When we spoke to the Ligue 1 Show's Matt Spiro on Team 33 before the World Cup, he noted some optimism within the French camp.

And despite losing an out-of-form Franck Ribery in the interim, France have started the 2014 World Cup like a house on fire, thrashing Honduras and Switzerland.

On Episode 11, we spoke to European football writer Ben Lyttleton who told us why Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri's absence has become a positive for the team and how the perception of the team has changed amongst the French public.

Lyttleton also spoke about the balance which Didier Deschamps has found on the pitch in terms of tactics and personnel; and off the pitch in terms of improved behaviour and positive personalities prized over raw talent.

He also explained how the manager has developed the team from the Laurent Blanc-era possession style to becoming one of the best counter-attacking sides in international football and why he would fancy them if they face Germany in their potential quarter-final tie. But he also had one caveat.

Listen to the full interview below via the player or subscribe to Team 33 for free via iTunes. 

On the latest Episode, Richie McCormack makes his Team 33 debut, plus we also talk to Sasa Ibrulj about where Bosnia went wrong and also review the latest performances of the pundits.