Maybe I am an eternal optimist. I genuinely believe that England will retain the Ashes in Australia, Andy Murray will one day secure a Grand Slam and my beloved Tottenham will win the Premiership in my lifetime. It is this optimism that I reflect on the debacle that I viewed last night when England played out a timid draw against Algeria.
The criticism levelled at England has been overwhelming. Some of it has been constructive but most clearly over the top and even deranged. One caller demanded on a talk-in radio show, that Rooney should be dropped along with Lampard and Gerrard and Fabio Capello should be sacked immediately, with David Beckham taking over the managerial reins.
Lets be clear this was an awful display by England. The worst I have witnessed for many years. The performance lacked dynamism, wit and skill. But this is where my optimism kicks in. England conceivably cannot play any worse then they did last night. If they can produce any sort of display against Slovenia, their final opponents in the group stage, that mirrors their qualifying performances then they should win and win handsomely. All is definitely not lost.
I am convinced that England will win the World Cup. History shows us that teams that start slowly get better as the tournament progresses. This was the case for Italy in 1982 and 2006. And the Azzurri were triumphant on both occasions.
I am so sure in my heart and mind that England will carry this tournament that I have put £200 at 10/1 at my local bookmakers. England will be victorious, prove all the pundits wrong and I get to go on a Caribbean cruise with my winnings.
COME ON ENGLAND!!
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Don't ask me to lend you any dosh, mate!!
ReplyDeleteThe doubters have it - some of us were actually so convinced that Germany would win. Granted, the Lampard shot was a goal not given and no-one knows what would have happened in the second half but, to be honest, the English team never really performed and, I think, would have been soundly beaten in the second half.
Lots of reasons why I am so pessimistic (one being that our players are nowhere near as good as those from other nations) - but they are for when we meet in the office or over the pub drowning your sorrow.
All the best.
Geoff