The Soccer Blog: Wales

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Sunday, 27 March 2011

England 2, Wales 0: Winning the Battle and Losing the War

By: Noel | March 26th, 2011
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So, 2-0 to the good for England against Wales and looking likely to secure advancement out of their group. Celebrations and salutations all around. Or something.

Of course the score alone doesn’t tell the story of England winning despite being static in possession and static in defense, blinders always on as they continually looked to beat their man one on one or aimlessly sent long-balls up the pitch. It doesn’t tell how, in general, they showed no interest in playing as a team when they had the ball. And it doesn’t tell you how in defense they were individuals, too, with the team looking to keep its shape first and foremost as only the nearest player consistently sought to pressure an opponent with the ball.

Compared to the likes of Spain and Germany and the Netherlands–or the likes of Brazil and Argentina outside their federation–it was almost painfully elementary and individualistic. Those sides hunt in packs. They look to stretch and tire opponents, viewing the game as encompassing the entire pitch and all ninety minutes instead of only the next ten seconds and the man directly in front of them. It’s not that they generally embarrass England on the talent front, individual for individual, it’s that they know how to play football. Meanwhile England remains happy playing something like what football was forty years ago, at least as far as the various commentators going on about heart and passion and how England so smashingly overwhelmed their minnow opponents seemed concerned.

In reality, though, the only thing the match against Wales really proved for certain is that England had the far more talented side.

If it did prove anything else, it is perhaps that England is world’s most talented pub side and will only ever end up with their asses handed to them when they face a country with roughly comparable talent and a hint of tactical nous.

Perhaps a tactical, technical, fiery manager in the Marcelo Bielsa mold could get something out of them. Assuming the players weren’t too busy being prima-donnas, and that the FA threw their full weight behind him, and that the shallow end of the media pool didn’t rend their garments when the side struggled against a weaker country while they worked through fundamentals and patterns of play that would stand them in good stead against stronger opponents. Which of course all seems rather unlikely to ever happen given how happy most are every time the Three Lions thoroughly outclass some weakened Wales or other using an almost absurdly direct and individualistic approach. All of which reflects that at the end of the day England’s problem isn’t so much with the senior side or whichever manager is in charge (and at fault) in any particular year.

The problem starts at the youth level. The problem starts with the simplistic and backwards-looking FA and punditry, the groups respectively tasked with guiding development and any public dialog over said development at every age and stage. The problem is with old-boys’ networks and people more concerned with covering the latest antics of various WAGs than with passing triangles. The problem is with seeing something like the just witnessed 2-0 victory against Wales as signifying anything especially positive beyond the obvious notch in the win column.

And the problem is that when people bring up England’s ongoing international futility, the first excuse trotted out always seems to be that they just don’t have the heart or passion or commitment of players from other more successful countries, when it is as much as anything this blind adherence to the virtues of heart and passion and commitment and nothing else that are getting in the way of long-term success.

Without an investment in coaching, and without leaving behind a simplistic love of naught but hustle and heart, England will never win anything. And while the points gained against Wales may help them get into the 2012 edition of the Euros, it also showed clear as day why they cannot and will not win it.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:February! Winning! Substance Abuse!Looking Ahead at InternationalsZone 14Building a Better TriangleNewcastle 3, Liverpool 1: Objectively Not Good

Category: Euro 2012, International Duty, Match Recaps, Miscellaneous

Tags: England, English Delusions, Euro 2012, fabio capello, Humanity is Doomed, International Duty, Just Lay Back And Think Of England, Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Tactics, The FA Is Full Of Stupid And Fail, Wales, Wandering Off The Reservation
Tweet « More Reasons to Love Lucas, Friday Recap, and Other Saturday Notes | Home | sarah*sigh*

So over on the Guardian front page, Paul Wilson has an article talking about how "fear is the greatest obstacle for England" and it's all about how players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard always falter (and therefore, England play like s--t) because they're so tense with fear of failing that they ironically end up failing after all. Which, okay, I'm sure the frankly, unhealthy load of expectations isn't helpful for the players, especially during the WC.

But to put all of England's problems down to some mental block, and not to, I don't know, crap tactics and the fact that none of England's brilliant individual players can figure out how to play as a team--come. ON.

I don't particularly care that much about the England NT aside from wanting the Liverpool players involved to a) not get injured and b) play well for their own confidence, but I maintain that the team would be MUCH better off if they could find a manager that could install some decent tactics and have the guts to tell the media to eff off, and if that manager got real, solid backing from the FA. But none of that's going to happen anytime soon.Mickyblue Mike@Noel. Are you Welsh ? Because you certainly love having a dig at the English ! Or are you just a MR Negative or even both ! Sad case of desperate journalism . Do your self a favour and find another job , or get behind the England team as they are top of the group unbeaten ! STOP looking for the negatives for your story and get the positives out instead !Rosco" will only ever end up with their asses handed to them when they face a country with roughly comparable talent and a hint of tactical nous."

Read that statement, pause, then read again- The man has a point.

Yes England are atop their group, as they have been given their annual group of diddys to carve an easy route to whatever finals.
Clearly England has the individual talent to go on and win any major tournament, but as long as the points brought up in this article remain the same, shit ain't gony happen.NoelI'm not a fan of the FA, I suppose. And I do have a certain disdain for the journalists one might kindly label as part of either the tabloid or Glory of '66 brigades that seem to at times dominate football coverage in the UK. But neither group is "the English," as you put it, who I generally have few problems with and many of whom moreover are well aware that the system needs overhauling from the ground up as has fairly recently happened in Spain and Germany for the national side to have any real hope for long-term success.steven.flawless victory.Khaine"...rend their garments..." Wonderful.blog comments powered by Disqus

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Saturday, 26 March 2011

Wales vs England 0-2 Highlights 2011 Video Football

Mar 26, 2011

Wales vs England 2011

Euro 2012 Qualifying- 26th March 2011, 26/3/11

Final score:- Wales vs England 0-2 ( Frank Lampard penalty 7′, Darren Bent 15′)

England ease to victory against Wales in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium as two first half goals from Lampard and Bent allow them to move above Montenegro on goal difference in Group C.

Wales v England 0-1 ( Frank Lampard penalty vs Wales)

Wales v England 0-2 ( Darren Bent goal vs Wales)

( Credits of this Wales vs England 0-2 Football Highlights Video with uploaders)

Friday, 25 March 2011

Comment on Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Wales v England by samuel 1723 ( canada )

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Comment on Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Wales v England by Bacon

Thursday, 24 March 2011

Wales suffer Bale setback

Wales have suffered a major blow with the news that Gareth Bale will miss Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against England.

Bale, 21, has been forced to withdraw from the squad for the Group G match at the Millennium Stadium due to a hamstring problem.

The left-sided winger is believed to have been carrying the issue since playing for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur against West Ham United last Saturday.

It was his first full 90 minutes since returning from a back injury suffered in January.”Due to a hamstring problem, Gareth Bale has had to withdraw from the Wales squad to face England on Saturday,” the Football Association of Wales said in a statement.

“He felt tight last week during training with his club. After playing 90 minutes on Saturday he felt some muscle tightness.”

“Initially, this was expected to be muscle soreness after playing his first game.”

“On joining up with the Welsh squad he was kept off his feet in training for two days to recover.”

“As he still felt tight in the warm-up on Tuesday, Gareth was pulled out of the session. He did not train at all on Wednesday and was sent for a scan. The scan revealed that Gareth Bale picked up his injury last week.

“The loss of Bale will be keenly felt by Gary Speed’s young team. Wales are bottom of the group after suffering three losses from three matches played so far in their qualification campaign.

Bale has returned to Tottenham for further assessment. He is expected to be fit for Spurs’ next match away to Wigan Athletic on April 2, as well as the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid three days later.

Thu 24 March, 2011

Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Wales v England

It will be the 100th meeting between Wales and England when the two nations meet at the Millenium Stadium for Euro 2012 qualifying.

England are second on the Group G table – three points behind Montenegro with a game in hand – having registered seven points from three games.Wales are in a rather precarious situation; slumped at the foot of the group with three losses, having conceded six goals so far in the campaign.The build-up to the game has largely centred on the restoration of John Terry as England captain and the abrupt withdrawal of Wales’ man-of-the-moment Gareth Bale.Terry, who was deposed following a protracted marital scandal that gained traction in the British media, has stated that England boss Fabio Capello never should have revoked his armband.But Terry appears to have the backing of some of his England teammates; James Milner backing the Chelsea defender as a leader.”As an England player he’s been absolutely fantastic. I think that’s the most important thing, as a team, whoever’s captain, whoever’s got the armband, that we’re all as one, and we go out there to win matches as one unit,” Milner said.Meanwhile, Terry’s Chelsea cohort Frank Lampard’s seemingly fixed place in the England first XI could be in jeopardy thanks to the rise of mercurial young playmaker, Jack Wilshere.The Arsenal midfielder has revelled alongside his cultured teammates, and is being earmarked as England’s ‘next big thing’.Up front, Capello is likely to retain the pairing of Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll.The loss of Bale to a hamstring injury has served a huge blow to Wales’ hopes of downing their great rivals.The game, however, will mark the return of Aaron Ramsey who has not appeared in international colours since Wales’ 3-0 victory over Scotland in November 2009The Arsenal midfielder, who has been named as captain for the match, was acrimoniously hacked down by Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross last year and has since spent brief spells at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.Wales boss Gary Speed has conceded his side are unlikely to reach the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine, but is adamant a win over England would be a missive boost for long-suffering Welsh fans.”The England game is an opportunity to put down a marker to the fans and get them excited about the Wales team again,” Speed said.

Thu 24 March, 2011

Wales suffer Bale setback

Wales have suffered a major blow with the news that Gareth Bale will miss Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against England.

Bale, 21, has been forced to withdraw from the squad for the Group G match at the Millennium Stadium due to a hamstring problem.

The left-sided winger is believed to have been carrying the issue since playing for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur against West Ham United last Saturday.

“He felt tight last week during training with his club. After playing 90 minutes on Saturday he felt some muscle tightness.”

“Initially, this was expected to be muscle soreness after playing his first game.”

“On joining up with the Welsh squad he was kept off his feet in training for two days to recover.”

“The loss of Bale will be keenly felt by Gary Speed’s young team. Wales are bottom of the group after suffering three losses from three matches played so far in their qualification campaign.

Thu 24 March, 2011

Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Wales v England

It will be the 100th meeting between Wales and England when the two nations meet at the Millenium Stadium for Euro 2012 qualifying.

Thu 24 March, 2011

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Ireland vs Wales 3-0 Highlights Video Nations Cup

Feb 9, 2011

Republic of Ireland vs Wales

February 8, 2011- Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Final result:- Ireland vs Wales 3-0 ( Darron Gibson, Damien Duff, Keith Fahey)

Second half strikes from Darron Gibson, Damien Duff and Keith Fahey help the Republic of Ireland get off to a winning start against Wales in their Nations Cup 2011 opener.

Ireland vs Wales 1-0 ( Gibson 60′ goal)

Ireland v Wales 2-0 ( Duff 66′ goal)

Ireland vs Wales 3-0 ( Fahey 83′ goal)

( Credits of this Ireland vs Wales 3-0 Video with Youtube)

Monday, 27 December 2010

Bellamy steps down as Wales captain

Wales star Craig Bellamy will relinquish the role of national team captain because of ongoing injury concerns.

Bellamy, 31, has battled consistent knee problems and said although he is committed to playing for his country, he will not be able to play every game.

“Being captain is a great honour, but it’s not the reason why I turn up for Wales,” Bellamy said.

“I’ve always said that I’ll never retire (from Wales duty) but I have to be clever over which games I play and which I don’t.”

“I’m not going to be able to play every game, it’s impossible.”

Bellamy says he has told new Wales boss Gary Speed about his decision and declared his intent to play for his new manager.

“I’ve made Gary aware of my decision. I feel, with the young squad we have, it would be best (to give up the captaincy). I will get right behind the next person who does it,” he said.

“I told (former manager John Toshack who made Bellamy skipper) that he would be better giving the armband to someone who will be there week-in, week-out.”

“I watched (Speed as national captain) turn up every game and lead from the front … he’s a person I trust completely.”

“He’s an incredible appointment (as manager). I admired him so much as a player, I was privileged to play with him. It was impossible not to be impressed as a youngster coming through.”

Bellamy also criticised the way in which Toshack got Wales to play, and said he was looking forward to a different approach towards the game under Speed.

“Wales need an identity, at the moment we haven’t got one,” he said.

“We’re very easy to play against. I’m not blaming Toshack – he wanted to play counter-attacking football, but it’s not in our mentality.”

“We’re hard workers, so why not get at (the opposition)? I’d never felt so disheartened after games (under Toshack) because we weren’t able to have a go. I don’t think that the players were good enough (to play Toshack’s way).”

“(Under Speed) we’re going to train with intensity and play with intensity – that hasn’t been the case for the last six or seven years.”

“Our players aren’t made that way and our crowds aren’t made that way – that’s why (the fans) never turned up. Teams must have loved playing against us in the last couple of years.”

Mon 27 December, 2010