World Cup 2010 - Never Write off the Germans

Today I can't talk about the BBC TV coverage of Algeria v Slovenia game without choking on my rage so all I will say is this: Gary Lineker, if you do not want to be there go home. Do not belittle any team, any player or any game in this tournament. Every team who qualified got there on merit and to say the words "Not all games in the world cup can be big ones, and this one certainly falls into that the not category" and to go on to say "we have to watch these type of games too" These teams are in England's group! You should be riveted to this game. As I said if you don't want to be there, I'm sure there are many better and more qualified presenters that would like to take your place.

Anyway, last night we saw our first sign of Germany and as the old saying goes, we should never write of the Germans. They looked sharp, clinical and united. No-one has mentioned Germany in the run up to this tournament but Germany are always there or there abouts, but before we all jump on the bandwagon, I will admit they were very impressive last night. Lets remember they were playing a decidedly poor Australian side, who also had their best player sent off.

Germany should get out the group pretty easily, although Ghana will give them a run for their money. The English pundits last night got excited about the winner of this group meeting the runner up from England's group in the next round which could mean and England v Germany game. (Because lets not forget, everything as far as the TV coverage I have to endure, revolves around England)

There has also been talk over the weekend regarding the vuvuzelas being banned. They have described as sounding like a 'swarm of bees' or my personal favourite 'a goat being dragged to slaughter'. Some players are blaming the vuvuzelas for poor performances, saying they are distracting and they can't concentrate on the pitch. Some fans are saying they can't hear the commentary. My personal opinion, is that once the game has started, I barely notice them after a while. I like the colour and the noise. It gives the tournament a unique soundtrack. Every tournament has something that you remember about it.

Italia '90, everyone was humming Nessun Dorma

France '98 it was Carnival De Paris that everyone remembers

Japan/South Korea '02 all you heard was Girls screaming from the crowds

Every tournament has a soundtrack, whether it's a song, a sound, a colour. It's something memorable and unique from that tournament so keep the vuvuzela!

World Cup 2010 - England 1 - 1 USA

England were 100% sure this was going to be an easy game for them, the pundits were sure, the team was sure, the fans were sure. After all, it's only America, they don't know how to play 'soccer' anyway.

England get off to a resounding start with Stevie G scoring in the 6th minute, well at least I think so because all I saw was an advert because I was watching on ITV HD and that's what they cut to. England played OK, but as usual they never look like a unit. I have watched every game in the World Cup so far and one thing I will say is all the teams look united on and off the pitch. When you see them in the tunnel, they may look nervous but they encourage each other. I did not see any two England players talk to each other in the tunnel. They do not look as if they are in it together. You do not see them talk to each other on the pitch you only see them shout and shrug at each other. When Steven Gerrard scored, he went over to the fans to celebrate, his first reaction was not to go to his team mates. When Robert Green made his mistake for the USA goal, not one England player went over and gave him a pat on the back. As I write this I have just watched the Algerian goalkeeper make a howler to let in a goal against Slovenia and two of his team mates went straight over to him.

The English media and fans have done nothing but vilify Rob Green today and blame him for the fact that England did not win last night but I think they need to take a long hard look at themselves. England need to be united if they want to progress in this tournament. They have some of the best players in the World Cup but they by no means have the best team.

Steven Gerrard would never be my choice for captain. Yes he is inspirational and can drive forward, but he is greedy, he does not lead the team. The man for that is, of course, John Terry. The other problem is I believe there is still two sides to the camp that even the great Fabio Capello has not managed to root out.

If England want to progress they need to stop playing like individuals and start playing and acting like a team. And maybe, just maybe that when you you pull on the shirt of your nation you carry your nations hopes and dreams that wearing that shirt is a privilege, not a right.

And I say all of this as a Scot who really would rather England didn't do very well.