Prior to Europe I said England were crap, after the first game and backed up by Gav I stated that they could not pass, and then endured the pundits talking about lack of technique, etc etc. Beleive me folks just say that if Yugoslavia had not gone separate ways there would be only one team winning the title, eight years back they looked good, add Croatia and Slovenia and light the blue touch paper. After every int competition or big game there is always a knee jerk reaction and let`s copy that mentality. Who remembers Hungary with Hidegutti as the withdrawn center forward, okay Puskas was about assisted by Bozik and Sandor, great game, step forward Don Revie in the same role for Man City, one, two season novelty. The Brazillian raids down the wings by their full backs, unheard off but instantly copied, Ramsay`s 1966 (Dont mention that date Des) wingless wonders, used at club level, The venerable Tels revered diamond formation, the Italians cattanicci (sp) system, known locally as the sweeper system, Baresi did not play like Roeder for example. Can I suggest we should go back to our old strengths and play the "W" formation. One thing that sticks in my crop is to see a left back, make 15 yards down the touchline aka Neville, ckeck, onto right foot and then...well, Denis Unwin did this for the majority of his career, reached the age of 32, realised he had to produce more and last season when playing he found out he could cross a ball with his left foot, (correct LR)). If ITK does not get the sound right for the Beeb or is not comfortable with the tools of his trade, he will be sacked, Bricklayer canna use a trowel, offski, North Sea Tiger feared on the drilling deck-back to the beach, over- rated footballers being told by their manager they are not comfortable on the ball, start of the season they will be everyones heros, where do we go from here. Craig Browns lot played against 9 of the Portugal team in a under 19 tourney years back, (yes Figo was playing), Scotland won easy and yet only two of that team play at professional level now, Dickov is one, cannot remember the other, contrast that with the 9 from Portugal, up thro the 21`s and now internationals in a good football team. IMHO that Brown has found the answer, we pick teams at Youth Level up hopefully to get results and win things, the knack is to play guys with ability as yet untapped, but to the watcher the skill level is present and will develop. On reflection, looking at some of the letters on this forum over the past 6 months I think our Australian friend Tre is on the right track, Kevin knew what we were like going into the job, what would the countries reaction been to him qualifying,with the oldies,and then to bring on the likes of Mullins, Ferdy,Cole, Dyer, Gerrard to look at the future. Rant Over

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Answers

You were right Buff - England were crap.

There was an article in the Times today looking at the England U-21 side that played in that same 1990 competition as Portugal. The only one who has made it with England is .....Alan Shearer. Nine of the Portugal team that played against England were in their Euro2000 squad.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Was that the same Alan Shearer who was alone in being able to pass to a fellow Englishman, ride a challenge or shield the ball?

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Was it the same Alan Shearer that the Daily Star gave the highest marks for an English player in all three matches and then published an article saying he was past it and shouldn't have played?

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Thanks Bill, nice to see some one reads my diatribes.

;-)

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Sorry all, slappa ma thighs, mortal sin, quoted Wee Craigie and Dickov and did not remember Wor Al played in the same tourney for England, and using that point would have strengthened my argument. Sunday Post and the Broons is a mile apart from the Times I suppose.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000