Roddy B wrote:
There are so many reasons we don't produce great young players, you could go on for days about the varying reasons. Ultimately, the kids we product can't want it enough. Suarez isn't a gifted athlete, he isn't tall, he isn't prolifically quick, he hasn't been raised with Uefa grade A coaches, he hasn't played on professional pitches and you can be sure as hell he wasn't a product of 'the system'. He's fiercely determined, he's forced his game to greater levels when many others would have been satisfied. CR7 is the same, but he also has the gift of the Gods regarding his physique and speed, which is what puts him up there with the GOATs.
I'm a big fan of the NBA and recently watched the San Antonio Spurs win the NBA finals with a talented team, but a team ultimately lacking traditional superstar qualities. One thing their coach consistently talks about is players 'getting over themselves', usually meaning they're ready to learn, ready to sacrifice their individual targets for the sake of the team. Do we honestly believe we produce players that are like that? Did Steven Gerrard ever 'get over himself', or did he spend years pouting and telling people his best position was centre mid? What about Rooney, allegedly wanting move because 'he's a number 9'? Compare that to somebody like Suarez, who's played left, right, 10 or 9, he's played everywhere and never once come out saying he wants to play in his best position. Sturridge looked like he'd never have a career because he wouldn't get over himself. He finally got the nod at 9 and he hasn't disappointed, but I'm sure it would change if he was shifted to the right for a while.
The point I'm trying to get at is I believe that talent will only take you so far: mentality, tactics and how 'coachable' a team are are the biggest weaknesses I see in the English side. The stars have never gotten over themselves, the team often look tactically lost on the field, and players playing in 'foreign' roles often look bemused and unhappy. For me, these are issues that filter right through to grass roots. The day that changes will be the day we see us at least compete in these tournaments.
Exactly.
You hear about players not wanting to play for england in friendlies and it makes you think. The england team has spoken honestly about how they have given their all at this world cup. I believe their words. But I look at what happens on the field, I see countless other teams busting a gut to surround the player on the ball and disposess, you can feel the desire and the passion from your TV screen, you watch england and you don't see the same kind of effort to get to opposition players. So I don't know what to think. It could be tactics (in which case they are sh*t), it could be that they are just too tired.
Whatever the case, whatever the solution, I only see more big doses of dissapointment for england over the next couple of decades.
It's a big deal. There's no ''always next year'' because it's every 4 years, to wait so long and have it over with after a barely a week is massively deflating, such is life as an england fan.
