The Dream Is Over

So the dream is well and truly over and the hope that England could win the World Cup in South Africa came up short against a well organised German side. It hurts though not because of the defeat against a superior side but for the fact that very few of the England players performed like we all know they can and as they do week in, week out. Perhaps it is because it is out of season and subconsciously they think that they should be lying on a beach somewhere. It can only be said that their displays, to put it crudely have gone "down the pan" or as our American friends would say who also suffered a World Cup exit yesterday, "down the tubes". Either way it leads me nicely onto today's picture which shows the toilet block at the junction of Derby Road and South Street. The toilets closed some time ago and the building had been up for sale. Within the next couple of weeks the block is due for demolition so I've recorded it for posterity. Many years ago  a pub stood on the site - I wonder what will be built here next.

Reprieved

At last the England team put in a performance worth watching although it still hung on a knife's edge right to the very end. But now perhaps Mr. Rooney can understand the fans' frustration after the previous match as they knew the team could always play a lot better. The hope now is that the team will continue in the same vein and not return to the haphazard performances of the previous four internationals. From "rubbish" yesterday England will now be classed as world beaters but secretly we all know nothing is won until the fat lady sings.

 

Not that any of the ladies seen today walking around the town could be called "fat" but they were showing their true colours draped in red and white. In fact I think there were more of the gentler sex in England gear than their male counterparts.

We can relax now then until Sunday when the nervous tension will build all over again.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Research has revealed that yesterday was supposed to be the happiest day of the year. With lighter nights, flowers blooming and looking forward to summer holidays, people in the northern hemisphere are at their most joyful on this day in June.

The researchers obviously didn't factor in the England football team who have been dire in their last four games - two friendlies plus two group matches in the World Cup - and were abysmal last night giving their fans no cause to be happy at all.

England Expects

There's no doubting who the occupants of this house will be supporting tonight in what is being billed as a "must win" game but with favourites Spain and Germany already slipping up against so-called lesser opposition, we shouldn't take it for granted that England will win easily. As is the custom, the players have been put under intense pressure and it could still all end in tears but if support was anything to go by, the trophy would already be on the plane to Heathrow Airport.

England On Top

As the build up to the World Cup continues, patriotism and England flags are becoming more and more prominent and the St George's Cross has even made an appearance on at least one German vehicle. Knowing of the past rivalry on the soccer fields between the two nations I can only assume from its position that the driver of this particular vehicle is expecting England to come out on top should they meet in South Africa.

Eng - er - lund! Eng - er - lund!

World Cup Fever is beginning to make its presence felt with flags being displayed from business and residential properties alike to say nothing of those fluttering from vehicles. And the displays of national pride will only increase in the next month or so but the team will have to play a darn sight better than the experimental squad did last night against Mexico.

 

Although England won the game, Mexico can feel hard done by and for long periods they looked the better side. It's goals that count though but our national side will have to show a marked improvement if they are to make an impact in South Africa. It would appear from this article in the Daily Mail that not everyone in the country is behind the team as a foreign bus driver ordered a mother and her children off his bus as he found the England shirt being worn by her two year old offensive. Personally I find his attitude offensive and if he doesn't like it here, he's free to return to his own country any time soon.