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Well, after the drama of last Tuesday night Saturday's England match felt positively relaxed. That's odd, I'm not used to my football teams doing things like that the easy way. It wasn't really easy of course, England working hard to make space and work the ball through a crowded Swedish midfield and creating the pressure that lead to both goals.
It did make reaching only the second World Cup semi final of my lifetime feel a little underwhelming, it wasn't like that against Cameroon. Twenty-eight years is a long time to wait to match that, hopefully we can go at least one better on Wednesday. I can't wait.
And some football-related music for a Monday morning.
Was lovely to watch such a big game & feel so comfortable doing so.
I can’t see Wednesday being the same though unfortunately. Most people in my office are confident though, main reason being is that Croatia are an ageing team who are looking a bit tired.
Wondering if Ian Brodie, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner will write another version of Three Lions 'IF' we win the World Cup? I see Three Lions is number 1 again after all the downloads this week.
We've not be tested have we, really? That being said, in part, that is down to the fact that we've played well and it 'looks' like other teams are more worried about us and what we can do, especially set pieces.
Even Sweden, a country with a style and approach in our semi-recent mould and a physical team to boot, struggled with the set-pieces and the pace of Sterling.
It bodes well but I won't take anything for granted - as we have seen, anything can happen at this WC, we've put oursleves in a wonderful position - let's see what the lads can do.
Either way - one thing I can safely say, I've got a little bit of pride back in our national squad and am enjoying International football. Yes, winning does help but you know what, Southgate has got them playing a certain way, encouraging a bit of actual football, coupled with the more traditional English traits of hard work and set-pieces.
Ade Akinbiyi couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo...
Was lovely to watch such a big game & feel so comfortable doing so.
I can’t see Wednesday being the same though unfortunately. Most people in my office are confident though, main reason being is that Croatia are an ageing team who are looking a bit tired.
I would much rather play Croatia than Belgium or France at this stage, and I'm sure that every Croatian supporter feels exactly the same about playing us. Despite the obvious skill, Croatia have been largely uninspiring in their two knock out matches and have played two periods of extra time in a row.
It's a very winnable match but not if we take it for granted. Those of us who watch a lot of football should all know that even if the bandwagoners don't/
I would much rather play Croatia than Belgium or France at this stage, and I'm sure that every Croatian supporter feels exactly the same about playing us. Despite the obvious skill, Croatia have been largely uninspiring in their two knock out matches and have played two periods of extra time in a row.
It's a very winnable match but not if we take it for granted. Those of us who watch a lot of football should all know that even if the bandwagoners don't/
My fear is that the big game experience & know how of Modric, Rakitic & Mandzukic could make a big difference.
We've not be tested have we, really? That being said, in part, that is down to the fact that we've played well and it 'looks' like other teams are more worried about us and what we can do, especially set pieces.
Even Sweden, a country with a style and approach in our semi-recent mould and a physical team to boot, struggled with the set-pieces and the pace of Sterling.
It bodes well but I won't take anything for granted - as we have seen, anything can happen at this WC, we've put oursleves in a wonderful position - let's see what the lads can do.
Either way - one thing I can safely say, I've got a little bit of pride back in our national squad and am enjoying International football. Yes, winning does help but you know what, Southgate has got them playing a certain way, encouraging a bit of actual football, coupled with the more traditional English traits of hard work and set-pieces.
A couple of good saves at that the right time always help too, had it been 2-1 going into the last 15 minutes it might have got a little nervy. Equally, few teams win tournaments without the keeper having good spells.
I agree on your last paragraph, one of the worst things about fearing we would lost to Colombia on penalties was that it would all have counted for nothing. The usual naysayers would have come out saying we had only beaten two rubbish teams. That won't be the case now whatever happens on Wednesday.
We've not be tested have we, really? That being said, in part, that is down to the fact that we've played well and it 'looks' like other teams are more worried about us and what we can do, especially set pieces.
Even Sweden, a country with a style and approach in our semi-recent mould and a physical team to boot, struggled with the set-pieces and the pace of Sterling.
It bodes well but I won't take anything for granted - as we have seen, anything can happen at this WC, we've put oursleves in a wonderful position - let's see what the lads can do.
Either way - one thing I can safely say, I've got a little bit of pride back in our national squad and am enjoying International football. Yes, winning does help but you know what, Southgate has got them playing a certain way, encouraging a bit of actual football, coupled with the more traditional English traits of hard work and set-pieces.
I think Belgium tested us.
But if we make it to the Final things will be different, first eleven injuries and cards permitting, knock out rather than group stage etc.
Mustn't count our chickens etc. And it could well be France anyway Isn't it great to have all these things to ponder?
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