Football

England have proven, once again, their lack of professionalism. Was I the only viewer who was slightly glad England didn't go through to the latter stages of the European Cup? No. Well, not according to the response to the 606 Football Phone-in at least. We were an embarrassment. The blame can be heaped wherever we please; the ineptitude of our manager (subject to change?), the poor tactical decisions (4-5-1?), the lacklustre performance of some of our players (Lampard got man of the match?), the burden of key injuries, and most importantly, the shambles of our Football Association. Not only did they appoint their second choice, McClaren, they also had the bravado to tell the media that they'd always wanted McClaren. Furthermore, they're the ones who sanctioned a friendly against Austria where Owen gets injured, they're the ones who sanctioned a stadium without a roof so the pitch is waterlogged, they're the ones who sanctioned an American Football game at Wembley a week before. And what followed was a continued succession of transparent mistakes from McClaren - dropping Beckham and bringing him back; backing Paul Robinson then not; unveiling Gareth Barry and quashing him in midfield alongside Lampard and Gerard; playing a lone striker whose strength is latching onto crosses yet supporting him with proven non-deliverers. He must go. These are basic mistakes that any halfwit in your local pub would have avoided. People will argue that we were outplayed tonight and the pitch was appalling, but the damage was done long before this game. Well, at least we won't have fantasy media commentary running all the way up to next Summer. We don't deserve to be there, nor do we want to be there with the team as it stands. I've heard it suggested, why not have a home nations competition next year? Probably because Scotland and Northern Ireland would walk all over us.