“I can only see a Spain win” predicted the oracle that is Paul Merson. For once most agreed, Spain came into this game unbeaten in 38 straight competitive games at home, a run stretching back to 2003, their last home game being a 6-0 hiding of Croatia last month. England meanwhile hadn’t won in Spain […]
Croatia 0-0 England: A strange night in Rijeka
This morning I took my toddlers to play football at ‘Mini Shooters’ and the crowd watching the tots run around with a ball was larger than the one England played before last night. UEFA’s decided the best form of punishment to the Croatian FA for that infamous Swastika in the grass incident, was to play […]
Young Lions Qualify For Euro Finals
Congratulations to Aidy Boothroyd after guiding England’s Under 21s to next summer’s European Championships in Italy. England will head to Italy for their sixth consecutive Euro Under 21s after qualifying with a game to spare. Impressive Qualification The draw promised a bumpy ride but Boothroyd’s side breezed through, never looking in danger of missing out. […]
Croatia vs England Preview
England take on Croatia this Friday behind the closed doors of the Stadion HNK Rijeka. It’s fair to say this isn’t the biggest game between Croatia and England this year, it is however the latest chapter in what is quickly becoming one of European football’s most intense rivalries. A Red Hot Rivalry The World Cup […]
England’s Weekly Winners and losers: Week 8
Ahead of the international break which English players had a good week? Winners Ross Barkley Barkley celebrated his England recall with the best performance of his Chelsea career. First he provided a defence splitting for Eden Hazard’s opener and then reacted quickest to a loose ball to grab his first goal of the season. It […]
Southgate stays, Rice commits as Sancho, Mount and Maddison lead the call ups.
It’s been a busy afternoon for the England with the expected announcement that Gareth Southgate will be staying on as manager until the 2022 World Cup and his latest squad came with several surprises. Southgate stays It seems a sensible move to keep Southgate, the FA having finally opted for a long-term plan have decided […]
England’s weekly winners and losers: week 7
Winners Daniel Sturridge Wow! Sturridge was only on the pitch for 4 minutes and scored the goal of the season. His talent has never been in doubt but like Jack Wilshere his ability to stay fit remains questionable. If England are taking the Nations League seriously surely Sturridge will be called up this week for […]
England’s EFL Cup winners and losers
An extra winners and losers looks back on a midweek of League Cup action… Winners Phil Foden Star performance from England’s great white hope. Foden delivered a spectacular ball for City’s opener for Jesus as City romped past Oxford United, before scoring his first senior goal to round off a 3-0 win. It still feels […]
England’s Weekly winners and losers: Week 6
Later than usual, here are last week’s English Premier League winners and losers… Winners Daniel Sturridge Celebrated his first Champions League start in four years with a trademark goal. It’s often forgotten that Sturridge scored the first goal of Gareth Southgate’s England reign, now a fitter, stronger version of the player so often injured, the […]
England’ Late Bloomers (Part 2)
The usual path of an England career is youth teams, under 21s (or Under 23s as it used to be) and then to the seniors at around 23. But some take a much longer route to the England team. In honour of the retiring Jamie Vardy who took the scenic route to an England career […]