Better than Spain and Italy yes and were the most convincing of that lot in qualification, though because of the weakness of England's group that means nothing really. Overall strength in depth, same reason why most people you hear talk, be they current or ex players or just folk in the media. Now that isn't to say that is the only reason I believe that, but there is just a quality in that England starting 11 and even on the bench that puts them slightly ahead of those sides.

No, as in they had only played one game in this tournament.

Best goal ever? Think that is going a bit far.

If you look at it that way not much seperates most players in this world cup. When you really look at sides it is easy to pick holes, if you look at Brazil I can't see a single defender there who would make it into the English backline. There is no perfect team out there, but England are one of the top three and in my opinion those three are slightly ahead of a following pack which is then virtually impossible to seperate. As for the lack of silverware being down to lack of talent, I woudln't agree. I am not saying that over the past few years we have always been overflowing with talented players, but we are always good enouh to be able to do something, the fact that we have not won anything for 40 years is the result of poor management and underperforming. If we win this World Cup I won't be of the view that we won it despite having SGE at the helm and if we fail it won't just be because of him. We have a squad of players with a huge amount of talent and if they aren't able to produce the goods when they cross that line then that is their fault.

Let's hope they sort themselves out. Prove all the doubters and naysayers wrong.

You were saying that about England after you'd only seen them play once.

It didn't flatter them, but they were helped by the sending off and also by the fact that S&M simply didn't turn up. They played very well today though.

On current form no. However, there is a long way to go yet and neither team has faced a real test yet. They are good enough to beat each other so it will just be about who produces the goods in the knock-out stages. Brazil don't look to be in the same class as Argentina when you compare performances in Germany, but I'm sure that you wouldn't argue that Brazil are a far worse team than Argentina.

Feel sorry for S & M, even told someone to put a bet on them getting through the group as a good underdog bet...oops. They showed what they could do in the second half against the Netherlands, but apart from that they seem to have been out of their league.

Isn't this the same Argentina that we beat 3-2 and 1-0 the time before that? Personally I don't think that matters, but it is the argument that has been used for Spain. I don't think any of these group games matter as long as you get the points and get through, couldn't care less if you looked like world beaters or scraped by, it means nothing.

He has pace, good ball control, good passing ability and a good eye for goal. You obviously haven't seen very much of him and I thought that he did a decent job when he came on yesterday. He has suffered from the fact that he didn't play much last year as a result of injury, but there is no doubting that 'boro have a very good player on their hands and I'm sure he'll go on to big things.

We'll see.

6-0 Flopsy! Not that I would rank that achievement up there with some of the others.

Mexico 2-0

2-0 Portugal

Problem is I can't see Ghana scoring. They created chances against Italy but their finishing was shocking.

The thing is, if it weren't for geographic requirements would either of you really be seeded?

None taken. Yes, I have noticed that I wrote one and not won.

Well the England v Spain friendly match keeps being brought up and that took place well before the Argentina game. You obviously haven't seen much of him, one of the best left sided players in the premiership.

The English are so great at the doom and gloom. What I believe is that this performance would have been very good against a top nation. The back four look solid and we retain the ball very well. The problem is that against a team with 11 men in their own half that in itself doesn't really help you out in the game. Against a team actually trying to score England would have found that to be hugely to their advantage and would probably have looked more convincing. A lot of improvement needs to be made, but it's results and not performances that win World Cups. The last two world cups have been one by sides that were unconvincing in the early rounds.

What do world rankings have to do about it? I didn't think England's performance today was impressive, efficient and effective, but my point is not to blow your load on the basis of one result. If England beat Sweden 10-0 it won't make me think they are any more likely to win the World Cup. As for Cafu, he was a better player, he isn't anymore. Sorry that came across as being wrong, I just think generally we think of British players as not being as good as foreign counterparts. There are of course exceptions, but I think it is something that the a player like Neville has suffered from. The fact that he plays for United won't help him on this board.

It is just there is no way I can win is there. The fact that Neville is both English and a United player means a lot you don't like him. Throw in the fact that he has also been one of the most underrated players in the Premiership and International football for the past 10 or so years and you will see there isn't a point. He is a very good defender, no one better in the Premiership and I don't think there is really one better in the world. Of course there are other good ones out there, but once you have one of them you wouldn't swap them, England have Neville so there is no one England would rather have. He never makes mistakes (though he probably will now) and he is also very good going forward. How about you come up with a genuine reason why Neville isn't the best in the world in his position?

I thought you didn't need a tv license if you were using a computer?

He's better than anyone Celtic have. I will stand by that there is no right back I would rather have in the England side. My point was actually looking past individual results. Only reason any of you have picked up on Spain is because of one game.

Eh? Thought the midfield did ok, Beckham played quite well. Wasn't a great game for Owen. Always difficult to break down sides that sit back like that.