Prepare For Glory!

It's been four years. Four years since that reckless swing of the head that defied all logic, four years since that unforgiving cross-bar that took it all away, four years since that wrong penalty decision that broke a million hearts or more, four years since that impudent wink that threatened to destroy a friendship, four years since that irresistible left footed volley that preceded pure ecstasy, four years since that reckless challenge that still evades redemption, four years since that blatant dive that the referee failed to punish, four years since that unforgivable blunder that keeps tormenting as a unbearable memory, four years since that feeling of happiness so pure, so untainted that raced through Italian hearts in that historic night. It’s been four year since that inconsolable defeat that destroyed dreams of nations, defeats that will never be forgotten but defeats that now seem atonable. For the four years of wait has passed and the courage to hope has been rescued. We are ready to cast off our self-pity and grow from our mistakes of the past to belong in the present. For now is the time to correct those mistakes, to amend previous failures, to redress the conclusions of history. Now is the time to prepare for enemies the world ruled are greater than us, to prepare for battles that will echo for eternity, to prepare for our chance to prove the world wrong. Though we fell on the battlefields of Germany, we have risen from our defeated ash, licked our wounds, and built in ourselves a will to excel. We are determined to get our hands wrapped around that hallowed statuette and we will take on anyone that threatens to derail us. We’ve regretted our mistakes, we’ve toiled for redemption, we’ve studied our enemies, we’ve worked hard on our strategies, we’ve conquered our fear. We’ve done everything that was needed to be done, in fact we’ve done more and if Destiny says we don’t deserve it this time we are ready to prove her wrong. For the next one month we will not follow the whims of destiny, destiny will follow us. The splendor of history rots in our nostalgic mind, the promise of a wonderful future will just not do, we want our glory and we want it now. This is our time. We are ready. Everything is set for our battle with fate, we’ll either fight with her or if need be we’ll fight against her, South Africa beckons, the World Cup begins. All that’s left, is to play some football.



"When there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph."- Pierre Corneille

Rooney for president

The memories of that night in San Siro still haunts many of us. And though the score line yesterday was better that what we had to suffer there, the feeling of revenge was not complete. The AC Milan side is not nearly what it was all those years ago. There was no satisfaction of beating an elite side. And the fact that Milan are the second team in Serie A, rather than being a praise for the Milan team is a valid question of the quality and standard of the Italian league. The threats they posses are threadbare. All they have are the aging legs of Ronaldihno, Seerdorf, Pirlo, Gattuso. The problems they face almost mirror the problems that United have, the inability to replace past heroes. There is a crowd of central midfielders among the ranks at united, but barring Fletcher no one is really a big performer. Carrick, Gibson, Anderson. No one stands out. The need to replace Scholesy is becoming more and more crucial. United are asking a lot from the legs of Giggs and Scholes. It’s about time Nani stepped up. Valencia has been brilliant in his first season. An attacking midfielder and a proper striker have to be the prime objective for the new season.
Seeing Rooney perform time after time as a lone striker must give Fabio Capello something to think about. I would definitely play him alone up front and pay the medical staff at Tottenham a whole stash of cash to make sure Aaron Lennon is available for the big tournament. With Rooney’s astounding development in heading ability a proper crosser of the ball is essential. Maybe the inclusion of David Beckham wouldn’t be such a bad idea. He showed yesterday he can still cross the ball and cross it with the highest quality.

Still Unanswered

England 3-1 Egypt
That game didn’t help. At all. It did nothing to answer any of the questions asked of this England team. After a horrible first half, the team did pick it up in the second but nothing to say that this is the team that will win the world cup. Why does anyone even bother with Walcott these days? Remember when there was a tug of war between Liverpool and Arsenal for him, when he was supposed to be the next big English international? How far behind do those days seem now? He just runs. He should definitely not be on the squad. SWP did better. Well, he couldn’t do any worse. Wes Brown looked okay in the right back slot. That is the problem with England I guess. There are way too many 'okay' performances but too little brilliant ones. And yesterday's performance was nothing but okay. And though Crouch scored a brace, I would rather play Rooney up front on his own. Gerrard likes to play in the middle, so let him play in the middle. And most important get Aaron Lennon fit. He is essential. Absolutely essential. With all the names involved in the squad, the England team seems to be very imbalanced. There are a lot of promises that need to be fulfilled. And this is not the right time to take reverse steps. Time to move forward. And for the big result of the night, Spain beating France in France. Spain have got to be the favorites to win the whole thing this summer. Fabio better do something, and do it quick.

The Pharaohs Come to Town

England vs Egypt

Ninety nine days to the world cup. England play Egypt, which could be a tricky tie. Egypt are no pushovers as the other participants of the African cup of nations will testify. They have been denied, what would have been a deserved place in the world cup. So, it should be a good test for Capello and his team. His team, which is hinged around the extremely talented feet, and of recent, head, of Wayne Rooney. He is in the form of his life, in exactly the right time. And it may turn out that the team to profit the most from the sale of C.Ronaldo is the English football team. There always is a worry of a burn out, but the stage of the world cup should provide enough incentive to push harder. There are of course 10 other players Rooney will have to share the field with, of which the most important in an attacking sense, would be Steven Gerrard. He is the axis around which the team rotates. His timed runs into the box could prove crucial in unlocking tight defenses. Although not playing brilliant at the moment, he is quality through and through and when the time comes he'll be ready. So we hope.
The problem really lies in defense. And there is an inevitable and very worrying question mark in every department of defense including the goal keeper. Right back: Glen Johnson, very good in attack, so-so in defense but injured. Centre of defense: John Terry, excellent defender but going through a horrible dip in form for well documented reasons. Rio Ferdinand, captain of the team, but a chronic absentee for both club and country. Left back: Ashley Cole, second best left back of the premier league, injured and off-match scandals threatening to hamper his football. Goal keeper:? Who should England play in goal? My candidate would be Joe Hart. He has had a brilliant season. But he's inexperienced and it seems unlikely that Capello will take a chance with him. Green? James? Kirkland? Foster? Just wish someone would make a real good case for himself in the next couple of months. Capello will make the right choice. He has to. He's capable enough.
So now to wembley, for tonight's game against the champions of Africa. Rooney to score a brace and one from Gerrard with a final score line of 3-1.