Mediocrity Breeds Content: Can we learn to love England all over again?

By Henry Cooke

Amongst Twitter’s more admirable traits lies the mischievous ability to disguise opinion as fact; mutter dressed as lamb.  Even honest mistakes by otherwise veracious individuals (“Full time: France 0 England 0” – The Times’ Oliver Kay) demonstrates that a Tweet should always be viewed through a prism of mistrust, and that the experts for things such as Euro 2012 tips are nothing more than their title.

But when canvassing opinion, and opinion alone, Twitter and its brethren are capable of providing genuine insight.  Instant, candid and mercifully brief, for all Social Medias narcissistic shortcomings, a sporting-themed Tweet is less onerous than a Five-Live phone-in, the status update more insightful than Match of the Day’s timorous analysis. 

Last night, the combined murmurings of fans, players and sports journalists alike suggested that a sober epiphany has occurred on a nationwide scale.  Almost fifteen years in the making, our demands of the national team finally seem to be aligned to their actual ability, and just maybe, we can start to enjoy football again.

England’s performance against France was arguably the most turgid fare served at the Euro’s, yet fans from the home of the ‘world’s most exciting league™’ remained refreshingly positive on Twitter: “that was better than anything England did in the 2010 World Cup”, “uninspiring performance, encouraging result”, “very respectable if unspectacular”.  While an assortment of Tweets cannot act as conclusive proof of enlightenment, it is at least symptomatic of real and positive change.

But if sustained international disappointment has not denied unrealistic expectations in the past, what has changed this time round?  Why are we so accommodating now?  A shift in public opinion has only come to fruition following the convergence of numerous strands. 

First, the gulf in class between England and Europe’s best was hammered home like never before by a rampant German side, the resulting inquisition was both depressing and predictable in equal measure.  Then, a decent qualification campaign was made an irrelevance by allegations of racism and infighting, while Wayne Rooney would rob England of its most talented player: himself.

After a Stuart Pearce cameo, Roy Hodgson’s unlikely appointment would compel the nation to subconsciously associate England with an ‘earthier ‘style of play and rigid lines of 4.   Then, as it always does, injury would take its toll; leaving the squad laden with players most diplomatically described as ‘willing’.  In these circumstances is it any surprise England fans would adopt a metaphorical ‘brace’ position on the eve of our Euro debut?

However, ‘footballing reasons’ are not solely responsible for this freakish outbreak of common-sense.  Consideration must also be given to the weakened grip of the tabloid media; so often the self-appointed kingmaker, cheerleader and executioner rolled into one, the red-tops have recently been dealt a series of muting blows.

Whether it’s The News of the World’s judicious suicide, the continuing adventures of the Leveson Enquiry or the rise of the online journalist; the amalgam of media mistrust and alternative news sources is increasingly influential.  The overall result? Conditions are increasingly favourable for the growth of considered, independent musings on football.

The FA’s rejection of Harry Redknapp was also a bold rejection of media pomposity.  Furthermore, it struck a telling blow for common sense while simultaneously preventing an unwarranted element of fantasy from lodging itself in the England squad.  It is not the time to dream, nor is it the time for poorly considered ‘Carry On’ jocularity, as the overwhelmingly negative response to the Sun’s “Bwing on the Euwos” headline would prove.

Regardless of how England perform in the Euro’s, this noticeable shift in attitudes could ultimately yield something far more worthwhile: an environment conducive to fearless, entertaining and confident football.  As the F.A seeks to educate youngsters in the holding the ball and using it wisely, perhaps we and the media should continue to apply the same ethos to our words.

The ‘Golden Generation’ can’t hurt us anymore; no longer shall we watch in horror as the cruel promise of an early lead is followed by panic and capitulation.  No longer will we cringe as the quick Teutonic Ozil jumps over the lazy Barry.  We should now herald the Bronze Age of English football and enjoy it for what it could bring now, and will bring in the future.

In addition to contributing to AFR, Henry Cooke also writes for his website, Tomb of the Unknown Football. Comments below please.