England now expects...

It's been a while since I've offered my two-penneth on sports stories here. But at last, Armchair Athlete is back. The name of this blog is especially pertinent at this time. This is where I will spend most of my nights sleep in the coming 6 weeks.

For this is the time of the Ashes. The biggest event in cricket and the most important series England have contested under Andrew Strauss. This is because England now stand a real chance of beating the Australians in their own back yard.

Ashes series in Australia paint a picture of woe for England. Just four wins for England down under post-war and not at all since 1986-7. Last time out we were whitewashed 5-nil. Just as Glenn McGrath predicted.

But, this Australia side are not capable of such a feat again. They do not have the quality of bowling like McGrath, Shane Warne and the like. The confidence has gone. The bravado of Australia teams (and their media for that matter) of old has been replaced by in-fighting, underperforming (one win in their last 8 outings - and that was a dead rubber against Sri Lanka), and from the media, shots across their own bows.

In stark contrast, consider the advance of England. This squad has flourished under Strauss and Andy Flower. They've won the Ashes already, here in England, and the ICC World Twenty20 trophy followed the little urn into the Lord's trophy cabinet. This squad, in Greame Swann, also now have a bowler who is capable of dismissing any batting order in world cricket.

More importantly in context of this series is England's preparations. They arrived in plenty of time before Thursday's first Test at the Gabba. And Australia beware - because England have found their feet quickly since travelling to Oz - and won two out of their three warm up fixtures.

I'm not going to do a McGrath and predict a 5-nil drubbing. But I will be as brave as the former pace-man and make a bold prediction. England are going to win this Ashes series.

Falling foul of FIFA

Dismal, dreadful, disappointing. Call it what you will, there is no escaping England's woeful and limp exit from the World Cup at the hands of Germany. But as inexcusable as the performance was, it's not as infuriating as FIFA's refusal to introduce technology in the game.

Frank Lampard's strike before half time crossed the line. That is fact. The millions of us watching on television saw it. The 70,000 inside the Free State Stadium saw it. That includes Daily Mail writer Martin Samuel who said from his "seat 70 yards away from Neuer's goalmouth, without recourse to television replay, it was apparent England had scored".

It probably wouldn't have changed the outcome, but the inconvenient truth for FIFA and especially Sepp Blatter, who was in the stands in Bloemfontein yesterday afternoon, is that this was another example where simple use of technology could eradicate such debate.

Of course, this is a moot point ever since Geoff Hurst's goal in 1966, but there's now been too many high profile examples - ask the Irish - where a speedily available television replay would save the officials and the establishment the embarrassment of getting a decision just so wrong.

I sympathise with those who feel that the use of television replays would get in the way of the pace of the game. But we've already seen, in the use of five on the field officials in Europa League games, that extra eyes help (almost certainly an extra referee would have seen Thierry Henry's handball). Hawkeye Innovations have already tested their method for goal line decisions. Adidas have already been experimenting with a ball with a microchip inside - again to decipher dubious goal calls.

Goal line decisions are not subjective. It's either a goal or not. Assistant referee Mauricio Espinosa can not be blamed for not spotting that Lampard's shot had gone over the line. Ways of assisting our men in black are there, and there would be very few referees who wouldn't appreciate the assistance. So, FIFA, please, take this game out of the 19th century.

England must take French lessons

It's certainly been a difficult few days for the French camp at the World Cup. Left on the verge of elimination by a 2-nil defeat at the hands of Mexico. Now more stories of discontent in the squad, including Nicolas Anelka sent home for airing his views - too strongly, according to the French Football Association - to Raymond Domenech.

During the days of Sven and Steve in charge of England, there was always the accusation that the players had too much power over the selection and tactics of the side. Things seemed to have changed under Don Fabio, but once again a troubled England campaign is regressing into the ghost of failed tournaments past.

So, the England squad and management team are to hold a frank and honest expression of views. According to ex-captain John Terry, if the comments upset Capello or any of the players - so what? Whilst it appears Fabio has made wrong decisions so far (notably Shaun Wright-Phillips twice being used as an "impact substitute"), he must stick to his guns and the players must take responsibility.

Terry's 15 minute presser today started with the Chelsea defender toeing the party line..."We're fully behind the manager." But, the later the conference went on, the more apparent a divide in the England camp appeared. Terry ended the media gathering joking that some of the squad might be sent home for their comments to Capello. One begins to wonder how much tongue was in cheek when he said that.

England's plight is in no way as desperate as France's. A win against Slovenia, ranked 17 places behind England, and we're into the last 16 and a passage to the semi-finals begins to open up. But this England effort is now starting to show the frailties of the disappointment of Germany four years ago and also the disaster that was the "Wally with the Brolly".

For the first time in the tournament the manager, the squad and the fans must unite with a simple target - keep the dream alive until next weekend at least.

Wayne Boo-ney

So, another disappointment for England at this World Cup. An abstract performance from a side fancied before the tournament started.

A nil-nil draw with Algeria leaves Fabio Capello's men on the verge of something no one considered before the squad flew to South Africa. But now we must ponder a first round exit in, what still is, a very easy looking group.

More worrying for England was the lack of intent, passion and presence of their talisman Wayne Rooney. Recently, we in the media have pointed the finger at the Manchester United striker for being too aggressive, too pumped up. But tonight in Cape Town, he looked disinterested, woefully short of form and, to generate further concern, towards the end of the game injured.

England fans have shown their displeasure with the performance, including inside the Cape Town Stadium. The boos at the end of the match can't do the England team any favours, but Rooney's reaction to this is an indication of his mentality.

Rooney turned to the camera at the end of the game and sarcastically uttered "It's nice to be booed by you own fans". Quite right Wazza. But these are the same fans that have travelled half way across the world to support their side. And so far in this World Cup, the players paid so much to do their job have failed to turn up.

England expects. And maybe too much. But the time has come for a display those England fans, and all us England fans, deserve.