The English press is great fun for a neutral with more than passing interest in the fortunes of England's sporting adventures. It is a no-holds-barred exercise - the team is either the best in the world, or the absolute worst. Every single thing is analysed threadbare in a style that is quintessential English - I love lapping it up, and it obviously does not get bigger for them than the World Cup. Do read the Guardian/Times/Telegraph for fantastic coverage of the World Cup - well worth your time.
I saw the England-Ecuador match yesterday, and England did nothing much to prove my billing that they, along with Brazil and Argentina are the favourites to win. However, I still back that suggestion. Reason is, they have the potential. Lampard is still struggling to do anything meaningful, but we all know how lethal he can be. Rooney is just about coming back into full fitness, and we all know the magic he can conjure from nowhere. The killer of course is Gerrard, who is probably one of the best players in the world. His impact on this World Cup has been very marginal, but he can burst into life, ignite England, and demolish the opposition in a snap.
Add to that the fact that Portugal is missing several key players after a terrible match up against Holland (Deco out to suspension, Figo very likely out due to head butt, and Ronaldo most likely out to injury) - and England can still make it to the semis. At that stage, you would be foolish to write off a team that has Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard in it. Moments of inspired football can change the course of the game, and England are way off their peak still.
No comments:
Post a Comment