Expectations in football are seldom managed well and rapidly swing from one extreme to another.

The giddiness of hope can cause expectations to soar wildly before a ball has even been kicked, while a single mediocre performance can plunge supporters into despair, as they anticipate disappointment and heartache.

At International level, that gets amplified by an incredible amount – not least as more casual fans come out and get carried away with the belief that Andy Carroll is indeed the man to strike fear into the hearts of Europe’s top defenders.

Euro 2012 is slightly odd however – England’s chances are being played down. That is not something I have ever seen in my 20 odd years or so of following football. But weirdly, the very fact the England team are not expected to do well is seeing expectations rise. It’s as if thinking the team is poor actually makes them brilliant, in a kind of bizarre reverse psychology.

That said, it would be foolish to write England off completely before the tournament has even started. In the form of Greece in 2004 and Denmark 1992, the European Championships has shown us that with a bit of momentum, anything can happen.

Injuries are causing a massive problem for Roy Hodgson, but I think with the players at his disposable, he is a better choice than Redknapp and his previous successes have come from teams you would otherwise think ordinary.

However, France seem to have recovered after the debacle of 2010, whereas Sweden at least seem the equals of England. Ukraine are a bit of a wild card – unfancied, but as hosts you never know. Who can forget Korea in 2002? If England make it out of the group, I fancy it to be on a skin-of-the-teeth basis, especially with talisman Rooney unavailable until the final group game against Ukraine. A likely meeting with Spain however would suggest the adventure would end there.

Despite the earlier quip, Carroll and Young will need to be at their best to see England in a position to progress when Rooney returns. The Liverpool man could provide so much – if he can recapture the form from Newcastle whilst Young will need the midfield to provide the ball quickly to his feet for maximum effect. Man United can do it, but the England midfield doesn’t look quite as accomplished.

Meanwhile, in group C, the Irish are even more unfancied than the English. Over 45,000 are expected to flock to Poznan – yours truly included. Mercurial talent is at a premium in Trapattoni’s squad but the work rate is phenomenal. A sequence of 14 games undefeated is something to be very proud of, but Spain et al present a very different test.

You would have to imagine Ireland will lose to Spain in Gdansk – most teams would. But against Croatia and Italy, things are a lot more open. Getting out of the group may prove slightly beyond us but the Greece and Denmark analogy surely applies more to Ireland than England. The Italians look ripe for the taking – they are in disarray with injuries and the match fixing scandal and in three games, Trapattoni’s Ireland have yet to lose to the Azzuri. However, they were written off in Germany in 2006 and ended up being champions.

Croatia are technically superior to the Republic, but the rigid 4-4-2 system employed by Trapattoni has only faltered once – against Russia in Dublin.

Ireland’s chances rest with hitting teams on the break after being able to soak up huge amounts of pressure. Duff and McGeady need to break fast and get the ball forward to the likes of Keane, Doyle and Long to get on the end of. In fact, it’s not a dissimilar approach to the one used by Gordon Strachan during his time at St. Mary’s. The inclusion of James McClean could be the trump card – he’s had a great few months at Sunderland and few in Europe will know much about him.

What price Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan being Euro 2012 winners, I wonder? (80-1, if you’re interested).

Trap’s travelling army keep saying that after 10 years away from the top table we’re just glad to be back. Inwardly though, you can guarantee we’re all dreaming of getting to the knock-outs, at which point anything could happen. Hopefully it’s not completely based in fantasy.

The tournament as a whole though would seem to belong to Germany, Spain or Holland. Three titles in a row may be a bit much for the Spanish, not least because of the domestic season they have had. They certainly have the most talented squad but going all the way might just be a bit too far for tired legs.

The young Germans thrilled in South Africa and are probably the popular choice to win with many tipping them. With many of their squad plying their trade at Bayern Munich, they will be eager to win something this season, having missed out in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie’s form over the year means the Dutch have to be fancied. Don’t be surprised to see them exact revenge for the World Cup loss two years ago.

So, if I have to make a prediction, I’m going for Germany to win it, a rejuvenated Fernando Torres to be top scorer.

Now I’ve done that, whatever you do, don’t put money on either of those suggestions. Trust me.