England can, technically, still win the World Cup

June 22nd, 2010 | by: Ethan Dean-Richards |

Granted, things feel and are bad, but it was ever thus, so why dwell on it?

Pessimism amongst England fans is entirely appropriate in the wake of one massively disappointing performance and two massively disappointing results. But initially cathartic as ubiquitous pessimism is, eventually, dwelling on defeat becomes not only dull, but unhealthy. This England team, technically, still has as equal a chance of winning the World Cup as any other team out there - the glorious irrelevance of group stages once the knockouts begin could yet be England’s saviour as it was in 1990 and 1986.

Fabio Capello may take solace from the fact that his team are are not alone in requiring a sharp turn-around in fortunes: Germany, cheated by a ludicrous sending off, must beat Ghana to be sure of qualification and Spain, having lost to Switzerland, still need to beat Chile in order to progress.

Unlike those two teams of course, England’s merry men have built their own mess. They will battle poor form as well as Slovenia on Wednesday: Wayne Rooney has too often gone missing since his injury against Bayern Munich whilst playing for Manchester United, Steven Gerrard shone against the USA but faded against Algeria and the likes of Frank Lampard and Aaron Lennon: players of whom inspirational performances are expected rather than hoped for, have not produced.

Why then, should we suppose that they can beat a Slovenian side in possession of the only victory from Group C so far?

It is worth remembering that the transformation from poor to good does not always require a substantial change. How tempting it is to speculate over how England’s performances may have been affected had Rob Green not fumbled at a such crucial point, just before half time, against the USA - buoyed by victory against the Americans, Algeria may not have proved so tough a test.

A reversal of that individual error in England’s favour – a set piece or an own goal, like that which set Argentina on their way against South Korea – could set them on their way in this tournament. Luck does not guarantee World Cup wins, but it lurks constantly in the background, waiting to afflict or assist the teams at its mercy.

Slovenia too could come to England’s rescue. Their excellent performances against Algeria and the USA belie a lack of big-game experience, but England’s oldest ever squad will at least look to expose the mismatch. In a more tangible sense, the side which knocked out Russia in order to reach South Africa remain vulnerable to counter attacks and crosses. A win is a must, but it’s also a probably.

Beyond Slovenia, England’s path does not look overly daunting – Serbia and Uruguay could lie in wait on the way to a possible semi-final match-up with Spain or Brazil (who look set to meet each other in the Round of 16). The process of disregarding the group stages involves beating Slovenia on Wednesday – a victory no-one will take for granted – but if Capello can manufacture that, anything is possible.

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https://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan

Now people, remember, I haven't said it will happen – I've said it's still possible. And technically, TECHNICALLY, anything is possible…
1966 Martin

Yes anything is possible, but we Have to win 2moz to be in with a chance, we have to be TECHNICALLY better than slovakia.
Frank

Kick a player from behind, get no ball, you get a yellow card. Nothing ludicrous other than the stupidity of Klose.
https://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan

I'm afraid I disagree. For me, it looked like it was an accident.
http://twitter.com/worldcupreferee Andy Slater

This is a rather hyperbolic comment to make. After the last two games and squad problems, we should be focusing on the here and now rather than pointing to nostalgic trivia as to why we should go through.

Here's a piece of much more pugent trivia – the vast majority of sides who fail to win their first two group games at the World Cup not only don't win the cup, they don't even get out of the group.

Also while we may have beaten the USA if it wasn't for Green's slip, we don't even have a what if moment for the Algeria game as we didn't create single guilt-edged chance and regardless of the actual scorelines, the actual teamplay, passing, creativity and movement of the side has been poor.

I won't go into the wider problems within the game in England itself but I think we need a performance almost more than the result tomorrow. I would much prefer a highly effecient, free flowing 1-0 to a stuttering, fortunate 3-0.

Also to describe our possible path when

a) our status as group winners or runners-up is a big unknown (if we are either of them)
b) Serbia and especially Uruguay could definitely beat the current side based on recent performances so just because they may not be filled with well know names, we should find them if not daunting then very dangerous.

Naysayers may claim I'm being too harsh on the team and not “believing” in them. I just think we need to readjust our expectations. Not so we can slam the team but so we can say that we've had some recent problems but let's try and deliver a good performance tomorrow and take it from there. To do anything else could be considered at best misguided and at worst arrogant – not two attributes we need to hold right now.

We need to stop going through phases of saying “our team was a disgrace” and then switching to “we're gonna win the Cup!”. Keep realistic, focus on the topical and then perhaps we can have a much more healthy attitude to England's fortunes.
https://england.worldcupblog.org Ethan

There was no nostalgia! I mentionned 1990 only as a comparison – be fair.

I said that England “could” meet Uruguay and Serbia and there is a strong chance that the tournament will play out like that. Also, I hardly dimissed them with the phrase “does not look overly daunting”.

With the Algeria game I was speculating that a win against the USA would have inspired a better performance against Algeria – that was the 'what if' moment.

I was also vey careful to say that England could win, but not to say that they will win – because, actually, I'm quite sure they have no chance.

I think that's everything – but nothing I've said wasn't in the article…
Valuk

As long as you are not better than SLOVENIA
http://slovenia.worldcupblog.org/ Zala

Good one Valuk and yes 1966 we are SLOVENIA! You better remember that, if not you'll regret it believe me.
1966 Martin

Yes I ment Slovenia of course.
If we go out I at least want to go out having seen a good performance not the rubbish we've displayed so far.
This group is still wide open of course, any four of us could go thro. A England hat trick is due so let's hope ……
Best of luck then…….
http://twitter.com/worldcupreferee Andy Slater

Fair enough – I just worry that some people talk as if winning your group games was a dangerous thing. It's always fun to speculate and think ahead to our potential “road to the final” or even to the semi-finals but this has been an odd World Cup result wise. In theory we could get Germany in the round of 16 and then Argentina – pretty tricky.

It's very possible that a good performance could kickstart us – imagine what would have happened had South Africa played Uruguay first or if New Zealand hadn't got that late goal against Slovakia.

But I'm really finding it tricky to visualise what might happen tomorrow. On the one hand, a terrific England display looks unlikely after the first two games but on the other hand, I can't really see Slovenia holding us and knocking us out. So it's going to be quite an experience.

I look forward to seeing your comments post-match as whatever happens, it's going to be a huge significance to the England now and perhaps, whether positively or negatively, in the near future.
yorkshirepudding4U

Our side is rubbish, let's face it.
It's better to go home than face the Fritz, because they'd demolish us, thus adding another wound.
Johnnyripyuranus

Can anyone update me on the condition of Graham Jones’ colonoscopy, I heard they found Diego Maradona’s wrist watch in there.
Coventry Fan

Thank you for this. I won't get into the “we will” or “we won't” argument. Instead I'll just say that “I hope.” England have been far from inspiring thus far, but lackluster endings are far from what I know the English side to be. We all love them. Sure they've broken out hearts time and time again, but, in a way, that's why we keep coming back. Loss after loss on penalty shootouts, goalie mishaps, late penalties, bad calls, red cards, etc, etc. It hurts, but we keep coming back for one reason…the hope that one day all the pain will have been worth it.

I don't know if this side has it in them to pull out of the mess they created against Algeria, but I sure hope they can. If they do, I'll hope again that they do it again in the round of 16, and so on. England is still in control of its own destiny. Tomorrow could be the day that they turn it all around. Tomorrow could be history in the making. Will it be? Won't it be? I don't know. All any of us can say is that we sure hope it is.

I hope we can all agree on that.
http://slovenia.worldcupblog.org/ Zala

Oh that's funny I predicted a hat trick, too. Just Slovenian
Well, I hope you fight well, media is getting on my nerves already.
See you on the pitch, then.
Good luck to you, too.
Deanarber

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY, I LOVE ENGLAND, WE CAN DO IT WE JUST NEED TO BE BEHIND THEM…………..PLEASE COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucy Cooper

Another solid and compelling blog from Ethan-Dean Richards in my opinion
Nick

Beat Germany and then maradonas Argentina mmmmmmmmmmm,if only
Nick

But then we would still loose to chilli,south korea or ghana
HAHAHA

Ha Ha you ignorant PIGS you are OUT