Many of my happiest times as a journalist have involved covering the England team at major tournaments. There is an intensity and a pressure which surrounds the biggest stars at these great showpiece events that makes it a pleasure to be a witness to history. It is fascinating watching how some rise to the occasion while others combust under the strain and appear to be in perpetual rage, fuming at those who they believe are out to destroy them. And that is just the English media. It was said that when England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup,…

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