This is my own opinion: England is obviously improving. Though they had a hard time scoring against Trinidad and Tobago, I think this is the problem every good team has: most adversaries wil see as a win just getting one point. Thus, they will protect their goal as much as possible and make it almost impossible to find empty spaces in front of the goal.

I know, they seemed a little shaky at some moments, but the biggest problem is, without a doubt, the goalkeeper. Robinson is making so many mistakes, I stopped counting. At some point, he was somewhere, 10 meteres from the goal while the ball was in the goalkeeper’s area.

Another problem is, in my opinion, Crouch. He is a good striker, no doubt. Tall, but with technical skills, he just wants to show this: he knows his way with the ball. This translated in a horrible shot from a pass by Beckham. Then, Crouch had all the time in the World (could have striked the crossbar 4 times, like in Ronaldinho, before any player would get to him), in 7 meters from the goal and, instead of stopping the ball and putting it into the net, he chose a volley that went wide, almost parallel with the goal.

Lampard still cannot find his skills. He is dangerous, but he still doesn’t put it in the net.

On the brighter side, Rooney made a comeback and he seems physically OK, fighting as usually. It is obvious that he still needs games, but he will be fit for the last 16 and more.

Michael Owen seems to be coming back into his form, though he still cannot play an entire game.

The best news of all is, without a doubt, Aaron Lennon. The right side was never the same after his entrance: he disrupted the Trinidad and Tobago defense so many times with his speed and his driblling skills that they (the defenders) almost got dizzy. There is no mistake that the two goals orginated from the right side of the field.

On and all, like one of my readers noticed here, in the comments (thanks Dave), England seems to get better, just like any great team. The hope is that they peak when needed.

One more thing, though: if you want to talk about the teams, give us your opinion on the forums at FootballPub.net. The forum is just starting and still growing but we hope it will prove to be the place to talk football (national teams, club teams, players) over a draft of beer (virtual, of course).