The sort of laid-back displays displayed by England and others are explained by the nature of the competition. When it is a case of win or be eliminatated, any team that is not totally committed for the whole of the time it takes to get through - will be presented with a big problem.

But when star players have waited for over 4 years to play in the final knock-out stages - it is perhaps understandable that they play within themselves in the league table stages. And play with a view to do enough to qualify but not risk being injured. When it is sudden death - it is time for the star players in the fancied teams to show the sort of do or die spirit that has been shown by some of the less fancied teams.

As has been shown by poor Michael Owen's injury - it does not take much to totally ruin all of a fine player's World Cup dreams.