Filed in Football, England, International.
The England that beat Greece 4-0 in a friendly yesterday was a completely different team than the one that turned up to the World Cup, the personnel were more or less the same but it was like a team reborn.
So has McClaren cast off the shadow that hung over him after being associated with the previous management? Well, it certainly didn’t hurt him that they won 4-0 and very convincingly too. I think now most are prepared to give him there support although some won’t be convinced, until they win a competitive game and others still until they take on a big side (Holland v England, 15 November, Friendly).
While Greece isn’t the strongest side in the world, it was only 2 years ago that they won Euro 2004, they had at least seven of the side that won Euro 2004 in the team last night, admittedly the team is getting on a bit but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
After the World Cup I think a lot of people’s belief in football in general and in the national side had taken a knock (me included). Now I’m actually looking forward to the next game against Andorra, I can’t remember the last time I felt that.
