At 6/23/10 12:35 PM, Auz wrote:
Those were my expectations for England at least, and I can't imagine you guys are that proud of your team right now.
I think we're glad they managed to address what was wrong since the incredibly dire Algeria game, and that we actually managed to get into the second round. As much as they deserved to be up by my goals against Slovenia, at least they managed that. We're usually good at taking what we can because we're always so glad that the tension's over... for now.
But yes, I think most of us expected to thrash the group, especially the, erm, tabloid contingent, as has been established in this thread previously. Perhaps a hiccup against the USA, but let's admit it, Algeria weren't a dominant force bar a few gasps and while Slovenia showed some skill (I'm pleased as punch that they didn't have a repeat of '02), we know that the England team shouldn't have had trouble with them going off their club play.
They should keep that in mind,but not dwell on it, because as a lowly English guy, this is the worst (off-pitch) thing about England in the World Cup. They know they have the skill. They can't afford to waste it now. That said, the tournament is still wide open - it's going to be good watching.
I suppose they are different, but come on... there's only one British country in the WC so there can't be any confusion and I didn't expect I would offend any English people by calling them Brits...
Don't worry, you haven't.
I'm as confused as you if I'm wrong.