English conceit regarding their prospects in World Cup Group C following the group draws late last year were summed up most spectacularly by the London tabloid The Sun whose editors, in apparent World Cup delirium, coined the now famous EASY acronym for Group C.
E ngland
A lgeria
S lovenia
Y anks
Visit the World Cup Groups, Tables & Standings pages to see the point breakdown for Group C.
But English euphoria over their prospects for passage into the Round of 16 has thus far met a couple of stumbling blocks.
The Yanks were the first; they salvaged a draw against Mother England thanks to the horrid blunder by England ‘keeper Rob Green.
Next up, Algeria, who refused to be intimidated by the English and indeed took the game to them.
Now England prepare to meet Slovenia on Wednesday and speculation is rife that displeasure in the England camp is in ferment.
EASY? Perhaps not!
Far from sitting comfortably on the cusp of progression, England, with only two points from their two matches in the group, need a good result against top-of-the-Group Slovenia on Wednesday to guarantee themselves additional World Cup football in 2010.
A win over Slovenia will put England through to the Round of 16. So might a draw, but the English would then need help in the form of a draw between USA and Algeria, who play each other the same day, as well as a hefty goal differential of three over the Americans.
Given the quality of England’s play thus far, a win on Wednesday may be probable, but it doesn’t look easy.
Petulance and tough talk
The boos and jeers levied at the English by their fans following the draw with Algeria have left their mark. Wayne Rooney, virtually absent from the competition thus far, was moved by the boos to make a petulant on-camera remark aimed at his countrymen.
Rooney later apologized, but the pressure to perform combined with the lack of performance had clearly hit home.
This was followed over the weekend by a bold public statement by defender and former captain John
Terry that the team would seek a “clear the air” showdown with manager Fabio Capello on Sunday.
Later reports out of South Africa reveal that Terry and his confederates, if there were any, kept quiet during the meeting and further that Signor Capello did all the talking.
"If somebody wants to speak with me, he can speak,” said the boss on Monday. “I always tell the players they can speak but yesterday nobody did.”
So much for a showdown!
Nevertheless, chinks are beginning to show in the English armor, and although the depth of the English mutiny is less than French in scope, one might fairly say that this has not been England’s finest hour!
Slovenia: Top of Group C
Slovenia, on the other hand, have been the proverbial dark horse. They are the only team in Group C with a win, having defeated Algeria 1-0 in their opening game.
Their next encounter came against the USA, whom they led 2-0 at half-time before the US stormed back in a scintillating second-half performance that should have resulted in a victory were it not for the atrocious refereeing.
Nevertheless, the Slovenians have shown themselves able to push the ball around quite nicely and although they remain underdogs against the English, they’ll be coming in knowing that even a draw will carry them through to the Round of 16.
Amazingly, the Slovenians could even qualify with a loss, if the USA and Algeria draw.
Slovenia’s midfield controller and Captain Robert Koren of West Bromwich Albion says he and his countrymen are ready to take on the English.
"The first game, England versus the USA, England played okay, we saw some good things and bad things, and it was the same in the second game against Algeria. England didn't show the football we expected, but we all need to know that England will be ready."
England’s double-crisis
Will England be ready? Apart from all the speculation about the palace coup, England is facing a defensive crisis. Ledley King is out through injury. So too is his replacement, Jamie Carragher, through suspension. Word is that West Ham’s Matthew Upson will partner John Terry at the back.
But perhaps England’s biggest concern is their attack. The partnership of Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey has been impotent thus far. Perhaps the time has come for Capello to mix up the dynamics of the front men in the hope of scoring goals.
After all, if England cannot pull themselves out of their malaise, their “EASY” World Cup progression may come down to goal differential, which hasn't proven easy at all for the English!
