Disagree with the earlier comments about Vardy should be starting every game. As we saw last night, he see's very little of the ball when teams sit back and defend deep. He doesn't drop into the 'hole' and is most effective when the ball is over the top into space and he can run across the back line. Against Belgium and in the knock out stages i think he can be a real asset with Hendersons long range of passing to get Vardy in behind teams.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
It's strange going into the World Cup with so few sacred cows in the team. Other than Kane and maybe Stones, I'm not sure anyone is certain of their place in the team
I remember the 2002 at school as well, 11, whole school watching it. Would have been great...
This time, I work with Italians, who are refusing to entertain showing the World Cup where I work, despite the fact that we are a food and beer establishment...
I remember the 2002 at school as well, 11, whole school watching it. Would have been great...
This time, I work with Italians, who are refusing to entertain showing the World Cup where I work, despite the fact that we are a food and beer establishment...
I remember the 2002 at school as well, 11, whole school watching it. Would have been great...
This time, I work with Italians, who are refusing to entertain showing the World Cup where I work, despite the fact that we are a food and beer establishment...
How do you end up always working with nutjobs?
Starting to ask myself the same thing. New place genuinely is crazy. Owner has threatened to kill people, I did the whole awkward laugh thing that you do when people say stuff like that, and he just looks at me and goes "I'm not joking"
Not the best job, left my last one because I wanted part time, and because it was running out of cash very quickly. Who knows what the future holds but at the moment my manager messages me at 7.30pm on my off days, so not sure how much longer I'll be putting up with that...
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
I was 15 years old and a HUGE England fan at the time. Watched the game vs Brazil at home and couldn't hold back tears at the end. That was the only time I cried for a national team - I haven't even shed a tear for my own national team (China) because I've never had expections. I really loved that England team and thought they could do well and with a bit of luck maybe even win the World Cup...
As for this year, I watched replay of both the Costa Rica and Nigeria games. I wonder if you're all wearing rose-tinted glasses because I don't see the performances as great as most of you do. Neither of the opponents put much pressure on England. IIRC you did have a good run of friendlies before the last Euros under Woy? So perhaps friendly performances didn't really mean much? That said, I truly hope England go through the group stage and make the last 8 at least. You'll be the team that I root for.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
I was 15 years old and a HUGE England fan at the time. Watched the game vs Brazil at home and couldn't hold back tears at the end. That was the only time I cried for a national team - I haven't even shed a tear for my own national team (China) because I've never had expections. I really loved that England team and thought they could do well and with a bit of luck maybe even win the World Cup...
As for this year, I watched replay of both the Costa Rica and Nigeria games. I wonder if you're all wearing rose-tinted glasses because I don't see the performances as great as most of you do. Neither of the opponents put much pressure on England. IIRC you did have a good run of friendlies before the last Euros under Woy? So perhaps friendly performances didn't really mean much? That said, I truly hope England go through the group stage and make the last 8 at least. You'll be the team that I root for.
That's the thing about friendlies, if you win and win well then it's "only a friendly and doesn't mean much" but if you lose then it suddenly means we are useless and won't win anything.
Truth is it's about maintaining form and fitness and creating understandings between players - from my perspective 2 wins, a clean sheet for our defence, 2 strikers getting goals and no injuries is a perfect result for us, I don't really see what more can be asked of a team preparing for a tournament?
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
I was 15 years old and a HUGE England fan at the time. Watched the game vs Brazil at home and couldn't hold back tears at the end. That was the only time I cried for a national team - I haven't even shed a tear for my own national team (China) because I've never had expections. I really loved that England team and thought they could do well and with a bit of luck maybe even win the World Cup...
As for this year, I watched replay of both the Costa Rica and Nigeria games. I wonder if you're all wearing rose-tinted glasses because I don't see the performances as great as most of you do. Neither of the opponents put much pressure on England. IIRC you did have a good run of friendlies before the last Euros under Woy? So perhaps friendly performances didn't really mean much? That said, I truly hope England go through the group stage and make the last 8 at least. You'll be the team that I root for.
That's the thing about friendlies, if you win and win well then it's "only a friendly and doesn't mean much" but if you lose then it suddenly means we are useless and won't win anything.
Truth is it's about maintaining form and fitness and creating understandings between players - from my perspective 2 wins, a clean sheet for our defence, 2 strikers getting goals and no injuries is a perfect result for us, I don't really see what more can be asked of a team preparing for a tournament?
Perhaps I'm now just used to watching (Premier) league games which are more physical, competitive and have a higher tempo? Costa Rica looked very good and up for it in the first five or ten minutes but after that they sort of sat back and rarely threatened you.
I agree with you that friendlies are basically for preparation. Just that it's better to be *cautiously* optimistic maybe?
2002 I was just finishing university, and had a viva (like a job interview where the prize is not totally wasting the last four years of your life) the day of the Brazil game. I turned up to the viva tired and pissed off, and left even more pissed off after fucking it up (luckily, I wasn't going to drop a grade, and was there as a benchmark, not that I knew at the time). Got the results that day, and then the class flew to Dublin to celebrate. So, the day started with misery when England lost, and ended with sheer jubilation when the gobby Irish lad on my course, who'd rubbed it in all day, had too much Guinness and shat himself.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
*Sigh* That just brought back the memory! Me and my then best friend both supported England and that day was her birthday. We were devastated! I became seriously interested in football in the summer of 2000, the Euros but didn't have any preferences then. So WC 2002 was the first tournament that I really had a team (actually not one team but two as China qualified for the finals as well) to root for. And the year before that, Beckham's free-kick against Greece... my oh my... I watched the game live and that goal is simply something I'll never forget.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
I was 15 years old and a HUGE England fan at the time. Watched the game vs Brazil at home and couldn't hold back tears at the end. That was the only time I cried for a national team - I haven't even shed a tear for my own national team (China) because I've never had expections. I really loved that England team and thought they could do well and with a bit of luck maybe even win the World Cup...
As for this year, I watched replay of both the Costa Rica and Nigeria games. I wonder if you're all wearing rose-tinted glasses because I don't see the performances as great as most of you do. Neither of the opponents put much pressure on England. IIRC you did have a good run of friendlies before the last Euros under Woy? So perhaps friendly performances didn't really mean much? That said, I truly hope England go through the group stage and make the last 8 at least. You'll be the team that I root for.
That's the thing about friendlies, if you win and win well then it's "only a friendly and doesn't mean much" but if you lose then it suddenly means we are useless and won't win anything.
Truth is it's about maintaining form and fitness and creating understandings between players - from my perspective 2 wins, a clean sheet for our defence, 2 strikers getting goals and no injuries is a perfect result for us, I don't really see what more can be asked of a team preparing for a tournament?
Perhaps I'm now just used to watching (Premier) league games which are more physical, competitive and have a higher tempo? Costa Rica looked very good and up for it in the first five or ten minutes but after that they sort of sat back and rarely threatened you.
I agree with you that friendlies are basically for preparation. Just that it's better to be *cautiously* optimistic maybe?
Oh I absolutely agree - never get too high or too low a great man once said. International football is so so different to the PL when it comes to physicality and tempo of the game it's almost night and day.
Costa Rica were very disappointing, I think the commentators had it right when they said they looked jaded - not sure when they got into the country but perhaps that was a factor - but our pressing and hunting down of the ball totally stifled them and the players deserve a lot of the credit for that as well.
To me it looked like the second string to a man were doing everything they could to force their way into the starting 11 for next week and if we are going to progress in any way in the tournament we will be relying on the whole squad rather than one or two individuals like we historically have in the past and that is probably my biggest positive I take from the two games.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
*Sigh* That just brought back the memory! Me and my then best friend both supported England and that day was her birthday. We were devastated! I became seriously interested in football in the summer of 2000, the Euros but didn't have any preferences then. So WC 2002 was the first tournament that I really had a team (actually not one team but two as China qualified for the finals as well) to root for. And the year before that, Beckham's free-kick against Greece... my oh my... I watched the game live and that goal is simply something I'll never forget.
That free-kick is easily my single favourite moment in international football. Probably will be for a good while. Still think Becks was an absolute legend for England, don't know why we sacked him off so early. Only player who played with any real passion for the badge.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
*Sigh* That just brought back the memory! Me and my then best friend both supported England and that day was her birthday. We were devastated! I became seriously interested in football in the summer of 2000, the Euros but didn't have any preferences then. So WC 2002 was the first tournament that I really had a team (actually not one team but two as China qualified for the finals as well) to root for. And the year before that, Beckham's free-kick against Greece... my oh my... I watched the game live and that goal is simply something I'll never forget.
That free-kick is easily my single favourite moment in international football. Probably will be for a good while. Still think Becks was an absolute legend for England, don't know why we sacked him off so early. Only player who played with any real passion for the badge.
England Scotland Euro '96 for me - Scotland miss a penalty and then Gazza goes immediately up the other end and scores one of the great Wembley goals ever - went from despair to joy in the space of 30 seconds and the delirium of doing it in competition and against the Scots to boot will always be my greatest moment. Beckham's pen against Argentina and his redemption is up there as well for me.
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
*Sigh* That just brought back the memory! Me and my then best friend both supported England and that day was her birthday. We were devastated! I became seriously interested in football in the summer of 2000, the Euros but didn't have any preferences then. So WC 2002 was the first tournament that I really had a team (actually not one team but two as China qualified for the finals as well) to root for. And the year before that, Beckham's free-kick against Greece... my oh my... I watched the game live and that goal is simply something I'll never forget.
That free-kick is easily my single favourite moment in international football. Probably will be for a good while. Still think Becks was an absolute legend for England, don't know why we sacked him off so early. Only player who played with any real passion for the badge.
England Scotland Euro '96 for me - Scotland miss a penalty and then Gazza goes immediately up the other end and scores one of the great Wembley goals ever - went from despair to joy in the space of 30 seconds and the delirium of doing it in competition and against the Scots to boot will always be my greatest moment. Beckham's pen against Argentina and his redemption is up there as well for me.
Before my time, like 99% of England's enjoyable moments, I was 3
Don't see how you can think of starting Vardy over Kane when only only one of those is WC. In other news, i'm getting carried away again and think we could actually put in a good performance this tournament. Not looking to win but I'd just be happy to see England play well in a major tournament which I don't think has ever happened in my memory (I'm 25), then build for future tournaments where we might well have a good chance with some luck.
I'm the same age as you and I agree that we haven't seen anything amazing.
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
I remember that well, getting up early to watch the game and having to go to lessons after absolutely gutted. I also remember thinking I would be so so old at the next World Cup, I would be 15 and it blew my mind. 16 years later here I am..
2002 is the first tournament I have a proper memory of and I remember us playing well until that Brazil game and Ronaldinho's free kick I think mortally wounded me for life. I remember passionate arguments on the playground about whether Seaman was at fault or whether it was just Ronaldinho being Ronaldinho. After that it has been utterly disappointing crap.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
*Sigh* That just brought back the memory! Me and my then best friend both supported England and that day was her birthday. We were devastated! I became seriously interested in football in the summer of 2000, the Euros but didn't have any preferences then. So WC 2002 was the first tournament that I really had a team (actually not one team but two as China qualified for the finals as well) to root for. And the year before that, Beckham's free-kick against Greece... my oh my... I watched the game live and that goal is simply something I'll never forget.
That free-kick is easily my single favourite moment in international football. Probably will be for a good while. Still think Becks was an absolute legend for England, don't know why we sacked him off so early. Only player who played with any real passion for the badge.
England Scotland Euro '96 for me - Scotland miss a penalty and then Gazza goes immediately up the other end and scores one of the great Wembley goals ever - went from despair to joy in the space of 30 seconds and the delirium of doing it in competition and against the Scots to boot will always be my greatest moment. Beckham's pen against Argentina and his redemption is up there as well for me.
Before my time, like 99% of England's enjoyable moments, I was 3
It's a bloody disgrace that there is a whole generation in England that have never seen an international tournament on home soil, there is truly nothing like it - I think it even eclipsed the 2012 Olympics - can vividly remember the national excitement and literally dancing in the streets! Everyone was walking around with a smile on their face and you couldn't move for England flags everywhere you went.
Picking 10 favourite England moments off the top of my head
Robson's goal after 26 seconds (or whatever) in 1982 John Barnes goal at Maracana 1984 Lineker's hat-trick in 1986 (against Poland) Platt goal in Italia 90 Gazza in Euro 96 England 4 Netherlands 1 96 Stuart Pearce penalty 96 Michael Owen wondergoal in 98 5-1 against Germany 2001 Backham's goal against Greece 2001
Euro 96 gripped me and is the first tournament I remember us being in. I was 12 and can remember the emotions of it, something I’d never really experienced. Couldn’t understand how something I couldn’t control could effect me so much. After that I was completely hooked on the game.
Picking 10 favourite England moments off the top of my head
Robson's goal after 26 seconds (or whatever) in 1982 John Barnes goal at Maracana 1984 Lineker's hat-trick in 1986 (against Poland) Platt goal in Italia 90 Gazza in Euro 96 England 4 Netherlands 1 96 Stuart Pearce penalty 96 Michael Owen wondergoal in 98 5-1 against Germany 2001 Backham's goal against Greece 2001
Superb list. Every single one makes me feel strangely euphoric.
Comments
Best I can remember is WC 2002. Pretty sure after the tournament a few of the Brazilians said we were the hardest team we faced. Remember watching that game on a projector in the school hall.
This time, I work with Italians, who are refusing to entertain showing the World Cup where I work, despite the fact that we are a food and beer establishment...
Not the best job, left my last one because I wanted part time, and because it was running out of cash very quickly. Who knows what the future holds but at the moment my manager messages me at 7.30pm on my off days, so not sure how much longer I'll be putting up with that...
As for this year, I watched replay of both the Costa Rica and Nigeria games. I wonder if you're all wearing rose-tinted glasses because I don't see the performances as great as most of you do. Neither of the opponents put much pressure on England. IIRC you did have a good run of friendlies before the last Euros under Woy? So perhaps friendly performances didn't really mean much? That said, I truly hope England go through the group stage and make the last 8 at least. You'll be the team that I root for.
Truth is it's about maintaining form and fitness and creating understandings between players - from my perspective 2 wins, a clean sheet for our defence, 2 strikers getting goals and no injuries is a perfect result for us, I don't really see what more can be asked of a team preparing for a tournament?
When Nigeria did in that second half we looked very shaky.
There's still a way to go but I'm confident we've got enough to at least beat Tunisia and Panama. We'll go from there.
Just want to see us play good football and attack instead of scraping through a poor group and feeling disappointed before we've even been knocked out. Is it so much to ask?
I agree with you that friendlies are basically for preparation. Just that it's better to be *cautiously* optimistic maybe?
Costa Rica were very disappointing, I think the commentators had it right when they said they looked jaded - not sure when they got into the country but perhaps that was a factor - but our pressing and hunting down of the ball totally stifled them and the players deserve a lot of the credit for that as well.
To me it looked like the second string to a man were doing everything they could to force their way into the starting 11 for next week and if we are going to progress in any way in the tournament we will be relying on the whole squad rather than one or two individuals like we historically have in the past and that is probably my biggest positive I take from the two games.
Hence we will be in for the usual gnashing of teeth and stringing up of Southgate and some scapegoat players.
Robson's goal after 26 seconds (or whatever) in 1982
John Barnes goal at Maracana 1984
Lineker's hat-trick in 1986 (against Poland)
Platt goal in Italia 90
Gazza in Euro 96
England 4 Netherlands 1 96
Stuart Pearce penalty 96
Michael Owen wondergoal in 98
5-1 against Germany 2001
Backham's goal against Greece 2001
Every single one makes me feel strangely euphoric.