Issue 158

Home Nations struggle

22nd October 2007

The coming European Championships has the distinct possibility of being the first tournament since the 1994 World Cup that England failed to qualify for. Indeed there is the distinct possibility that there will be home nations heading out to Austria and Switzerland this summer.

After impressive victories against France and Ukraine, Scotland have put themselves in a decent position to qualify, from what was potentially the hardest group containing World Champions Italy, France and Ukraine. An unexpected defeat against Georgia has left them relying on other results to give them a chance to qualify. The Republic of Ireland's hopes of making the Euro 2008 finals ended with a disappointing draw with Cyprus at Croke Park. Nigel Worthington's Northern Ireland maintained a mathematical chance of qualification as Kyle Lafferty's equalizer earned them a deserved 1-1 draw against Sweden

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If England do not qualify, then Steve McClaren will be sacked. Simple as. The pressure has been on McClaren ever since he took over from Sven Goran Eriksson, many feeling he was not ready to make the step up from club level to international level. But is it more a case of the players not reaching their potential. Players like Franks Lampard, Paul Robinson, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney have struggled to find form at international level, many fans using Lampard as a scapegoat for some of the nation's inept performances. England's hopes of qualifying now rely on Israel getting a result against Russia.

It is now out of Englands hands, a situation completely unacceptable for a nation with England's resources. McClaren's job now rests on 90 minutes in Tel Aviv, of which he will have no influence.

John Toshack's job is also on the line. Wales have already failed to qualify, but an awful 3-1 defeat to Cyprus, followed by a lackluster performance in the 2-1 victory over San Marino added to the obvious lack of harmony in the camp has left the unpopular Toshack on the verge of the sack. With Welsh sport already in turmoil after the disastorous Rugby World Cup, maybe a fresh face is needed not just on the Rugby front, with a new, hungrier and younger manager more able to take Wales forward.

Jon Pearson