ENGLAND UNDONE BY THEMSELVES

Inspired by Tuchel’s “Exciting” Interventions

Possibly Bossman Lionel was inspired by Professor Steve Peters

SPOT THE NEW YORK NEW YORK BOOUND ONE?

England were touched by greatness in the ironically named Mercedes Benz Stadium. Eternal greatness at that.

There’s one thing to invite something on [Are you Listening Tommy T] but it takes a more superior animal to pull it off. Messi yet again the orchestra conductor. Enzo displaying his vital importance to the national cause. Then the B Cast, led by Messi’s Inter Miami shadow; Rodrigo De Paul, and game winner from 5ft and just a little bit Lautaro Martinez.

What just is it with Argentine elite footballers and their invaluable Albiceleste Football Shirts. Play for it is not ever in doubt.

Then add into the blender a nuclear hot cauldron stirring all around in the ‘Benz’ stands and out in the the Atlanta streets. One of such enormities it appeared to suck and drain energy out of some of those down on the pitch.

Could be the reason it significantly effected the rational thinking of Tuchel and the semblance of any football out of too many England players.

Then factor in what was at stake here. Far more than just winning a World Cup Semi Final this.

Tuchel was officially announced and appointed New Year’s Day 2025. Given one brief, and an 18-month runway. Get England over the line.

This following a World Cup Semi Final, a Quarter Final and two straight EURO defeats under his predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate. First of those Final defeats came at Wembley Stadium Summer 2021. Where much like in Atlanta Wednesday England took the lead.

In a feature TV interview around Tuchel’s appointment following German like thoroughness, scientific research and mathematical analysis associated with NASA - Herr Tuchel had his eureka moment.

“EXCITEMENT” Tommy T belched with his eyes, as food might have fallen out of his considerable gob

Or a lack of excitement thereof, was the explicit reasoning of Sir Gareth’s inability to get it over the England Maginot line, and double the amount of silverware, or goldware in the England Trophy Cabinet.

Last time I checked the very ornate cabinet is now located in the illustrious History Museum in fabulous Kensington. Right near to Harrods. Housed in that fabulous emporium is one on the rarest Champagne collections on the planet. From a Trophy Cabinet which has been padlocked since 1966. Oh the irony

Wayne Rooney, who like what any nation intent on walking off with the Jules Rimet Trophy [Version 2.0] – Wazza has increased World Cup performance as a BBC TV Analyst. One which has now got into week 6 described in but two words, “WE CRUMBLED” after what hundreds of millions of people worldwide had just witnessed.

Nothing else needed to be said. As expected too many delighted in England’s demise. “Sitting on your hands” is the unwritten brief given to media. Why bother when your bias all tournament long was even clear to see with the never took his iconic shades off even on a stage for Roy Orbison.

Just ahead of Kick Off Wednesday live ON TSN690 @ImStillJon asked my my prediction, I stated the team which maintains its ‘composure’ best will be heading to Sunday’s Final.

Now composure is relevant of course and sits like beauty in the eye of the beholder. England kicked off with the more football composure, during large parts of the first frame. Whilst Argentina kicked off on the front foot, their heels on England player boots best. The odd shove from behind, and from behind.

This was their tried and tested, most effective composed emotional selves. Then just like the moon gets shoved into day as the sunshine and daylight wins the day they switched like a light switch to their unique style of football genius during large parts of the World Cup.

I reckon Little Leo’s Bossman the other Lionel has read Professor Steve Paters’ tome – A Chipmunk’s Paradox.

Some quick background…

Professor Peters’ is a rare hybrid medical genius. A Psychiatrist by day, a Psychologist come evening, and a Psychoanalyst for a laugh at the weekend. His not AI clone must write his books. Full circle here Professor Peters’ worked with the England #SouthAfrica2010 squad collectively and certain players individually.

His Chipmunk Paradox book me reckons Bossman Lionel read and then reread. The book theorises that there are two people inside us all. Our emotional selves that he describes as a Chipmunk on our shoulder plus our rational selves.

Chipmunks are renowned for messing around, creating mischief and bedlam of a sort I could only dream of. Everyone’s job Peters’ suggests is to control the chipmunk. Leads to a more meaningful less hazardous, and dangerous moments.

Let’s now look at Argentina’s gameplan…

Check how their highly charged selves rocked and rolled from the moment the Argentine National Anthem blared out from all around. This mindset maintained itself through vast parts of the 1^st Half. Where England you could say played the better football. Had their very best mements.

Argentina’s emotional selves worked to dramatically good and desired effect. However, after England went ahead notice after what appeared to be a flick of a switch Argentina’s rational football selves turned up, took over?

They dominated the final 30 plus minutes. You’ve seen the stats. Towards the very end, England completed but 3 passes. The official stats might just claim there were TWO. Jordan Pickford involved in all of them

1. Pickford to Stones

2. Rinse, Repeat

3. Pickford to O’Reilly*

4. Weren’t a real pass. Pickford’s lob hit O’Reilly’s bonce

Tuchel’s substitutions directly led to; Enzo in his own area code welly it in from outside the box. He’d already had 2 earlier swings by that time. Well over the bar with the first, then bounced one off the woodwork.  A Houston we got a problem in a football pitch if there ever was one. Everyone saw it on the box [TV version]. Tuchel not 35 yards away, evidently didn’t see either of the shots right across the England bow.

Martinez’ beauty of a winner. Six Foot Plus England, undone by a magnificent bit of genius from the smallest players on the pitch.

Memo to Tuchel: The Bigger They Are, the Higher they fall. Adding to the white men might not indeed be able to jump, fully charged Argentine ones can

One of my proper Social Media favs, legendry Tennis Player and now full-time social and eco justice warrior, Martina Navratilova posted the day after the evening before.

“At the Top Level, when you play not to lose. You lose” Like to respond TT… I won’t hold my breath.

Cucumber man himself Lionel Scaloni sent Little Leo into early retirement at his first tournament in charge; 2019’s Copa América. On his appointment the football legend himself; Podium Division - Diego Maradona stated “Scaloni couldn’t even direct traffic.”

Under his control since 2019’s Copa Argentina has now travelled through two straight Copa’s and oh yeh are currently World Champs

They sit but a possible 90 minutes away from a Double Double; one which MTL’s fabled double coffee houses; Olimpico and SAN Simeon could not even create.

However de la Fuente will be licking his lips at this moment. England provided the blue print of what NOT to do.

If Spain take the lead, what price they continue to pile it on. Their bullring selves leading that particular charge.

It may though all come down to another medical revelation. Muscle Memory Argentine Style. Bossman Lionel the Circus Ringleader. Little Leo his Orchestra Conductor.

Argentina play two opponents Sunday, the EURO Champs plus World Cup History. Only twice has a nation repeated. Italia way back in 1934, 1938. Plus Brasil back in 1958, 1962

Meanwhile England’s World Cup curse enters its 7^th Decade.

Cheers

@NoelPButler

info@orangesathalftime.net