retired_aprilcox

That fine, but who's to say this isn't the start of sustained success for EPL clubs? In the 13 years since semifinals were re-introduced to the Campions League, there have been 11 Italian teams and 12 Spanish teams reaching that stage, so why shouldn't English teams enjoy this kind of success in future.

Also, you say England have been underacheiving so I don't understand why it is so wrong for England to finally reach their potentaial and do well!

retired_mrsjb

When I said "underachieving," I was specifically referencing the English national team. And there can be absolutely NO argument that England is a massive underachiever in international football.
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You what? England is only an underachiever according to Fleet Street. There's a hell of an argument that England aren't much better than top 8 material. Oddly, we seem to consistently sputter at the QF stage. Which would be achieving exactly what we should.

England is a country in which there is a limited pool of sporting talent, which is spread over many diverse sports in which we seem to expect to compete on the world stage. Our domestic league is jammed with foreign talent. Whether that's because of a lack of talent, or simply a detriment to the talent we have is open to debate.

Something of which there can be NO argument is that given relative population size and resources, countries such as China and the US are football underachievers.

retired_lizthibert

England are only classed as underachievers due to the glut of individual talent that we have at our disposal. Our problem is that we haven't had a manager for a long time that has managed to get the individuals to gel as a team.

I wonder if the ex-Brazilan manager will be able to achive that?


Apologies if this has already been said but I didn't have the time or enthusiasm to read the whole thread.

retired_lizthibert

Sorry, just read Julians post properly.

I disagree, I think we do have the talent as mentioned in my above post. Although we have many foreigners playing in our league, it is only really Chelsea and Arsenal who have limited English players. Most other teams are giving the youngsters a chance. I think, after the initial influx of players, managers are realising that you still need a British backbone to a team to give it steel.

retired_sargent

Oh, that'll be good.

Scolari (to interpretor):

"Tell them that they must play as a team and that they could be nearly as good as Brazil."

Interpreter:

"He says that you are not fit to lace the boots of any brazilian player and you run around like headless chickens."

Rooney:

"What does that mean"

Scolari (to interpreter):

"What did he say"

Interpreter:

"He said you are useless fat old fool"

Scolari:

"Tell him he will never play for England as long as I am manager"

retired_duncan

You can't have a team full of primadonnas. That's why pommie sides need poms. Not because of talent

retired_lizthibert

I don't see any of the current crop of English managers cutting the mustard Church!

I certainly don't want that Middlesbrough arse as manager. Charlton bloke is too inexperienced where European footbal is concerned and Psycho is still very much cutting his managerial teeth.

Who would you suggest?

retired_duncan

'boro boss. He's the man.

retired_sargent

I would not care if it was Stuart Pearce, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Allan Shearer or even Des Walker (but not Paul Gascoigne). At least they are English and know what is like to play for England in a world cup.
Why do we have to have a manager with years of experience and cup wins to show for it. How much experience did Beckenbauer have as a manager, or Menotti (3 years experience I think). In 1958, Paulo Machado de Carvalho was appointed to be the manager of the Brazilian team. Paulo Machado was a successful businessman, owner of radio and TV stations.

retired_lizthibert

Don't take this the wrong way but fuck off!

What has he achieved? His league performances have hardly set the world alight and his european success has been limited to be kind to him.

He also looks like a tw@t and attended the same school of personality as the soon to be sacked West Brom manager!