Well what a night was had by all 70,000 at the Millennium stadium! from start to finish it was a party mood, with both Team GB and Uruguay supporters mixing well and thoroughly enjoying the occasion. The preceding game of Mexico v Switzerland couldn't have contrasted more, with both teams playing as if they didn't want to be there, making both Team GB and Uruguay, the top billing. Many pundits and fans were not happy with the selection of Stuart Pearce, but his selection was part of the reason why I have followed this journey with Team GB, notwithstanding his selection too of the Swansea players, and while many supporters criticise him, and his tactics, for me he was an inspirational appointment, that showed some lateral thinking by the powers that be. This too played out on the field, where Team GB has been gathering some fine momentum to last nights game, and what a game it was, with Team GB holding all the possession stakes, and with Allen and Ramsey calling the tempo and rhythm in the centre of midfield, though I was also impressed with the shift that Cleverley put in.
It was difficult last night to choose the MOTM, as so many players played to such a high level, to contain the talent of Uruguay, and while Sturridge had little but a tap in for the goal, the build up from Sinclair to Allen, and then Joe's sweet move on Diego Rodriguez, totally deceiving him for setting up Sturridge for the goal, brought home to me how far young Joe has come, from his loan to Wrexham some years ago. Now if you think we will have trouble keeping Joe Allen, then get ready for Niel Taylor, because he showed last night on the World stage, what a Brilliant and flexible player he is, playing out of position at right back, was a walk in the park for him, as he stamped his authority on the game from start to finish, add to this the outstanding game of Ramsey too, and it's no wonder why Stuart Pearce has gone with such a strong Welsh presence in his team. Finally one can only reflect on the contrasting styles of Pearce's Team GB and Hodgsonâs England, and after last night, I know which team I'd prefer to watch, did I say it was like watching Swansea City play? Makes you think..............
It was difficult last night to choose the MOTM, as so many players played to such a high level, to contain the talent of Uruguay, and while Sturridge had little but a tap in for the goal, the build up from Sinclair to Allen, and then Joe's sweet move on Diego Rodriguez, totally deceiving him for setting up Sturridge for the goal, brought home to me how far young Joe has come, from his loan to Wrexham some years ago. Now if you think we will have trouble keeping Joe Allen, then get ready for Niel Taylor, because he showed last night on the World stage, what a Brilliant and flexible player he is, playing out of position at right back, was a walk in the park for him, as he stamped his authority on the game from start to finish, add to this the outstanding game of Ramsey too, and it's no wonder why Stuart Pearce has gone with such a strong Welsh presence in his team. Finally one can only reflect on the contrasting styles of Pearce's Team GB and Hodgsonâs England, and after last night, I know which team I'd prefer to watch, did I say it was like watching Swansea City play? Makes you think..............




