The English Renaissance, Football Renaissance, That Is.

I am on record at home and at work for stating that England would win the World Cup this time. This was not due to blinkered, rose-tinted glasses with an over-riding, inflated patriotic zeal. No. Our youth sides are currently World Champions. Gareth Southgate had a hand in putting in place the organisation that allowed these teams to play competitive football with an "individual team" mentality not a team of individuals. The squad he took to Russia mirrors this philosophy and not since Bobby Robson's Italian '90 squad has this been apparent - Euro' 96 had major elements of this, but, especially with the "Dentist's Chair" episode, cracks had started to appear. 

England were the better side in 1990, but couldn't win a penalty shootout and Bobby Robson

deserved to be able to return home with the World Cup at his side. However, the hex that has overshadowed England was lifted by the defeat of Colombia. I watched the Sweden game with no anxiety or trepidation that England would lose, a feeling that I haven't had since 1996, the year of "Football's Coming Home". For so long, England fans have watched their national team with the mantra within this song that we might get within touching distance, but will fail at the final hurdle. I now think England fans need to adopt the inspiration within Fat Les's football anthem "Vindaloo" - "We're En-ger-land. We're going to score one more than you! ENGLAND!"