KEITH JACKSON
pushing at an open door this summer.
Half a chance? Butcher was actually doing England a bit of a disservice. This is a great deal more than half a chance.
This a golden opportunity for our nearest and dearest the likes of which they may never see again. So much so should they now fail to seize the moment they may live to regret it for the rest of time.
Of course, there will be some sizeable hurdles on the horizon, most notably a Belgian side which may yet pip Southgate’s young guns to first position in Group G.
If Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku get the better of them in Kaliningrad on Thursday night then it may dampen England’s excitement.
But even a defeat will not torpedo their chances of going all the way.
If anything a difficult encounter with the Belgians may help to keep expectations in check but, on the other hand, should England clock up a third straight win on their way into the knockout stages then Butcher and the rest of them will be given even more reason to believe. Soon – and despite themselves – they may find it impossible not to.
When your talismanic striker is completing hat-tricks by accident then you must have more than just half a chance.
Harry Kane was almost on his way off to be substituted when the ball ricocheted off the back of his boot and spun into Panama’s open goal.
That he knew nothing about it merely proves the point good things are happening for England at this tournament. That this may be their moment.
That freakish goal took Kane to the top of the Golden Boot rankings and this too should come as no surprise as the Spurs man has been consistently excellent for club and country over the last two of three years.
This is a genuine world-class operator leading Southgate’s attack which is why they have every right to believe they really can go the distance.
But, unlike Messi or even Ronaldo and Portugal, Kane is far from a one-man band.
Jesse Lingard might not have made it on to the plane had this tournament been taking place 12 months ago but the Manchester United winger is blossoming at precisely the right time and beginning to look like he truly belongs at this level.
That England managed to run riot yesterday without Dele Alli in their attack is another reason to fear what they might be capable of achieving at full strength. Also, if Raheem Sterling finally does decide to come to the party then England’s options will be frightening.
Ironically, unlike Butcher and his bloody headband, there is something unEnglish about this England side this summer.
For once they even have a manager who is difficult to dislike and certainly not one begging to be lampooned.
Southgate is hugely likeable and measured in everything he does. Yes, he may be a bit of a dry lunch but so what? He’s getting the best out of most of these players at the right time and deploying them in a tactical system within which they seem comfortable and well organised.
Even their fans appear to be behaving themselves in Russia and although that could change there has been nothing to suggest England have a finger hovering over the old selfdestruct button.
Two games in they have been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament along with Mexico, Belgium and Croatia.
So there has to be more than just half a chance this time one of these nations might prevail and upset the natural order which sees this crown routinely shared around by the likes of Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, Italy and Argentina.
It can’t be Italy this time. It almost certainly will not be Argentina. The Germans and the Spaniards have seen better days.
So, unless the French and/or the Brazilians rediscover their A game there is every reason for Butcher to feel emboldened.
And for all of Scotland to be afraid.