England's World Cup Chances

England World Cup Chances

What hope do we as England fans have for success over the next 4 weeks or so?

As England fans, we always seem to fancy our chances of going all the way but this year is that a realistic chance? I think so.

We are now beginning to see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel on the injury front, and a full strength England is surely not one to be taken lightly.

We have quality throughout the team.

What can you say about Owen that hasn't been said before? Pace, intelligence, and a devastating eye for goal.

Beckham will be providing the balls for Owen to run onto. Becks has built up a lot of respect since taking the role as captain, and hopefully he can win over his knockers with a great World Cup to make up for his sending off against the Argies in the 1998 Tournament.

In defence to centre-back roles are filled with solid defenders. Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell are as solid as they come, but the pair have not played many games together, and this is something when needing a good solid defence. If anything is going to be a problem in the World Cup then it will be our defence.

A defence always feels better though with a solid goalkeeper behind them. And even though Seaman is knocking on, he still is a excellent keeper. Don't forget that he has just won the double this season with Arsenal. If Seaman ends up with an injury then Leeds United's Nigel Martyn will deputise. Between the two of them the average age is 37 but I feel confident in both of them.

So we have looked at the players, but what about our opposition.

Well, I personally don't think we have anything to worry too much about in the group stage. Everyone keeps mentioning how the Argentina game is the big game. I don't think we need to worry about the Argies. They have recalled striker Claudio Caniggia, who is 35 and plying his trade in Scotland. This shows that they are not so great.

The team I worry about in the group stage is Sweden. They have a World Class player in Freddie Ljungberg who I predict will be one of the stars of the Tournament. But do they have class all over the pitch? They have another star up front in Henrik Larsson. But he is another playing football in Scotland. This has not stopped him performing brilliantly for his Country. We have not beaten the Swedes since 1968.

There is no doubting the quality that Nigeria hold, but their preparations have not been helped by unrest amongst the players. Although they do hold quality, they don't hold it in depth and this could be the stumbling block. Arsenal's Kanu will be their main threat, but even at Arsenal he hasn't been able to perform and hold down a regular place in the first team.

I think we have what it needs to finish top of the group, and no I have not been drinking. The Argies are over-rated, the Nigerians are not backed up in depth with quality, and we will be too good for the Swedes.

Not only do I think we will finish top of the group but I also think we can go all the way to the final. There is no doubting that our group is very hard. But to become World beaters and win the big tournaments, you have to beat the best. If the Argies are one of the best in the World, then we have nothing to fear.

If we can keep clear of injuries, and we get that little bit of luck that Champions need, then come afternoon on Sunday the 20th of June we are going have a bigger street party than any Queens Jubilee could ever have.