It was the summertime of restored love. From M&S waistcoats to Atomic Kitten singing “Southgate you’re the one”, Harry Kane hat-tricks to “Bus Stop” corner regimens– the 2018 World Cup was when England’s loud and happy following fell incredibly and deeply, when again, for the guys representing their nation.
In hindsight, the uncomfortable semi-final exit to Croatia in Moscow provided a glance into the concerns that still eclipse Gareth Southgate’s management. Can England beat prominent opposition? Is Southgate able to tactically outsmart the elite coaches?
At that time, nevertheless, there was major cause for event and optimism. It was not typical for England to squash the similarity Panama at a World Cup, to manage challengers as easily as they did Colombia, or dispatch Sweden