Harry and England

In the aftermath of the England game the other night (did you watch it? lol if you did) one or two Spurs fans are looking just a little too far ahead into the future and are asking the question:

Harry for England? The actual message board question was 'Replacement for Harry?'. International break is over, right? Almost. Last word on it, I promise.

I'll ignore the 'who would replace him?' variation because that would be ridiculously premature and arguably redundant. And tbh, we won't be replacing him when/if it happens. We'll be upgrading. I would hope.

Going back to 'Harry for England' I'm going to go ahead and briefly cover this because it's Harry and he's our manager, rather than caring about the international scene (I'll do my best to humour that part).

England then. Pressure on Fabio, lack of viable English managerial options - it's an obvious conclusion being made by the bored - be it one that we shouldn't really be discussing or considering. Because the gaffer and ourselves have plenty to be concentrating on. Although some would say Harry is flirting so much with the idea of leading the Three Lions, that he's already got one eye on it, and thus, there's a very subtle degradation of focus on THFC. Not sure I quite believe that (stretching it a little).

Personally think the (England) pool of players we have isn't that great in terms of balance. We should just sacrifice the next 2/3 years and try and bring the yoof (some of which is excellent) through and build a new foundation. But there's time for that in football management games. Dropping players that the media want you to play even though for example the player(s) might be completely out of form and at the same time humiliated on the front pages is oh so quintessentially English. There's that and the fact that although our yoof is excellent - there are gaps in other prominent areas in the squad. Take the forward positions. We called up Kevin Davies. I rest my case.

So, for the sake of argument, let's just pretend the question was pertinent to the present. Harry - viable option or not?

If the FA had bollocks, perhaps, but take a look to the recent past. They never gave it to Big Sam (thank ****) because he would have been far too vocal and probably would have wanted to dismantle and rebuild the England set-up from top to bottom. Which is probably what needs to be done, just not with someone who introduces American Football tactics in the opposition box. Instead they went with the safe yes man choice of Steve McClaren. A man so scared of getting wet he used an over-sized umbrella to mug himself into the next century with. Fabio then followed and even one of the best modern day club managers - a man who has won everything domestically - is struggling with this poisoned chalice.

Harry has a reputation. Supposedly, allegedly, and all that. The press love him right? Sure they do, what with his infinite amount of sound-bites and his column in The Sun. And the fact he's not too shabby with the love-hugs and man management skills. But they would jump all over allegations and investigations because that's what they do and I reckon the FA would not want to risk the gutter press going all out to f*** them over. Unless there's been a clear-out of the Jurassic mentality possessed by the FA dinosaurs of old, with plenty of daring new-blooded hopefuls. I can't see a change this significant. Would be pleasantly shocked if I was wrong.

We've gone with a foreign manager (again) because we have no faith in the English ones. That's as daring as they've got thus far.

I guess it comes down to this: Is there another Englishman who could do the job?

There was something on Football Weekly (James Richardson's splendid podcast) this past Monday that cited (German I think) players who went on the lash at a club opening a few days before an International/club match - and over here in Blightly, the press were calling Hart a disgrace for getting pissed 7 days before last nights game. The footballers who went to the club opening - not so much a single word printed about it. Completely irrelevant to the media and the people. Just not important.

We're all guilty of the same head-shaking when we see our players roll out of a club smashed out their faces. The tabloids have turned it into an art-form. I can already see the NOTW gearing up for another one of their under-cover operations.

So does Harry want it?

Of course he does. He's said as much. It's no big secret. And if the media left him to manage, then perfecto. But that's just not going to happen. In fact, he's said it to people who have been quite happy to share said information (okay, so I've heard it second hand, and it's bordering on ITK...so let's not dwell too much on this because it will take me months to wash off the dirt).

And telling everyone, be it directly or otherwise, endears himself to all that believe that he would do a grand job. You want something and tell people you want it when you know deep down there's no chance of getting it. The association made between Harry and the job is enough to feed his ego and keep us all talking. And that might be the only thing he's interested in.

I'm hoping all this it put to bed and he just concentrates on defining his legacy at club football by continuing our charge into an anchored Top 4 position for Spurs. More importantly, it's about leaving the club in a solid state so the hand-over is seamless when he does step down for whatever reason. No more transitional seasons please.

The only thing I'm interested in is Tottenham. Levy might be thinking contingency plans, but I'd hazard a wee guess that the Jan transfer window for a top class striker is weighing on his mind far more than tittle tattle message board discussions and tabloid gossip.

Okay, well that's it re: England. I'm done with it now.

Roll on Fulham.



Did you sit down before? Yes? Well, get up!

EL SHOW DI CAPELLO

Capello. Just fabulous.

The England Fallacy

There is a fallacy about the England national team based on, well, I'm not sure exactly. History I guess. The Empire, Rule Britannia, Wembley, 1966, England invented the game yadda yadda blah blah. Yet we have a tradition of being shit during the big tournaments, stumbling through and then managing in a majestic, plucky performance or two with it all finally ending in tears. But what heroes we had in defeat, right? And in amongst it, the media go loopy and the fans go into meltdown.

We live on hope, the hope that our players will all hit their potential collective best and result in winning the World Cup. How many times has that happened? Forget 66. Please. Since then we have done nothing more than live off the back of hope, citing the past as though we were deserving of more simply because of the name we carried. There is nothing wrong with this. As long as you know and understand that hope is not always enough.

It's ironic. Mainly because as a Spurs fan I wear my heart on my sleeve and have - throughout my life - wanted to see us achieve great things. This means that you tend to be a little bit over-excitable. Dreaming a little too much and too hard because you're not satisfied with just existing - you want your existence to be defined by glory. It's not being arrogant or delusional if you want something that badly. Nothing wrong at all in wanting success. And as long as you retain an air of realism with your expectations, you can saviour moments of progression and truly embrace those pockets of glory when they finally do come along. I get slated for it as a Lilywhite, yet the entire nation waves St George above their heads and no one bats an eyelid when it seems the mood of the nation is simply: we can win it (translated: we have to win it).

Regarding Spurs, it's an exact parallel to what it means to support England. The potential is there. Perhaps not exact, because England have the best players available to them (whereas Spurs splash millions on wannabes). But it's mostly botched up because of lack of belief/management and sometimes over-confidence and mis-placed confidence. Not building the team around certain players and failing to drop others for the good of the collective. And then there's the expectation. Expectations that weigh down on the fragile mental state we seem to be blessed with. We buckle. We fall. We fail. England are the perpetual wannabes. We are Spurs, stuck back in the sixites. Again, nothing wrong with looking behind us for inspiration, but once more, it's not enough.

We - everyone - fans, the media, pundits, the players; we all seem to be lost in the idea that we are world beaters rather than actually achieve something that would suggest we can be. Lesser teams have attained those giddy heights through effort and then belief that comes from overcoming diversity. Spurs kept knocking at the door, and we've finally made that step forwards, and it feels fantastic (be it we only finished 4th, but that was the step required to move onwards for us at this stage of our progression - a stage we've stood staring at for a decade +). England can play better, we do have a habit of turning up when facing our 'foes'. When perhaps we are considered the underdogs. As long as it doesn't end with penalties.

England's next step would be to not fail where we've failed before.

It's best to lower your standards. Don't expect too much. Until the the era of egos is over and a true cleansing occurs through the squad and set-up. Sorry, I'm dreaming again.

Fact is, we've never quite got our head around transitioning top club players and using them just as effectively at national level compared to their club form. Ridiculous isn't it? When we have got it right, the reason we've failed to achieve greatness is because, well, we're not great. No shame in that. We try our best, we're just not the best at that given moment. And maybe don't quite have the requirements other nations possesses in abundance that allows them to fight/muddle/luck it through. Footballing DNA can't be changed. It would seem.

England are the very definition of inconsistency. Brilliant one day, complete turd the next. Let's end the pretence that it's anything different and then act shocked and dismayed when we fail to turn up, baying for blood. Let's simply enjoy the moments when we do turn up and support them unconditionally (if you care for country in the same fashion as you do for club). And even though the truth might hurt or make you uncomfortably or simply not surprise you in the least, there's no reason not to wave those flags and wear your heart on your sleeve.

Hope, dreams. It's all good.

The agony makes the ecstasy so much sweeter.

England thrash Slovenia

That was more like it.

Slow build up, a tad nervous in the opening exchanges, but once we got going we had the right measure of tempo and conviction to get the job done. Rooney is still struggling to rediscover his game-face, but otherwise we defended well, moved through the middle with intent and our play in and around the box should have resulted in more than just that wonderfully taken Defoe goal, and winner. Wonderful movement in the box, perfect cross by Milner. The latter was decent, player instructions on key, allowing for a far more structured understanding between himself and Glen Johnson down the right.

Gerrard, purposeful and involved. Defoe, patient and sharp with the ball at his feet and unlucky not to have snatched a second. There was one or two mis-placed passes, but compared to the previous two group games, England have managed to claim some much need redemption. Terry and Upson (masterful tackle at the death) at times defending like warriors. Handanovic in-between the sticks for them, worthy of a mention too.

Lampard improved but nowhere near his Chelsea form. Milner, peach of a cross. Did he lack direction at times? Lose the ball too easily? One or two people perhaps being a tad too harsh there. Did think Barry lacked something. Was left disappointed with his overall impact. Much like Lampard, I guess their work on the field is undervalued when compared to the likes of Gerrard. Or perhaps they are just plain ordinary at the moment.

As mentioned, defence worked hard - Johnson a little dodgy at the start. Ashley Cole, top drawer. There were heart-in-mouth moments, but we survived.

Nice to see Joe Cole chucked on. Probably needs more time than a late cameo to be truly instrumental, but his substitution aided us in retaining possession towards the end with his corner flag antics. Looked a little rusty with his passing. Can't see Capello changing the midfield too much in the next game.

One questionable area is up front. And Wayne Rooney's disappointing form. Taken off, injured, but once more off-key. Regardless of his lack of spark, still wouldn't want him to be unavailable for the next match. You hope, he'll awaken soon. Had he not scuffed his shot, it might have happened today. To be fair, he wasn't awful but he was far from great. And compared to his Utd form, nowhere near the player we need for the crusade.

So, a win, confidence, belief. Mood of a nation shifts into the sunshine leaving the dark cloud behind. Was only Slovenia, right? But at least we beat them and our demons. Even Capello was excited (appy) at the final whistle, congratulating the players, all smiles. Team unity on public display for all to see. Well done. Still have to improve.

Also nice to hear actual singing over the textbook vuvuzelas. And thank you to the BBC for showing an England game that ends with an England win. ITV = cursed.

Do we need to improve further? Yes. Stick more chances away for starters. Knock-out football appears to have kick-started our World Cup. Late goal by the USA in their game against Algeria means we now play the winners of Group D. Germany.

And if we win, possibly the Argies. Happy days.

As for Sunday, we do not need any Carlsberg team talks or front page tabloids citing Churchill to inspire.

It's Germany. Just avoid the penalties.

It was an honest mistake

On reflection, I was hasty. Just a touch. Hasty to believe that there was an ounce of sincerity in John Terry's press conference. I simply took it for granted - face value - that anything he was going to say in front of the media was with the blessing of the gaffer, rather than his opinion. I ignored the signs of bitterness and politics, because, well, I assumed surely he wouldn't have the balls to be so deft, so subtle with delicately placed low-blow punches (or bull in a china shop depending on your standpoint). No wonder his forehead was drenched in sweat. But, softly spoken, he answered the questions and seemed to be fairly upfront and honest. Conspiracy did not enter my mind.

The aftermath to all this includes Fabio's comment on JT 'making a big mistake' and stating all they did was watch the Algeria match during the famed meeting and along with Lampard's debunking and defusing of all the media assumptions and their reading-between-the-lines leaves us with further contradictions. Lampard in fact cleansed the comments made by Terry, suggesting the media had taken it all too seriously, all too literally, adding their own spin on his words and reading too much into it. Mutiny the buzz word. When apparently, the reality of the situation is that all players are behind Fabio and Fabio rules the dressing room.

I guess, considering I dismissed any alleged conspiracy theory a little too casually here, perhaps there was an agenda of sorts that has now been stone-cold crushed by Capello. Terry might have been trying his luck. An act of desperation. Petulance. Doing what he does at Chelsea in the England set-up. Up to you how you wish to translate it all and then weigh it up with what Lampard said in his clean-up interview.

There is plenty of ambiguity to be found. And we know this for certain because of what Fabio stated ("At the meeting we saw the Algerian game, we saw the mistakes without comments. Afterwards there was no comments"). Delusional Terry planting seeds of discontent? Or was he just a bit thick about it, thinking that the meeting would be a two-way thing? And thus, this was his big mistake. Talking to the press about matters that should be retained in-house rather than shared with the journos. We all know how they can twist and how we (the fans) can knee-jerk. Slap on the wrist, nothing to see here.

You might prefer to believe that what Fabio (re: the meeting) was the real clean-up job here, masking the fact that it's all gone to shit behind the scenes.

'I swear I never meant for this I never meant...'

Hopefully, as of today, there is no disharmony within the squad. If there is, let's pray they are men, big and bold enough to place egos aside and unite for their country.

I hope we smash Slovenia. Because then none of this conjecture will be of any consequence to us going forward and we can finally talk about football again. Beautiful cross-ball passes, dinks, flicks, marauding runs and spectacular goals.

Three Lions on a shirt. It's about time we were reminded of what this meant and how best it can play out.

Fabio's gone too far this time

OUTRAGED fans blasted the England squad after Fabio Capello umm'd and ahh'd - and then decided to select Juddlestone for the England friendly against Brazil this weekend.

Hundreds of irate supporters bombarded radio, tv and tabloids with emails and calls attacking the loopy decision.

Mike Bayliss, 35, of  Southend said: "Fabio has ruined his own reign. It's Maradona syndrome. He's gone too far this time. Honestly, the skinny one out of the two reminds me of a deer with legs made of jelly caught in headlights. A jelly footed deer. Called Nancy. Soiling herself in the bright lights"

Carpenter Jim Williams, 44, of Manchester, added: "This proves the England team is no longer a footballing contest"

And nayimfromthehalfwayline emailed to say: "He's pretended to ignore the twins but has manipulated the public to now believe they are good enough for selection. I'll never watch England again."

Road sweeper David Dinner, 31, of London, said: "This is an outrage. The reason people tune into England games is to see Fabio lead us to victory with class and style - but he has totally undermined this."

Rebecca Jones, 29, of Newport, Wales, said: "There's no evidence of talent and to place them in amongst all the wealth of ability is a joke"

Richard Dingle, 29, London, said: "I have always admired and liked Fabio, but today I am disgusted with him, I cannot believe he hasn't selected Wilshire."

Juddlestone - The controversial twins backed by the England boss

Stephen Roberts, 22, of Ongar, Essex, added: "The fat one out of the two, he can hardly move. I can run around faster than him and I'm 18 stone"

Ronan Toor, 43, of Lewes, East Sussex, said: "Fabio has made himself look an idiot. He should have had the guts to ignore the terrible twins but instead has turned international football into a joke"

Jonathon Hust, 48, of Liverpool, said: "It's a disgrace. I know this Brazil friendly means nothing and there's no doubting that they are there just there to make up the numbers but there's plenty of others to select from with real talent…like Stephen Warnock. What? He's in the squad too? Sweet"

However, some fans did back Fabio's decision. DBTheTruth tweeted: "Juddlestone DO deserve to be selected, and booing from the fans and the hatred they're getting is just appalling! I for one am looking forward to those pin-point accurate balls to feet"

Chris Barber, 32, Birmingham, said: "Huddlestone does well when he's pinging balls to players who are willing to run into space and struggles in congested games made up of short fast passing movements. He'd do fine for England. No real need to run around and plenty of time on the ball. Everyone knows international football is a step down from the Premier League. The other one? He's a bit like that Andrew Ridgeley from Wham. He's there. You can see him. He appears to have the tools to do the job, but you can't quite figure out what the hell he's meant to be doing, standing there with a blank expression looking lost as people around him do all the work"


Read more: http://glory-glory.co.uk/forums/1/756618/ShowThread.asp

Lost in translation: Upson wants to be King?

Ledley gets selected for England. Harry has a fit. Fabio explains he wanted to see King for himself within the England set-up. King arrives. King leaves. Harry has another twitch aimed towards Fabio, who cites the Hutton injury issues to call Harry a hypocrite. Words still exchanged via exaggerated tabloid articles, including the possiblity of King perhaps being selected for England in the future. In what type of capacity, who knows.

It then all went quiet for about 20 seconds, and Matthew Upson decided that his opinion on the subject was so important, he shared it with us. Not Rio. Or Terry. But Upson. Here's the quote:

“The Ledley King situation is difficult as he is a fantastic player and everybody sees his performances. It is amazing how he can perform at that level without training.

But when you come here with England, there is a big emphasis on the training. We turn up on Monday and the training is intense, full-on. You have to recover in the afternoons because we do that all week. It would be difficult to excuse a player from training and then play him in the team. That would not fit in with the culture of the squad"

Hilarious. What culture of the squad is Upson refering to exactly? The one that sees us losing penalty shoot-outs or the one that sees players who shine for their club but fail to do so for their country when it really matters? King can handle himself just fine, whether it's rolling out of Faces nightclub or sticking Drogba in his pocket for 90 minutes - he can out perform most even if his knee is held together by blue-tac. Whether he trains or not is neither here or there. Except that it probably does mean playing for England is a broken dream. Yet, Upson still felt the need to railroad our Ledley via the red tops. Such is the concern of the young lad that he'll fall even further behind in the pecking order.

Culture of the squad, it appears, is to look after ones own agenda.