They used to talk themselves up and steadfastly ignore it but they’ve started to go the other way completely in recent times. Maybe it’s because Hodgson with his lisp is an easy target and everyone knows Pearce is a retard? I think the FA are putting all their eggs in this St George’s Park basket.
If you go to the first video in the TFK historical vault, Jimmy Hill and El Tel have this exact conversation after failing to qualify for USA 94. They question the league, standard of players and inability to hold the ball. That’s 20 years ago and nothing has changed.
I think the league certainly changed. But it probably changed too quickly, and more importantly it changed financially as opposed to evolving tactically. There is obviously no relationship between the number of foreign players in the EPL 20 years ago versus today. And the number of foreign managers and players has certainly increased the technical standard in the league, but not to a point where it’s as good technically as the other big leagues.
But most of these changes have been driven by investment. The number of English players playing at the top level has diminished and when clubs improve, they invariably do so by replacing the inferior homegrown players with foreign talent who have these skill levels. The big hope for English football was that this would “rub off” on their own young players but there’s not much evidence of that happening. Of course the only thing that has been passed on is Johnny Foreigner’s propensity to take a tumble. Even the young players breaking through into the first team at the biggest clubs are a mixture of nationalities.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 782161, member: 1”]I think the league certainly changed. But it probably changed too quickly, and more importantly it changed financially as opposed to evolving tactically. There is obviously no relationship between the number of foreign players in the EPL 20 years ago versus today. And the number of foreign managers and players has certainly increased the technical standard in the league, but not to a point where it’s as good technically as the other big leagues.
But most of these changes have been driven by investment. The number of English players playing at the top level has diminished and when clubs improve, they invariably do so by replacing the inferior homegrown players with foreign talent who have these skill levels. The big hope for English football was that this would “rub off” on their own young players but there’s not much evidence of that happening. Of course the only thing that has been passed on is Johnny Foreigner’s propensity to take a tumble. Even the young players breaking through into the first team at the biggest clubs are a mixture of nationalities.[/quote]
I certainly agree re the money and demand of instant success hampering English football… I wanted to type as much earlier but didn’t have time while making my lunch and eating breakfast. Thanks for that.
I read somewhere else also, that it;s only in England that 14/15 year olds get hyped up beyond belief as the next big whatever, they have bloggers like Tan ranting and raving about them to such a degree there is a big time charlie culture among many of the 17-20 year old British players who think they’ve done it all in the game, whereas Johnny foreigner is diligently working away on developing his game… I don’t know how far a long I’d go with that, but there is a cultural aspect to it.
They have gone and restructered the reserves and youth leagues now to try and combat some of the rot, but many of these are still full of foreign kids but irregardles, there is no real cohesion between seniors and the new u21 reserves with many teams. No system or style that players naturally progress through up along the ranks, it’s all about winning every game and every battle. That’s one thing Rodgers has tried to do this year with Liverpool, but they are still snapping up talent from all over Europe.
Netherlands U21 XI vs. Germany U21: Zoet; Van Rhijn, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; Strootman:clap: , Van Ginkel:clap: , Maher:clap: ; Wijnaldum, De Jong:clap: , John.
Very strong team on paper,
Isco with a lovely bit of skill
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/778748881.gif?1370539029
[quote=“chewy louie, post: 782313, member: 1137”]Netherlands U21 XI vs. Germany U21: Zoet; Van Rhijn, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; Strootman:clap: , Van Ginkel:clap: , Maher:clap: ; Wijnaldum, De Jong:clap: , John.
Very strong team on paper,[/quote]
No Clasie?
Isn’t Bernd Leno highly rated? He’s after throwing two in the net and it’s not even half time, he’s having a nightmare.
Dutch look good, Germany not so good.
2-0
No, he was favoured to start ahead Van Ginkel, but both are very good players
Germany pull one back from the spot
How was that a free out?
Germans well on top now but look pretty toothless in attack.
Can’t say I see much in Strootman, looks like a rather awkward lad.
Great effort from Volland smacked the bar there.
Only a matter of time before Germany level it up you’d think.
Holtby has been class in the second half as has his midfield partner, Rode.
Leno slightly redeems himself with a good one-on-one save from Van Ginkel.
Great strike
Holtby has been the best player on the pitch by a mile and deserved that.
Martins Indi looks like a bombscare of a defender.