Why Maradona is more than just an entertaining clod

The perception that Maradona is a fool is a myth. Despite what people feel about his life, his style, the gambeta (The idea that off balancing opponents is the way to win), he lives football; he is immersed in it, and it augments him. As such I have confidence in his ability to help, what is possibly the most gifted attacking line-up a nation has ever possessed, get through tough matches and win the World Cup.

Argentina had a strange qualification, but it counts for nothing here, many critics are using this as the litmus test for his ability as a coach, but did he not qualify? The Argentina side he inherited was in stagnation, despite it's talent. He made tough decisions in dropping stalwarts of the side in Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti, and after such excellent European campaigns, it seems to Europeans such as ourselves that he is mad for not taking them. Whereas lesser men may have buckled to the pressure, he is going with his game plan, Mascherano screening, bullying midfielders and Veron metronomically making the side tick. (A la Capello and his views on Heskey).

Furthermore, he has been labelled as clueless for using too many players in qualifying, 107 in total, but most of these were Argentina based players, giving them a chance for international exposure against opposition that is not as strong as the final tournament. We often say here how good it would be for Capello (and by the same token other England Managers of the recent past) to give in-form players a game. Not just friendly matches however, ones which Darren Bent plays alone upfront and is offered no ammunition for goals, real qualification games where the aim is only to win.

In a strange way, Argentina, because of this mentality, are the best prepared team in the tournament (only Germany can lay claim to being more prepared, their players have used the Jubalani for an entire season compared to the 20 days that has been given to the rest of the teams.), they have the attitude of a flexible team that plays in different manners when required and with the ability of Messi, not only talismanic, but malleable (I believe he may be dropped back into midfield in Veron's absence), they have a player that can win them the tournament through sheer genius.