England's planning for Euros long way off
Source: Agencies |
March 2, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Little more than three months before England kicks off against France at the Euro 2012 finals, the country's planning for the tournament appears to be at the "blank sheet of paper" stage.
While a 2-3 home defeat against World Cup runner-up Netherlands on Wednesday appears no disgrace, the scoreline papers over the fact that England has rarely appeared less prepared for a major competition.
Fabio Capello's resignation last month, while cheered by many, has left England looking like a work in progress when the serious contenders for Euro 2012 such as Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands are all-systems go.
The problem is, nobody is quite sure of what England's finished article will look like, who will create it or who will lead it on to the pitch in Donetsk, Ukraine, on June 11.
"Get on With it" was the Daily Mail's headline yesterday in response to the uncertainty.
While Stuart Pearce, the under 21 manager, took charge of the senior team at Wembley on Wednesday he conceded afterwards he is not a long-term option as England manager.
The team he sent out against the Dutch on Wednesday, surprisingly captained by Tottenham Hotspur's Scott Parker ahead of obvious candidate Steven Gerrard, displayed plenty of English attributes like running, aggression and chasing lost causes.
It also lacked creativity, rhythm and the kind of nous that wins major tournaments - an all too familiar failing.
Pearce remained upbeat despite the defeat. "We came up against an outstanding side and the exercise will stand our young players in good stead."
While a 2-3 home defeat against World Cup runner-up Netherlands on Wednesday appears no disgrace, the scoreline papers over the fact that England has rarely appeared less prepared for a major competition.
Fabio Capello's resignation last month, while cheered by many, has left England looking like a work in progress when the serious contenders for Euro 2012 such as Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands are all-systems go.
The problem is, nobody is quite sure of what England's finished article will look like, who will create it or who will lead it on to the pitch in Donetsk, Ukraine, on June 11.
"Get on With it" was the Daily Mail's headline yesterday in response to the uncertainty.
While Stuart Pearce, the under 21 manager, took charge of the senior team at Wembley on Wednesday he conceded afterwards he is not a long-term option as England manager.
The team he sent out against the Dutch on Wednesday, surprisingly captained by Tottenham Hotspur's Scott Parker ahead of obvious candidate Steven Gerrard, displayed plenty of English attributes like running, aggression and chasing lost causes.
It also lacked creativity, rhythm and the kind of nous that wins major tournaments - an all too familiar failing.
Pearce remained upbeat despite the defeat. "We came up against an outstanding side and the exercise will stand our young players in good stead."
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