A short chat with Sven Eriksson (Last 4mths in my England job)
Eriksson's recent embarassment in the press following his exposure of his bad remarks on his players and his wish to leave the England job following a hoax act has prompted the England FA to ask for his departure after the World Cup.
I had a chat with him on his recent mood.
---------------------------------
CrazyGuru : Hello, Good Evening Sir.
Eriksson : Yes, a very good evening to you also.
CG : Congratulation in England's win over Uruguay yesterday.
Erik : Thank you. My strategic works. I replaced Rooney with Crouch and he scored our first goal. I brought in Wright Phillips and he cross for Cole to score the winner.
CG : I know you are smart. Can tell from your hair (loss). Oh, I saw the news that the FA has decided that you should go after the World Cup. Any chance to stay if you can help England to win the World Cup?
Erik : I don't think so, anyway I never like England, except the lovely ladies (hee....hee...)
CG : Ah.....I know. You must have a good time with that secretary in the FA.
Erik : (Wide grin sound)
CG : So, how was the players' reaction to the news?
Erik : Not much. Beckham tried to talk to me but I didn't want to. I am still training him to understand my quote,"Talking is silver, but being quiet is golden".
CG : Oh, you famous quote after Beckham said that he is smart as he "asked" for the yellow card against Wales.". Why did you give him the armband if you don't think he is that smart?
Erik : I didn't say he is not smart.
CG : Oh ya. Sorry about that.
Erik : He told me that a red armband on the white jersey is really nice. In exchange, he promise to go clubbing with me whenever possible. You know, he really attract a lot of girls, so sounds like a very good deal.
CG : I see.....
Erik : He actually want the red band across the chest but I told him no. Crazy, right?
CG : HUH???
Erik : Ya. He pestered me for one whole month and even got his tailor to do one sample to show me. I almost swallow my capucinno and the cup. It was ugly lah, I tell you. Like wearing a tube on the outside of the England jersey. Can you imagine. And the tailor use those furly cotton type. Wah lau.
CG : Then how you convince him.
Erik : I had to call Victoria, his wife. Luckily she agrees with me.
CG : But Victoria must have a hard time convincing Beckham.
Erik : No lah, 1 min job. She just say that if he don't wear the armband on the shoulder, she will come to Spain to live with him. Of course, Beckham agree.
CG : Interesting....
Erik : Ya. These English players are a bunch of idiots lah. I will tell you more next time. Got to go, the girls still waiting for me in the bath room.....hoohooooo
CG : Enjoy, bye.
Erik : .........................................
------------Line Cut-------------------------
"A short chat" is a fictional conversation that came to CrazyGuru's mind while daydreaming.
How can Lampard be out with "tight hamstring" for England's friendly against Uruguay???
It just curious me how a player who has played 164 games continuously for Chelsea in the Premiership(until Dec 05) can now miss his country's friendly game in preparation for the World Cup in June. Is there conspiracy theory similar to how the Stamford Bridge was allow to turn into a potato field before the Barcelona match? And four days after the Barcelona game, they decided that it is time to re-lay the pitch. WHAT??
Playing for the country is about pride but when it clashes with money, players will put their pride on their "weighing scale" to see how much it is worth. In the case of Lampard's(while I am not suggesting that this is definitely the case), his scale tip towards the money side. It is better not to upset the Mourinho, who suggested(again, not definitely the case) that Lampard sit out the England game so that he will be fresh and injury free for the weekend's match against West Brom and more importantly against Barca next Tues.
The club pays for what his cars, houses, luxuries. England gives him fulfilment of his childhood dream and pride of playing for the country. Who do you expect him to listen to?
Most important of all, it is just a friendly game. It will be stupid to get injured in a friendly, don't you think so?
Mr. Perez resigned as Real Madrid President...hooray?
A lot of people might applause that Florentino Perez has resigned as the club President but not me. What is wrong with his approach in signing only big names? Isn't this what the (Real)fans want to see? All the best players in the world playing in the same club. On paper, it is probably the best team and most difficult team to beat. Let's analysis the problem at Real here;Big Names (Current and signed from other clubs)
Who are these big names;Ronaldo (One of best striker and Former World Player of the Year) Zidane (Best attacking midfielder and Former World Player of the Year)Beckham (Captain of England and arguably the best crosser and free kick taker)R. Carlos (Best long range free kick taker and wait till you see how quick he runs)Robinho (Exciting young player, expect to light up the World Cup 2006)(Inherited)Raul (One of best striker and leading scorer in Spanish League)Casillas (No.1 Goalkeeper in Spain)The fact is, these "Big Names" make the name big not from some acting or singing career but from their football ability and skill
Then why didn't it work?Defenceless
In the 21st century modern football, if you can't defence, you can't win games. It is not everyday your forwards can put in more than what your opponents score at your end. Some days you need to be able to win by only a one goal margin. This is when you need your defence to be able to hold their line and soak the attack for the entire 90mins. Except for Jonathan Woodgate who unfortunately has been watching more football than playing (due to injury), Real has sign no real quality central defender or defensive mid. And worse, they sold Makelele to Chelsea. Makelele is the player in the team that lets the forward attack with confidence knowing that there is someone at the back who will foil off the opposition attack.Credible ManagerExcept for Robinho, the rest of the "Big Names" have been with Real Madrid for more than 3 years. So, what really change? The manager. When Real Madrid was at her best 3 years ago, Raul and Ronaldo were the strikers, supported by Zidane in the middle, Figo on the right, Makelele and probably Guti/Helguera making the rest of the midfield. Both R.Carlos and Salgado support the attack from the flanks. If you switch on your TV and watch the Real team today, you still get more or less the same group of players.What has changed though is the manager. The manger 3 years ago was Del Bosque. To start off, Del Bosque was a former player of Real Madrid in the 70s. He took over from John Toshack as the manager in year 2000. In his four years as manager, he steer the team to 2 Spanish League title, 2 European Cup, 1 European Super Cup and World Club Cup.You will not find another manager who has achieved more within such a short stint.
Finally, what I think Real needs to do? Get Del Bosque back. Who knows, Perez may have step down so that the new President, Fernando Martin can hire Del Bosque back. Is it my wish or it is another "humble pie theory"?
