From Theo to hero
Blimey we ain’t going to win any beauty contests playing like that but it was a thrilling game with a never say die attitude and I don’t believe I am the only one chuffed for Theo Walcott. He gets a lot of stick from all sorts of quarters including his own club’s fans. If you don’t want him Gooners, then we can find room for him down at The Valley.
At 1-2 we feared the worse, we couldn’t string a pass together, Gerrard and Parker were knackered, Young was running around in circles, Milner was having a shocker and the scene was set for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Milner was so bad that the introduction of Walcott was hardly a masterstroke, although in fairness Roy could have thrown Oxlade-Chamberlain on, but he didn’t and Walcott lifted the whole offensive unit and also gave the back four another opportunity to defend a lead, which they did a hell of a lot better than the first time.
Rather embarrassingly it was the first time we have beaten Sweden in a competitive game, but no one will care and the St George’s flag flies high tonight with hosts Ukraine next on Tuesday.
Mind you, we haven’t got a cat in hells chance of beating anyone decent. The concept of passing the ball is a struggle and we have too many (nearly all) good but not world class players, with a load of other good but not world class players coming through.
Nonetheless for once we all seem in the ‘enjoy it why we can’ camp and I love the youthfulness and spirit amongst the squad, and despite the fact that Roy bit his nails to the quick on the touchline, I also like the steadfastness and assurance he gives the nation.
France beat Ukraine in a rain interrupted game before the England match. I only watched the first half but it was another exciting and open attacking display in what from memory is proving the best Euros for a long time.
Tomorrow Poland have their fate in their own hands as they take on the more than beatable Czech Republic in Wroclaw, a city close to the Czech border and UEFA will be hoping for a quieter day than they got the last time the Poles played.
It was like watching Charlton! Ecstasy, Agony, Dispair, Uphoria! I fancy the nature of the dramatic victory will hide the immense failings of not being able to string 2 passes together. As you say, we won’t beat anyone decent.