MaClaren,unfair criticism?

Any football fan, knows that the worst time to be asked about their feelings is after watching their team play poorly and lose. So after the dreary performance by England on Wednesday night, I waited for the inevitable backlash by the pundits and media to begin. And I wasn't disappointed!

So, now that a couple of days have passed, I guess the time for questions and reflections is about right. The main criticism that I have, is that with all due respect to Steve MaClaren I don't ever think he was the first choice of the English FA. If the English FA were to be frank and honest, they would acknowledge that had the negotiations with Philip Scolari (aka Big Phil) not been mishandled, MaClaren would still be back at Middlesborough battling midtable mediocrity.

However that criticim is not about MaClaren, but the clownish selection and negotiation skills of the English FA. MaClaren is here to stay, for the foreseeable future. And I certainly don't think England will help matters by getting rid of the coach mid way through a campaign. And anyway there is no point in crying over spillt milk!

MaClaren is pretty highly regarded, and when Sir Alex Fergurson came to replacing Brian Kidd he had no qualms about plucking MaClaren from Derby. With Ferguson, MaClaren oversaw the greatest period in Manchester United's history - the treble. Quite clearly the man has some talent having had a hand in helping one of the biggiest clubs in the world achieve some notable success.

So why do England play so abysmally? I believe there is a simple answer. Players at clubs have time to develop roles and partnerships. That's all it is! These players perform to a level for their respective clubs, which clearly demonstrates that they do not lack technique or ability. Ignore what all the critics of the Premiership may have you believe, that the league is weak. Instead, ask what it is the English FA can do to help the national team and coach...