Comments on: Why Euro 2008 may just be the best thing to happen to English football

By: dp

dp — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:11:39 +0000

Great way to work The Smiths in there. This is an excellent summation of the situation at hand. I watch the Premier League and the national team on a fairly regular basis, and while it’s generally great entertainment (the league, not the NT), I’ve been struck by the technical flaws of English players, particularly in regard to first touch and ball-striking. The direct approach of route 1 football has made this moot in the past, but the influx of foreign players and managers and the overall evolution of the game has dictated a greater emphasis on skill, which, for all their ego and money the English players generally lack. When Rio Ferdinand is one of your best players on the ball, you’ve got problems.

By: BlackburnPete

BlackburnPete — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:23:35 +0000

Excellent article.
We just need to retain a dose of realisim without being overly pessimistic.
Too many times we win against a team who are average or worse and people start saying we are doing well again!
Then we come up against a decent side and they destroy us.
But I agree with the right manager, that should not happen. If we are to be build a skillfull side who pass and move then the supporters are going to have to bear with the team.
But not making Euro 08 could be the wake up call we needed and at least I could watch the tournament without having to shout at the telly so much!

By: Joseph Groff

Joseph Groff — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:21:33 +0000

Gary does well to mention this as well. Nice article Gary.

By: Joseph Groff

Joseph Groff — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:19:56 +0000

I think there is another thing that England can take from Euro2008, particularly from Spain as the winners. Enough of this blaming the foreign players in the domestic league. No more excuses. Screw Sepp Blatter and his little plan. England has the talent, but has failed to put together a winning campaign. Many teams go into a tournament with arguably the most talented group of players and don’t win. Or there are injuries. Or maybe those talented players get outplayed by less talented players who have more heart, more determination. And there are many great teams out there. Ask the Dutch if they think they should have won it all this year. Some teams just have gone longer without being the one team that wins. Whatever explanations you can conjure up for those teams labeled perennial chokers, Spain just proved that having a good number of foreign players in your league does not mean that you can’t have a good national team.

Time for England to sack up and get some heart.

By: Chris Nee

Chris Nee — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:48:23 +0000

Sounds a bit grand, I know, but I really think we could be on the brink of a really positive time for English football – largely for the reasons you’ve outlined.

We appear to be ‘getting our house in order’: Burton, Capello, even the National Game Strategy are very impressive moves.

The FA is taking its responsibilities seriously. It is recognising the importance of change at parks football level as well as micro-tweeking the top level.

It could all come to nought, but we’re tackling youth football at the same time as kicking the superstars into shape. I think it can only be a good thing.

By: England fan

England fan — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:47:27 +0000

Nice, well thought out article! I think you are correct England well rebuild and refocus based on the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.