The fanfare of English hype and
sheer gall of dreamy suggestions that England possess a God given right to be
handed the World Cup on a silver plate has made the 1966 winners a figure of
both ridicule and animosity in recent years. With the abject failure of the
so-called "Golden Generation" to capitalize on their celebrity
culture on the world stage, England find themselves rather muted amongst the
Samba celebrations in Brazil this year. But putting to one side the fanfare over
Wayne Rooney's hair transplant and tabloid obsessions with Frank Lampard and
Christine Bleakley's wedding day, is the England of 2014, finally, a likeable
team? Is this the campaign where Hodgson's men can break the taboo of actually
supporting England in a major tournament?
English fans know the drill by this
point. Media hype surrounds the pre-tournament build up before off the field
allegations and scandals interfere with the powers that be on the pitch. The
footballing Gods then come together and rule that England shall lose via the
medium of the penalty shootout and a nation's hopes are dashed once again. 3
weeks and a few crocodile tears later, high profile names release their
"no holds barred" autobiography and promise to do more next time
before a crowded press conference clinging to their every word.
It is a drill that has been
perfected in recent years. So much so that never before has an England team
gone in to a World Cup with such little expectation. Optimism yes, but
expectation? Genuine belief in the capabilities of the men wearing the white
jersey? Very little.
This squad however represents more
than mediocrity. Hodgson's 23 stands for a unanimous rejection of the usual
suspects consistently failing. Gone are John Terry , Rio Ferdinand and Ashley
Cole. In are hard working, honest, exciting footballers who are of an age where
the mere mention of the three lions still conjures blurry eyes and images of
garden kickabouts.
In Roy Hodgson, England have a
manager who will not seek the spotlight or demand media attention, *ahem Sven,
Fabio ahem. In acting as a father figure to these young players as opposed to the
ego at the heart of the team, Hodgson has the opportunity to not only change perceptions
of him as the worst Liverpool manager in history but also ignite a certain
level of Albion patriotism.
Steven Gerrard is also proving
himself to be the captain England were begging for under the reigns of Terry
and Ferdinand. The old question of Gerrard and Lampard in the same team has been
replaced with a sincere welcoming of the two veterans respectfully mentoring
and monitoring the fresh faced naive
talents in the squad.
These younger players including
Sterling, Barkley, Lallana, Welbeck, Sturridge and Oxlade Chamberlain, all
possess the ability to create something out of nothing. A certain "explosivity",
a charm, a blend of pace, guile and sheer immaturity mercilessly damning fear
and nerves. Never before have England
had in their ranks such a potential to excite and attack the opposition. The
reduced presence of Internationally recognised household names removes a
certain pressure from the England team, seemingly aware of their limitations
ability wise, but willing to make up for it in effort, work rate and desire.
No two players typify these
attributes more than Jordan Henderson and James Milner. The Liverpool man has
had an outstanding season at Anfield and is proving to the nation what many in
red knew all along- he is a top quality footballer.
Milner embarks on his Brazilian
adventure with a richly deserved Premier League winners medal. His jovial
attitude and caricatured fictional twitter figure as a laid back, gentle,
colourless soul have often detracted from his abilities as a footballer. In
truth, Milner possesses a remarkable repertoire of skills and an ability to
play in numerous positions whilst rarely falling victim to the toxic of
fatigue. In the heat and humidity of
Brazil, the energy and versatility of these two players could be crucial to
England's chances this month.
As a country notoriously crippled
year after year by off the field events, it is refreshing to see the England
players actively engage with Brazilian culture by doing charity events, Capoeira dancing and
embracing the Rio atmosphere. Football is a fans game and must be treated as
one which can be enjoyed and one which we can be proud of. With all this in
mind, England's young talents, the removal of the unsavoury egos and the
philanthropy of these heroes, Hodgson's men could well be the first England
team since Venables' '96 team that the neutral could enjoy watching and the
team since Gazza's infamous tears in Italia '90 that their country can be proud
of.
The stars would have to align
spectacularly for England to succeed in Brazil this summer. Any football
realist will tell you that the squad is desperately lacking and that many of
their competitors have vastly more qualified squads to reign supreme in the
sweltering Brazilian conditions. But for the first time in decades, this is an
England team where cheering for Wayne Rooney does not feel wrong and dirty, but
one where should they fall short, English fans will be able to stand tall in
defence of their hard working heroes. This sense of unity and excitement could
be the three lions' greatest weapon.
