Wolf Winship

 Did any one actually watch England play France last night?  I didn't even bother. I mean, come on! We can't watch our players give their all just to come third, at best...because coming Third was never our aim! We went to WIN!  The pub near me which was packed for the game against Argentina some days ago, was not showing the game as it was predicted no one was going to turn up anyway. And quite rightly, no one showed.  I caught the result of yesterday's game late last night on the news and I thought: meh, so what? I also thought: why the hell didn't they play like that against Argentina - the game that mattered like anything to us?! Disappointing doesn't even come close.  I understand fans didn't show up at the airport for some of the players that returned today.  That says it all. Oh well. Rest assured I'm not going to mention it again. It's too unpleasant.  Wolf Winship 

 Let's talk specifically and firstly about the World Cup Football 2026. So, Germany is out. Yes, that's right: they're out. It's taken everyone by surprise. And worse, they lost on penalties for the first time in the history of the World Cup.  Netherlands is also out. Two big teams, gone. Italy, by the way, never even made the grade to play this time...not for the first time.  England play DR Congo tomorrow. I'm proud that we're still in. That means: in the game and in with a chance. Come on!  And secondly, in the Cricket, Ben Stokes is out. The 35 year old announced his retirement yesterday with perfect timing. He was the best, people said. There'll never be another - not for a long time, they commiserate. I am apt to agree - but wait a minute. This is a team game. Why should it be left to one man to carry the whole team and win the game for us? Every person in the team has the potential to do what Stokes did. You have the same skills, the same training. It...