Expectancy levels will be high again

Manchester City’s roving reporter writes every week for Chron Sport

YOU have to give the England team credit for making it into next year’s European Championship finals in France after picking up seven wins from seven so far.

Granted, England weren’t in the most difficult of groups, but they have progressed with the minimum of fuss. They should have won every game so far, and they have.

It is about time the national team enjoyed some success at a tournament finals. Fifty years is a long time to have had to wait and that’s disappointing.

To be honest, England haven’t really been fancied at the last few tournaments they have been in, but it always seems like key moments at crucial times cost the team dear.

Eexpectancy levels are always high on the eve of a tournament, and next summer in France will be no different. But we haven’t delivered for a long time now.

I like the look of the England squad at present. There are a lot of great young players in there and that bodes well. I expect England to beat Switzerland tonight, despite having already qualified from the group, but then it’s up to manager Roy Hodgson to craft a squad that will hopefully go all the way in France.

It’s been fairly quiet in the office at Manchester City this week, with most of the players away on international duty. But that has given me a chance to plan a few interesting little website features I’m really looking forward to.

I’ve been given the go-ahead to organise, umpire and oversee an inter-departmental five-sports tournament featuring staff who will get stuck into rowing, football, a mile run, a penalty shoot-out and basketball.

And as we get closer to Hallowe’en I’ve got something planned where I’m hoping to scare a few of the players, shall we say.

It’s all good stuff!