Football Food For Thought / Paul Moon / 14 November 2007 /

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo has a rant at Ferguson, McClaren, Barwick and "Little Englanders" to name just a few....

I am greatly irritated by the talk of foreign players having a negative affect on our National side. It is complete and utter nonsense! Those that witter these things are either out of touch with reality or have an axe to grind. To see Ferguson spouting his concerns for our National team makes my blood boil!

We are not out of the European Championships next summer because of Zola, Henry or Drogba - we are out of it because of the Football Association, Barwick and McClaren!

The gifted 'foreigners' that perform in our Premiership enhance the teams that play in it. English players within that team observe and learn skills, see their professionalism and discipline regarding fitness and diet and lose the fear previously experienced when opposing these players internationally.

Within the league itself the standard has been driven upwards making it the finest league in the world. 'Ordinary' is driven out and mediocrity is not tolerated. Weak and poor managers lose their jobs and a superior approach sweeps from the top down, lifting the bottom to a higher level. Debris will be swept away on a wave of hard professionalism. The quality evolves and improves. We should desire this, not bemoan it!

The existing squad of players playing for England is the best I have ever known. The individual players are better than our 1966 World Cup heroes. Some argue we have world class players in our team in Terry, Ferdinand, Cole, Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard and Owen. All of these players are currently playing with foreign footballers who are supposed to be harming our chances of international success! This statement alone renders the quota argument as a garbage!

In any case the people who pay for our Premiership are the fans themselves and not those self appointed sages. If you ask the fans of Arsenal what they want most they will say the same thing now as when George 'the bore' Graham was their manager - they want a winning side. To a fan, their team comes first, the National side comes second. This thinking may be thought capricious but that's what the fans wish for.

In life it is very easy to blame someone else for your own mistakes. The truth is, we have messed up time and time again with the appointment of our managers. I am trying to think back to the last manager chosen that the country wanted. We have wasted so many opportunities and with the 'little Englander' mentality, blamed our deficiencies on 'bloody foreigners'.

Many a prayer will be said when Israel meets Russia on 17 November 2008 at the Ramat Gan Stadium and maybe the 'Almighty' will deem a result that is worth more than what Roman Abramovich is going to give the Russian players for winning! Current price on Israel to win is (6.4) with Betfair. The draw is (3.45) with Betfair and the most likely result a win for Russia is (1.52) also with Betfair.

Just a last word on the subject. If I mentioned the names Gus Hiddink and Steve McClaren in the same breath, what images enter your head?

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