I watched England beat Croatia last night and unlike many wasn’t as impressed as many at beating a CroaTian team which didn’t show any serious adventure.
A lot of that was of course down to Declan’s defence of the back four which itself look in decent shape itself as the game progressed.
International football in itself has little interest for me these days although I guess it’s better than nothing during a long summer.
However, I’m gonna have a problem next Tuesday when Southgate’s lads take on the Czechs after hopefully they beat Scotland on Friday after Tomas and the others have beaten them today I hope!
Like every other Hammer the Czech Republic have an obviously special place in my heart right now with Tomas and Vladi involved so Tuesday will be difficult..
This all sounds incredibly unpatriotic but with those two making such a difference to our team I may well find it easier to be offering them my support.
One thing is for sure -it will be a photo finish.
How about you – England or the West Ham Republic?
Hammers every time for me these days, Hugh. England have disappointed me so many times since 1996 with a succession of poor managers and players who flatter to deceive. I want England to do well but I have become ambivalent about them. Has the money side of football got anything to do with it? I can’t really say. The Euro 1996 team under Venables were the last cohort that I got really excited about and their performance against The Netherlands in particular was truly outstanding. Pearce’s reaction after scoring that penalty against Spain encapsulated everything that I feel about sport but I just don’t get that feeling about England these days. But I do about the Hammers. As I get older, WHUFC seem to matter even more to me. Don’t really know why, but does age focus your energies and interest into those things that are of most importance to you? I’ll probably spontaneously combust if we ever win anything ever again.
I don’t see the problem here. England all the way. I’m enjoying watching the boys beating Scotland but against England I hope they have stinkers.
Czech’s looked good against a motivated Scottish team, Kral looked decent also I thought and Hlozek if they end up being part of our team at some point, plus their striker, looks like a younger hungrier Giroud so maybe think on him also as a target if that is his level.
As for tough choice, not really, it will be England but hope Czech’s do well outside of our match against them.
I have supported West Ham since I was 8 years old and as a School project I had to Write to a football Manager I chose John Lyall A was delighted to get a letter back from him. I support England because I am English. It is always Club Before Country I just hope all West Ham players do well and get through it unscathed