England Expects: Steve McClaren to Lose His Job

I find it laughable that we are in the year 2007, and still have learned nothing from our victory in 1966.

Geoff Hurst, may I point out, wasn't even the best striker on the England squad—or in the old Division One—yet he was picked for that fateful day because he made the best team of eleven players.

That is what we are missing—a manager who is able to pick the best team to pass quickly, keep possession, and instinctively know what the other players are thinking.

There was a time not so long ago when the back four defenders all came from Arsenal. Individually they were not the best defenders, but together they made up one of the best back fours in the world. Only Gareth Southgate let them down at the last moment, but it could have been anyone taking THAT penalty.

Steve McClaren has failed to convince me that he is able to ignore the media storm, the club's mandates, and even the fans' views to simply pick what he believes is the best team. Half-hearted attempts to include Nicky Shorey have not been forgotten.

The loss of Jamie Carragher is a tragedy, and while I agree with the recall of Heskey due to form and the injuries of the current squad, what was the point of flying out to watch David Beckham play? What else could he have learned about Beckham that we didn't already know?

Here's an idea: How about watching some of the young English talents who went unnoticed in the England U21s?!

They play with a spirit that the first team—the so-called "real team"—has clearly lost. Yet I feel this is down to the poor man-management skills of McClaren. He never seems to be confident, in victory or defeat, and this is echoed in the players' performances for their country (contrasted by their excellent performances for their club).

The fans, the players, and even the FA have lost faith in McClaren (though arguably the fans never had much faith in the first place) and thus I think his position after the qualifying rounds will be untenable, regardless of whether or not we qualify.

I am afraid, until the day comes that we get a decent England manager who can pick the best team from the talent pool of England, we will forever be destined to mediocrity.

Win or lose against Austria, the real result will be if Israel can nick a winner against Russia.

Therefore, England: Expect McClaren to lose his job.