So it is all over for England. No more need to be up at 2am to watch games.
It has been interesting to read the responses to the game and the performance. England were poor, and all the limitations that were apparent have been the same ones that have existed for years. Unskilful defenders who cannot take the ball out and pass. The long ball game-typified by the back pass to the goalie who then humps it upfield. Poor ball control and hopefull passes.
Lots of reputation and little substance.
As you get older it sinks in that this situation has existed since you can remember and that there is no longer any reason to think that it is going to change. Future optimism is wasted.
Because I was alive in 1966, the famous game seems more real-but it was 44 years ago! There is nothing to make one think that there will be a time when England will change and so be capable to winning. So this takes me back to a question I asked my Dad many moons ago sitting in the pub with him and my brother Patrick-“Did he think that in his lifetime Brentford would reach the FA Cup final?’ Well they have not and will not.
Now likewise, will England reach the World Cup final in my lifetime?
Will things change? No. Come August suporters will have forgotten the pain. They will be happy to see fast but less skillful Premiership football played by an assortment of international players, ensuring ‘their’ team is doing well. The club corporates will be happy because the money will be still flowing in, and so the players will be happy as they will still be paid handsomely.
