Euro 2008 - no WAGs, no flags - let's go

I cheered when that third Croatian goal went in last night. That is what this dismal team has done to us. The players on the pitch, indeed for that whole Euro 2008 non-qualification campaign, have not been a team the nation could be proud of. That is their fault, not ours. Neither is it the fault of the pitch, the FA structure, the Premiership or Arsenal.

I knew it was a lost cause when the anthems were being sung and, disgracefully, booed. Every Croat sung with the roar of a small nation born from war and bonded by a strong team spirit where every player knew his job. England's shabby collection of overpaid journeymen and spoilt babies were barely able to utter a line. They showed no pride and once the game started it was clear they had been given no clue. Five in midfield is based on keeping the ball and finding the best place to play it. You can only do that if your opponents yield. They didn't, they fought and they passed better and they shot at goal with belief.

I went to the World Cup last year and wished I hadn't gone to see England. And do you know what, without England's appalling supporters and without the unedifying spectacle of the hated WAGs the tournament next year might actually be quite good, and even worth attending.