England Looking Even More Vulnerable: Hargreaves Questionable

The picture to your right is a pretty good metaphorical illustration of what’s going on in the English camp right now. Hargreaves is frustrated, while thousands of supporters lie face-down on the pitch. Quite honestly, this last bit of news is the last thing that any fans of England need to hear. Becks and Lamps are both out, Gerrard will play but will probably damage himself in the process, and Hargreaves will be less than 70% if he decides to grind it out.

Hargreaves had a scan last night to see just how bad his thigh has been injured (source), and Sky Sports reported that the results have left the training staff more worried than they were before. Granted that even a third-team backup squad should (theoretically) have little problem handling the Israel team, a matchup with Russia looms in the distance just four days later. And anyone who has seen England play recently should know that they’re more than capable of screwing both games up.

So the answer to the question that everyone has been daring to ask recently is this: yes. There is a significant chance that England will not qualify for Euro 2008 (tear tear). Croatia and Russia are holding the upper hand right now, and it’s a pretty decisive upper hand. Basically, Russia are holding pocket Kings while England have a 10-9 off-suit. This weekend, we’ll see The Flop. Get it? ha ha harrr(grieves).

All hope is not lost, however. England still have a straight draw (last poker reference), and could pull back into contention if they win the next two games. How they’re going to do that is beyond me, and it’s starting to look like it’s beyond Steve McClaren as well. Since rumors about managers on the verge of losing their jobs seems to be the latest trend, expect McClaren to be next in line if England do poorly over the next week.