Englands problem not a new one

in book store today looking at book about charles buchan football monthly which ran from 50's to 80's.................the article was around mid 50's after w had been beaten 7-1 away by Hungary - they were effectively a club team (think all were in the army) so knew each other well but they played a very flexible system with talented ball players, lots of off the ball movement and varied the tactics - whereas england (who invented the game) were playing like strangers in the old WW system with no fluidity and rigid system.

One of the england players was alf ramsey (yes sir alf) and he remembered that all his life

in 1966, he started first match with rigid 424 (with 2 out and out wingers)...................but quickly changed it to 433 with no wingers - watch the final again and you'll see we how flexible the system was. He had a tackler as the holding player (Nobby) and bobby charlton as the play maker supported by ball & peters and 2 front men who moved everywhere and anywhere

bobby robson changed it in 1986 & 1990 and now its capello's turn to be strong and admit the system needs changing

what ever happens the english game needs to change the root & branch at all levels because nearly all the academies are breeding athletic, strong, brave, fit players who can run hard and ply to a set system whereas the top4 and the best teams on the continent are breeding skillful, clever, speedy players who can change it as the match requires

time trevor brooking earned his money!