England World Cup chances – unfortunately just raised hopes

Well, my prediction was proven right, England fell at the QF Stage yet again.

They were though, the better side on the night and but for two pieces of brilliance from France we would be on our way to the final.

The lads at least played with a belief and put the fear up the French who know they were probably fortunate to go through.

I would have bet money on Kane scoring from the spot, but it just shows, that pressure can get to anyone, even possibly the best penalty taker in the world.

If that kick had gone in there was a very good likelihood that we would have gone on to win the match.

Unusually for me I felt confident and relaxed at watching England and of the outcome right up until the second French goal.

Not for the first time in World Cup football has England not had the rub of the green, Saka free kick, no first French goal,

Kane penalty in the first half, different game altogether.

Now I recognise having been a referee the fine margins of decisions, but VAR is supposed to eliminate issues, still it does not, I always say would you want the decision at the other end, and I will always say this honestly, I had to give hundreds of decisions during my spell as a referee and even today I say it as a ref first supporter second, I feel we didn’t get the right call and the ref was poor.

I am unsure why a European Ref wasn’t appointed for an all-European tie, I think he would have dealt with things better and more consistently, am I being racist, possibly, but he didn’t have a good game.

We were hard done by, but no good crying over spilt milk, but it was the best opportunity ever to emulate the Boys of 66 and I felt in my heart the opportunity was there, but as for the last 14 World Cups and 56 Years it’s the same old outcome, heartache.

One small gripe, as usual I am critical of GS substitute strategy and I felt he was found wanting yet again, the true great managers know how to change a game when needed and I just felt he lacks in this department.

The players will be gutted, they also knew they were good enough, there are no really good sides at this WC, I guess France will win it, but it could go anyway and wouldn’t a Morocco win but wonderful, but unlikely, while I said the best defence will win it and they probably are the best defence, you still need to do something at the other end, but hey ho, you never know.

But please don’t let it be the Argies, I despise them with a vengeance, but come on Morocco two more good games …

Ah I feel yet another dream coming on…..