Tuesday, May 11, 2010

England's Arrogance Must Be Smashed By Capello


England are arrogant. Every game they go into, they exude this sense of superiority and naivety which has always worked against them in the past. Take a look at Brazil. When they play football, they are very humble. They ‘respect’ their opponents. The English are more likely to be spitting on their opponents and dishing out the choicest slang at the referee. It is this arrogant attitude that I feel is costing them big time.

Let me remind you all, that it is ‘only’ their league that is doing so well. Not the national team. And there does not have to be any link to either. Reason being that the English Premier League is flourishing only because of the massive influx of foreigners who are really lighting it up.

 Individually, England are a group of stars. But as a team, they are no more than a Russian Circus. Capello has done well so far to shatter all dressing room hierarchy’s and bring everyone down to the same level. Gary Neville is not the dressing room boss anymore. Chelsea & Liverpool players do not sit separately at the mess anymore.  It is a blessing really that an Englishman isn’t running (or ruining) that team anymore. Your place in the side depends purely on form. No past achievements or boardroom strings. Oh and what beats it all is the recent Capello ruling of ‘No WAGS’. Brillante Signore Capello!



Do Not Mess With Me!


Now moving on to England’s chances for the World Cup let me put things straight. England are by absolutely no means the ‘Favorite’s’ to win the cup. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are being called so. Spain are European champions, Brazil are South American champions and, Italy are former World Champions. What are England? Well, quite frankly (no pun intended) they are a side that did not even make it to the Euro’s.

England do have hope though. I will not completely rule out their chances as they yet have certain players who I believe can make the difference. And these players are all going to get their chance this time around due to Capello’s smart selection policies. 

The players I am talking about are not your Terry’s or Gerrard’s or Ferdinand’s. I am talking about Aaron Lennon, Darrent Bent, Joe Hart and James Milner. They will shine this summer. They have been amazing this season and if they are able to carry their form to the World Cup, England might just have a chance in there somewhere. Wayne Rooney will perform no doubt. But I still have my doubts on Frank Lampard who does seem to be found missing when it comes to national duty. 

So Mr. Capello, go ahead and play the so called ‘B-grade’ players this summer. They will take you places. 


Watch Out For The Mighty Dutch!

After an entertaining cameo in the Euro’s, Holland will look to shake off their ‘inconsistency’ tag this summer at the World Cup. They are a side with incredible potential and yet they somehow manage to consistently be inconsistent.

A good thing for the Dutch side this time is the fact that a good number of players are in top form coming into the World Cup. Wesley Sneijder as well as Arjen Robben have been awesome to watch this season. And to be fair, they were awesome even at the Euro’s in 2008. But it’s not just the two of them. 

Dirk Kuyt has probably been Liverpool’s only consistent performer this term. His hard work may not have paid off much for Liverpool but the Dutch could use a few more Kuyt’s. One more revelation this year has been Nigel de Jong. He has been the spinal cord for Manchester City this season, absorbing every attack with his fine defending and been an attacking threat with his excellent sense of positioning. With him in the centre along with Wesley Sneijder, opposing teams are going to have to cut through steel to get past them.



Beware The Mighty Dutch!

 A small mention for Robin Van Persie who has been on the doctor’s table for a good part of this season for Arsenal but has yet impressed when given the chance to. After all, you might be rooting for the Brazil’s, Spain’s, Italy’s and Argentina’s but in all this just remember to spare a thought for the Mighty Dutch!