Do the English media motivate countries to play England ?

We all know the reputation of the English media. As far back as we can go they have a history of rubbing people up the wrong way as well as causing numerous Premier League and English national managers to lose their jobs. Some have gone as far as to say the English media pick the national team.

Aside from all that, the increasing influence of the English media not only against or for their own players but against foreign players, could be a huge factor in the failings of the national team.

The English media are well-known all over the world for being an influencing factor and though their reputation precedes them it is justified. The recent phone hacking scandal is proof of this.

But has the actions of the English media really hindered the progress of the national team?

I suppose it sounds like a bit of a cop out saying this and I am not trying to defend the national team as we all know they have been poor, but this is more to open up people’s eyes and minds to other possibilities.

England were miserably knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages for the first time since 1958 after losing their first two group games against Italy and Uruguay.

While watching Italy losing to Uruguay, besides the Suarez biting scandal, the biggest thing about the game for me was how average both sides looked compared to when they played England.

Though they both surprisingly lost to Costa Rica, they both have had tournament success in recent years. Italy won the World Cup in 2006 and were beaten finalist at Euro 2012.

Uruguay came fourth in the last World Cup and are the current Copa America champions…England on the other hand….?

Why is this? Besides from England being an old-fashioned, out of touch, relying on past footballing and even further back political triumphs. Countries seem to really want to get one over England.

Obviously England’s political background, rule Britannia attitude and war history are also factors in motivating other nations against England but I don’t think that affects modern-day footballers as much as it did previously.

Only four weeks prior to Suarez’s two goals that sunk England, he was in a wheelchair following a knee operation and it seemed the thought of playing against England was all the motivation he needed to be fit.

Balotelli, another who’s been on the wrong end of the English media was largely anonymous and had a typical petulant outburst during the World Cup, which he was criticised for by his team mates.

Against England he seemed mature, determined and popped up with the winner.

Previous to that, England have been out thought by Italy to lose on pens in Euro 2012.

Struggled to a draw with USA in the opening group game at World Cup 2010. USA topped their group and lost in the second round to Ghana.

England got destroyed 4-1 by Germany in the second round. They didn’t even qualify for Euro08 losing home and away to Croatia and away to Russia in qualifying.

At World Cup 2006 after a good start, they lost on pens (again) to Portugal as they did to them in the quarter finals at Euro04.

In the last 10 years, out of all the teams that have knocked England out of major tournaments only Portugal in 04 managed to get to a final. And that was in their own country losing to Greece. No team who have knocked England out have actually gone on to win a tournament.

So it’s not like England are getting knocked out by the best teams in these tournaments. But teams seem to really get up for playing against England. Aside from England being really poor or unlucky there has to be an added factor here.

It’s not like England do not or have not had quality players. Greece in 04 proved anything is possibly but England haven’t even been close.

The higher you go in professional sport the margins become increasingly thinner and sometimes any little advantage, psychological or physical can make all the difference.

The arrogant, cocky and almost elitist like nature of the English media. Could just be giving other nations that tiny percentage of advantage needed, to raise their game to a level English players just do not have.

The media’s well documented witch hunts, character assassinations and hard-hitting articles could be backfiring on England. At the same time, that positive motivation for other counties could be that negative pressure for the national team.

As I stated before, I am not trying to defend the national team or trying to give them excuses for having such a dismal record. But there has to be more added factors to them just being so consistently inept.

Over the years, England have tried to change so many aspects of their football, and it’s infrastructure without any success. The one thing that has not changed over the years is the English media…..Just a food for thought……Just saying!