If you're wondering why I used the word agenda as my title, it has become somewhat a buzzword for me recently. I came to realise when thinking of Sport and the Media, and life in general to an extent, the people involved always seem to have some sort of agenda with regards to different situations. I then realised this blog clearly represent my agenda to become a Sports Writer and so the title for the blog seemed quite appropriate.
Anyway, one recent sporting event was the Football match between Spain and England. Spain, the FIFA recognised number one side in the world, represented a tough challenge for an England side still rebuilding after a failed attempt to qualify for Euro 2008, which Spain duly won.
England actually played fairly well during the opening stages, and were definetly unlucky to not have at least a man advantage if not a goal, when Emile Heskey was inexplicably given offside when pulled down by the last Spanish defender. The ref clearly didnt fancy giving a red card in a friendly game, and decided along with his flag happy assistant that giving a player who was one yard onside as offside was a much easier decision.
Such a pivotal moment in the game was overshadowed by mistakes by two stand in centre halves for England which led to two goals for Spain. Two goals I have clear reservations whether they would have happened if Rio Ferdinand was in the side.
Listening to media coverage after the game, you would have thought that England had been totally dominated and outclassed. Clearly, Spain are a good side and there was a 20 minute period in the second half where England were chasing shadows, but it shouldnt be overlooked that they had a man advantage in midfield after the withdrawal of Torres, and this coincided with their best spell in the match. After the introduction of Daniel Guiza and a return for Spain to a 4-4-2 formation, England once again came into the game and had the better of the closing stages.
Perhaps what I'm getting at is that the performance of a definitely under strength England side, should be commended and looked on positively. The only question mark I have after the game is, how does Stewart Downing continue to wear an England shirt?
4 comments:
When it comes to seeing how far the development of the England team has come I don’t think you can take friendly’s into account. England are by no means a poor team, and just as good as Spain in terms of quality on the pitch, no matter how underrated the press may make the team; however, the key difference is mentality. At this level, it is everything. Spain held the same position to England two summers ago, and it’s clear to see how far they came in the summer when the mentality was right. Germany and Italy do not have squads any greater than England but they do have the correct mentality in tournaments, and that’s what it all comes down to.
Frankly I don’t think even the greatest performances in a 60 minute run out at a time when frankly minds couldn’t be further away from international football with a hectic schedule, can be given any merit at all.
Agree with all the above points great summary. I'd also like to point out that the 'make shift' centre halves appear to be yet another example of players showing great form for their clubs and becomin rabbits in the headlights in the white shirt. Phil Jagielka has been more solid than J. Lescott in Everton's recent run of results despite Lescott being the more complete footballer; as has Upson along with Scott Parker been the basis of West Ham's recent good form; yet both made costly errors against potent forwards that were wholly unforced.
As for Downing; well both wingers really. An under-achieving Shaun Wright Phillips or SWP as he is affectionately known by the Sky Bandwagon Boys playing for an under-achieving side being picked ahead of a man who has now punched his weight at the 3 biggest clubs in Europe; Man United, Real Madrid and AC Milan respectively. The only possible selection that could be less conceivable is a man who has been an average at best left winger since the age of 19 when he was first inducted into the boro team, hence why he is still festering in gareth southgate's relegation recipe of 2009; over a young man named young who after collecting 20+ assists last year is on due course for a similar accolade this year, in a young predominantly english team which unlike middlesborough, are fully deserving of european recognition.
It can be argued that England's injury problems were typically sensationalised by the press; after all, Spain similarly did not play their two first choice centre-halves, yet their technical ability and composure was above England's standard. In this age where progressivist football appears to be taking over, it is refreshing to see a team as technically gifted as Spain flourishing as they are; the 26 game unbeaten run highlights the consistency of their performances as well.
Spain's strength in depth was also emphasised by their reasoning for leaving the in-form Villareal playmaker Santi Cazorla (top ranked for assists in last season's La Liga) on the bench; he simply could not get into the first choice line up. Contrastively and confoundedly, (as noted above) the white-hot Ashley Young was left on the bench in favour of Stewart Downing, who has flattered to deceive in solving England's left-sided problem for a few years now.
The Beckham myth, the biggest pharse about the england team.
Good free kick player, runs about a bit and loved because of who he is.
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