Innovation Nation

Of all the sometimes absurd arguments that are raised by the sport of cricket, surely this is the most pointless and irritating. Last Sunday, Kevin Pietersen, whilst making a cracking hundred in a one day international against New Zealand, played two shots with a left handed grip, both of them going for six. And, as superb and innovative as those shots were, commentators and pundits are calling for a ban on this type of shot as it gives a unfair advantage to the batsman. For the life of me, I cannot understand this logic.


Now, the reverse sweep is a more common shot in world cricket, with players using their hands to manoeuvre the ball into their off sides as opposed to where a conventional sweep would go. What Pietersen did was similar but more staggering. As the medium paced Scott Styris was in his delivery stride, Pietersen changed his hands on the bat and spun around so he was pretty much batting as a left hander. He then thumped the first ball over the deep square leg boundary and the second over the ropes at long on.


The shots were not sweeps - more like left handed slogs. It was a tremendous sight and, of course, aided Pietersen in his search for a century. However, is this ‘switch-hitting’ entirely within the legality of the game? Many are now saying that the stroke should be outlawed as the batsman is changing his batting stance.


I cannot believe the stupidity in this. Innovation is one of the fundamental facets of limited overs cricket. Players have to find as many ways as possible of getting runs, not all of them conventional. Pietersen has extreme talent in the power he needed to clear the rope the way he did and he has come up with a new way of getting runs, a way that only a handful of players in the world could achieve.


Yet, we are now trying to ban him from doing it. Why would we want to stifle our best batsman? How does this make it unfair for the bowler. Test cricket witnesses the reverse sweep being played all the time - is this not what Pietersen did? Did he not simply change his hands so he could hit the ball the other way? I can’t see how this makes it unfair for the bowler. It is possible for him to see that batsman turning and deceive him with his delivery. It is also possible for Pietersen to miss-time the shot and scoop it straight up in the air for a catch.


In a contest between bat and ball, Pietersen had the extra edge and the boldness to play an extremely risky shot. It came off for him. Twice. How this shot is now facing extinction when it is so valuable and such a joy to watch is so far beyond me. With all the new idea’s and new methods being introduced to cricket every day, this is simply part of the process. And don’t forget how much the crowd enjoyed it either!


I’m all for the preservation of the basics of cricket and for Test cricket and its classical nature to remain at the forefront. But, this is surely another example of failing to keep up with the times. I’m sorry, but I feel cricket is shooting itself in the foot here.

Square Pegs and Round Holes

With the current batting malaise that the England cricket team finds itself in and the prospect of an extremely tough series with South Africa later this summer, many a question is being raised with regards to the selection of the team for said Test series. The hype surrounds one man: Andrew Flintoff. His long awaited return from injury has allowed him to be available for England for this crucial Test series and, there’s no doubt about it, when on his game, he is a definite starter.

But, if Freddie comes back in, then who goes? On the BBC Sport website today, Alec Stewart’s blog focuses on this problem. He, and many others around the land, believes that should Flintoff return then he should do as part of a four man bowling attack and not at number six in the batting line-up as he has done for years now. This is due to his perceived lack of form with the bat. Stewart justifies this by pointing out that England have won Test matches with just a four pronged bowling attack and that they do not need five bowlers to bowl out South Africa twice.

I take issue with this and for several reasons too.

For starters, examine the tests that England have won with this bowling attack. Away in New Zealand twice and home to New Zealand once. With all due respect, to both New Zealand and the England bowlers, I don’t think it is an achievement that proves a winning formula. New Zealand aren’t the sternest of tests for bowlers, either home or away, and though Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, Monty Panesar and James Anderson have bowled magnificently well over the last year or so, I don’t think that England will be able to just use the four of them when the South Africans come to call.

Besides the South African batting lineup is a formidable one - one needs only to look at their last tour of England, when Graeme Smith smashed two double hundreds, to see that. South Africa are ranked the second best team in the world and rightly so. They have class and experience in the likes of Smith, Jacques Kallis and Marc Boucher and their bowling attack is one of the most formidable going around. Dale Steyn is the most exciting young fast bowler in the world at the moment and with the enthusiasm of Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel, England will not find them easy, not by a long shot.

If you take England’s current four bowlers and add Flintoff to them, it looks like a great attack. What Stewart is suggesting is that Flintoff is incapable of playing the all rounder role so must replace a bowler. Who would you drop out of Broad , Sidebottom and Anderson? Broad makes crucial runs and is such an good prospect. Sidebottom has been England’s best bowler for the last year and adds the option of left arm over. Anderson just took 7-43 at Trent Bridge and when it swings, he is world class. So why drop any of them? Add Flintoff to the mix and just wait for the results.

Yes, Flintoff at six might weaken the batting. Or it could strengthen it. You never know what kind of form Flintoff could bring into the side and if they are that worried then play Flintoff at seven and stick Tim Ambrose at six. Either way I think it would be stupid to drop one of the bowlers to accommodate Flintoff when he could add so much to the already promising pace attack. England’s greatest recent successes have come with five bowlers - the Ashes in 2005, beating South Africa away, gaining their first Test win in India in 40 years.

I would drop Paul Collingwood, who has had a shocking summer so far. Ian Bell has too but he is an extraordinary batsman when on form and could contribute a lot to the England cause. Yes, England’s batting has been poor this summer but they are all capable players. I really feel that England need to revert to their five man attack as soon as possible and Flintoff makes that possible.

So that would be
Cook
Strauss
Vaughan [c]
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Ambrose [wk]
Broad
Sidebottom
Anderson
Panesar

I can only hope the like of Geoff Miller and Ashley Giles read this blog and take my advice. Ash, you have my number.

My Spurs

How did you become a Spurs fan?

Family heritage. My dad is a massive fan and he took me to my first game, he raised my brother on them as well and basically I grew up in a Tottenham atmosphere, even though we didn’t go to that many games.

First Game?

My first game was in 1996 or 97. It was Leeds United at White Hart Lane and we won 1-0. Not the most thrilling of games but as a young child, you couldn’t care less. Darren Anderton scored - I was under the impression it was Teddy Sheringham until, on the train home, someone asked me what who scored and my dad corrected me after I had misinformed the stranger!

How often do you get to see them now?

Not as regularly as I would want. Limited tickets and expensive prices mean that I get to a handful every season, usually the cup games. I’m looking to become a member next season, though, so with any luck I should get to a lot more games. The only thing not to benefit will be my wallet.

Most Memorable moment?

There’s loads. You always get entertainment as a Spurs fan, even if there is painful disappointment to match it. Notable moments are both League Cup wins over the last 10 years, especially the Chelsea one this season. Beating Arsenal, the few times I’ve actually seen us do it! Pedro Mendes’ halfway line ‘goal’ against Man Utd. Erik Edman’s 45 yard missile at Anfield. Beating Pompey 4-3, days after losing 4-3 to Man City. Beating Leeds 2-0 in an FA Cup replay and the goals from Darren Anderton and David Ginola. One moment was particularly special, even if it is a bit bittersweet. The game that Arsenal won the title at White Hart Lane - Robbie Keane scored a brilliant last minute penalty to tie the game for us. It still meant that Arsenal won the league but it pretty much kept us up that year and it was an amazing moment.

Have you met any Spurs players?

Unfortunately no. Nowadays, these Premier League stars are scarcely seen near us mortals! I have applauded Darren Anderton from 10 yards away at an AFC Bournemouth end of season lap of honour, does that count?

Favourite Current player?

Ledley King is a colossal player. He really is so good, literally, the rock of our side. Injuries, however, have severely limited his appearances so when he’s not around it has to be either the genius that is Dimitar Berbatov or the giant presence that is Tom Huddlestone.

Describe last season. How did it affect you?

Take the Carling Cup out of the equation and its an awful season. But, we did win it, so it will go down as a mixed season, yet another season of transition. There were some superb performances and we still look the 5th best team in the country when we our at our best but we did put out some awful displays at times. It was frustrating but the continued hope and knowledge that we can do better got me through the season. And how many trophies have those mugs at Arsenal won in the last three years? Sweet FA.

What are your hopes for next season?

Well, I am a realist. And I’m not going to keep saying that we can do better each season and then watch us fail. But, I think we do have the raw ingredients to do well. A lot will depend on Ramos’ signings and who he decides to let go. If Berbatov stays then brilliant. If he leaves then fine, lets just replace him with a decent player. I’d take top four. If that’s not possible then top five or six and a shot at another trophy would be brilliant.

Choose your all time Spurs eleven.

Paul Robinson in goal. Steve Carr or Alan Hutton at right back with the Swedish genius Erik Edman at left back. Ledley King would captain the side and partners Sol Campbell at the back, even though he is a twat. David Ginola takes up the left wing with Simon Davies on the right. Michael Carrick is in midfield alongside Pedro Mendes. And as for up front, it has to be Teddy Sheringham and anyone from Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Gary Linekar, Jurgen Klinnsmann and Jermain Defoe. And after much deliberation, I’ve picked Berbatov purely because of his ability and his nonchalance.

The thing I hate about Tottenham is…

The inconsistency. The continued potential and the usual disappointment. The fact that we never pull off surprise results against big teams. The occasionally awful signings (Ricardo Rocha, Noe Pamarot, Lee Young Pyo, Paul Stalteri, etc). The area around White Hart Lane.

The thing I love about Tottenham is…

The football. We play so brilliantly at times it makes you lose your breath. The kit. The superb players (Berbatov, Ginola, King, Keane, etc). The stadium and the atmosphere. The fact that Arsenal fans get so wound up by us and they only get mouthy when they’re doing well. The constant promise of something brilliant. Jermaine Jenas. The West Ham ’rivalry’. The all white UEFA Cup kit. Martin Jol.

The Red Summer

What a season! Even from a personal, Spurs-minded point of view, it’s been a roller coaster. The English season ended on a fittingly dramatic note last night in Moscow as Manchester United added the Champions League trophy to their Premier League crown and left Chelsea with nothing to show for their late season surge at success. There was great fun for the neutrals as disliked players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry fluffed their lines when it came to penalties and all in all it capped off one of the more entertaining season in living memory.

Where to start? Instinct points me to Arsenal. In the early parts of the season, they were flying. Bereft of Thierry Henry, they suddenly found it in themselves to dust off his departure and play amazing football. Emmanuel Adebayor looked every bit the top striker as he scored for fun and Arsenal fans typically started getting mouthy about their title chances. Typically, they cocked it up.

Somewhere between getting hammered by Spurs in the Carling Cup semi final and Wenger’s decision not to strengthen his side in January, Arsenal lost their way both physically and mentally. They went on a frustrating winless run, not losing games but failing to secure maximum points. They were destroyed by Man Utd in the FA Cup, captain William Gallas had a tantrum after the Birmingham game ended in a draw and Eduardo was ruled out for the season after a sickening challenge in the same game.

The massively entertaining Champions League game with Liverpool, which Liverpool won, ended Arsenal’s season - trophyless again. You have to wonder how much patience Arsenal fans must have. Despite the fact that Wenger is undoubtedly a fantastic coach and Arsenal are capable of some mesmeric football at times, it is now THREE years since any kind of trophy for the Gunners. All the talk of being a transitional side is wearing thin. Next year, they must deliver something.

Arsenal’s decline was mirrored by Man Utd’s steady rise. They started the season badly with defeat at Manchester City and draws with Reading and Portsmouth. However, once the amazing Cristiano Ronaldo got into gear, there was no stopping them. Ronaldo played quite sensationally, leaving opposition fans breathless with his array of tricks and skill. He finished the year top scorer as well and was heralded as the best in the world.

Add him to the collective genius of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Ryan Giggs and it made United an irresistible force. They stayed out in front for the closing months of the season and though they lost to Chelsea taking the race to the last game of the season, they were always in the box seat and comfortably won on the last day at Wigan.

As for the Champions League, they thoroughly deserved to win it. Out muscling Barcelona in the semi final, they held their nerve against Chelsea when it looked like they would crumble. Ronaldo missed his penalty but fate was on United’s side as John Terry slipped and missed the decisive kick meaning that Van Der Sar could later save from Nicolas Anelka and win the game for the Premier League champions.

United’s defeat in the FA Cup at home to Portsmouth was one of many shocks in this years competition as none of the big four made it to the semi finals. Portsmouth went on the beat Cardiff in the final, giving Harry Redknapp a winners medal at last.

Chelsea had a poor season on paper. No trophies, despite two final appearances and a last day title race. But their season was a dramatic one. Manager Jose Mourinho was sacked early on in the season after an average start and was replaced by Avram Grant, who steadied the ship but didn’t offer much more. Or so it seemed. Chelsea were beaten in the Carling Cup final by a resurgent Tottenham but staged a late fight back to take the title down to the last day. They beat Man Utd along the way and showed tremendous character. They were eventually beaten but no-one could have forecast their involvement.

They even managed to beat Liverpool in a Champions League semi final after two defeats to them in three years at the same stage. However, luck was not on their side in Moscow and they lost on penalties. Speculation remains as to whether Avram Grant will still be in a job next year. He appears to be as tactically astute as one Joe Mourinho but Abramovich’s patience must be tested by the lack of silverware this year and don’t be surprised to see him out. It will be an interesting summer at the Bridge.

Everton won the best of the rest league with Aston Villa, Pompey and Blackburn not far behind. All of these teams look to be strengthened over the summer and you can assume they will be around the same places next year. They will likely be joined by the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham who had contrasting but still underachieving seasons. Newcastle were rid of Sam Allardyce by Christmas and although Kevin Keegan’s return did not herald instant results, they did avoid the drop and they look like a potential force.

Tottenham had a calamitous start to the year. Bad results forced out popular manager Martin Jol and in came Spaniard Juande Ramos, a successful coach with Seville. Results slowly improved and Ramos led the team to a 5-1 crushing of fierce rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi final. Wembley beckoned and on a glorious day for Spurs fans, Jonathan Woodgate scored the winner in extra time as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1. Results severely dipped after that as Tottenham became glued to 11th place. Many put the slump down to a lack of focus after getting beaten on penalties by PSV in the UEFA Cup and Spurs are expected to be a force next year.

Personally, I think several players will need to leave Spurs and key singing will need to be made. If the brilliant Dimitar Berbatov leaves then so be it - just replace with someone good. Next year could be a good one for Tottenham - having said that, so was this year. Who knows what will happen at White Hart Lane.

In fact, who knows what will happen at all next season? Will the Man Utd dominance continue? Will Chelsea still be a force should the likes of Drogba and Lampard leave? Will Arsenal ever win something to merit their great football? And what of the new boys, West Brom, Stoke and Hull or Bristol City? Will they be the new Derby County? Or will they do well? Will Liverpool ever make a serious title bid? Will Sunderland continue their Roy Keane-inspired progress? Will the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and John Terry EVER transfer their club form to England?

I cant wait to find out.

Oh, and, by the way, if you read my article ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, you’ll notice that I predicted a Man Utd double in both trophies. Have that.

A Tale of Two Cities

Would you believe it? Two teams, Manchester United and Chelsea, battling it out, not only for domestic supremacy but for the biggest trophy in club football as well. The titanic struggle between these two star studded teams has spread onto the European stage now as well, with the first ever all English Champions League final to be held in Moscow in May. Lets be honest, if you haven’t got a favourite out of these two sides, then you are the ultimate in fence-sitters.

Chelsea seemed to have nothing a few weeks ago. Seemingly falling behind in the title race, they had already lost the Carling Cup final earlier on in the season and they had a Champions League semi final against familiar opponents Liverpool. At half time in that first leg, it appeared that manager Avram Grant would be out of a job by the end of year. 1-0 down, they had been outplayed by Liverpool and were seemingly heading out of Europe.

With the last touch of the game, Liverpool’s John Arne Riise scored a terrible own goal and Chelsea had escaped with a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal. Was it about to get easier for Grant and Chelsea? No chance. Man Utd visited Stamford Bridge that Saturday, knowing that a win would all but seal their Premier League title. Even after Michael Ballack had scored, Man Utd were able to level and it looked like more disappointment for the Blues. However, they were not to be denied and after a Michael Carrick handball, Ballack scored his second to give Chelsea victory.

Last night’s nervy victory over Liverpool has sent Chelsea to their first Champions League final and they are level on points with Man Utd, with two games to play in the league. From nowhere, they have resurrected their season in quite dramatic style. Go back to February and say to anyone that Chelsea could end the season with a League and Champions League double. Did you get laughed at? I thought so. It is a great fight back from this group of players, who have had their commitment and desire questioned all season. It is certainly good news for the neutrals, who finally have a title race heading to the wire.

Man Utd, for their part, played brilliantly to defeat Barcelona in the semi finals. It may not have been the most attractive football but you wouldn’t substitute good play for defeat, would you? Besides Man Utd have some amazing players at their disposal. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves, Anderson… the list does, indeed, go on and on. They have also played some scintillating football domestically this season. No one can argue that should they win either trophy, that they would not deserve it.

Their slip up at Stamford Bridge last week should be looked at as just that: a slip up. A blip. Their remaining two matches should be won, also West Ham are something of a banana skin for Sir Alex’s men. They would certainly be happier with these games than Chelsea’s - away to Newcastle and home to Bolton. United’s crushing attacking play makes them my favourites to win the title. But what about that little matter of a Champions League final in Moscow?

Both teams play differently in cups, even more so in Europe. And while United are capable of playing fast, free flowing, exciting football, I wouldn’t expect them to in this game. Anyone who saw (or stayed awake for) the FA Cup final between these two teams last year will remember just how defensively and dull they played. Believe me, both teams are desperate not to lose and I believe this will lead to another dull, defensive final. Football purists can argue all they want, people like me can moan all we want - the fact is both teams want to win and will set out to do so no matter how.

For my part, I don’t think Chelsea are as good as United. I think those who are hailing Avram Grant as ‘The New Special One’ are extremely fickle. He is a poor substitute for Jose Mourinho, with nowhere near as much tactical nous or inspiration. Not long ago, he was being derided for his lack of talent as a coach. One win later and Chelsea fans have changed their tune. United, on the other hand, are a well managed and extremely talented group of players. They have an unstoppable desire to win and coupled with the genius of players like Ronaldo and Rooney, I believe they will edge this game, too.

So in my books, that’s a league and European cup double for Man Utd. It would be harsh on Chelsea given their impressive late comeback. But what a success story for Sir Alex and his men. The rivalry between these two teams has developed interestingly over the last few years and should either team claim victory in both, then the bragging rights would be well and truly won. Both sides have a lot to do still and, for sure, this tale of two cities will run on and on long into the next few years.

The Drawing Board

So we won the Carling Cup. A season that begun with such ignominy and looked to be destined for mediocrity has brought about a Wembley final victory and a place in Europe next season. And there’s still three months to go. Tottenham’s deserved success in the cup final the other weeks led to many a pundit praising Juande Ramos for his almost instant transformation of Spurs and the deliverance of a trophy is something not many recent Spurs coaches can claim to offer.

But one week after that marvellous day at Wembley, Spurs came crashing back to Earth (or St Andrews) as they suffered a 4-1 thrashing at relegation threatened Birmingham. A cup hangover maybe? Almost definitely and while Spurs fans were rightfully angry with their side’s performance, many accepted that it was likely just a horrible blip and that normal service would be resumed.

That Thursday, Spurs delivered another insipid performance and lost 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA cup tie. It was a performance lacking the normal zip and verve that Spurs had previously shown, not just in Europe, but in the recent domestic games too. Spurs looked wary, like a team who thought that their season was over already and that they were playing for nothing. In short, the motivation was not there. Had Spurs lost their hunger for the whole season? Would they now allow themselves to get rolled over week in week out?

Ramos is an extremely tactically astute boss and he was not about to let that happen. Spurs came out on Sunday and hammered their local rivals West Ham 4-0, with the ever brilliant Dimitar Berbatov at the fore, once again. A great performance and the fans were satisfied again.
But despite their showing, one cannot help but look to next season when it come to Spurs. After all they are supposed to be building for an eventual crack at the top four, even though we say it every season. So, lets look to the future then. What is it that Spurs need to be where they wanted to be this season?

Well, a new goalkeeper would help. Robinson, however much of a fans favourite he is, has to be replaced. He is a liability, as is Radek Cerny. Picking a new goalkeeper is tough, though. A number of names have been mentioned such as Igor Akinfeev, Sebastien Frey and Artur Boruc and, to be honest, they’d all be good enough until they make a mistake. Longevity is a key thing for a goalkeeper so we can’t really judge them until they’ve a had a while here.

The back four picks itself. Alan Hutton is a seriously class act at right back, far better and more professional than Chimbonda, who made it all about him and never the team. Ledley King, provided he stays reasonably fit, is a rock and should partner either Michael Dawson or Johnathan Woodgate. Gareth Bale completes the line-up at the back.

Into the midfield and it gets a bit trickier. Aaron Lennon has gone backwards. He is not the player than ran at defences and put in a terrific ball nine times out of ten. He gets the ball and either loses it or does something predictable. Having said that, I still think he could develop into something brilliant. But right now he isn’t performing. I think we need to sign someone to give him a bit of competition and just make him think a little bit about his game and what he is doing.

Jermaine Jenas will hopefully continue to develop under Ramos and should he do that he is guaranteed a place alongside Tom Huddlestone. Huddlestone has also come on leaps and bounds under Ramos and I feel he is better than Didier Zokora. Huddlestone has the ability to play any kind of pass and he is noticeable quicker now. Zokora is not a bad player to have a round and would hopefully push hard to get back in the team. Jamie O’Hara is also progressing nicely.

But on the left is where Spurs have always had problems. Steed Malbranque just does not cut it with me. He may score the odd crucial goal but he is not the player we want if we are serious about stepping up a gear. I have longed for Morten Gamst Pedersen to be snapped up. He is a quality player with a lethal delivery and a natural left footer. Pedersen would add much needed width and with the left footed Bale behind him, we would be laden with attacking riches down the left.

The front two do not need to be questioned. However, should one of them get injured then Darren Bent would take their place and we would have no more strikers. I’m not happy at the idea of only three frontline attackers and I feel we need to sign a fourth to get a bit of depth. However, the last thing Spurs need is the Jermain Defoe problem again so this player would have to be someone who is happy to play second, maybe third fiddle but also want to get better so he can break into the team. Defoe never wanted to improve, he just wanted to play.

Next season could be a good one for Tottenham but they will need to learn from both the mistakes of this year and last. A good start is mandatory. And consistency is vital if they are to finally push on from the potential they have shown over the last three years. But before we get all excited about next year, shall we finish this season first?

They came to praise Caesar, not to bury him

It’s the 63rd minute of the Spurs-Getafe game. It’s 1-1, they’re not playing particularly well, but I still feel we could score soon. But the game isn’t what people are focusing on. At half time, rumours started spreading concerning the fact that this was to be Martin Jol’s last game in charge and that Juande Ramos would be replacing him after the game. It has been neither confirmed nor denied but the general feeling is that the big man is gone.

It’s now the 66nd minute. Berbatov just missed a header. Why would they do this now? During a game? It’s torture on the fans. But what hits me most, apart from the appalling timing of this, is the sadness of Jol’s imminent departure. Imagine being told that the second half of a game is to be your last 45 minutes at a club you have been synonimous with over the last three years? I’m behind Jol still and most fans also are. It’s so sad that he is about to leave given what he has produced for the club. And it’s what he could still give as well that makes him leaving such a sad thing.

69 minutes. Getafe have just taken the lead. If tonight could get any worse, then please let me know now. Keane is coming on, he has to play a blinder if we're to have any chance. The optimist in me says that if anyone is to replace Jol then they could do a lot worse than Ramos. He’s a promising coach, who did a great job with Sevilla and he could do wonders with Tottenham. But, one tends to look at the past rather than the future at times like this. Jol’s departure is utterly depressing. It represents the end of yet another promising few years where Spurs delivered so so much and got so so close. But yet they have, for reasons many, conspired to throw it away.

It was all there for the taking. Champions League football. A trophy or two. Maybe even a shot at the title in a year or so. In Berbatov, they had one of the best players in the world. Lennon, Keane, Zokora, Dawson. They were all quality players, performing regularly and to a high standard. Now, Berbatov is uninterested. Dawson is error prone. Robinson is turning into an awful keeper. It has gone well and truly pear shaped.

77 minutes. They have to do something now. This is one of the most melodramatic and emotional bits of football I have ever seen. Berbatov, Defoe and Kaboul all just should have scored. I have to finish this soon otherwise I’m going to start swearing.

If Jol is to leave in the next 10 minutes, it will be an incredibly disappointing end to such a good and promising era at Spurs. The fans loved him, the players loved him, everything was brilliant. Until now. Farewell Martin. You are clearly being pushed out of the job you have performed so well in. And I doubt we will see another like you for a while.

When It's Over

With an extremely large lump in my throat, I sit here and contemplate England’s defeat. This latest debacle has hit hard, even though we should be used to it. England have not qualified for Euro 2008. For the first time in my living memory, there will be no major tournament for us to fail heroically. No opportunites for a player to miss a crucial penalty. No emergance of one talent who gets all our hopes up for a few months. England have nothing to look forward to.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic’s assertion that Croatia are ‘simply, a better team than England’ is an intruiging one. Croatia have beaten England twice over the last year. Therefore they must be better than us. English football has plumbed to the depths in which we are inferior to Croatia. The truth is, the potential is still there. Just like it was after Euro 2004. And the 2006 World Cup. Yet, England lack the tactics, the mentality and the coach to acheive the very best results. McClaren did so many things wrong during his reign, yet it was hard to not fell a touch of sympathy. The man has made some poor decisions but the players have let him donw in the extreme.

So, as I’m sure millions of people will be asking today, where did it go so dramatically wrong for England? Well, the 2-0 reverse in Croatia is most definately a turning point. McClaren got it worng there with his formation and tactics - it seemed as if he was being pressured into playing a ridiculous 3-5-2 formation with substandard players like Michael Carrick and Scott Parker in midfield. It was set up all wrong and you can blame Robinson all you want, but the truth is he was our best player in a game where we were outplayed, out-thought, and overrun in all departments. This was followed up by the dire 0-0 draw in Israel and the turgid 3-0 win in Andorra, a game in which the half time score was 0-0. McClaren had lost the fans and he hadn’t even reached double figures in terms of games.

Progress was made, slightly, with the return of Michael Owen, England’s only garantueed goal scorer. He scored in the wins over Estonia, Israel and Russia, a game in which he was electric. Suddenly, England had their hopes up. Gareth Barry brought a kind of balance in midfield, that was so lacking with Frank Lampard in the team. For a few games Emile Heskey provided Owen with the support he needed and was widely credited. Micah Richards finally brought some pace down the right even if he was playing in defence. Everything seemed right and a draw in Russia would practically secure qualification.

McClaren called it ‘4 minutes of madness’. England played well in Moscow on a pitch far more suited to the home team and led through Wayne Rooney’s excellant goal. By the end of the game, England’s hopes were in tatters as a dodgy penalty and a tame tap in gave Russia a fortunate win. England needed a miracle. Suddenly, McClaren was unpopular again. Being England manager, it seemed, was a slippery slope.

Israel pulled off a surprise by beating Russia and suddenly, the feelgood factor was back. England needed a regulation draw over Croatia at Wembley and all was secure. Then McClaren tinkered. He abandoned the 4-4-2 that had served England so well in recent games. He forgot the fact when Peter Crouch plays, England’s football becomes one dimensional and predictable. McClaren played a bold 4-5-1 formation with the inexperienced Scott Carson in goal, an extremely weak defence and Peter Crouch up front by himself. Hardly the bold formation needed to win a crucial game of football. England imploded on a wet and miserable night and although they fought back bravely to 2-2, there was a predictablility about Croatia’s winner. And, when it was over, England were out.

It is still hard to believe, a day later. McClaren has been sacked and rightfully so. English football lies in ruins, with no-one knowing what to expect next.

My own personal preferance would be anyone from Martin O’Neill, Jose Mourinho or Luis Felipe Scolari to take on the role next. I’d also like a complete reshuffle of how theings are run and organised. New regimes, new coachs, new players. Ashley Young, James Milner, David Bentley, these types of players. England have to build for 2010, they need to get the old guard out and get the new fresh players in. Lampard, Beckham, Campbell, Neville, these types of players shouldn’t really be persevered with.

Dark days are ahead, and there are few positives. It’s fairly safe to say that no-one really comes out of this sad, sad state of affairs with a positive reputation.