A Date With Destiny

On a day where Americans will be waking up with the realisation that their country will never be the same, Gareth Southgate and his charges look to make history of their own tonight in Berlin.

Much like Donald Trump with his political beliefs, the England manager has divided the nation but with his team selection and tactics. The former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender has faced a lot of criticism but has stuck to his ideas until the very last.

When someone is a public figure with authority, their every choice and decision face the ultimate scrutiny. Social media gives anyone the podium to voice their opinions and unleash the worst vitriol. Many football fans have taken this opportunity to do this during the tournament and it could be incredibly damaging to the confidence of the England players and management.

Yes, England have rode their luck at times. They have needed two last-minute winners and a penalty shootout in the knockout stages, but this can show a never-say-die attitude. The players have kept plugging away until the very end and reaped the rewards.

The penalty shootout victory over Switzerland was very encouraging as well as nerve-racking. It was the first time that we didn’t miss from the spot in a shootout. Jordan Pickford also oozes confidence, with a hint of arrogance in goal.

The job of an international manager is always a challenge. A squad is a collection of different players who play in the same roles for their club and the manager has to find a way of making them work collectively in a team. At times the analogy of ‘square pegs in round holes’ rings true and this has been evident throughout the tournament in the England camp.

England’s style has been dull for long periods of most of the matches and it has infuriated many, me included. I watched the Denmark game in the shadows of Coors Field, home of the Denver Rockies baseball team, spending a lot of time exasperated and unsure what the team were trying to do.
Many of the players looked lost, were blaming one another and throwing their arms up in frustration. It was painful to watch at times.

If England win tonight, immortality awaits the young squad and the manager who has faced such criticism not only through this tournament but for several years prior. Twenty-two England squads have tried and failed to win an international tournament since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy on that glorious sunny afternoon at Wembley in 1966. Football could be coming home tonight and it’s time for people to get behind the latest crop of players and cheer them on.

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