The Agony And The ...

Regrettably this year's World Cup yielded no ecstasy and plenty of agony for England supporters. Tonight's quarter-final match against Portugal was one that England should have won without too much difficulty. And indeed they played better in this game than in any of their previous World Cup clashes. And for most of the game they outplayed Portugal. But could they accomplish the seemingly simple task of putting the ball in the net? No, they could not. Wayne Rooney's inexplicable sending-off did not help, and the removal of Beckham by Eriksson sent the whole team into discombobulation.

That the game would end in penalties seemed fairly clear toward the end of normal play. Neither team was able to take its chances, however much they tried. England's performance in the penalty shoot-out was abyssmal.

And the shit goes on - it seems that Sven's assistant, whose name I simply cannot remember however much I try, has been confirmed as the new manager of England- I had thought that he was supposed to be a stand-in until the English F.A. found a superstar to take on the job. But no, this is the guy that has advised Sven on the touchline for the last few years, and thus can be at least partially blamed for the numerous tactical errors that have brought nothing but shame on the national team. But at least this one jumps up when we score a goal and runs up and down the touchline when he feels like it. Oh, Steve McLaren it is. So no prospect of England winning anything ever again.

Please prove me wrong.