ARGENTINA'S players are hardly likely to be quaking in their boots as they prepare for the clash with England tomorrow.

After months of anticipation, I cannot believe how badly Sven Goran's men performed against Sweden.

Let's face it, we were very lucky to come away with a 1-1 draw against a distinctly average Swedish side. Fortunately it was David Seaman to the rescue.

The game was there for the taking after Sol Campbell's header but rather than go for the kill, the players resorted to thumping the ball forward aimlessly.

Surely Sven has more up his sleeve than this? Maybe it was a cunning ploy to lower expectations?

It worked!

But it is not the first time we have flattered to deceive on the world stage and I don't suppose it will be the last.

The simple fact is that we are not one of the world's best sides, yet as a nation we seem to think we have a divine right to be successful.

However, before we start reaching for the razor blades, I remember the 1986 World Cup when a 1-0 defeat by Portugal and a 0-0 draw with Morocco left the nation in a state of despair.

A Gary Lineker hat trick duly followed against Portugal and a 3-0 thumping of Paraguay set up a quarter final with, you've guessed it, Argentina. A hand of God-assisted defeat that day, defeat again in 1998. Surely it has to be third time lucky?

Sadly, luck never seems to be on our side but I think a draw is not beyond us if we give it our all and attempt to string a pass together.

Prediction: England 0, Argentina 0.