Fosse Fox Posted 1 June 2010 Posted 1 June 2010 Really hate to play the Jeremiah again folks but somebody has to. On paper at least England had a piss easier group last time out. The average FIFA ranking pre tourno of Sweden, Paraguay and T&T was 32. Average FIFA ranking of England's Group 'C' opposition is 23. Not much difference you might think... Sweden, I suppose, roughly equate with the USA (FIFA16 V 14) in terms of overall ability, maybe a little better. The Swedes scraped a draw with England in the last round of the group phase (when England had already qualified). However the Swedes were more convincing four years earlier when they drew 1 -1 with us in the opening match. For this and other reasons the USA have a very good chance of matching this scoreline. T & T are a pale version of Algeria (FIFA 47 V 30) and England took 83 minutes to take the lead against them in 2006 (and Sweden failed to score at all against them). In reality T&T were a far less accomplished side than their FIFA ranking suggested whereas Algeria's ranking is a reasonable assessment. Paraguay equate roughly to Slovenia (FIFA 33 V 25) in that they were England's most technically gifted opponents. But Slovenia have shown they are capable of impressive results consistently against high quality European opposition. The Slovenes are the dark horses of Group 'C'. England garnered 7 poiints from Group 'B' in 2006 using in every game at least 50% of the most likely outfield starters this time round (A Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard Gerrard/Rooney) and up to 70% of possible starters (+ J Cole, Crouch). Whilst some replacements could be considered as enhancements (James/Hart, Johnson) general depreciation of the principal assets and the slight increase in quality of England's opposition suggest that their task will be marginally harder in South Africa. Therefore, on the balance of probabilities, England's qualification for the knock out phase will depend on the result of their final group game.
Manwell Pablo Posted 1 June 2010 Posted 1 June 2010 Really hate to play the Jeremiah again folks but somebody has to. On paper at least England had a piss easier group last time out. The average FIFA ranking pre tourno of Sweden, Paraguay and T&T was 32. Average FIFA ranking of England's Group 'C' opposition is 23. Not much difference you might think... Sweden, I suppose, roughly equate with the USA (FIFA16 V 14) in terms of overall ability, maybe a little better. The Swedes scraped a draw with England in the last round of the group phase (when England had already qualified). However the Swedes were more convincing four years earlier when they drew 1 -1 with us in the opening match. For this and other reasons the USA have a very good chance of matching this scoreline. T & T are a pale version of Algeria (FIFA 47 V 30) and England took 83 minutes to take the lead against them in 2006 (and Sweden failed to score at all against them). In reality T&T were a far less accomplished side than their FIFA ranking suggested whereas Algeria's ranking is a reasonable assessment. Paraguay equate roughly to Slovenia (FIFA 33 V 25) in that they were England's most technically gifted opponents. But Slovenia have shown they are capable of impressive results consistently against high quality European opposition. The Slovenes are the dark horses of Group 'C'. England garnered 7 poiints from Group 'B' in 2006 using in every game at least 50% of the most likely outfield starters this time round (A Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard Gerrard/Rooney) and up to 70% of possible starters (+ J Cole, Crouch). Whilst some replacements could be considered as enhancements (James/Hart, Johnson) general depreciation of the principal assets and the slight increase in quality of England's opposition suggest that their task will be marginally harder in South Africa. Therefore, on the balance of probabilities, England's qualification for the knock out phase will depend on the result of their final group game. We were always going to top our group in 2006, some numpty tried to suggest otherwise but no matter how bad we were we were always going to get through. This time it will be tougher, but Sundays debarcle aside I think we are playing better.
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