In the aftermath of England’s destruction of Croatia on Wednesday, it seems international football is suddenly back in fashion. Since the last World Cup, any national team service was a nuisance. That it was seen as an unwelcome distraction from the money-printing industry that European club football has become. This perception was altered briefly in the past week, with many minds wandering towards next summer’s (or winter’s as it will be in South Africa) World Cup. But as with every England international week, there must be a scapegoat. Steve McLaren took the heat off the players in this regard during his ill-fated reign as England manager. Last week, Glen Johnson took hold of the throne, receiving largely unwarranted criticism for his displays in England’s victories.
Scapegoat
