The papers have suggested Sven was evoking the spirit of Graham Taylor's leadership, but the performance reminded me of someone else with Scunny connections; Brian Laws.
As well as the tactical shambles, is it just me, or is Heskey becoming the International equivalent of Steve Torpey?
What has that man done for England recently? Nothing, he's dead weight, but he is still on the team sheet, perhaps this is what Ee-Aw aspires to, the Liverpool man is not a good role model.
Vassell must be rightly upset to have been substituted and because it now seems he will not start against Argentina. He pays the price of being too similar to Owen to play them both effectively. Obviously, you would never drop Owen (Laws might, but logic never really figures with him) but Darius was the only England player on that pitch with any passion for the game. It was, overall, insulting for England fans to watch. We pay these players' wages, or at least contribute through tickets, Sky etc. and they didn't even have the decency to care about the game or play like it was an honour for them, I was so angry.
But other than that, which will be all forgotten when we stuff Argentina tomorrow (the eternal Scunny fan optimism, I'll never lose it), the World Cup has been genuinely exciting; America's flair, the Korean fans, Italy showboating and Rivaldo's Hollyoaks-esque acting. He has actually been fined £4,500, which will hit him hard in the wallet. Of course, he'll claim it hit him on the foot…probably.
Up The Iron and England – remember, we can't play any worse…ah, Mr. Fate, can I tempt you to anything…?
Jim can be heard weekdays on SBN Radio, weekdays between 2 and 7PM (across Student Radio Stations nationwide, www.sbn.co.uk and Sky Digital Channel 894)
His column can be read exclusivesly on Iron-Bru.net every Thursday
His column can be read exclusivesly on Iron-Bru.net every Thursday