After a late fitness test the boss has passed me fit to resume blogging today. My apologies for my sudden disappearance. I picked up two ripped back muscles helping a neighbour around ten days ago which laid me flat on my back for over a week. Nice. At least I got to watch almost all the World Cup.
This afternoon is the acid test for England. I know many English Gooners don’t give a monkey’s about their national team, although a smallish number are passionate followers.
As a Welshman I like to boast that I only support two national teams – Wales and whoever is playing England. I was brought up to enjoy the Anglo-Welsh rivalry. I’d be the first to say that I don’t like the nasty “anti” edge that has developed in the last two decades or so. Patriotism is one thing. Nationalism, especially ultra-nationalism is another. I digress. If England do well I’m delighted for my English mates and – if I’m honest – a bit envious. Wales hasn’t been to the World Cup since I was two years old. We’ve had fantastic successes in rugby union which I’ve enjoyed but one of my sporting ambitions is to see Wales qualify for the World Cup.
England’s stilted and passionless displays against the USA and Algeria have surprised me. I thought England had its best chance of success since 1990 under Fabio Capello who I rate as the best manager England has had since the late Sir Alf Ramsey. We shall see if Capello and the players can turn it around this afternoon.
I’ve remarked before that managing national and club sides require different skills and strengths. Some managers are great at one but not the other. A very exceptional few can excel at both. The jury is now out on whether Capello can turn it around and crown a fantastic managerial career at club level with a successful spell with a national team.
If England do qualify for the knock-out round and go on to do well in the tournament it wouldn’t be the first time. Italy famously qualified from their group in Spain in 1982 without winning a game, just squeaking through with three draws. They went on to beat West Germany in the final in Madrid.
England’s problems pale when compared to those of France. France’s early elimination may end up working to our advantage at Arsenal of course, with Gaël Clichy, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna now packing their buckets and spades rather than their training kit. Alex Song will be doing likewise on Friday following Cameroon’s elimination. Their game against the Netherlands tomorrow is a dead rubber for them. That leaves the fates of Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboué still to be decided with Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the Ivory Coast still to be determined in their last group games this week. Carlos Vela should be fit for selection for Mexico against Argentina in the knock-out round.
I wish them and their national teams well, but won’t be too unhappy to see them go out early on either. That could provide us with an edge next season.
Keep the faith!
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