Haven't really read the thread as of late but I assume everyone is kicking off saying how s*** we were / are?
I for one think we haven't really let ourselves down that much. Most realists had England down to struggle to get out of the group due to conditions and quality of the opponents anyways. We've given a few youngsters a chance and maybe could have operated with different players, or players in different positions but the top and bottom of it is that our players like Gerrard and Rooney aren't in the same bracket as Pirlo and Suarez. The Costa Rica game is a good opportunity for the youngsters to really step it up and play with freedom. That freedom will be limited though because the media are desperate for us to lose so they can sell more papers.
The media are as much the problem for England as anything. They build it up so we all buy the papers and once the team is back to it's high heights, with lots of support they (the team) come up short and the papers make millions as we all buy the s**** about how they were dreadful and had no heart.
Got to stick with what we have for me, and Gerrard and the likes should retire. Let the youngsters learn of the likes off him at club level and make their own destiny for England. After all, we have won f*** all since '66...
Roy Hodgson is a top bloke and dignified leader for me. Stick with him.