England Vs Germany The Verdict

After an horrific result for England and their fans the post match analysis looks set to continue into the coming weeks and months. Losing 4-1 to arch rivals Germany is about as harsh as it gets for the English and it still remains to be seen as to who will become the inevitable scape-goat.

Firstly, let’s clear something up. That ‘goal’ Lampard was not given changed the game. People who think that regardless of the decision we still would have lost 4-2 are looking at this from a very narrow minded and illogical position. If England went into half-time at 2-2 the whole game would have changed. Capello would have demanded a more defensive approach and would have not thrown everybody forward looking for an equalizer. The Germans in turn would perhaps have felt the pressure and disappointment of giving away a two-goal lead and could have crumbled. Technology must be introduced, it is used in most other top sports including rugby, tennis and cricket and this does not take anything away from the greatness of these sports. This clanger cannot be ignored, now is the time to act FIFA.

This is not to say England fans should not be angry about their teams performance. Whilst many will point to ‘overpayed’ players who don’t care enough about the game anymore, the biggest disappiontment was probably the team’s head coach. Fabio Capello has to all extents and purposes has had an extremely poor World Cup. Capello never looked in control of his team and the in camp unrest should have signaled the obvious failings of the

England manager. Questions that will be asked such as; why Heskey, why no Joe Cole, and perhaps the most intriguing one of all, why keep playing players out of position, will probably never be answered.

For a man with the record of Capello England fans expected much more and rightly so.  An Italian coach with a tragically poor back-line was before today unthinkable to many football fans in the world. Capello has to go now, it is time for an English manager who can fire up the troops, this time hopefully one who has plenty of experience at the top level unlike the unwise appointment of Steve MaClaren.

Roy Hodgson is the obvious choice having managed at Inter Milan and having worked wonders at lowly Fulham. A man who gets the best out of a relatively poor squad week in week out could give the England team the lift they need in order to perform at the highest level.

As for now England fans can look forward to a summer of inquests and many nervous times wondering what the inadequate FA will do to change things. Given recent history, however, I don’t think many fans will be getting their hopes up too soon.

Premier League Preview: Fulham-ManCity

Fulham

Roy Hodgson was one of the managers of the season last year. Getting Fulham into Europe is no easy task, en route Fulham beat Manchester United again no easy task. With a limited transfer budget it is tough to see Fulham matching their exploits of last season but with such a solid squad atmosphere and very proffesional players who knows?

Having signed Bjorn Helge Riise for 1.5 million and Stephen Kelly for an undisclosed fee and no key departures this summer it it is not easy to make a case for Fulham improving as a side. However, continuity would be more than enough for Hodgson this season.

Prediction 9th

Hull City

Wow, what a season Hull had last year. Their first season in the Premier League was less a roller coaster and more a large mountain. After a wonderful start, winning at Arsenal in the process there was even talk of European qualification for the ‘Tigers’, however, after a mauling by Manchester City and that infamous half time team talk on the pitch Hull fell dramatically perhaps a little fortunate to stay up on the last day of the season.

Having signed Steven Mouyokolo and more importantly Stoke’s Seyl Olofinjana, Hull will hope they have enough to survive again. The reality, though, is that if they do not significantly strengthen further they can only go one way…down. Manager Phil Brown has complained that players do not seem to want to sign for Hull and this could ultimately be their downfall.

They have kept the nucleaus of their squad but this does not seem enough to rectify the fact that during the last half of the season Hull were the worst team in the division.

Prediciton 19th

Liverpool

This is a massive season for Liverpool. If they fail to capitalise on last season and do not improve to take the league title then you have to wonder how long Torres and Gerrard will put up with it. The two stars seem to be carrying the team and with the loss of Xavi Alonso a huge blow, Alberto Aquilani will have to be one hell of a replacement to help improve the side.

The signing of Glen Johnson should provide a boost to the attacking elements of Liverpool, however, he is yet to convince defensively and at £17 million he could prove another costly mistake a la Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant.

With apparent financial worries this may be the last year Liverpool can hold their players together and you have to think that if the season does not go to plan players will leave in the summer. Also Benitez may buckle under the pressure and decide to move on should a top job in Spain beckon.

Keeping Gerrard and Torres fit will be the key, if they do this they could make a real title challenge, if not they will most likely be well off the pace.

Prediction 3rd

Manchester City

A year on from the Dubai big money take over, it is still a shock to many to see Mark Hughes as manager. Hardly known for his elegant teams Hughes has somehow kept his job despite a disappointing first season in charge. He will have to deliver the goods this season to keep his job and if he fails to do this transfer budgets cannot be the excuse.

The talk of the off-season (bar Real Madrid), Manchester City have spent big and have got everyone talking. Not least by their signing of former Manchester United player Carlos Tevez, it is strange to see City have the financial advantage over their fierce rivals but they fought off apparent interest from Chelsea and Liverpool also to secure Tevez’s signature.

Arsenal also seem to have given in to City selling two of their best players in Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor. City will now feel they have a chance of taking the ‘Gunners’ expected last Champions League place.

Another coup is the signing of Gareth Barry who last season said he would only leave Aston Villa for Champions League football, however, it turns out that money is more of a factor and after rejecting Liverpool last year. £12 million could look a bargain come the end of the season.

The most expected transfer of the summer also happened as Roque Santa Cruz’s sulking finally won through and Blackburn let him go for a cool £18 million.

With so many forwards it is hard to see where they will all fit in. Tevez and Adebayor are unlikely to accept anything other than starting roles and Robinho and Santa Cruz won’t be expecting to miss out either.

Reinforcements at the back are still needed and should City sign Lescott then they could possibly challenge for Europe. However, missing out on John Terry, Samuel Eto’o and Kaka could prove their undoing as most of their signings will not be majorly feared by the top clubs. Adebayor, Toure and Santa Cruz had poor seasons last year and Tevez was mainly a substitute at United.

Prediction: 6th