Bring on the Germans

England breathes a collective sigh of relief after finally collecting its first win of the 2010 World Cup. The hardcore critics are still spouting the same noise about how crap England are currently. This includes former German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer, who claims that England look tired, `burnt out` were the exact words used. After such desperate statements one has to wonder if the German actually took the time out of his busy schedule to watch the game. Despite the narrow margin of 1 nil, England obviously dominated and controlled the game in the manner it knows best.

In any case, after watching the game for a second time last night I was completely relieved of my pre-Germany anxiety. England obviously stepped up their game in all areas of the field. What I appreciated most from England`s play was their hustle and pressing, both elements were lacking in the previous two group stage games. There were also some line up changes and even some formation adjustments to speak of. Milner replaced Lennon on the right, adding some pressure and simple control to the England right side. He delivered many great balls from the right side all night including the assist to Jermaine Dafoe.

Dafoe started the game up front with Wayne Rooney, replacing the lack luster Emile Heskey who has failed to impress so far. The moves made by Coach Capello proved most effective as it was Jermaine Dafoe who put England ahead on the score sheet, giving them the advantage midway through the first half. More important for England was restoring the teams confidence and lifting them up to the level that we have all come to know and expect.

The way England played was exactly what England fans have become used to in the English Premier League. Urgency, Pressing, Hustle, Drive, Courage and Belief were all restored to the levels required to win a tournament such as the World Cup. There is of course a very solid German team that England will go up against, and some are saying it would be better if we played another side so early in the tournament, building up towards a big team like Germany. To that I say, it`s the World Cup, not a pub league if you want to be Champion of the WORLD you must play and beat the best its as simple as that.

With England playing a more dynamic attacking game, I am forced back again into camp optimism and I am most definitely looking forward to a classic game vs. the Germans. This is what the World Cup is all about, Germany vs. England can it get any better?

See you England Fans at Kellys' Pub on Sunday, until then check out the video embedded above of the drunken singing highlights from Kellys' Pub.