Why Cynicism Is The Wrong Message To Send Out To The England Squad

The favourites for next year's World Cup are undoubtedly the hosts of the tournament, Brazil, and with good reason.

They possess, as always, a very talented squad and their triumph at this year's Confederations Cup reaffirmed this fact. Neymar, too, is emerging as one of the world's finest footballing talents so their position as favourites is justified, it would be fair for me to say.

Looking beyond the Brazilians we have the current holders Spain, who were humbled in the Confederations Cup final by Brazil, the Italians and the Germans looking like the strongest contenders to upsetting Brazil's hopes of winning their sixth World Cup.

But what about jolly ol' England? What of dear Blighty? What chances do they have in Brazil next year? Any at all? Of course! This is a football tournament and absolutely anything is possible. The whole of the Brazil squad could eat some dodgy kebabs the night before the tournament meaning they have to recall the old Ronaldo who now can only be moved with the assistance of a forklift. A little far-fetched perhaps, but possible all the same.

My glass is always half-full, though, so I think England stand as good a chance as anybody going into next year's tournament. The Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, however, doesn't feel the same. I consider this to be ironic because Dyke, the chairman of the FA for goodness sake, is the one man who I would be expecting to really bigging up England's chances, as it were.

No, Dyke's attitude is much different. In fact, as he believes that 'realistically' England have no chance whatsoever of winning the tournament next year and the better target is the 2022 'Suffocating Heat' Cup in Qatar.

Well, Roy Hodgson might as well not take a team on the plane to Brazil. What's the point if there is no chance of winning? It is a truly moronic thing for Dyke to say. Yes, England may not have the best squad in international football but sometimes it isn't the best squad that wins the major tournaments. Dyke's cynical comment is completely the wrong message to send out to the fans and the team.

Some may call him realistic but for head of the FA to say such a thing is foolish.

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