BY NISAR KHAN
Head writer, columnist
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| Despite more prominence in the league, most fans have written off England’s hopes very early. MIRROR.CO.UK |
As another World Cup passes by, it marks more time elongated from the glorious days that England once indulged in. Expectations have diminished in the run up to Rio, but the lack of pressure could very well translate to more success for the Three Lions.
Agony, despair and disappointment are the most potent adjectives to describe the torment that England fans have suffered over previous World Cups. Heartbreaks galore wherever the stage in the campaign have steadily built a big bank of criticism towards the National side. This has now lead to less expectations, and with a tough group, most have ruled them out of even progressing to the knockouts.
England’s World Cup will be a tough ride from the outset. Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy will battle them in turn for a chance to make it to the next stage. Costa Rica, easily underestimated, are the only team England have been confident of beating. With the likes of Suarez and Cavani, last time’s semi-finalists are a formidable side that will give England plenty of trouble. Then there’s experienced Italy, who knocked England out of the European Championships.
Scrappy wins against the likes of Denmark, the most recent occasion, won’t do much in aim of turning heads either. Prior to that England lost to Germany and Chile. Their prospects may be performing well in the league, though that does not seem to be the case for both club and country.
With the pressure off as many won’t expect them to make it to the next stage, England can leave it all out there in a bid to change their nation’s minds. They could well emerge as the dark horses if they emerge from the group stages. The only pressure is on them for the Costa Rica game, where everyone is expecting them to pick up points in an attempt to thwart Uruguay and Italy.
That’s just from the vague, mentality perspective. Do England have the resources to really challenge?
For sure, yes. Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, if on their best, can create a striking tandem that would be able to match the likes of Cavani and Suarez. Midfield prominence, spearheaded by the veteran skipper Steven Gerrard and including the likes of Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson, could again make a system that will be able to challenge.
But what will worry England fans is that they had plenty of talent against Denmark yet were only able to draw out the 1 – 0 win at Wembley. If they don’t gel, and lack the fluid football that other favorites have nailed, then more criticism is quickly on its way.
When the phrase “Rio success” is used in the title, by no means is it looking towards lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966. They’ll need more than a calm head and will need the all important consistency to get there.
Though a valiant effort ending in the knockout stages is something that will be widely accepted by England fans, as long as humiliation is avoided. One thing must be for sure, England have the squad resources to escape any possible humiliation or big losses.
England’s World Cup hopes are some of the slimmest in recent memory. Although this could suddenly change as the Three Lions spirit sweeps the England squad again. If pressure is off their shoulders, how will they really fare?
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