England Euro 2012: Over before it's begun?

To say the build up hasn't been ideal would be putting things very mildly indeed, as Englishman we are used to the ruff and tumble world of the national team.  The last few months however have contributed to serve up a stark reminder of how far behind we actually are, in fact the last week could have done that all on it's own.

If we cast our mind back it was the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captain's armband, for a second time, that led to Fabio Capello stepping aside.  The FA then decided it would wait until the end of the season, or very near to, to appoint his successor.  Giving the new man a month, or thereabouts, to prepare for a major tournament.  Perfect!

The country was swept with Harry Redknapp fever, but it was in fact Roy Hodgson who was given the hot seat.  His squad selection caused debate, two scrappy 1-0 wins did nothing to raise expectation and then the whole injury dilemma kicked in.  For a team well prepared this latter problem would be fairly difficult to deal with, so for England at the moment it must verge on catastrophic.  Not to mention Time Magazine's 'world's most disappointing team' tag, something that is hard to disagree with.

The injury to Gary Cahill is the latest debate, why on earth hasn't Rio Ferdinand been given the chance to join up?  A country once again castrating the new man in the job before he has even been given a fair crack of the whip.  Why not just give him a chance to do things his way and then judge when he has gone?

The Euro's are no doubt a lost cause so it's all about preparing for the World Cup in Brazil 2014, so in that case the selection of Martin Kelly is surely a good one.  Giving the future of English football the chance to travel and be around the squad at a major tournament could be ideal, as it could with the likes of Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Hodgson is causing plenty of debate

In that case why not stand back, with the already low expectations, and judge how our appearance in this competition could help progression in the future.  Why take an ageing Rio Ferdinand who won't be making the trip to South America in two years time?  Let's make a decision to leave some of the ageing stars at home, and blend youth in with this squad.  Those who will be charged with taking the country forward, hopefully, for many years to come.

The recent friendly against Belgium did, however, highlight a huge gulf that does exist.  Hodgson's well organised troops did of course close out the victory, but by having a look at the playmaker of both teams you can see the difference.

Ashley Young v Eden Hazard: minutes played 67-90, passes 7-71, assists 1-0, key passes 3-6, shots 0-4, pass completion 58%-87%.  

Many will point to the assist statistic, but the truth is give away that much against a more accomplished opposition and you will be punished.  And there lies the major problem.

Flair is not something we are overly used to, but will have to become a major feature should we progress.  Can this be brought in two years before the next World Cup?  Roy will certainly have to break a defensive habit that currently exists, but let's sit back and let him go about trying his way.

Transfer flops - Jonathan Woodgate

Sports Portal hopes all it's readers had a lovely festive season, and apologises for the lack of posts.  You see, we like to gorge ourselves too.  But we are back and ready to crack on, with another in our transfer flops series.

When Real Madrid decided to splash out on English centre back Jonathan Woodgate, it kick started a chain of events that swayed the fine line between horrendously tragic and outright hilarious.  After possibly the worst debut one could imagine things didn't exactly get better, double figures of appearances was just reached, injuries reared their ugly head and an unwanted award was attained.  However before we delve deeper, let's see how his career went before the big move to La Liga.

After beginning his career at hometown club Middlesbrough, a teenage Woodgate was quickly on the move to Yorkshire and Leeds United in 1996 after disagreements between his family and the club.  Here it took two years to crack into the first team, where it really began to take off.  During his five years at the club he became a mainstay of the defence, being described as the 'jewel in the crown.'  But as the clubs terrible financial predicament came to light Peter Risdale cashed in, much to the dismay of the fans who also saw Terry Venebles follow out of the exit door.

Being paraded by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu

Newcastle United was his next destination, where a series of stunning displays established Woodgate as a firm favourite amongst the Toon Army.  However this is where the start of the problems began, with a serious injury ending his 2003/04 Premier League season early.

This is where the foray onto the continent materialised, with Real Madrid spending over £13m for a player that was injured.  Woodgate spent his entire first season at the Bernabeu sidelined, and had to wait until September 2005 to finally take to the pitch in the resplendent white synonymous of the club.  Though it didn't exactly go to plan, with an own goal followed by a sending off.  After briefly, and I mean briefly, flirting with success it was soon snatched away with another injury.  Since his departure, users of Spanish daily Marca voted him the worst football signing ever with 37.11% going to the Englishman.

It was back home in the truest sense of the word for Woodgate, where a successful year long loan at Middlesbrough was turned into a £7m move ahead of the 2007/08 Premiership season.  During the season though more injury troubles reared their head, with David Wheater taking his place and retaining it, meaning no way back.  Due to this it meant another move was on the cards, this time to White Hart Lane.

Woodgate upon signing for Stoke City

Initially life at Tottenham Hotspur seemed to suit Woodgate, where he settled in and was even handed the captaincy a few months after signing.  But once again injuries took their toll, and his appearances dwindled due to a virtual standstill.  After a lot of persistence Harry Redknapp decided to cut the clubs losses, after the player apparently rejected a pay as you play deal, and he was released.

All was not lost for Woodgate though, and Tony Pulis gave the defender another chance in the Premier League at Stoke City.  This time the pay as you play deal was accepted, and after a stellar start to life at The Brittania Stadium his level of performances have since fallen.  What could possibly happen next in the topsy turvy career of Jonathan Woodgate?

Transfer flops: Florin Raducioiu

You know you've had a bad time of it when a footballer himself describes an ill fated spell at one of his many clubs as a "disaster."  Cue Florin Raducioiu who used those exact words when describing the time he spent plying his trade at West Ham United.  So just how did a Seria A and Champions League winner with AC Milan end up at Upton Park, and what made the spell one to forget.

Raducioiu began his career in his native Romania where he was a product of the Dinamo Bucharest academy, and went on to play for the club for four years after being given his chance at the tender age of just 17.  A four year jaunt in Italy followed this, where he initially joined Bari, before moving on to Verona, Brescia and then Milan.  The trophy haul though doesn't reflect a happy and glistening time at the San Siro, in fact he managed only a handful of games before being shipped off to another country.

It was Espanyol where he found himself this time, but after just two years it was off to Euro 96 in England where a certain Harry Redknapp sat up and took note as he netted his countries only goal of the finals in a 2-1 defeat by Spain.  His time spent in the Premiership didn't exactly go to plan though, with the double figure mark of appearance just being topped and only two league goals to his name.  He will perhaps be remembered for off field controversy, something vehemently denied by the player, when it was alleged he went shopping at Harvey Nichols leaving his side one striker short.  Falling out with your manager is never a good idea, in any walk of life, and it wasn't long before Raducioiu was back off to Barcelona and old club Espanyol.

In the next seven, and final, years of his career, Raducioiu pilled up quite a list of clubs.  After leaving Spain for the second time it was on to Germany and a one year spell with VfB Stuttgart, before heading back to another old club and Brescia.  After two years home comforts lured the right winger/striker to first club Dinamo Bucharest, but it wasn't long before bags were packed once again and he jetted off to pastures new.  This time France was the destination, where Monaco aquired his services for a season, before one final hurrrah came at Creteil-Lusitanos and finally retirement in 2004 which brought an end to an 18 year career.

Radicioiu may have been far from a hit in London, and at many of his club for that matter, but on his jet-set career of Europe he did set an incredible feat.  He is only one of two players, along with Christian Poulsen, to have plied his trade in Europe's big five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.)

Tottenham Hotspur

After a fourth placed finish in 2009/10, added to the bizarre remarks of Harry Redknapp concerning a title challenge, last season kind of slipped away in the end and Spurs were off the pace in 5th. Their summer has been dominated by the will he won't he departure of Luka Modric, and while other have been strengthening Tottenham have been left behind.

Goalkeeper

Heurelho Gomes is one of the most hit and miss keeper the Premier League has seen. Stunning one minute but horrific the next, and it seems Harry Redknapp has had enough of this up and down form. Carlo Cudicini is still on the books, and now Brad Friedel has linked up with the squad the battle for the first team place will be fierce.

Defence

There's quite a bit of strength in the Tottenham defence, although the injury troubles of the main man at the back Ledley King is a constant concern. Michael Dawson is a solid centre half, while the full backs try and attack as much as possible.

Midfield

If Modric goes he will of course have to be replaced, but other than that there isn't an awful lot wrong in the middle. Gareth Bale is getting recognition world wide, Sandro continues to impress while Rafael Van Der Vaart was a fantastic signing. Steven Pienaar and Aaron Lennon need to impress after a sticky season last time out.

Forwards

There's plenty of goals from midfield, but do this side's strikers contribute enough. Talk is rife of comings and goings, but it does seem this is where Redknapp needs the most help. And there isn't a front man out there who hasn't been linked with White Hart Lane yet this summer.

Manager

After pulling Spurs from the relegation places to Champions League in two season was a master stroke. As a result now though expectations have gone through the roof, and it could be a problem living up to what fans believe they should be achieving.

Areas to Strengthen

A prolific striker need to arrive, this could be the difference between the top tier of Europe or being nowhere. If Modric departs the Croatian will need to be replaced, but some of the deadwood need to be driven out.

Expectations

It would be unrealistic to expect a title challenge, but now Champions League football has been tasted both players and fans have got the taste for it. This could however be out of reach with the money spent by the other sides around them.

Odds

50/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Brad Friedel free (Aston Villa) Scott Parker £5m (West Ham United) Souleymane Coulibaly undisclosed (Siena) Cristian Ceballos free (Barcelona) Emmanuel Adebayor loan (Manchester City) Yago Falque loan (Juventus)

Players out 
 
Jamie O'Hara £5m (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Peter Crouch £10 (Stoke City) Wilson Palacios £8m (Stoke City) Robbie Keane £1.8m (LA Galaxy) Johnathan Woodgate free (Stoke City) Paul-Jose M'Poke undisclosed (Standard Liege) David Bentley loan (West Ham United) Jermaine Jenas loan (Aston Villa) Steven Caulker loan (Swansea City) Bongani Khumalo loan (Reading) Nathan Byrne loan (Bouremouth) Ryan Mason loan (Doncaster Rovers) Jon Obika loan (Yeovil Town) Kyle Naughton loan (Norwich City) Olumide Durojaiye (released)

Big week for Manchester City and Mancini

Manchester City face one of the biggest weeks of their season, with an away trip to Liverpool followed by the FA Cup semi-final. Although an away Premier League tie might not seem all too important, especially in semis week, just take a look at the Premiership table and you'll soon see why it is.

At this time Tottenham lie three points behind City in the battle for a Champions League spot. This time round it is the northerners who look in pole position, with Harry Redknapps men beating the blues to fourth last year with victory on their own Eastlands pitch.

It would of course be very tempting for Roberto Mancini to rest players tonight, considering the injury crisis facing Kenny Daglish and his defeat last time out at West Bromwich Albion. In addition to the fixture list which seems in City's favour, they have to play Liverpool while Redknapps men have both Arsenal and Chelsea coming up before they travel to Eastlands in May.

Resting players though would be a grave mistake, a victory at Anfield could breathe huge confidence through the squad before Saturday. City players shouldn't need a pick me up for a Wembley date with rivals Manchester United, but there's nothing wrong with added confidence. A win tonight would also give them a six point cushion, with Spurs having a game in hand against their bitter North London rivals Arsenal.

City fans though are quite rightfully looking past tonight and ahead to Saturday, to a game that could be huge for both clubs. United fans take pride in informing City how long it's been since they last laid their hands on silverware, while the Red Devils are in the hunt for a treble.

After the huge amounts lavished to Mancini a trophy coupled with Champions League qualification must be the least expected. And in all honesty, no disrespect to Stoke or Bolton, but whoever comes out on top on between Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson will see their sides installed as huge favourites for the final.

We are very near the curtain call of the 2010/11 season, and this week could ensure it is a memorable one for the blue half of Manchester.

Spurs: Breath of fresh air in Champions League

Following an attacking goal fest of a group stage, Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League full of confidence.

On the horizon came AC Milan, seven time winners of Europe's premier club competition.

Despite being huge underdogs Spurs players, staff and fans never doubted themselves, and returned to London with a terrific 1-0 victory.

It was widely regarded in Italy that Milan would stroll this tie, but now it would be a huge surprise should they not progress.

Harry Redknapp should be praised for refusing to reel in his sides attacking intent, and allowing them to stick to their guns with free flowing football.

Although, at times, their defence has looked suspect on the most part that has taken a back seat due to the quality of their play going forward.

It is no secret that this Spurs side has incredible strength, plus for a side out of the limelight for so long players who have experienced life at the top before.

No fear has clearly been the message of Tottenham in the Champions League this season, and long may it continue.

We have seen all season long Manchester City, Spurs' top four challengers, not exactly set the world alight with attacking football.

Whatever the reason for this, confidence, pressure or indeed the defence nature of an Italian manager, I'm sure most people will agree they are relieved Spurs won the top four race.

As we are set for another thrilling finale in the Premier League, Redknapp and his men have the perfect distraction and pick me up.

However far they get just progressing from the group stage, as winners, shows huge progress in itself.

Anything else now is just a bonus, but whose to say when this story will end.

Milan wrote of Spurs and see where it got them, anyone is Europe do it at your peril.