TIME TO CONDEMN '66 TO THE BIN

Gone are the days when football was a nine month 'fixed' term season. The game has become a twelve month rolling event. The domestic season is extended until late May for those involved in the play-offs. For those involved in the Champions League Final, also find their season prolonged. Next seasons fixtures are out on June 17th and are awaited with bated breath. Internationals also continue to extend the season for those players involved at this level. And of course this year is World Cup year so we have another five weeks of football -hopefully-with our interest remaing until the final in Johannesburg on July 11th. Then it's pre-season tours and friendlies and before we know it's August 14th 2010 and the start of the Premier League season.

For now the focal point is firmly on South Africa and with a week to go it's all eyes on Englands quest to bring home the coveted Jules Rimet trophy. Capello has culled his 30 strong training squad to the 23 permitted players and that in itself has created debate. England skipper, Rio Ferdinand is now on his way home after a training incident and will miss the tournament. Bad news for the United player but good news for Tottenham's Dawson, who has been called up to replace Rio. But what about the 23 selected and seven sent home? No major shocks except the exclusion of Theo Walcott. Was he unlucky not to be selected? Probably not given the season he's had. But with Capello backing up his decision to omit the Arsenal man on the basis that he 'hasn't been himself since his shoulder injury', then that surely throws question marks over his choice of other players. Carragher made the decision to put his England career on the back burner, then only weeks before the training squad is announced, out he pops from the wilderness to declare his wish to play for England again. Maybe he was answering a call from Capello but if i'd sweated my proverbials off for the past two seasons to make the final selection i'd be gutted to see a rival player included this way. Players who have had disappointing seasons, the likes of Glen Johnson, SWP, Carrick, Ferdinand and Heskey have found themselves included in the squad where as Bent, Parker, Adam Johnson, Dawson(initially) found themselves missing the plane. Good luck to Barry, Hart and SWP on their selection and here's hoping they get the opportunity to display their talents to those watching this global event.

Capello is his own man. He hasn't given in to any media clamour to have this or that player in the squad. The Italian knows his own mind. He's gone for the players he knows best. Those he has seen first hand and knows what they are capable of producing. Only time will tell whether the squad or team selected was the right one. Capello, like his players will ultimately be judged on how they perform and how they progress in the World Cup.

Can England win the World Cup? My heart says YES, but the head says NO!

Glen Johnson's defensive capabilities are at best questionable. Looks ok going forward but caught out too easily when defending. Ledley King is quality - strong at the back both on the ground and in the air - but has had numerous problems with injury. With Ferdinands withdrawal, Kings fitness will be paramount in how England line up at the back. Lennon - another good player but has proved to be inconsistent in the past. Needs to be at his best to give us options on the right. Crouch has a fantastic goal scoring record for England but i have reservations about him doing it against the best in the world. Heskey - on seasons form should never have made it to the airport taxi. However, Capello sees a role for the much maligned player. Carrick and SWP have both experienced difficulties at their respective clubs this season and can count themselves lucky to be making the trip. Will Capello get the optimum performances from Lampard and Gerrard? Will the responsibility of captaining the team be a burden or benefit to the scousers performances? We all know what Rooney is capable of but I just hope that the expectations of him do not become to greater cross to bear. Rooney has become the new Beckham when he plays for England. But this is a team game and everyone must do their stuff. Gareth Barry has been hit with an untimely injury but such is Capello's dependancy on his performances and role for England that I really hope the boy is fit to play an active part in the tournament.

Overall we have some quality players to call upon and as we seem to say every four years ' this is the team best equpped to win', let's hope that we are right. Obviously an element of luck is required to win any World Cup and England will need their fair share. As will all the other hopefuls! It sometimes seems so easy to dismiss our qualities and concentrate on the threat other teams pose but given the plethora of skill on show it's hard to overlook the galaxy of stars waiting to win it for their country. It is difficult to ignore the likes of Villa, Messi, Fabiano, Torres, Ronaldo, Higuain, Milito, Klose, Tevez, Kaka, Robinho, Aguero, Podolski, Di Natale, Robben, Forlan, Eto'o, Henry and Van Persie. However good that list is, like Englands players, they too need luck and seven very good days!! If England really do believe they can win it then why not. But belief is only a little of what is required.

And finally my last eight are France, England, Holland, Brazil. Argentina, Germany, Italy and Spain. And for the record, my money is on Argentina to win the tournament.

Geoff Stevenson

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