Treacherous scum!

I am a self-declared football fan. Although an avid supporter of my club, at this time all attentions are on the (English) national team at the World Cup in South Africa. So far, England have played three matches with varying levels of performance:

• Against the USA England played reasonably well overall. Many pundits were quick to pounce on the goalkeeping error by Robert Green which permitted the USA to equalise; my own feelings were that England squandered a handful of key chances which would have enabled a win. Not least of these was the one-on-one opportunity which Emile Heskey singularly failed to convert.
• Against Algeria England were a pale shadow of even below-par expectations. While credit must be given to the Algerian team, there can be no doubt that England seriously under-performed. A team of top-class players from England's Premier League—one of the most respected and watched leagues in the world—was completely incapable of anything approaching club form. The whole was so much less than the sum of its parts!
• Against Slovenia England played somewhat better, with greater conviction and better off-the-ball movement. The inclusion of a proven goalscorer with pace, Jermaine Defoe, made a huge difference, although more service from the wings would have increased England's scoring chances.

There can be no doubt about the quality of England's manager. Fabio Capello has proven himself in club football time and time again, and his work with England in qualifying for the World Cup finals in South Africa has been unquestionable. Which makes England's performances thus far all the more puzzling. Of course, Capello is not beyond criticism: he promised that he would only select players who had played regularly for their clubs and were in-form, yet still selected Rio Ferdinand (whose lack of fitness soon became VERY apparent) and Emile Heskey. Neither player had played many games for their club, and Heskey seems to be a striker who scores very few goals at best. To select Heskey ahead of Peter Crouch (for example) seems incredible, especially given their comparative scoring records for club and, more importantly, for country.


It is also of some concern that the player regarded as England's talisman, Wayne Rooney, has looked completely out of sorts. It is hard to believe that such a fantastic player with his phenomenal drive and ability is suffering from physical and mental tiredness after a long season. It seems much more likely that he is carrying an injury. How else to explain his poor 'first touch'? In which case, why does the manager continue to select him? Again this flies in the face of Capello's criteria for selection. A fit Wayne Rooney would be an invaluable asset to any international team; this Wayne Rooney looks to be more of a liability—a fitter player would be a better selection. That is surely why there is a squad?!


One of the best things about this World Cup, as with several recent international football competitions, is how it has brought out the best form of nationalism here in England (and elsewhere). The fluttering of England flags from house and cars has been a sight to gladden the heart of all true Englishmen and women. It is an outpouring of collective national faith and identity with the end being hoped-for sporting success (rather than war or imperial ambition as in previous generations). In the USA flying of the national flag has ling been a norm; in the UK and particularly in England our national fervour tends to me much more understated.


This outward nationalism was recently spoiled for me. We have been flying two England flags from the back windows of our car. Earlier this week, while parked in the Stamford Hill area of London one of the flags was taken, with damage to the flagpost itself. This vandalism, which occurred while my wife was at work, is simply unacceptable. As well as the damage involved, the taking of the national flag is (in my mind) an act of treason. It is hard to work out who the scum involved in this act might be.


It is hard to believe that such a treacherous act would be committed by anyone with any sense of Englishness. One can only hope that they will find their actions have consequences; that karma will come into play for them as it did for the French national team: having qualified via the "helping hand" of Thierry Henry, their ignominious departure at the end of the group stage seems to be just reward. It is something which no Irishman will be crying over, I suspect! I am hopeful that England will beat Germany on Sunday (not on penalties!) and go on to defeat the Argentines in the quarter-finals, and finally avenge defeat to Maradona's "hand of God". Karma may take some time to arrive on occasion, but let there be no doubt that it does arrive!

COME ON ENGLAND!