In terms of playing staff, no.
The England team is full of quality. No doubt injuries have put a dent on England's World Cup hopes, but the 3rd choice defender is after all Jamie Carragher and he was, for me, the best player on the pitch against Algeria. These international stars can rival Spain's team week in week out, and for me, is one of the best two teams in the World Cup with regards to playing staff.
However, I think England is overrated at this World Cup. They've waltzed through qualifying, smashing Croatia in the process and played some beautiful football, but always on the biggest stage of international football they fail to perform. I also wonder why. Are the players wilting under pressure? Is Capello's selections totally wrong? Is Capello wrong in controlling the England camp through authoritarian means and fear? Many factors to take into consideration.
No doubt the press will have a field day whenever England fail to perform at the highest level. Kevin Keegan said yesterday that 'the players write the headlines' and that's what I totally agree with. These English players write the headlines, not the press. They perform well on the pitch, the press will naturally get behind them after one game.
They've got 1 game to right the wrongs and if they do it then brilliant. Whether or not the English team will gain confidence from that, or come back the next game completely clueless again we never know. England is obviously the most talked about team in this World Cup and it will be a massive surprise should they fail to qualify on Wednesday.
Before the game Rooney went, "Against Algeria we can not be at our best and win the game".
After? "Nice to see your own fans booing you. If that's what loyal support is, for f**k's sake".
Complacency? Frustration? Had a long gruelling season in the EPL? Lost faith in the manager? Poor tactical decisions?
For me the biggest cause of it is a psychological and mental problem within the England camp. They don't have the belief that they can win the World Cup. There isn't unity in the camp, and it leads to mistrust. On the pitch they rather trust their own self rather than doing what a better option is.
They dread failure more than a hunger to succeed.
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