The story so far… or so long gone… England's National team

The story so far… or so long gone… England's National team

No doubt we were all looking forward to seeing Southgate's children lift the world cup and be the kings or young lions of the footballing world… alas, it didn't end that way…oh, no… but we did well, according to the world media (Ok, our media and some fans). Bollocks… if you call beating Iran 6-2, drawing with the USA and then demolishing Wales (3-0, amateur children in football shirts with a well past its sell-by date Bale), then beating Senegal 3-0 constitutes a good world cup… all poor teams… is having a laugh. And when we did meet an outstanding world national football team, we crumbled. It was not a good tournament for us by any means.

Southgate is to blame for poor selection and poor tactics. I would hope the FA learns a lesson and gives him the push, but I doubt it. Failure is the keyword in the FA world; yes, men are what they want over football managing talent.

And it is no good blaming Kane; he might have missed a penalty, but where were the others that could have scored or contributed to helping our scorers score. Too much back-passing; at times, I thought it was Spurs playing… at least we've got more chance of winning the league or a trophy or two than Southgate winning anything with England.

Ever since Ramsey won the world cup, the FA have learned lessons… but the wrong ones. To put disappointments in charge of our national team. Clough got it right when he said, "If I was given the job, I would have changed the FA from top to bottom". And that is what is needed.

What next? When Ramsey was given the job, he had already won the league as a player (with Spurs) and managed a Division One title-winning team. Southgate and the majority of his predecessors have won fuck all in football, before getting the England job. In fact, the only team Southgate managed was Middlesbrough, which ended in failure. But the FA insisted that he be given the job. He's another Pochettino… getting us to finals but collapsing at the last hurdle… however, Pochettino has, since leaving Spurs, won trophies with PSG. Pochedttino is/ was a far better manager than Southgate… which isn't saying that much.

Southgate would better manage countries like Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where football failure is part of life. Especially their national teams.

As far as we English supporters are concerned, we can – again -  spectacularly fall flat on our arses again in the next tournament... but that is another story… now, it is back to the league and Tottenham challenging for the FA Cup, European Champions League and Premier League title. And with a few injuries sustained at the world cup… that will be a barrel of laughs for Conte. Purchases in the January transfer window, anybody?

Let us end with a laugh… or humiliation.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino launched an astonishing attack on his, Fifa's and Qatar's critics in a hard-hitting or laughable ramble speech.

"Today I feel Qatari (probably in making millions for himself), Today I feel Arab (presumedly so he can subjugate women). Today I feel African (really!?). Today I feel gay (in Qatar? Does he wish to get his head kicked in?). Today I feel disabled (in which way? oh, I see…). Today I feel (like) a migrant worker (has he died while doing construction work?).

He then says, "I feel like it because I know what it means to be discriminated against, to be bullied." Really? Bullying affects people in different ways… some have ended up committing suicide… you can't compare yourself to others… we all suffer differently. I was bullied at school… but I certainly wouldn't compare my trials and tribulations with anybody else… certainly not with black people who have suffered through abuse and racism or gays who have suffered at the hands of bigots. The man is a wanker, raking in millions. Why do they always put arseholes in charge of such big organisations? Anyway, it won't be long until Christmas, a time of year you can get your nuts out.

Well, that is the end of my little outburst... back to normality (strikes, strikes and even more strikes... and rising inflation...)

Merry Christmas to all,

Glenn 

COYS!