A Nation Conditioned to Fail

Critical Bill reviews the (largely) uncritical aftermath of Scotland at the Euros

Say what you like about the English media.  Their jingoism and “It’s Coming Home”, may get on your nerves when they’re in a big tournament but if things aren’t going to plan they’re not shy at calling it out.  Look back at the half time coverage of their game against Slovakia in Euro 2024.  1-0 down and both Mark Pougatch and Gary Neville made it clear that if the result were to stay the same then Southgate would be have to go that evening.  And if Bellingham hadn’t of scored in the 95th minute then make no mistake that’s what would have happened.

When Spain put them to the sword in Berlin under a fortnight later, there was no sentimentality about Southgate.  It was thank you Gareth, but your time’s up.  And so it proved.  He was gone within 48 hours.  Compare and contrast the above to Scotland.  At half time in the match against Hungary, where was the anger from commentators at such a tame performance?  Why wasn’t anybody saying that was the 2nd half of football out of 5 where we didn’t have an attempt on goal - never mind one on target? Could somebody not say it was totally unacceptable?