6.21.2010

Why is it that England fans constantly want, or applaud the exact opposite of what they wanted from the previous managers? Surely the majority of the supporters of this great nation have the intelligence to realise that Capello taking on board opinions from his players in a 'crisis meeting' is a recipe for disaster. Doesn't this just entirely contradict what authoritarian characteristics the Italian has in abundance? The very reasons the FA forked out his enormous salary. If we're going to revert back to the player power culture, which seemed to have disappeared before the tournament, we might as well get Mclaren back, after steering FC Twente to the Dutch title. At the very epicentre of this debate, and main victim of my criticism is captain of my very own club side, Mr John Terry. One thing you can bank on with a Terry interview is that he always speaks very honestly, unlike the dreary Gerrard and Rooney. You can just tell with his facial expressions, that he's speaking from the heart, but surely Terry of all people can see that admitting that there is divided opinion in the camp, and that 'people are going to have their say, whether they like it or not' is not good for the manager/player power relationship. It's not as if he's caused problems before. Particularly if you believe all that you hear with regards to the departures of Mourinho and Grant from the bridge. It just doesn't bode well for the reign of Capello as England manager if we've got somebody that isn't even the captain, leading a press conference, shouting the odds.

Wednesday is massive. The reaction from the inept performance against Algeria, added to Rooney's on pitch reaction, Terry's press conference and all the usual negativity from the media, is going to be intriguing. I could be made to eat my words again (if you read my opening blog), if Terry's rallying call leads to us trouncing the eastern-Europeans, giving us the required momentum to get to the latter stages, but I've got an inkling that Terry's need to be centre of attention could indirectly, and almost definitely undetected by the main-stream media, spell the end for yet another high-profile football team to lose their manager.

6.17.2010

First opinions

I write my first blog at half time of Argentina against South Korea. An exilerating first 45 minutes of the second of the second round matches in the group phase. Amongst all the griping and moaning about the opening set of games, we've finally had a few goals. 6 already with the 3 slapped past the hosts last night by Forlan and co. I can't help but think about how many we're going to put past Algeria after almost falling asleep in their abysmal opening performance. Particuarly with Barry's return, meaning our natural shape that Capello likes is restored. We're going to need a lot more misfortune than we had in the USA game for us to drop points tomorrow night.

In other news, the new football league fixtures have been announced today. It seems the renewal of my season ticket brings an old favourite of mine back for me to applaud on the opening day. Robby Di Matteo scored an unforgettable goal on the day Chelsea won their first trophy in my lifetime, and I'm sure I wont be alone in the Matthew Harding to show our respect for a former hero. The first stand out fixture for myself and many of my mates is West Ham away on September the 11th of all dates. My favourite away day arrives earlier than usual this season, and the bulid up amongst my friends can start now.

Anyway, the second half is finding its rythem again..