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Well England have achieved their best start to any qualification campaign in their history. 4 wins from 4 games is fantastic. Well done Capello and the boys. I hope England have learnt the lessons from the shoddy Euro 2008 qualificationless campaign and all the troubles under McLaren.
Lets not get too carried away though. We havent done anything yet. As long as we continue in the same fashion and apply the same principles and work ethic, we could well qualify.
Course nothing to do with having four pompey players in the squad
pompey sailing into europe,
pompey sailing into europe
NO Regret wrote: we could well qualify.
Is the expectation levels among the England support so low? Not being funny, but with the quality of player at their disposal, England should be reaching the semi-finals of every major tournament in my opinion. Maybe you've finally found a manager to realise the potential. Hope not, mind. :D
John Sludden wrote:
NO Regret wrote: we could well qualify.
Is the expectation levels among the England support so low? Not being funny, but with the quality of player at their disposal, England should be reaching the semi-finals of every major tournament in my opinion. Maybe you've finally found a manager to realise the potential. Hope not, mind. :D
John, I remember growing up in Corby and supporting England at various World Cup tournaments that Scotland missed out on. It was always nice that the Corby Scots got well behind every team that England were up against...
John Sludden wrote:
NO Regret wrote: we could well qualify.
Is the expectation levels among the England support so low? Not being funny, but with the quality of player at their disposal, England should be reaching the semi-finals of every major tournament in my opinion. Maybe you've finally found a manager to realise the potential. Hope not, mind. :D
Too many false dawns to count chickens yet. I hate watching England. Its never enjoyable unless were 3-0 up. We shoot ourselves in the foot so many times. The press build us up and knock us down without a care. Weve not done anything since 2006 so 14 years is a long time to wait for something.
We shouldnt be getting to semis of every major tournament. What a niave and uneducated remark that is. No team has a divine right. The best prepared and mentally right teams normally progress the furthest. Look at how many an average German side has made the finals. Theyre record is 2nd to none.
I personally think England are a qtr final team and if we ever did progress further it should be treated as a bonus.
Not sure how old you are Rich, but when i was growing up it was England who failed to qualify in 1974 or 1978. 
Scotland made the finals from 74-90 and neither made USA 94.
Na na na na na.
NO Regret wrote: Weve not done anything since 2006 so 14 years is a long time to wait for something.
We shouldnt be getting to semis of every major tournament. What a niave and uneducated remark that is.
Don't you mean 1966? Which would make it 42 years you've been waiting for something.
Uneducated! I think you'll find it's naive. 
John Sludden wrote: Not sure how old you are Rich, but when i was growing up it was England who failed to qualify in 1974 or 1978.
78 is the first world cup I remember really well. And I got loads of shit at school from Corby Scots about England not being there. Pity about losing to Peru, eh?
All the matches were on really late. Didn't the "crunch" game against Holland start about 11pm our time?
"We're on the march with Ally's army!"
NO Regret wrote: Italy were nowhere in 98 and 2002. Brazil likewise in 2006 (I think) and 1990.
Italy in 98 were knocked out on Penalties by the holders and winners in the quarters.
in 2002 they BLEW it big time against the South Koreans. I watched that game in a pub in Marple and will never ever forget Barry Davies screaming "AND WHEN WILL THE ITALIANS LEARN?"
As for Brazil. in 1990 they were nowhere. Knocked out in the second round by Argentina (Claudio Caniggia scored, i think)
In 2006, everyone in the media said Brazil just needed to turn up to win. They had Ronaldinho and that was enough apparently (Yeah, RIGHT). Knocked out by France in the quarters after showing precisely nothing in the entire tournament.
There's not many teams who get to the semi finals of every tournament.
Brazil have an exceptional record between 94 and 02, but before then hadnt got to the semi finals since 1970.
Italy won the 2006 World Cup, but were knocked out in the first round of Euro 2004, and the second round of the 2002 World Cup.
Germany generally do quite well. But have been continually derided as the worst german team ever for the last ten years. They now havent won anything for Eighteen years, and as Ballack is going to call it quits (probably) in 2010 wont do for a long time.
Who else? Argentina? Carried to the 1986 World Cup by one player, had to bribe the oppostion in 1978 to win? And always been perennial quarter finalists (or worse) since.
The Dutch? Didnt even qualify in 2002 and couldnt see off Italy in 2000, despite playing against ten men for most of the game and having two penalties in normal time.
Spain? "perennial underachievers"
So basically, no team has a divine right to get anywhere.
Based on current form, you'd have to say England would be on the European favourites to win the World Cup in 2010.* No team has a better manager, and if the draw is favourable and the players stay fit then they have a chance.
*and if you dont believe me, go and check on the form of Germany, Italy, France, Holland and Russia. Only Spain has a similar record to us and we're banging in the goals
Uncle Liam wrote: There's not many teams who get to the semi finals of every tournament.
Brazil have an exceptional record between 94 and 02, but before then hadnt got to the semi finals since 1970.
Well of course in the 74 and 78 World Cups they didn't have semi finals.There was the 2 second group stages the winners of which each went on straight to the final.Not sure how Brazil got on in the second group stage in 74 but they would have been in the 78 final if the Argies hadn't bribed Peru.
johnny wrote:
Uncle Liam wrote: There's not many teams who get to the semi finals of every tournament.
Brazil have an exceptional record between 94 and 02, but before then hadnt got to the semi finals since 1970.
Well of course in the 74 and 78 World Cups they didn't have semi finals.There was the 2 second group stages the winners of which each went on straight to the final.Not sure how Brazil got on in the second group stage in 74 but they would have been in the 78 final if the Argies hadn't bribed Peru.
True.
But in 74, they would have been knocked out in the first round if Scotland had scored one more against Zaire.
NO Regret wrote: we could well qualify.
of course you should. Not only qualify, England should, and is expected to be the leader in Group 6. A second place finish is already a big disappointment.
The Sub-Cultured Perfect Kisser*!* wrote:
NO Regret wrote: we could well qualify.
of course you should. Not only qualify, England should, and is expected to be the leader in Group 6. A second place finish is already a big disappointment.
If you follow England then you should know theres so guarentees!
