An interesting article.
Germany's two-goal hero Thomas Mueller believes the "alpha-male" culture in the England team will hinder their chances of becoming successful.
Mueller scored twice for Germany in their 4-1 win over England on Sunday in the last-16 stage of the World Cup.
"It is difficult to have so many 'alpha males' and have them row in the same direction," said the 20-year-old.
"You don't only need chiefs, you also need a few Indians. You need people who are willing to do the hard work."
He added: "It may be a problem with England that players are simply not mentally prepared to go that extra mile for their team-mates."
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that England were "killed by their own impatience" during their defeat to Germany.
The Frenchman believes England should have used their experience to stop Germany's counter-attacking threat.
England pulled the score back to 2-1 and had a goal disallowed but were hit on the break when chasing an equaliser.
"England had taken over the game and I think they were killed by their impatience," Wenger told Arsenal's website.
"They came back in the second half to 2-1 and they controlled the game.
"What made me sad was that, with the experience they had, they were caught. It was free-kick for England, goal for Germany.
"You do what they did with five minutes to go OK but not with 25 minutes left."
606: DEBATE
The Germans play a style of physical, go-forward football that we can relate to but they also have midfield players capable of holding on to the ball
johnb
England's disappointing performances in the tournament in South Africa has led to criticism of manager Fabio Capello, the players, the structure of the Premier League as well as increasing calls for a winter break.
However, Wenger believes the levels of expectation weighed heavily on the England camp.
"Many teams start slow in the group stage," he said.
"I remember in 2006, France were horrible in the group stage but they found momentum in the quarter-final and semi-final because they had no pressure any more.
"England suffered under pressure. They did not look sharp.
"Also England did not seem to be at the level to use their main strength - the huge pace they put in the game.
"Was that physical fatigue or a mental reason? I do not know but you never found the sense of English football in there."
article
Germany's two-goal hero Thomas Mueller believes the "alpha-male" culture in the England team will hinder their chances of becoming successful.
Mueller scored twice for Germany in their 4-1 win over England on Sunday in the last-16 stage of the World Cup.
"It is difficult to have so many 'alpha males' and have them row in the same direction," said the 20-year-old.
"You don't only need chiefs, you also need a few Indians. You need people who are willing to do the hard work."
He added: "It may be a problem with England that players are simply not mentally prepared to go that extra mile for their team-mates."
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that England were "killed by their own impatience" during their defeat to Germany.
The Frenchman believes England should have used their experience to stop Germany's counter-attacking threat.
England pulled the score back to 2-1 and had a goal disallowed but were hit on the break when chasing an equaliser.
"England had taken over the game and I think they were killed by their impatience," Wenger told Arsenal's website.
"They came back in the second half to 2-1 and they controlled the game.
"What made me sad was that, with the experience they had, they were caught. It was free-kick for England, goal for Germany.
"You do what they did with five minutes to go OK but not with 25 minutes left."
606: DEBATE
The Germans play a style of physical, go-forward football that we can relate to but they also have midfield players capable of holding on to the ball
johnb
England's disappointing performances in the tournament in South Africa has led to criticism of manager Fabio Capello, the players, the structure of the Premier League as well as increasing calls for a winter break.
However, Wenger believes the levels of expectation weighed heavily on the England camp.
"Many teams start slow in the group stage," he said.
"I remember in 2006, France were horrible in the group stage but they found momentum in the quarter-final and semi-final because they had no pressure any more.
"England suffered under pressure. They did not look sharp.
"Also England did not seem to be at the level to use their main strength - the huge pace they put in the game.
"Was that physical fatigue or a mental reason? I do not know but you never found the sense of English football in there."
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