrying was Capello stating England “played with good football, with good style.” Really? Had he accidentally put someone else’s glasses on before the game? A disillusioned Wayne thinking he’s at Old Trafford is bad enough, but the manager too. But I’m not, I refuse to say “Come back Steve all is forgiven”.

At least other managers, like Portsmouth’s Harry Redknapp were a little more honest about England’s performance. Well, I suppose he can be when he isn’t the man in charge but apparently Redknapp said after the game,

“That was one of the worst performances I have seen from an England team.”

Don’t mince words Harry, tell it like it is! I wonder if he’d have said that if it had been his England team? Perhaps not but still, he had a very valid point.

It wouldn’t have got any better for Capello and his team yesterday morning as they got up to read some of the morning papers either. If the game was bad, some of the reports in the press were even more nightmarish! “Wasters!” was one headline. Another, which I admit I did think quite amusing was, “The Wally Without The Brolly.” It would appear the honeymoon is definitely over Fabio.

Barwick & Capello. The affair is definitely over!

Perhaps a certain Mr. Brian Barwick knows something we don’t and that is why he’s getting out of the FA now whilst the going is still good! Or maybe he was just fed up of all the 5 star buffet lunches and the expense account. Barwick has stated that he will vacate his seat at the FA on 31st December. They probably have to wait a few months to be able to find a crane suitable enough to actually get him out of the seat!

He said, “I am sad to be leaving the FA but I believe it is in the best interests of all parties.” (Especially in your best interests if Wednesday night is anything to go by). He continued,

“I have always endeavoured to do my job with passion, decency and integrity…..” Sorry I can’t go on with that, you get the picture!

Ok, bottom line about Wednesday night, at least it wasn’t a competitive game, it was only a friendly. But try telling that to all the people who bothered to go to Wembley and pay their money. Capello only has a few weeks left to sort things out and the try and instil a culture within the players that the team is bigger than the individual.

Thanks for reading, I hoped you enjoyed this more than watching the game. I did!

Rik

The Soccer Blogger

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