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11 reasons why England lost

Cape Town - First there was Italy then came Uruguay. For English fans this SWC has been a disaster from the outset with many asking WHY?

Relive the match here as told by Sport24's LIVE and interactive match updates.

English fans will be waking up this morning wishing last night's soccer match was a dream.

This is not the case as England now find themselves on the brink of yet another embarrassing exit in a major competition.

There are only two positives if indeed they manage to bow out of the SWC after the group stages:

1. They got as far as Spain did.
2. They didn't lose in a penalty shoot out.

Here are the 11 reasons why England lost:

1. Roy Hodgson

As always it starts the top and Roy Hodgson must take his fair share of the blame for England's woeful performance/s. Now I'm no Jose Mourinho but it was plain to see that England had as much tactical awareness in last night's game as your local under 11 C team. 

They hoofed the ball long and failed to retain pressure. They played Mickey Mouse football and got a Mickey Mouse result.

Read Roy's post match thoughts here.

2. England Squad

No matter what, the non-selection of John Terry was a major issue for this England team. He is a rock at the back and marshalls his defence at Chelsea (and formerly England) with such authority that Gary Cahill and co. would be too frightened to make an error.

Ashley Cole, another stalwart of previous English sides, was left out. Cole knows how to defend against every type of player. His experience would've come in handy last night.

Hodgson took a gamble on Baines. The result? Failure.

3. Wayne Rooney

There is just so much pressure on this bloke and he simply can't handle it.

Should he have taken the free kick early on? With Gerrard and Baines both more than capable? I don't think so.

In a crucial World Cup Soccer encounter you need your best players to stand up.

Failed once. Twice. Three times.

4. Steven Gerrard - the captain of England

The best assist of the game. Well played Steven. Well played.



5. God save the Queen

The English anthem is too short. Not enough time to get the crowd and the players into "Oh my oath the crowd is going wild!!! I'm so psyched we are going to destroy whatever is in front of us" mode.

The English could take notes from the likes of Chile and Colombia.

6. Liverpool

Too many Liverpoodlians in the squad.

They finished the season on empty and many of the players may have been mentally fried for this game.

Glen Johnson can't defend (yes, he is excellent going forward), Sterling is still VERY young and inexperienced and come up short last evening, Stevie G is past his prime (his slip cost Liverpool the title and his failed header cost England this game) and Henderson is a good player. A good player yes but he would not make many of the top side's squads let alone be a starter. 

7. English fans

Why do they think England are good? FIFA rankings have pulled the wool over the English eyes, they are not the 10th best team in the World!

They place these unrealistic expectations on the team. It must be impossible to play under that kind of pressure.

When last did England perform at any event? 1966?

8. Cahill and Jagielka

How many times have these two played against Luis Saurez? And they still have no clue how to defend against him? No clue.

Jagielka was caught out twice - two goals. Bench him Roy, he's begging for it.

Gary Cahill looked as nervous as a young lad going in for his first kiss. He hacked every ball that came in his direction, most of them scuffed which led to corners or throw-ins. John Terry would've had none of that rubbish.

9. Luis Saurez

He is world class. He wanted to beat England so badly, he went out onto that field with a point to prove.

He proved his point. Twice.

Point One.

Point Two.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

10. English press

Imagine trying to do your job knowing that if you make the slightest mistake you will be on the front page and back page of each and every newspaper across your country.

What's worse is you even get bad publicity from newspapers and media outlets across the globe.

Not a great day to wake up and be an international footballer for England.     

Read the press reaction here.

11. Player ratings

Not one England player played well against Uruguay. Not one.

Hart (5), Johnson (5), Cahill (4) Jagielka (3), Baines (5), Henderson (5), Gerrard (4), Welbeck (0), Sterling (4), Sturridge (5), Rooney (4)  




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