The triumph of hope over experience.

Bored with football or disinterested, permission to switch off now.

This is Nottingham's Council House - City Hall to you, suitably attired in patriotic banners.

I am Irish, but shout for England, and was at Wembley in 1966 when England won the World Cup.

I am appalled by all the commentators and armchair pundits who rush into criticising individual players and/or the England Coach for the defeat by Uruguay.
Truth is that there is not a single player in the England team who did not do their best for the side. To pick out individuals and blame them for a defeat is both unfair and unkind.
Some may have made mistakes ...but which amongst the rest of us never made a mistake?
Some may not be truly world class - not their fault, but the best we have available!
Some may be a year or two short of their full potential, but they gave of their best and tried their hardest to win a game in which the referee gave the worst performance of any referee in this competition so far. He failed to apply the laws equally and fairly. He failed to caution and dismiss Uruguayans for serious foul play, and was not even handed in his decision making. That is where the blame rests if there is any blaming to be done. I have just this minute seen another appalling refereeing display by the referee in the Italy v Costa Rica game. Referees should be picked on performance and quality criteria for the world cup and not on the basis of equal shares for competing nations.

Having got all that off my chest...two further comments:

England conceded two goals to a Luis Suarez who is arguably the most talented, intelligent and gifted striker in world football. Without him in their first pool game Uruguay were mediocre. The two goals Suarez scored against England were superb and brilliant.

Secondly, there are too many overseas players in the England Premier League. Some teams are virtually entirely composed of non-English players. The scope for the development of home-grown English talent is thus hopelessly prejudiced. Not surprising that when Roy Hodgson comes to select a squad - the range of talented and experienced international quality players available to choose from is severely limited. Something fundamental needs to change. Compare with the German League where foreign players are as rare as hens' teeth.
The English Premier League is driven by greedy world- stage capitalism and media profiteers. It has lost its way in the capitalist jungle and therefore lets the entire England fan base down at world level.
End of rant!