Last world cup when I was in Her Majesty's Estate (2002?) I said England could win if Wayne stayed healthy. He didn't and we didn't. So my fingers and ankles are firmly crossed for this year. We need him desperately.

I saw on the news that he was given a Police escort to hospital. I wonder how many crimes were committed while the cooperative were busy hobnobbing with celebs. Glad to see the Police budget being spent so wisely.

He's still far too easy to wind up and get red carded.

Rooney should now be ruled out of the world cup. It's only two months away. Remember when they rushed Michael Owen back from injury at the last world cup? Hubby said that Owen wouldn't survive the first game and, surely enough, off Owen limped after only a few minutes. Then Rooney was sent off and we were left with only one proper striker for the next match.

England needs to take a fully fit squad capable of seeing the entire contest through to the end.

The problem is that a fully fit England squad isn't necessarily the same thing as one that seems capable of seeing the competition through to the end. Gerrard's world class, Rooney's world class, Lampard and Terry arguably are world class, then...the rest. And teams lacking a few key world class players don't tend to go all the way, even if (like, say, the USA or South Korea) they're all very fit. So I fear we have no choice but to gamble on the odd one, although I do quite agree that in the past managers have been so neurotic they've taken obvious crocks (e.g Bobby Robson with Bryan Robson and Sven with Beckham and Owen). What bothers me most, this time, is that the composition of England's back four (and goalkeeper) looks very uncertain.

Well,JK, in 2002 Wayne was only 16. Besides, the last World Cup was in 2006 and you were out by then!
From here in Wales, we are outsiders looking in when it comes to analysing the England World Cup hype.
England (and Man Utd for that matter) rely far too heavily on Rooney, and have had a tendency to rely on one player too much over the years (Becks in 2002, for example).
Yes, England have a chance if Rooney stays fit, but their defence and goalkeeper are far from the best in the world.

Must have been Euro 2004!

Those who claim a player to be world class often judge on league performance and then are surprised when the player does not show the same quality at international level. It's possible for someone to be below average at club level but shine gloriously on the world stage (and vice versa).

England does need a manager who will look beyond the usual clubs and select players on individual form and ability regardless of club or league standing. Yes this does take time and effort, but that's what he and his scouts are paid for.

Sounds like Rooney will be fit for the World Cup, but I think that Defoe is a better striker at that level. I'd also give Kevin Davies and Bobby Zamora a chance in a friendly before the big event.

We do seem to struggle to find defenders and goalkeepers, but there are plenty of English players in these positions outside of the Premiership who should probably be watched by Capello and co. The Premiership has limited choice due to the increasing number of foreign mercenaries clogging up the ranks.

I can think of a few great players who have under-performed at international level for various reasons (usually being played out of position or not being given their head) - John Barnes is one - but I can't think of someone who has seemed below average at club level but shone 'gloriously' on the world stage.

Prunella Minge wrote:
I can think of a few great players who have under-performed at international level for various reasons (usually being played out of position or not being given their head) - John Barnes is one - but I can't think of someone who has seemed below average at club level but shone 'gloriously' on the world stage.


I did say it was possible, not that it had happened, although there are some limited examples. Someone mentioned Darren Huckerby recently. I recall him being selected only once for the England B team and scoring a hat trick even though he was being shunted from club to club and not fully recognised as being a major talent in league football. The there was Jon Dahl Tomasson who failed miserably when playing league football in England but was a huge talent for Denmark. Okay he wasn't English and wasn't used to our game, but it does sort of demonstrate the point. However, most of those who don't shine in league football are never given the chance to shine in international football. We generally waste our friendlies by playing the same faces and learning nothing new.

My main point is that we don't look deep enough into our own range of players where someone might be found who, in a different system or setting, might provide England with a key edge edge.

I wouldn't mind seeing the odd 'B' international to let the kind of players you suggest have a chance. Then again, if my memory isn't playing tricks, Le Tissier did really well in those and was still shunned by supposed 'flair-friendly' managers. I know he was a lazy so-and-so with a backside wider than the wing of a fold-out dining table, but we always seem to let such maverick talents fade away.

Now the half-human, half-rodent, John 'JT' Terry is rumoured to be out with a fractured metatarsal. It's those carpet slippers they wear these days instead of boots. No protection at all. Oh well, step up Carragher.