Waiting for action: Wayne Rooney will miss out on England's first two games

Once again, we are all  hoping it might come better. If England feel insulted by the negativity, maybe it will create a siege mentality reminiscent of Bobby Robson’s squad during their run to the semi-finals at Italia 90? But back then they could rely on quality too, with Gary Lineker scoring goals and Paul Gascoigne providing the spark.

 And England’s best European Championship showing was when Terry Venables got the media and the public onside at Euro 96.

That was on home soil with Alan Shearer leading the line and Gazza still offering the odd flash of  unpredictable genius.

 So forget counter intuitive  psychology, or the media or  ‘pressure’. It’s about good players performing when the occasion demands.

 And, besides a good goalkeeper and an able left back, there’s little of that class on offer in Hodgson’s squad without Rooney.

 England should still get through their group. They have enough to squeeze past Sweden and Ukraine and they will be tidy and organised. This is probably the best that can be said about them — and maybe we should accept that is how it will be.

 This could help. A study in America showed that the majority of people reading a book found it more pleasurable if they knew the ending in advance.

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