10 Reasons For England Fans To Be Optimistic After World Cup 2018

10. The Belief Is Back

Past England teams have been rightfully accused of playing with fear. Whether it was due to the pressure of playing for the national side, anxiety induced by high expectations, or something else altogether, the Three Lions developed a reputation for failing to turn up in the big games.

Despite often having a lot of talent and performing brilliantly for their clubs, individual players would look like rabbits in headlights when big tournaments came around. They could never win a penalty shootout, they never turned up against the big teams, they barely ever won a knockout game, and they even struggled to beat low-ranked sides on more than one occasion.

This World Cup was different. At times, this England squad lacked creativity, it lacked ideas, but it never lacked confidence. From the first few minutes of the first game, fans sensed that this was a different England. The players didn't look scared or intimidated by the occasion. They looked eager and determined.

This positive mentality was confirmed when they won their opening game in the dying minutes, going on to crush Panama in a fantastic display, and holding their nerve to knock out a great Colombian side. The players performed with belief, confidence, and unity that will bind them together for future games and inspire the younger players who join the squad over the next few years.