I am not, as regular readers will know only too well, a big fan of friendly international football matches. Generally they are pale imitations of competitive games which leave you feeling ripped off and disappointed.
But, seeing as the World Cup is only a couple of months away, Wednesday’s warm-up fixtures were a little bit more relevant than usual, a bit more significant.
Obviously these games are not a definitive guide to this summer’s competition. But they do allow you to draw some conclusions. And here are mine:
1) England have a team which is capable of going all the way this summer. We have an excellent first 11 and, for once, a bit of strength in depth with some quality substitutes. However, we still only have two players who are capable of winning a game single handedly – Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole. If Sven builds the side around them, he can depart his position as a winner. If either, or both, get injured it will be another quarter-final blowout. Fact.
2) Scotland are pants.
3) Germany should think about asking another country if they would like to host the tournament. Were they not the home team I am pretty sure they would have struggled to qualify and unless they manage a complete rebuild in the next 90-odd days, they are going to be humiliated on home soil come June. Italy, apparently, tore them to pieces and others will definitely do the same.
4) The English FA should note that appointing young, inexperienced managers is not necessarily a bad thing. Steve Staunton’s first game in charge of Ireland was a comprehensive 3-0 stuffing of England’s World Cup opponents Sweden. According to the players themselves they have responded well to Staunton’s fresh methods. Maybe Pearce might be worth a proper look, Mr Barwick.
5) If England desperately need to distract their opponents during one of their games this summer, all they need to do is bring on Peter Crouch and Shaun Wright-Philips at the same time like they did on Wednesday. The sight of the shortest man in the squad and the tallest waiting to come on was hysterical and I am sure it would leave any opponents too busy giggling to concentrate on football.
6) France look like continuing their impressive recent run of timing slumps in form to coincide with major tournaments. Eliminated in the first round at the last World Cup and then knocked out by Greece in Euro 2004, France have since gone on an unbeaten 17-game spree. However, with the next big competition just around the corner they managed to lose 2-1 to Slovakia in Paris on Wednesday – a team that hasn’t even qualified for this year’s finals.
7) Dusan Fitzel has his work cut out. Really, really cut out.
8) Apparently, if it wasn’t enough that they have the best players in the world and are already odds-on favourites to come away from Germany with the trophy, Brazil now have lady luck on their side too. Their 1-0 victory over Russia in Moscow came courtesy of an incredibly fortuitous goal that Ronaldo appeared to help over the line with his hand. That’s all the rest of the world needs – the best team to have the best luck…
9) Did I mention that Scotland are pants? I did? Just checking.
10) Finally, a little word of warning to Sven. England do have their best chance of winning a World Cup for 40 years, but he might want to keep an eye on Paul Robinson if he wants to ensure they do. The goalkeeper is, to all intents and purposes, the best man for the job as evidenced by his performances since he won the jersey off Calamity James. However, there are fears he may have a hidden agenda and that he could actually be working for another country. So far this season his challenges have injured both Michael Owen and Wayne Bridge. Coincidence? Hmmm.
Those are my thoughts. Agree? Disagree? Let me know.
Liverpool fans
Oh, yes, there was one other thing which came out of the games which I feel is worth a mention – the Liverpool fans at Anfield who booed Gary Neville.
Following hot on the heels of the Alan Smith ambulance incident you would have thought they would have been a little more reserved with their criticism of others.
I understand that there is a bit of history between Neville and Liverpool supporters after his over-exuberant goal celebration recently, but here he was playing for his country and deserved nothing short of the fans’ full support.
If any of those Liverpool supporters make it to Germany this summer they better leave their club fundamentalism behind or England will suffer. Then again, maybe that’s what they want.
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