The problem is while teams such as France, Portugal, and Argentina struggled to qualify for the finals England romped through their group and hence were installed as =3rd or 4th favourites behind Spain and Brazil.
Even Germany were considered rubbish by their home fans based on form prior to the tournament. Only after their demolition of Australia were they suddenly being hyped as a genuine semi final threat.
So how does one explain the sudden slump in form?
Much of what has been written has proclaimed Rooney as the England saviour, with most predicting this would be Rooney's stage where he once and for all establishes himself alongside the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, kaka et al, as world class.
In reality, Rooney has been our worst player, with lampard being another high profile player who has been virtually invisible. Of all the players perhaps the Liverpool trio have acquitted themselves the best of all, with gerrard doing well against the usa, Cara providing a steady performance against Algeria, whilst Johnson has put in two serviceable efforts.
Rooney looks injured, Milner was clearly not fit, gareth barry looked unfit, and King was not right. Too many passengers who are not fully fit and raring to go. I will be surprised if Rooney plays 90 minutes against Slovenia, whatever happens.
Everyone screams for Joe Cole, and then rumours say he has been limping around the team camp.
Even if these unfit players are considered in the best eleven, I would send out eleven fully fit players for the next match, and tell them to give everything they have, play the match like its the last thing they will do in their lives, spend every ounce of energy they have. Every fully fit attacking player should be picked, every possible attempt to score should be made. My worst nightmare is England going out in a whimper, where they draw, or only start pressing in the last 15 minutes of the match when its too late. Attack...attack....attac k.....attack..... from the first minute .
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