The Trap that Jack built

THE charge sheet is eerily familiar: the manager is too rigid in his thinking.

He is suspicious of so-called flair players, stifles creativity and freedom of expression, and rewards those who follow orders. The result is football of limited imagination and crushing predictability.

But, with discipline, organisation and work-rate exalted above all else — and with more than a smidgeon of luck thrown in for good measure — qualification for a major tournament is still very much on the agenda.