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[Jemisa]

Against America? Not good enough. I'm not a happy bunny ----- (sniff)

[bibblebub]

At the 2006 World Cup, the form of all the teams deteriorated the further they went - remember in the group stages back then Argentina looked world beaters, then only just overcame Mexico aet, end got beaten by Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals.

So it's a bit early to rule England out just yet.

[mightyWBA]

A freudian slip Mick,lol!
Brazil or Spain will win it.
Don't get me wrong I'll support England until the bitter end,just don't think we are good enough.

[Dris]

Ive hedged my bets and have Spain @ 4/1 to lift it and also Argentina @ 7/1 :)
That was a very honest prognosis mighty and i take my hat off to you for being not only realistic but also acknowledging,as ive said all along, the hype must add pressure to your players- despite Fabio trying to shield them (what does that tell you that the manager is protecting them from the media)
I hope they do as well as they can but realistically however much anyone goes back over past games they dont count now -they arent the best but they are better than they have been.

I just want to enjoy good football with impartial commentating -it even happened today about how the game would affect England -jeee !!

[Mick-Talbot]

I used to think you needed a good team and a fair amount of luck to win the world cup, but that theory was rubbished in 1990 when 2 of the competitions worsts teams
fought out a very dull final. So using that as a yardstick we have a chance lol.

[mightyWBA]

Of course we have a "chance" Mick.
I remember 1990 and to be honest we were lucky to get to the semi final,2 penalties against Cameroon,last minute of extra time winner against Belgium and we were within a penalty shoot out of getting to the final!
The "best" side doesn't always win it ,Holland in the 70's and Brazil in 1982 spring to mind.
By the way Dris it was nice to see a West brom player score today...Even if we have said we aren't renewing his contract at the end of June! Lol!

[dr b]

Most likely outcome is that US & England are 2-0-1 in the group and England wins the group on goal differential. US then gets crushed by Germany, England beats Ghana and you are in the final 8, at which point anything can happen. Take heart.