In 1966 England won the World Cup with more than a little help from Messers Moore, Hurst and Peters. For West Ham fans have been rejoicing in the greatest gift our club could give to the nation for 52 years…but our time could be over as the new crop of England representatives take to the field this afternoon to battle in the quarter final against Sweden…perhaps another club may have claim to donate their gift to the nation if the unthinkable and unrealistic becomes real.
For the first time in a couple of generations, England have a rather fortuitous route to the final and whilst there are worthy opponents in their path…they are benign compared to the other side of the draw. Is football really coming home? There will be no better chance than the one the boys have now!
Gareth Southgate has comported himself with class, style and passion that English fans just have not seen possibly since Venables and this young squad, although inexperienced, have grown in stature and capability during the qualification and the early stages of this competition.
Of course, the group was favourable with England and Belgium always the most likely to succeed, however the unspoken tactical decision to lose to Belgium has given England a route to the final that is almost a given…isn’t it?
However nothing is so certain and no game or opponent should be underestimated. Sweden, who also had a decent qualifying campaign and made it out of the group where Germany faltered. They beat the underperforming Italy in the playoffs and prevented Holland to advance to a Russian adventure too. Suffice to say they are no slouches either, but their strengths lay in their defence and the solid structures over the park. They are reliant on tentative advances into the final third, to force a set play where they tend to excel and are most likely to score.
Pound for pound, player for player, England are the better outfit, but this World Cup has already proved that lesser teams on paper can actually better the superior teams on the field of play. England will have to start strong and put away the chances whenever they present themselves, otherwise it will be a tough day at the office in the scorching heat of a Russian summer!
The challenge for Southgate will be to find a system that can break down the fortress walls that Sweden will undoubtedly put up. Will Kane, Alli, Trippier and Dier all feature during this match and will our rivals Tottenham Hotspur lay claim to that gift to the nation from now on…oh how that pains me to say but it could be a very real possibility.
As the nation waits in anticipation, as the bars fill up around the country and living rooms are primed for the kick off…there is only one thing to wish for now. A good performance is welcome but a win is the only thing that matters. Win or lose, Southgate has led this team to reach higher plains and whilst not truly put to the test as yet, he has an opportunity to join an elite group of English managers who have taken England to the semi finals of a major competition. Ramsey, Robson and Venables have led the way before when they were unlikely to do so…perhaps the unlikely lad will lead this team onto victory and into the record books.
The English nation is behind you, all appendages are crossed and the spirit of St George is behind you all the way…but what’s more…the spirit of the West Ham Holy Trinity have given a their nod of approval too. Come what may…a nation awaits and stands side by side to support you with every kick of the ball, from the first blow of the whistle until the very last!