The Debate

Another unconvincing victory for England...? I think so, but there is a caveat. This England team has not had to stretch it's legs yet and that is reason for hope. Let's look at England so far... in the group stages England faced a tactically challenged Paraguay, they won unconvincingly but pretty much did all they had to, first game... just win. Game 2... T & T were a difficult team, they were obviously bouyed by their draw against Sweden and came in smelling another big scalp, England controlled them and eventually beat them 2-0. Was it a good game for England? No, but it didn't have to be, they suffocated T & T, kept a clean sheet and through the three points advanced. Game 3 against Sweden, England probably played their best soccer of the tournament so far in the first half. It was a statement to a scrappy, overacheiving Sweden side that we can beat you but you will not beat us. The second half England cruised, the Swedes got back into it but never really looked like beating England. The Ecuador game was a debacle, Ecuador were a joke and looked like a team of fricking amateurs. England were never seriously threatened except for the attempt on goal so brilliantly denied by Ashley Cole, but they played with one up front and therefore limited their own chances against a side they should have clobbered. So, apart from the second half of the Sweden game this England side has not been tested, they have not had to raise their game. The next round will be different and hopefully with the increase in pressure England will increase their intensity, it is my belief that they will... England will beat Portugal. As for Beckham, enough already, we live in an era of specialist players and Beckham is perhaps, arguably, the ultimate specialist, do I want him in my team, a team where pace, work-rate and a direct approach to goal are the keys to success, you're damn right I do. When all else fails, I want the best set piece finisher in the business, his name is David Beckham.