Battle of Britain on a national scale, preview.
No Premier League or Championship action this weekend, which means it's international football time. Yay, I can feel the excitement. I'll make this short and sweet.
England need to win tomorrow night. Scotland will be pumped up and really want to beat England. If England don't raise their game, they will definitely struggle tomorrow night. Wayne Rooney plays and captains England, Gareth Southgate confirmed. YAY. I'm so excited. I'm sure Kane will play up front, I wouldn't be surprised if Strurridge starts out wide and maybe Sterling too. Walcott we'll see too. Henderson, Dier, Milner, Lallana, the usual faces. How exciting. You know what, the England team is terrible. Cahill and Stones is ok but not fabulous. Hart will start in net, so it'll be nice to see Joe again. His save against Slovenia last match for England was phenomenal. I know very little of Scotland and their squad. Is Fletcher still playing in their midfield? Gordon will start, everyone else to start is up for debate. Leigh Griffiths up front I imagine. Scotland will show a lot of spirit, if this was in Glasgow, at Hamden Park, I'd fancy Scotland. I don't think England will play very well as the team isn't very good. If England fail to win tomorrow night, Southgate surely won't be manager come the next round of international matches. After the friendly with Spain, of course. Yay for friendlies.
This match is big for Scotland, they want to qualify for the World Cup 2018 in Russia, so they need to take points off England as England will be up towards the top of the group come next Autumn. This match, for me, is even bigger for England. It's at the home of football, against our closest neighbours and most bitter. I saw it with Celtic and Man City and Scotland will do it again tomorrow. But bragging rights are on the line tomorrow. With England dropping points against Slovenia, they need them points back. They won't want to lose tomorrow, a draw isn't a great result but if England can win then that'll be good. They will be back on track nearly for qualifying. I take nothing for granted though. England do normally breeze qualification, but I cannot forget the nightmares of 2007 and Steve McClaren and failing to qualify for Euro 2008. So they aren't so good. If England put in a good display and win, I'll be happy. Anything less and it's not good enough. One thing is for sure, if Scotland win tomorrow, Southgate will have his own personal lynch squad after him and he'll be a cult hero up north over the border.
C'mon the three lions.
Yeah, I struggle to get excited for international matches. I used to really love them, but I've not enjoyed international football and England matches since 2006. What a shame the wolly with the brolly ruined the fun. Wembley too, I liked international matches at Old Trafford, I like to think I would have been to an England match by now if they sprad the games across England and not just at Wembley. I don't mean just give other grounds friendlies or small qualifying matches, I want to see tests and good teams and good atmosphere. Wembley has no soul or love, it's just a product of money. A symbol of modern football I suppose. What a shame. Who can forget Beckham's freekick in the last minute at OT against Greece to qualify for the World Cup in 2001? What a moment.