Source: Telegraph
Aaron Ramsey must ensure no mental scars remain from Ryan Shawcross tackle
Some reflections on events at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City are a limited team but not a dirty one. Their centre-half, Ryan Shawcross, is a promising player who made a reckless challenge on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey but not a malicious one. [LNB]Shawcross's remorse was obviously genuine. But if he is to mature into a top-class centre-half, one capable of any sustained prominence with England, Shawcross must learn that there is a certain type of aggressive, high-speed tackle tolerated in English football that draws instant sanction from foreign referees, even if no contact with the opponent occurs. [LNB] Related ArticlesStoke defend Shawcross integrityRamsey's injury does not prove Arsenal are targetedRamsey's fate is legacy of grass roots aggressionStoke City 1 Arsenal 3Wenger: 'We have achieved'Arsenal post large half-year pre-tax profitsShawcross must learn to nick the ball. [LNB]As for Ramsey, a fine young talent with technical gifts that Shawcross can only dream of, the Welshman will recover medically. [LNB]The physical scars will fade but Ramsey must ensure no mental scars remain that could stymie his development. Just look at Eduardo. [LNB]History's mocking lessons for England[LNB]If England manager Fabio Capello seeks a musical medley to block out the noise from the John Terry-Wayne Bridge saga, he would be well advised to avoid the singles that dominated the charts during past World Cups. [LNB]Secret Love by Doris Day and Who's Sorry Now by Connie Francis were the songs that averaged the highest positions throughout Switzerland 1954 and Sweden 1958 respectively. [LNB]History's mocking lessons for England's present continues with She by Charles Aznavour at West Germany 1974 and Brown Girl in the Ring by Boney M at Argentina 1978. [LNB]Terry might not appreciate the memory from Mexico 1982 of the poignant Happy Talk by Captain Sensible. Or Bridge for Sacrifice by Elton John at Italia 90 (with England/New Order's World In Motion at No 2 and Luciano Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma at No 3). Love Is All Around by Wet Wet Wet soaked all the weeks of USA 94. [LNB]Most recently, two apposite classics ruled the charts during Japan/Korea 2002 and Germany 2006: A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley and a famous offering from Gnarls Barkley that encapsulates the current circus around Capello's squad. Crazy. [LNB]
