Of course there is something about being at Headingley in 1981 during your formative cricketing years that makes you believe that England can beat the Aussies, no matter how dire the circumstances. But this time the circumstances aren't as dire as they were then.
This England team is as good as the 1981 side - although no-one, not even Freddie, is as spectacular as Beefy, and Brearley was a captain without peer (but a liability with the bat).
We should also admit, however, that England aren't as good as they were in 2005. Neither are Australia. Which becomes my first reason why we can win the Ashes back
1. Australia are nowhere near as good as they were in 2005 (and we won then!). Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer are all gone. So too though is Gillespie.
2. If Freddie and KP can turn their rivalry into a positive then England will benefit. ie if they try to outdo each other's heroics on the pitch then they could put in some truly stellar performances
3. Bopara could be the batsman who finally makes the number 3 slot his own. (A fascinating feature in the Wisden Cricketer recently showed just how poor England's performers have historically been at first wicket down). Just so long as we don't get Belly back in the XI
4. Strauss and Cook are not the most dynamic opening pair, but they are serious, committed, and capable of blunting the Australian bowling attack
5. Their bowling attack is severely diminished while ours is growing. Anderson, Broad, Swann are getting better all the time. If Freddie stays fit and Monty comes to the party, we could exploit their less experienced batting line up.
Looking at this list it all seems a bit hopeful and speculative.
But we can win. It doesn't mean we will. But lets enjoy the ride. And hope we can see Ponting lose it again.