This round of 16 has served to depress me. Without overstating the problem, it seems clear that we belong in a second tier group of nations. We were unlucky with our group and just as unlucky with the order in which we played our games - I still maintain that Costa Rica got lucky by playing Uruguay without Suarez, then playing Italy after Italy's draining match with England in the jungle - but the fact remains that we are now just another 2nd tier footballing nation. We are no better than Chile, the US, Mexico and a bunch of others. And these days you really wouldn't put your mortgage on us beating the likes of either Australia or Algeria.
Scotland have it even worse. They haven't qualified for a major tournament in decades, and haven't threatened to do so. I know they are small nation, but Europe is littered with successful small nations (the Baltics, Scandinavia, central Europe) and Scotland were one once. As for Wales, don't even go there.
I know people in this country put their club before country, BUT isn't it the job of the FA to ensure this is possible without damaging the national team? Instead we've got a situation where we just let in any old wealthy ownership group (however dodgy) and they buy the best players from elsewhere. Where is the joined-up thinking?
Watching the USA last night beaten but not disgraced, served to depress me. Their league seems Bundesliga-lite to me. Costs are reigned in, yet they have provided some decent players to the WC (predominantly for their home nation USA, but with a smattering of others), and it has benefitted the US national team. Germany is the same on a larger scale. Who has really benefitted from the Premier League or the terribly run Scottish alternative? Not the England or Scotland national teams, that's for sure. The money hasn't fed downwards. We don't have enough coaches, our facilities are a disgrace in parts of the country. It's shameful.
Honestly, I think there is a case for the government intervention now. I don't think the FA, SFA or FAW are fit for purpose.
Scotland have it even worse. They haven't qualified for a major tournament in decades, and haven't threatened to do so. I know they are small nation, but Europe is littered with successful small nations (the Baltics, Scandinavia, central Europe) and Scotland were one once. As for Wales, don't even go there.
I know people in this country put their club before country, BUT isn't it the job of the FA to ensure this is possible without damaging the national team? Instead we've got a situation where we just let in any old wealthy ownership group (however dodgy) and they buy the best players from elsewhere. Where is the joined-up thinking?
Watching the USA last night beaten but not disgraced, served to depress me. Their league seems Bundesliga-lite to me. Costs are reigned in, yet they have provided some decent players to the WC (predominantly for their home nation USA, but with a smattering of others), and it has benefitted the US national team. Germany is the same on a larger scale. Who has really benefitted from the Premier League or the terribly run Scottish alternative? Not the England or Scotland national teams, that's for sure. The money hasn't fed downwards. We don't have enough coaches, our facilities are a disgrace in parts of the country. It's shameful.
Honestly, I think there is a case for the government intervention now. I don't think the FA, SFA or FAW are fit for purpose.
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