Why did England endure a poor World Cup Campaign? Why didn't our big names step up to the occasion? Just two of the questions that rolled through every English fan after having to cope with a world cup worthy of being branded the worthless cup judging on how the players played.
Now i realise that this issue has time and time again been brought up after nearly every world cup since 1966 and its not right to be compared to that team, but when you have a generation of players nicknamed 'the golden generation' you can't help but think this time around should have been special. It was all set for a magical stage for our golden generation to make their final mark on the worlds biggest stage. A country full of cheers and renowned for its upbeat atmosphere; most players' last world cup; an almost faultless qualifying campaign... How could they ruin this chance?
As England fans we've come accustom to knowing that are team doesn't play 'the beautiful football' but as that's what we see from the best teams in the world like Brazil, Spain, Argentina we can't help but pile on the pressure to produce magic moments like they do. The way England approached each game in the world cup was totally wrong in the fact that all the lesser sides were playing counter attacking football and the better sides were playing in what seemed to be an open field of play. England however seemed to just play with the four defenders; an occasional burst from one midfielder when they felt like it and then absolutely nothing at the front. The football they played represented an almost metronome type illusion where passes would go back and forth between defenders and soon the fans start to go in a sort of hypnotise state resulting in the fans to get slightly angry... no one likes falling asleep at a football game!
I can sit here gladly talking about how Fabio Capello got his team completely wrong like every other pundit... and i think i will considering they did shocking. The dropping of Walcott from the squad was pretty much the main talking point as we then looked at our team he had chosen and new he wouldn't play Joe Cole as he had reluctantly done so in the past, there was only Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips to count on for any attacking prowess down the wing. Even though Theo Walcott did have a season hit with injury he has still proven himself at international level to be a great threat to any wing-back facing his rapid pace. Yes James Milner was probably our one player we look back on and think 'he did us proud' but how many great teams have wingers that can attack: Brazil and Robinho; Argentina and Lionel Messi; Germany and Ozil... the list goes on for these sides and Walcott can prove himself as this type of player for England. A player that must feel devastated as anyone to be excluded from the squad had to be Adam Johnson. His club form was electrifying since his move to Eastlands and had every right to stake a claim for his spot in the England squad. Players like these we missed big time to try and go down the wings, attacking that full-back, getting into the box and into a dangerous position.
For whats probably been the most argued debate for an England midfield duo the Gerrard/Lampard partnership didn't disappoint in relation to our expectations in how they will most likely not work together. The USA game was the one game where we thought 'hey there looking pretty good' but as soon as Barry got fit and somehow replaced Gerrard in the middle of the park things went to pot for the England midfield. Gerrard, as loyal as he says is for England just cannot play on the left wing, not because he's not left footed but because hes not a winger. Simple enough for every one to see apart from Fabio Capello. We all know Gerrard's at his best like he is for his club when he links with the front man as a very attacking midfielder and we know Lampard is also known for that but when we ever see Gerrard link up with Rooney there is always a little spark that comes to life in the two of them producing some scintillating football at times. But when Gerrard was shoved over to the left wing there was no real width on that side as he'd drift in looking to work a partnership leaving any side willing to exploit the whole that is then created.
So obviously, we had a world cup worth very much forgetting about: The players, no matter how much they say the put the effort in, did not show the desire we expect from footballers earning heaps of money going after footballs biggest prize; The manager had made mistakes in his squad as many past managers for England have done and the fans have a wasted a few bob in the process.
Next up is the Euro 2012 qualifiers and only time can tell for what waits over the horizon for this current crop of England players and will change among the squad.
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