Pearce hits out at 'blame culture'

October 12, 2006

Stuart Pearce

CITY boss Stuart Pearce has lashed out at the blame culture which has swept across the national game.

The former England skipper was as disappointed at last night's 2-0 defeat in Croatia as any fan, yet he recoils in horror at the treatment being meted out to coach Steve McClaren and some of his players. It is treatment Pearce can relate having suffered a rocky patch at Eastlands following last month's Carling Cup defeat at Chesterfield.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson in particular has come in for extreme criticism because of his part in Croatia's ludicrous second goal, which condemned England to their worst defeat in 13 years.

Pearce, who still expects England to qualify for the Euro 2008 Championships, does not understand why Robinson is being fingered, agreeing with the Tottenham player's verdict that, under the circumstances, he could have done little to keep out Gary Neville's routine back pass.

And he is also at a loss to comprehend why every England game seems to trigger such knee-jerk reactions.

Culture

"There is too much of a blame culture, in society and football in general," said Pearce, whose own 78-cap international career was scarred by his 1990 World Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out miss against West Germany.

"It seems it has to be someone's turn every week - and I find that quite sad.

"I can't see how you can go from hero to zero in the space of one game. I don't work like that in my everyday life and certainly not as manager of Manchester City.

"What happened last night was totally unfortunate for Paul Robinson.

"The ball was played back to him as sympathetically as possible but once you have started your swing, there is not a great deal you can do about it."

The result, following on from Saturday's disappointing draw with Macedonia, has left England among a group of four teams on seven points.

Three of those team, plus Russia who have five points, play on November 15 when McClaren takes his team to Amsterdam to face Holland in a friendly.

Already, landing a top two berth in the seven-team pool looks far harder than it did when the draw was initially made, although Pearce remains confident.

"The result was disappointing but I am sure we have enough in our locker to qualify from the group, which is the overall aim," he said.

Do you agree with Pearce? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (41) |

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transfer pundit, Stockport (12/10/2006 at 11:18)

quite frankly who cares about the national team. Mclaren is following the same route as Sven Gormless by relying on the same old players who couldn't cut it at the World Cup. Neville = past it, Lampard = out of form, Rooney = out of form, only picked on reputation. Players using an unfamiliar system, poorly prepared and unmotivated. One thing I will say is that if David James had made that same error as Paul Robinson last night he would have been crucified in the press this morning, with the same old "Calamity James" headlines, talk about double standards. Why Pearce is bothering to comment on the game I don't know, I would much rather he concentrated on saturdays game and 3 points.

Wayne Lomas, Whitefield (12/10/2006 at 11:21)

WEAVER FOR ENGLAND!!

jimmy meadows right boot, over the hill (12/10/2006 at 11:33)

Transfer pundit -Stockport - you are the man! Best posting on this site for ages

Mickey H, Stockport (12/10/2006 at 11:43)

Never thought I'd say this, but I found myself agreeing with Graham Taylor's comments. He questioned why the media (and the fans to a degree) seem to think we have the God given right to win anything? After all, we have failed in all international competitions for 40 years. He also said, that whilst the EPL is touted as the best league in the world, in terms of technical ability, the rest of the world has moved on and we have been left behind. He believes we have concentrated to much on producing "pace & power" players and got bogged down with tactics - ie everyman and his dog has an opinion on what formation to play. I agree there are too many players picked on reputation, and club played for, rather than form. There needs to be a better balance. Lampard is the new John Barnes - does it for club, fails for country.

Pigeon scarer, Kippax roof (12/10/2006 at 11:51)

I blame Fergie for everything.

Rix76, Wherever (12/10/2006 at 11:52)

SP is very right. The national team has average players and Croatia is a strong side at home if one looks at the statistics.
And to Transfer Pundit, SP reaction will go down well with footballplayers, and who knows what profits comes from that. You certainly dont have to worry SP not fully preparing for the match on saturday, or any match for that matter.

Troutmann, Germany (12/10/2006 at 11:55)

It's time for Weaver, Barton and Richards to get a full call up.

Sandra, Galway (12/10/2006 at 11:56)

Sorry, Stuart, but somebody has to carry the can. It's this 'nobody is responsible' nonsense that is ruining society as a whole. For example, like it or not, Gary Neville IS to blame for the second goal. Players are taught from no age to always pass the ball back to the side of the net. And if Steve McClaren thinks he's under pressure then he should have spent the last 5 days in Steve Staunton's shoes. The man hasn't had a full squad to select from since the day he took the Ireland job and the knives were out for him big style (some still are). Yet he managed to inspire a team bolstered by untried players playing in front of the third choice goalkeeper to a rousing performance against the Czechs. It was embarrasing that McClaren, on the other hand, couldn't motivate his first team. Still, at least the rest of the family were happy......

Daniel Van Buyten, Munich (12/10/2006 at 12:08)

Transfer Pundit, Pearce is entitled to his opinion as much as you are entitled to yours and as a manager i'd prefer him to keep a media profile so he and mcfc are firmly in the minds of propsective signings. I hope that you will not be holding this incident against him if we don't beat the blades on Sat.

The real Ferrari, Stockport (12/10/2006 at 12:09)

MuEN, you're a disgrace, if it had been Micah who put the ball in HIS own net you would have done a big story about it. Neville did it and there is nothing! By the way, don't blame Robinson, any player worth his salt would have passed back towrds the edge of goal, not Neville, he has to direct it towards goal, CLOWN!

Walter Ego, in the bath (12/10/2006 at 12:12)

Is Pearce touting for the England job again? Give it a rest Stu baby and concentrate on Saturday's match, which is FAR more important for your future in the game. It's nice that he excuses Rubbish Robinson's blooper, yet he berates Ish Miler in public for his lack of awareness! I'm bored with this gentleman's club of mamaners defending one another... "Ooh, too much blame culture"... yeah mate, when you're being paid a million pound a year to make decisions then it's no surprise the public demand results. If the heat's too hot stay out of the kitchen. If you can't take the criticism, then get back to Pizza Hut adverts. Didn't you once say "Judge me by my results"? Then that's all people are doing with McLaren and even you. Get the results... no criticism... big wages... don't get the results... lots of criticism... still big wages! You knew the job before you took it, so get on with it!

Blau, 78234 Engen (12/10/2006 at 12:16)

One day the penny might drop and people will realise that England are not that good. It's ludicrous that we are considered a top footballing nation, having won the WC once and probably having failed to qualify for as many WC/EC tournaments as we have qualified for. Most of decent players in the top-flight have been foreigners for a long time now and, even though we have a team of talented players, it's impossible for anybody to get them to gel. Even managers with top-reputations earning 5 million/yr.

3 months and still wed!, M/cr (12/10/2006 at 12:20)

Walter...I take it it's an early start on saturday then?

C Ronaldo (not THE Ronaldo), Stretford (12/10/2006 at 12:25)

Last nights England "performance" had me in stitches. I can't wait to wind up wayne, gary and co. about it in training!

Phil, Sheffield (12/10/2006 at 12:30)

England does not have a divine right to win anything, but I have to disagree with Stu. Criticism is due to these England players, of who too many are picked on past reputation than current form. So many are overpaid, overblown and cannot take criticism. None more so than Lampard who is burned out physically and mentally and should be dropped. Robinson was positioned in no-man's-land for the first goal - had he been on his line he would have saved it. For the second goal he did get an unfortunate bobble and took a wild swipe at Neville's unnecessary back pass. It is not a blame culture. It is criticism so that people can learn from it. It was clear last night that one team wanted to win and one team wanted to draw, and was playing well within itself. The latter team was England. England's stubborn thick-headed players don't seem to learn like Pearce's Italia 90 team did, and that partly is down to the arrogant, ignorant, 'don't criticise us' mentality that so many players today hold. An average manager Steve McLaren may be, and I am not alone in regretting his appointment and wishing that we had Hiddink or O'Neill in charge, but at least he was honest enough to take responsibility. Pity about his players though. And yes, The Premiership is an overrated league. Exciting...yes, but with very few exceptions the players don't learn to play at different tempos. They cannot change the pace of the game. Until they learn to do this then England will continue to struggle.

Walter Ego, in the bath (12/10/2006 at 12:33)

3 months wed... or whoever you are... yes, early start Sat'day. Same bat time, same bat place! I've come up with an idea for a new badge... it's a cracker! And stop bragging about how much you spend! You're beginning to sound like our nice CEO!

Freddie, Lancs (12/10/2006 at 12:36)

Calm down Walter Ego!! You'll do yourself an injury son...

Phil, Sheffield (12/10/2006 at 12:40)

PS. Gary Neville. You're supposed to score in their nets, not ours! Altogether now...if the Neville's play for England so can I....

dpkmanc, Levenshulme (12/10/2006 at 12:44)

Do not criticise the players or the manager, only the press. The truth is England are a poor team full of poor players who the press build up (eg Rooney the next Pele!) as world-beaters when they are at best mediocrities playing in a mediocre league. My advise is follow the cricketers in Australian this winter, an honest bunch of genuinely talented individuals who win things. Come on you blues!

john, london (12/10/2006 at 12:50)

even though david james isnt a city player anymore if that was him in goal last night they wouldnt have even let him back in the country but its neville fault as well when i wasyoung playing football i was always told when i pass back make sure its at the side of the goal just in case the keeper swings and misses but it was a great goal mister neville and hes not a wing back time to retire comes to mind and give the young ones a start

Chicken Saag, Bed of Pilau Rice (12/10/2006 at 13:07)

Oh, Stuart, you have to realise that you professionals are very well paid to take criticism. ! Win matches and we'll love you. Lose matches and we'll criticise you. Simple as that. Now deal with it!

Getridof Reyna, Staffs (12/10/2006 at 13:29)

I rather like SP's take on this. Whatever happens in football and life as a whole in the UK, its ALWAYS someone elses fault.
I would'nt be suprised if one or two Solicitors think Neville has a case against Robinson for the mental anguish and post traumatic stress he's now undoubtedly suffering (medical evidence can be arranged!) as a result of the failure to clear his back pass. Surely a goal keeper owes his defenders a duty of care or how about vicarious liability?
All we're good at in this Country is suing each other. We're certainly no good at international football.

Terry Sandbold, Manchester (12/10/2006 at 13:35)

I am glad SP didn't get the England job as he would have done worse than Mclaren IMHO. Robinson needs to be lambasted as James was because the only reason Robinson replaced James was because Robinson was apparently error free. He was poor in the World Cup and now is getting exposed for the keeper he really is.

James Hall, Bury (12/10/2006 at 13:37)

Stuart, managers are paid big money to win football matches,
as your team has won very few matches since Xmas, you must take the blame, FOCUS ON CITY AND WIN GAMES OR YOU ARE OUT OF THE DOOR.

Jon, At Work (12/10/2006 at 14:10)

I blame Neville(Gary or Phil, I'm not bothered which), now what are we talking about?

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