What a sham!

Germany 4, England 1. Surprised? Well, yes, actually. I'm very surprised that England had the opportunity to play in the last 16 of this World Cup. In the group stages, England were at best mediocre. That they did not get beaten by Algeria was down more to good luck than good management and the draw against a lively and skillful USA was fortuitous. To reach the last 16 and then expect to progress to the quarter finals, you really need to stamp your authority on your group. England have rolled over like a frightened puppy. I keep hearing about the Premier League being the richest in the world. That may be but wealth does not correlate with skill, passion and raw talent. The fact is that England don't play as a team, are far too short on basic footballing skill, are grossly over-rated by our jingoistic media and frankly, don't really have an incentive to play. Their salaries at club level preclude them from ever winning anything of international importance. I hear about too much football being played and have to laugh really. For God's sake, this is their job! I salute Jamie Carragher of Liverpool for at least having the common decency to admit that playing for his club is more important to him. I don't agree with his admission but I respect him for being honest enough to come clean. Finally, reputations of individuals never win tournaments - tournaments are won by cohesive teams who would walk over broken glass for each other. Ask anyone to name any of the Greek team which won the European Championships and you will have a long wait. Ask anyone to name the current England "team" and most people will reel off half a dozen - I rest my case. If egos ever count towards winning tournaments, England would be nailed on favourites. Too many players just couldn't be bothered. If the "too much football" argument held any water, none of these prima donnas would perform for their clubs come the start of the new domestic season in August. But of course they all will perform for their clubs because their clubs are their masters - not their country. Personally, the idea of a foreign coach is laughable. How can a Swede or an Italian possibly assume the requisite national pride to covet these trophies? In sales there is an old adage which states that you are only as good as your last week. In sport, you are only as good as your last game. A good manager would have dropped Rooney to the bench during the Algeria game. Lampard ought to have made way sooner as well. The defenders he was stuck with unfortunately. Defenders used to adopt a "they shall not pass" mentality. This bunch went more for the "after you sir" approach. The whole goal keeping issue was a farce for about the last six months. Inexcusable. The issue of the captaincy was likewise a farce. You want a captain to be judged by his performance on the pitch not in his private life. I will never understand why Theo Walcott was left behind but David Beckham went. I will never understand why Emile Heskey went and Adam Johnson didn't. Had they been rightly knocked out at the group stage, England would have been delivered a much fairer assessment of their current worth. Lastly, why would anyone seriously want to travel half way around the globe to follow that lot? Beats me...