Supporters naturally get in the news if they behave badly and, sadly for us, a few drink-fuelled situations have cropped up this week.

But, in my short visit to Portugal, I was totally impressed with the attitude, support for the team and general camaraderie from the crowds which were predominately English.

Geoff Hurst, Kenny Dalglish and myself mingled with our supporters for two hours before the kick-off against France and sat with them during the game watching all the agonies and ecstasies they went through.

It struck me that, often, people within the game do not realise how the man on the terrace really feels when they are locked in the ivory towers of director's boxes.

Now and again it doesn't do any harm to be down there amongst the fee-paying customers.

At the moment, we appear to be the best-supported team and, with due respect to Beckham and company, I think they realise this.

I could tell with the way the players acknowledged the crowd at the end of the French game how good a relationship they are developing.

The crowd are knowable and understood the French result was more of a freak and they will be happy with 3-0 against Switzerland, although still not convinced we can take everything in our stride.

I well remember the five World Cups I covered as a TV panellist how Germany often stumbled along in the early stages with draws when they were expected to get wins, yet they always seemed to get to the final stages.

Germany are still in there this time, along with France, but England can still be confident.