No excuses. We can say that goal shouldn’t have been disallowed. Or that Heskey shouldn’t have come on instead of Crouch. Or that Theo Walcott, who can at least run should have been there. Or that the Manager somehow demoralised the team, or that, or that, or that.
But no. I think it goes deeper than that. I think we take it right back to the sports days we are now encouraging our children to participate in. Non competitive and mindblowingly demoralising for those who are good at sport. We no longer give any credit to winners and competitive sport. I am speaking as someone who never got chosen to join in any teams. I was always the last in the throng to be included – but I got over it and the good ones went on to excel.
Hopefully our new government will succeed in re-establishing a national pride in the winner takes all approach – it’s our only hope.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Totally agree – life is competitive so why on earth con children into thinking it isn’t?
Am sort of hoping that such a resounding defeat at least means we can’t blame it on (a) the ball, (b) the disallowed goal or (c) the wind being in the wrong direction and actually focus on why they are just so utterly pitiful at international stuff
June 29th, 2010 at 12:57 am
I’m with you, and I still can’t catch a ball!
My brother was sporty, I was crafty and a reader. I think we need to teach them that we all excel in different ways, and celebrate ALL the wins.
I think it’s actually character building to loose at stuff sometimes. Not a politically correct thought, but it’s mine.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Agree 100% – What’s wrong with encouraging sporting excellence – agree with the other comments – losing is character-building, and winning is even better! My Dad (v. sporty) used to say “it takes a good man to win, and a better man to lose” (though I’m not sure this applies to the England team!).
While we’re at it – it’s funny how at kids parties everyone gets a prize in every game and pass the parcel – whatever happened to “one winner”?! OK, now I’m sounding like an old fogey, but have often wondered how my kids and their friends would cope if I reverted to the old-fashioned “one game, one prize” plan – would certainly be simpler and cheaper?!
June 29th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Go on….I dare you. Very good idea. We all need to do that at the same time. Lx