At least it’s all over... for now
England’s tournament exits always feel bad but Terry Duffelen remains optimistic for the Three Lion’s Future Dealing with the emotional trauma of an England defeat is much easier than in the past. This is because I'm older and experienced and because England are a decent team with a likeable coach who, mostly, give a good account of themselves on and off the pitch. Historic England defeats are frequently toxified with feelings of boiled fury over the shortcomings of the coach, some of the players, the FA and occasionally Urs Meier. I can also console myself with the knowledge that we will be back because the English national team is now a genuinely decent international football team, if not the finished article. Maverick a strike This England is the product in large part of a plan, by the FA to transform its coaching programme and generate a group of players with a set of principles capable of challenging for high honours. Some of the attacking players for England are like