Tactical McClarity
Steve McClaren, the FA's plan B, the England manager nobody ever wanted took part in a press conference this week, prior to England's friendly with Europe's other great underachievers Spain.
McClaren was asked by the reporters about Wayne Rooney's fitness for the match, after taking a knock on Sunday, followed by some questions about his squad selection and the 'system' for this game. It's impressive just how much nonsensical double-talk one man can give. The question was whether Gareth Barry (of Aston Villa) had missed out on a place, and who would play left back and left midfield.
Just look at this ...
Reporter: At left back you've got Phil Neville, was Gareth Barry [of ASton Villa, who has been on excellent form this season for Aston Villa, playing primarily at left midfield, occasionally at left back] close to being picked?
SM: Yes, yes he was close. But if I want to play players in an international game -- Gareth's not played for a while -- I want them to play in the position he plays for his club, where he's most comfortable, and [for Gareth Barry] that is left side midfield, so I've decided instead to play Phil Neville [at left back, although Neville has played more games for Everton as a defensive midfielder, which is the position he was actually bought to fill in the first place, and has been less than electric while playing at left-back for the first half of this season].
Reporter: So Frank [Lampard, who always plays as a central attacking midfielder for Chelsea and England] is going to play left side midfield for you, is he?
SM: (flashes an uncomfortable grin). Yeah that's right. It's, erm, I want -- I'm trying to be a bit, erm, it's an opportunity to try something and to expand upon what we did in the Holland game, obviously different personnel, so we're trying things, we're looking at different personnel, different players, and we're aiming for, er, a good performance, really.
Bollocks, Steve. Just bollocks. Why don't you just admit the truth, which is something more along the lines of this...
Reporter: So Gareth Barry misses out on the team then?
SM: Yes, Phil Neville has been better at defensive midfield for Everton, but I know he's played left-back for England before, so I thought he was the safe option, which is what I like.
Reporter: So why not play Barry at left midfield, since he's on good form with Aston Villa and your first choice, Joe Cole, is injured?
SM: Well I've told Frank Lampard he can play on the left now and I can't really drop Frank Lampard, now can I? I mean, come on... it's Frank Lampard! He's really good isn't he? And he's famous. And he plays for Chelsea, who are also good.
Reporter: Then why not play Lampard in the middle, which is his natural position?
SM: But then I could have to drop Steven Gerrard... I mean, come on... it's Steven Gerrard!...
etc... etc...
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
I mean, I could be eating my words tomorrow, but somehow I just can't see it... :-(
McClaren was asked by the reporters about Wayne Rooney's fitness for the match, after taking a knock on Sunday, followed by some questions about his squad selection and the 'system' for this game. It's impressive just how much nonsensical double-talk one man can give. The question was whether Gareth Barry (of Aston Villa) had missed out on a place, and who would play left back and left midfield.
Just look at this ...
Reporter: At left back you've got Phil Neville, was Gareth Barry [of ASton Villa, who has been on excellent form this season for Aston Villa, playing primarily at left midfield, occasionally at left back] close to being picked?
SM: Yes, yes he was close. But if I want to play players in an international game -- Gareth's not played for a while -- I want them to play in the position he plays for his club, where he's most comfortable, and [for Gareth Barry] that is left side midfield, so I've decided instead to play Phil Neville [at left back, although Neville has played more games for Everton as a defensive midfielder, which is the position he was actually bought to fill in the first place, and has been less than electric while playing at left-back for the first half of this season].
Reporter: So Frank [Lampard, who always plays as a central attacking midfielder for Chelsea and England] is going to play left side midfield for you, is he?
SM: (flashes an uncomfortable grin). Yeah that's right. It's, erm, I want -- I'm trying to be a bit, erm, it's an opportunity to try something and to expand upon what we did in the Holland game, obviously different personnel, so we're trying things, we're looking at different personnel, different players, and we're aiming for, er, a good performance, really.
Bollocks, Steve. Just bollocks. Why don't you just admit the truth, which is something more along the lines of this...
Reporter: So Gareth Barry misses out on the team then?
SM: Yes, Phil Neville has been better at defensive midfield for Everton, but I know he's played left-back for England before, so I thought he was the safe option, which is what I like.
Reporter: So why not play Barry at left midfield, since he's on good form with Aston Villa and your first choice, Joe Cole, is injured?
SM: Well I've told Frank Lampard he can play on the left now and I can't really drop Frank Lampard, now can I? I mean, come on... it's Frank Lampard! He's really good isn't he? And he's famous. And he plays for Chelsea, who are also good.
Reporter: Then why not play Lampard in the middle, which is his natural position?
SM: But then I could have to drop Steven Gerrard... I mean, come on... it's Steven Gerrard!...
etc... etc...
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
I mean, I could be eating my words tomorrow, but somehow I just can't see it... :-(
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