Fabio Capello commented today that to coach the English football team he only needed 100 words. This got me thinking is this true? The English football manager job is one of the most high pressure jobs in the world. It is a job that breaks careers. It is like the president of the United States. Once you have been English football manager your career is over. In recent memory only Bobby Robson has managed to have a successful career post England.
What are the 100 words needed to coach England? Probably irrelevant, have we been making the hardest job in sport too complicated? Or has Fabio Capello lost the plot as many suspect. He is a man whose reputation has been dragged through the mud. It is not helped by the fact that he has made many U turns regarding the England football captain. He had a poor world cup beset by poor decisions.
The problem is that as much as the English public think that the England football team is fantastic. Occasionally these much vaunted players need direction. This direction has to come from a coach who understands his players and communicate simply his vision for the side. If 100 words are enough then the Euro championships in 2012 will be the test.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Super Fifteen Skills
As I posted yesterday I am worried about how good the All Black backs will be in the next world cup. If you haven't seen the skill levels click on the video. Not sure how true it is but impressive none the less.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Super Rugby and World Cup
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon today, I was sore after rugby yesterday. It seemed appropriate to spend the day channel surfing. I happily stumbled upon the super fifteen match between the Canterbury Crusaders and the Natal Sharks being played for the first time at Twickenham. What started as a relaxing afternoon of rugby watching gave me some serious food for thought regarding the world cup later on in the year.
After the six nation's I was hopeful about the state of the northern hemisphere rugby. the English were starting to develop a pattern. Ireland were looking like a side who remembered that they were a good side. Finally the French were beginning to play. So what has dented my confidence?
Firstly the crusaders, they were a side playing with the emotion that a damaged city could give them. They looked very sharp. It is obvious that The All Blacks have potentially an unstoppable midfield. Dan Carter deserves the title of a great player. He now has Sonny Bill Williams outside him this combination of two physical, skilful footballers could be devastating. Carter has it all pace, power and a brain. Sonny Bill Williams has an incredible offload that, given the right support opens up a field.
Of course a back line is only as good as the pack of forwards in front of them. The Natal sharks had a tremendous pack full of hard running South Africans. The Sharks pack also had tremendous heart which kept them competing until the end. They were bested by a Crusaders pack that had the raw boned, aggressiveness expected from a New Zealand pack. Every forward looked comfortable on the ball and every forward looked to run.
What could this mean for the world cup? I believe that as in most rugby matches the game will be won and lost up front, particularly the back row. I think that it will be finely balanced up front. It may all depend upon the weather. The Northern Hemisphere forward's will have the advantage if the weather is bad. especially if they can impose a mauling technical game. If the Southern Hemisphere win enough ball I fear any of the six nations sides will struggle. Out wide the Southern Hemisphere sides have a definite advantage. I don't think anybody can match Carter, Williams or Giteau.
Just prove it click the video to see All Black Skills:
After the six nation's I was hopeful about the state of the northern hemisphere rugby. the English were starting to develop a pattern. Ireland were looking like a side who remembered that they were a good side. Finally the French were beginning to play. So what has dented my confidence?
Firstly the crusaders, they were a side playing with the emotion that a damaged city could give them. They looked very sharp. It is obvious that The All Blacks have potentially an unstoppable midfield. Dan Carter deserves the title of a great player. He now has Sonny Bill Williams outside him this combination of two physical, skilful footballers could be devastating. Carter has it all pace, power and a brain. Sonny Bill Williams has an incredible offload that, given the right support opens up a field.
Of course a back line is only as good as the pack of forwards in front of them. The Natal sharks had a tremendous pack full of hard running South Africans. The Sharks pack also had tremendous heart which kept them competing until the end. They were bested by a Crusaders pack that had the raw boned, aggressiveness expected from a New Zealand pack. Every forward looked comfortable on the ball and every forward looked to run.
What could this mean for the world cup? I believe that as in most rugby matches the game will be won and lost up front, particularly the back row. I think that it will be finely balanced up front. It may all depend upon the weather. The Northern Hemisphere forward's will have the advantage if the weather is bad. especially if they can impose a mauling technical game. If the Southern Hemisphere win enough ball I fear any of the six nations sides will struggle. Out wide the Southern Hemisphere sides have a definite advantage. I don't think anybody can match Carter, Williams or Giteau.
Just prove it click the video to see All Black Skills:
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Scrum
The six nations was a very interesting tournament as discussed in a previous blog. Rugby union as usual has an issue with the laws of the game. The biggest problem at the moment is the scrum.
At the moment the international rugby scrum breaks up the game and the flow of the game. The issue at the moment is the referee. Currently the referee calls the the two pack together, then crouch, touch pause and engage. Inevitably the scrum collapses the ball does not go in. The referee then either calls the scrum again or a penalty. This all takes time. My solution would be simple, no crouch or pause just touch and engage. This allows the props with the best technique to dominate the scrum.
At the moment the international rugby scrum breaks up the game and the flow of the game. The issue at the moment is the referee. Currently the referee calls the the two pack together, then crouch, touch pause and engage. Inevitably the scrum collapses the ball does not go in. The referee then either calls the scrum again or a penalty. This all takes time. My solution would be simple, no crouch or pause just touch and engage. This allows the props with the best technique to dominate the scrum.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
The 6 nations 2011 in retrospect
The six nations 2011 has ended. So what have we learnt; originally I tweeted that the southern hemisphere had nothing to fear. I think I may have been too hasty. Country by country I think the six nations has been an excellent build up to the world cup.
Italy
A six nations championship for Italy normally means one gutsy performance against a celtic nation, followed by a destruction by England and France. This time out the Italian's beat the French. This step should not be under-estimated. It shows progression, the most interesting and important thing about the Italian progression is that the back line has improved. Always competent in the forwards the improvement in the backs has meant Italy have made the step needed to make them genuine contenders and a danger for any of the world cup contenders.
Scotland
A bit of mixed bag for the Scots. If we look back to Autumn Scotland had improved beating a southern hemisphere side. February and March have not been kind, the real issue with Scottish rugby is resources. Lack of players means that Scottish rugby will always struggle. Andy Robinson has moulded his forwards into a tough set of players who never give much away. Tries were Scotland's problem and without a cutting edge Scotland will always struggle.
Wales
Wales are a side potentially blessed with creative flair. However; it seems to be stifled. Wales historically are a side that love to play ball in hand. It seems everything is not good in the principality. Wales have a coaching team that have fallen out with each other. The bigger problem maybe that Warren Gatland is stifling creativity. James Hook is played at fly half but looks scared to play his natural game. Blaming Gatland may seem harsh however he has form in doing this too players witness the Ireland side he coached.
Ireland
Ireland are an enigma. They struggled all the way through autumn looking shabby and dis-organised. This did not improve throughout the six nations, until the final match against England. Ireland walloped England, possibly this was to be expected. Ireland are a good side with world class players O'Driscoll and O'Connell among Ireland's greatest ever. I think the lack of form early in the season and the return to form now show that Ireland could be a world cup dark horse.
France
France were once again a reflection of the coaching strategy. Livremont goes through players too quickly. Beaten by Italy and England. Lucky against Ireland and Scotland. Blessed with potentially exciting players which France will turn up in New Zealand who knows?
England
England deserved this six nations championship. They were the side who were most consistent. Martin Johnson is proving himself as manager. They are a young side with great potential the forwards are developing into a tremendous unit. The backs are starting to function and look dangerous. Any side that can bring Jonny Wilkinson off the bench is always going to be a threat.
World Cup Prospects
The southern hemisphere will always benefit from home advantage in the next world cup. The fact it is in New Zealand should benefit the all blacks. However; pressure maybe the home sides downfall especially with the emotional pressure post Christchurch earthquake. France and England will always be a threat, Ireland maybe dark horses especially as this will be the last hurrah of a great Irish side. Wales have issues to sort out behind closed doors let them run and they could beat anybody. Scotland and Italy could cause upsets if taken too lightly. This world cup could be a fascinating tournament.
Italy
A six nations championship for Italy normally means one gutsy performance against a celtic nation, followed by a destruction by England and France. This time out the Italian's beat the French. This step should not be under-estimated. It shows progression, the most interesting and important thing about the Italian progression is that the back line has improved. Always competent in the forwards the improvement in the backs has meant Italy have made the step needed to make them genuine contenders and a danger for any of the world cup contenders.
Scotland
A bit of mixed bag for the Scots. If we look back to Autumn Scotland had improved beating a southern hemisphere side. February and March have not been kind, the real issue with Scottish rugby is resources. Lack of players means that Scottish rugby will always struggle. Andy Robinson has moulded his forwards into a tough set of players who never give much away. Tries were Scotland's problem and without a cutting edge Scotland will always struggle.
Wales
Wales are a side potentially blessed with creative flair. However; it seems to be stifled. Wales historically are a side that love to play ball in hand. It seems everything is not good in the principality. Wales have a coaching team that have fallen out with each other. The bigger problem maybe that Warren Gatland is stifling creativity. James Hook is played at fly half but looks scared to play his natural game. Blaming Gatland may seem harsh however he has form in doing this too players witness the Ireland side he coached.
Ireland
Ireland are an enigma. They struggled all the way through autumn looking shabby and dis-organised. This did not improve throughout the six nations, until the final match against England. Ireland walloped England, possibly this was to be expected. Ireland are a good side with world class players O'Driscoll and O'Connell among Ireland's greatest ever. I think the lack of form early in the season and the return to form now show that Ireland could be a world cup dark horse.
France
France were once again a reflection of the coaching strategy. Livremont goes through players too quickly. Beaten by Italy and England. Lucky against Ireland and Scotland. Blessed with potentially exciting players which France will turn up in New Zealand who knows?
England
England deserved this six nations championship. They were the side who were most consistent. Martin Johnson is proving himself as manager. They are a young side with great potential the forwards are developing into a tremendous unit. The backs are starting to function and look dangerous. Any side that can bring Jonny Wilkinson off the bench is always going to be a threat.
World Cup Prospects
The southern hemisphere will always benefit from home advantage in the next world cup. The fact it is in New Zealand should benefit the all blacks. However; pressure maybe the home sides downfall especially with the emotional pressure post Christchurch earthquake. France and England will always be a threat, Ireland maybe dark horses especially as this will be the last hurrah of a great Irish side. Wales have issues to sort out behind closed doors let them run and they could beat anybody. Scotland and Italy could cause upsets if taken too lightly. This world cup could be a fascinating tournament.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Time to Blog again
England have had made a tremendous start to the six nations. I have decided to resume blogging sport once more not because of England resurgence rather the discipline is good for me. I wrote at about this time last year that Martin Johnson had to given time to be able to establish himself and establish a pattern of play. He has done this and with tremendous success. The forwards are playing with confidence and forceful English brutality. They have withstood the brutal scrummaging of the French and the fluidity of the Welsh. The half-backs are starting to find form with Toby Flood finally filling the large boots of a certain J Wilkinson.
Is their a concern yes the centre look short of ideas the back three are playing well. This covers up for the lack of creativity of Tindall and Harpe in the midfield. More to follow at the end of the six nations.
Is their a concern yes the centre look short of ideas the back three are playing well. This covers up for the lack of creativity of Tindall and Harpe in the midfield. More to follow at the end of the six nations.
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