For years, the tabloid newspapers in England have been renowned for overhyping the expectations of England’s chances in the World Cup. Those wheels have already been set in motion and now The Sun newspaper, which has a daily readership of 7.9 million, have declared that England’s group — which includes the United States — will be easy.
Personally, I find that these type of headlines and news stories are condescending and disrespectful to the players and supporters of the other countries in the group, namely the United States of America, Slovenia and Algeria.
I am here to tell you that I honestly believe England are going to have a much tougher time in this group than they and the media believe. The US, as we all know, won’t be a pushover. The biggest struggle with the United States team will be which one shows up. They’re very much a Jekyll and Hyde team, but they have been known to turn up for the big games where they are the underdogs (even though Alexi Lalas doesn’t believe the United States is an underdog in this game, believe it or not).
The reality with England is that they often begin slowly in the World Cup. Take a look at their results from their opening game of the previous World Cups from the past 20 years:
- 2006: England 1-0 Paraguay
- 2002: England 1-1 Sweden
- 1998: England 2-0 Tunisia
- 1990: England 1-1 Republic of Ireland
- 1986: England 0-1 Portugal
While I believe that England will advance from Group C, they’re going to have a difficult time. While the United States, Algeria and Slovenia are not better footballing sides, these are three very passionate countries where their players and supporters will be fired up and hoping to “slay the dragon” by either beating or drawing England. These three teams will definitely be no walkover for England.
There’s a lot of time between now and the World Cup so the odds of teams doing well can change so much based on injuries and other scandals between now and June. But right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if the United States could get a draw against England especially if the US side can play as well as we know they can. England typically start tournaments slowly and based on the media hype being generated in England about how easy the group is, this is will definitely get the US players fired up and give them a better chance of achieving victory on June 12, 2010 in South Africa.
Thanks to SportsByBrooks for The Sun cover image.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Capello will have England focused, but given that they needed a dive and an attempted take out of Slovenia’s GK to beat them in a friendly at home just three months ago, I wonder why Slovenia is now an “easy” draw?
Perhaps some of the English press slept through early September or were focused on Scotland’s epic qualifier with Macedonia the same day?
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“… Alexi Lalas doesn’t believe the United States is an underdog in this game, believe it or not.”
Now, granted, I don’t claim to have heard every word Lalas has uttered in the past couple of days. But if you’re talking about his remarks during ESPN’s draw coverage, I believe he was referring to the group overall, not England specifically. He was saying this is a good draw for the USA, but since we typically perform better in an underdog role, that could actually be to our disadvantage.
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(Let me add that while I think he’s probably right — we’ve tended to perform better when expectations are low — at some point the U.S. needs to psychologically step up to the next level anyway. The big-picture story of U.S. soccer is a tale of growth, and part of that growth includes eventually feeling innate confidence in our rising status. This World Cup is a good a place as any to start.)
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Only Italy’s draw was easier for a seeded team. That doesn’t make it “easy”, but it could have been a lot worse. That goes for the US too.
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i am disgusted at the cocky nature of those nannies. how disrespectful of them towards not only USA but to Algeria and Slovenia. i support england when USA doesnt play but now i hope Ageria and Slovenia beat england as well. COME ON YANKS!!!!!!!! BEAT THE NANNIES!!!!!!!!!!!
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Here is how we beat England. We pressure their midfield up top like the U.S. did against spain and play with one speedy striker taking advantage of a classic counter attack. The first game is key to qualifying, remember what happened against the check republic in 2006.
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Historically, England is the greatest team that never showed up. Better to let them wallow in their over confidence than let them think they may have to actually perform up to the standard of their press clippings.
That said, England is a very good team that could easily be described using the same words that Terry Venables used in his negative comments about the US team in the earlier post. While Rooney can still have his creative moments, most of the team must be described as extremely competent, or “workmanlike”. No creative brilliance here !!! They won’t make the big mistakes, especially on the back line, but there will be nothing special.
The US matches up with England as slightly less competent and “workmanlike” across the board, particularly in defense where I fear we will be a veritable sieve without Gooch. They are like a brick wall with large gaps in it, immobile and unhelpful on offense and only good on defense when the opposition doesn’t hit the gaps. There are a few hopeful exceptions on the team:
1. Tim Howard, truly world class, pray for him !!!
2. Clint Dempsey still has the skills and the mental outlook to bring some real creativity to the team. However, one big “if”. He needs to come to play. His play in the qualifying rounds was generally awful, even when he scored. I firmly believe that Clint sees no benefit in risking his physical well-being on the World Cup. His career is riding on his EPL play and that’s where his head and pocket book are. If Bob Bradley can bring out the old, brash Dempsey, our chances would escalate.
3. Our two most competent players who actually can display moments of creativity and even brilliance are Michael Bradley and Benny Feilhaber. They are both exceptional passers with awesome vision. Coach Bradley needs to figure out a way to use them together.
3. As far as brilliance in the striker area, I only see two possibilites, Altidore and Davies. One may not be ready physically and the other mentally. Good luck to Coach Bradley !! (I’m sure that there are loud screams — “what about Donovan?” Donovan is like the English team described above — the greatest player that never showed up. He may actually score if he gets some breakaways but don’t bet on it. McManaman in the coverage of the Draw hinted at the Euro perception of Donovan–he couldn’t cut it it in Europe so he crawled back to the MLS where he could be the “big fish in the small pond”.
Good luck to the red, white, and blue, you’ll need it.
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typical British ! EASY ???
We will see that !
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As a Anglo-Canadian I gotta say one thing…keep in mind i’m a Monarchist to the core too…
USA! USA! USA!
Nothing could be better for the game in North America than a strong US game against England and a deep World Cup run…
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To be fair, the USA/USMNT fans and media have been calling this an easy group, too. We shouldn’t get too focused on England and dismiss Algeria and Slovenia. None of these matches are “gimmees”. Whatever happens in the USA vs. England match, we still have to do well against Algeria and Slovenia to advance, and although I’d say on paper we are better than Algeria and Slovenia, nothing is certain in a World Cup match when it comes to the USMNT. Injuries, officiating, red cards – lots of things can happen to ruin our chances. And sometimes the USMNT just doesn’t show up mentally and looks like a bunch of strangers just got together on the same field for the first time. So nothing is certain. This is a good group, best group draw the USMNT has had so far, but nothing is “easy” for us.
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RE mehdi – it should be typical “English” media, not British. The Scots (myself included), the Irish and the Welsh (from those I’ve spoken to) are dying to see England get sent home from the group stages.
I really, REALLY want to see the Americans shut them up. I can’t see USA winning the competition, but if they can beat the English I for one will definately be happy. I’m sick of the media in England saying that they will “walk it” to a semi-final with Brazil.
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Come on Gaffer not really sure how you can use the Sun newspaper as a credible source. It is of similar standard to the NY Post. A throw away rag that takes two minutes to read. How about the view from the Guardian, Times of London, Observer and Telegraph. How about a view from some credible football journalists. The Sun and Daily Mirror should not be used as sources for credible stories regarding football or anything else for that matter.
Come the summer the Sun will be slating everything American I am sure you will be putting those stories and headlines up as well won’t you. How about we keep this site strictly about football from credible sources and not tabloid sensationalism. If you are going to put the Sun up at least add the picture of the Page 3 girl.
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Whether it’s a credible source or not, it’s one of the biggest daily newspapers in the UK and has an impact on the British psyche whether we agree with it or not.
As for the other more reputable newspapers, I printed their reaction here: http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/reaction-from-english-press-and-pundits-to-being-in-usa-group/7493
LOL re: Page 3 girls!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
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To be fair I did read that article, I just cannot stand the Sun it has nothing to do with my psyche, I am cringing just thinking about the headlines that will be on the front page leading up to the 12th of June.
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England are the best team in this group but one thing they should understand is that the other 3 teams will be very keen on giving them a very tough fight no matter the end result.
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Its going to be fun. Especially when the USA media picks up on the story (next spring). Two of the biggest media hungry countries going at it.
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JUSTICE FOR THE 96!!!
Soccer fans should never read the Sun, even on-line.
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So because a newspaper writes that, as opposed to the thoughts of the team or the majority of the fans, some of you are now anti-England (“typical British, “i am disgusted at the cocky nature,” etc) ? All I can say is you guys get suckered in too easily. One newspaper does not equal an entire country, yeesh.
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Haha, I love it. I’m so looking forward to that first match between England and US. I’ve had a dozen people that don’t follow any other soccer/football (but know that I do) tell me how excited they are to see that match.
Every match matters and I can totally see something happening where we draw or beat England then turn around and lose to both of the other teams, but that’s the nature of the game. I’m excited regardless.
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YOUR GOING DOWN YANKS JUST LIKE LAST TIME, 2-0 WAS THE LAST SCORE IF YOU CAN READ BOOKS AND THAT ISNT OUR FULL A SQUAD. SCORE WILL BE 3-0 TO ENGLAND BECAUSE YOU CANT DEFEND FOR LOVE NOR MONEY AND YOU WONT BE ABLE TO OUTMUSCLE US OR PRESSURE US BECAUSE THATS OUR STYLE YOU MORONS!!!!!!!!!!!.
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bye bye yanks and is FOOTBALL NOT SOCCER
England will win the group
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Yeah and you Brits should bloody well know better than to invent the word soccer. Wanker.
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“Football not Soccer” You british fool. You are the ones that invented the damn word. I can’t wait to beat the crap out of these OVER hyped cocky bastards. No one ever gives us credit. Well wait for South Africa when we shut you snaggle tooth mouths for real.
Yanks 2- England 1
Here we go Yanks!
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I really hope England ties all there games. This would be my dream group stage (USA 1 – 1 Englan / Algeria 2-1 Slovenia; England 1-1 Algeria / USA 1-0 Slovenia; Slovenia 1 – 1 England / USA 2 – 2 Algeria) There england would walk out of the qualifiers with there tail between there legs! lol i’d love to have USA and Algeria go through.
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yeah bay yeah , give me a good day mate, please not deram too much just hope hope hope , not too much easy , EASY ( NOT IN FIRST ROUND)
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I def agree with this. England has had shaky starts in the past. But I expect them to finish this group first, although I dont want it to happen naturally. I think that if the US can get a draw against England, it will boost their confidence and potentially set them up for success against Algeria. I’m more concerned about the US plans for after the England game. Algerian fans are known for their passionate spirit and being on their home continent in the WC may give them a 12th man advantage. I’m just worried that if the scenario happens where the US beats/ties England..they may be overconfident and may lose some much need points to an Algerian or Slovenian side who was impressive in knocking Russia out of the WC. England naturally are the favorites..but seeing as there is a potential rift with JT losing the band and Rio stepping up, I’m not counting them out. Their form may be off more than usual the first game, but with Stevie G and Lampard I expect them to knock it up a few notches after the first game and they get settled. I hope the US can take advantage, I have a good feeling they will if BB gets our teams heads out of their asses and instill some passion and pride in the WC and what a good run would mean to the sport in our country and for national pride as a whole. We desperately need someone to step up on the team and take the burden of leadership on his shoulders. Tim Howard can only do so much from goal..Lando seems to have been more quiet in the past but who knows how we will develop with Everton..The two things I desperately hope for to happen for the US prior ro the WC..(1) BB to stop giving players repeated chances at making the roster who dont deserve it or have shown that they just arent there yet (Kleistjan, Cunningham, etc..) and (2) to instill some urgency, passion, drive..whatever it may be..for the team to focus on this WC. This group may provide an enormous chance at a great run in the tournament, so much is riding on this.
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I love listening to delusional Yanks
I hope you come bottom
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Yanks is actually short for Yankers
It’s Yorkshire rhyming slang
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