Another False Dawn for England?

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The False Nine editor, James Dutton, looks into Theo Walcott’s claim that this is the best England squad in his time with the national side…

So Theo Walcott has claimed this is the best England squad he’s been part of.

It certainly is a bold claim from the Arsenal forward. After all, this is the same Walcott who was plucked from Arsenal’s reserves by Sven Goran Eriksson at the age of 16 and invited to experience, first hand, England’s 2006 World Cup debacle. WAGs, metatarsals and prima donnas dominated the headlines, whilst poor little Theo was forced to watch on helpless. Continue reading

Premier League can be the platform for Belgian success

False Nine writer Matt Malone takes a look at the recent influx of Belgians in English football and asks what they might be capable of…

For many years, asking a person to name three famous Belgians proved to be a sure fire way to bring about a prolonged silence followed by the sheepish response that perhaps, despite being fictional, Hercule Poirot and Tintin must count as the two great detectives summed up a country that was far more famous for its beer and waffles then it ever could be for the great people that represented it on a world stage. Continue reading

John Terry – Captain, Leader, Legend?

In the wake of John Terry’s retirement from international football, James Dutton assesses the distorted perceptions of the former captain…

There is a certain banner that adorns one of the ends at Stamford Bridge, which conveys a simple unifying message amongst Chelsea support; ‘JT: Captain, Leader, Legend’ it proclaims. Continue reading

Young Lions Face Challenge of Filling Golden Generation’s Shoes

False Nine editor James Dutton assesses England’s upcoming fixture against Moldova, the symmetry it presents with the beginning of the ‘Golden Generation’ and the future beyond…

England return to competitive action for the first time since their dispiriting Quarter-Final showing against Italy with a return to Moldova. Sixteen years ago David Beckham was awarded his first cap in Chisinau, by Glenn Hoddle, and the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ was born. Sixteen years later and the ‘Golden Generation’s’ influence has largely subsided or been cast asunder, but its last remnants linger to make up the core of the transitional England of 2012. Continue reading