A Wembley Double Bill

I'd never been to Wembley before. I was too young as a Sunderland fan to attend the 1998 Play Off Final and had never made an England international before. So, when I was offered a complementary ticket for the Championship final on Saturday, I was delighted to accept.

I was sat in the Cardiff end, looking out over a sea of tangerine flags bathed in sunlight. It was a spectacular sight as the contrast between the blue of Cardiff and organs of Ian Holloway's side both dominated one end of the stadium.

It was certainly an event which matched it's surroundings as Blackpool won promotion to the Premier League and, along with a free sandwich or two, a thoroughly enjoyable day.

I also made the trip to North West London to see England take on Mexico on Monday. Sat along with some old uni friends, we watched the game from Gods at the back of the stand behind the goal.

With the England fans clad in free t-shirts, the effect was impressive. If only the team could have obliged with a performance that matched.

Watching from a height, it gave me a chance to look at the positioning of players, the runs made and the tactical discipline of Fabio Capello's charges.

It is for that reason, that I was so surprised by the reaction to Steven Gerrard's performance. He had a poor first half, leaving Leighton Baines open to attacks from the right flank meaning Wayne Rooney was forced to help defend.

In the second half, the Liverpool captain was shifted to a more central role where he looked more comfortable but far from the player we know he can be. On occasion.

Two trips to Wembley in three days have left me impressed with the home of English football. Inside, the cauldron-esque shape of the stands echoes a Roman amphitheatre and the atmosphere on both occasions was highly impressive.