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For years I have supported the England national football team, through the good times and the numerous bad times, and long shall it continue. However one thing has always been a gripe for me and I'm sure I speak for many of the avid supporters of the 'three lions' when I say this. England really missed a trick with the so called 'golden generation' of footballers we had at our disposal. For so very long we have blamed those very players for the failures at Euro 2004, World Cup 2006, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but I can't help feeling that as much as player performances were a let down, we the fans were let down by the management.
Let's look at the list of players that were a part of the 'Golden Generation'.Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, Michael Owen, and I'm sure readers could name a few others.
All of the mentioned players are some of the finest players to sweat for the three lions and the flag of St George, yet the quarter-finals of major competitions was always our final destination and at the last two World Cups we haven't even made it that far (2nd round in 2010 and group stages in 2014). Not to mention the disaster of not even qualifying for Euro 2008 under the expert leadership of the 'wolly with a brolly' Steve Mclaren. In some cases people became so accustomed with us getting knocked out at the quarter-finals during Sven's reign that we started seeing it as a more than acceptable time to exit tournaments. But look at the above list and tell me that we shouldn't have had greater successes.
All of the mentioned players are some of the finest players to sweat for the three lions and the flag of St George, yet the quarter-finals of major competitions was always our final destination and at the last two World Cups we haven't even made it that far (2nd round in 2010 and group stages in 2014). Not to mention the disaster of not even qualifying for Euro 2008 under the expert leadership of the 'wolly with a brolly' Steve Mclaren. In some cases people became so accustomed with us getting knocked out at the quarter-finals during Sven's reign that we started seeing it as a more than acceptable time to exit tournaments. But look at the above list and tell me that we shouldn't have had greater successes.
To this day it pains me when I look at the number of times Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard were shipped out to wider positions (Scholes playing Left Midfield especially) as a means of accommodating players. A three man midfield would have solved England's problems so easily, but an obsession with playing 4-4-2 and other such rigid formations was too strong an urge for those managers and as a result England were destined for failure.
England's Defence, Midfield and Attacking options have never looked as strong as they did collectively with those individuals present. Watching a Rio Ferdinand interview on BBC's Football Focus one thing he said struck a chord with me. When asked about England's failures at past tournaments he spoke about how both managers and players must take responsibility for the sides shortcomings, but the former England defender made it clear that past teams "maybe weren't set up the right way". Evidence of this was present at the recent World Cup hosted in Brazil.
England's Defence, Midfield and Attacking options have never looked as strong as they did collectively with those individuals present. Watching a Rio Ferdinand interview on BBC's Football Focus one thing he said struck a chord with me. When asked about England's failures at past tournaments he spoke about how both managers and players must take responsibility for the sides shortcomings, but the former England defender made it clear that past teams "maybe weren't set up the right way". Evidence of this was present at the recent World Cup hosted in Brazil.
Steven Gerrard is not only one of this country's best ever midfielders and in his prime was also (and Liverpool fans will argue still is) one of the best in European and World football. However as he's reached the twilight years of his career, his ability to run the whole pitch for 90+ minutes is a thing of the past. Brendan Rodgers noticed this and reinvented the recently retired England captain as a Deep lying playmaker in a midfield three, with the energy provided from Henderson and Joe Allen allowing him to sit back and dictate the game, in a way which Andrea Pirlo does for Juventus and Italy. Yet Roy insisted on playing him in a two-man midfield with club teammate Jordan Henderson and the team suffered for it, there wasn't any balance and consequently an inexperienced back pairing in the shape of Jagielka and Cahill were exposed repeatedly.
However with the disappointments of Brazil fading into the horizon and with Gerrard and Lampard both having retired, only newly appointed captain Wayne Rooney serves as the sole reminder and member of the 'what could have been' generation. But there appears to be light at the end of this seemingly very long and very dark tunnel. Step forward the 'New Generation' in the shape of Daniel Sturridge, James Henderson, Ross Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere (when fit anyway), John Stones, Danny Welbeck, led by Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling, whose stock seems to rise with every appearance.
However with the disappointments of Brazil fading into the horizon and with Gerrard and Lampard both having retired, only newly appointed captain Wayne Rooney serves as the sole reminder and member of the 'what could have been' generation. But there appears to be light at the end of this seemingly very long and very dark tunnel. Step forward the 'New Generation' in the shape of Daniel Sturridge, James Henderson, Ross Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere (when fit anyway), John Stones, Danny Welbeck, led by Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling, whose stock seems to rise with every appearance.
Those are only just a few of the names who will be a feature of the National side for many years to come. Yes England had a terrible World Cup and Yes they will have to earn some of their fans faith back, but without getting too carried away yesterdays 0-2 win over the Swiss in Basel was a small step in the right direction. Hopefully now with the abundance of fresh faces and talented players there are plenty more good times in store for England. It's clear that the diamond formation seen regularly by the Anfield faithful can work with this squad of players.
A new formation to go with the new generation and a new England capable of worrying the best with lightning quick counter attacking play, now that would be nice change wouldn't it Roy? It's about bloody time anyway!
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