So, it all comes down to this. A very disappointing England team that has slugged to two draws against opposition they were supposed to sweep aside, play the top placed team in the group going into the final game.
Now there has been a whole plethora of opinion offered on England so far and the furore that follows their Earth Goblet campaign has been cranked up on the verge of over ride but despite all their shortcomings if they win the game they will go through to the next round and possibly win the group. Which puts it in context really, but the media and white man van won't be having any of that as the fume has really set in, on this fine summery weekend.
Quite often it's the form team that prevails in a tournament rather than the best one, there is no doubting that England have some real top class players and I'm not suggesting they would go on and win it but if they click then to be honest they are capable of putting Slovenia aside and then taking on a not too dangerous second round tie so things aren't all doomsday just yet.
Getting England to click may be the hard part, Capello is being asked some questions by most England fans due to some strange selections which just haven't worked out at all. Now we can wax lyrical about formations and player combinations etc but any team wanting to succeed in a tournament of this standard is going to have to do better than Heskey, a present day Carragher, Lennon and Barry. Neither captain Gerrard or talisman Rooney are looking the least bit effective either so it will be interesting to see what England go for.
Whilst the Italian is usually pragmatic in his approach, this is a game that is needed to win and well so the Rooney with Gerrard sat in behind may be an option, Carragher is suspended and it's unlikely the glue will set well enough on King's knee so Upton will be involved and...anyway, that's Capello's problem and not mine. Discuss and procrastinate to your heart's content.
Slovenia looks average against Algeria, requiring a spawny goal late on to win it but then in large parts against the USA looked like they found their stride and played some nice possession football. You can be sure that they will only be motivated by another hesitant start by England but detaching yourself from it you feel that if England start quickly, they are there to be had. The past two games suggest otherwise but with us approaching late chance saloon there is no greater incentive for the players. And take them [Poor language removed] expensive oversized Bose earphones off when you're being talked to Ashley, you look a prick in them. He's defo into self made playlists on which I'd wager Mark Morrison and Lightning Seeds are involved, with a crescendo pre game of Eye of the Tiger.
It's all set up anyway, and World Cup togger is at it's best when the pressure is on. No matter where your loyalties lie, it would be a shame to see England qualify well and turn up for a tournament without at least having a go. On Wednesday, it's there's to lose.
Should be interesting then.
Now there has been a whole plethora of opinion offered on England so far and the furore that follows their Earth Goblet campaign has been cranked up on the verge of over ride but despite all their shortcomings if they win the game they will go through to the next round and possibly win the group. Which puts it in context really, but the media and white man van won't be having any of that as the fume has really set in, on this fine summery weekend.
Quite often it's the form team that prevails in a tournament rather than the best one, there is no doubting that England have some real top class players and I'm not suggesting they would go on and win it but if they click then to be honest they are capable of putting Slovenia aside and then taking on a not too dangerous second round tie so things aren't all doomsday just yet.
Getting England to click may be the hard part, Capello is being asked some questions by most England fans due to some strange selections which just haven't worked out at all. Now we can wax lyrical about formations and player combinations etc but any team wanting to succeed in a tournament of this standard is going to have to do better than Heskey, a present day Carragher, Lennon and Barry. Neither captain Gerrard or talisman Rooney are looking the least bit effective either so it will be interesting to see what England go for.
Whilst the Italian is usually pragmatic in his approach, this is a game that is needed to win and well so the Rooney with Gerrard sat in behind may be an option, Carragher is suspended and it's unlikely the glue will set well enough on King's knee so Upton will be involved and...anyway, that's Capello's problem and not mine. Discuss and procrastinate to your heart's content.
Slovenia looks average against Algeria, requiring a spawny goal late on to win it but then in large parts against the USA looked like they found their stride and played some nice possession football. You can be sure that they will only be motivated by another hesitant start by England but detaching yourself from it you feel that if England start quickly, they are there to be had. The past two games suggest otherwise but with us approaching late chance saloon there is no greater incentive for the players. And take them [Poor language removed] expensive oversized Bose earphones off when you're being talked to Ashley, you look a prick in them. He's defo into self made playlists on which I'd wager Mark Morrison and Lightning Seeds are involved, with a crescendo pre game of Eye of the Tiger.
It's all set up anyway, and World Cup togger is at it's best when the pressure is on. No matter where your loyalties lie, it would be a shame to see England qualify well and turn up for a tournament without at least having a go. On Wednesday, it's there's to lose.
Should be interesting then.
