I DON’T know what it is but it’s like déjà vu watching England.
They call it the impossible job and they’re not far wide of the mark. Everytime we get a new England manager a new air of optimism surrounds the camp, then, a few dodgy results and a derailed qualifying campaign later the knives are out. But to be fair the knives were already out the moment McClaren was appointed.
What England needed was someone who would make tough decisions and shake things up a bit and that’s not what McClaren is he’s a ‘yes’ man.
Fair enough he dropped Beckham but that was almost a gesture to try and show the manager was in charge when in fact he is way out of his depth.
For years England have been crying out for a left-sided player and last night there were two on the bench but both didn’t operate in tandem until it was too late.
It’s the same old same old with England – a lack of passion and sub-standard performances from players who excel at club level.
What McClaren needs to do is introduce new faces like Joey Barton to freshen things up. Ok Lampard is a world-class midfielder but he never does it for England. At Chelsea he always takes shots at goal but last night I don’t think he had one all game so something must be wrong.
Playing Lampard in an inside left position has never worked and never will so why persist?
What is needed is a fresh approach. No doubt we will stumble through to Euro 2008 but then we will get knocked out gallantly and then we will start all over again.
The FA should be brave bring in a new regime, new players and get England playing to their strengths. Players like Crouch prove time and again they are not international players – something shown up everytime we play a decent team.
McClaren’s not necessarily to blame I didn’t expect anymore and we’ve played a good team in Spain.
I suppose that’s why while I’m an ardent football fan I’m not really bothered about England.