We are playing KNOCKOUT football and those thinking we’ve got an easier route to the final are very naive
In fact, ask virtually any member of that England squad, and they’d say we weren’t scared of them, it could have gone either way. And that was a vintage Brazil side.
I have my frustrations about that quarter-final. Michael Owen wasn’t right, was struggling with an injury and we were trailing 2-1 against 10 men.
Sven-goran Eriksson waited until the 80th minute to bring another striker on. In fact, he brought on two – but not me!
I sat there thinking I could be the difference. I still think that now. I had to think like that, I was a striker with total belief in my ability – and one who knew I had to be confident and ready if I went on.
It didn’t work out, but we weren’t intimidated.
We should have won. I think I could have delivered that win. I understand the talk about England having an inferiority complex against the big nations in tournaments. The last few World Cups, we’ve gone out to Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Italy/uruguay. But you can’t live in fear just because of a name. And conversely, you can’t live off a name for ever. This Brazil side can be beaten. If Serbia had taken their chances, they could be out already. There’s the other side to the coin too. Everyone is expecting England to beat Colombia now. But it’s a tough game. Forget the Belgium game. It meant little, with two B teams, and England’s B team slightly worse than theirs. But in the first two games, Southgate’s side looked good because they had possession.
I know James Rodriguez is injured and probably won’t play, but Colombia will be much better on the ball.
Another thing, England have done the Colombia manager Jose Pekerman’s (left) team-talk for him now.
All he has to do is get those snippets from the media about an easier route to the semi-final.
His last words before they go out will be: “They think we’re easy opponents. Let’s show them how easy it will be.”
The good news is that I know Gareth Southgate well – from way back in 1996 and the Euros – and he would never think about “easier” games.
As long as he keeps his team professional and focused, can repeat their brilliant set-piece work so far and stay tight at the back, then, hopefully, they can go a lot further.