It’s a populist cry, but England would surely be better off without captain David Beckham in their starting XI. Beckham’s work-rate cannot be faulted and his delivery from the right is still impeccable at times, but these qualities are more than counterbalanced by his limitations. The accommodation of such a plodding wide player must lead to […]

Now that the World Cup is well underway, WCH thought it was an appropriate time to make further contact with our correspondent in Germany - Herr Colin. He is currently working in Stuggart and living in Munich.
How do Munich and Stuttgart compare with regard to levels of World Cup fever?
There is a subtle difference between the euphoria in Munich […]

Meteorologists predict that temperatures in Stuttgart on Sunday could reach a blistering 35C. If my calculations are correct, that’s around about 467F - which is hot enough to boil magnesium.
England happen to be playing Ecuador at 5pm in Stuttgart on Sunday! It will surely favour the South Americans if the heat reaches the aforementioned Promethean […]

Tuesday evening, and everyone leaves work early to get the best seats for the England game. And this time Herr Hippo lets his editorial staff out in time to enjoy the football on the Samsung big screen, rather than keeping up with the action on Ceefax like they normally do. This was a rare night […]

I’ve tried to remain upbeat about England’s recent performances, but this one has crushed my optimism somewhat! England showed faint promise in the first-half and shaded a two-dimensional Sweden. Most of England’s attacking threat came down the left from Joe Cole, and it was his long-range strike which gave England a 1-0 lead. What little […]

So, two games into the World Cup and nobody in Nippon is in the least bit surprised at the situation the poor wee men find themselves in. Moribund finishing, a lack of power in the midfield and complete transparency in the pass have all added to serve up a dish best eaten with the now […]

After England’s poor showing in the first two games of the group stage, newspapers are replete with suggestions for the rearrangement of Sven’s side. Lennon should start on the right; we should play 4-5-1; Carrick should replace Lampard, and so on. These recommendations are all underpinned by the aim to unlock England’s attacking potential. The […]

Eagle-eyed football fans will have noticed that the World Cup held aloft by victorious team captains in the present age is somewhat different to the version lifted by Bobby Moore back in 1966. The reason being that Brazil, having won the original Jules Rimet trophy for the third time in 1970, were allowed to keep it permanently. […]