In a typically English hysterical over reaction, the press have decided that, following the one nil victory over Paraguay that our World Cup chances are up in smoke. I’ll just say that again - our one nil victory. From the reaction of the super pundits you would have thought the South Americans had given us a sound beating.

For some strange reason, England always traditionally start the big tournaments in less than spectacular fashion. Four years ago in Japorea, an early Sol Campbell header gave us a great start before we wilted in the heat allowing opponents Sweden to get a deserved equaliser.

It was a very similar scenario that unfolded at the weekend; England opened all guns blazing and a solitary own goal from Beckham’s free kick was scant reward for this spell. However like many games under Eriksson, England found it incapable to step it up in the second half and with Paraguay offering no consistent attacking threat the game petered out into a tame snooze fest, easily the poorest match of the tournament so far.

Eriksson and his players are right to apportion some of the blame to the stifling Frankfurt heat. Trust me, I (tried) to play a game of five a side on Tuesday in the blazing tea time temperatures of… er the West Road and came off the pitch exhausted.

However, others are quick to point out the Swede’s baffling substitutions and tactics. Owen withdrawn after under an hour, clearly unfit, was understandable but with Rooney still not fit, there was an alarming lack of options on the bench - nb - if Walcott isn’t considered ready to step into such games, then why is he there?

Downing came on to fill the left hand side with Joe Cole alongside Crouch- it was a switch that did no real favours to any of the three. The Svengali then chose to play his favourite trump card - the never convincing Owen Hargreaves who had no real impact either.

Yes, a stronger set of opposition would have beaten England, yes, Sven’s tactics continue to puzzle and yes the current England team continue to be incapable of playing well in second halves.

However, we are lucky in that the group isn’t the strongest with Sweden looking poor in the tea time battle against the journey men of Trinidad and Tobago. Six points and a clean sweep should be a realistic aim and with none of the group A teams looking anything flash, a run to the ¼ finals should be the bare minimum for Sven’s men.

How we fare against the real quality in the competition remains to be seen.