England looking good for the World Cup....

[Woody23]

... I know, I said it all before!!

But we've beaten some good sides in the last year or so, and (despite what some cave-dwellers my think) we have a manager that the players respect!!

[Davethedog]

It is worth taking last night with a pinch of salt. No one was going to get themselves hurt and not go to the World Cup.

Having said that the no combatative nature of the midfield put a lot of pressure on the back four.

I can't see Huddleston or Baines going Defoe looked off the pace completely but having said that Rooney hardley set the world on fire but that comes back to the lack of chances created by the midfield.

What was Cappello doing playing Gerard on the left?

[bibblebub]

Probably Capello wanting to be absolutely certain how he wants the team to play rather than going into the finals with any doubt in his mind.

[rowanwitch]

Gerrard was average which seems pretty typical when he puts on an england shirt... might be better if we play in the red change strip... He might forget who he is playing for

[redman41]

Apart from winning the World Cup in 1966 under Alf Ramsey, Englands record in the World Cup is pretty abysmal really.
Our next best achievement was in 1990 under Bobby Robson when we lost to West Germany on Penalties in the Semi-Final.
England have managed the 1/4 Finals 5 times and if Capello manages to get us to the Semi's at least, then that will be some achievement in itself......
Can we win it, Yes we can.......will we win it, well that is another ???????

[joeluke]

As Spain are going to win the tournament you could do worse than pick Puyol or Sergio Ramos

[Skyline D]

"Mexico qualify for every World Cup, from tough South American groups. A good test for England tonight. Contained them pretty well - better in the 2nd half - and scored the goals that won the game."

LOL - Mexico have NEVER been near the "tough South American groups" in their history. On the contrary, they breeze through diddy Concacaf qualifying every year and it's only latterly with the emergence of the USA they've had any competition at all. Even then they stumbled their way to qualifying this time.

And if that's your idea of "contained them pretty well", I'd hate to see your definition of "porous as a seive"!

Certainly England were better second half but first half they got murdered 1-2. If Mexico could finish and defend corners they'd have been out of sight.

[4getmenot]

wasnt it 2-1 end of first half?

[Woody23]

You all laughed at me - you muppets! Look where the fajitas-eaters and our brave boys are now!

You know that I am right!