Hoeness seems to be taking this Ozil business in his stride

[Ash]

Here's a tiny clue. Ever since the early 70s people have been saying that English football needs to get over its obsession with running around a lot at the expense of technique, and try to coach some skill into young players, yet nothing at all has changed.

I think it has changed a bit. England now have a system intended to produce more technical players from an early age which has produced success at youth levels. And simultaneously, the senior side reaches a semi-final for the first time in a generation.

Marginal gains, at least.

[Sir C]

I think it has changed a bit. England now have a system intended to produce more technical players from an early age which has produced success at youth levels. And simultaneously, the senior side reaches a semi-final for the first time in a generation.

Marginal gains, at least.

Ash, they beat Panama, Tunisia and Colombia.

[Ash]

Ash, they beat Panama, Tunisia and Colombia.

And Sweden. One of whom they would have lost to in previous years.

[Burney]

Ash, they beat Panama, Tunisia and Colombia.

...and then we’re beaten pretty easily by the first decent technical team they faced. A team that then went on to be crushed by France.

[Sir C]

And Sweden. One of whom they would have lost to in previous years.

Fair enough. The game is still dominated by the demands from the media, punditry and majority of supporters for brawn over guile, though.

[7sisters]

...and then we’re beaten pretty easily by the first decent technical team they faced. A team that then went on to be crushed by France.

when they reinvent themselves successfully, following a spell in the doldrums.
Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany will likely all mount a far more serious challenge during the next tournament.


Who can forget the fiasco of the French in 2010 and yet scroll forward eight years ? and all the while England huff and puff with the same predictable outcome.