Today sees England face what should be the easiest of their World Cup qualifying games – against Andorra.

Andorra finished the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign without a single point and a goal difference of -40. In fact, David Rodrigo’s side have won only one game in their history and that was four years ago against Macedonia. They’ve already lost 3-0 to Kazakhstan in their opening game this time around, and whilst players like Lampard prepare for the game by shopping for industrial strength earplugs, the biggest thing his counterparts have to worry about is whether they’ve washed their brushes out properly.

You see, whilst our ‘stars’ are banking ridiculous amounts of money every week, their opponents, like 32 year old painter and decorator Manolo Jiminez, play for the love of it – and earn their money like the average man in the street. So, the pressure’s all on England to do a bit more damage to Andorra’s goal difference, whilst the opposition will no doubt truly enjoy playing for pride.

England Captain, John Terry, has certainly talked the talk before this one, although his suggestion that England will take the points even if the goal margin isn’t that great, won’t please the fans much. However, the Chelsea and England defender urges the fans to get behind England, stating “As players we understand and take the responsibility of the last two years of disappointments. We understand the fans’ frustration.  After 20 minutes last time the fans did not get their goal and they went against us. Stick with us, it’s a new campaign, it’s a fresh start and we go again. We can’t dwell on the past. We have to move forward and move forward together. We need the fans’ support, we realise they pay an awful lot of money for their tickets and travel - and it’s about time we put on a performance and got the results for the fans and the whole nation.”

Well he got that bit right!

Filed under: International, Rants