England - The best in the world already!

[Jockey]

I have nothing against English people and indeed stay in Hua Hin which is highly populated with them!
My issue is the bias shown to England in all major TV channels. After all they have already won the World Cup next year- haven`t they??

The year is 2005, but the theme is now, as it was 39 years ago. No-one has the right to compete on a level playing field where the media is concerned. Even that 'Scotsman" Andy Gray is brainwashed.

When England are on TV, I have to turn off the volume as I can`t stand the blatant supporting of any team from commentators who are supposed to be neutral. It is my belief that if there was objective reporting more Scottish / Irish / Welsh fans would like to see them doing well (?)

As for their team, they are highly regarded, but they are prone to the odd clanger which may prove to be decisive in Germany 06, same as it always seems to be. Quarters maybe after they draw Turkey or the likes.
England has some decent players but as far a 'world beaters' it stops at Lampard, Rooney, Owen and sometimes Gerrard. The other players are vastly glorified.

My fellow Scotsman / Irish and Welsh- a word of caution. Don`t listen to the vibes from your telly or, like most of the English nation, you will be brainwashed into believing England are going to win the World Cup next Summer.

But hold on a minute... what do Brazil, Netherlands, Argentina, Czech Republic, Mexico. France, United States, Spain, Portugal and Sweden all have in common? Answer - They are all above England in the FIFA world rankings.

All, or most of these teams will be in the World Cup. There will be 32 countries competing. Normally a team 10th / 11th in the betting out of 32 would command odds of roughly between 20/1 and 25/1 which I believe is a fair reflection on England's chances.

A team ranked 10th / 11th out of the 32 would be expected to reach the last 16 but not the last 8. If England reach the quarter finals they will be punching above their weight. I am sure others will have an opposite view and in anticipation of the resulting flack - I KNOW SCOTLAND ARE UTTER CRAP

[Heebio]

Pains me tae say it mate but if they get the right draw they could go far. They're weak on the left and need a decent right back but their options elsewhere are pretty strong.

The swede maybe the saving grace. IMHO he ain't got a scoob and shits it when the pressure's on.

With the Irish out who am I gonnae support now? Go on the Czechs...

[Wanderlust]

I can sympathise Jockey, but the media are hardly going to knock the thing that butters their bread are they? I don't think England will get any further than past the group stage - basically Eriksson is the reason i am relatively negative, and if they achieve more it will be in spite of him not because of him. In the high pressure games he bottles it, plays defensively and tries to protect one goal leads, and it just isn't in our make up to do that - as far as I am concerned we should always be going for the throat, and to be honest I don't care if we win or lose if we give it our all. Eriksson also is one of the worst coaches in terms of substitutions - he just doesn't seem to grasp that they either should be used to change the game in our favour when we are losing/drawing, or be used to kill the game when we are winning. A classic example was when Beckham got sent off against Austria - an attacking midfielder down you would have thought the obvious thing to do would be take off Crouch and put on Wright-Phillips, but he takes off Joe Cole and puts Ledley King on, thus leaving the front two with very little service to work on. And no width from the two full backs either! I am tempted to say that Sven is worse than Bertie Vogts but that might be pushing it!

[ianjames]

And if they don't make it past the group stage,it could give Ericson the award of "Scottish manager of the year".

[Guess]

Not much to add here to this good stuff.

To reinforce Wanderlust's comment. The unfortunate reality is that the media coverage of all over the world has, for many years now, has been dominated by one man and his oversized company (I.e News International, NI).

Avoiding long dicussions on the pros and cons of giant monopolizing corporations, it has to be pointed out that in this case the company is a US listed UK/Australia based company whose bread is mostly buttered by UK, US and Australian patriots.

Soccer in Australia and the US is still progressing but obviously the main country to promote has to be the UK. As the UK is still permitted to divide itself in to four portions, when playing in certain international competitions, it makes sense for NI to support the largest and most successful one.

The TV coverage of soccer that has now developed here in the East is wholly dominatad by the English game. I walked around central Hua Hin last year to try to find a bar with UBC who would show Valencia vs Real Madrid. Not one, they all wanted to show the same premiership game. Domination works.

As regards the English national team, Jockey is of course right, not only are England ranked 11 in the world and statisically should not get past the last sixteen they also do not seem to have that urgent will to win like other ousiders such as Ireland, Korea, Croatia and Cameroon have shown in previous competitions.

As for the Celtic side of things. The were murmurings recently eminating from FIFA itself regarding the future of England as a team. As the UK is internationally recognised as a single nation why should they be allowed to put forward four teams. That could be a bonus to Scots Welsh and Northern Irish footballers as at least then they would have a remote chance of playing for their national team and competing in the World Cup Finals. I would like to hear what the Brits have to say on that one.

I say, let people dream, its is harlmless. I am sure that ther are many people in Wigan who believe that they will win the FA Premiership. There were dreamers only yesterday morning who thought that Bolton could travel to Stamford Bridge and win.

I have to agree with Heebio though, with the right draws and a bit of luck there are not that many games to get through to get to the final. However that applies to another 23 teams as well.

I have nothing against English people. (Check your nose in the mirror when you get the chance)

[JW]

As a non football fan, i guess i should not even post here but i do want any/all of our national teams to do the business - the cricket was awesome this summer, and kicking the americans arses in the ryder cup is great, but somehow our footballers just dont seem to have that little something, be it brains, skill or passion that makes a world cup winning side. Know doubt someone will explain this to me, why do the managers always get the blame for the players playing shite! They should just get out there spread out a bit and not let the other buggers get the ball off them! And why can these guys getting paid loads of money not kick with both feet! And Rooney should be in prison. Anyway, good luck to the boys but i can see the same old disapointment coming again next year.

[Wanderlust]

JW - I agree that there often seems to be something lacking in the England football team's make up, namely passion, although individuals do display it frequently. One of the reasons Eriksson is so often criticised is because he doesn't seem to be able to fire the team up, and does not display much emotion on the touchline. Another is that he will persist in playing players when they are clearly out of form - loyalty is a very good thing but blind loyalty does no one any favours. But his biggest failing, and the one that has let us down most obviously, is the tactics he employs, particularly in the important games. His record on paper is good, but when you look at the games he has failed in they are as a direct result of either his tactics or his substitutions or both, which have handed the initiative back to the opposition. Of course the players have a part to play in all this, but in a team game you are supposed to follow the directions of your coach, and to me (and others) it is obvious that the fault lies with Eriksson.

[Guess]

JW - I agree that there often seems to be something lacking in the England football team's make up.

Any tips on offer here ladies.

loyalty is a very good thing but blind loyalty does no one any favours. But his biggest failing, and the one that has let us down most obviously, is the tactics he employs, particularly in the important games.

This criticism could apply to a few premiership managers. How long did it take Fergie to get rid of the Bevis Bros and Butthead?

Of course the players have a part to play in all this, but in a team game you are supposed to follow the directions of your coach, and to me (and others) it is obvious that the fault lies with Eriksson.

Absolutely,you have hit the nail right on the head. As I have said before, return him to his natural habitat. I don't know where that is as I am not a conservationist but my guess is that it would be in some weather girl's bedroom.

[Jockey]

Great post's - its just like pub talk withoot the pub

Still waiting on who is going to be brave enough to predict an England win!

[Randy Cornhole]

I predict England to go out in the group stages.
I personally won't be watching one boring second. yawn.
ENGLAND - CURRENT RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONS!
By beating Australia in their own backyard. Unlike the ashes.
Hurrah

[caller]

It was significant that we (England) played so well the other night without Becks & Gerrard, gave some credibility to the argument that those two and Lamps can't all play in the same side.

It would have been even better if Rooney could actually manage to pass the ball to whoever it is intended! And Wright-Phillips looked as though he was suffering from not playing many games with the Champions.

But as ever in a World Cup season, surprises are thrown up and Ledley King was a revelation. It looked the most balance England team for ages - even with the obvious weaknesses on the left - I would consider playing Ashley Cole in front of Bridge.

I predict we'll do well if we can stay clear of injuries to major players and the Swede surprises us all be being bold when it matters, but winners? I'll think we have a good chance of getting past the group stages and then who knows?

[Guess]

It was significant that we (England) played so well the other night without Becks & Gerrard

Sorry caller but I must have missed that one. Was there a friendly against Scotland that failed to show upon Thai TV or maybe it was a repeat of England Vs Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final.

My prediction is a win for Italy (World Cup Final) bearing in mind it is a woman's perogative to change her mind.

[caller]

I forgot to pop my pill again - I lose track of time without them!

Italy? Not even amongst the top seeds for the next european jaunt - unlike England - which probably means we'll draw them (help).

[SugarCane]

Guess is ting tong. he think Italy number one all the time. i think braxil win eveery day.

[SugarCane]

England mai dee but Lampard good.