We have seen this roller-coaster from England before
England’s goalless draw against the United States has set up a huge game against Wales on Tuesday.
The Americans were by far the better side against Gareth Southgate’s men and, having lived for many years on the other side of Hadrian’s Wall, I know the locals are not too happy with the manager right now.
We have seen it all before, where they go from joy to despair in the space of one game of football.
That is England, and that is the expectation level the Three Lions have to deal with in Qatar.
The fans always expect them to go far in every competition, and that is something you cannot take away from them.
It means when the players turn in a performance that does not live up to those hopes – like Friday night’s – there is a lot of anger and disappointment.
However, their situation is not that bad.
England still have a decent chance of going through, and of progressing through the tournament.
Plan A – beating the USA to secure qualification – did not work for them. But Plan B – making sure they did not lose so they were still in a strong position in the group – came off.
They are almost through now, helped by scoring six goals against Iran in their opener.
The meeting with Wales should be very similar to Scotland playing England, where you expect form to be irrelevant.
The Welsh players who play in the Premier League will know all about the players they are coming up against, and vice versa.
Psychologically, the English lads have to be thinking: “How did they lose to Iran when we beat them so comfortably?”
After they lost those two late goals, the Welsh players looked like they had been punched in the stomach. They were all doubled up, unable to believe what had happened.
You hope they are up for it, and can turn in a performance against England that will reduce the stick they will get otherwise.
For sure, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are going to have to pull something out of the hat.
They will look at the opposition’s defensive set-up, and think this England team can concede goals. Iran proved that by scoring twice against them.
Harry Maguire and John Stones have been getting stick at their clubs. But I would argue they are good together.
I do not believe they have let their country down that often to merit them being dropped.
There will be question marks around Harry Kane’s selection because his performances in this World Cup have been strange.
His game is played in and around the box. That is where he makes it happen.
On Friday night, however, he kept dropping deep, which allowed the USA to push forward onto England.
One of the problems they have is that Gareth has so many top players to choose from.
His side won their opening tie convincingly, so he was right to stick with that starting XI. Then, when he was looking to change things, he went for Jack Grealish – the most-fouled player in English football.
He gives you the chance of more set-pieces. England were dominant in the air against Iran, so it was reasonable to go that way against the USA. But that sound thinking has left Southgate open to criticism.
Phil Foden is a quality player, and his club boss, Pep Guardiola, does not talk highly of him for nothing.
He is a game-changer, and I thought he would have got his chance against the Americans. But hindsight is always a great thing.
Whoever Gareth picks, they can certainly get through to the Round of 16.
Whether they can actually win this World Cup is a different question.
This tournament is going to throw up surprises from start to finish because people are underestimating the impact the heat and the humidity are having on games.
England can do it, but they would have to get over some big hurdles along the way. Play the way they did against the USA, and they will fall.
Brazil are looking particularly good. Even looking at their substitutes’ bench, you think they are always going to be a danger.
I expect to see them get stronger and stronger as this tournament progresses.
But expect the unexpected.