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    The learning curve

    The learning curve

    Alan Smith says England U21's were unlucky to lose to Czech Republic, but are too far behind other nations.

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    Comments (3)

    • Page 1 of 1
    • 1

    Tom Fletcher (Doncaster Rovers fan) says...

    the current under 21's are poor because they are used to the english style of youth coaching, where as alot of the under 19's and 17's that look alot more technically capable are more used to foreign youth coaches especially the young liverpool players with ex barca youth coaches rodolfo borell and pep segura molding them as players. I also believe the selection is pro money, before man u offered £10 million for smalling he had not been selected at all for england youth and suddenly he's in what is considered englands B team, the under 21 scouts obviously dont do their jobs or talents like smalling would be spotted before they're reported in the papers, spearing is the same he had no youth appearances for england but as soon as he has a couple of appearances for liverpool due to injuries he was selected asif somehow he's become an international standard player overnight, i wonder if england under 21's send any scouts to watch reserve football or not because there are alot of good young players at the big clubs such as liverpool, arsenal and man u that would walk into the starting line ups of mid/low table prem sides.

    Posted 12:44 21st June 2011

    John Earwaker (Liverpool fan) says...

    I watched the England U21 games, not because am an England fan (I actually support Wales), and one thing kept going threw my mind, which I feel I have to raise. It focuses on the question of coaching, particularly of young players and the actual training of coaches themselves. This is where I feel not just England, but also the other UK national sides are let down. Compared to other National sides throughout Europe we have not moved forward from the mid-80's. Consistently we see young home talent coming through both at club and national level who's only ability is to play like pre-programmed robots with no level of flair and intuitive creativity. Admitted there a few exceptions, but it seems to be purely by accident than design through the coaching that they are given. These are the players such as Wilshire, Bale, Defoe, Ramsey, Adam, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Giggs, etc, who have the ability and skill to produce moments of shear magic, audacity and delight to grace the game. I have watched football as an avid fan of Liverpool since the early 60's and am sad to say that the overall quality of home-grown talent has declined markedly. And I don't think it is all the players fault. I lay the blame firmly at the feet of the coaches and those that train them in their methods. England in particular are suffering from the staid methods introduced by Howard Wilkinson, they still hold sway at all levels. Until a new way forward is established there will be no progress. Typical of this attitude ws hearing Stuart Pearce remark that we play the way we do because of national/cultural inherited characteristics. Well, OK maybe. But, doesn't the continual failure and lack of wherewithal to step outside of this and produce something better tell us that it has to change? The German national side is a point in obvious case, they play to systems, very technical and from

    Posted 10:48 21st June 2011

    Josh Tann (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

    We are over-rated,its very simple.It can be summed up in one situation....Jordan Henderson is not a £20million football player, especially when you look at the value Chelsea have placed on Luka Modric. It is simply because he is an English footballer.Too many people in the media are too quick to put these players in the 'could be world class' bracket when they have not proven themselves yet.If Jordan Henderson is a £20million footballer then Spain's Thiago is what you would call a mastercard footballer. You would not be able to put a price on him...he made Hendseron and the rest of the England team look POOR to say the least. I think it is also improtant to point out that Spain have two world cup winners and a champions league winner in their U21's team this year. Yet we thought Andy Carroll, Jack Wiltshere and Theo Walcott were all too tired and too good to be letting themselves compete at such a level...People need to realise quickly that England are not good enough to be a team that wins a Euro or World Cup...so can we all move on and just enjoy what we do ACTUALLY have, and that is the best league in the world! Nothing will ever change with the same old faces and everybodys 'Friends' running every department at the FA...

    Posted 10:07 21st June 2011
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