52 Years Of Hurt

I had the great misfortune to watch England's match against Slovenia last night, from which they needed a win to guarantee qualification to next year's World Cup in Russia. They belatedly achieved this with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time from Harry Kane. The 92 minutes that preceded it were so bereft of quality and excitement that the spectators at Wembley took to throwing paper aeroplanes in the direction of the pitch. Once again, we were treated to highly paid professional footballers who frequently perform at a high standard for their clubs barely able to string two passes together.

ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley has infuriated me greatly over the years but yesterday I actually had some sympathy with him and his professional obligation to pretend we weren't witnessing one of the most wretched matches in recent memory. He's somewhat like Nicholas Witchell, doomed to report on a once great and world renowned institution, now consigned to irrelevance. Off to the World Cup again, to get knocked out in the group stage again and no-one will learn anything from the experience. Again.


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