If it hurts show it.
I was so excited when the first test match got under way only for Harmison to set the tone for the series. If England were ever going to compete it was essential for us to stand toe to toe with the Aussies and look them right in the eye. From the moment Harmison hit Flintoff at second slip our boys were on a slippery slope.
I've heard too many people today say they were 'disappointed', or 'it wasn't very good'. We need people in this country to say it as it is. It was a disgrace, I feel ashamed and the players and ECB must take a long hard look at themselves.
It wasn't feelling 'disappointed' that shocked Ponting et al into living, eating and sleeping The Ashes until he got his mits on them once more.
Andrew Flintoff says England need to take the positives out of the tour. I suppose that's an easier and far quicker exercise than totting up the negatives. We messed up on pretty much every level and need to concentrate our efforts into putting those right for next time. In 2009 when we walk out on to the field at Lords we need to have everything right and not shirk the fight again.
Our mentality in England is to laugh off defeats and revel in victory. That is what is wrong with this country. We need to harden up, grow a backbone and refuse to lose gracefully. We need to hate, loath and detest the feeling defeat gives to us. I'm not suggesting we cheat and dive our way to glory, but there is nothing honourable in defeat.
If as a nation we ever want to see The Ashes or The World Cup (rugby or football) again we need to be more like the Australians. When they lost the urn in 2005 their countrymen were devastated. Ponting was given so much grief and his team were vilified. They used those feelings of hurt to spur them on. They went on a phenomenal run or success culminating in the 5-0 Ashes win yesterday.
I'm not suggesting we humm Waltzing Matilda, move sheep into the back garden and wear corks on our hats, but we must learn to love winning and to really hate defeat.
