SADLY the lead story in this column last week may have induced an air of optimistic expectation in some of you readers – for this I apologise unreservedly.
Taking into consideration that England Under 21 coach Stuart Pearce had a new contract to earn and his players could put on a show that might possibly win them elevation to the full squad in time for a World Cup in Brazil next year, I erroneously suggested that there was a chance we could win the UEFA Championships being held in Israel.
I had reckoned without Pearce being unable to motivate his young charges who lost 1-0 to Italy before performing pathetically in front of the challenge of Norway and going down 3-1 – and thus out of the competition.
The sulky show of slumped shoulders from those sporting the Three Lions against the Scandinavians suggested that the majority of them couldn’t understand why they were wearing a white shirt in Israel instead of spending the bundles of cash they had banked last season frolicking on an exotic beach somewhere with their more senior clubmates.
It was so obvious what would happen, I can’t believe I misread the situation!
