Sunday, June 27, 2010
So behind all the fury and anger over the bloody linesman's poor call for what could have been a much moral-boosting equaliser Frank Lampard scored, England were poor in every other aspect, compared to their younger German counterparts.
Wayne Rooney? Don't-know-how-many-goals last season dude? And look what happened? No goals in the World Cup. Not even against Slovenia, or Algeria. As good as Messi? Nah, if you can't do it on the world stage, as Messi is doing right now, you can never be good as Messi.
Gareth Barry? Immobile defensive midfielder. Lack of passing ability. Owen Hargreaves was sorely missed. Well, here's England's huge lack of a midfield rover like Javier Mascherano Argentina has or even a Felipe Melo, pure class defensive midfielders.
Only probably Steven Gerrard has shone throughout the tournament. Ok he was given the armband, maybe a lift. But still. Lampard did well most of the time and finally came good against Germany, and in truth should have gotten two goals if not one. John Terry only played well against Slovenia, well the rest he was shit. And the defensive partner problems with Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Matthew Upson, all gone now.
Well England's exit will have much repercussions, even till the next World Cup in 2014. I mean, compare the two starting elevens. Who is likely or realistically going to the next World Cup?
For Germany: Manuel Neuer, Phillip Lahm, Jerome Boateng, double goalscorer Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. I'm not even talking about their bench.
For England? Hmm... Failed hype of the tournament Wayne Rooney? Yup. Glen Johnson? If he is still fast enough. David James would be 44 by then. Fancy him playing. Stevie G maybe some sort of playmaker who doesn't make dynamic runs anymore? Slow but hardworking James Milner. That's about it.
Wonderful stuff for England fans, next four years. Looks like the lack of Academy planning and lack of quality coming out is starting to bite, especially with the exit of the Golden Generations of England stars (that can't play as a team). Like what the commentator said, Germany's heavy spending on Academies is bearing fruit. This German team has the chance to win this and the next World Cup in all honesty, if they continue to progress like they do.
And now even Italy's having the same problem.
Maybe England should hire another foreign manager to deal with this problem. Hmm, say Arsene Wenger?
my thoughts at 11:52 pm