there is a terror in the deep. It's black and it's liquid. It's like it's alive. Even the smallest splinters from the Paraguayan bombardment can give it an opening...

Where's it come from?

It's an ancient terror, but it surfaces mostly in Wapping and Fleet Street. Of course, recently there've been sightings in the vicinity of the right side of yicky yacky's brain.

What can we do?

Don't worry lad, much more from him and we'll lock him in the brig and pipe in Ant and Dec's "On The Ball" until he signs the confession.

But sir, the crew of the Mindless Optimism needs more than that, we need some words of optimism! After all, we're still waiting for a decent world cup song...

Throw on Three Lions again and maybe play that bit from "Sven, Sven, Sven," you know, that bit... "Gerrard's nutmegged Hamann, we're toying with them, we're showboating with Germany" and I'll prepare some thoughts to post...

<<camera cuts to a wastebasket full of crumpled papers and a pen crossing out the latest attempt...>>

Stout hearted English of the Good Ship Mindless Optimism. I know the fear is upon you. We have three points, but the barrage of negativity has been strong.

I won't lie to you, our first performance wasn't everything we wanted. But you know we are better than that. Every team has an off day and I'm confident we can come back stronger.

This game is Trinidad and Tobago. Sweden were put off by the sheer helter-skelter of their game. The energy, the drive, the running, the thud and blunder. In short, Sweden ran into an FA Cup match and they didn't like it. This is not a style of play we need to fear.

Now, I can hear some rumbling that the next game isn't the problem, it's going all the way. So here's three reasons to be optimistic:

1. Defence: We still have some of the best defenders in the game. That's always part of winning a World Cup.
2. Midfield: Joe Cole is looking better and better. We've found a creative force. We have a dead ball specialist as good as any in the world in Beckham. Gerrard's back was hurting in the last match, he'll be better in this match and that will help the partnership with Lampard too.
3. Attack: Owen will be sharper this time. He'll have been working hard all week and the results will show. He's conscientious that way. Crouch will have got the hang of the refereeing and will have a much better time of it. No more letting the pressure for the opposition due to free kicks for climbing.

And of course, lurking in the deep, is an armoured battle station...