Some fans of England men’s football team are up in arms at the standard of entertainment being served up by Thomas Tuchel.
Many are probably shuddering at the thought of their heroes using them more often via long-throws given recent press conference quotes from the German manager.
But this current pile-on – no doubt caused somewhat by his nationality – is about as dull as the current fare being served up.
For as long as anyone can remember, qualification matches for the European Championship and World Cup have been dross.
Lower-ranked sides who sit in and defend can prove exceptionally difficult to break down.
English players know that they can get the job done and, in truth, that’s all that matters. They don’t want to take too many risks in case an adventurous style comes back to bite them on the backside.
The snorefest against Andorra was Groundhog Day so it’s hardly all on Tuchel is it? A routine win, comfortable qualification and then lots of excitement and hype followed by, ultimately, disappointment when things get a lot more serious every couple of summers.
Perhaps it’s worse now we’ve been spoiled by some runs extremely deep into big tournaments. Yet it’s hardly like we’ve often played free-flowing football on the way to the big event.
England has lost only four World Cup qualifiers in the last 30 years. There’s next to no jeopardy and if there was people would be waving furiously that we can’t see off countries like Estonia or Finland without issues.
The night Steve McClaren had his Graham Taylor moment and secured a harsh nickname for life, was one of the last qualifiers in recent memory that was entertaining – but for all the wrong reasons. A 3-2 defeat ensured the Three Lions wouldn’t qualify for Euro 2008.
Those who suggest staging matches away from Wembley and hark back to the days when there was a better atmosphere at places like the Stadium of Light in Sunderland had their ideas cooled by the weekend’s sleep-inducing game at Villa Park – the first men’s game away from the Home of Football in 20 years.
Perhaps that oft-mentioned game in the North East at the home of the Mackems was more about the excitement of watching generational talent Wayne Rooney make his full debut rather than where it was played? That 2-0 win in April 2003 felt special.
So did David Beckham’s equaliser with the last kick of the game against Greece at Old Trafford in 2001 and it will forever live in the memory. A month or so earlier, a 5-1 win in Germany had put England fans in the mood for a party.
Until the Three Lions’ success of sorts dips, they’ll continue to breeze through qualification and bore their way to tournaments. It’s been that way for over 20 years. So give the players and Tuchel a break.
The 2025 speedway campaign is on the home straight but there’s still plenty for fans to look forward to.
The end-of-season Premiership play-offs are under way and while King’s Lynn Stars are not involved they have announced an additional fixture to keep supporters revved up.
The Young Stars Pride of the East will bring the curtain down at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday, October 2 (7.30pm).
And little more than a week later, one of the club’s most popular riders and the voice of the sport will be appearing on a stage locally to chat about their distinguished careers.
Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris, a stalwart of the shale world and one of the last true racers, and Kelvin Tatum are the latest guests to take to the stage at Northwold Sports & Social Club.
The evening on Saturday, October 11 (doors 6.45pm for a 7.45pm start), in association with Sporting Knights, is the ninth I have hosted at the venue and should be a cracker as both look to share their stories from decades of involvement in British speedway and other tales.
By then we’ll also know who the 2025 world champion will be with this weekend’s final round in Denmark presenting Brady Kurtz with the opportunity to stop Bartosz Zmarzlik’s dominance in its tracks.
Tickets are already selling well so you don’t want to hang about if you want to be there when the pair recap on all things 2025 and much more.
Call or text David from the social club on 07768 090004 to get tickets, which cost £20 per person.
All current or former players of Terrington Football Club are being urged to get involved in a special memorial fixture.
Whether it was the Saturday, Sunday, Wildfowler, Carters, King William, first, reserve or A-team, ex-footballers are coming together to take part in the Gordon ‘Raz’ Rasberry Memorial Trophy.
The match is being played in honour of Raz who died last August, aged 91, and dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the club in a variety of different roles.
The 60-minute game will be held on Sunday, October 12 and is being staged at The Rec playing field in Terrington St Clement to mark a memorial bench being placed at the playing field in his honour.
Whether you want to play for five minutes, 35, an hour or anything in between, everyone is welcome to come and play and/or watch us enjoy the friendships and memories that Raz helped create in the best way he knew how – through football.
It’s hoped around 30-40 players of different ages will be available to make it happen with a good turnout on the sidelines and at the King William pub afterwards to raise a pint expected.
As is well known, Raz was my grandad and I’ll be playing and looking after one of the teams on the day as will my dad, Michael, Raz’s son-in-law. Teams will be selected once we know who turns up to play.
If you want to get involved, please message me on 07534 330909 to express your interest in playing. Any help spreading the word, be it on or offline, would be appreciated.
