Where to start, where to start? Stating the obvious, England are out. Sadly for England the Party in South Africa is all over. Let us take a look at England's early exit and the end to the so called "Golden Age" of English football.
The team that never was, still lead figuratively by David Beckham. Missing his last chance to perform on the World Cup stage, he was unfortunately reduced to official player coach liaison as well as being given the role "team motivator" on the bench. Dashing as he looked in the Marks and Spencer outfit, he may very well have looked alot better in the familiar number 7. Could have, should have, would have, I know I know, the rantings of a Super Fan gone melancholic and slightly mad perhaps.
Unfortunately these dreams are all we England Fans can afford the day after the disaster in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A calamitous affair in the defensive end, even Beckham could have hardly contributed there. Then again we cannot forget about what was lacking at the back? Rio Ferdinand, there is no question that Rio could have done a much better job. This dream was not to come true, the belief once felt has officially taken a battering.
My absolute favorite player Wayne Rooney, was simply a shadow of the young man we have all come to know and love. I feel for the honestly feel for the guy and feel that the English Press has done a great disservice to the English Team by placing so much pressure on Rooney. Rooney is still and always be my number one Football Hero!
Football is a team sport, a key factor most outside observers fail to understand. While it is true that Rooney is the man who is supposed to put that final touch on the ball, smashing it into the back of the net as we all know how very devastatingly well he can do this. The question at the end of the day remains, What happened before the ball reached Wayne Rooney, was he the only player on the field? If not then let's start analyzing the game a little more fairly. Without the use of a scapegoat.
Football is 95% build up and structure, the other 5 % is finishing off your opportunities. England was fairly decent from the possession standpoint, it is in the final third that the touches were lacking, that's not to put it on Rooney, quite to contrary.
Service was poor during the entire tournament, aside from a spell of midfield possession through Gerrard and Ashley Cole who were clearly the most inventive and dangerous players for England during the entire tournament, there was little to keep hopes afloat. Little quality in the final pass.
There was just never really a point in time where England were actually sending in shots at an urgent pace. Build up and Midfield control yes, final pass, and final shot a resounding NO!
When passes actually got through it was nearly as though Rooney was surprised to be getting a ball. In short, there was no consistency or rhythm to England's game. The defending was absolutely below par, in fact during all of the Goals that Germany scored, I can say with conviction that a few Pub sides I've played against could defend better than that.
As for disallowed goal, I'll keep it short and simple. I do believe there should be video replays used in football, and especially the World Cup. I believed it before todays game and I am even more convinced now that this should be the case. It could have, should have, would have changed the entire game without a doubt. Going into the dressing room at 2-2 after being down 2-0 would have definitely set up an incredible second half.
In my humble personal opinion, England would have then went on to winning the game with momentum in their favor. I would say that though being an England Super Fan and all.
As for the positives at this tournament from an English perspective there were No Penalties, No Red Cards which equals No "officially designated" Scapegoat.
Another excellent thing for England Fans is that they chose to leave behind the violence of Cups past for a more friendly and festive family atmosphered travelling Army of St.Georges. Dressed in inventive clothing, displaying great passion and belief in their team, this time it was the England Fans who could leave with their heads held relatively high, as they represented England in a much better way than we've seen before. Hats off to the Travelling England Fans, probably the most positive aspect of all the England Campaign.
I will be continuing to cover the World Cup from a Montreal Perspective, with videos and articles on great Footy Venues in Montreal for the rest of the World Cup. I hope you have all enjoyed my coverage so far and that you will continue to keep reading and watching my posts. Thanks to all the Footy Talk MTL fans, friends and family, it was fun while it lasted.
Until next time England... ENGERLAAAND ENGERLAAAND ENGERLAAAND!!!!
