Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
England coach Steve McLaren faces a stormy six months ahead as his team tries to bounce back in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
A lot hinges on the showdown against Israel in March and later against Russia. McLaren’s job will be on the line if England fail to qualify. There is a clause in his contract which can allow the FA to terminate his contract after two years.
The critics have already sharpened their knives and are waiting to plunge it in.
But is it really fair to judge McLaren after just a few months on the job? Every coach needs a fair run before he can put things in order.
McLaren may have made a few mistakes but he cannot be faulted for trying. His dropping of David Beckham was hasty and probably a knee-jerk reaction for the defeat in Germany.
Abandoning the trusted 4-4-2 combination for the 3-5-2 type at a crucial stage in the qualifying may seem silly. But McLaren has pointed out that you need to get away from familiar and take some risks if things are not working out.
May be the timing of the risk may seem foolish but things needed to change to revive English football.
Going through 40 years without a major trophy does not make very good reading for a team which starts tournaments as one of the favourites.
Ultimately results count in sport and England are far behind their European rivals in this regard.
Croatian coach Slaven Bilic says that England are deluding themselves if they think they are a great team. He says that England seem to expect to beat teams like Croatia just by turning up.
It is not lack of respect, but they have this superior attitude about themselves, he says.
May be Bilic is right. The England players need to be told a few home truths about themselves.
There are many players who do star turns for their clubs day in and day out but when given an England shirt they simply fade away in mediocrity.
England’s poor run has brought about fervent calls to bring back Beckham. McLaren should certainly consider this option, as Beckham still is one the best footballers England has produced.
France’s recall of its veterans for the World Cup was a shining example of playing the best irrespective of age.
Beckham may have slowed down a bit but his exceptional football ability is still there. McLaren should go for Beckham if he is fit next March. Even having the great man on the bench will be a source of comfort for England.
If England need to get somewhere in football, then McLaren certainly deserves a chance. He knows that there is a rough path ahead of him but he needs support to get his team to the other side. Let him do it his way before the final judgement.
