Another dismal result for England yesterday. A key qualifying game for Euro 2012, and we could only scrape a draw. Could I offer my perspective on the reason English football is so often so poor ?

     I think for part of the answer, we must look to the Premier League. I understand (not certain about this) that the percentage of non-English players in this league is at the upper side of 50% – 60%. Now, I have no issue, with foreign players in English teams, and no issue with the numbers. I think they bring a diversity to the game, that is much needed. However, this does not seem to be a two-way thing. How many English payers, play abroad ? Surprisingly very low, I believe. I think that could be a key factor here. It is often said, that the best way to learn another language is to live in that country. Maybe that is the same with football. Maybe the reason that international teams tend to be better than us, is that there are so many international players here, learning the English game. So that when they play us at international level, they know how we will play the game. English players do not have that advantage. It’s an opinion.

     And now onto Jim’ll Fix It !!! Sorry, that should be Britain’s Got Talent. Did anybody really think, that after to revelations on the web, that Ronan Parke would be allowed to win!!!!!  The thing with these ‘phone-in’ shows, is that the viewing public has no proof, that the results are genuine. Where are the number of votes for each artiste published ? Who has verified them ? Can the be challenged? Are they accurate and how many callers do not get through ? These are questions that should be answered. I thought it quite funny, when Michael McIntyre said that he had voted, then very very quickly explained that it was a joke !!

     Tonight, we have to look forward to ‘Pop Star to Opera Star’ (groan.) Maybe that should be called ‘Has Been Pop/Soul/Rock Singer Has A Stab At Singing A Classical Aria’ ????? Doesn’t quite trip of the tongue. Bt that is basically what the program is about. Is Simon ‘I never met him’ Cowell involved in this at all. Oh and by the way, much as I love Katherine Jenkins, she is not an opera singer, she is a classical singer … her words.

     I suppose the next big thing will be ‘Simon Says’, more popularly known as ‘X Factor’, or will it be ‘I’m Someone Who Wants To Be In The Limelight Again, Get Me Out Of Here’ !!!!! Oh for the days of real Saturday night entertainment.