I'm Not Laughing Anymore

I don't know what was worse when the new FIFA World Rankings came out. The fact that we all know we don't deserve to be fourth or the fact that the other countries media have picked up on it.

It's Sepp Blatter's first deliberately funny joke, and the England team are the punchline.

Although; lets be honest, the joke has been on us for a while. And like the one your Uncle tells every Christmas, it's no longer funny.

For years, our so-called 'golden generation' of footballers have been talked up even though they routinely disappoint. Tournament after tournament England are discussed as challengers with everyone from - that years - Prime Minister to your local newsagent getting in on the act. Even the bookies wind us up, quoting 5-1, when it should be more like 12s. Who really believes England are in competition with Spain and Brazil?

Lets get real, we haven't won a trophy since that World Cup in 1966. We haven't made it to a final since then. And lets not to talk about the failure to even qualify. We all blamed Steve McLaren after the fiasco but he was not one of the well renumerated young men on the pitch.
So when are we going to stop hiding what has been staring us in the face for years?
England just aren't good enough.

The reality is we haven't been 'real' competitors in international ootball for many years. The sooner we admit it, the sooner we can change that fact.

Not since Euro 1996 have we looked like a team. Not a real one. In my opinion, anyway. There have been eleven men on the pitch but they are clearly not playing for each other. Does anyone know who they are playing for?

You only have to look at the Rio - Terry - captaincy fiasco to see all is not well. If John Terry 'did' sleep with another players partner; he showed a lack of respect for his family and for his teammates. As well as the game. I believe Fabio Capello was right to take the honour away from him. But to give it back and ridicule Rio in the process was unacceptable.

An off-field incident became part of what was occuring on the field.

Maybe this is why lil Jack Wilshere has been such a revelation. I know he is going to be a fabulous talent. I saw him against Wigan in the Carling Cup, a couple of years ago. He was amazing then, and that was against Premier League opposition. You know he wants to do his best for England, as a player AND as a fan.

Maybe now is the time for change. Let's go to Euro 2012 with a new team and a fresh mentality. Anything but stay as we are, because it's just not working.

We look sterile on the pitch and I always expect us to struggle against a good team. Club wise our domestic teams compete every year but our national team cannot.

Maybe now is the time for change. Let's go to Euro 2012 with a new team and a fresh mentality. Yes, the new players will be less experienced but it's time for an overhaul.
Well, it can't be any worse than it is now.

Dear Arsene,

Oh my Arsene.

I love you. I really do.
You have given me some of my favourite memories. The 5-1 drubbing of Inter Milan at the immense San Siro, the rejuvenation of our legendary Back Four and Thierry Henry.
But right now, you are causing me so much pain.

Come on, are you surprised David Moyes is a little bit peeved at you? You made a bid £2million less than you did last summer, even after Phil Jagielka had another good season. Weren't you just complaining about Barca doing the same to you, over Cesc? If you want the player, go and bloody buy him. It's not like the coffers are empty, far from it if I believe what I read! It feels like you enjoy making it a little painful for us, the Gooners. You did the same thing over Mark Schwarzer last summer. Fair enough, it didn't work out too bad in the end. That Wojiech Sczcesny is a star. But arguing over £250,000! That's like me arguing over 25p.

But this year, we really need and want a Premier League experienced defender. I think we deserve it, after some of last years cock-ups. That doesn't mean some unknown is exceptable this time around.

Look, you even have a choice.
Jagielka, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba. Admittedly Cahill does represent the best value for money and you do have a good relationship with Owen Coyle. But that's not the point, just buy one of them. Before I get to the stage where I don't care which one.

Please. I beg of you.
Just buy a defender, keep TV5 away from Belgium and re-sign Samir Nasri. It is that simple.

We can win things again and I can regain my bragging rights over the Spurs fans.

I just want things to go back to normal, or I'm afraid you might have to go...

Best wishes,
Natasha.

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