I think the trouble with the English team today now stems from the man in charge and his team around him. Lets face it, would you want him as your boss? He is the original grumpy bastard. Now that's all very well when he is on your team, as he frightens the hell out of the opposition, but not your ideal motivator either.
To make matters worse, he has surrounded himself with a hair shirt team of Leicester old boys...John Wells, Graham Rowntree, Brian Smith, all of whom made the Tigers a force to be reckoned with in the 90s - but were never exactly known for their running rugby or for entertaining anyone outside of Welford Road.
And this is my point, within that Tigers side of the 90s, everybody knew how to get the ball up their jersey, get a lead and close out the game. I don't see that same ability in the England squad. So you have a Management team totally at odds with the playing personnel. Never a good thing.
Why can't the England team think for themselves, why can't they close out a a tight game? I blame the acadamy system. You can call me old fashioned, but that Leiester team of the 90s in the most part did not arrive at the club straight from school and into the gym. They played from 18-23 in junior rugby and cut their teeth in that environment and stood out so that the Tigers showed an interest and invited them along.
Now you might not have learnt a lot about physical conditioning or protein shakes in Notts/Lincs/Leics league 1 - but you would have learned about the dark arts of front row play; when to throw a punch and get away with it; and, if you are a half back, how to control a game. Also wingers learn that they need to score with almost every chance they get, or the props will give them a hard time in the bar and call him a "girl" - are you listening Ugo Monye.
I look at this current England team, and I see a joyless collection of players who dont really believe their coaches, who are not having fun, and are a long way from reaching their potential. No wonder Cipriani didn't fit in. This lot of coaches would take one look at Barry John and question his ability or commitment because he isn't that strong in the tackle!
In selection, I did think the coaches were getting it right. The team for Italy was spot on, which made that performance all the more disappointing. But now, they are making mistakes. Foden should be starting, Lawes should have replaced Shaw, Jonny dropped (there, I have said it!), and how can you not pick a genuine 7 to start against Scotland? No doubt the plan this evening will be to kick, kick, and control the line out. It may win the day, but this group of players can do better and should be winning by more than 20 points againt the Sweaties.
And one final point - Jon Callard, how much are they paying you to coach kicking? Why can our top punter only manage a paltry 25-30 metres up the touchline, while Carter and the rest are often clearing 50 metres? Explain yourself please. The fans know and are not impressed. Time to go I think.
In fact, its time to get rid of the lot of them, from Andrew down. This is not a bad group of England players and they and their fans deserve better coaches...
