It’s the final week before the World Cup starts and I have to admit the mood in England isn’t quite what I expected. Let me explain.
Guest Blogpost By Mike Towers World Cup Bafana Bafana
Here in England we have a history of approaching World Cups with levels of hysteria and hype not seen since the days of Roman bacchanalia.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we all have a drunken mass orgy; the Daily Mail would have a fit. It’s just that we tend to get a bit over-excited.
As a result the UK papers are usually packed to the rafters with hyperbolic statements proclaiming ‘this is our year’ and so on. For some reason this has yet to happen.
Credit to Coach Fabio Capello
Some of the credit must go to Coach Fabio Capello. He laid down the law on expectations last year. ‘Keep them modest and plan to win without shouting too much’ seemed to be his strategy.
So far it is working, although the mood may change depending on what happens in the group games against the US, Algeria and Slovenia.
A lot will also depend on how the team copes with the loss of Rio Ferdinand. Opinion is, not surprisingly, divided on the possible impact of the defender’s injury. Some say he will be badly missed, others that he was an accident waiting to happen, a weak link.
I’m in the latter camp. Ferdinand has hardly played all season and often struggled to play more than three games before breaking down again. Better that it happened now, rather than in a game.
Captain Steven Gerrard
Besides, his replacement as captain is Steven Gerrard. While the Liverpool midfielder didn’t have the best of seasons, and the days when he could inspire famous victories such as the Istanbul Champions League Final in 2005 may be behind him, Gerrard’s drive and determination still can turn games.
Gerrard also has an excellent on and off field relationship with Wayne Rooney, England’s talismanic striker. Much will depend on how they link up; as striker and midfielder, or as striker supported by Gerrard playing in the hole between the opposition’s defence and midfield.
The England squad has plenty of other strong players too; from the Chelsea contingent of Lampard, Terry and the two Coles (Ashley and Joe), to striker Peter Crouch, midfielder James Milner, and winger Aaron Lennon. Don’t count us out because one player is injured.
That’s the picture from here as we count down towards Friday. Confident but not arrogant, relaxed but not complacent. Let’s see if I can say the same after the England – US game in Rustenberg on June 12th.
Best of luck to Bafana Bafana and everyone at Vuvuzela South Africa.
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