World Cup 2006 comments about England

[AtW]

I've been reading up on that football thingy this year, and it seems that every commentator never forgets to make a disclaimer like: assuming England makes it out of the group B.

Well, I am sure no expert on football, but surely England can beat Paragvai (sp) and Trinidad&Tobago. I mean even Sweden is not exactly Brazil or something, say if England was in group with Brazil, Argentina and Germany, then it would have been questionable. What that - lack of self confidence or some kind of local custom that I dont get?

[The Master]

I think it's more a case of not wanting to tempt fate.

[dang65]

The group stages of the World Cup (and the Rugby World Cup) are pretty much just warm up games for the big countries. Trouble is, for the smaller countries, each game is a huge event and a rare chance to make a real mark so they often go way beyond any normally expected performance. I guess it's that paradox that causes so many unlikely results, and even on occasion big countries not getting through their group. I suppose commentators have seen enough of that in the past that they learn not to take anything for granted. Hopefully the big team managers are the same.

[wendigo100]

Yes Master, one shouldn't tempt fate. England should beat Paraguay but upsets can happen to anyone in a first game, and England haven't beaten Sweden for nearly 40 years.

It would be different if Lichtenstein were in our group, or Luxembourg, or Scotland ...

[AlfredJPruffock]

Atw is correct.

You couldnt have asked for an easier section, well I guess perhaps if you substituted Sweden for Poland, its a breeze and a dawdle for England.

All they have to do is just turn up for the match.

Easy Easy Easy ....

[shaunbhoy]

It would be different if Lichtenstein were in our group, or Luxembourg, or Scotland ...

Ain't it funny how the average England fan's expectations seldom progress much further than simply being better than Scotland? I suppose it is a backhanded compliment that you see us as the benchmark you have to surpass. A country with about 1/9 of your population. Tsk tsk!
Anyway, on current form I would not be too confident of getting a result against Scotland if I were you. We are ranked way higher than Northern Ireland, and they humped you last time out. Come to think of it, so did we!

[Mr Crosby]

Ain't it funny how the average England fan's expectations seldom progress much further than simply being better than Scotland? I suppose it is a backhanded compliment that you see us as the benchmark you have to surpass. A country with about 1/9 of your population. Tsk tsk!
Anyway, on current form I would not be too confident of getting a result against Scotland if I were you. We are ranked way higher than Northern Ireland, and they humped you last time out. Come to think of it, so did we!

Yawn...

[shaunbhoy]

Yawn...

Surprised you are still hanging about this thread Mr C. You are from Brum. What the fook would YOU know about footy? Pork Scratchings yes, but footy? Nah!

[Mr Crosby]

Surprised you are still hanging about this thread Mr C. You are from Brum. What the fook would YOU know about footy? Pork Scratchings yes, but footy? Nah!

Im no yam yam SB. They are the ones that specialise in pigs bits.

[Phoenix]

Ain't it funny how the average England fan's expectations seldom progress much further than simply being better than Scotland? I suppose it is a backhanded compliment that you see us as the benchmark you have to surpass. A country with about 1/9 of your population. Tsk tsk!
Anyway, on current form I would not be too confident of getting a result against Scotland if I were you. We are ranked way higher than Northern Ireland, and they humped you last time out. Come to think of it, so did we!

Oy! will you stop this nonesense.
Listen Jock, I told you in your last thread Middlesborough beat Chelsea this season...by your logic that makes them better?? I think not!
Get you extra strenghth Tennants out and watch the games...you know you want to..........Supporting Englands the only way your gonna feel part of this great occation!