Dita's Slot Meter wrote:
Its simple, they aren't Spain....We had all got ourselves prepared for being runners-up in our group and having to face the 'unbeatable' Spain, not expecting the French to muck up versus the Swedes, so to suddenly be up against a seemingly inferior (to Spain) side like Italy, has given everybody a realisation that this hotch-potch of a team, that Hodgson has squeezed 3 decent results from, might suddenly be just 1 game from a major final.
I don't think Italy are being dismissed by anybody, but I think its more that the arrogant, nauseating bullishness, that the English media is famous for, has reappeared and now a side that originally had no pressure on it, will now have the huge weight of expectation plonked right on its shoulders by all and sundry.
Personally, I'm happy enough with the results - Hodgson has obviously realised we are pretty dire, and has adjusted accordingly - but its apparent that a decent side should be able to pick them apart. Our passing is rotten, our ball retainment is no better. Only the spirit of the players gives England fans any hope, but you have to feel that a Germany, Spain, or even an Italy, should have enough about them to see off England.
This.
Everyone was prepared to face the 'unbeatable' spain and most likely go out in the quarters. But now, all of a sudden they are playing a 'beatable' team and people are thinking ''hey, wait a second, we have a decent chance of getting to the semi's here''.
It's not that people are dismissing italy, it's just rightly or wrongly they feel we have a better chance against the azzuri than the spaniards.
England have been ugly. Real ugly. It's not pretty to watch.
But consider this: Holland have played better football than us. They've attacked more, created more chances, they arguable have better flair players going forward. They are going home now with nil points. England go through to the quarters top of the gruop.
Results > performances.
