大象传媒

I cannot really understand why the heat was a problem for the England players,did they not have access to a weather forecast?.The paraguay players coped fine

England won't be playing until 6 and 9 (CET) in their next two games, and 5 CET if we get to the second round, by which time the heat will have subsided a bit

The weather heat is an excuse for a disgracefully bad but familiar England performance. The real heat will come as Sven's poor tactics and football accumen are highlighted again.
Only last week he was saying that one of the things he had learned going into this tournament was that he needed fit players - which is what he claims now! It is patently obvious, even to my pet hedgehog, that this is not true - Gerrard, Owen, Rooney, Cole -fit-??????
he also seems to have changed his mind on Walcott otherwise why didn't he come on for Owen???
No, it's not the weather -it's poor management and tactics. England were appalling - no style, no class, no spirit and no hope.

I know nothing about football, but I know much about drinking. I could understand the players wilting in the second half due to the heat. They seemed to turn rubbish after only twenty minutes.

Perhaps they could drink Lucazade in future? (This helps with energy).

I know nothing about football, but I know much about drinking. I could understand the players wilting in the second half due to the heat. They seemed to turn rubbish after only twenty minutes, though.

Perhaps they could drink Lucazade in future? (This helps with energy).

i also can't understand the heat excuse. I have lived in Frankfurt for 5 years and every summer is the same.. it is not like they were caught out...didn't they do any research on the likely conditions. no.. it doesn't wash

Every tournament is in the summer. To progress we need a side that keeps the ball and moves forward together, as we did in 1990 and 1996. Given the current members of the squad we could keep the 4-4-2 but have Beckham at right back with him starting the moves. This would also give us incisive and fast width with Aaron Lennon. Walcott should be tried now alongside Crouch, as Owen has looked below his best for a few years, and worse since his industry. Trinidad and Tobago is the chance to try Becks in the new role, as part of a more creative system.

Same old england too much hype and too dependent on rooney and owen being fit which they arent.

Just as well Sven is a tactical genius!

Heat?
I have now lived in Germany for 14 years and can say that the "heat" is actually realatively mild for the time of year. Bearing in mind the preparations for the world cup, didn't someone both to check up the weather facts first?

Poor players. May be it is time that FIFA bosses take the idea of giving 3 breaks for a match. 45 minutes seem to be too long for the players when the weather is hot. Well, the best option is to arrange world cup during winter.

Heat is depliting and realy not understood in the Uk, The boys got 3 points and once againg in true British fashion you are giving them hell when they need support. Climb out of your cradles and give them the support they need!!! Say no more

two things:
it is mistaken to make too much of the heat issue because england's problem was strategic - sven was happy for his players NOT to play football for most of the game, and he showed it with his substitutions. substitutions that are, by the way, also a way of telling players on the pitch the way you want them to play: if you replace twice your second forward, all 11 players will understand that you want them to play defensive football (and VERY defensive with the second substitution)

the walcott thing is funny: he took him because he is so young and unpredictable, and he did NOT play him becuase he is so young and unpredictable. ah, sven, sven...

I agree with Andy King. Matches later in the day will definately benefit England. And wasn't the Paraguay game one of the hottest days of the year? It has to cool down sometime.

It may be hot but I still don't buy it. These are professional sportsmen who are supposed to be at or near the peak of physical condition. Maybe it wouldnt be so bad if we didnt have to run and chase the ball, after we had given away possession again??! Very frustrating to watch good players playing well below their potential for much of the match, again. We got 3 pts, but we have to do much better, and forget the excuses about the temperature, hard pitch, shade of blue the sky was, etc etc

Apart from overall tactics, a manager has to assess the game as it proceeds. This includes being aware of the referee and his predilections.

There was a case for substituting Crouch as it was clear that his height and style of play was going to get him into trouble with the referee on the day. Save him for another day and another referee.

Walcot could have been given a chance alongside Owen.

I can't believe the players are actually complaining about the heat. I live in the arabian gulf area and play football every afternoon for 2 hours on 40+ degrees and 150% humidity and we never complain or even stop every couple of seconds to get a drink. Believe me those players are trying to fool you. I think they're trying to find excuses for not winning the WC from now. They know they should win it. But it's easy to figure out that they dont have the guts to be up for such a challenge as winning the WC. That's what I think.

Heat or no heat-Ericksson got it wrong from the moment he named walcott instead of defoe.substitutions were inspired by McClaren.Should have sent on Lennon and carrick to free Gerrard and Lampard.This would have checked the Paraguay attack and allowed england to attack.Yesterdays substitutions have far reaching implications even beyond the world cup.England for world cup-no chance....

Forgetting the effects of the hot weather on England, I would love to know what Sven said to the team at half-time. Whatever it was, and for whatever reason, the entire team played with an almost negative belief in the second 45 minutes. Like everyone else I felt that it was a very frustrating period to be witnessing a poor England display. But! .... thankfully! ... it was three points in the bag! It was also the worst display we will see from the team .... so roll on Thursday night, for three more points.
England DID win by the way .....

It was strange that the heat was mentioned as such a issue..i mean England played and won 3 out of 3 in the group stages in Spain 1982 and it was pretty hot i gather...

...Lineker et al also played in Mexico 86 and that was no shaded marquee they were playing under either.Since then stamina training and fitness acclimatising has come leaps and bounds.It's pretty simple,if England want to win this World Cup then by hook or crook they're going to have to deal with every obstacle in front of them.I did'nt think it was too much cooler last week when they played Jamaica at Old Trafford.They seemed fine then.

The next match is a few hours later than the first and the Sweden match is an evening one.Either way England need to buck up and kick in to this tournament as most intelligent pundits and fans will acknowledge the first game is a 'result first performance after' game.

P.S..Maybe it wasn't so bad England didn't qualify in 94..

Heat or no heat Sven got it wrong by not taking defoe.Substitutions were inspired by McClaren-sign of things to come no doubt.Should have sent on carrick and lennon to free Gerrard and Lampard.Sven's tactics will not change so more of the same to come.Lucky to reach quater finals.Winners - no way

I agree with Richard's earlier posting...quit yer whining. We are TOP of the group. We USUALLY lose or draw opening games.

I read some of the blogs following the Jamaica game...some were expecting ten or more goals...muppets.

And remember this is a 3-WEEK tournament. I would like to think that conserving some energies by playing defensively in the second half would go some way to playing for the long haul.

It's game one and the knives are out already. Don't worry Richard, they'll be sharpening them soon enough for Steve McClaren.

Its simple, let the ball do the work like Holland did today.
Hitting long balls and losing possession in the heat will kill any team. We have the players to adapt to possession Football and also the options to find Crouch and Owen after better possession.
We also have subs that need to be used in the heat for fresh legs.
Sven is tactically inept and does not have the courage or knowledge to see what is happening and then change the formation according to conditions.
I am optimistic that even Sven can figure these simple facts out and implement them in the next important game. Otherwise just employ me to coach the Team.
jack halford -Football/Squash Coach in the USA.
Saints supporter for life.

Is there a problem with the grass in Germany? I have never seen players and referees fall over, or trip over the ball quite so often! Or maybe it's the new ball.

What rubbish some people post!
Of course heat is a factor! and to say "didn't they check the forecast" is more drivel ... what good would that do ?
Most of our players are not used to playing in high temperatures .. FACT!
I agree that tactically we were inept but lessons have hopefully been learned.
3 points in the bag (from a relatively poor performance) ... things can only get better .. we're not the best team in the world and have no devine right to win but kill the negativaty and support YOUR team!

I would like to see the England team play as the English clubs play in the Premiership. A full 90 minute game of offensive play. English players are used to it and their strength should be used also in International matches. I live in Italy since many years but I greatly prefer Premiership football to Serie A football which Italians boast to be the best Championship in the world.

They won. They will get better. Let's just let it lie.

My take on England is that they are going nowhere with this coach. At least five of those players should be at home. How can you take 4 strikers, two of which are definitely unfit and prone to injury.Is Walcott a talisman?I think that defoeis the best striker in eng. But Sven is a negative coward, replacing a striker with a midfielder who can only take the ball on the left and is unable to cut inside . Why are the pundits criticising the subs and not the picks? after all what does he has left? and when did these fans realize that Sven was a dud? Did they not see the win over Arg/ t It was the worse game I have ever witnessed.

Unfortunately although having a lot of very good players we will be beaten by our manager who seems clueless on selection and tactics despite being the highset paid national coach.His decision to take only 4 strikers 2 of whom are unfit and one he has never seen play ,but lets take Hargreaves was madness.Our pre-occupation with the long ball, personified by Beckham who although being a great crosser ruins any hope for a passing game,will be our downfall.

I'm confidently informed by Lineker that the rest of England's matches assuming we top the group, which with Sweden's result against T&T shouldn't be an issue.
I really think that although Crouch is brilliant at playing off a second striker he makes a poor lone striker. I really think Erikkson should have given Wallcott a run out to see how that partner ship will work for later in the tournament.

I dont honestly believe some people are being so ridiculously naive. Yes, the substitutions were questionable, and if he's going to bring walcott, he should play him, but the fact of the matter is that the paraguayan players are used to playing in ridiculous heat while all the english players (even the ones playing abroad) are not subjected to such weather conditions. You can be at the height of your physical fitness and as match sharp as you want, but playing in that kind of heat is totally different.

i think England players shouldnt have any problem in weather over there coz if we talk about euorpean players i saw Holland today,they were playing in same conditions & at same time as England played yesterday but i never saw any player craving for water every now & then as England players did yesterday.so in one sense its a little shame if England players make excuses about hot weather i think they should concentrate to improve their game rather blaming hot weather.

3 points in the Bag - Terrific. However, real concern that Sven has not changed his style of reverting to negative tactics to let the opposition back in the game. However, I'm optimistic England can do well despite Sven - we have some very good players. We would be better with "go out there and enjoyselves tactics" thans Sven's.

Why is the heat an excuse. Lets face it England are not good enough, we cannnot close pass and control the ball. If we cannot keep the ball when we have it we are always going to be under pressure. Having watched Argentina, Ecuador and Ivory Coast they are in a different class never mind Brazil.

i think englnd players should concentrate more on improving their game rather blaming hot weather coz to become the best in world demands that such team would be able to play anywhere & anytime.
other european team like Holland played today but i never saw their players craving for water as england players did yesterday,i think its a matter of little shame for such great players & if such players say themselves great in the world coz greatness always demand hardwork.
i think Erikson needs to improve his players rather improving weather

Although the heat does sound like an excuse we have to remember we're not so acclimatised to such weather whereas the South Americans are (training in hot weather is also different to the real thing). And not forgetting that Paraguay are actually one of the better South American teams barring Brazil and Argentina (look at their recent history of games). A poor start is better for England's mindset - we can only get better from here.

I think englnd players should concentrate more on improving their game rather blaming hot weather coz to become the best in world demands that such team would be able to play anywhere & anytime.
other european team like Holland played today but i never saw their players craving for water as england players did yesterday,i think its a matter of little shame for such great players & if such players say themselves great in the world coz greatness always demand hardwork.
i think Erikson needs to improve his players rather improving weather

Regarding the heat situation, the Portuguese coaching team were heavily critisised for having spent their run up training for a week in the Alentejo region of Portugal where temperatures were 30 plus. People here in Portugal were saying it was ridiculous when they would be encountering cool temperatures in Germany! Since when was Germany cool in the summer?! Much as I am anti-Scolari, it seems that he at least got it right on the heat issue. As to the rest, we,ll see in the next couple of hours!

I was in the stadium yesterday and can clear this up. The heat and humidity inside was DEAVASTATING. England鈥檚 game is based around maintaining a high tempo, to be honest its a miracle they kept going as long as they did. At the moment and in the media there seems to be a major Sven bashing taking place and its unjustified. The Paraguayans were reading Crouch's flick on's to Owen and he was ineffectual, Theo or Defoe even, would not change that, it made sense to try and link the play better with Cole. On the day it was not that effective simply because England did not keep the ball as they tired. Hargreaves energy as well also made some sense and helped solidity. The heat impacts us more than other teams as no one in the world plays with the English intensity. Remember we won, against a decent side, in the worst conditions for our football, with a very poor ref. We played some good football, and defensively were not troubled. Sven is a decent manager (ask Madrid or Chelsea) and remember the bad old days of Keegan and Taylor.

Three points is good.

If the players had managed to finish the opposition off by the time Owen got knackered, the I'm sure Sven would have given Walcott his first outing. The team talked the talk before the game, but couldn't deliver the killer blow when it was needed. This, I think, could be their biggest undoing in the WC.

I felt sorry for Crouch. The ref was a comedy act, surely. I would love to hear some feedback from the guy just to learn what his approach was supposed to be. He only got off lightly because the better (or "least bad") team actually won. If his performance had altered the result he'd have had to go into hiding!

What would you prefer? The team to play well and come away with zero points (like vs France in 2004) or a poorish performance and 3 points? It's these kind of performances that got Germany to the final in 2000 - and the Germans still rave about the fact that they are "Vize-Weltmeister" (that's "vice world-champions" ie runners-up to you non-German-speakers).

In any case, it's more important to get rid of your poor performances early. It's better to struggle in the first game than in the knock-stages. We can build from here. It will only better. C'mon the lads.

I think another post earlier mentioned this - Holland performed well today in both halves and their match was apparently just as hot if not hotter than the england match (please correct me if I am wrong). Surely as has been pointed out, as our players are professional footballers playing in some of the toughest leagues in the world, we should be able to do the same..?

I think we got the usual lets get a goal and hang on attitude from Sven and the players we have been getting for the last 2 years or more this will not win us anything let alone the W.C.if we play like that against T&T they will probably loose.
Manchester born lived in Canada for 25 years

Could someone at the 大象传媒 acknowledge the fact that Holland and S&M played today with more heat. And ask the question of England as to why both those teams could manage to string more than two passes together, didn't drop off into their own penalty box for the sake of it and didn't moan after the game about the heat???

It is getting quite pathetic how many excuses are used by this management. Blisters on the feet, the heat, the pitch... its always something else. There was NO reason to drop off, no reason for the midfield to be so disorganized as it has continually been for over 4 years. The passing interplay, the mentality and the tactical setup has been poor at best for many years now. And instead of actually looking at the problems and fixing them, the blame is passed on at every chance. Denial rather than evolving the team, we haven't improved at all yet the man gets a pay rise in spite of the fact the players themselves have improved. Amazing. Fact is these players could be made into a world class team, but we play worse than a lot of pub teams because there is no balance and the tactics are horrid. It hasn't been addressed and has in fact been made worse. We should be building the team around Lampard and Gerrard, and letting them dominate the midfield as our best players. The midfield wins and controls games and sets up the chances for the forwards. Yet we sacrifice their abilities, and instead watch them defend in their own half for most games. So we can play longball instead, inspiring. A DM is obviously needed, Carrick or Parker should have been playing there two years ago at least. With Reo-Coker coming onto the scene. But hey as long as Beckham plays, who cares about the two guys who between them score 40 goals in a season and setup as many goals. All he has is set pieces (or longballs) and both Lampard and Gerrard have been better at them for their clubs anyway.

But the chances of actually making a team is way too late at this stage so it'll be the typical score a goal against a decent team then sit back. Allow teams to dominate possession and tire our players then lose at the end, maybe making the quarters depending on whether we get a lucky draw. I don't know how anyone thought this 'team' would win this thing. Even if we did win it, we'd have seen better football watching Iran than our lot and everyone will remember the ugly team that won the world cup for precisely 5 seconds.

i dont think england got any chance to win the world cup and there are plenty reasons for that one england dont have even one world class player its media who gives extra ordinary coverage in papers and television to those player who in real dont deserve anything i in real dont think that england got any player who should get that wages or that kinda media coverage and its not just i beleieve its i wish and i am sure that engalnd id not gonna win anything

heat??? it was only in the 80's! that isnt heat!if i were to guess, and i may be wrong, it probably wasnt very humid either...

heat??? it was only in the 80's! that isnt heat!if i were to guess, and i may be wrong, it probably wasnt very humid either...

Stay out of the kitchen :)

To Hot? Oh please ......... Its not like it never gets that hot in England and we have played in hotter countries and played better. As always we put out a field of over pampered STARS that cant play together as a team!
Lets hope they can work it OUT or we will be!

If the risk of a terminal coma due to dehydration is as high as I read on this site, then it might be prudent - just in the interest of the players health - to withdraw the team from the tournament and send them to a friendlier climate. Say, Iraq.

If the English papers are going to use heat as an excuse for Enlgand's poor performance I think they may have to evaluate the quality of their journalism schools and not their team. Everyone complains about the heat the ture story is how the English side was able to overcome it and deliver a 3 point advantage over their group rivals.

With all due respect, England are not good enough. They cannot hold the ball and play simple passes. It's ridicoulous that they have been made favorites for this tournament. As usual, the English will go out in the quarter-finals.

English football is good. English journalism is crap. Don't blame the heat blame the journalists for poor morale.

I think it is ignorant to say the heat was just an excuse. In England football is a winter sport, English players aren't used to playng in heat and even if you know its going to be hot its still going to sap your energy. This doesn't excuse Sven's tactics, however. Yet again he has confounded an entire nation with bizarre and ineffectual substitutions.

England suffered because of the intense heat if they played in those condtions all the time they would have coped. England will get better as the tournment goes on anyway it will be cooler on Thursday, with a bit of luck they can win this world cup.

England suffered because of the intense heat if they played in those condtions all the time they would have coped. England will get better as the tournment goes on anyway it will be cooler on Thursday, with a bit of luck they can win this world cup.

England are an utter disappointment in this whole contest. Angola comes out fighting, Trinidad comes out fighting - it seems every team is coming out and showing their passion for the game, passion for their country and desire to win! Instead England is making excuses for their imminent demise!

I'm trying to post here... but, it's hot and my throat is really dry... i can't type properly ...

**water....throat dry... can't type**

I think that although the weather was exceptionally warm, we held our own in the game. I was a little disappointed with some of our players giving the ball away too much, but I honestly think that we need to be looking at the referee!! Wasn't it convenient that he was from Mexico and we were playing Paraguay, surely FIFA know that those two countries are close together. And also I have never seen so many Paraguay players dive to try and save their skin, it's disgusting. GET A GRIP AND PLAY PROPER FOOTBALL!!!!!

Apart from the shocking inability of the English players to string more than one pass together, one of the most irritating sights of the night was that of Paul Robinson wildly hoofing the ball upfield at every opportunity.

Good distribution is vital in modern goalkeeping and provides the springboard for offensive build-up. Robinson simply boots the ball straight to the opposition, leaving England to chase after it like a pack of over-exuberant schoolboys.

No wonder they suffered in the heat. They were running sprints while the opposition players were running a marathon.

Football is about possession. If you've got the ball then the opposition can't score. Someone should stamp this on the foreheads of the English players.

We are too concerned with not losing to have the bottle to win this tournament and have a seige mentality as soon as a team puts any kind of pressure on us. This mentality is fostered by a manager who can't shake off the negative attitude from his time in Italy. He claims we have one of the best defensive units in the world but does not trust them to defend the back line on their own, instead orders the midfield to operate further back. The extra ground the midfield have to cover as a result of this fall back into defence (with the resultant lack of a viable short passing outlet to relieve the pressure and additional ball chasing)does more to sap the energy of the players than any kind of heat and only invites teams to continue to batter us. On the other hand of course, the manager may be a genius making us play like this against duff sides to lull the decent sides into a false sense of security for when the real action starts!

We are too concerned with not losing to have the bottle to win this tournament and have a seige mentality as soon as a team puts any kind of pressure on us. This mentality is fostered by a manager who can't shake off the negative attitude from his time in Italy. He claims we have one of the best defensive units in the world but does not trust them to defend the back line on their own, instead orders the midfield to operate further back. The extra ground the midfield have to cover as a result of this fall back into defence (with the resultant lack of a viable short passing outlet to relieve the pressure and additional ball chasing)does more to sap the energy of the players than any kind of heat and only invites teams to continue to batter us. On the other hand of course, the manager may be a genius making us play like this against duff sides to lull the decent sides into a false sense of security for when the real action starts!

We are told nonestop that we have a crop of of world class players. Maybe. But world cups are more often won when coaches are able to mould (without stifling)the individual talents within a squad, creating a thinking unit, able to adapt their play from game to game as needs must.

If indeed it was too hot for the poor things on Saturday then they should have adapted the tactics. What on earth was discussed at half-time? Who, on the pitch, had the wit to put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace of the game? Where did any sense of direction or leadership come from in the 2nd half?

I believe England can win this trophy and three points are three points, but for heaven's sake, shouldn't these things have been sorted out?

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Alternatively, have a midfielder who controls the tempo. Not everything has to be done flat stick.

I've just read a number of news sites from Porugal and a few in Holland...their press is just as much on their national teams case as ours...seems muppetry is alive and well among the no-doers.

I recall a documentary from just after '70 when Ramsey let loose at the press. They were hounding the manager who had won the cup...so in all honesty the press have been doomsayers for a very long time.

And remember lads, you're not allowed to be too patriotic in the UK anymore (unless you're a Scot, Irish or Welsh)as it's not politically correct.

We won the Ashes last year and this year the team are being nailed nicely in the press.

I'm one of those who would be quite happy to win each game 1-0, lift the trophy and be called Champions.

Should it be that we say a football matches attendance was made up of a few dozen fans, a few neutrals and aboout 45 thousand critics?

Brazil was toying with us in Korea/Japan because they knew we'd overwork and burn-out in the heat. so why haven't we learned from that?
Let the ball do the work offensively and and let the possession come to you defensivley. We should have learned to adjust by now. It's not like the players aren't capable to do so. Other European sides have. Play the England 'way' when it's not a factor.
We were lucky and WILL be punished the same way as '02 against a better side later in tournament if we don't fix this. I dunno, or bring on the 17yr old who will run all day. It was all rather frustrating when the oppourtunity was there to kill them off.
ps - nice one Christy

I wish we could get past some negativity and move on. The heat is always going to play a factor with England, but your right it shouldn't be a major excuse, but is going to play a factor due to the way the English play.

Lets be thankful that England got the first win, I think they will improve dramatically from now on. As for the tactics, let Sven try and do his job we may not always like what he comes up with but he still has the best record with England over any other couch in our history including Alf Ramsey.

Here's to England going all the way!!!

Three points against a good South American team and a bad Ref. It's a good result under the circumstances.

I have watched about 8 games already and without a doubt this was the worst refereeing performance so far.

If we can win under these circumstances then things can only get better.

I agree with lot of guys who have written earlier....its in the tactics department that we are messed up.....lampard, gerrard, beckham an cole can never find the required compatibility in midfield....we should learn from argentina...they dropped veron simply becoz he doesnot fit into the scheme of things for them...[ u cant have riquelme and veron together in a team]..look at holland, they have dropped davids, seedorf etc simply for the sake of the team.....sven has to get bolder...am a purist,, if scoring one goal an then defending is the approah sven will employ throughout the wc...well then he is doomed....

sven better try walcott against t and t...he cant do any worse than michael can he ?

the heat excuse is getting old the lads used it in portugal and in japan/korea fair enough it might be hot but they surely must be used to it after the previous 2 tournements!!! neverthless the first half performance was brilliant and well done to the lads up till then.
the referee was apalling to say the least and we were playing a south american team who atre used to the heat and we still won! so well done for that but we must improve to win the competetion on a whole..

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

Sven's managerial decisions are awful who in their right mind would play Owen Hargreaves or even take him in the squad..fair enough he supposed to be one of Bayern Munich's best players but he is apalling for the three lions! sort it out Sven!!

I can only assume that people dismissing the heat as a major factor on England's performance have never played competitive football in such conditions.

You can't compare how Paraguay's players coped with it to how England did, they're far more used to a very hot climate!

Such intense heat will and did have a massive effect.

The ref was ridiuclous in not allowing players to take on water. If FIFA want a great World Cup where all the top players perform to the best of their abiltiy, it is vital that they can take on fluids and stay in top condition.

Bla bla bla, England terrible, Sven tactics baffling, England useless bla bla bla.

Guess what? WE WON. We are top of the group. If we win on Thursday and Sweden draw with Paraguay, we'll have qualified as group winners with a game to spare! Sven took off strikers and replaced them with midfielders, with the terribly negative aim of defending a 1-0 lead. What a total lunatic! How can he justify that given that we....held onto a 1-0 lead and, err....won?

Seems like there are a lot of people who know nothing about how badly the heat can hurt you. I have played football all around the world as a keen amateur in places such as Hong Kong and believe me heat, humidity and the dehydration that comes from it can be a major problem no matter how fit you are. Sports science shows that even elite athletes suffer when it gets hot, remember Paula Radcliffe in Athens! As for the Holland SM game after 15 minutes it was played at about half the pace of the Engand game and more of the stadium was in shadow. The people who come on here saying that England should play their normal offensive Premier League style in that heat have abviouilsy been affected by the sun themselves as it is not possible, well not for 90 minutes. Did England play poorly, yes, were the substitutions odd, maybe Hargreaves, has Sven got a Plan B, who knows, did we win YES! But think on this, mnost of the players have played 100mile an hour EPL style their whole careers, so how do you suddenly expect them to play continental or fast/slow all of a sudden. I bet most of you would complain if we went to that style as it would not be English!

The Paraguay game was the obvious banana skin for England. Heat of the day, reasonably good Latin American side with a Central American ref (his perfomance was exactly as expected - in Canada we see this all the time from Central American refs) in the first game of the first round. England did well to win. Move on.

3 points - Top of the the table - end of !

Anyone who has ever played at a serious level should know that the heat will sap your strength. Some of the post's are naive when they talk about how the heat shouldn't really affect the players. However, it does make a case as to why England didn鈥檛 conduct their entire training (since the domestic season ended) in Germany to acclimatise. Sportsmen across a number of sports train at high altitudes, sea level, etc in different conditions and the English, with the resources available to the FA, should have spent the last 3-4 weeks training specifically in Germany or under closed roofs etc to simulate the hot conditions. Anyway, 3 points in the bag, sweden tripping up against T&T, England will definitely improve!

C'mon,it's not a time to complain, it's time to get behind the boys! 3 points in the bag and 3 more is qualification. Tournament football is not about winning in style all the time, but making sure the team wins game by game and ensuring all the players are fit. We must believe in them, win or lose.

hey they won!!
wats the big frakin' deal?
but the wont go to the final producing crap play like the did against paraguay.

If it was so hot, what was Beckham doing playing in long sleeves? And Crouch too.
Beckham's stupidity rivals only his wife's ambition for him to make fashion statements.

they won

supported the lads, and stop being a stick up thier butts

dont forget top of the table!!

they won

supported the lads, and stop being a stick up thier butts

dont forget top of the table!!

I'll bet they were suffering from dehydration, but it`s easily fixed. Stay off the beer the night before and drink 3 pints of water an hour or so before the game starts. Drinking water during the game is almost too late. We live in Arizona and my kids play in 40+ degrees.

Back in 1950 after losing to the amateurs from USA ,Englands excuse was they werent used to playing in such extreme heat.Havent we learned anything in that time?

Anyone who says that heat wasn't a factor has obviously not played 90min of football in those temps. Add to that the tremendous pressure to win that all important first game, and it's not surprising they had a less than perfect game. The important thing is that they WON. Get off of Svens back, I'd challenge any of you critics to do a better job than he,s done for England!. I cant wait to see what Walcot can do, but the first game in the World Cup Finals the place for a young unproven player. Now that they have that first win tucked away, I think we'll see a better perfomance from the boys.

Sack Ericsson now. We've got a ready made replacement in McClaren. This is a do or die effort, otherwise, all we'll see is England progress to second round, and being soundly beaten. We're much better than that.

I agree with Richard and Brian Mcgrath! The Portugal captain said in a press release that they were going to anihillate England in the first game.........? Get off the backs of the Players and the Coach and let them get on with the game. I live in the south of Thailand and the temps here are 33+ abd humid, I feel debilitated but when I step onto the English soil and its weather I am totally rejuvinated, so I DO understand where they are coming from. Thanks lads for giving us our first 3 points!

England did not play well in the first half, Paraguay played badly, mainly due to the hit and run after 3 mins. Paraguay obviously discussed self belief at half time as it showed thereafter. I expect England came out thinking that they were going to have an easy time of it, they did not and to try and blame the heat for the lack lustre pefformance...well...kind of transparent is it not ?.

If on the other hand the heat did get them, then it is not Bat Boy (Rooney) they need it is a Witch Doctor and a few lessons in rain dancing !.

The heated debate.... After the Holland and Serb & Mont game, the Dutch coach was also explaining about how hot it was and how difficult the conditions were, stating that the heat was the biggest opponent. Holland too had a 1 - 0 win and were not particularly brilliant. Their ex maestro, Johan Cruyff also said that Holland did not play well. So it would seem that heat does not only affect the England team. The difference is that in Holland no matter how they win, the media and the public still hail it as a good victory and stand even more behind their team - a lesson we could learn?? Good on ya Terry Butcher for standing up and showing us what we should all be doing!!

The heated debate.... After the Holland and Serb & Mont game, the Dutch coach was also explaining about how hot it was and how difficult the conditions were, stating that the heat was the biggest opponent. Holland too had a 1 - 0 win and were not particularly brilliant. Their ex maestro, Johan Cruyff also said that Holland did not play well. So it would seem that heat does not only affect the England team. The difference is that in Holland no matter how they win, the media and the public still hail it as a good victory and stand even more behind their team - a lesson we could learn?? Good on ya Terry Butcher for standing up and showing us what we should all be doing!!

Why, why ,why, do the English press and so called supporters continue to drag the team down at every chance.

Yes we played well below par during the second half, but the end result was a win and 3 points in our opening game (something of a rareity for us).

For the sake of England, please stop the wingeing and whinning and get get behind the boys.

Thats all I have to say about that.

England are overhyped and over here! the most impressive thing about Engerland is the 8 to 10 players who are on really outrages wages.

You're mostly a bunch of negative vibe merchants. I am very happy that England won their first world cup match on my Birthday.

I am 43 years old and am used to England playing to the level of their opponents - it must be a national trait. We are a team that tries to just do enough - except on the one or two rare occasions. It's what I think is so frustrating about us.

We're still in the World Cup final, and we still have a chance. One more win and we're through to the next round.

Cheer up you miserable self-rightous negative vibe merchants

For England to use the "heat" as an excuse for playing like a third division team is rubbish.
I am an ex pom, Untill I was 60
I worked in a diamond mine in the far north of Australia. 12 hour shifts, in tempratures over 40掳's
We than walked / jogged home 8K'ms.
How do the other 31 teams cope with the "heat" maybe they should change the rules and let England play their matches in Iceland.The excuse then would be its too cold.
Sven and his boys should work for British Rail. there excuses are better than the leaves on the line etc.

We start each World Cup with the same optimism regarding how far we can go and we are always disappointed by our performance in the first game.

How come we have a coach that has the best players in England but they don't perform for him at anywhere the same level that they are capable of. Obviously it's his tactics and the way he gets to them to play. In the second half we had two of Europe's best attacking midfielders being bypassed by the long ball from the back to a lone striker. Does anyone give the ball away as often as Gary Neville? I would be interested to read the statistics on his passing. He should be using short balls to Lampard, Gerrard and Cole to build up the attack, the same as they have been doing all year in the premiership. Yes it's three points from the first game, but think back and we have made these excuses for at least the last 4 WC's for our lack of performance in the early games only to be beaten at a later stage by a team playing to it's potential and coached by a manager who's thoughts are to win a game and not to lose it. Lets be positive and go forward and not sit back and wait for the opposition to score as we did in the second half. Why did we give up the middle of the park in the second half? While we have the ball the opposition can't score, so lets start playing the sort of football that has made the premiership the most exciting in the world. Good luck England from all your supporters in OZ

Heat?
Perhaps some pre-World Cup training was required in a real boot camp, with the British Army.
How do we think our troops felt going into Iraq with body armour (if they were lucky) and all their kit? Forget 90 minutes, didn't hear them saying 'we didn't do so well because it was too hot'!
Perhaps the England team need to start playing like their lives depend on it and really earn all that cash.

As a follow up to many who said that we won and we have three points.

In the second half there was only one team going forward and that wasn't England. Paraguay were unlucky or England were lucky on a couple of occasions and what if Paraguay had scored would we have been so happy with the substitutions? I think not. Yes it was hot but holding the ball and playing a passing game is the game played in the premiership, so all our players are capable of playing those tactics and building up play. Lets not revert to the tactics of the 50/60's and keep our best players out of the game.

Yes, three points but another woeful opener. After all the hype and hysteria we're once again shown to be no better than slightly above average, compared to the class sides.
Is it enough, any longer, to scrape through games getting "results" as opposed to lighting up the tournament like the Brasil or Holland do?

So it wasnt the best performance in the world, we didnt post a message to the world, but 3 points is 3 points!!!
England generally loose or draw the opener to these competions and then struggle to move on. Given the other group result we can hopefully enjoy an easier path to the last 16.
Fans forget that all sides in all league/cup competitions have poor days, the key is to keep winning even when your not at your best after all we cant all be Brazil!!!
The time has come to support the boys through thick and thin, if you cant perhaps you shouldnt follow the national team any more?
C'mon the lads!!!!!

I live near Frankfurt, and these conditions are AVERAGE for this time of year. I dread to think what would have happened to the team had it been really hot!
I also cannot understand why the FA didn't send the whole England squad on an altitude and temperature training camp to get them fit and aclimatised to the conditions in the same way that our top track and field athletes do.
Finally, to get these talented players to play together more as a team, they need more time training together. This can only happen if the English season finishes earlier in World Cup years. In 2004 Greece showed how teamwork can win a competition with players of markedly inferior quality to ours. We have some of the highest quality players in the world, and more should be made of them.

I didn't realise that everyone else got warm summers except ourselves in the UK. C'mon this is central europe not the equator Mr Beckham, don't you play in Spain after all ? The problem with the England players is they are over hyped and believe they are better than they really are. Combined with a coach who uses Italian Serie A tactics this means the quarter finals are the best we can hope for.

England won, great, but please do not complain about the heat, it is the same for everyone.

Are these players fit???

It may get even hotter. By the time of the last 16 and last 8 games, we will be further into summer. At 5 in the afternoon it will still be very hot. England had 29 degrees for their game in Frankfurt. Lets see how they play in 35 degrees. This would not be unusual for Germany, which is cold in the winter yes, but hot hot hot in the summer.

Yet again I am ashamed to be English - not because of the result, but the inane comments that follow.

Firstly they got 3 pts and thats all that matters. Surely its winning the game that matters, not how we win it. We would all love to play the expansive attacking style of say the Brazillians, but you need the players to pull that off.

Our strength is our energy levels, we play at a much higher tempo than other teams and thats why the energy sapping heat hit us hard. Teams like Paraguay are going to be more used to warmer weather than us.

Had we won 3-0, the press/supporters would have only had a pop had we not beaten T&T by 5-0. The media have spent all year hyping up this tournament with the sole intention of knocking England at every opportunity.

The Downing subsitution was odd, I can only assume Sven's replacement had a lot to do with it. The Hargreaves change, again, beggars belief - but if we win then I just don't see the issue.

I hope the excuse given about it being
to hot is true because if we play
like this again in the knockout stage
we will be out, I am sure we will be
able to overcome T&T in the next game
although i was very impressed with
their performance against sweden.
sven's tatical changes leave me
scratching my head in despair. He
make's bad call's when it come's to
substitution's, why we need to play
hargreaves and leave carrick out is
beyond me. I hope england get better
and maybe with rooney we will add
a different dimension to our play.

Now revealed! The real reason England has been losing all these years is the endless criticism & negativity of the TV pundits, newspaper journalists and fans.

If Sven is all that bad how did he build such a record at Benfica, Roma & Lazio? Why does his England record stand up to any of the post-1966 managers? Okay, with the benefit of hindsight we may be able to point to a decision that was questionable, but if we sat in the manager's position at that time maybe it wouldn't be so easy. I would love to see Alan Hansen in as coach to see how he fairs.

Brazil, Germany and just about any other cup winner has had terrible games at the beginning of the tournament before finding their form. It doesn't help the team to have such a torrent of negativity in the press, on TV and in the fan base.

If all the players said they were hot and repeatedly went for water at the breaks, then they were hot!

Let's get behind this team and drive them to victory!

I Think, 3 points at start was good enough for England.
Next game will be better. Im not english but england is my fav, quite strange to see english people gave critics to their own national team..

Holland against Serbia & Mont was played in temperautres of 80+ in the shade, yet this was still an end to end game. The players wilted, understandably with 10 mins or so to go, not after 5 mins of the first half was played. We should support our boys and yes we did get three points, but to wash over poor tactical changes and a poor performance with unreasonable excuses is a farce!

I think much of the blame lies with the management. For too long when it comes to the crunch Sven bottles it and goes with the 'big names' over the right tactics. This forced Paul Scholes premature international retirement, who's still leagues ahead of Lampard when it comes to distribution.

England's problem now is the same it's been for way too long, we have no holding midfield presence, and too many attacking central midfield players. No-one is willing to take a game by the scruff of the neck and as others have stated vary the pace of the game. With England it's all or nothing. There is no adaptability and the blame for that must lie with the coaching staff. English teams have been back in Europe for some time now and coaches such as Ferguson and Wenger have been getting players to play differently in Europe with varying levels of success so it's not new to them.

We simply don't have the tactical acumen to play that way at international level.

As for the Theo situation, how can you take a player to the world cup who has never even started a premiership game? IF he was that good why hasn't he played some part for Arsenal? To leave Defoe out who at least has a track record and isn't exactly old, is baffling.

This is just the first game in the group stages of the World Cup. We have to remember England have the 3 points in their bag and in the previous international competitions, we usually start off badly. Give the lads a break!

If England do reach the Finals, I will give out 50,000 car flags that I have in London to make sure the city flys the England Flag to support the lads in Germany. Come on England!

To those telling us to stop knocking England and that getting 3 points is all that matters, we will not get 3 points if we play in our own half for 45 minutes against other teams. This game was a chance to have other teams quaking in their boots but instead they will be confident of their chances against us. Hitting long balls up the middle to Peter Crouch with his back to goal achieves nothing. We should have played out wide and crossed balls in to him - he's bound to get on the end of a few crosses. The world cup is a summer competition. Let's face it, if we can't play in heat we ain't going to win it until Greenland host it.

England won't be playing until 6 and 9 (CET)

Neal Saferstein
Neal Saferstein

all of you are saying you don't know why weather was a problem and why didnt they check the forcast, its because the England squad, most of them are used to playing in England where it is less hot than Germany by miles so they aren't used to it...

Three points top of the table, where is the problem?

Would you of preferred them to play great and get a draw?

I'm sure everything has already been said but I like to say something too!

These are world class atheletes. Complaining about the heat? Not good. We seem to be the only "World class" team so far to be using the heat as an excuse. It was hotter for Holland's game. I didn't see them close up inside their own penalty box.

So far, every team (even the losing ones) have shown greater determination and performance than England. And we're meant to be one of the strongest favourites to win this thing.

And so what if the players are used to playing in England's cold? Robben plays in England too and he was able to rocket on far longer than any English player.

It's a shame, cause even though we have 3 points on the board, it means nothing to the other teams. They'll see us for how we played and given the way we've played so far, it gives them nothing but greater determination to get something from their games. I'm actually very worried about our T&T game now. VERY worried.

All the players in the world cup should be encouraged to take on fluid during the match - you wouldn't expect even a dog to continue without water. The better they play the more enjoyable to watch - I suggest that all teams should be allowed 'time-out' during the games with the time used added.

why do people find the heat excuse such a problem. it's not that they didn't expect the high temperatures, but that they aren't used to playing in such excessivly hot conditions. how could they have prepared better for that? other than training in south america for 6 months to acclimatise i don't know. as for paraguay coping with the heat, take a moment to think about where paraguay is, not too far from the equator (where it is very, very hot!).

To comment on the heat issue: I've played competitive soccer in 40 degree weather week in week out in college in the U.S in Las Vegas. I realise it's not as fast paced as WC soccer but fast paced anyway. I understand that I was able to do that because I was used to it, but it is really hard for me to believe that below 30 degree weather would affect WELL PREPARED professional players. Shouldn't be an issue.
Sven said he wanted to regain control of the midfield when subbing Owen. If that's what he wanted, he should have brought on Carrick. He has been able to set the pace, keep possession and control the midfield for a far less talented spurs team than this England squad (and he did it in some friendlies for England). I have no doubts he could do the same at the WC surrounded by all this talent. I'm surprised noone anywhere has commented on Ashley Cole's dreadful performance, obiously he is not in full form yet.
For those of you saying "We won, its 3 points, shut up and support the team" I would like to point out that at least personally I thought the point of these blogs was to argue differing viewpoints. Still, England can go all the way if the midfield plays to its full potential.

From what I saw Engish players came too late for their own time!

The world cup is won in seven matches and England won the first notwithstanding any own-goal or lack of goals or whatever. England did not play brilliantly as they could have but big teams have their bad days and bad referees; this was it. I for one would have substituted Peter Crouch early on since it was clear that the referee didn't like him; maybe Crouch reminded him of a childhood bully. But if England won on a bad day, what will they do won a good day? Just imagine!
Sven might make some peculiar changes or might not make the changes fan need but if it helps in winning, who are we to complain? With Swedes drawing with the Trinidadians, England can only celebrate. Now we have to beat the Trinidadians and we can guarantee ourselves of a berth in the last 16. From there on, I think Sven should play more positively or be attack-minded. He should not be defending slender goal margins, rather he should go all out for the kill. He must try not to depend on a penalty shootout for there I feel England can lose what with Lampard and Crouch both shooting outside the box in the friendlies. So penalties are strict no-no.
I am very happy that the first match of England was won. It could have resulted in a defeat for all we know and yet England won against sweltering heat, a pedantic referee and a not-too-bad Paraguyuans. From here on, England will march like the soldiers of Alexander the Great conquering all and mighty and England will emerge triumphant. We can easily imagine Beckham holding the gold trophy and Gerrard trying to touch it and Sven somewhere at the back being mobbed by fans.

Victory to England

Dhondup Tsering
A Tibetan fan of England from Dharamsala, India

Sven has wasted 6 years of some of the finest players this generation has produced and couple that with the lack of tactics and we have a poor side. We're going to defend the midfield, why Hargreaves, he's proven useless in 6 years, whereas you have Carragher, proven top flight defender that makes the ball his. Gerrard, one of the best attacking midfielders in the world sits off the back four performing baby sitting duties. The passing was abismal, there's no excuse, none. Walk into some space if you'er tired and pass the ball to the other guy that just walked into some space, let the ball do the work.

Pointless to continue as Sven has almost ruined the best group of players we've had to offer in a while. Let's look to the future aaaaaand Mclaren, depute of Sven and from what i've seen he hasn't done much better either at club level. Maybe i should let him prove it, but i fear as being part of the current setup he's not going to bring anything new to the party.

Team selection, sheer madness, Darren Bent has been the best english striker by far this season and yet we take Walcott, the boy may be a genius, but he hasn't proven it yet. Hargreaves, realiably useless, chases shadows and plays with his head in his feet. Carrick, anyone is going to be better.

I can only assume that we're saving our players for the later stages and that'll explain the stoopid substitutions and lack of technical play. The heat will have been a factor, but i think topping up on water every 5 minutes is too much, bags you up and generally builds lethargy.

Every facet of England from the FA downwards is hugely flawed and is not geared towards building a world beating squad, it's more than disapointing, jobs for the boys and no passion. We're one of the most passionate countries in the world, reserved maybe, but oh so passionate, it's time to instill that throughout footballing fraternity on England.

England were just lucky that it was too cold for the Parguay team to play properly. Why not in future arrange all major sporting tournaments at the time of year that will ensure that a European team always wins?

Please do stop this aggressive critisism about the boys!! For heaven's sake you are english! I am not english but support England's team all the way and in Malta I am not alone. You should have seen how many England Flags where going around in Malta because England won and got the 3 points. So if us maltese support England's team why don't you support your team and be behind them all the way. The thing is that you forgot how to be partiotic! Shame on those who have nothing but bad words for their team. If they are so good being critics why don't they go and play for england themselves!!!!!!!!!
P.S. If any of you think that heat is not a factor for the boys to wilt after 10 mins try to make a run in 29 degrees with a humidity factor of over 60%! We are used to that in malta but not any other english footballer.

Come on lads
Come on England!!!!!!!!!

Please do stop this aggressive critisism about the boys!! For heaven's sake you are english! I am not english but support England's team all the way and in Malta I am not alone. You should have seen how many England Flags where going around in Malta because England won and got the 3 points. So if us maltese support England's team why don't you support your team and be behind them all the way. The thing is that you forgot how to be partiotic! Shame on those who have nothing but bad words for their team. If they are so good being critics why don't they go and play for england themselves!!!!!!!!!
P.S. If any of you think that heat is not a factor for the boys to wilt after 10 mins try to make a run in 29 degrees with a humidity factor of over 60%! We are used to that in malta but not any other english footballer.

Come on lads
Come on England!!!!!!!!!

Patriotism doesn't come into this. And that's an even poorer excuse.

If we don't criticise our team when things aren't clearly looking well, who will? It clearly isn't going to be Sven.

And stop talking about the heat. Holland played on an even hotter day, and they were able to keep running. And England are supposedly better than them?

Well the weather forecast is predicting for a much cooler day on Thursday - about 17C. And as we are playing in the evening we should not have excess heat as an excuse and we can see how the boys really play!

I may be a girlie and therefore know nothing about football but I always thought the point of the game was to score more goals than the opposition and win 3 points.... We did that, so why are people still moaning and groaning - Some of you people don't deserve to call yourself england supporters! I bet that you'll be the same people cheering if/when we do do well, say 'I always knew we could do it' - stipid, fickle people who have no idea what support means

I may be a girlie and therefore know nothing about football but I always thought the point of the game was to score more goals than the opposition and win 3 points.... We did that, so why are people still moaning and groaning - Some of you people don't deserve to call yourself england supporters! I bet that you'll be the same people cheering if/when we do do well, say 'I always knew we could do it' - stipid, fickle people who have no idea what support means

How many times have England won their opening game in the WC? Is it one in nine? Okay, they didn't play well for 70 minutes and maybe Owen should have stayed on the park, but they did win and if you can win playing badly, this shows a sign of unbelievable luck, or, good tactics. I'm sure England will up the tempo on Thursday and come out worthy winners.

Good luck to the boys!

Imagine for a moment, if you will, that England had made it to the World Cup Final, and faced Brazil.

Less than 3 minutes in, Beckham swings in a free kick which is nudged into the back of the net with a little help from the head of Ronaldinho. The match draws on, England pressing more trying to find the second goal to get a bit of a cushion, but it never comes and before half time the Brazilians are giving as good as they get.

England take a 1-0 lead in at half time.

In the second half, brazil have us pinned back, our strikers are innefective, so a change is made upfront to strengthen the midfield, giving us 5 players across the centre who are all capable of getting forward and scoring goals.

This is still no match for the Brazilians who have us pinned firmly into our own half... so another change is made, replacing an advance midfield player for a more defensive option to help fend off the Brazilian attack.

The end of the game is an ugly affair, with Brazil dominating posession and showing all the skill, and England pinned back, able to do little more than clear the ball away to the half way line only for the Brazilians to come back and have another go.

After the full 90 minutes, the whistle blows and England are World Champions...

How would this team be remembered? a bunch of failures who fluked a lead and held onto it for 90 minutes? Or as a bunch of English heroes who bravely and galantly held off the skills of the most skillful team of our generation, and brought the World Cup home with them?

When you look at it with the right glasses on, it tells a completely different story.

I think you see my point. It has all the makings of a classic world cup final that story - the only difference is that it wasnt the last game, it was the first, and the opponents werent brazilians, they were from a slightly less popular country just down the road.

Yes, it was the first game, yes the tactics seemed strange, and yes there have been a lot of excuses, but when you think about it properly, the excuses and the tactics don't matter.

What matters is that the players know they didnt perform, and they want to do better, as they know they can.

PS. Anyone who says england dont have world class players... why are top european teams like Barcelona so interested in paying 拢30million for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard?

Imagine for a moment, if you will, that England had made it to the World Cup Final, and faced Brazil.

Less than 3 minutes in, Beckham swings in a free kick which is nudged into the back of the net with a little help from the head of Ronaldinho. The match draws on, England pressing more trying to find the second goal to get a bit of a cushion, but it never comes and before half time the Brazilians are giving as good as they get.

England take a 1-0 lead in at half time.

In the second half, brazil have us pinned back, our strikers are innefective, so a change is made upfront to strengthen the midfield, giving us 5 players across the centre who are all capable of getting forward and scoring goals.

This is still no match for the Brazilians who have us pinned firmly into our own half... so another change is made, replacing an advance midfield player for a more defensive option to help fend off the Brazilian attack.

The end of the game is an ugly affair, with Brazil dominating posession and showing all the skill, and England pinned back, able to do little more than clear the ball away to the half way line only for the Brazilians to come back and have another go.

After the full 90 minutes, the whistle blows and England are World Champions...

How would this team be remembered? a bunch of failures who fluked a lead and held onto it for 90 minutes? Or as a bunch of English heroes who bravely and galantly held off the skills of the most skillful team of our generation, and brought the World Cup home with them?

When you look at it with the right glasses on, it tells a completely different story.

I think you see my point. It has all the makings of a classic world cup final that story - the only difference is that it wasnt the last game, it was the first, and the opponents werent brazilians, they were from a slightly less popular country just down the road.

Yes, it was the first game, yes the tactics seemed strange, and yes there have been a lot of excuses, but when you think about it properly, the excuses and the tactics don't matter.

What matters is that the players know they didnt perform, and they want to do better, as they know they can.

PS. Anyone who says england dont have world class players... why are top european teams like Barcelona so interested in paying 拢30million for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard?

All this talk of heat, while understandable, is not an excuse. Holland played at the same time and under the same conditons. They all play in Europe (at some of the same clubs as the England team, I might add) and they didn't have anywhere near the same predilection to hunt for the nearest water bottle constantly.

While tactics and squad selection have also been metioned as a reason for the abysmal performance, I prefer to focus on the habit of the big name players to hide, especially in the second half. Gerrard, Lampard and Beckham didn't offer themselves as an outlet to the defence as the game wore on. The back four were reduced to hoofing it long becauuse these veterans of countless big games were too scared to receive the ball and pass or turn and dribble to create space. Only Crouch and Joe Cole showed up in that respect and Cole gets substituted for his efforts! This seems to happen only during the major competiitions (remember France and Portugal [post Wazza]). Angola, Iran, Cote D'Ivoire have all been assured in possession and their midfield players look for the ball constantly.

Why can England go toe to toe with Argentina in a friendly, keep possession and look assured, but lose the plot against Paraguay at the World Cup. Is it Sven's instructions, tactics or the players just bottling it and not wanting to make a mistake?

To those people who say three points is all that matters, remember that there will be much more difficult games from the second round on...you can only hide for so long at World Cup.

It cannot be denied that England's 2nd half performance against Paraguay was disappointing, however with hindsight and a dispassionate assessment, I can only praise them for holding on in difficult circumstances to gain maximum points in their opening fixture.WELL DONE ENGLAND!
First half superiority was not capitalised on, and admitedly the goal was "lucky", but you need luck on your side to some extent to get through these tournaments. LET THE LUCK CONTINUE IN OUR FAVOUR! (It's been sadly missing on previous occasions).
My main criticism of the 2nd half was Englands' wasteful distribution of the ball and inability to keep possession which obviously increased pressure on themselves to hold onto the result, but they did achieve this objective and as a consequence they should be praised for this not criticised.They "ground-out" a good result despite not playing well.
Special message for the squad - "KEEP THE BELIEF" - you have the skill, ability, and strength in depth to go all the way to the final this time.

Well done Team England for gaining maximum points in your 2nd game against T&T, they certainly made you work hard for it but in the end your hard work, patience and persistance paid off.
Everyone is aware that you haven't achieved your best form yet and I think that is what will worry many of your future opponents as you progress through this tournament.
As for your critics, especially the so-called "professional" ones from the press; I hope you're paying scant attention to all the diatribe - in fact I'm beginning to wonder how many of them have scottish ancestry or scottish sports editors - (has anyone chesked that out at all?).
I hope you aren't paying attention to all the rubbish concerning the Sweden game, about trying to manipulate the situation regarding who your next opponents should be - to win this tournament you have to beat everyone to prove you are the best - I don't think Brazil ever worry about their opposition do you?
As I've said before as a group you have the ability, skill, and stength in depth in this squad to do well, but even with this self-belief in your abilities you have to MAKE it happen!
The hard-working ethic is indigenous to this squad so you have all the components to go all the way.
KEEP THE BELIEF IN YOURSELVES AND MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE.
Ange in France.