Charles Clews, Fgura.
Capello as England's coach
Why were some football fans surprised (some were even ashamed) when seeing Fabio Capello appointed manager of the English national football team? In my opinion, the FA have done, at long last, the move they should have done years ago to improve the English national team.
For the English players, the pure English soccer players, are naive, really, compared to continental players.
They are not adept at falling or diving in the penalty area, they do not wince with pain when given an innocent shoulder charge, or tell the referee to issue yellow or red cards to opposite players. They just play football sportingly.
Perhaps Mr Capello knows all these tricks very well from Italian football (remember Buffon falling down and being carried away on a stretcher from a soft touch on the back from a Scottish fan?).
Maybe some English fans would have preferred Mr Capello taking Maestro Luciano Moggi with him, for better instructions.
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Peter Paul Sacco
Jan 22nd 2008, 20:05
Mr Clews must be referring to Dida, a Brazilian, and not Buffon. The latter's behaviour has always been impeccable. He is a gentleman on and off the field.
As regards Capello's appointment, who knows, maybe it is because the Italians have won every honour football has to offer, with the exception of the FA Cup!!
Edward Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2008, 19:46
I think Mr Clews is referring to Nelson Dida of AC Milan. Secondly, the pat was on his chest not on his back. I can only think of Buffon as being a clear example of fair play. I think the problem with the English national team is not that they play sportingly, but rather their lack of tactical knowledge. How can a team retreat in its own half when it is leading 1-0 in an away match? Per carita' sig. Clews!!
Anthony Cassar
Jan 22nd 2008, 15:42
First of all it was Dida not Buffon. So the acting was done by a Brazilian,the only thing that came from the Italian part was total condemnation from all parts be it newspapers, common people and even the Milan Club. Regarding Moggi everyone knows that he and Juventus were punished for what they did. Maybe England can rope him in so that they can win some silverware in the game that they invented !
Alistair Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2008, 14:36
No Mr. Clews, I don't remember Buffon doing that sort of stuff...But I do remember Dida doing that, a Brazilian, please note, not an Italian.
I do remember Buffon lifting the World Cup trophy though, and I'm positive the Italians did not achieve this through acting skills, but through solid defensive football which, more often than not, made all the difference in tight games.
On a final note, I'd rather see the England players acquire confidence and defensive skills as acting won't ever take you far enough, despite what critics of Italian football constantly repeat ad nauseum.
Don't forget it was lack of proper defending that cost England the qualification to Euro 2008, not lack of acting skills. The former would have helped in avoiding a humiliating defeat at Russia, while the latter would only have made them able to hide their blushes for a few seconds before heading to the dressing rooms.
On a final note, I sincerely hope England get their act together, irrespective of who coaches the team. There's a lot of potential, but the chemistry's lacking. I hope that comes out in time for World Cup 2010.
Edmund Azzopardi
Jan 22nd 2008, 13:32
What a load of rubbish !!!
Mr Clews does not have a clue about European football. Why do you have to generalize when talking about these players? Not all continental players are ''actors''.
adrian Agius
Jan 22nd 2008, 13:25
First of all it was Dida not Buffon. Secondly, England is the only 'Good' National team to hire a foreign person as their coach. Thirdly, England will surely not win anything under Capello as he is completely opposite the usual English tactics and he will have huge problems with the language.
Carmel Said
Jan 22nd 2008, 12:31
What other excuses can we expect to hear from supporters of a team that has not won a major sporting tournament since 1966, and even this was tarnished by a very dubious goal on home soil.
Michael Gatt
Jan 22nd 2008, 11:23
Has Mr.Clews noticed that the really good footballing countries would never even contemplate employing a foreign person to manage their national team?
Kris Scicluna
Jan 22nd 2008, 11:01
It was Dida......NOT BUFFON!!!!!