That was better. We played with a bit more purpose and opened Slovenia up now and then. Defoe put some much needed mobility in to the forward line and he took his chance well. Fantastic cross by Milner too which was a pleasant surprise. Rooney was more involved and should have scored Rooney the chance that the keeper saved but he was looking a bit better. If he scores one he’ll score another. The defence hasn’t had the credit it deserves. Upson and Terry were rock solid. Apart from THAT moment fron Green we’ve rarely looked like conceding.
The last five minutes were annoyingly tense because we should have scored another one (or two) to finish them off. When the final whistle finally blew and celebrations commenced I looked around the pub and noticed the Americans watching their game against Algeria suddenly go barmy. At first it seemed they were just acting a bit weird then it dawned on me they were going barmy because of the late winner. Afterwards speaking to some of them it dawned on me they had watched and some of them hadn’t really understood what was happening. Talk of a “Late score” and “Desperate interceptions” is unusual football terminology!
Of course, that late USA goal means it’s Germany next. There’s no reason to fear anyone but it’s common sense that Germany avoidance was preferable. We may pay a heavy price for our slackness in the first two games. The dreaded penalties loom large in our collective mind. I fear our journey will end on Sunday. We usually get knocked out when we face a side with genuine aspirations to win the trophy. 1990 was fantastic but, with all respect Belgium and Cameroon weren’t contenders to win the trophy. I’d love to be wrong.
“I’m not one for jumping over the moon or off a cliff” Alf Ramsey
England’s World Cup campaign finally got underway. For the neutrals it must have been a cracker. But I’m not neutral! Overall though the performance wasn’t half as bad as some are making it out to be. Gerrard started with a hunger enthusiasm and purpose reminiscent of Beckham against Greece back in 2001. After taking the lead we fell off with Milner badly exposed and seeing yellow. It raises the question why he was picked when 1 he’s been ill and 2 there are other options? The most infuriating thing about THAT huge mistake is that when Milner was replaced by Shaun Wright Phillips we’d just seized the initiative and started to take the game to them again. Then Green allowed that hopeful pot shot to go through him. Keeper remains a problem for England and the question has to be asked…why hasn’t Hart been more involved in the build up to the tournament?
In the second half we battled stoutly and after Heskey wasted that marvellous opportunity it was apparent we’d blown our chance. Rooney tried a long range shot and Heskey put that header over. Lampard took that free kick and skied it as badly as, as, well er, as badly as all the other free kicks in this tournament so far!! Could it be the new lightweight ball? As ever with England, plenty of endeavour but a lack of craft. And, especially against solid underrated opponents like the USA, you need more than sweat.
All isn’t lost. Far from it in fact. If we win the next two matches we’ll be in the round of 16. And, crass though it sounds I honestly believe a win or draw hinged entirely on Green’s error. But what an error. The only way to rationalise it is to say that’s football and it happens.
Because I don’t have an effigy of Rob Green hanging from my house to urinate on it doesn’t mean I’m happy with it all. It’s very disappointing not to win a game you’ve been leading in. But the end of the world it isn’t. It’s football and these things happen sometimes. Upwards and onwards. What a difference a win would make. Algeria next!!