Over-Rated England Flop

Better men then Steve McClaren have taken their forces into Russia and been defeated.

The problem with England's shattering defeat yesterday is that not only would a draw have done, but for much of the game that draw seemed very likely. So near yet so far. Under Sven Goran Erikson we got used to England failing in the big games in big tournaments - under Steve McClaren we have now taken a step backwards to failing in the qualifying tournaments.

Watching the game on Sky Sports two things struck me. Firstly I was saddened that Andy Gray was not commenting. His views on the vastly over-rated Steve Gerrard verge on the homo-erotic - what could Gray have found to say about the abject nature of Gerrard's contribution yesterday? When England needed Gerrard, he was found wanting. It is hard to imagine Bryan Robson (to take one past example) deserting the cause in such a manner.

Secondly the problem of perspective. For a team allegedly packed with world class players (Ferdinand, Owen, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney) England seem strangely incapable of putting in world class performances. It is all very well saying they were unlucky, or came close - for a team supposedly packed with talent, that is simply not good enough.

Could it be that the players described, week in and week out as world class, are of course nothing of the sort?

Comments

[Peter]

"Better men than Steve McClaren have taken their forces into Russia and been defeated".

Given the choice between Napoleon, Hitler and McClaren, I think I know who would be the better one :-)