Watching England just isn't a huge amount of fun at the moment

We just need that one 'up and at 'em' spunky performance which by now (in previous tournaments) we seem to have managed.

Still though - I can't help thinking that we haven't actually played anyone any good in a competitive game for two years now - and that won't change on Sunday.

We'll beat Ecuador, perhaps not particularly convincingly. but we will - and then our World Cup will start against Portugal or Holland.

I'm finding the whole thing a little dispiriting but I simply cannot rule us out of contention until we come up against another potential winner. I'm not saying we would win, but I'm certain we would see considerably more quality.

Posted By: The Judge, Jun 21, 09:45:22