getwokingham - Reading Evening Post

We were almost the opposite of Germany barring a small period at the end of the second half, ultimately poor with possession and positionally all over the place.

Sure we can argue about Lampard’s goal that never was but in the big scheme of things it didn’t really matter. Every time the Germans attacked they looked like scoring. The likes of Terry and Cole looked flat and out of form, whereas Johnson and Upson just looked completely out their depth at this level of football.

Starting Upson was a surprising decision by Capello seen as though both Carragher and King came to South Africa ahead of the West Ham defender.

Since the game there have been calls for the implementation of goal line technology, the sacking of Capello and a complete overhaul of the squad. Three big talking points to which I have contrasting views on. 

FIFA seem to have opened their eyes to the sheer amount of mistakes refereeing officials have made over the past two years, both domestically and internationally. It seems President Sepp Blatter has finally shown concession by announcing the technology file will be ‘reopened’ in at the next meeting of the IFAB in Wales in July.

But to some extent I side with Blatter on his manor of caution when it comes to this issue. Football is the biggest sport in the world and why change something that has been so successful for so long.

There is also the argument that the inclusion of human error makes the game more exciting. But this argument is for another day and another blog.

The argument that Capello should be sacked is a fair and a just one, seen as though the axe went down on his predecessors when they were in the Italian’s position.

But perhaps this is where the FA should take a step back and look at how unproductive dismissing the manager at the end of every ‘unsuccessful’ competition has been.

Perhaps England should start to build for the future and to look beyond unlikely success at Euro 2012.

However, one thing will remain in the back of the minds of the FA figureheads, the squad that Capello brought to the World Cup. If you look at the Germans you will see an abundance of youth called up from the under 21’s mixed with some accomplished, experienced players like Klose. 

This has been a great formula for the Germans unlike England’s squad – tried and tested World Cup failures of the past mixed with the likes of Aaron Lennon, who in my opinion was underutilised during the campaign.

One thing that is certain, a lot of deadwood needs to be removed from the squad, a complete overhaul is needed baring a few heads.

The likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Terry have been too unsuccessful for too long at this level and I think the Germany game was their last chance to show their quality at international level. Providing he stays, Capello has time at his discretion to decide the fate of the players that show up domestically but have little impact internationally, but it my opinion it is the perfect time to say goodbye.

To be perfectly honest I was gutted after the game, but the roadtrip I have been on with good friends has been immense driving up and down the spine of Africa. I have thoroughly enjoyed following the England team from city to city in this weird yet wonderful country, but I emphasize the word team here.

It's something I love doing not just for the football but for an excuse to meet up with friends and an extravagant holiday! So I will continue to do so all the way to Brazil in 2014. You have to take the good with the bad as an England fan, sure it seems to be bad at the moment, very bad in fact.

But hopefully we can turn a new leaf after this tournament, bring in a new generation of England players and form a new team.

My flight back to Heathrow is not for a little while yet so I will continue to enjoy the footballing festivities here in Cape Town until then. I am off to Green Point this evening for what should be a thrilling encounter between two sides that have shown promise this world cup, Spain and Portugal.

South Africa has hosted this World Cup almost perfectly so far and long may this continue until the end of the tournament. My township blog is coming soon along with one on my perceptive of South Africa itself, a beautiful country but one that is still developing and has a long way to go before divisions of race and poverty start to fade.

Now all that is left to say is Ayoba! (a phrase used over here expressing thumbs up and good times) and I will enjoy the rest of the World Cup with no strings attached!

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