England are out of the World Cup. So what? Their football was mediocre and they were beaten by a better side with only ten men. Why the whingeing?

Grown men crying over a football game is pathetic. The mass hysteria surrounding this team has been out of all proportion to their talent, proven by their defeat.

Now Sven-Goran Eriksson is wittering on about them being "extremely tired" and wanting future players to work fewer hours, yet the salaries they receive for kicking a ball about are ridiculous and undeserved.

If any of these overrated prima donnas did a real day's work, they would have to be removed on a stretcher. Strange that this fatigue was not mentioned until they lost, is it not? What has happened to British sportsmanship?

Stop crying in your beer, England, accept defeat gracefully, with a smile for a change. Let's hope Tim Henman will succeed where England failed - though I would not bet on it.

-Beryl Fleming, Findon Valley