'Depressing' England, 'lucky' Italy

With the first round of World Cup games over, Patrick Cooke hit the streets of Valletta to ask fans of local favourites England and Italy if they still believe their teams have a chance of turning their World Cup-winning dreams into reality.

David Wallbank, 58, Sliema, England fan
I'm supporting England for my sins. Both Manchester United and England give me stomach ulcers. The Algeria game was depressing. The players need more freedom to roam rather than having fixed positions. Wayne Rooney needs to play as a lone striker with back-up. The problem is the coach: he is trying to please too many people but isn't pleasing anybody. If England get through the group they still won't win the cup. Italy didn't really impress me in their opening game or their warm-up matches. But they always have a knack of going far in these competitions; how they do it is another matter.

Stephen Carabott, 38, Marsaxlokk, Italy fan
In the first game Italy were not great, but not too bad either. It was a difficult game, so a draw isn't a disaster. They will beat New Zealand, but I don't feel Italy will win the World Cup. England have been terrible so far. I watched the Algeria game and let's just say the England fans didn't like me. They have absolutely no chance of winning it.

Shawn Bonaci, 26, Valletta, England fan
England have been hopeless so far. The players have not been taking up good positions, they're useless. I hope they qualify but it will be very difficult. I would play Joe Cole instead of Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe instead of Emile Heskey to try to change things on the pitch. The Italians were nothing special in their first game. They have a good defence and midfield, but up front they don't have anybody to score. They'll be in the last eight for sure. They play for their shirt, unlike England, it's as if the England players don't care.

Daniel Carabott, 27, Paola, England fan
England have not been performing well. Individual players play much better in the Premier League than they do for the national team, maybe because they get paid by their clubs. They have to improve if they want to go any further. But they have an Italian coach and the Italians always get through the group without playing well and then go on to win the cup, so maybe England can do the same.

Elvis Horace, 50, Valletta, England fan
It was not a good game for England against Algeria; I think England will be going home next week. I'm not happy about that, but that's football. For me, it's not good for England to have an Italian coach - it's wrong. England have been playing badly for some time. The Italians are lucky, and they will probably win the competition. They always start slowly but they end up as the best.

Anthony Buhagiar, 25, St Venera, Italy fan
Italy were quite good in the first game. The tactics were OK but the strikers are performing badly, and there is too much space between midfield and attack. I would play Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Di Natale from the start. I'm confident Italy can get through to the last four. I'm not concerned about the age of the squad; they have lots of experience. Besides, they're not too old, only Fabio Cannavaro is really a veteran. Many of the other teams have young squads which makes the Italy squad seem older than they are. They will beat New Zealand, probably 2-1.

Jason Cini, 35, Marsascala, Australia and England fan
If Australia get knocked out I'll support England, but I don't think they have a chance of winning. The only player that had a decent game against Algeria was Emile Heskey. They're playing as individuals rather than as a team. I'm not a fan of Italy because I don't like Italian football - they tend to play around with the ball rather than attack. But I can definitely see them going through to the latter stages.

Jojo Spiteri, 58, St Julian's, Italy fan
Italy started at a very slow pace but I think they will manage to get through the group. I'm confident they will beat New Zealand - they have to. They have good substitutes. Losing Gianluigi Buffon could be a problem but I think his replacement will do well. I doubt Italy will win. I watched England on Friday and I'm very sorry they didn't play well. England are going to struggle now, they have to win their last group game. Even if they get through I don't think England can win the competition.