My Thoughts of the Season Thus Far Part II

Friday, 23rd October 2009 at 12:10pm

England didn't expect four World Cup qualifiers played with four victories, fourteen goals scored and only three conceded. This is the kind of start only the most optimistic England fan would have predicted shortly after the dire performance given by the Three Lions in their friendly against the Czech Republic. Since that two all draw, Fabio Capello's men have become the first England team to win their first four qualifying matches. What's more it has come in a style that England fans haven't seen for a long time. The performances have been strong if not spectacular, a trait I suspect we shall see more of the longer "The Don" remains in charge. I can say in all honesty, it's been a pleasure to witness.

For so long have we fans been crying out for a strong leader and finally we have one who is capable of dealing with the ego's that come with playing for England of late. Gone is the circus that used to surround the national side and in its place is a group of players that are becoming a team again due to simple discipline. The stories being reported in the press are about Theo Walcott's hat trick in Croatia and the phoenix from the flames resurgence of Wayne Rooney and not about the activities of the WAGs stealing the limelight, coaches sleeping around or the inappropriate use of an umbrella. Capello has got the players believing in themselves again and has helped take away the fear. Whilst we may not win the World Cup in 2010, we have given ourselves the best chance by appointing the successful Italian. England didn't expect before but at least we now have some pride back and optimism for the future.

On the subject of England, it still amazes me that Ashley Cole was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd after his mistake against Kazakhstan. Yes, he was overly casual and it cost us a goal, but if a player did that playing for his club side the fans wouldn't jump on his back for it, they'd encourage him and attempt to rally him into making amends. Cole is never going to be the most popular player in England as there are many people envious of what he has and he's never exactly been the humble type, but when the man pulls on the white shirt of England he deserves our support not ridicule. What was pleasing to me was that he didn't retract into his shell, but kept demanding the ball and getting forward and was cheered by the majority of the crowd in an attempt to drown out the booing section. Still one of the best left backs in the world, we should be delighted to have him in our side.

Racism in Football

When I heard the decision made by UEFA to ban Atletico Madrid from using their own stadium to host their next two Champion's League matches as a result of violent behaviour by supporters and police and for racial abuse of Marseille players and officials I was delighted. As a black football supporter, racist abuse should not be tolerated at any level and it is positive to see steps taken to eliminate it. I also understood that they delayed the ban until after the Liverpool match at the Vicente Calderon stadium because it would inconvenience too many travelling supporters and applauded the decision. As a Liverpool fan I would have been extremely put out if I was travelling to the match and didn't want the same happening to fellow passionate Reds. I now hear that the punishment has been reduced and this is extremely disappointing. So often, UEFA impose pathetic penalties to clubs and F.A's, generally in the form of fines that amount to peanuts to those concerned. It's as if those at UEFA want to appear to do the right thing but don't have the balls to follow it up. Force any team, club or international to play a number of games behind closed doors, costing them precious revenue. Failing that, impose large fines that will ensure action is taken. The Croatian FA were charged a pittance after Emile Heskey was abused and the England forward was simply left to shrug his shoulders and soldier on as if to say "the authorities won't do anything." This is unacceptable. British football is leagues ahead of the rest of Europe in its policing and its efforts to stamp out all forms of abuse be it racial, homophobic or religious. I often wonder if trouble occurred in British football, whether UEFA would be as lenient as they are on the continent. Somehow I rather doubt it.

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