There has been a lot of talk about why so many of the big guns have misfired so far in the World Cup. But it’s not down to the Jabulani or the Vuvuzelas – it’s because they haven’t bothered to show up.

The negativity shown by most of the pre-tournament favourites, not just in their style of play but in their attitude and commitment, has been lamentable and if it continues we’re in for a historic tournamnet for all the wrong reasons.

Let’s start with the 1998 winners France. Their captain claimed the vuvuzelas kept their players up all night, and that wouldn’t be surprising. But they have no right to complain about anything because they’re lucky to be in South Africa in the first place.

 

And it was galling to see Thierry Henry appeal for a penalty for a handball against Uruguay in a diabolical Group A encounter.

Next up is Argentina. Unlike France’s headcase of a manager, Argentina’s boss is a lot more likeable and at least they went for it against the Nigerians. But they had a winger who played Championship football last season operating at right-back and defensively the two-time winners looked very suspect.

England kicked off their World Cup in typical fashion, with the kick and rush tactic. That’s what German legend Franz Beckenbauer thought of it at least, and it’s difficult to argue. They certainly didn’t look any better than under Sven Goran Eriksson, although the US did need a helping hand from Robert Green to snatch a draw.

Commentators and pundits were beginning to make excuses for such poor viewing, but then Germany began their campaign. Some lovely flowing football by the Euro 2008 finalists was rounded off with clinical finishing – but it was against a terrible Australian side on the night.

 

And then we were cast into the abyss of mediocrity again. It was anything but total football from workmanlike Holland against a toothless Denmark, while an ageing Italy looked like an ageing Italy – even when they had some of their younger players on the pitch.

Sven came back to haunt the World Cup again when his Ivory Coast side and Portugal tortured us in the group of death, while Brazil just about edged a spirited North Korea.

It’s easy to go overboard if a team starts a campaign sluggishly, or indeed stylishly, but overall it should improve as a spectacle as it progresses towards the latter stages.