The nation is with us, trusts us. Listen to Keegan's dinosaurs, on the rare occasions they deign to submit themselves to outside scrutiny, and they invest football with a bewildering sense of joylessness. It is all dosh and dash, cash and bash. Their French counterparts talk about the game with a contrasting sensitivity and lyricism. For us football is not purely physical, as it is in England.
Every match is like opening a door into a new room.
No reigning World Cup winners have become European champions. The squad thrives on mutual respect. I feel my status is changing,' said Patrick Vieira, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday. I notice by the way the older players look at me. It is very subtle.