England the pride of the home nations

[Yank]

Most english fans support the other home nations when England aren't playing so it's the sensible, grown-up thing to do really.

It's not sensible, or grown up. It has nothing to do with either of those characteristics. The fact it'd bother you someone is apathetic or rooting for another nation in the WC is childish to me.

I'll pull for England, but I admit I love watching the English and how they react to their team. It is really great. An Evertonian stops into where I work and we were talking, he's from Liverpool. So I ask him, do you have a side you like... With so much resentment and disgust in his voice he immediately quips... "Certainly not England". The media and fan scrutiny is amazing. Maybe it's because they're the only English speaking nation, with the combination of being football mad, capable enough, and developed enough to have a real media. I'm sure German, Brazilian, and Argentinian media would be equally as entertaining. I'm just inept at those languages so it's not as entertaining.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

I saw this video today:

I was only four for Euro 96, but when I ask my older relatives about it most of them say it was one of the last times they actually cared about England. I look at that video and can't imagine anyone caring that much about England these days. A whole stadium united in support and actually creating an atmosphere at the national stadium- shocking!

It's quite sad in a way how we (myself included) seem to find more pleasure in watching England fail these days. Iceland in 2016 is the epitome of that. Watching Hodgson act like an idiot in the press conference after was the icing on the cake. Still though, the players and the media throughout the 2000's only have themselves to blame for that. Most of them were impossible to relate to and some of them were just downright detestable (Gerrard and Terry in particular) and the media hype over Beckham throughout that period was insufferable and nauseating.

Not one of them has a bit of the passion Gazza had in 1990 or Pearce in 96- not a fan of him as a pundit but no-one can deny what playing for England meant to him;

It was also probably one of the last times England had a genuinely decent functioning team. The 98 world cup squad had talent but weren't as functional as a unit imho. Actually the 2004 Euros team weren't bad either.

 

[Brendan Janus]

It was also probably one of the last times England had a genuinely decent functioning team. The 98 world cup squad had talent but weren't as functional as a unit imho. Actually the 2004 Euros team weren't bad either.

Since 1966 England have been awful at tournaments !!

 

[Carl O'Ancelotti]

you must be joking

 

[MikeH72]

I will support Eng-er-land in the World Cup. But I reserve the right to laugh uncontrollably when the press big up the team and they fall from a great height. Its a Win Win.

In all honesty, the press haven't really bigged up an England team since about 2010.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Since 1966 England have been awful at tournaments !!

Ha, too true.

 

[Brendan Janus]

I don't really give a shoite about England,

Only bothered about us !!

 

[Pootsy]

In all honesty, the press haven't really bigged up an England team since about 2010.

See Harry Kane quote in tomorrows Chippy papers today then. "England WILL win World Cup."

 

[MikeH72]

See Harry Kane quote in tomorrows Chippy papers today then. "England WILL win World Cup."

It’s Harry Kane though, he’s a player.

 

[Brisan123]

It’s Harry Kane though, he’s a player.

And the mejiaaaa printed it as Gospel

 

[Pootsy]

It’s Harry Kane though, he’s a player.

That is true.H's also the Captain. However, I believe that that will be the start of the Press building the team up for a Big Fall.

 

[Ballymoney1]

At some point in time England will get it together in a big tournament. They have certainly had the players over the years. Thinking back to recent tournaments Euro 2004 springs to mind. They had a brilliant squad the so called golden generation at its peak. If Rooney hadn't limped off against Portugal they would have won the tournament.

 

[leslad]

 

[marsh]

England!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andydgg]

I live in Scotland and am hoping the world cup passes us by unnoticed, as is the norm up here whenever England are in a tournament a successful run will see all the anti-english nationalist hatred out in the open, even people who don't like football will join in following ABE as the Nationalism fuelled by the snp gets into full voice again. Personally I can't be bothered, I'd rather see a GB team anyway.