Liverpool FC Forum

by **Bammo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:48 pm

I've searched and searched for the interview I'm about to paraphrase so apologies for not being able to find a link. It was with a Southampton youth scout, possibly Malcolm Elias (who's now at Liverpool) and was in the Observer a while ago.

He summed up why England aren'tgood enough and it comes down to the players scouted for youth teams, not necessarily the coahing. He said that players in this country are chosen on their athletic ability. There's always a player in youth teams who is literally head and shoulders above the rest because they've physically developed earlier. These are the players English clubs pick up. The problem of course is that when they're 18+ they no longer have the physical advantage and their lack of skill is exposed.

What we need to do is identify young players with skill and vision that will help them succeed at senior level. Until we do that we'll continue to have an England team full of great athletes but with limited skill on the ball.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:51 pm

It's this one...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2121461,00.html

by **Sabre** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:01 pm

stmichael wrote:I'm also sick to the back teeth of people bleating on about how the influx of foreigners is having a detrimental effect on the national team.

If the talent was there it would play, if there was another Adams or a Shearer or a Gazza in the reserves of a major club they would play, they just aren't there IMO.

The reason for this is nothing to do with cheap foreign players stifling development, it's due mainly to the fact that when you look out the window you can't see any kids playing in the street, instead they're playing on the x-box and eating pies.

I also reckon that many of the young players who do end up at the academies have been pushed into playing footy for the money and lifestyle it has to offer, rather than the fact they've just been spotted having a laugh down the park with their mates. How many of these young lads already think they're flash at 14 I wonder? And are managed by their dads who 'want the best deal for their boy?'

English football is on it's because English football culture has been perverted into some sick pseudo-hollywood which attracts all the wrong sorts IMO, end of.

The foreign invasion started earlier in Spain rather than England, and it DOES harm the national squad. In the eighties there was a thought that if you had to buy a striker he had to be foreigner, and that led to having few Spanish strikers.

There's not a problem with the Alonsos, and the Mascheranos. The foreigners that come must come to improve the level of the teams. You have a problem when you buy mediocre players for this league, such as Garrido for Manchester City or Xabi's brother in Bolton. It's an error, because I think there are better players than that in England that are stopped in their progression.

SO foreigners, yes of course, but let's those be good, not mediocre.

by **Bammo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:02 pm

I was thinking of a different one (was a short Q&A) but that one says the same points and by more people. Makes for very interesting reading

The question is, will we start seeing the benefits in 5-10 years time?

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:06 pm

What your all saying is spot on, i have a 9 year old lad meself and all he wants to do is play on the playstation. Me stepdaughter is 11 and she is on the pc for hours on end. They dont set foot out of the door without being nearly forced.

As a kid i played in the street every day with me mates from the minute school was finished until me mum made me come in.

That obviously would have a major effect in people coming through.
The thing about the scouts is also right but its been that way for years, you only have to read what Fowler says in his book about loads of people not being interested in him due to his size.

by **stmichael** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:08 pm

The FA spending £800M on Wembley stadium could have been spent on god knows how many sports centres/indoor pitches or places where kids can go and play footy to enjoy it rather than be bullied into playing boring sh#te win at all costs footy by some Howard Wilkinson type coach. Instead they all sit at home on their computers or hang round the offy waiting to stab someone.

by **Bammo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:41 pm

I keep wanting to defend the kids of today but I honestly can't. I'm 25 now (to put things into perspective time-wise) and when I was in school we went to the local field every night. We'd even race home from the school bus at 3:30 so we could play in the pouring rain until it got dark at 4. There were always loads of kids playing footy every night. I'd even go out in full footy gear even if my friends were all busy because there was always a guaranteed game.

And now? Whenever I go past the field it's empty. Very occasionally someone's playing there but only in brilliant weather conditions. The whole attitude of kids has changed. Somehow it isn't cool to actually play footy any more. I'm not sure how much video games are to blame. I grew up with them and played loads with my mates but it never stopped us playing footy.

Most of the teenagers in my village now hang around street corners and :censored:

about on scooters. Very few of them could probably even kick a football.

I now feel very old ranting about the youth of today :laugh:

by **ivor_the_injun** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:55 pm

I dunno if it just seems like it, but kids seem to be smoking and drinking at an earlier age now. which must play a part. I've seen gangs of scruffy little primary school kids with a fag on the go, which didn't seem to happen 20 years ago - youngest smokers I knew when I was at school were about 11/12. Now there's 9 year olds puffing away. I've had the little c*nts give me sh*t for refusing to buy them beer as well.

It does my nut every time I catch myself tutting at kids knocking a wheelie bin over on their way home, but what counts as fun for the young uns these days just doesn't seem to involve anything to do with sport.

There's a young lad at the athletics club I sometimes train with, he was about 6ft at age 14 when I first met him, and he was ranking highly in the age group above him nationally. Progressed into a couple more age groups, his times were coming down constantly, and no question he was good enough to kick on and make a name at senior level.

Now, 4 years on? 20 a day habit, and you can see him every night in his f*cking shellies down the pub with a black eye, his hand down his pants, and grinding his teeth like a prize t*t. Even the good lads are getting dragged back by their waster mates, and none of them look like they've kicked a ball in their lives.

by **stmichael** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:06 pm

breaking news:

Howard Kendall blames Heysel for England not qualifying

by **ivor_the_injun** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:08 pm

Allardyce has apparently ruled himself out of the job.

Haven't read the story, so I don't know if he's actually come out and said it, or if it's just assumed knowledge by virtue of the fact that he's doing a terrible job at Newcastle.

by **Bammo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:14 pm

The sensible thing for England to do would be get a caretaker manager in (Venables etc) until Euro 2008 is done. Then take their pick from the decent managers available.

What I think they will do (not being sensible) is throw their money at whoever's available and end up with a mediocre manager.

by **stmichael** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:24 pm

ivor_the_injun wrote:Allardyce has apparently ruled himself out of the job.

well that's well and truly ruined my day :down:

by **Bammo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:37 pm

John Barnes is free though

by **ivor_the_injun** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:38 pm

Bammo wrote:The sensible thing for England to do would be get a caretaker manager in (Venables etc) until Euro 2008 is done. Then take their pick from the decent managers available.

What I think they will do (not being sensible) is throw their money at whoever's available and end up with a mediocre manager.

I was interested that they fired Venables as well. I actually wondered if he'd take it on as caretaker.

Right now I just can't be doing with it all. I had News 24 on a while ago and it was absolutely unbearable - some :censored:

outside FA headquarters basically just repeating everything that everyone has said today, even if they'd only just said it.

We're out, it was dreadful, now I'm pretty much over it. I've been so disillusioned with the international side for a while now and I'm actually pleased that everyone's finally on the same page.

by **stmichael** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:47 pm

Bammo wrote:The sensible thing for England to do would be get a caretaker manager in (Venables etc) until Euro 2008 is done. Then take their pick from the decent managers available.

What I think they will do (not being sensible) is throw their money at whoever's available and end up with a mediocre manager.

That won't happen because the media clamour for a new boss will force the FA to get it sorted ASAP.

Liverpool FC Forum

Euro qualifiers - england post mortem here

Who is online