Terry & Bridge Could Harm Englands World Cup Chances

This whole saga reminds sports betting fans that you never participate in sports betting without appreciating that outside factors have a bearing on results. Indeed our search for value in many betting article previews that I write pay particular attention to outside factors that could sway the odds and their value. John Terry’s affair could cause severe squad unrest in the crucial pre-World Cup preparations that are ongoing.

Manager Fabio Capello was furious enough with the situation to strip John Terry of his captaincy in a short twelve minute meeting. Good for him. Former managers may have given him another chance and took the easy way out citing his suitability to the role. Not Capello. He is sending out a message to Terry and every member of the squad; shape up or you will be booted out of the team next. Players need reminding that an international cap is a privilege and not a right, I think they have got the message loud and clear under Capellos strict regime.

Currently England are amongst the favourites for the World Cup. Their current odds with bwin are 6/1 behind Brazil at 5/1 and the favourites Spain at 17/4. With Spain inconsistent before winning Euro 2008 you can see we have a good chance at the tournament. The incidents between Bridge and Terry are not likely to alter the odds, but consider other things that will be occurring around the squad right now.

The other players in the squad will be unnerved by what is going on and will be discussing the coverage in the papers between themselves and contacting Wayne Bridge and offering their support. Likewise, but perhaps to a lesser extent, the same thing will be happening to Terry. The mere fact they are discussing the debacle is a bad thing for England. Capello does not like to get involved in things like this and is a tough, matter of fact manager. He will be aware, however, that the England team has to deal with media scrutiny a little more than other countries. It demands a different approach.

Ashley Cole’s injury has cast doubt on whether he will be at the World Cup. Bridge is only viable replacement unless Gareth Barry moves into the role where he started his career. Bridge has not publicly stated whether he would accept a call-up to the squad and rumour has it he has so far snubbed efforts by Terry to get in touch and discuss things. The fact that the spotlight is now on Terry and Bridge playing together is cannon fodder for the media and something Capello would have been keen to avoid in the World Cup build up.

Younger players may be disillusioned with their captain and the nature of the incidents involving Terry and Bridge force you to take sides. By nature this splits the squad. It is now vital for Capello to bring the squad together and ensure things are not left lingering. Rio Ferdinand needs to be accepted as Captain and the squad needs to move forward together. Hopefully this can happen at the Egypt friendly.

I would personally like to see Bridge and Terry play together in the friendly and give at least a public sign of a truce, even if that masks their private feelings. This public truce would serve to dampen the media flame that is burning so intensely at the moment. I think that perhaps Capello will want the same thing as he is not the type of manager to view this as anything more than an irritating distraction brought about by silly players not thinking about the repercussions of their actions.

In my opinion the media did gleefully exaggerate the story. The woman involved was not with Bridge and even though she has a child with him the link to Bridge was exaggerated in terms of the reported “Terry has an affair with team mate’s girl” angle. Of course Bridge is embarrassed (we all heard the crowd chants) but Terry is rightly being criticised for his extra marital activities and it is not the first time he has been caught out. He needs to realise the media are watching for him to slip up. Failure to toe the line has cost him his captaincy, he needs to make sure he limits the damage this has caused and it does not upset the England squad anymore than it has done already.

Our World Cup hopes may depend on it.

By Malcolm Clarke