I find it very strange that our players are almost "shellshocked" into putting up a stiffer resistance when we faced Slovenia and Czech Rep. Infact, going back to 2004 when we were mauled 4-0 by Scotland, it was apparant that while we have some degree of skill and technical ability, the guys were mauled by a very mediorce and technically deficient side, only using a power game. Much like Germany 8-0 mauling of the Saudis in 2002.
Most if not all of our players play professional football full time. Most of our squad play in the lower English and Scottish Leagues. Those leagues are 100 mph of airball football and very rough house play. With little or no quality! So why is it, when as a full time pro, you watch and experience the speed and differing class levels of European football, but yet cant seem to raise your game from minute 1, and match these European teams with speed and aggression??
We cannot match them for technical ability as most teams in Europe are superior to us at this. But I dont care what anyone says, we have players who can come close to matching England and Brazil physically and with speed! Why dont we use it when it matters?
When Beenhakker said that the team arent used to the speed and physical play of European football, I agreed to an extent. He is 100 % correct in choosing the games he did. (Though I would have put the fixtures in reverse with the harder team, Czech Rep 1st, and the weaker Wales team today so we can record a morale boosting victory

).
But surely, as professional footballers, they should be more clued up to what to expect at this level, and get "battle ready!" Am I asking or assuming too much??
Nerves? Yes, our very first world cup, historic, no one wants to get injured and miss out (Good luck Silvio!!) But Yorke (Man U, Champions league experience) Hisliop (Newcastle- Champions league experience) Andrews (Rangers-Champions league experience) STERN "NO. 14" John-Premiership experience. What excuse is there for nerves, (if there are any) when you know what it is like to be at the end of 30-60,000 prying eyes week in, week out!?
I just think that, yes we arent a great side, yes we are not world class, but damn, we are a team. We have experience, youth, pace and power. Why cant we turn it on like some 3rd division teams do when they face premiereship teams in the FA Cup??
Like Chelsea Vs Colchester United where Chelsea struggled to score until the 60 or 70 minute, before they eventually ran out 3-1 winners. That is a great example of Trinidad Vs all 3 teams we will face. Like Colchester United, we dont have the "big stars" or ability. But Colchester matched Chelsea physically, worked on the basics (set pieces), defended with organisation, shocked them with an early goal, and frustrated them.
WE ARE BETTER THAN COLCHESTER UNITED (I would thinkÂ

). And the Chelsea team that day is as strong as England will be on June 15th.
So what I want to see from Trinidad is Fight, do or die, use our strenghts to the best of our ability. Not get cold feet, and blame Naiviety. One World Cup, and could be one chance for many. Make use of it!Â
Am I asking or assuming too much??? Â
