Out! Back home and already on vacation is what the English team is currently experiencing. I did say in my last post that England would not progress past the last 16, and that with or without Joe Cole, the right side was their weakest link. Germany destroyed England along this right flank. But what impressed me most about this foolish lot was my underestimation of their pathetic mentality.

Any coaching staff should prepare players for officiating controversy during any game, leave alone only at a world cup. Controversy is part of a game, though its range varies. Controversy is part of life for God’s or Pete’s sake! If these fools were any smarter, they would have self prepared themselves for controversial circumstances, as it looked like the coaching staff had failed to do so. At club level many of them have faced controversy. So after Frank Lampard’s missed goal, the playing staff should have remained focused. To blame their pathetic performance on this instance is an idiotic attempt to fool a loving public.

But forget that missed goal or free-kick. Germany’s 2nd goal showed the vulnerability of England’s right with Podolski left completely unmarked. The 3rd goal was hilarious. 23 minutes to go and England were attacking with 9 men. This was mission suicide. How do you leave yourself so exposed at such a crucial time. Again the break came down the right. Fourth goal was a replica of the third.

Now back to MU….

On the flip side, are Man Utd fans in for a treat or what this coming season.  Hernandez sure looks an awesome prospect. His vision and placement are almost perfect for his age. Looks like he is one player who could have gone into the WC as an unknown and come out as a $15M prospect. Definitely a top 3 performer for his age bracket at this world cup. Well done Man Utd scouts for snapping him early

I am beginning to doubt that we really need to strengthen much further. We have a team which is going to move a step higher this coming season. The youth and reserves look ready for a big step up. There is something about this team that is very satisfying, and when I say team, you’ve got to look from the backroom footballing staff to the players. One thing though I’ve been wondering about is that with this age and squad restriction limits – will the real signing battles be fought for the talented under 21′s who can be part of your squad but don’t need to be registered. This is the only way clubs can have squad sizes greater than 25. And when you challenge on 4-5 fronts, you’d need such a squad. So personally, I don’t expect any more major signings.

If we rolled back a couple of years a major policy shift in Europe took place. If one was as highly placed as Gill is, you’d have input and access to certain dwellings regarding coming rule changes. So MU’s emphasis of the last few years on youth has certainly been more forward looking than most would like to admit.

A player I’d like to see grow leaps this year is Possebon. Will it happen is what I don’t know? He has the talent, but the mentality may be lacking.