Great win against a really good team. Southgate has been tremendous. I can’t remember an England manager so well suited to the role. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have a huge track record as a club manager. He’s doing things that predecessors with much more polished CVs have failed to do. He puts the system first, before the individuals. He’s embedded two different ways of playing, so they can switch system depending on the opponent. He doesn’t cave to the usual populist clamour for this player or that player. In general, he seems to know how to handle the media and himself (no overcelebrating of victories, always respectful of opponents). He clearly understands and has the respect of the squad.
It’s amazing to think that if it wasn’t for a pint of wine, Big Sam could still be in charge.
The downside tonight was the ITV commentary. Sam Matterface was trying desperately hard to capture national euphoria with his unfortunate “do what you want tonight, phone the boss in the morning …” spiel, but it was absolute gibberish. It sounded like he was concussed. He didn’t even report that Denmark were down to 10 men in the second period of extra time. I’ll steer well clear of ITV for the final so I don’t have to hear his attempt at a ‘they think it’s all over…’ moment.
