Svens been in the job 5 years today (is it just coincidence it's his biggest supporter's birthday as well?).
I'm not sure we've progressed that far in that time either. Obviously we've qualified for all the major tournaments and had that great win in Germany. The recent defeats to Denmark and Northern Ireland are neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things either really.
But Beckham aside, what I can't see is that he's installed any sense of passion in the team. I suppose he shouldn't have to when it comes down to playing for your country but there must be some onus on him to instill some pride. Scholes is the proof, don't jeopordise United's 50k a week by playing for some outfit called England. If Stuart Pearce was given a role in the England set up he wouldn't let the players think like that.
Even if we go on to do well in Germany I don't think it will be with any flair or passion that we could sustain to become the top team in the world for a while. Sadly I can see a quarter final exit in a dull game which will just paper over the cracks for the next couple of years.
I'm not sure we've progressed that far in that time either. Obviously we've qualified for all the major tournaments and had that great win in Germany. The recent defeats to Denmark and Northern Ireland are neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things either really.
But Beckham aside, what I can't see is that he's installed any sense of passion in the team. I suppose he shouldn't have to when it comes down to playing for your country but there must be some onus on him to instill some pride. Scholes is the proof, don't jeopordise United's 50k a week by playing for some outfit called England. If Stuart Pearce was given a role in the England set up he wouldn't let the players think like that.
Even if we go on to do well in Germany I don't think it will be with any flair or passion that we could sustain to become the top team in the world for a while. Sadly I can see a quarter final exit in a dull game which will just paper over the cracks for the next couple of years.