The England v Germany fiasco was abysmal. While the country mourns the apparent footballing death of the 'golden generation' we must look now to the future. What of the Euro's in 2012? What of the next World Cup in four years time?The fact is the curtain has fallen for the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Gareth Barry. They've had their chance and they've failed to fulfill their potential on the main stage; 2002, 2006 and 2010 all promised much and delivered nothing but disappointment. All of them will be over 30 in 2014. If there were concerns that the team this year was too old it is certainly time to retire the old guard before the next tournament!
Instead, focus on the new players.
In 2014, for the World Cup in Brazil, we could have a team that looks like this:
Joe HART (27)
Micah RICHARDS (26) Michael DAWSON (30) Joleon LESCOTT (31) Leighton BAINES (29)
Aaron LENNON (27) Tom HUDDLESTONE (27) Aashley YOUNG (28)
Wayne ROONEY (28)
Theo WALCOTT (25) Gabriel AGBONLAHOR (27)
Micah RICHARDS (26) Michael DAWSON (30) Joleon LESCOTT (31) Leighton BAINES (29)
Aaron LENNON (27) Tom HUDDLESTONE (27) Aashley YOUNG (28)
Wayne ROONEY (28)
Theo WALCOTT (25) Gabriel AGBONLAHOR (27)
With the likes of Shawcross, Milner, Johnson and Bent on the bench there is the makings of a good sqaud; a squad that can be enriched by the next batch of young talent - Jack Wilshire, Jack Rodwell and Danny Wellbeck.
If the England manager begins playing this kind of team now it gives them four years to gel, to learn to play together, to develop the team spirit that was evidently lacking from the current group of talented individuals. Play them through the qualifiers and, hopefully, finals of the European Championships in 2012. Let them feel what it's like to play at a big tournament.
If the current players genuinely want to be a part of the England setup let them play a role similar to David Beckham this year; a mentor, a morale booster, a voice of experience and encouragement.
I reckon this is the way forward. Who's with me?
If the England manager begins playing this kind of team now it gives them four years to gel, to learn to play together, to develop the team spirit that was evidently lacking from the current group of talented individuals. Play them through the qualifiers and, hopefully, finals of the European Championships in 2012. Let them feel what it's like to play at a big tournament.
If the current players genuinely want to be a part of the England setup let them play a role similar to David Beckham this year; a mentor, a morale booster, a voice of experience and encouragement.
I reckon this is the way forward. Who's with me?
2 comments:
I am not sure about Micah Richard and Leighton Baines - what about Kieran Gibbs from Arsenal? Might have been in with a chance if he had been fit this time.
I also think you might struggle to have Walcott and Lennon in the same team.
I do though fully agree with your sentiments that we should start now growing the team for the next tournaments...
I'd be more than happy to play Gibbs at the back, and I'm inclined to agree with you about Walcott and Lennon. We've got plenty of talent coming through up front so alternating Theo and Aaron would definitely be an option.
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