So, that was that, for all the talk of England’s date with destiny, it turned out to be Spain that had the invite after all. The Three Lions managed to pull back level after going a goal behind and only lost 2-1 in the late stages of the game. However, the narrow scoreline and late coming of the winner masks the truth, there was a huge gulf in terms of fitness, talent and organisation between the two teams. The scoreline flattered is. We weren’t unlucky, unless you consider it unfortunate to get Spain in the final.
From a footballing point of view, there is a real risk that once again England will allow a narrative of plucky, unlucky losers to prevent searching questions or that the manager will become the scapegoat. So where did it go wrong? Well, on the night, we seemed to rarely be able to get position and when we did, we squandered it quickly. This included because we tended to play the ball back deep to Jordan Pickford meaning that it was coming back to him in goal, often uder pressure rather than drawing him in further up the field. This meant that when we passed forward it was long and the angles were awkward. We often failed to make the final ball count and in midfield our passing was wayward. There were too many mistakes.
These are not the only issues that England faced but they do feed into one key issue. Some people have argued that we had a world class squad but the team didn’t gel and get the tactics right, so that must be Southgate’s fault. However, I’m not convinced. I think we have heard a lot of hype about our new golden generation. However, there is a difference between turning it on for Real Madrid when you have a star studded team around you and turning it on for England where you are looked up to as the game changing star. A lot of expectation was placed on Bellingham but if he didn’t deliver, that’s hardly is fault, he is still an incredibly young player.
The thing is this. Bellingham and other key stars can turn it on in moments. They have incredible quality which can lead to a volley, bicycle kick or turn and shoot at distance. They are able to do the special stuff. However, the difference between good players and teams and outstanding world class ones is not the ability to turn on the tricks but rather the ability to do the basic stuff well and consistently. England just didn’t do that. We can put that down to all sorts of things from national temperament, managerial failings, unstated injuries and lack of experience. However, we cannot ignore it.
Now, of course, my armchair, amateur opinions about international football are not really worth reading about but what I’ve said above is true of church life too. I, too frequently have seen churches turn on the style for the big event: the mission campaign, the baptism service, Easter or Christmas. It’s all well and good to do that. However, far more important to the health of the church and fruitfulness of its mission is to do the basis stuff well and constantly.
By the basic stuff, I mean the weekly gathering, preaching, praying for people, visiting, day to day evangelism, discipleship, small groups etc. It means identifying what you can do and what you should do, then doing it, to the best of your ability and consistently.
Faithroots 