World Cup-the form of our players

[rhroyal]

For me winning the WC would be awesome. However, more than that I want to see an England team doing themselves justice at a major tournament. I want them to captivate the nation, and make us all proud of our football team. I honestly can't remember that happening since 1996, and I was only 8 then! When our rugby heroes in 2007 exceeded all our expectations and played to their best ability, and beyond, the whole country got behind them. I'm not really a rugby fan, but I was very proud of our team.

Yet, despite being a far bigger football fan, I can barely remember a football tournament to be proud of. Maybe the match against Argentina in 1998 was worthy of mention, but 2nd round? Can't be too proud of that. Equally the game against them in 2002 was a bright point, but otherwise we were pretty dismal in that tournament other than 45 minutes against Brazil. Don't get me started on 2006, everybody involved should have been ashamed. Then Euro 2000; 1 goal against Germany to savour. 2004; the excitement of Rooney but the rest of the team really didn't prove themselves.

For the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Terry and Ferdinand this is their last big chance in an England shirt. They've been letting us down for too long; make us proud this time boys! If we actually win the thing that's just a huge bonus in my view.

As for form, this is the worst season from Gerrard I can remember. He has been, for years, one of the best players in the world and truly inspirational for Liverpool. This season he's simply not. Hopefully he can recapture his form by the summer.

Lampard, on the other hand, is having a great season. I'm sure he'll want to exorcise 2006 where he had a shocking tournament. I have high hopes for him in the summer.

Terry - Dick off the pitch. Professional on it. What's happened this past month won't be phasing him in June. Once again, high hopes.

Ferdinand - Please let him be fit and on form. A quality centre back at his best, better than Terry in my view. If he doesn't make it, I'm not sure who should step in. Upson looks like a steady eddie, but he's not in the same class. Lescott is not the same as he was at Everton. Jagielka? Big ask in my view. King? Woodgate? Injured no doubt. We really could do with Ferdinand fit.

James/Green/Hart/Foster - Bigger worry, achilles heel.

RB - Johnson is the best we've got. Wouldn't call him world class, but no other options. Very effective going forward.

Cole - Similar to Ferdinand. We need this man fit. Baines or Warnock might be dependable if called upon, but they are inexperienced at this level. Equally, it's like Upson and Ferdinand again. Cole is one of the best left backs in the world and they're not in the same league as him.

Barry - Solid, no worries.

Lennon - In the form of his life earlier in the season. Haven't heard as much lately, but he could be a shout.

Walcott - Not looking good since his return. Hopefully he can capture form again.

Young/Milner - Both in good form. Should be on the plane.

Downing?? - Doing better for Villa now.

Beckham - Slow, unfit, can't dribble. Still capable of planting the ball right on the strikers head with a yard of space. Is there anybody in the world better than him at that part?

Defoe - Having a great season.

Crouch/Heskey/Agbonlahor/generic striker - Steady enough to do a job, but it's the man they partner whom England's hopes rest on.

Rooney - Please please please God let nothing happen to this man. Great talent, having an incredible season. I think every England fan is dreading, yet half expecting, his injury that arrives a month before we go. If that does happen; game over England. Lets look to 2014.

Capello - The reason we're so confident this time. So far so good as England manager. Has us playing well and looking hard to beat. Whatever injuries and circumstances are thrown at him, I can barely think of a manager better qualified to handle them.

[Victor Meldrew]

Good to see England's latest captain coming back to form- a class left foot finish yesterday when many players would have blasted straight at the keeper.
So we have 2 scousers in Rooney and Gerrard and possibly Baines so just another 8 or 9 needed and we might just have a chance.