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Not Tuchel bad

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 I'm just off the back of watching two of the worst sides in the tournament (South Africa and Czechia) playing out a 1-1 draw. The result keeps their final round of group games potentially interesting, but in truth, neither team deserves to progress. 

Today's post is really all about England. The handbrake is officially off. What a game and what a performance. After a slightly cagey first half, where we edged ahead and then sat back and then did so again; we came out like lions in the second half. Three of them. Proper full on, high tempo, attacking. Shot raining in, arms swinging aloft to gee up the crowd. It was lovely stuff. Bellingham completely justified the nod he got over Rogers (even from my clearly biased perspective), Kane was good - he seems to have really upped his game, and does that dropping back thing that was such a mess when Rooney did it, but to great effect now that we have pace alongside him. Not just pace, but pace with permission. I have spent much of the last few tournaments lamenting Southgate's caution. We've been sitting on a goldmine of talent for the best part of a decade and only now are we seeing it. Even with Barcelona's Gordon looking a bit like a fan competition winner out on the left, we had enough to overwhelm Croatia. Madueke on the right was sublime, so progressive and direct (I prefer him to Saka) and Bellingham is strong, direct and super talented. Add to them the surging runs of Rice and enthusiasm of O'Reilly and we pose such a threat. 

But our biggest advantage, as we see week in week out in the Premier League, is the embarrassment of riches we have on the bench. Being able to throw on Saka, Rogers, Rashford and Guehi is sweet luxury - and will definitely pay dividends as the tourney progresses. I am assuming that the new format means one more match (round of 32) is required vs normal format - and so a deep squad is going to be critical to mitigate the fatigue and suspension risk that the extra match entails. And with strength everywhere we are in no way weakened by Guehi and Konsa lining up as a CB partnership. Nor with Saka and Rashford starting on our wings, or Rogers or Eze getting a run out at 10. 

I feel very very positive about it all.

After the England game, the tournament entered a 36 hour lull, with all of the games being a bit of a challenge. I drifted off to sleep listening to Panama losing at the death to Ghana and in the ridiculous hours Columbia (without the errant Jhon Duran; how that £71m is looking a good sale) swept aside Uzbekistan which was no surprise whatsoever. Now it is Bosnia and Switzerland, which is no fun on paper, but might be decent. Then Canada v Qatar which only has any relevance because of the host situation. Then a shame to likely miss Mexico v South Korea - that could be tasty. 

Bring on the weekend, when the prospect of offset viewing hours becomes more real.

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