England captain Steven Gerrard says he is fine physically.
When I hear that I remember what Michael Owen said about Stevie : “I’ve played with him since we were eight and he’s always been bigger, faster and stronger than anybody else.”
That’s how I think of Stevie G : as a power player, a gladiator.And as an enthusiastic, nice northerner who has learned not to hit Hollywood passes and not to fly into crazy tackles starting twelve feet from the ball.
I would really love to see Gerrard do well in this World Cup.
Yes, I can totally see why people say Gerrard is over-rated. He has bad games like anybody else, and, although he could play in five positions, he is, technically, one-dimensional, which I why I think ITV’s Andy Townsend is wrong to say he should play just behind Rooney.
Mainly, Stevie G is a symbol, a standard-bearer, a warrior who can win a battle for you. His repertoire is not huge but the things he does can win matches. He can shoot, head the ball, and cross into dangerous areas. He can be explosive, in the right way.
Like everyone else, I’ve been reading speculation about the line-up, and quotes from the protagonists in today’s national drama.
If England beat USA 3-0, it’s a great day in the English way of life.
Our 30-year old captain says, “I have shown signs that I can do it at this level, by scoring goals and putting in decent performances. But, for me, the challenge is: can I lead a group of players all the way to the final? And can I perform consistently in every game at a major tournament? That is what I will be aiming to do. I’m in a good moment. Physically, I’m in great shape. Mentally I’m fine. I’m champing at the bit and I can’t wait to get going.”
Gerrard says, “We all do feel that, to be recognised as a ‘truly great’ player, you have to show it on this stage. Everyone wants to prove they can go to a World Cup and shine. Do that and you’re a top player. It gives me some extra motivation, extra drive, to think there have only been nine men who have captained England at the World Cup before me, and I want to be a successful captain. Of course, it would have been better if Rio was still here and leading the boys out, but he is not with us. The job falls on my shoulders and I’m really excited. I am going to use the pressure and expectation to drive me on.
“To be the leader of the pack is an unbelievable feeling, a great honour. Hopefully, that will help my performances because we’re all desperate to do well. We want to deliver at this tournament and we don’t want to be going home early. I want to lead the boys as far as I can in this tournament. The people around me won’t allow the armband to become a burden. It will be a motivation rather than a burden.
“We’ve got to use the hurt from not having qualified for Euro 2008 to spur us on to delivering here. We have to prove to people we are a good side. We have been working very hard and, each day, we are getting sharper and better. I can see that in people like Rooney. The last couple of days he has been unbelievable in training. If the big players can perform at this World Cup, I believe we can be successful.”
Gerrard is close to Wayne Rooney, understands him better than anyone else, and was pretty upbeat when asked if Rooney could have as big an impact as Pele did in 1970 or Maradona in 1986. Although that’s a rubbish question. (Because the answer is : No, don’t be silly.)
This was what Gerrard said :”He’s in a position to make this World Cup his own. He’s physically in great shape and the stage is set for him to deliver – to be England’s main man. He’s aware of that. And the players around him make sure he’s aware of it. He’s come off the back of an unbelievable season, probably his best, and he is in the same bracket as people like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi. I’m just delighted he is English. We will be behind him. People talk about the yellow card he got the other day, but that’s Rooney. He is always on the edge and has just got that fire in his belly. If Wayne channels his frustrations in the right way, he can be one of the players of this tournament.”
I’m not underrating the USA’s intelligence, commitment or organisation.
We know that Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey can score goals. But Ashley Cole can handle the nippy Donovan. The USA’s centreback Jay Demerit plays for Watford. That’s right, Watford !
England now have a great manager who stamps out complacency. He has presence. He makes people jump, like George Graham did, like Kenny Dalglish did.
We’re better than we looked under Sven or Sven-lite. Can we score in open play? Against this lot, yes! Glen Johnson will rip the USA to shreds and we’ll win 2-1.
Unless we’re crap. Is it possible we could be crap tonight? Yes, we could be dumb enough to hit every ball to Wayne Rooney for the first 45 minutes. But not for the whole game.
Right now, in my head, I’m hearing the voice of my friend Hugh Southon, a tabloid sportswriter, who would often say, “Myles, we ain’t very good.”
That was before Fabio Capello put on a Three Lions tracksuit.
Bring it on ! Roll on 7.30 pm !
You’ll have gathered that England v USA mean a lot to this old beatnik.