Phil Neville must understand that actions speak louder than words | Barry Glendenning


The England Women’s manager has done a reasonable job, but has yet to live up to the high standards he has set himself

Show don’t tell. It’s an age-old technique employed by writers and film-makers who wish to put across their story in a way that places readers or movie-goers in the shoes of the characters involved. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining,” said Anton Chekhov, a man who knew a thing or two about stringing together a few lines of dialogue. “Show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

One wonders what old Anton might have made of Phil Neville’s approach to managing the England Women football team, a modus operandi that appears to fly in the face of the Russian’s sage advice. Since his appointment 18 months ago he has never been slow in telling everyone just how good he and his players are, even if as a collective they have yet to show it.

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