To add a bit more gloom to the pile. I agree with everything you said except the defence in my eyes is potentially a weak spot. Neither Terry or Ferdinand are the players they were last season, Terry less so but Rio is a real worry right now.

Glen Johnson is yet to prove he is a good defender rather than a good wing back. Ashley Cole is quality but no real back up to him.

I hope in the second half of the season I am proved wrong with Rio and Terry being dominant again

I feel sorry for England right now. So much talent, so much gone wrong with the team.

I think right now England's skipper needs to step down for a bit. Terry's a great player, but his personal life's in a bit too much hot water, and with Wayne Bridge attacking him now, I would say take his armband at least. England is still deep enough to compete. Plan for an immediate future with no John Terry or Wayne Bridge once the floor drops.

Now then.... The captaincy....

England's got more than enough captains on the club level, surely somebody can handle that responsibility. Becks can, Giggs can, Rio won't get a sniff with his recent stuff, but there's plenty of others.

Right now just root out the people that can be a burden and then you will have as close to a match ready side as possible.

It really is absurd how stacked the midfield is and then how light the attacking third is. The options in midfield are endless really. I'm not sure a 4 5 1 is a good idea though. Sticking Rooney up front on his own, while he is plenty capable of scoring in such a situation seems to me not using his abilities to their fullest. Unless it is more like a 4 5 1 / 4 3 3 with ashley young and wright phillips playing high and wide. Joe Cole needs to be at the World Cup if he hasn't already been selected. He is just a fantastic player all around and I think starting with him on the wing and then subbing him out for someone like ashley young or wright phillips would work well.

England will do well. I have no idea if they'll win but they seem like they certainly have a chance

Wow that's actually a really good read and its true i'd love to see england do well in SA but unfortunatley I agree with you and think that they will not do so well, but hey shoot me if I'm wrong

WE NEED beckham ! Seriously, if he is there, he can deliver great accurate crosses and his he has sharp eyes to catch players far away and long crosses can atleast create chances to get forward. And thers always a hope of a free kick being scored. Remember world cup 2006 England vs Ecuador, beckham scored a free kick

I think England wanna some men not a yet Whiny girls

They should put rooney and gerard up front. England got great players. You just have to know where to put them on the right position on the field

Hilarious blog.... But true anyways. You should think about getting a job with BBC Sport. Phil McNulty has nothing on you

Now you can add another item to the list: can you say "John Terry sex scandal"?

Great Post Cheers

I think England should worry about the U/S, they will be extremely fit and prepared. Then it loks easy till the quarter finals

England have a slightly easier route to at least the quarterfinals. I wouldn't be surprised if they do make to the semi's. Barring that that win their group, they'll play the second place of group D would could be Ghana or Germany imo. These two teams I think they can beat with the quality they have. But as for winning I don't think so. If they go up against Spain or a strong south american side, they might lose. But I think it's up to Capello to figure out his final and best formation and squad to bring with him

You gotta' hav faith in your football team, yes we haven't got any great goalkeepers, but most, if not all of our team; is world class. Jermaine Defoe could be regarded as WC

Not many defenses would be able to handle a Rooney-Defoe combo. Too quick! And both of these guys win a lot in the air despite their lack of Crouchness

Has anyone considered using Manuel Almunia as the solution to England's keeper problem? I mean technically he is an English citizen and has expressed his desire to play for England internationally so why not use him. I understand he's not the best keeper around, but I'd say he's still just as good if not better than the current English keeper roster

Great thinking. In my books, England has one of the best teams on paper, but as shown in the past, fail to perform in the big stage.
The goalkeeper problem has been a nagging issue for the past few years, but finally there is a silver lining in the form of Hart. Agreed he's young et al, but lets face it is there any better keeper?
The Best 4 midfield in my opinion is Lennon, Gerrard, Lampard, and Beckham. Lennon because of his form in the qualifying stages as well as for Tottenham this season, Gerrard unanimous choice. Lamps cause of his recent form and Beckham because, as weird as it may sound, I have a hunch he'l have an awesome world cup.
Striker i'd say Rooney, DUH, and Defoe/Agbonlahor. Walcott can make a good striker as well, and why not Owen, after all no player gets into positions like he does.
Lets see what happens