I’ve Said Too Much

England’s World Cup humiliation laid bare by German PhD students – Telegraph:

“One of the things we look for is how a team starts their attacks,” explained Nopp. “For England, the ball went very often through the centre of midfield to Lampard, Barry or Gerrard, who had moved in from the left. Gerrard had a lot of action in the centre although he should be the left midfielder. “This was very, very significant for us as we could predict what would happen when England had the ball. From this, we could also predict how Wayne Rooney would attack a defender so we could find a way to stop him.” The students also noted the way in which the United States, Algeria and Slovenia had got success by playing an unusually high percentage of long balls at England. It prompted Germany to significantly adapt their tactics. “This was also very important,” said Nopp. “In the group matches, less than 10 per cent of Germany’s passes were what we would call long or uncontrolled. Against Australia, it was just two per cent. However, we upped that ratio to 30 per cent against England.” England’s susceptibility to the long ball — and the suspicion that John Terry and Matthew Upson could get pulled out of position — was highlighted with Germany’s first goal when Miroslav Klose scored direct from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s clearance.

When Fabio goes, of course. Hope is a proper modern English great. And she bought brand new strips for my wife’s school team. This is the best column I’ve read on team dynamics in, like, well, ever:

As a coach you know when the team are going to play badly. I knew it last Saturday. In the warm-up I had to pull them back in and have a word because there was no sense of urgency. At half-time I gave them a very harsh talking to. I said: “If we do not get a result here you will not be going to a World Cup. Simple as that. And if that isnt a big enough motivator then you shouldnt be in the team.” It took going behind by two goals for us to realise it, though, and we came back to draw 2-2.

via World Cup 2010: No place for self-doubt as England take on Germany | Hope Powell | Football | guardian.co.uk.

I went to bed an angry man, angry with a bunch of overpaid lazy wankers, but then I read this brilliant piece and now I’m not so sure: it’s a super psychological unpicking of the team’s state of mind:

Cast your minds back to the qualification games for the 2000 European Championships. Glenn Hoddle had made an excellent start as England manager. A side built around Adams, Ince and Shearer had come home early from the World Cup, but on the back of the best all-round set of performances since 1970.  The young Manchester United midfield were bedding in, Michael Owen had arrived, and the future looked bright. But, a couple of lacklustre games into Euro 200o qualifying, Hoddle rowed with Alan Shearer, saying “Tell me why you are producing performances like this.”

Shearer replied: “Have you ever thought the problem might be you?”

It’s not pressure. It’s not nerves. It’s not fear. It’s a message to Capello, and it reads f*** off.

via England v Algeria: Not Fear, But F*** Off – More Than Mind Games.

Scott Murray, on genius form

TITLE CARD: Mr Keegan ~ "Yaroo! That's the final straw! Enough is enough! I'm making a dignified exit! I'm off!"

Mr Keegan scarpers out of the room.

TITLE CARD: Mr Wise ~ "Cripes, Mr Mike! E's gorn! Wot are we gahn ta do? Oo's gonna…"

Mr Keegan re-enters, having run through the toilet doors rather than the exit. He runs back across the saloon and out of the front doors, a roll of toilet paper trailing from the back of his trousers.

Football fiver | News | guardian.co.uk Football.