This England squad have done really well to get to the last four and Gareth Southgate seems to have helped the public fall back in love with the team.
There is a real humility about the players that seems to make an impression on people. That is something that really stands out for me, which Gareth and his team deserve credit for. If you look the list of teams these lads have played for in the lower leagues, their backgrounds seem to give them a grounding that Gareth has used really well.
There is a desire for this team to do well because there does not seem to be any superstars or egos in the team. Harry Kane, the top scorer and someone who has been a superstar for his club for the last couple of years, epitomises that attitude.
You never feel there are any issues with the group. All the substitutes do their bit, no one moans, and the way Gareth conducts himself is the same as the players. There does not seem to be any egos.
When you think of the squads of the past, we had some of the best players in Europe. They were superstars and wonderful players. There is a different feel with this squad because their grounding is different. And, on and off the pitch, a lot of these lads have no history for supporters to have a negative perception of them.
I predicted we would get to the semi-finals but not many people did, and because of that lack of expectation we can play with freedom. These players are two games away from greatness but they can play with complete freedom. That is a great position and there is nothing to fear from Croatia.
