“We have to take responsibility for [the lack of confidence] and put that right to get the fans back on our side,” he said. “It really hurts me personally when the fans boo us off the pitch. Last time we were [playing Andorra], the booing got worse and worse as the game went on and it made us go into our shells even more.”
“We need the fans behind us, even if it's 0-0 and 30 minutes or 40 minutes in. We understand the frustration and disappointment. We know we've underachieved in the last couple of years and we want to put that right."
Is Terry pleading to the fans themselves, or the media—those sitting right in front of him—who mould public opinion?
John Terry has been around the game long enough to be a more than savvy media operator. He knows that direct criticism of the media will only be returned to him with interest, by way of vitriolic and often unsubstantiated editorials.
And who will the fans believe?
Even the England manager, Fabio Capello, offered his thoughts on the problem:
“My message for the fans is that they have to have confidence in us, to help us every time—not only when we're winning."
Undoubtedly a valid point, but unless the media echo it will anyone listen? And would the Italian not have liked to substitute “fans” for “media”, if it were not for the inevitable backlash from those hacks desperate for a headline story?
At the moment, something is intrinsically wrong with the England team and all its periphery. The players are scared to play with any freedom, and have become so wrapped up in all that is written about them that they have lost sight of basic facts—the honour of playing for your country.
But, above all else, they fear the consequences of failure.
Do players really want to play for their country any more? Would Steven Gerrard have agreed to have his groin surgery over the international break if they did? There have been no expressions of regret from the Liverpool captain for missing out on the Qualifiers, but nevertheless it is hard to blame him for wanting to stay out of the fire.
After seeing the reaction to Saturday's performance, he probably feels vindicated in staying away.
Something must change. Criticism is fine—especially when constructive—but perspective must be rediscovered. The honour of playing for your country needs to be restored, and just as the media diminished the privilege of pulling on that white shirt, they are the only ones who can restore it.
They must realize that yes, we do have many good players in our squad, but our international record contains nothing to suggest we should win every international competition we enter. If the media can, for once, transmit that irrefutable truth to the masses, then we might see changes.
Fans might start supporting their players again, even when they are struggling against European minnows. And the players themselves, well, they might once more look forward to performing in front of such supportive crowds, and genuinely strive to bring them the success they crave.
Freedom of expression might return, and the new Wembley might finally become the stage for sporting beauty it was always intended to be, rather than the intimidating courtroom it currently is.
Right now, media expectations are so high that they have successfully removed any hope and desire the players might have, replacing it only with fear. As has already been proven over the last few years, with a mentality like that England will never win anything.
On Wednesday, Capello’s embattled England team face Croatia—a side ranked fully 10 places above them in the world rankings—in Zagreb, site of that embarassing 2-0 defeat almost two years ago.
The papers will undoubtedly expect victory—even though evidence and history indicate that they will be extremely disappointed, with even a draw likely to be a fortunate result.
Unfortunately, the media will probably be more than happy with that outcome. After all, analysing the reasons behind the "failure" will sell a lot more papers.
Ultimately, then, only the fans that will suffer. But while they are the ones booing, who will care?
To read the previous And Another Thing, about why West Ham shouldn't sack Alan Curbishley (obsolete, or more relevant than ever? You decide), here.
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