Football Focus

[Atticus]

yep and Liverpool fans I'm sure will be perplexed (those not from Norway).

[Jah Lush]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> Go on Woy, show the FA what you're made of. Wonder

> what the Spurs excuse will be now that the FA have

> said they've only approached the one manager.

Why? Who? Do you give a shit? I think not.

[Undisputedtruth]

I guess it makes more sense to appoint Roy Hodgson for the England job given his international experience.

[maxxi]

Yeah - International experience at a low level. But he is of course "one of the most respected coaches in Europe" (as he himself is always keen to point out whenever anyone dares criticise him).

He has never shown he can handle big name players and - imho - is pompous, self important (a perfect fit for the FA blazers) and autocratically unimaginative.

He will probably make Bobby Zamora Rooney's main strike partner and will insist players wear ties at all times. What England players need is inspiration and the encouragement to display the talent they show at club level (and shed the inhibitions they usually show and the fear they appear to play under). The last manager to do that was El Tel and the only one who could do it atm is Redknapp.

#Graham Taylor mkII.

[Otta]

I think the biggest issue is hios ability to deal with the egos.

[Undisputedtruth]

I'm not so sure, Maxxi. He has managed Inter Milan and took Switzerland to the 1994 world cup.

[Mick Mac]

Otta Wrote:

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> I think the biggest issue is hios ability to deal

> with the egos.

Unlike with Liverpool, for England he does not need to select the bigger egos. At club level big money is paid for players and they need to be on the pitch - at international level there are no such obligations. It will be interesting to see his first squad selection to see if its a new era or the old guard, or somewhere in between.

I remember when Bobby Robson left out Kevin Keegan from his first squad.

[StraferJack]

Indeed Mick

It's interesting how many people mention the ego dressing rooms, as if the manager who can't handle them is the problem, and not the egos

I would argue it's those same egos which has played a large part in England failures

[red devil]

What Maxxi said.

Currently England are the West Brom of the international scene (forget FIFA rankings), so in that respect it's a perfect fit too.

The only good thing to come out of this is that the fans' expectations will now be lowered, and therefore less disappointment will ensue when we fail to get out of the group stage...

[Otta]

Indeed Mick

It's interesting how many people mention the ego dressing rooms, as if the manager who can't handle them is the problem, and not the egos

I would argue it's those same egos which has played a large part in England failures

Don't think anyone has blamed the manager for not being able to deal with the egos, and yes, the egos are the problem. The answer? Either drop the egos, but risk dropping your best players, or put the egos in their place, like a Ferguson would be able to do.

Will be interesting to see whether he picks any Liverpool players!

[Chippy Minton]

I agree with Otta. We need to pick our best players regardless of their egos. A good manager - and the England manager is meant to be the very best - should be able to deal with the modern multi-millionaries like Ferguson does with Rooney, Ferdinand, Nani et al. If you have to drop people because you can't manage their egos, you aren't good enough to be the England manager.

[maxxi]

Egos schmegos - Capello (who was picked because of his international experience and supposed tactical nous) knew how to handle egos and he was the choice of the egos in the England dressing room (apparently) - besides, it wasn't egos that had England playing like frightened rabbits it was FEAR and the last thing they need is a headmaster telling them what to do.

So how is Hodgson better than, or an alternative to, Capello?

England need different.

[Undisputedtruth]

England need different.

Mourhino perhaps. Players seems to respect him and he respects English football.

I don't think there will be a perfect England manager though.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Here you go Mick, choke on that

http://www.luxury-insider.com/uploads/news/2011/09/charly300_2.jpg

Will be interesting to see if Rangers develop a really good youth side/training programme now they are restricted on transfers. I've long thought that overeseas players should be limited per side in order to bring on young talent.

[Jah Lush]

Hmmm.... it'll always be a two horse race in Scotland though.

As for Woy's appointment he does have the international and European experience that Harry doesn't and of course he is the cheaper option at ?2 million a year. Whereas Harry's buyout clause alone is according some newspaper reports as much as ?15 million. Daniel Levy has been very shrewd in looking after his club's "asset" to keep the FA away from what would perhaps have been the people's and the popular press's choice and as a Spurs fan I'd prefer it if Harry stayed right where he is.

[Otta]

As a Liverpool supporter, I want to see Roy do well, and wish him the very best of luck. Have been quite shocked at some of the comments I've seen on FB, calling him a c**t and a born loser. Liverpool got rid of him and gave Kenny the job, why would people still hold a grudge?!?

[citizenED]

Great mind-games from Fergie, cunningly losing 1-0 to Citeh knowing that Utd will stuff Swansea 12-0 on Sunday.

[Parkdrive]

Knight of the realm squaring up to Mancini, shame your team didn't carry the same fight to City that you did.

[maxxi]

A minor spat during the game - at least he had the dignity to shake hands at the end - something not every manager has the grace (Wenger I'm looking at you) to do.

[red devil]

Last night's result was a setback, but I'm sure there will be at least one more twist in the title race.

It's going to be a bit of a footy fest in the coming week, Chelsea v Toon, play-offs, FA Cup Final, the big Sunday games, and then part 2 of play-offs...enjoy the ride

[Bluerevolution]

I never felt more like singing the blues when City win and utd loose, oh City you got me singing the blues !

My throat and head are killing ! Our pub was packed to the rafters with Blues !

Me and RD last night ! ;-)

[Mick Mac]

Well done BR ! Its your to lose now.

[woodrot]

I dunno what to think on this - MU have grown on me as a well structured, well managed team, albeit with a rather high wanker quotient as both fans and players. MC are shouty new money tosspots who do play good football, but are inevitably doomed to implode when their banker departs.Neither of which invoke much empathy in me , but spose MU have a narrow lead.

As long as the racists of Chelsea and Liverpool trail in their wake however, I am content.

[Otta]

Yeah, cos everyone at Chelsea and Liverpool is a racist.

[Bluerevolution]

Red Devil and Laddy Muck, I know today is pretty miserable but help is at hand call 0800 1-6-1-6-1-6 or 0800 1-0-1-0-1-0