Guest blog: Cathal Breathnach, Ireland, on England
Post categories: World Cup 2010, World Cup Have Your Say
| 16:19 UK time, Saturday, 19 June 2010
Over the course of the World Cup, World Cup Have Your Say is running a series of guest blogs by bloggers from across the world. This is the fourth, by Cathal Breathnach who blogs about English football at Football Corner.
I'm sure no England fan imagined two weeks ago that Fabio Capello's men would be going into their final Group C game against Slovenia knowing that anything less than a win will probably result in Steven Gerrard and co departing the World Cup finals very early.
A disappointing 1-1 draw with USA in England's opening game last weekend was followed by an embarrassing 0-0 draw with the side ranked 30th in Fifa's latest world rankings, Algeria on Friday night.
Capello was "confused" by England's performance against the Algerians, Gerrard believes England now have to "look at themselves" while Wayne Rooney decided to take out his anger by sarcastically praising the fans for booing at the full-time whistle.
It really is hard to know what has gone wrong for England.
On paper, England have one of the most gifted sides in this World Cup, which makes it all the more puzzling why it is they are struggling to beat sides like USA and Algeria.
Rooney is, without doubt, one of the best strikers in world football. Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the game while John Terry, despite his less than spectacular last six months at Chelsea, is still recognised as one of the best defenders around.
Joe Cole's exclusion from the last two games has really baffled me.
I am sure the majority of England fans will agree with me when I say that Joe Cole is a far better and more consistent player than Aaron Lennon is, and why Capello has decided to leave him on the bench in this World Cup really is beyond me.
At least England aren't peaking too soon.
If, and it is a pretty big if at this stage, England do manage to beat Slovenia this Wednesday and go through to the last 16, perhaps we may see a different England in the knock-out rounds.
Personally, I wouldn't be overly confident of England managing to see off a Slovenia side who have impressed in the opening two games of this World Cup.
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Comment number 1.
At 17:00 19th Jun 2010, jayjello wrote:if they did make it to the knockouts i agree we'd see a different england. they just seem like the group stage is below them, and not worthy of their full attention.
And Rooney can't complain about the lack of respect or commitment showed by the fans, when he makes comments before the game about how easily they would win, not playing their best. That was disrespectful to Algeria and the fans who came to support england and help them do their best. If id paid money to go to SA to try and boost the players as the virtual 12th man, id be livid that they don't look to be even trying to help themselves.
Plenty of times when Rooney isnt happy with the service or effort coming from his fellow players you see him being pretty vocal about it.
Well listen up Rooney and co, because the 12th man is seriously unimpressed, and has every right to let you know it.
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Comment number 2.
At 18:04 19th Jun 2010, Inglenda2 wrote:Who cares anyway?
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Comment number 3.
At 05:08 20th Jun 2010, EngHooligan wrote:we will easily see them off, we are optimistic here in s.africa...check my blog to see our happenings on our world cup journey...watching england go all way - http://dailyhooligan.blogspot.com/2010/06/algeria-sunburn-and-stdsgot-to-love.html
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Comment number 4.
At 20:30 20th Jun 2010, Mohammed Fahim wrote:I think England are still in a hoilday ... Remember the matches against Japanh,Mexico before the start of the World Cup when England didn't play good at all .. But somehow got the results !! by winning them.
Now, due to to the factor of over confidence and lack of concentration over the game, they are in serious trouble over there.
but I think everything can change if they just beat Slovenia by a good margin and qualify as top group. And, certainly firing Capello or even pointing a finger at him is wrong. Despite England are doing wrongly but they should regroup and qualify ... I believe England will qualify and may be more to come from England !!
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Comment number 5.
At 03:09 21st Jun 2010, slvrsrfr wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 07:08 21st Jun 2010, slvrsrfr wrote:rooney can't complain, his first touches were 'elan'. aaron's passes were 'elan' too. gerard is clueless, take him out so lampard can play his game. bring on carrick and joe cole.
and terry? leading a face-off with capello? does he think he's still at chelsea here? does he thinks he's still captain?
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