Though it's pretty much a national pastime here in Scotland to root against the English national side, I think the future of the team is looking more promising just now than it has for a while. I also appreciate the lack of pressure being put upon the team this year by the media, as the way that the English media hypes up the national team never seemed to be all that productive to me. Still, they're in a pretty major transitional phase right now, and they certainly need more time, so I agree that this probably won't be their year.
That being said, I think they might just sneak out of their group. Both Italy and Uruguay are really strong sides with some absolutely world class players, but I don't feel that the gulf in quality between them and England is quite as big as it is with, say, Spain or Germany. I would bet on a Spain or a Germany trumping England every time, but Italy and Uruguay are both sides that I think England could take points off with a good performance and a bit of luck. I wouldn't put any money on it, granted, and I still think that Italy and Uruguay will be the two to go through. But I wouldn't bet against England sneaking through either. And if they can... who knows? Japan's group isn't exactly the strongest, so their tie in the next round will be a team that they'll probably fancy their chances against. And they could wind up making it to the quarter finals, which would be a pretty decent showing given the current issues with English international football.
Will still be playing my bitter Scot card and rooting against them, but y'know~
