World Cups are supposed to be in summer. They just are. But sometimes a break from tradition can be refreshing and, were it not taking place in a locale with draconian laws and a dismal human rights record, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar might even be a welcome change of pace. But the shift was always likely to suit some teams more than others. Unfortunately for England fans, the Three Lions are one of the teams for whom the World Cup is arriving at precisely the wrong time.
Imagine if you will that the World Cup occupied its usual June slot this year. England would have been riding a 21-game run where they had not been beaten in 90 minutes. The only reverse during that time was a penalty defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020. Add in a couple of traditional pre-tournament friendlies against confidence-building opposition and Gareth Southgate’s team would have been coming in hot.
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Contrast that with the current state of affairs. England are without a win in six games. They scored from open play in just one of those matches, the latest against Germany in a 3-3 draw. Southgate’s side have lost two games to Hungary in amongst that, one of which was a 4-0 defeat. Hungary are rated 32 places lower than England in the FIFA men’s world rankings. Rather than approaching the World Cup from a position of strength, they do so on the most dismal run of Southgate’s tenure so far.
The tide of public opinion has noticeably turned during this decline too. It was just over a year ago that the nation’s pride in its men’s football team was at an all-time high. A first major final since 1966 had the whole of England rapt, even in defeat. With a semi final appearance at Russia 2018 under their belt too, Qatar was unofficially earmarked as the tournament where this generation of the Three Lions would finally fulfil their destiny.
That destiny is increasingly looking like being the sort of early exit and resulting inquest and managerial sacking that used to be customary. Southgate has lost his greatest weapon; the unequivocal backing of his country’s people. But has he deserved this about-face?
On results, it is understandable that supporters are worried. The Germany game aside, England look to have lost their killer instinct. Harry Kane is usually the only player who looks like scoring and even he hasn’t been hitting his usual numbers. The midfield has lacked balance and the defence is prone to individual errors, as seen in that very same clash with Die Mannschaft.
However, these are still the manager and players that have taken England to their greatest highs of the 21st century so far. Is a dip in performance enough to erase the generation-defining moments that have gone before? It appears that way for some. Social media has been awash with the dreaded “#SouthgateOut” hashtag. Those fans are tired of the negative football and the manager’s persistence with players like Harry Maguire, who have fallen out of form for their clubs.
The debate over Southgate’s future can wait until after the World Cup. He is obviously taking the team to Qatar and no amount of social media mud-slinging will change that fact. But the discontent is further evidence that this World Cup could not have come at a worse time for England. The fans are losing faith in the manager, the team is on the run from hell and there is just 55 days between now and the tournament kicks off.
Great things have happened through adversity for the Three Lions. Bobby Robson’s time in charge looked to be limping to an inevitable end before Italia 90. One semi final and a few Paul Gascoigne tears later and both team and manager entered England folklore. Tabloid snakes were hissing in England’s direction when their players were caught drinking in the infamous dentist’s chair ahead of Euro 96. Another semi final, another landmark Gazza tableau and Terry Venables’ boys took their seat next to Robson’s side in the history books. Southgate has already surpassed those two great England sides with his own achievements. Maybe, just maybe, through all this adversity he can go one better. Excuse me, Sir Alf? Is that seat next to you taken?
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