There’s Nothing Wrong. No Problems. Its just..er..Pressure. Yeah! Pressure.

I'm already embarrassed.

Rob, I don't know where to go with all this. I thought that Terry's conference yesterday showed a change of attitude from previous World Cups, but it's plain that no-one is on the same page here. Fabio's selections will tell a story, and if he stays with that Friday line-up and they lose, he'll be gone, and I won't shed a tear because I think he's somewhat put himself in this position.

Based on what he said today, Capello claims he didn't know Terry was going to say what he said? I find that hard to believe in Fabio's world. he is a control freak, right?

We'll see Wednesday. Here's hoping for the best……………………

English fans, don't fret, the mice will not roar anymore.

On Wednesday, there are only two possible scenarios: 1. England plays brilliantly (not likely) 2. England acts as in the first two games (likely) and will be generously awarded one, and if necessary, two penalty shots.

'cause England will win, as a departure of English superstars (well-deserved, I hope you agree) would be financially non-viable, even devastating, for FIFA. True, FIFA has liked upsets, surprises if you will, but (almost) always made sure they were kept in the qualifying round as the moral winners. This year, unfortunately, Slovenia is standing on the way of FIFA and FIFA will not “hesitate for a moment to put her down.” And believe me, FIFA will do it rather gently with what I call “A Subtle Touch of FIFA Hand” (maybe I should trademarked it – wink).

The Big 5, scored only 8 goals in 10 matches, won only two, lost three games: Italy, England, and France have yet to win a single game (with only one game to go). I guess it is high time FIFA helps these poor countries as it has already done in the past, from 1930 to 2006. Hell, what am I talking about, “past is never dead and buried, it hasn't even passed yet”, and with old habits dying so hard, FIFA is doing it right now, in front of our own eyes…

On Sunday, I went for late lunch and as I just stepped through the doors of the piub saw 1-0 for New Zealand. “Great,” I said, and then there was this sad guy sitting next to TV screen saying he is cheering for Italy (he was Slovenian born in Italy). I responded that I always cheered for the little ones, but that he should not worry: in half an hour, Italy would get a penalty kick. And they (Italians, I mean) got it in 15 minutes; a subtle foul that was indeed there, so you cannot hold anything against the referee (FIFA is getting smarter). Then I started joking with the personnel how the great diver Gerrard would get on Wednesday, first one penalty he would miss, and then another one to finally score it. They somehow did not agree with me, and also did not find it so amusing. Well, the hope dies last… But imagine Italy losing against New Zealand: it would be almost impossible for them to qualify to the next round.

Yesterday, something awkward happened: Swiss guy (actually Kosovo Albanian)was first sent out, so to make Switzerland weak and meek, and then Spain was also awarded another subtle penalty shot which they rightfully missed (there is still God somewhere – well, at least sometimes). Spain needs to win their group as they should not play against Brazil. and now they are in a good position to do so but with 3-0 they would mucho improve it. (Explanation: in the last round, Spain beats Chile 1-0, and they will be first in the group providing Switzerland beats Honduras with less than two goals difference; if Switzerland-Honduras 2-0, then Switzerland is on the top, so yesterday's 3-0 would have provided much, much more comfort to the “furia”.)

You guys probably don't remember the 1982 World Cup game between Spain and Yugoslavia, when Spain was generously awarded a penalty shot – few minutes after Yugoslavia scored the leading goal – for a foul committed more than 1 m outside of the penalty box area (you can find it on youtube and watch it); Spain later won 2-1. Well, you probably read about the one of the Top 100 controversial moments of World Cups, the fixed game Austria-Germany during the same tournament that kicked out great Algerian team. “Hand of God” was so obvious, and such a flagrant cheating that it made me personally so upset, I had not watched football for years: but as I grew older, I realized there were tons of “subtle touches of FIFA hand” and other “hands of God” (like most recent ones committed by Henry or Luis Fabio – the big ones can always get away with it) and “divings” (e.g., recent friendly match England-Slovenia).

Yesterday night, BBC News triumphantly (and with firm voice of relief) announced that superstars are reasserting their power. On the flight from Munchen to Dusseldorf (also yesterday), I read in the Wall Street Journal an article Why the mice keep on roaring; in Financial Times, one guy was proudly proclaiming that Big 5 account for only 5 % of the world population, yet they have won majority of titles from 1966 to 2006; maybe, he should have looked Western Europe's GDP (nominal or PPP) instead.

My father always taught me that “the best predictor of the future is the past.” So, English friends, don't worry, Slovenia with the population of Northern Ireland and GDP 4 times smaller than that of Ireland, will not roar any longer; little brown mouse (as Ian Anderson would sing) “smile your little smile … take some tea with me awhile,” but the all powerful eye of FIFA will be watching from above and make sure the mouse is “sitting in the cage.” One way or the other… although I wish it would be different: the little kid's feeling for justice just doesn't want to die…

Enjoy the games.

I'm from Slovenia and we're pretty much behind our team, whether we win, tie or lose. I hope we don't lose, that's everyone's dream here. But even though England played disappointing, we still have great respect for your team and see them as favorites in tomorrows game. I really hope we find a way to control the game at least one half. It's a pity, that our teams can't both move on, I'd love to see England and Slovenia in the Round of 16. Maybe if everyone draws, England has a chance to advance with Slovenia. I guess it's possible. Anything's possible. But very unlikely I must say. I'd wish you good luck, but I can't. It's a pity that you weren't able to beat Algeria…

awwwwwww lllliiiiiikkkkkeeeee mmmmmiiiiiiinnnnnnnnttttttttttt

Team annouced is likely to stick with 4-4-2.
Upson in for Suspended Carra.
Milner in for Lennon
Defoe in for Heskey.

England's last best team was when Gascoigne in it.

I never forgive whoever left him home for WC1998!!

I doubt Milner will play ahead of J Cole.

Ahhh..the all-red kit. Can't lose now boys.

I don't buy it.

Hoddle.

Fraid its true mate. That is the starting 11.

“Three hours of football – and goalie Robert Green is still the top scorer.”

Hmmm….have yet to read the report, or is this actually Mr Capello and not 1966 Martin !

I heard that on ITV too, but they did not put it up as fact. The BBC reckoned Carrick was in before the first game and it didn't happen…

Not True Numpty he's joint top scorer with Gerrard. Get your facts right but I assume your Scottish so we'll leave you think about that.

Its on sky sports news from the England Camp.

David! Congratulations!
Finaly someone with opened eyes. Money makes the world go around…
Although I know you're right I still hope that our Slovenian team is going to show big hearth like they did in so many situations despite FIFA/FIBA/IIFH “Hand of God”.
Cheers

It's a bit off topic, nevertheless…., as you written something not true as this, I have to correct you…:

'' My father always taught me that “the best predictor of the future is the past.” So, English friends, don't worry, Slovenia with the population of Northern Ireland and GDP 4 times smaller than that of Ireland, will not roar any longer; …

Ireland has a GDP per capita $ 41.000 and Slovenia $ 27.900 (UK $ 35.200) and that's not even close to your statement (…4 times smaller than Ireland…)!

Cheers from Slovenia

France 1 South Africa 2 says it all Rob, I'm with you…

Answer to Periegetes:

GDP (nominal) according to IMF for 2009
Slovenia 49.217 mio USD
Ireland 227.781 mio USD

Hence a factor 4+ between two countries.

Ratio of GDP per capita of both countries is of course smaller than 4 as Ireland is larger than Slovenia (4,459 mio vs 2,059 mio; source: Eurostat estimate for 2010).

Don’t see it. Methinks thou art misleading.

Team is as I said yesterday:
James
Johnson, Terry, Upson, A.Cole.
Lampard, Barry, Gerrard, Milner
Rooney, Defoe.