Three Lions on a shirt...

It has become a common view, perhaps in my mind that we're third to fifth favourites to wn the World Cup but it has occurred to me how much due to the skyification (I'm looking at you Mr Redknapp) how much we underrate the 96 team we had, any team that can rightly overlook Chris Waddle, David Hirst and Des Walker (declared interest I'm a Wednesdayite) is a great side. Many people bum Venables but look what he had to pick from? Chris Sutton? Not a look in, Dalian Atkinson? Go Fuck yourself, Julian Joachim? Great pace but don't make me laugh. Great fringe players at the time: Lee Dixon (better than G Johnson) Keown, Pallister, Bruce, Lee sharpe, Trevor Sinclair, Winterburn Campbell Ince Scholes G Hyde Barmby, Anderton, Parlour, Collymore, Fowler, Cole, Beardsley, Darren Eadie, Jeremy Goss, Andy sinton, Ruel Fox, Steve Bould, Ian Wright, Steve Clarke, David Howells could barely get in the Euro 96 side. Before we say we're up here, please bear in mind the quality that has failed to even fail on behalf of England. If we do win let's not salute the hero's without acknowledging the Gods of a poorer realm that came before.