Saturday 1 July Get sent off. Lose to Portugal on penalties. After the game, Sven is absolutely distraught. He is inconsolable, head in hands, weeping quietly, alone in the corner. I feel guilty and go over to apologise. ‘Sorry, boss. I have left myself down, let the team down, let the country down, let the fans down and I have let you down.’ ‘I can’t believe it. 22 players, 6 assistant coaches and 15 FA officials and no-one thought to get me a leaving present’...
Congratulations to Italy. They deserved to win as they scored two sublime goals and played the game to the bitter end in the right spirit and style. Why - I haven’t seen so many Germans lying on the turf in crumpled, disconsolate heaps since Barcelona in May 1999. At times, the BBC made me feel I was the only person in England not supporting our new best friends, Germany. Still, if I had just enjoyed a 6 weeks, all expenses paid holiday in Germany, enjoying the hospitality watching all the World Cup games, I would probably feel the same....
Dear Peter Crouch Listen to Gary Neville. This time, there are no excuses. No ifs, buts or maybes. The hangovers have subsided. We have all taken those stupid flags off our cars and are now looking forward to next season. Let’s face it - England simply weren’t good enough. As you had only played 60 minutes football and were the only recognised striker on the pitch, I wondered why you didn’t step up for one of the first four penalties ?...
Remember. You heard it here first.
One of the few England players who can hold his head up high after this World Cup. He silenced the doubters (myself included) with two immense performances in midfield. Oh and he converted a kick from 12 yards with just a goalkeeper to beat. Very unusual and very un-English behaviour. It must be the Canadian blood and the fact he plays his domestic football in Germany.
From yesterday’s Press conference [ Would Defoe have been a better selection than Walcot ? ] ‘I don’t think so. If I thought that I would have picked him and I have seen him 15 or 20 times this season.’ And later, Eriksson just can’t help himself and, once again, shows his true colours ‘The reason (for Eriksson leaving the job after the World Cup) was a newspaper coming out with lies…that is why I have sued the newspaper....
Did my eyes deceive me or did Jamie Carragher come on as an England substitute specifically to take a penalty in the shoot-out ? Beckham’s ‘retirement’ as England captain is interesting. I suspect he will play on until he has 100 caps (currently has 94) and will then ‘retire’ completely from international football. John Terry will be awarded the captaincy for two reasons. Firstly, no-one would be able to understand Steven Gerrard in press conferences....
You were good but not that good otherwise you wouldn’t have needed extra time against Mexico and would have beaten the Germans in two hours of football. Still, at least this will finally end to the (UK) media love-in about your fantastic football and the two best goals scored ever. You know; the one with 24 passes in the buildup and that superb, dipping volley. Refreshing to see Gabriel Heinze attacking FIFA officials instead of lying on the turf and sobbing uncontrollably which is the proper way to face defeat in a penalty shootout....
So farewell then, Graham Poll. Your lifelong dream of officiating in the World Cup final is dead. However, you only have yourself to blame. Counting the number of yellow cards awarded and to whom is a fundamental part of your job and you failed.
Poor old Spain. After their fans roundly booed the French anthem, I was almost rooting for them to prevail over France last night. However, I don’t like Luis Aragones. I think he is an arrogant racist so I was quite pleased that France beat them. Well, no, hang on a minute, actually no I wasn’t that pleased because I also think Thierry Henry is an arrogant cheat. Let’s just hope Brazil beat France on Saturday....