In his 17 years with England, Shilton had many memorable games with both, positive and negative outcomes. 1-The World Cup qualifier match many English fans still consider their most painful, vs Poland at Wembley in 1973, where Shilton allowed Domarski's goal that qualified a brilliant Polish side (Tomaszewski, Deyna, Lato) to the 1974 WC. 2-During the 1982 WC in Spain, he allowed only 1 goal in 5 games (v France), yet couldn't go beyond the 2nd round. 3-In the 1986 WC in Mexico, he was at the receiving end of Maradona's Hand of God goal and Best Goal in World Cups. 4-And in the 1990 WC in Italy he was instrumental for England to reach the semifinal, after the victory over Cameroon in what was the best game of that World Cup by far.
At this period, The English could have a psychological advantage with all the victories of their clubs over the German's in European cups between 77 and 82. All German clubs in champions league lost to an English (77-78-79-80-81 and 82). But Germany won Euro 80.
Reinders starting instead of Littbarski, who then later on started vs France in the memorable semifinal and scored the first German goal (also in the penalty shootout).
82 was a lost opportunity for England, Robson in his prime, but tactically too defensive and too many matchwinners not selected. Mariner was never going to win a World Cup. Regis and Cunningham would have , for example, really challenged this West Germany team
I agree with that alot (not the pop at Mariner though, i will explain)..England have rarely had a good chance to go to the last four as they did in 1982, Spain were already out and were beatable..The way Greenwood played that match as I have said elsewhere was tactically so poor he should have played Francis on top (not on the right of midfield), brought Terry McDermott in from the squad and deployed him on the right slot..played Keegan behind Francis with Brooking in the centre form the start...If that was not working at HT he should have wrought the changes...brought Hoddle into the centre, moved Brooking to the right and played Woodcock with Francis, taking Keegan and McDermott off. Now the point you make about Regis/Cunningham is interesting. Regis was on fire in the 1981/82 season, I would love to have seen him played in a trident with Woodcock/Francis...that would have been lethal.. Cunningham was a good choice for Euro 80 but his career through injuries was fading by 1982...Greenwood also excluded Cowans, Morley, Statham, Alvin Martin, Devonshire, Gary Shaw.. Mariner was a footballer i rated but as Jack Chalrton said about him he had a first class footballing IQ on him but Greenwood did not use him properly (like Ray Kennedy) in relation to Francis where he should have been played wider and deeper allowing Trevor to feed off his movement
