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Country: England
Nickname: The Three Lions
Manager: Fabio Capello
Group Opponents: USA , Slovenia , Algeria
Recent Form & News: England had an easy run at the Qualifiers. They accumulated nine wins in 10 World Cup qualifying games. This impressive run of form was a most encouraging sign for the English team. Add to that, they will play in relatively familiar temperatures as it will be winter in South Africa during the Cup. On Monday Evening, England will play a friendly against Mexico at Wembley. This will be the penultimate match after which the 23 man squad for the cup will be announced.
Meanwhile, Captain Rio Ferdinand has praised Manager Fabio Capello for his no frills attitude as he has handled the team very well in troubled waters. Ex-captain John Terry had to be removed after his scandalous sex-life came to be known in the public eye. Steven Gerrard will take up the Vice-Captain's job.
Against Mexico, Fabio is likely to conduct some experiments with his formation. He might look to play Wayne Rooney as the lone striker instead of using Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch. Earlier, Rooney has played behind one of these two. By playing Rooney as the lone striker, he gets the advantage of using both Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon who will add great pace to their attack from the wings. Also, this will give Gerrard the freedom to run in to support Wayne Rooney and collect balls in dangerous positions for his favorite long distance strikes.
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The Team:
Provisional 30 man squad
Goalkeepers:
Joe Hart
David James
Robert Green.
This is the one area in the English squad that seems suspect. Robert Green has been accepted as a talented goalkeeper. Joe Hart is likely to be the one who will start on Monday against Mexico in the friendly. He has only one international cap by now. Capello believes that it is important that he experiences the pressure at Wembley to get ready for the World Cup. David James as the veteran keeper is likely to be on the bench.
Defenders:
The English defense looks fairly solid with the experience of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand at the back. Glen Johnson is an asset for the team as he contributes really well with his well timed runs and pin-point crossing. The ever so dependable Ashley Cole is a certainity and that complete the English defense. On the bench Jamie Carragher will look to make his place in the final 23. He has consistently praised Capello for his strategic brilliance and is adamant on "proving himself" to him at the Cup. Ledley King and Matthew Upson might be required in case of an injury.
Defense:
Leighton Baines
Jamie Carragher
Ashley Cole
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Michael Dawson
Rio Ferdinand
Glen Johnson
Ledley King
John Terry
Matthew Upson
Stephen Warnock.
Midfield
The real meat of the English line-up lies in their mid-field. With the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard providing experience - the team will rely on them for break-through balls and scintillating runs. They seem to be equally important in set-pieces with their pin-point delivery abilities. The young brigade is equally competent to run through defenses at will. The wings will be strengthened with the presence of Walcott and Lennon. Another young protege will try and create space for himself in the form of James Milner. Shaun Wright Phillips and Joe Cole are expected to grace the bench.
Gareth Barry
Michael Carrick
Joe Cole
Steven Gerrard
Tom Huddlestone
Adam Johnson
Frank Lampard
Aaron Lennon
James Milner
Scott Parker
Theo Walcott
Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Forwards:
The real threat here is of course, Wayne Rooney. A lot has been made out of this boy and he needs to justify all the limelight at the international stage. He has performed decently for the country at the qualifiers and friendlies. In support for him, critics have tipped Darren Bent considering his amazing run of form scoring 24 for Sunderland. He might do much better with the kind of supply he will find from the English Midfield.
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Darren Bent
Peter Crouch
Jermain Defoe
Emile Heskey
Wayne Rooney
The English are paper tigers. That is basically the only problem. For the last 44 years they have faced the humiliation of coming back home trophyless. Kicked out on penalties regularly, they will have to conquer their fears this time around. Their fans and critics equally believe that this might be their year or else it will be almost impossible to clinch the Cup for the many coming years.
