Home, in a way

Tuesday, 29 June, 2010

TheFA.com's Insider provides his final blog after returning from the World Cup.

Well, that obviously didn't quite go to plan, and in truth there is very little that I can say about England's exit from the World Cup.

Purely in the interests of completion, I wanted to describe the final days of the campaign, and perhaps shed light on the pain felt by every single person involved in the camp.

The support staff to Fabio Capello and his players have been working for months and years to prepare for this tournament, and nothing was left to chance.

By the same token, the players and coaches have worked their entire lives to reach the summit of football, and no-one has taken defeat lightly. The sacrifices from a very young age made by the players and the coaching staff should not be forgotten at this time.

Just as the defeat hurts everyone personally, it is immediately clear that the supporters who have followed England throughout the World Cup were not rewarded for their endeavours. From Fabio, captain Steven Gerrard through the entire squad, they have all issued their apologies for not being able to live up to the incredible fans who go wherever the team turn out.

To suggest that there was any lack of desire, passion or effort would be misguided. Being honest about our performance would result in admitted shortcomings, but the passion of the players and the hurt they have felt since the whistle sounded on their World Cup ambitions on Sunday evening has not been lacking.

Having lost to Germany on the pitch, we also lost out on the flight slot back to our base camp as they arrived at Bloemfontein airport first. It was a moment of dignity from both sides as the Germans offered consolation, and the English a wish of good luck to their conquerors who boarded their flight and can look forward to a meeting with Argentina on Saturday.

Monday was a strange day, as the mass of kit and equipment was packed up and arrangements made for our return to England, and while myself and other staff got on with the sizeable task at hand there was the emotions of being out of the competition in the shadows of every task we took on.

Fabio Capello visited the media centre at our hotel for the final gathering of media before our departure. Those in the English press travelled through the night to return from Bloemfontein to Rustenburg, and though weary still had sharpened pencils and sharper questions as the inquest began.

Many will speculate on the future and offer their own conclusions as to how England can succeed in the future.

We at The FA must provide a solution worthy of the supporters who follow us, and our senior figures will do their level best to make that happen.

I personally am sorry to be writing this final blog from my living room in June. I had hoped to remain south of the equator for a little while longer, but it was not meant to be.

Your comments and questions are welcome as always,

Stuart Mawhinney

What Do You Think?

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Quite a while has passed since the world cup. I have to say I was so annoyed by overall performance of the squad and coaching staff. I think there were some serious mistakes made on all side. However, mistakes are what win and lose world cups and I suppose we must always try and learn from them. I think my main concern with the English squad is the lack of discipline. Have just read about Wayne Rooney urinating in the street and I just shake my head in disbelief. The article above states of sacrifices these young men have made. I don't see much evidence of sacrifice. They are professional football players, not amateurs. They are paid very well for what they do. The FA talks of respect within the game and wants the fans to support the respect campaign. I think it is very hard to expect this when we have a 'yobbish' attitude of the players. No one expects them to be angels but when they pull on an England shirt they should represent much more than themself. If they fail to meet the standards of behaviour that is expected of them then they should be dropped from the squad. I'm sorry winning is not everything and you will never get winners with the attitude of the current squad. The FA should also take its head out of the sand and live and lead by example. I felt the above article was again offering excuses. The problem was not in being defeated by a better team but in the way that the squad handled themselves and after the recent Rooney incident continue to handle themselves.By lee (32 months ago)
I am writing this some 2-3 weeks on and I still feel a bitter pain and feeling of regret at Englands poor performance in South Africa. I am afraid that your excuses and pleas for us to understand the player's feelings just do not sound credible. I am not concerned with the loss against an excellent German side, I am concerned about the lacklustre overall showing of the so called 'Golden Generation'; a generation whose shine is now forever tarnished. I am sure they will get over the early exit whilst sunning themselves in the Bahamas or driving their Maseratis and Aston Martins to and from their incredibly well paid jobs. We shouldn't feel sorry for them or ourselves if they play more passionately for their clubs than their country we should simply accept it and move on to a new generation of players with more fire in their bellies. If the current crop want to continue playing for England they should 'man up', develop a spine a play like they mean it. Its not good enough to qualify with honours they must play tournament football with honour, every single one of them. Rather than the common Englishman emulating them; they should emulate the vast majority of hard working football fans who put their hearts and souls into their jobs everyday. Whilst Capello remains he has my support but I am a fan of Harry Redknapp's and would dearly love to see him manage England in the future. By anonymous (33 months ago)
Strange things happen at FIFA. First a German Referee for the game against Slovenia, when there was a big chance that England next opponents will be Germany. Then again a German referee for the Uruguay vs. South Corea Game and an Uruguanian referee for the Germany vs. England game.!!!!!! Some deep thinking and you can have the answers for the goal not given against Germany.By Malti. (34 months ago)
its a real sad story but i dnt agree with ur saying abt passion of players if they have tat passion to win they can easily lift the world cup ,most of them are best player at their position in world but the game they played was worst in world.its time to get young players who have passion to win.whole team needs to be redesigned.hope they can work out little bit to give fan like us joyful moments rather than sad days .By uglyrose (34 months ago)
Instead of changing the manager every time England fails to succeed at a major championship, here's a novel idea, how about changing the players for youngsters who would give anything to play for England and get rid of the no hopers who are more interested in their clubs than their country.By anonymous (34 months ago)