Right now I've had a few hours to think about the game I'm going to post my overall thoughts about the game and England's tournament overall.
Today:
We simply weren't good enough, but then again I don't think the Germans were all that brilliant. The disallowed goal was a massive decision that I think cost us the game. We had got our undeserved first and then our 2nd. Even with that goal disallowed the Germans were rocking for the last 10 minutes of the half and didn't start the 2nd too well. We were truly awful for those first 30 minutes but we should have been level after 40. This doesn't, however, justify the lack of passion we showed in the 2nd half. Though again I don't think we would have that many players up for the free kick that led to the 3rd German goal. Why Barry didn't hit a shot at goal I don't know. Overall very poor effort and I'm amazed that Cappello thought it was good! Playing two slow players in the middle of the defence doesn't help. Luckily Slovenia had slow strikers but even the not particularly pacy Klose had too much for our boys. Thought James should have done better for the 1st and 3rd goal.
Overall:
A disaster. Luckily the French debacle managed to take most of the attention off us. We had a squad full of players who aren't even regulars at their clubs. The following players I have picked out for particular criticism:
Rob Green: We all know why.
Glen Johnson: Seemingly unable to defend.
Gareth Barry: 10 times better when out of the team.
Joe Cole: See above.
Emile Heskey: Can't get a regular spot for Villa yet played in every WC game. Expectations are so low that if he wins a few headers he's had a good game.
Wayne Rooney: Just didn't perform. Seemed unfit to me.
The management had a mare for me as well. Capello has proved he is a top club manager but leaves a lot to desire as an international game. He seemed to struggle with the intense media scrutiny. Language still seems to be a problem as he spent most of the games going mental but apparently didn't get a message across. He also took a few players i personally wouldn't of taken and left Johnson, a talented left winger, at home choosing to stick one of the best central midfielders in the world out on the left. While the Germans have been happy to give youth a chance we seem scared to. Can the FA afford to sack him? Having strangely decided to offer Cappello a new deal pre-WC we are in a position where I believe it would cost £9mil to sack him.
The Future:
Who ever takes charge needs to start looking to the future. A lot of the "Golden Age" players have now probably played in their last World Cup. We do have good young players coming through they just need a chance. The man in charge, be it Cappello or others, need to decide if we look to the next World Cup or concentrate on the Euros. Look at the experience the Germans had today, players of 25 with 70 caps. If we give these young players a chance they will get the time to mature into international calibre players.
Also today has shown the need for video to be used in football. Can you think of another major sport that doesn't use video refs to make decisions? A flag system such as the one in the NFL would work IMO. The manager of a team can ask the 4th official to double check a big decision they think is wrong. Limiting the flags to 2 a half would stop frivolous appeals and stop teams World Cups being ruined.
Probably rambling and probably a load of rubbish but that's my opinion on the tournament and our team. Feel free to fire holes in it as there will be many.
