Something rotten in Denmark?

Sven Goran Eriksson and rank hypocrisy.

There's a lot of people chucking muck around here that ought to know better. As many have said of Sven's comments about Ferdinand*, Owen and erm . . ?, forgot who else, this stuff is not new and, really, shouldn't the national team manager be able to criticise or comment about his stock of players?

Much of the criticism levelled at Sven is plain bollocks. Here's a man who stepped in to do The England Manager's job when either no suitable English candidate could or would come forward.
Likewise, many of these self same managers seem to look after numero uno - self and club interests before international duties. How often have premiership managers complained of their players being required to play on the bigger occasion (friendly or otherwise?). Likewise, the sudden development of injury at these times.
Given that, it's hardly surprising that Sven would consider becoming a premiership manager - they seem to have more clout than him in his current position.

Premiership managers and, indeed, chairmen should actively encourage their players to aim ever higher, to play on the biggest stage possible. Develop the breed, so to speak. There are plenty of players who would be glad of the chance and the game and national squad(s) can only benefit. Blimey, if England's managers got behind the England team then the pig might begin to live up to it's much-hyped high-flying credentials. Some of them might even develop the bug and see themselves worthy of becoming national manager too.

Yeah, right.

Back on planet earth/football -

Perhaps it's the case that the press are panicking early this time. Instead of touting Engerrland for the world cup and claiming robbery and where did it all go wrong after the event it seems like their journalistic incontinence precedes them this time.

England, despite having a talented squad, rarely live up to the billing. Take Japan/Korea world cup finals and the Brazil game. If memory serves me well, the lads were doing an excellent job until they eased off on the pressure and allowed Brazil the upper hand. A game where the battling spirit displayed in the qualifying 0-0 draw against Italy, in 19whenever, wouldn't've gone amiss.

LIkewise the complacency displayed in the games against the 'lesser opposition' of Denmark and Northern Ireland. Underdogs having their day. At least they had bite.

Finally, others talk of the rights and wrongs of unsettling the national manager and team at such a sensitive time. Rubbish either way - it should be about building the best team whenever but the current discussion doesn't seem to address this isue.

I don't know if Alex Ferguson has been touted for the job but I'd offer it now (mebbe's even a straight swap? pffff . . . ). If memory serves me well, the technical area was invented to cage the likes of him and to paraphrase Bill Nicholson (might have to look that one up) - What are you doing on the pitch if you are not trying to influence the game? In this case applied to Ferguson off the pitch.

Ferguson has most of the qualities and an impressive enough pedigree to make a credible manager and perhaps an incredible team.

Perhaps.

Read on -
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