Andrew is back with England’s Golden Generation but in 1998. Catch up with Part 1 here

Hello and welcome back to “The Golden Generation”. So, let’s catch you up. After a poor start in Cyprus, we worked out an expected win at Wembley against Moldova, and then, after going a goal down in 60 seconds and totally against the wave after wave of blue shirts in Rome, including Zola uncharacteristically fluffing a glut of clear chances, we saw out a famous win in Rome even though the team we’re up well after their bedtime. The celebrations were over quickly when the Mam’s arrived to take Gerrard et al home.

We now embark on the remaining fixtures, a chance to find out what this team are made of, and how the back-ups will perform…can Danny Mills break into the squad? Here’s the run up;

Some fair challenges in there, Sweden, Brazil, Denmark. I make sure Eileen has the tea leaves on the go and we pray for the best through the next 6 or so months.

Next Stop: Rasunda Fotbollsstadion, Stockholm
Opposition: Sweden

The fresh, brisk winter air of Scandinavia…just what the bairns need! We line-up with a slight change as ‘Solid’ Sol Campbell is out for 4 months with a knacked groin, in steps Rio Ferdinand.

10 minutes in and Beckham and Owen have us 2-0 up, but Sweden make their presence from corners felt, and it’s 2-2 at half-time, Rio, Terry, and Seaman need to do better.

The second half sees a trademark Beckham free-kick return us to the lead, only for a 90th minute equaliser (from another corner) pegging us back to a draw with the Swedes.

Our performance in friendlies leaves a lot to be desired. We’ve missed Sol Campbell and tying down a consistent right back is a challenge. And then there’s Seaman.

But then, there is fairly good news, we have our group:

Next Stop: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Opposition: South Africa

The Hackney Globe Trotters continue to get around. A perfect test for our group game against Nigeria to take in a different continental style of play.

The boys fall apart in the South African sun and fail to muster anything of real significance. Barnsley’s Tinkler scoring the solitary goal. I’m struggling to see how we managed to get past Italy other than complete fluke.

Despite the uninspiring winter of discontent, the FA are satisfied with my performance. What more can I ask for?

We’re into the new year, so let’s see how life in the big time is treating our golden young lions, we’ll look at the defenders first;

Ashley Cole has cemented his place ahead of the ageing Nigel Winterburn in Arsenal’s left back slot, assuming his throne as England’s best left back. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Wayne Bridge is struggling to get a look in at 12th placed Southampton, John Beresford just too much to shift. Meanwhile, John Terry is has wrapped up his GCSE’s and is Chelsea’s star-turn. And Danny Mills can’t break in to a crap Division One Norwich side…explaining why he’s nowhere near my squad (Sven…what were you thinking)…

In midfield, there is a similar story of hit and miss;

Owen Hargreaves is being eased in gently at European giants Bayern Munich, but he is getting game time which will help the cause. Meanwhile, Stevie G is getting in-frequent time at a Liverpool side putting pressure on Sir Alex at the top of the Premier League, but his form is woeful. Frank Lampard is, as expected, running the show at West Ham, alongside Michael Carrick who has also cemented his place in the line-up following ‘Arry’s sacking earlier in the season.

When it comes to our attackers, it’s a little more miss than hit;

Joe Cole secured a move to Leeds United very early in the season. His value has sky-rocketed, despite a clear lack of form or contribution, surviving on his potential as ever. Meanwhile, Darius Vassell has had a handful of appearances at Aston Villa, scoring two goals against Spurs. Peter Crouch just cannot move Klinsmann or Ferdinand and is attracting interest from Kenny Dalglish’s Newcastle United; he has 1 goal in 4 solitary appearances. Michael Owen is in stonking form, showing why he is the first name on my team sheet.

Next Stop: Wembley, London
Opposition: Brazil

A real test of how far me could go in France 98. This side is packed with attacking prowess, but we are keen to avenge our future selves!

We start the game pinned in our own half for 20 minutes, giving away needless free-kicks to which Seaman is equal on all occasions…the man appears to have learned to stay on his line!

25 minutes in and we get our break, Beckham feeds Owen through on goal, 1-0!!!!!! The joy is short lived, as Cafu scythes down Terry and he’s carried off on a stretcher, hopefully it’s not a bad one and he is available for the World Cup! G. Neville slots in at CB.

Ten minutes before half-time, and Scholes blasts one in from 30 yards. Unbelievable. We really do raise our game for the big boys it seems.

The second half see’s Brazil push on more and we hardly manage an effort. Brazil’s pressure pays off as Ronaldo takes it round Seaman and pulls one back on the 72nd minute…but we hold out.

Terry will be back in a month thankfully. Next up we have two games at Wembley vs. China and Japan before a trip to Copenhagen, after which we make the short journey to France. Our lack of depth is painfully obvious, and we need some players to get game time at their respective clubs.

In other news, Gerrard signed for Newcastle, Sol Campbell has moved to Manchester United who have also made a bid for Hargreaves.

Japan are dispatched, although not as convincingly as the score line suggests. Gerrard opens his account, Dalglish clearly squeezing that potential. Nigel had a nightmare in the sticks, its clear to me he is better off resurrecting his role in EastEnders.

China in our hands…the only disappointment, is that Xie stood strong to the 23 shots on goal. Plenty of rotation and a result to lift the mood of the squad.

Next Stop: Idraetsparken, Copenhagen
Opposition: Denmark

We arrive in Denmark in high spirits after 8 goals in 2 games. However, we’re quickly under pressure from the kick-off with the Danes having a goal disallowed. Peppering the goal with shots, they finally make the breakthrough on the 28th minute with Moller lobbing Seaman…typical.

We fight back with much of the remainder of the first half pinning Laudrup and co back in their own half, but Schmeichel saves shot after shot after shot…his Man Utd team mates can’t find any weakness.

The second half continues much the same with Owen having a goal disallowed and big Peter looking unbeatable. It stays 1-0 and we are defeated and deflated.

And with that, we close in on the kick-off of France ’98. See you again next time when we find out whether the golden generation really could have been golden, or whether they are really more a shower of p***.

Au revoir for now…

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