Another 40 years Without a Trophy?

Before I continue with this blog, let me say I am extremely patriotic and an especially passionate football supporter! That is why I was so disheartened having watched the friendly game against a very technical Spanish team. England, the founders of association football, has never been European champions and only once, been crowned as World champions by winning the coveted Football World Cup (as it was back then in 1966 the Jules Remit Trophy).

As far as I know, our Country boasts the greatest number of professional football teams. At grass roots we have a plethora of junior and senior clubs, most of our schools have football sides and we have a framework of FA sanctioned leagues administrating over them.

So why is it, we can’t win trophy’s? A popular argument put forward more and more is “there are too many foreign players”! In my youth Scottish, Welsh and Irish players were ‘foreigners’ and we had a considerable number playing in the English Football League; George Best, Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Johnny Giles, Norman Whiteside, Derek Dougan, Frank Stapleton, John Toshack, Liam Brady, Steve Heighway and Pat Jennings to name but a handful of great players, ineligible to play for the three Lions! In fact the more I think about it the more ‘foreigners’ all from the UK, I could mention.

Those players were keeping out our home grown lads albeit not in the proportions they are today but they were playing for the more successful teams in the old Division One; the pool from which our beloved National side was determined. So maybe the argument is correct, as we never won anything during the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s (when the doors opened to ‘foreigners’ beyond our shores) as well; but I still have a nagging doubt!

During this time and moving up to date, how many of our boys have played, or are playing abroad today? Well a few Gazza, Kevin Keegan, Chris Waddle, Steve McManaman, Glen Hoddle, Luther Blisset, Paul Ince, Mark Hately, Des Walker, Trevor Francis, Gary Lineker, David Beckham, Michael Owen, David Platt and Ray Wilkins to name a few but there aren’t many more! There are also a few pre 1966! So why is that?

Could it be cost, could it be ability, or could it be something else? Well let’s face it most footballers at that level earn good money! This is not an English thing. Clubs across Europe will pay the going rate and more for good footballers. Ability, well we have more than our fair share of quality players both now and in the past, but that could also be improved with more practice.

So once again what is it? Well imo it’s about ATTITUDE! Many English youngsters particularly today, have a monumental problem with regards to their attitude. We have the potential of producing many footballers capable of not only competing for, but of winning major trophies year in, year out. Unfortunately it is the attitude of these youngsters that hold them back. So many youngsters, products of good academies, have gone by the wayside. Youngsters taken in by big clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Leeds, West Ham, Everton, Newcastle and many other clubs. Clubs, with the ‘wear with all’ to nurture them from very talented youngsters to great football stars.

So what goes wrong, they do. The demand to play or go! If they don’t get a run in the first team they immediately want to leave to a club that will play them; and generally one, that is a less ambitious team than the one they left. Get real guy’s the reason you don’t get a run is quite simply you’re not ready! Good Managers know when players are ready to contribute in the team. Very few players can command an early start but some have; Michael Owen (England), Norman Whiteside albeit Irish made his debut for Manchester United aged 17 and most recently Jack Wilshire for Arsenal! But these are very special players but that said they all still had to keep learning.

Being talented doesn’t mean you will play well in a team! You have to earn your place, wait your time then jump in with both feet and seize the opportunity. But above all give it time and keep practicing. The very best players keep practising and never become complacent! Look around the Premiership and look how many young English players starting at big clubs have demanded transfers. They may have played a couple of games for England but they will be soon forgotten. Indeed look how they play now. Arrogant and lazy, too busy looking in mirrors, visiting night clubs, driving fast cars. But earning big bucks! So do they care, probably not! And we the passionate supporters get more depressed trophyless year after trophyless year! Oh and if you don’t believe me just think back to England vs Spain the other night!

Where does this attitude come from, the parents and I have seen this week in week out when managing my own boy’s team. I’m not saying winners shouldn’t have an attitude but they need to be taught how to control it and how to channel it into practice and their raw ability!

Until this happens, we will remain without trophies, not a prospect I’m looking forward to!