Only Natural Born Leaders Need Apply: England Will Miss John Terry

Following the news that John Terry will no longer pull on the famous white jersey of England, there will be many that see this as a day of triumph for the decent over the disgraceful. But, I am sure that doubt lingers in the back of most fans minds. While Terry has been on a mission of self-destruction for as long as the mind remembers, there is the argument that we have pushed and harried England’s best defender and leader into early retirement, and our reasons are completely non-football related.

Mark Lawrenson said on Match of the Day 2, “It seems Terry is pre-empting the FA by retiring. He’s almost citing a witch-hunt with his statement. But away from that, he’s always been outstanding for England as a leader and a player on the pitch. They will miss him”

Now, I’m not going to sit here and defend a man who has compiled a shameful repertoire, which rivals even the infamous Joey Barton, if a little less sociopathic. He is guilty of a multitude of misdemeanours, all of which could have been easily avoided with even the slightest hint of brain power. Problems were clear right from the start of his career; from kicking off repeatedly at night clubs to revealing his sensitive understanding of world affairs by mocking American tourists at Heathrow airport days after 9/11 – it was plain to see from an early age that Terry was, in many respects, a bad egg.

 

What followed was the Wayne Bridge affair in 2010, a tumultuous period that cost him the England captaincy as punishment. Who would have believed that Terry, having been reinstated, would lose it again less than a year later? The irrepressible cloud that has hung over Terry since the incident of apparent racism against Anton Ferdinand in 2011 has not since dissipated, and Terry has cited the FA’s stance on the matter as the key factor in his decision to retire.

 

 

Having been cleared of racially abusing Ferdinand in July, Terry found himself the subject if an FA investigation into the matter. Objectively, I can understand Terry’s evident frustration at this. He was found not guilty, and if the FA are still pressing charges against him, it is clear that they do not accept the verdict, and wish to inflict any punishment they can on their former captain. It is evident that they no longer wanted him to play for England again, and his decision to retire will be met with relief from English football’s governing body. But will there be a cost for their obsession?

Crucially, Terry is a colossal leader and an outstanding defender. He is, and has been for the best part of a decade, a footballing role model for young defenders the world over. Of this, there is no question. His two worlds are separate; his ugly, off the field side, and his heroic performances on it.

Unlike other bad boys of English football, he is capable of shutting out the destructive, and concentrates on leading his team to victory. We all expect a trail of injured players and multi-coloured cards to follow when the likes of Lee Catermole, Marlon King and Ryan Shawcross take the field. But Terry is different, as much as we hate to admit it.

Terry has led Chelsea to three Premier League titles, four FA cups, two League cups and a Champions league since 2004, making him Chelsea’s most successful captain. He was named Uefa Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009. He was PFA Player’s Player of the year in 2005, and was also in the FIFPro World XI from 2005 to 2008. As England captain, he always displayed absolute professionalism on the pitch throughout his tenure.

The endorsements from England bosses are endless. Fabio Capello resigned on the eve of Euro 2012 after Terry was stripped of the captaincy for the second time; Roy Hodgson consistently backed Terry, and always picked him to start for England right up until his retirement.

Asked whether the Chelsea skipper is a natural leader in 2001 during the first captaincy debate, Steve McLaren told the BBC: “Yes, of course he is. I think everyone accepts that, everyone can see it, everybody who knows John Terry behind the scenes knows that.” McLaren was almost right. Yes, everyone can see it, no doubt those who work with him know it (with a few notable exceptions), but the nation cannot, and probably will never accept John Terry.

By Tom Gatehouse

Pictures and links: http://tbbsportsjournalism.files.wordpress.com, BBC Sport, football365.com, http://i2.cdn.turner.com, youtube, The Telegraph

Normal service is resumed as England remember their enduring role

England are once again confined to an average, quarter final finish after an enthralling, often gripping game against Italy – with only the cruel gamble of penalties once more smashing England’s dreams for another year.

Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney scored their penalties for a visibly nervous England, but it was the two Ashley’s, Cole and Young, who joined the ranks of England ‘villains’ throughout history who failed to find the back of the net from twelve yards. And, as Alessandro Diamanti stepped up with Italy’s final penalty, there was to be no waiting with baited breath – rather a crushing sense of pure inevitability for English fans at home, and away.

The words ‘penalty-shootout’ have become synonymous with doom and disaster for luckless England, having only ever won once in tournament history from the spot. Yet, England can really have no complaints, as they were played off the park for long periods by a vibrant Italy, and the miraculous 0-0 score-line after 120 minutes of football was barely deserved.

The signs were ominous as early as the 3^rd minute, as Daniele De Rossi’s sliced volley struck the inside of England’s post, with Joe Hart well beaten. This early shock did however temporarily wake a dozy England, and soon after, Glen Johnson was afforded acres of space inside the Italian box, but tamely chipped into a grateful Buffon’s arms.

Indeed, England tried to push on from this early chance, but this soon fizzled out; and after Rooney wasted a superb headed opportunity from Glen Johnson’s cross, Italy took the reins. Chances came thick and fast, predominantly orchestrated by the peerless Andrea Pirlo, and the Italians should really have been out of sight by the break, were it not for some dreadful finishing, with the distinctly machiavellian Mario Balotelli a chief culprit.

Constantly stripped of possession as easily as relieving a dandelion of its seeds,the second period was a positively painful affair for English fans.Italy relentlessly assaulted the English wall, led by the much maligned, yet stand out English performer, John Terry. But the English defensive bravery was more than matched by Italy’s attacking vigour. Hart saved again from Balotelli,Montolivo fired over, and De Rossi somehow skewed wide with the goal at his mercy. But, there was time still for England’s best chance of the match, as Danny Welbeck exchanged passes with Rooney, before side footing just wide of Buffon’s goal.

With England’s moment gone, the Italians resumed their barrage. Diamante hit a post once again, and substitute Nocerino thought he had nicked it right at the death, but was rightly adjudgedto be offside. It was a cat and mouse affair; with most agreeing that Tom had caught Jerry long before the end of extra time.

Italy racked up a staggering 31 shots, with 18 on target – compared to a dismal 8, with 6 on target for England.We might have been looking at the proverbial cricket score had the Italians brought their proverbial shooting boots. It mattered little however, as England still found themselves up a certain creek without a certain proverbial; largely due to their overly cautious nature, and inability to rise to the big occasion.

The old master, Pirlo, passed, picked, and placated for the Italians all the game long. It was chiefly his near perfect distribution that consistantly unlocked the English stubbornness. His natural elegance typified the clash of ideals that was on show. England huffed and puffed, always perceiving this game, and indeed the entire tournament, as an almighty struggle; a battle. But Italy, like other European giants successful on the big stage, adopt style, poise and an unwavering footballing ideology to their play. They may resort to idealistic tactics of pride and last ditch courage when necessary, but they do not use it as an all-encompassing blueprint. This, I feel, is where the root of the problem lies for a one dimensional England.

It has become very hard these days for pundits, players and fans alike not to use ‘like Chelsea’ as a throwaway adverb. Yet, all the ingredients seemed to be there. An imposing opponent, seemingly capable of swatting the English away like an irritation; a threadbare squad full of failures, futures and final hurrahs; an English goal seemingly erected with the addition of a large pane of glass; a manager unproven and unappreciated at this level; and we even had John Terry and Ashley Cole. Many could be forgiven for predicting an eventual, undeserved victory for the dogged English, and exuding careless optimism when penalies loomed. But they were reading from the wrong script; and I doubt even Chelsea hero Didier Drogba could have saved England from their own, all too repetitive, shortcomings.

Pictures: The Mirror, IBN Live, glogster.com, BBC Sport, eurosoccerweb.com

Bits and Spanish

It's looking more and more like either Germany or Spain will emerge triumphant in Euro 2012, bar some serious upsets. The Germans continue to march imperiously on and through every obstacle thrown against them; and the Spanish intricately pick their way to victory. So, can the great German tank roll over the subtle Spanish bacterium when/if they meet in the Olympic stadium in Kiev?

Personally, I'm hoping for a German victory. Many are saying that their football is hard and basic, much like taking a sledgehammer to a door, rather than using the handle; but even more are saying that the Spanish are starting to irritate. Their no striker ploy is pretentious at the least. What Vicente Del Bosque is thinking when he brings on the like of Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas, when the lethal Fernando Llorente is sat sitting, warming his heels, I don’t know. The stats speak for themselves; Spain have only scored more than one goal in a match when playing with a striker. They drew one a piece with Italy, and beat the Croats with the same one goal. Torres isn’t really helping my argument, what with being as profligate as a dead chicken and all, but the little, ‘tika-taka’ Velcro gnomes have made chance after chance for him, and a striker on form would have buried a dozen. Even he's scored twice!

Spain, and indeed Spanish players, have been revered in the last 5 years, and are seen as the pinnacle of the beautiful game. But from where I’m standing, I only see real penetration from Spain in only about 20 minutes of the 90. They don’t really make for an entertaining watch, and are perfectly happy making pretty patterns with the ball for most of the match, pausing momentarily to score, as if it were an annoying by-product of their art.

The Germans on the other hand, are efficient, industrious, and clinical. I disagree with the idea that they’re dull. How can a team containing the likes of Ozil, Gomez, Muller, and Schweinsteiger be dull?! Not only do they have a brilliant first eleven, with no conceivable weakness, they also have real explosive talent pushing through from the bench. Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos are all exceptional attacking talents, and will undoubtedly become greats of the future game.

Oh, they beat the Greeks. Surprise…

Links: BBC Sport

Papa on England: Group Stage

Well, how can we summarise the English so far? Before the tournament even started, the single greatest news story to come out of football since Ian Holloway had his last interview, occurred. I do not feel there can be finer words to hear as an English fan than ‘Gareth Barry is out of Euro 2012′. My god how I cheered! But then Jordan Henderson got the call up. This was ahead of Michael Carrick or indeed Paul Scholes, David Beckham or the mighty David Dunn. Steve McManaman could still do a better job.
With that aside, this England side came into the tournament with something different. Maybe it’s just me, but there didn’t seem to be much hype about this tournament, with more focus being put on running in circles round a track and throwing a ball or something?

The first English performance was good, the defense looked strong and it did not look like the French would break us down. We managed to knick a goal, and then sat back and soaked.

The second game was vastly more entertaining. Watching Andy Carroll and Olof Mellberg collide was like watching the planets re-align. Time after time they battered into each other in clashes that would have left your average size man doing 18 rolls into a side board….or doing ‘an Italian’ as it can also be known.
The second game was exactly what watching England should be all about. It had drama, it had a pathetic bit in the middle where we were simply the worst side in history, a side that would have let in at least 1423 against the Germans; and most of all, it had goals. Inspired by the core of the team who were rather impressive, and the substitutes, good old Roy got us a well-deserved win.
 I do love Roy Hodgson; his interview he did the other day in which he said that ‘statistics do not matter, who cares’ when asked if he thought we would be outplayed by Sweden’s vastly superior ‘keep the ball’ tactic, was long overdue, and something you would never have heard from the poxy foreign managers England have had to endure over recent times.

There were down-sides to the performance, which included the ineptitude of Ashley Young, who spent most the time giving the ball away like he was part of the Italian match fixing scandal (I would investigate that one FIFA!), and once again James Milner, who turned in such an average performance that you forgot he was even on the pitch?

This game had me thinking that Walcott should start down the right.; go with Carroll, and shove Ashley Young into a ditch and play Welbeck down the left, with Rooney up top partnering Carroll. Roy really needs to get Parker and Gerrard to play more in a diamond to encourage the link between strikers and midfield as that has appeared to be lacking through the Euros.

Defend like we did against the Swedes and they may as well send us home.

But then, the final group game. England vs Ukraine. England vs a side that are apparently ranked four or five place below Wales in the world rankings. You could therefore see why everyone was so nervous against such formidable opposition. I now feel it is time for a game review, here goes:

“The game kicked off. The half time whistle went. The ball hit Shrek, Shrek got a goal. ASHYICKYCHICKYKIEV had a goal disallowed as it was too far in. The final whistle went.”

The game was reportedly so dull that several people turned over to watch Paint Dry.

But, the middle of the park looked solid once more. Scott Parker showed his passion for the game by only using his face to make tackles. Gerrard did some passing, Ashley Young even got involved with around two successful crosses and James Milner, well, James Milner did nothing.

The worry for me is the reliance on the other team to be awful at shooting. Granted, Peggy Mitchell and Stephen Hawking would have been more terrifying than the initial Ukrainian front line, (particularly as Hawking is known for his bad mouthing, cussing and general potty language), but still, it is this over reliance that will cost us. The bewildering theory of Roy that Danny ‘do nothing’ Welbeck is a better striker than Mr ‘all action’ Andy Carroll is one that I am not sure I can understand. Wayne Rooney’s inevitable re-admission was something that seemed to cause more harm than good, with an over-reliance almost being placed on him to make things happen. There was again no real link or movement in our one-attack-every-fifteen-minutes approach, with the occasional run by Ashley Cole down the left being the only real source of positivity.
Do that against the Germans and we will look like David Cameron arriving home and asking how his eight year old daughter was, before realising she was still at the pub. Embarrassed.

That seems like rather a negative spin on things when really we should be taking the positives out of the results. We did indeed end up top of the Group which means that we avoided Spain, until the final. Luckily we now only have to beat Italy, Germany and Spain to win the championships; easy as! I would bet on that not happening but who knows. What do you all think we need to do against the Italians?


Well that is it, only a couple of weeks until the Germany v Spain final, I’m off.

#PAPADOPOLOUS

Edit: tgatehouse
Links: BBC Sport, Sky Sports, Daily Mail

Written by Martin Gibson aka Papa, our resident Greek international