November 29, 2007
Last week, the England national side failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing 3-2 to Croatia.Numerous theories have been bandied about by sports pundits as to why this may have occurred. These range from poor team management to a failure to nurture home-grown talent, to the team, y'know, just not being very good...
But it seems that otherwise obscure West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, who didn't even play in the final match, has the answer:
Video games...
I think we would have the best team if we could go into every household and throw away every PlayStation, Xbox and video game. We have the players and the best league in the world. The way the game is played here is so different though.
Watching the Premier League is like Formula One - it's that quick - and then you go to an international game and it's like a game of chess.
Of course, it's a quote of two halves, and his second half is even better than the first - if Green clutches opposing shots the way he clutches straws, he's a shoe-in for the next England team...
Other countries seem to bring on world class players, countries like Brazil and Argentina where, often, it's football or nothing - in contrast, we live in a country where we have choices, and perhaps the will to do it and the need to escape from situations you're in are not so clear.
If we all dispose of our games consoles, then we can all play football just as well as the man himself.
-GP UK correspondent Mark Kelly
Comments
/sarcasm
Then, truly, the circle will be complete.
*shoe, meet other foot*
Admit it, chummie. You suck balls. Not only you blamed videogames, you also refused to be human by not admitting your mistakes.
Ahem, the English are obsessed with that shite so called sport called cricket, but us Scots (who are also British) prefer manly games like Rugby and Football (the one the US call Soccer).
Professional football isn't manly, its about running around and diving as soon as an opponent gets a part of his body near you.
And let's not forget that very 'manly' Scottish sport GOLF. :D
Oh and as you might have noticed recently, the English also play Rugby and are not half bad (well gotta be competent at something).
Scotland rocks and all, but England isn't as bad as you think. Plus if you consider the English your 'Auld Enemy' then that makes you prefer the *French*.
Oh dearz. :P
I'm half Scottish btw, I'm not having a go at Scotland and England isn't perfect but I love em both.
CREAG AN TUIRC!
Er on topic the goalie is talking shite, the problem lies with the players not games.
if there wasnt video games, some people would certainly go outside and play. Definately not all, but some. playing in the street/field is one of the best ways to get good technique with the ball b/c its usually a small game where you get alot of touches on the ball.
Blaming the problem on video games is a bit rediculous b/c it probably does the opposite sometimes. I now live in the states and the combo of the WC 2006 and fifa 06 has got quite a few of my friends interested in soccer, and are actually playing it semi-regularly now.
and too much money.
Simple
Dan
http://ukfootballcards.co.uk/