I admit I’m a bit obsessed about this now but I’m so fed up with seeing so many ‘fans,’ mostly men, saying it’s not important that England played fair, came 3rd, won matches, inspired millions, had some great moments. Because they lost. Because of Tuchel, tactics, parking the bus or whatever they think from their armchairs. Of course it’s frustrating and heartbreaking to lose on this level but we were never guaranteed a win. If Tuchel had changed this, that or the other, perhaps? We’ll never know and we need to move on.
These ‘fans’ then go on to say coming 3rd is pointless, coming 2nd also pointless - it’s just about winning - anything less is nothing. Obviously you don’t enter the WC to lose but out of 48 teams only one can win. Does that mean the effort, passion and determination shouldn’t be celebrated by the 47 teams who ‘lost?’ I’ve read things like ‘never congratulate losers it confirms losing is accepted’. What a weird belief! How do we ever reflect, improve and learn to win if we never lose?
And from their profiles lots of these men clearly have kids. Wonder what they say to them at sports day when they run up to him excited with a bronze or silver sticker or heaven forbid a well done badge! Bugger off you loser?