First of all let’s focus quickly on the big day tomorrow, all the hype and anticipation ends for England fans and of course most importantly for the players and the manager. Tomorrow all the talking stops and the nation of England becomes one, with their own opinions and of course it’s the day fan’s become arm chair managers and in the famous words of Al Murray “Every England fan believes they can lead England to World Cup Glory”. Every England fan will have something to say about what players should start, what players shouldn’t, who should be England’s number 1 and who is better out of Lampard and Gerrard.
I am going to give a prediction of a nervy start for England and U.S.A being tight and organised with England eventually growing into the game with Steven Gerrard being England’s key man. An early England goal would be brilliant for the fans but in previous England times nerves can often get the best of everybody, we are England after-all. I think U.S.A will mark Wayne Rooney tightly and the sub’s that Capello makes and the extra added quality in the squad that U.S.A don’t have could be the difference between the two sides.
I’m going to predict a 2-1 England win with either Lampard or a goal from a set-piece opening the scoring. Joe Cole will have a big impact in the 2nd half as I don’t expect him to play from the start.
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Now moving onto the opening games from Group A, I have not seen either game so I can’t comment and give any type of opinions but regarding France's performance but the word 'unconvincing' does not surprise me at all! In my World Cup predictions for France I mentioned Florent Malouda would be their driving spark in central midfield and for him not to start and to be left on the bench after an apparent training ground bust up with coach Raymond Domenech then it's not really a surprise France lacked quality. Leaked stories in the press have made out that certain experienced players Florent Malouda especially, believes Thierry Henry should start and it seems Raymond Domenech has told Florent Malouda he's the coach and he picks the team. But the media will obviously not get the full story until after the World Cup is finished and Domenech will be out of a job already being replaced by Laurent Blanc.
With such drama and tension within the ranks of the French squad an early plane home after a disappointing group performance would not surprise me one little bit, I expect changes from France in their next game with the players Domenech wants to play and not the players who are impressing in training or the players in form.
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