Don't mistake press headlines for opinions of English football fans

[Sat]

The accusation is we always think we are going to win the tournament and fail. that is not the view of English fans in general, who are incredibly negative about our chances.

We have never been, in my lifetime, the best or the worst team in the world, we just have the worst press.

 

[The Fack]

Gutter press. Some papers had it in for Hodgson from the get-go. Those papers wanted Redknapp ie The Sun.

 

[Jockney]

I think that's a relatively recent thing. For a good decade we were incredibly arrogant. It was only after the McLaren fiasco that we formed some sort of realistic consensus about or actual ability, but even then we were embarrassingly unrealistic going into SA.

Of course that only applies broadly. I know there were naysayers from the beginning, but they were definitely outliers. I was one of them, not because I know anything about football but because I fucking despised that generation of England players.

 

[Stevencc]

*Shudders*

 

[mente captus]

 

[spireite]

'De Bild' have a few shockers as well Mentus. I think gutter press are the same the world over.

 

[JimJams]

During the golden generation (or one of the guises of it) we had every right to expect to win something (and by something I mean just some of the bigger games we played in). The England team was made up of some of the best players from the best sides in the premier league which were among the best sides in Europe. The fact that they couldn't get their shit together on the pitch while a side like Greece could is slightly unfathomable.
Perhaps having golden generations is a negative rather than a plus. Not only for expectation but for team dynamic.

 

[smat]

During the golden generation (or one of the guises of it) we had every right to expect to win something (and by something I mean just some of the bigger games we played in). The England team was made up of some of the best players from the best sides in the premier league which were among the best sides in Europe. The fact that they couldn't get their shit together on the pitch while a side like Greece could is slightly unfathomable.
Perhaps having golden generations is a negative rather than a plus. Not only for expectation but for team dynamic.

Imo the golden generation was perceived rather than real. They weren't that good. Also we never had a decent 'keeper. I remember being convinced before the 2006 World Cup that our starting eleven was World Class throughout. That meant defining Paul Robinson, Gary Neville, Joe Cole and Newcastle United's Michael Owen as World Class. Lol.

 

[GodsGift]

We had the best side at Euro 2004.

As for the "gutter press" (or judging by this thread, The Sun), that's what tabloids do. It's not mutually exclusive to this country.

 

[Sat]

Gutter press. Some papers had it in for Hodgson from the get-go. Those papers wanted Redknapp ie The Sun.

Yeah and if Redknapp did get it they would have made his life a misery. PArasites, nothing more.

 

[Sat]

During the golden generation (or one of the guises of it) we had every right to expect to win something (and by something I mean just some of the bigger games we played in). The England team was made up of some of the best players from the best sides in the premier league which were among the best sides in Europe. The fact that they couldn't get their shit together on the pitch while a side like Greece could is slightly unfathomable.
Perhaps having golden generations is a negative rather than a plus. Not only for expectation but for team dynamic.

Yeah I'd agree with that. 2006 was our chance but Eriksen insisted on playing variations of 442 and taking one fit strker, Crouch, and one teenager he clearly had no intention of playing. The way the press destroy England managers is disgraceful but we have a few managers that destroyed any chance we had of success int hat era.

 

[Sat]

We had the best side at Euro 2004.

As for the "gutter press" (or judging by this thread, The Sun), that's what tabloids do. It's not mutually exclusive to this country.

I wouldn't exclusively blame The Sun but I don't mind them bastards being singled out.

it is true other countries have it but not to the extent we do. I remember Bobby Robson was reported as having an affair. What the fuck has that got to do with it? Venables left the job because of aa spineless FA and The Mirror's press campaign against him. Hoddle lost his job because of religious beliefs that would not have been questioned in any other field. All three were our most successful or highly regarded, managers, 2 lost their jobs because of the press, one had his life near destroyed.

he only way we will win a tournament is if we can find a tactical genius who is also a masochist with the most boring private life in the history of mankind.

 

[SALTIRE]

Almost fluked it in '96 mind, but then the Germans put pay to that.

 

[spireite]

Almost fluked it in '96 mind, but then the Germans put pay to that.

Almost fluked being an independent country once, but then your own referendum put paid to that

(sorry mate)

 

[The Fack]

I wouldn't exclusively blame The Sun but I don't mind them bastards being singled out.

it is true other countries have it but not to the extent we do. I remember Bobby Robson was reported as having an affair. What the fuck has that got to do with it? Venables left the job because of aa spineless FA and The Mirror's press campaign against him. Hoddle lost his job because of religious beliefs that would not have been questioned in any other field. All three were our most successful or highly regarded, managers, 2 lost their jobs because of the press, one had his life near destroyed.

he only way we will win a tournament is if we can find a tactical genius who is also a masochist with the most boring private life in the history of mankind.

*Rewind 10 years*

"Mr Curbishley, we would like to offer you the job."

 

[Sat]

Almost fluked it in '96 mind, but then the Germans put pay to that.

Lost to Germany on penalties became a theme in the 90's. Usually followed by some idiots beating up a Russian cos he sounded German to them.

 

[SALTIRE]

Almost fluked being an independent country once, but then your own referendum put paid to that

(sorry mate)

Ooh touched a nerve there did I?

 

[City169]

Yeah and if Redknapp did get it they would have made his life a misery. PArasites, nothing more.

Don't be daft, then they be doing something right