C'MON

There’s a strange feeling in the air tonight, (that brought back memories of Phil Collins song of the same title… wonder where he is now?) Anyway this feeling is probably more to do with the fact Ingerland are playing again in the world cup and after their piss poor performance against the USA team it isn’t looking particularly hopeful against the Algerians this evening. As much as I dislike the game I do enjoy the hype around the world cup, it brings out global rivalry and of course there is the pride associated with your home country whether you follow the game or not, if a victory is won I imagine that most would be swooning with pride for their countries team.
I wonder why we have such a poor track record not only in football but also in cricket, tennis, athletics and various other sports, is it just because we don’t recognise and nurture the talent from an early stage or is it lack of funds.
I often wonder how much of the lack of a Wimbledon winner from our shores is based on the expense to train the youngsters… but then finding the talent in the first place, you don’t hear mention of scouts going around secondary schools looking for the next Wimbledon star or starlet.
I remember not being allowed to play tennis at school unless you were in the brainiac classes or you showed a natural aptitude towards the game after a couple of taster sessions which lasted quite literally for you trying to serve a couple of balls and then a couple of forehand/backhand shots… the why behind that choice is beyond me, but they used the lack of teachers and court space as the reasoning, but needless to say there weren’t that many played tennis in my school… but then like many at my school I was a single face lost amongst the sea of the many kids that were overlooked, any talents we had were brushed aside as inconveniences or interruptions to the smooth running of the class not that the teachers appeared that bothered by any interruptions. As a nation we don’t really celebrate in our young-uns it seems that we give them rights in all the wrong places and stifle their talents - Still to this day. I think that is more to do with numbers… and recognising potential and natural aptitudes in certain arenas, and the educational system we have in place doesn’t allow for individuality any more than it allows for the underachievers to flex their wings and discover their potential in other areas. I remember the bottom band at school those kids were the outsiders to just about everyone, the underlings as it were, they never stood a chance really, from the beginning they were placed in a class and labelled “special” with all the negativity and the undercurrents that go with that label, how can any talent blossom when it placed in the dark like that.
I imagine that most of the players in tonight’s game will have their own stories of their climb to the top of the elite ladder of silly money wages and a lifestyle that mirrors that of rock stars and actors, lets just hope they are worth their money and bloody well win tonight.
C’MON INGERLAND ;))