Every time the England football team faces a setback, there's an obligatory chorus of boring voices claiming the players lack passion. Pundits, fans, and critics alike bemoan the supposed absence of fiery determination, suggesting that if only the players showed more passion, victories would follow. This narrative, however, is utter twaddle. The idea that passion alone could transform England’s fortunes is not only simplistic but also totally ...
As a chez lounge supporter of the England football team, it’s both perplexing and, let’s be honest, occasionally bloody annoying to watch the squad’s recurring struggles against teams that the tabloids label as "minnows" during major tournaments. I have attempted to look what's behind this phenomenon, whilst trying to keep my sense of moderate optimism intact (what else can we do when the football appears to be so lacklustre?).
Psych...
England vs Slovenia: Match Report
First Half: A Scrappy Start
Early Struggles and Disallowed Goal
So, after a barbecue on a scorching afternoon, it was back to the Chez Lounge. During the first 20 minutes, Slovenia (ranked 57 in the world) appeared slightly better in a depressingly scrappy start to the game. England's early showing was marred by a host of unforced errors, reminiscent of a Sunday pub team still shaking off the effects ...
Familiar Faces, Familiar Failings
So, here we are, game two. England started with the same team that narrowly beat the might of Serbia, while opponents Denmark featured 18 players from their 2020 squad. On the ground where England lost to Russia in Euro 1988—a tournament where they lost all three games and Tony Adams gained his unfortunate donkey status—there was hope that this match couldn't be worse. But could it?
Early on, the ...
Well, folks, here we are, another tournament, another opening day win for England. Any victory on day one is a godsend in tournament football—lose or draw and the pressure mounts faster than a summer storm in Blighty. With every armchair pundit and their dog dissecting every move on social media, you can almost hear the nation's collective anxiety levels rise. Remarkably, this is only England’s second ever opening win at the Euros, so let's ...
