Oh England

So thought I would do a quick blog post on England, considering Euro 2012 has just begun, it just seemed the right thing to do!

International football is only really exciting every 2 years, at the Euro's and World Cup. I often spend quite a long time working myself up into an frenzied state, declaring ridiculous things such as I won't answer my phone during the whole tournament (Course I will, who actually doesn't?!) I look forward to seeing great players on the big stage, and count myself lucky to watch such great teams as Spain (Iniesta, you are a god), Germany and Holland. Then invariably my thoughts, and discussions with friends turns to England, and the smiles fade and we immediately get very pessimistic, criticize22 everything we can, and generally write the whole tournament off before it's even begun. Why does this happen? I'm pretty sure not every country does it, and it's not like our team's are awful, not as good as others fine, but you always need a little bit of luck with these things, and at some point, we'll get that.

I've been watching England at every opportunity I can, from meaningless friendlies (my fav easily being the 3-3 with Argentina, watched it in my local which were giving out free Hot Dogs!), to Quals (Macedonia are banter) to WC's/Euro's - my earliest memories really being Euro 96. At just about every tournament since we've been absolute heroes, fighting to the end and ultimately ending in heartbreak (WC 98 vs Arg, Euro 2004/WC 2006 vs Portugal). But I can witness these games and remain proud, as we ultimately lost to good sides. I've forgotten what my point was whilst trying to remember those games, I think the drink is slowly destroying my brain - bit worrying, but that's something for another time. What I mean to say is this tournament is no different, I'm both excited for the weeks of football, but also a quiet hope that we'll get out our group, and go out defiantly against Spain. Yet for this, I'm certain there will be moans, grumbles and generally people not being happy with this. What annoys me alot is people who 'support' another country. I mean full blooded English people, who are so disenchanted with the team that they actively support another country. I dont get it, I find it pretty childish tbh, and whilst it's their choice to make, surely you'd simply not care for England and just watch the games, not publicly announce your love for a completely different nation? Not many do, but a few, just seems a dickhead thing to do, trying to be a bit quirky but ultimately just strange. So how does England win them back over? (It shouldn't have to) I suppose by playing some exciting football, upsetting the odds and actually winning some big games and restoring some faith.

 I think we have the ability to do this, all this Rio talk was silly, he didnt get pick, get over it. He wouldnt have started, I think Lescott had a better season than him anyway and deserves his place. As a sub Jagielka will perform admirably if needed - so what the hell is all the fuss about?! Big players often get dropped, Gascoigne in 98' springs to mind. Also we say stuff like why isnt Sturridge there, does he deserve to be? On merit alone? No. He was poor for half a season for Chelsea, after a bright start he faded massively and then was dropped for all the big games, he ultimately wasnt trusted, so why should he be for his country? Anyone who is not a club regular should NOT be an international IMO, though I'm a bit biased about the Ox as I think the experience will do him good and he's a great impact sub currently, but yeah I suppose equally he shouldn't be there. Adam Johnson is a bit of an idiot if he doesn't move this summer, he needs regular games and then he can get back in the squad, as he's a great player but at 24 he cant be described as young anymore and needs to be playing regularly. We look at alot of our injuries and the papers select the Injured XI, but I mean Huddlestone, really?! He's got like 2 caps or something and frankly I wouldn't have him in the squad as I don't think he's good enough. Rodwell has been plagued by injury's for years, he needs to prove his fitness, Gibbs is also injury prone, Wilshere fuck knows what's going on with him, Bent meh, Cahill wasn't too bad - Chelsea seems to have settled him and given him confidence because for Bolton at times last season he was AWFUL.

What do I think of England's chances? As said, I think we'll come 2nd in the group, with a loss, a win and a draw, then lose to Spain in the next round. As long as we play well and give it a good crack, I'll be happy. I didnt think we'd do much this tournament anyway, we're in a really odd situation with our 'Golden Generation' on their last legs, whilst not quite confident in the youngsters. Ashley Cole is world class, but he's like 34, Baines is decent but nowhere Cole's ability, who else? Gibbs is too injury prone still, he needs another solid season for us, then who? Terry is a cunt of the highest order, I've not hated a player as much as I have him for a while, but he's solid and I suppose he's never had pace so probably has a few years left. Hart is fine, Lescott/Cahill is alright for a bit with Smalling/Jones looking to develop and take it up a level to reach their expected potential. Johnson is a liability, and the sooner we find someone else, the better. Martin Kelly needs games, and shame about Kyle Walker as he looks the business when he's in the mood. Parker needs replacing for the next tournament as he's 32 I think. Jones could try being that DM, otherwise what about the Chelsea youngster, once more he desperately needs to get playing at Prem level to fulfill that potential. Lampard/Gerrard need to be phased out, and we've plenty of options with the Ox, Cleverly, Sturridge, Wilshere all ready to step up. Caroll is ok but needs a full season with some goals, whilst Welbeck will be about for a while yet and if he can add more goals to his game, the better.

Looking at that, I think there's hope for England, which is what I always say - but we are 6th in the World Rankings for a reason, we're not awful - the Germany defeat in 2010 was a blip, and we've learnt from it, I don't think that would happen again if we played them, we'd lose, sure, but we'd go out fighting and really take it to the wire. Then we'd get knocked out, and I can say whilst having a beer that at least we gave it a go, and there's always next time. I call this, The England Way.