1) England have never failed to qualify from the group stages of every World Cup in which they have featured.
2) In 2010 Spain went on to win the World Cup in South Africa despite losing their opener to Switzerland.
3) Uruguay, the highest ranked team in the group just got their arses handed to them on a silver platter by a Costa Rica side who are there for the beating.
Now I'm not saying that England are destined to win the competition for losing their opener, or maybe I am, but an opening defeat is by no means a disaster.
I think we can all agree that there were some extremely encouraging signs in the form of a bandy legged, mohicaned starlet named Raheem Sterling (who incidentally grew up down my road) and behind only Pirlo the best player on the pitch by a country mile.
This was a far more evenly contested match than their last competitive meeting in the quarter finals of the Euros in 2012, where the match went the full 120 minutes. Deadlock was decided by penalties and Pirlo's Panenka, despite the best and slightly deranged efforts of shampoo model and part-time footballer Joe Hart.
In that game Italy dominated both possession and chances created but couldn't find a winner. By contrast this was a match in which for spells England were the dominant force, peppering the Italian goal and keeping the Italians penned into their own half.
Ultimately however the Italians proved to be just a touch stronger, victorious through a combination of dazzling midfield control and experience to be composed when in possession higher up the field. They picked their moments well, Marchisio's finely placed long-rage effort found the bottom corner whilst Balotelli did his job well and converted the one clear opportunity he had, small differences which hopefully England will improve upon. The key phrase here is 'small differences' not gaping chasms of disparity between a great Italian side and a ponderous lackluster England outfit.
Right now on to how sh*t Rooney is....just kidding, sort of. Undoubtedly a talented man I just want to validate the following paragraph by saying that I consider Rooney to be a top player but not an England winger. As Hoddle said on yesterday's BBC show play him in his preferred position or don't play him at all.
Yes Rooney's perfectly weighted cross assisted Sturridge for England's equaliser but his lack of defensive experience proved to be England's undoing as both of Italy's goals started with a marauding Darmian and Candreva down Italy's right flank. Baines was left high and dry without any semblance of defensive cover and was overwhelmed and outdone by overlapping full-back play to which England had no answer.
Many will argue that Rooney has to play but why not play him in place of Wellbeck and put Milner on the left, a man who is as good going forward (Manchester City vs Bayern Munich) as he is defending. It may dampen our forward speed a touch but could be the difference between qualification and going home early, particularly with Costa Rica's Joel Campbell in scintillating form and Suarez due to return for Uruguay, two players who enjoy pulling wide and finding space between the centre backs and full backs. Baines needs to be able to concentrate of doing his job and Milner will give him confidence to do so.
Some encouraging signs then based on Costa Rica's demolition of Uruguay. England's comparative strength at set plays versus Uruguay's obvious lack of height and confidence at defending crosses should prove to work in our favour.
Similarly the obvious problems Uruguay had when defending Joel Campbell should prove an indicator of how well they will fare against our versions in Sterling, Sturridge, Wellbeck and co. the message being more of the same please, with some added defensive nous and a deeper lying Steven Gerrard to provide an extra bit of solidity when defending. Alternatively we could kidnap Pirlo and force him at gunpoint to repatriate as an Englishman (the process involves shaving off the beard and starting a highly publicised affair with an aged prostitute) which should hold us in better stead for the remainder of the competition.
Uruguay next, Suarez, Godin and Perralta tasty wild-eyed lunatics with a history of doing well on the world stage but nothing the lovely reds can't handle. Both teams out for points to stay in the competition, two losses for either will most likely spell an early exit. For the first time in a long time I am genuinely excited by watching England play so thanks Raheem Sterling, even if you did try and mug me in year 10.
See you on Thursday!
In the meantime for more world cup content follow @thelovelyreds on twitter for more in match analysis and commentary
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