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Have a word with him

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 It's crunch time. And we are involved. The nation is expectant. Scouts is cancelled. The kids can go to school wearing red and white. Whilst this is, of course, a text-book set-up for them to feel the crushing disappointments that the rest of us have endured for, well, our whole lives - this time it IS different. We have a resilience, and to a degree, some humble-ness. The game against Norway was a strange one. We started exactly how I hoped we would, in control, patient, conserving energy. But somewhere along the line it all went weird and we pretty much thrashed around, waiting for Bellingham to do something awesome. I've been really confident about England's chances - I thought we were set up to perform as a sum of our parts, but it hasn't quite clicked properly yet. But there is time, and our game against Argentina is going to be epic I am sure. They, with us, are on the 'scraping by' side of the draw; whilst attention tonight is upon the 'brushing everyone aside' side of the draw. 

Spain and France is a match between the two strongest teams in the tournament; but I am struggling to get excited by Spain. They are so very Pep's Man City when they just passed a lot. Not glamour, just a slow strangulation of the game until the win happens. France of course are just pure showbiz. But with things getting toward a crescendo, I might have to side with the ones who I think we could beat; so, Go Spain! It is hard however to look past France. They are such a complete squad. Competent keeper and full backs, solid centre halves, DMs that do their job right - all of which lay the foundation for their front 4, whichever 4 they select to wreak havoc. I can't see any result but France.

As for us. We've a great chance. Argentina are nowhere near as formidable as last time out, but worryingly are finding a bit of form, and of course have the FIFA machine pulling strings too.  It will all come down to the midfield. If Rice is playing whilst being fundamentally unwell or injured (a trap I didn't think Tuchel would fall into), or if Argentina's midfield purrs like it has threatened to in parts, then we will be up against it. But; and you heard it here first; I think we will be fine. There's some big performances to come from forward players not named Kane or Bellingham, and tomorrow night we will see it. 


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