Thoughts on England’s victory
I will leave the triumphalism to the Chief Football Writers – most of when had written off England and Gareth Southgate as dull.
For me England’s best player so far is Jordan Pickford and the crucial moment was when he came out to narrow the angle for the normally lethal Thomas Muller.
I recall in the World Cup quarter final of 1970 when the Brazilian keeper Felix rushed out at Jeff Astle and the forward muffed his lines.
By rushing out, you give the striker something to think about and rush and muddle his decision.
The really great strikers ignore this but these are a rarity. Muller took the right option of a low shot but it went wide.
England then put the game beyond reach. I always thought Nick Pope the better keeper but Pickford is the prime example of a player whose club form can be iffy but does produce in the international arena.
Guy Mowbray gave a measured performance as commentator.
He does not fill the commentary with verbiage and has a nice turn of phrase as in “Werner is taking the scenic route”.
Jermaine Jenas rarely makes me sit-up. The BBC panel of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand tend to talk about their own experiences.
Rio is a great addition for analysing the defensive view point but needs to curb his obvious partiality for Raheem Sterling.
Jurgen Klinsmann was a model of courtesy in defeat.
Some have said the intense rivalry was in the past.
In fact England v West Germany World Cup Final in 1966, some 21 years after the end of hostilities, was played in good spirits with fans mixed as the spread of national flags confirmed.
The rivalry came later as West Germany won tournament after tournament and England never progressed beyond the semis.
It was largely fuelled by the tabloids and a hooligan xenophobia. Now it’s reduced in the present generation as Haveez and Mount are Chelsea teammates, as are Gundoyan and Foden at Manchester City.
We seem to be spared too the worst of the chanting.
I’m writing this without sight of the morning papers.
At least we have been spared too the obvious headline of “ Mullered “ had the Bayern striker converted and Germany won.
