Sympathy or Trophies?

Watching Fulham last night, like presumably 99% of the British viewing public I was extremely upset for them when Forlan (those eyes...I'm certain he is a cyborg...so piercing) snuck in to win it.

Immediate reaction to the game amongst the company I enjoyed a few beers and later some therapeutic Pro Evo 4 (still the best, accept no imitations - Pro 2010 my arse) with was along the lines of: fair play to them, what an achievement, good on them for getting so far, what heroes etc etc.

Whilst no one can surely argue that the above points are all true - and anyone who begrudges the absolute football gentleman who is Roy Hodgson his success probably tortures small animals - does it not hint at something which is a curse of the English game?

Fulham have meagre resources in the context of not only their domestic league but also the opposition they vanquished on this epic cup run. They have an inoffensive collection of what seem to be decent, hard-working players who work for each other as a team. No stronger evidence of this could be found than in Zamora clearly playing through the pain barrier for his team-mates (and manfully removing himself from England selection - more on that). They don't over charge their fans and in general we all agree, good luck to them.

However.

When you reach a cup final, you are there for one reason only - to leave with the trophy. I've been to two cup finals: the prestigious FA Cup final, watched by millions, oldest competition in the world etc; and then this year the much less important Johnstones Paint Trophy Final.

I did not 'have a great day out' in Cardiff 2003, because we lost. Wembley this year was fantastic - ironically it really was a great day out; and I am under no illusions to the part that 4 goals and a shiny trophy played in that.

I think that the myth surrounding glorious failure, and the achievement of reaching a cup final in itself is a real poison for the game in this country. Mainly I suppose I am talking about the international game - basically all I've known for England is glorious failure. Middlesbrough, Milwall, Southampton, now Fulham - small clubs who reach a final way beyond expectation and are deemed to have done enough just by turning up. No, no, no - we can win these things, we got there by merit so let's bloody well play like it.

Fulham fans singing 'Stand up, if you still believe' - good on you. Fulham players, this morning, do you really think you did enough, were you just happy to be there - did you still believe?


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As a final note, this article on Zamora I found extremely impressive.
Quote: 'The World Cup is a massive tournament. It's not about myself, it's about England'. You're absolutely right mate, and with an attitude like that I found myself wishing for the first time that he had been put on the plane. Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery and an improvement on the form he has shown this year, I hope he gets to pull on the Three Lions at some point, as it seems that it would mean as much to him as it would to the rest of us.