If I hear the Word Cup mentioned one more time...

It pretty much overshadows everything we do now. If a player, like Adam Johnson, scores, we get "I wonder what would have happened if he went to the World Cup" no. We've all put that behind us now, every single one of us. Except the pundits. And I think It really is time to move on.

What started off as a game that was pretty much all England, the game petered out a little. If Richard Keys and Jamie Redknapp close to a scrap wasn't entertaining enough for you, this game certainly gave you your moneys worth. (On a side note, I would give anything to punch Redknapp right now: "I didn't realise how good Joe Hart was, he was playing at Birmingham last season" - I don't think any more words are needed.)

England started brightly, and were much the better team. It was only a matter of time before we scored, and that goal came from Wayne Rooney who calmly slotted the ball in the net from a couple of yards out, after good work from Defoe amongst other players. This dispelled any worries of if he would be able to cope, after allegations in the media earlier on in the week.


However, in all the celebrations, the Sky camera panned to an injured Theo Walcott, lying on the floor, after twisting his ankle quite badly. It was a tough blow for England as the pacey winger had been great so far in the game, but Adam Johnson ran on to replace him, and the game started again.

England showed a confidence they hadn't shown of late; players like Rooney and both Johnsons were doing little flicks and tricks. It was refreshing to see. As well as that; we were showing such determination - to win the ball back when we lost it; the attack and counter attack. This also, was great to see. The great spirit from the travelling England fans no doubt spurred the team on; with pretty much none stop singing from the off. And that's what we need: we need to get behind the team.

Near the end of the first half the Swiss started to put on a little pressure, but it was nothing England couldn't handle, which meant we went into the break one goal up, with the only bad thing happening in the half being the injury of Theo Walcott. Switzerland were very poor in the first 45, but take nothing away from England; they did everything they were asked.


England hit the ground running in the second half, with the first attack of the half coming on just 46 minutes; a brilliant, sharp ball by Rooney was played into the box, and Johnson connected with it first time, but his shot just went wide and over. And then in the 58th minute Glen Johnson tried one of his long-range shots that we've seen in the past, but again unfortunatly, he failed to hit the target.

Frustration was starting to show in the Switzerland camp, as Stephan Lichtsteiner got booked for dissent. However that seemed to spark something, as just minutes later Switzerland started to pressure more. The game was ow more intense; gone were the pretty little flicks in the first half: now the tackles were flying in on the slippy surface, and James Milner received a yellow card; meaning he is suspended for the game against Montenegro in October.

Joe Hart had a few hairy moments just a few seconds later, but listening to the commentry, you'd think he'd have made some big mistake. The fact was, that he dropped a wet ball and did a wayward kick, yet the comentators jumped the gun way too soon, suggesting that Hart may not be who we thought he was. Really, this is why our goalkeepers lose their confidence. Because we get on their backs. How about, and I know this is totally out there; how about we support our players; how about we cheer them and get behind them if they make a mistake, however little or big. Not criticise at the first wrong thing they do.


Just as the Swiss were getting back into the game, Lichtsteiner received his second yellow card and was sent off, for a tackle on Milner. And then England went two-up: after nice build up and a lovely through ball from Gerrard; Adam Johnson slotted home his second in two games. Seemingly meaning England were home and dry. Defoe, who really did deserve a goal, went off injured shortly after, piling up England's injury woes, and was replaced by Darren Bent, who plently had been calling to be in the side much earlier.


The phrase "it will take someting special to beat Joe Hart" has been used, used and used again lately (and last season too, but if you're anything like Jamie Redknapp, you do not know of Birmingham City's existence, therefore last season, Joe Hart didn't exist either.) And it was something special; a fierce long range shot from Xherdan Shaqiri nearly broke the back of the net, and the home side were back in the game.

The game evened out a little, and England tried to get the midfield even more in their control by bringing Shaun Wright-Phillips on in place of Wayne Rooney. And just minutes later the away side got the goal that sealed the three points, in the form of Darren Bent, who slotted the ball calmy into the net for him first England goal.


England then cruised on to picking up the three points. At the full time whistle, Hart and Shaqiri smiled, laughed and shared a hug - which calmed the commentators down if they thought anything that happened in the game would effect our number one.

The players walked off the pitch with 'England 'til I die' being sung in the background by the traveling Englishmen, who were impressed, like all of us back at home, at the way England had conducted themselves and played out an important and fulfilling victory, against the toughest opponents in the group.

Full Time - Switzerland 1-3 England

Here's to new beginnings

This ‘England revolution’ being talked about lately isn’t really that much of a revolution. Sure, there’s new players coming through, which is exciting, and talk of a brighter future is also promising. But labeling it as a revolution is probably a bit too far fetched. I prefer to think of it as a new start.

The World -Cup-slate has been wiped clean; players such as Emile Heskey have left England behind for good, and a new crop of fresh, exciting talent is coming through. It’s a new beginning for England and hopefully this means a new start for everyone: no moaning about Capello’s World Cup decisions (although the whole country including me stands firm on the ‘Joe Hart should’ve played’ point - I don‘t think that will be let go anytime soon) and no ‘Wayne Rooney is rubbish’ comments (rubbish being a lighter term that most fans have used recently). Just a fresh start. Starting with the Euro 2012 Qualifiers.

And that’s just what we got.

A new-look England team took centre stage on the new Wembley pitch last night and played out an impressive 4-0 victory. That ‘oh-so-awful’ Wayne Rooney set up three goals; Jermain Defoe got a well-deserved hat-trick; young Adam Johnson came on and got his first England goal; Joe Hart showed everyone why he should’ve been picked for the World Cup, no, he showed Fabio Capello that all managers get it wrong sometimes.. And all in all it was a great team performance. This new England, complete with new kit, that everyone had been asking for, was displayed last night.

Sure, the first half was less-than exciting, even after going 1-0 up courtesy of Defoe’s first on his way to a hat-trick. But the team looked calm, collated and in control. The second half was much better, and we won with not so much if an ease, but with a total team performance.


The defence looked solid (barring a Dawson slip and a Johnson near-own-goal) and Joe Hart was playing his game as he always does; like he’s playing in the park with his mates - he is without doubt one of the calmest players I’ve ever seen (again begging the question of the ‘how is he too inexperienced’ topic, but, moving on…).

Playing Steven Gerrard in the centre is what we had all been crying out for: and last night Fabio Capello played him in the centre and probably wondered why he didn’t during the World Cup. Him and Barry together were great. So great, that most of the time you don’t even notice that they are there, because they just do their job. And they’re so good at it. Simple but effective.

Admitting Milner was a great player when he played for Aston Villa, for me, was hard. I thought he was decent, but not World class. Since he’s gone to Manchester City, I don’t know if it’s because I’m actually now watching him play without a pillow or my hands in front of my eyes; but the man is a machine. Bombing down the wing is his specialty, and didn’t he do just that last night. The guy was brilliant. If I were wearing a hat I’d be taking it off to him. He’s fast, powerful and skillful, and he’s just what we need. Down the other wing were Theo Walcott and then Adam Johnson, who are both similar players; expect Walcott has speed as his asset and Johnson has shots as his. Walcott made way for Johnson and almost immediately he showed just why shooting is his specialty, chipping in with England’s third goal of the night for his first goal for England. The midfield was great last night, and it begs the question; Will Frank Lampard come straight in when he comes back from injury?

Playing Rooney just behind Defoe was a tactic that worked brilliantly; Rooney, although still to scoring as prolifically as we would like, set up three goals - two of them being Defoe’s - and he put in a much better shift than all four games at the World Cup combined. He is definitely regaining whatever he lost in the Summer, and hopefully very soon we will have the Wayne Rooney that we all know and love back.

That brings me onto Defoe. He was brilliant. He played his game; got into the right positions and the way he finished off his hat-trick was sublime. People describe ‘The Perfect Hat-trick’ as one with your left peg, one with your right, and one off your head - Defoe’s wasn’t 'the' perfect one, but it can be described as ‘A Perfect Hat-trick’ because it was.

There’s one last player I haven’t talked about in depth, and that’s Joe Hart. Being a fan of Joe doesn’t take much effort: he’s a grounded lad, a brilliant footballer and one of the nicest people I have ever met. What is not to like about him? Nothing, is the answer, if you didn’t sense that it was a rhetorical question.

What that man doesn’t know about keeping calm under pressure isn’t worth knowing. Last night he played his first competitive game for England and he looked like he’d been between those sticks for ages. The first save he had to make was from his own defender Glen Johnson, who tried and failed to clear the ball, sending it straight at Hart who, always ready, pounced on the ball just on the line. Now, most ‘keepers would get up and shout a bit, maybe tell Johnson off. Not Hart. Joe got up, turned around and was laughing. His own player had nearly scored an own goal, and he was laughing.

But that’s what he brings to a team, if nothing else - which we all know he brings plenty else, but for the sake of argument - he brings some kind of aura of happiness. To put it another way: he just loves to play football, and because of that he always has a smile on his face whilst doing so. In my opinion, that makes the rest of the team a little calmer. If you know your goalkeeper is that alright about everything that may be coming his way, you know he’s got confidence in abundance. And that’s what we’ve been searching for in a ‘keeper for a while now; and it seems like we’ve found the perfect one - or near as dammit.

He was also involved in the fourteen or so seconds that made the match. 1-0 up, and Bulgaria go on the attack; the ball is fired, straight at Joe Hart so it was a relatively easy save to make, but he made it all the same. Next thing you know, the ball is at the other end and Defoe is slotting it calmly into the net...

If Bulgaria would’ve scored, England might have had a torrid time of it. 1-1 and the fans get on your backs slightly; 2-0 and the game is over. And with help from Joe Hart; the game was over.


England showed promise last night, but we shouldn’t get too carried away. I think we’ve all learned our lesson now not to go too over the top after winning just one game - see 2010 World Cup qualifiers, and then 2010 World Cup... In fact, on second thoughts, I advise you not to relive that again…

It’s time to look to the future; and with exciting players such as Joe Hart, Adam Johnson and James Milner (the ‘Man City’ revolution) and more experienced players such as Steven Gerrard, Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney; England seem to have the solution to success. Or at least, it looks that way.