Mad Press and English men

Last week Times Reporter Simon Barnes gave 25 reasons why ‘England can win the world cup’.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28782-2250086,00.html
It seemed then how ambitious and positive were the reporters who were craving for an English victory.

Aroused by the English passion, my friend had called me to watch the match on a giant screen in ‘The GRT Grand’ Hi-Time bar. Though we had a great time watching the match seated in the front row sipping the energy drinks and munching some snacks, i was left pondering, how most of the reporter’s comments had been refuted, water tight defence being a mere blur, by the end of the match.

Quoting some of his reasons with my comments in braces

1. England can get better. Hardly get worse murmur the cynics…… There are some very good players in the side capable of sustained and unified period of excellence. (True face of the English Premier League was exposed, with majority of the talented players being foreign nationals. Opposition they came against till the Q/Fs were rather meek)
2. Beckham is a seriously effective player and a dangerous opponent ( Beckham is an overrated player, very poor in the air, has a inept left foot and a slow mover in the field . Most of the English goals came from set pieces in which he is adept)
3. In Paul Robinson, England have one of those quiet-but-solid goalkeepers, a man not inclined to flap or panic or attempt the outrageous ( Ineffective in Penalty Shootouts, Prior to the WCs it was said that they were practicing hard to come out as trumps. Where as Ricardo went to the right direction when the English took their kicks, Robinson was caught offguard and one of the misses was a mishit while the other bounced off the post)
4. Rooney is not only good in himself, he brings out the best in everyone else as well. Rooney believes — knows — he can beat anybody. (Think he will be the scapegoat a la Beckham in ‘98, Evolution of ‘The Golden boy’ to ‘A Choking Toy’)
5. England have either Brazil or France in the semi-finals. Both sides, despite their excellence, are vulnerable, both have too many ageing players. It’s the right side of the draw to be on. (Far-sightedness at its best. Oops they had forgotten that they had to get past Portugal)

I am an avid follower of EPL and I do like some of the English players, but I had my money on Portugal winning the match because English men never played to their potential in group matches. It also proves time and again how boastful are the English press of their country men’s performance and how they can elevate their players with huge pay checks. Sven Goran Eriksson’s (the highest paid football coach) 6 year stint has come to an end and each time his nemesis has been ‘The Big Phil’. English team can sometimes be termed as ‘overrated under achievers’.

Coming home, I had a smile coz I pocketed some trivial sum on winning the bet.