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Life After World Cup

So in an attempt to make three lions fans look at the positives and possibly in a last ditch effort to keep his job, Fabio Capello has promised that in the next two years, while England prepare for Euro 2012, several young players will break through.

While many fans will see the separation of the so called ‘Golden Generation’ as a positive step I still think the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Terry have something to offer the national team. I believe it is not a case of players not caring but more individuals terrified when they pull on the white shirt due to the pressure it brings. Obviously if England were suddenly filled with less experienced/ famous names that would lower the expectation levels.

                I believe however this is slight desperation from the Italian. Not just desperation but actually unfair. For example, do the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere need the added pressure of being touted as future England stars when they haven’t yet established themselves into the Arsenal first team.  Is it appropriate that Capello is now telling a country we should rely on the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson  when he deemed them not good enough for South Africa.

                Here we will look at the players Capello has promised a more active role in his squad selections.It should be noted that the Italian as gone back on his promises before, only  playing in form players and those who were fit.

Jack Wilshere

Arsenal youngest ever player to appear in the Premiership.  Impressed in Carling Cup and Emiraites’ Cup outings before being loaned out for experience to Bolton. Owen Coyle admires him so much he wants to take him on for a second season.

Many agree with Arsene Wenger’s and Capello’s belief that Wilshere has a future at the very highest level of the game (perhaps a replacement for Cesc  Fabregas) but it is unfair for an 18 year old, yet to start in the League for Arsenal, to be spoken as England’s next break out star. We know what has happened to another Arsenal player in a similar situation called Theo Wallcott.

 

Kieran Gibbs

Capello was having a look at Gibbs before he broke a bone in his foot in November. Arsenal like their left backs in a certain way and Gibbs has been taught to play in a style similar to Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy.   If Arsene Wenger got a big money offer for Clichy he would feel he has a ready made replacement.

With Ashley Cole seemingly doing his best to burn all bridges with England fans (Cole claims to dislike them) Gibbs should earn his first cap in the next couple of years.

   

Michael Dawson

It’s not hard to work out after the World Cup that Dawson was viewed by Capello as 6^th choice centre back. However Carrager will now seemingly disappear again until the next tournament when he will again come out of retirement, King may not get another chance to prove his fitness after his dodgy knee lasted 45 minutes in Africa and Upson may forever be scared by his performance against Germany.

                 Dawson arguably played as well as any English centre back last year and it was always seen that Capello would wait into the Euro qualifiers to have more of a look at Dawson, now that’s guaranteed to happen.

Owen Hargreaves

With out any question if Hargreaves was fit he would have gone to South Africa and would have made a difference. His availability would of not meant such an over reliance on Gareth Barry. If he can rediscover his best form then he will challenge for Barry’s place or Capello may even use both meaning a change in formation.

Gabriel Agbonlahor

After a World Cup where England managed just two goals every striker who just missed out must fancy their chances of breaking through. Agbonlahor is one of them. He scored 16 times last season for Aston Villa and would of given the side much needed pace. If he can prove his consistency with another solid season at Villa Park then he deserves a chance as much as any one.

Adam Johnson

Capello has always liked the look of Johnson and for a long time it seemed that the Manchester City winger would be taken to Africa as England’s wildcard, someone to bring on in the last 10 minutes. Would have featured more after the World Cup no matter what England had achieved.

Theo Walcott

Ironically the man whose confidence has taken such a battering from Capello is the man the Italian is now talking up to try and save his job. If Fabio does leave then it is Walcott who provided him with the best moment of his international managerial career with his hat trick in Croatia.

                No one did anything in South Africa to prove that Capello was right not to take the Arsenal winger. Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright Phillips both failed to impress.

Walcott is a confidence player and allot will depend on him having a good start to the season with Arsenal.

 

Bobby Zamora

Zamora’s form was such a surprise last season that it is mainly believed that if the Fulham man had not needed surgery in the summer he would have been the unexpected name on the flight to Africa.

The test for Zamora is to avoid second season syndrome. After 21 goals last year the spotlight is now on him to do it again with other clubs prepared to pay serious money for his services. There is no guarantee that Zamora can repeat his heroics from last year.

Cannavaro leaves Italian job

Fabio Cannavaro’s international career ended with a 3-2 defeat to Slovakia. The centre-back, 36, 2007 Golden Foot candidate, made 136 appearances for the Azzurri and led them to World Cup glory in 2006, winning also the Golden Ball award. His last gift to Italy was an important sentence. He said: “Our mechanisms must change. Just look at our stadiums and the culture that we have. When we look at the game we’ve got to focus on young people. Otherwise we will not win the World Cup again for 25 years. I am tranquil because I think I did well. In 2006 I brought the trophy here. I didn’t this time, but I face up to it. We have good players, but perhaps they are not world class because we didn’t show it this time.”

World Cup Diary

So England players and the manager were labelled the best in the world during qualification. The media drill it into us that it is our best chance to win a major tournament since 1966 to the point we believe them. Once the competition begins we play mediocre against the sides we’re predicted to dominate before going out to the first decent outfit we come across. This leaves us scratching our heads as to why the same players who star for Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool can’t do the same for their country. The point I’m making is we have been here before.

                The difference is normally we at least have the comfort of a hard luck story to keeps us going for 4 years before we do it all over again for the next World Cup. Maradona’s hand, Gazza’s tears, Beckham’s and Ronney’s sending off and of course a collection of failed penalty shoot outs to name a few. It seemed ironic then, with the score line at 2 – 1 to Germany, Frank Lampard had a goal wrongly disallowed because the referee did not think the whole of the ball had crossed the line. So there you go, at least if we were going home we had our annual excuse sorted. This time however it will not work.

                While Capello had every right to acknowledge it in his post match interview, while no one can argue with fans who say the game may of been different at 2-2 and indeed while it is the biggest example yet of why technology needs to introduced England as a country would not be being fair to itself if we used this as a way to paper over the cracks.

The truth is Germany were worryingly superior to us, making a mockery of the fact that when we started the competiton 2 weeks ago we were installed as third favourites to triumph in South Africa. We knew we were poor against the USA and Algeria, we knew how embarrassing it was that we were so delighted about a 1-0 win over Slovenia but thirty minutes in, a country was in shock. We had realised just how bad we were, just how far away we were, that we are further away then ever from even being contenders for any silver ware. We had been sold a dead horse, for weeks brainwashed into thinking that only Spain had any right to say they were better then us. This is why other countries laugh at us and think in terms of football we are arrogant. A footballing nation who calls itself contenders yet boasts a record of two semi finals in twenty years. Why then do we think we have a define right to go beyond the quarter finals? This was not the best Germany team. In fact it was one of their youngest and most inexperienced teams of all time with their best player Michael Ballack injured. We were told before the game that only a couple of the Germans players would get into our first 11. This is true, Wayne Rooney boast 34 goals this season for Manchester United while Podolski and Klose scored  9for Bayern Munich between them. So Germany, without any so called star names demolished English players regarded as some of the best in the world. That should tell you everything. As should all four goals. Four goals where as a team England did not communicate and know where each other were while Germany took advantage with team goals.

So now what? sack Capello?

I know a certain Sven Groan Eriksson will see the irony and rightly so. The Swede was made into a laughing stock for three quarter final exits, two on penalties, one by Brazil, so why should the Italian be any different?

The FA deserve to be criticized for awarding Capello a new contract based on a qualifying campaign (England qualifying should be expected, it’s not an achievement).

In my diary entries I have criticised some decisions. These included yesterday, backing down on a promise to play Gerrard behind Rooney in the knockout stages, playing Upson who began the competition as 4^th choice centre back and then replacing Defoe for Heskey. However Capello is not English so he will not have realised our history. He believed what he saw in qualifying and in the Premiership was what he would get in Africa. He meant when he said England had a chance. That’s why he looked so puzzled when his team performed no where near their previous potential and why he had nothing lined up to  change things. You could say he was as mislead by his players just as much as we the fans were. A proud man whose pride would have been hurt will not stand for that performance again but will he get another chance?

                Will Gerrard, Terry and Lampard? It is easy to say they are multi millionaire players who do not care and along with Rooney they should be dropped. However I think they do care, look at how they reacted when they beat Slovenia.

I believe there is a fear factor. Win, lose or draw no one smiles when they play for England, they wait to mess up and be criticised; no one has any character like a Paul Gascoigne. They take it too seriously. Like I have said so many times, football is meant to be enjoyable.

Euro 2012 qualifiers start in September. Expect players to try to keep their places by queuing up to say how much the defeat hurt and how the focus is to make up for it. That is what a top club side would do. From that point of view this could be the best thing to happen to this bunch of players.  In two years time, after we top our qualifying group and we are labelled favourites Capello/ or the next manager can point to this 4- 1 result to avoid complacency. I have always felt we would have a better chance if people spoke less about our chances. Throwing in players with less of a reputation wouldn’t hurt either. Looking back I think calling up a Scott Parker, Darren Bent, Ashley Young etc would have made a difference. Players who would have viewed playing at a World Cup as a general highlight of their careers and not a burden would have given everything because they would have viewed this as the biggest game of their lives.

                If you need reminding always remember Germany 4 England 1. Remember we all said that only two of Germany’s players would get into our starting 11. Who would have thought the old enemy would have taught us such an important lesson?

Review Of Group Stages

I have just finished watching Brazil Vs Portugal, a 0-0 draw which just might have summed up this years world cup. What on paper was regarded as the best game of the group stages proved to be an anti-climax, summing up the 2010 world cup so far. The opening week of the tournament was worryingly bad, a shortage of goals, an increase in red cards and goal keepers scared to catch the new ball.

That off the field events were making more headlines than the ones on the pitch summed it up. In the first couple of weeks the only noted goings on were who was rowing in the France squad and John Terry’s press conference.

What got me thinking though was something a lot less profile. It was Cameroon in the tunnel before their second match against Denmark. What was noticeable was there wasn’t  a smile on any of the players faces. Adrian Chiles then informed the viewers that there had been a rift within the squad. Why? Well Cameroon had lost their opener to Japan. That got me thinking, isn’t the world cup meant to be the pinnacle of a players career, the holy grail? Yet the pressure and spotlight has been so huge it has made certain teams forget that football is meant to be enjoyable. From the second France touched down in Africa they let the pressure tear them apart, not one player seemed to care enough to put an end to the squabbling for the sake of the world cup.

England have been crippled by the fear of failure, from Rob Green looking terrified in the tunnel to Wayne Rooney under-performing. Not that Rooney is the only one. None of the so called top players have yet to light up the competition. While Italy have buckled under the weight of being defending champions, Spain have struggled with the expectation of being favorites. Only Holland, Argentina, Brazil and possibly Portugal out of the so called big sides have impressed.

Naturally in the last week the action picked up. with teams needing to draw or win in their final 2 group games, they had no choice but to be positive. England were better against Slovinia and Slovakia Vs Italy, Denmark Vs Cameroon, South Africa Vs France were all entertaining.

So with the knock out stages on the horizon it could go two ways, because teams have to win will the positive football remain, will teams start to embrace the world cup or will the fear of failure again cripple the sides and make them revert to a negative style.

South Africa depart with heads held high — You have made your country very proud, says president Jacob Zuma

Top hosts South Africa may have exited the competition, but they went out with dignity, with pride and with their heads held high – which is more than can be said for France!

Raymond Domenech’s petulant and stubborn refusal to shake hands with opposite number Carlos Alberto Parriera at the end of their 2-1 defeat just about summed up everything that was wrong with the French at this World Cup.

They simply had not style; no manners and no passion – all in complete contrast to the South Africans who made a nation proud, despite falling at the first hurdle.

BafanaBafana ended the tournament as they started it; and they did it with a smile on their face and pride in their hearts.

No-one would deny them that win against France, and the country’s leading authorities were quick to heap praise on Parreira and his merry band of men.

South African president Jacob Zuma told the players: “You have made your country very proud. The existing carnival atmosphere in the country is because you have represented all of us with pride.

“Winning against France is an achievement you should be proud off. In tournaments like this sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You gave it your best and now it is time to enjoy the World Cup.

“We have built a solid foundation for future tournaments and you can count on the country’s support all the way.”

It is the end of the road for veteran Brazilian boss Parreira with the governing body about to appoint a South African coach. SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani said: “We wish to thank the coach, the technical team together with the players for their efforts.

“It is imperative we continue to be great hosts and rally behind the remaining teams. The humanity of Africa has already touched the whole world.”

White Eagles crash

Serbia’s World Cup hopes and dreams came to an unexpected end in Nelspruit against Australia. 

After a controlled yet for too long, barren performance Serbia were unable to find the goal required that would have given them a 2-2 draw and passage into the second round.The mission started very clearly for the White Eagles, win and qualification was assured. 

The first half was one of missed opportunities for the Serbs.   

After 11 minutes Ninkovic broke through the middle of the park at pace to play a clever ball beyond the Aussie defence for the onrushing Krasic.  It was similar to the way in which Germany had been able to breach this Australian defence in the first group game, except Krasic’s touch was heavy as he rounded Schwarzer and instead of rolling the ball into the empty net it blazed high and wide of the goal mouth.   

The next chance was again created by the energetic Serbs, this time a smart interchange between Krasic and Kuzmanovic on the right touch line led to a dinked cross that found Branislav Ivanovic, who had surged forward un-opposed to control the ball on his chest and thump a half volley that was repelled by the right arm of Schwarzer.  

The team in red kept control of the ball and the chances kept arising in the opening period but they could not be put away.  Next up was Zigic unable to direct a header towards the goal.  This was followed by Jovanovic moving inside from the left to slide a ball past the Australian defence which was met by Krasic to knock into the goal, only to see the assistant referee to flag for an offside.  

Half time dually was upon us and the Serbian side retreated to their dressing room with the match under control but they were aware that they had spurned many chances to secure their progress. 

On 52 minutes Zigic was to have his final opportunity in the game.  Jovanovic again looking dangerous on the left dragged the ball back for Zigic, who controlled with his chest only to send the ball on the half volley off target.  

On the hour mark the news came through of a German goal against Ghana in the other group match.  The Aussies quickly made 2 substitutions as did Serbia, who replaced Krasic and Zigic with Tosic and Pantelic. 

The changes worked out better for Australia who after 4 minutes of madness found themselves 2-0 ahead after a header from Tim Cahill was followed by a drive from distance by Brett Holman. 

It was a situation that had been impossible to imagine at half time after the Serbian domination but their failure to convert any of the chances created had come back to haunt them.  Danko Lazovic was the final roll of the dice, coming on after 76 minutes for Kuzmanovic and it was clear that Radomir Antic and his side were going to throw everything they had at this Australian defence. 

Eventually they got a break through, Tosic cut inside from his marker to zing a shot that Schwarzer found too hot to handle and the ball spilled out to the 6 yard line where Pantelic was waiting to slot the ball home, to bring the score line to 2-1 with 6 minutes to play. 

2 minutes later it looked like salvation was found for the Serbs.  Lazovic played a cross field pass beyond the defence to Pantelic who controlled with his first touch and slotted the ball into the bottom corner with his second.  As the Serbian fans celebrated once again on the touchline the assistant referee had his flag raised and the goal was not to count. 

The White Eagles were to suffer further in the final minute of the match.  After conceding 2 penalties in the group due to handballs in the box, corner was struck into the heart of the box by Jovanovic to bet met by the head of Vidic only for the ball to strike the up stretched arm of Tim Cahill.  As the referee was surrounded by claims for the penalty to be awarded, he simply signalled for a corner.  The flight of the ball had been clearly blocked by the arm but was judged to have been accidental and Serbian anger was obvious. 

The final opportunity again fell to Pantelic but he was too eager with his run, finding himself in an offside position, but his strike was wayward and the ball sailed high and wide of the far post. 

The final whistle followed soon after and the Serbian player’s ambitions ended for this competition.

World Cup Odds – Bookmakers Now Make Spain Favourites To Win

Spain v Chile will be one of the more exciting games of the tournament so far.

Both teams have high scoring records from their qualifying campaigns. Chile scored 32 goals, that’s one less than the World Cup 2010 favourites Brazil. Chile are a strong side, who have an impressive goal scoring record. However, they also have a record of conceding alot of goals. This might not be good for Chile, but certainly makes for interesting viewing. Everyone knows Spain like to attack and this game should suit both sites. Back over 2.5goals. This game won’t disappoint.

It’s no shocker that Spain are the favourites in the Spain v Chile Odds. Spain should definitely win this game. Expect goals from both sites, 3-1 is a big price but is looking quite likely.

Villa should see this game as his big opportunity to score some much needed goals + increase his chances of winning the Golden Boot. His odds have drifted since his lacklustre start against Switzerland. Back Villa to be first goalscorer or to score anytime during the game.

For a full Spain V Chile betting preview and for all the latest betting tips visit
World Cup Odds.

World Cup Betting: Brazil V Portugal Latest Odds + Tips

The Brazil v Portugal game will be one of the best games of the tournament so far. Both teams are just top of their game and an absolute pleasure to watch.

Brazil v Portugal Odds make Brazil the bookies favourites and most likely to win the game. There’s no real surprise there. Portugal however won’t hand it to them on a plate. They need to win this game so will be fighting with everything they’ve got. They’re very strong defensively and don’t tend to concede many goals. They’ll definitely give Brazil a run for their money.

Brazil however are one of the World Cup favourites. And it would be a big surprise if they didn’t beat Portugal. Back Brazil to win this one. They’re odds are surprisingly large, it’s not often you get to back Brazil at big odds, so take advantage of these big prizes today before they shorten.

For firstgoalscorer back Luis Fabiano. He did look a bit out of practice against North Korea but hopefully three games into the World Cup he’ll be ready to bring his goalscoring talents to this game. Back him to be first goalscorer in this game or to score at anytime.

For all the latest betting tips for the World Cup click on the highlighted link, World Cup Odds, this will take you to a site full of all things World Cup betting related and there have been some great tips on there so far, its not too late to start winning now.

England World Cup Diary

I am not going to make the mistake of getting carried away over a 1-0 win against Slovenia. Despite a drastically improved performance, finishing second in one of the softest groups is no achievement. What it is , is a chance for a nation to breath a huge sigh of relief and look forward, finally able to put the Algeria game to bed.

There was however one moment, one moment where maybe, just maybe, we can refind our confidence.

It wasn’t Defoe’s goal, giving us a goal threat that Heskey does not have. Nor was it Gerrard’s continued form. It wasn’t even the devastating right sided partnership of James Milner and Glen Jhonson.

The moment came five minutes from the end with England only needing a Slovenia equaliser to eliminate them. England fans, understandably were a bag of nerves. As they say it only takes a second to score a goal. One corner, one free kick, one mistake and that would of been it.

It never came. England killed the game brilliantly as Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard and James Milner kept possession in the corner. Those  who think this is anti football or negative are really missing the point. This is a tactic the likes of Germany, Italy, Argentina and others would of employed. So often we have been the ones being frustrated as the opposition keeps the ball. Ideal no but it’s how you win football matches and ultimately tournaments.

Previous managers like Sven Goran Erickson and Steve McClaren would not of done this. They would of taken a gamble by throwing on a defensive midfielder and let Slovenia come at us.

Just remember, one of the biggest criticisms of this team has been their inability to keep the ball. So if you do not agree with corner flag football at least respect that England had the bottle to do it.

ENGLAND FANS DESERTING THREE LIONS

- Paddy Power England v Slovenia Preview -

England fans are deserting their national team like never before with Paddy Power reporting MORE bets on Slovenia to win the crunch World Cup Group C game.

As is stands 39% of match bets for the game have been on the England win (4/9) but amazingly 42% are on Slovenia (7/1) with the remainder on the draw.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “The patriotic punt is drying up. It’s almost unheard of for England to have less bets on winning a match than their opponent - against Brazil maybe but not a lowly team like Slovenia.”

“The 7/1 for a Slovenia win is proving tempting, perhaps England fans are taking out some insurance against the worst happening. The dark cloud of an England exit would certainly have a silver lining for many punters with some winnings going into their pockets.”

However the good news for the under-fire England squad is that bookies still expect them to do the job in Port Elizabeth. Paddy Power offer 4/9 on England to still qualify for the last 16 and 11/10 to win the group, with odds of 13/8 for the unthinkable to happen and England crash out.

Roo Beauty!

England fans will be hoping cometh the hour cometh the man with a hitherto out of sorts Wayne Rooney finally showing up at the World Cup party. Paddy Power offer 7/2 Rooney grabs the first goal and 18/1 for a hat-trick. It’s 6/4 that Rooney has four or more shots on goal but having lost his cool at the end of the Algerian debacle the hot-headed striker could be ready to explode and is 22/1 to be sent off.

John Terry believes only Rooney and Joe Cole can unlock a defence and the bookie offers 8/1 that both these players score against the Slovenians.

“As It Stands”

With England’s group rivals USA and Algeria playing at the same time there could be many twists and turns for England fans through a nervous 90 minutes. Paddy Power’s latest commentary betting looks at how many times the BBC commentators say “As it stands” during the match, making three times or more the 5/4 favourite.

Will The Don Be Gone?

Paddy Power offer just 12/5 that Capello is still in charge for England’s friendly with Hungary on August 11th with Roy Hodgson the 4/1 favourite to be next manager.

WORLD CUP LATEST

World Cup Winner

4 Brazil; 9-2 Argentina, Spain; 8 Holland; 10 Germany, England; 20 Italy; 22 Portugal; 33 Uruguay; 35 Paraguay; 40 Mexico, Chile; 50 Serbia; 75 Bar

Top Scorer

3 Higuain; 4 Villa; 11-2 Fabiano; 12 Forlan; 18 Messi; 22 Van Persie, Torres; 25 Ronaldo; 33 Rooney, Elano; 35 Podolski

GROUP BETTING

Get all of the latest odds on Group C and Group D HERE.

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