Sven Eriksson believes this is the best ever squad he could assemble in his reign as English coach and English fans have every reason to believe that they can win the cup after a gap of 40 years. Rooney’s potential absence not withstanding, the presence of finest midfield in the game are capable of winning them games and crucial moments. They have two key players in Gerrard and Lampard but lack of a defensive player in the midfield often means that Gerrard plays very deep and well within himself. To me, If England have to win the worldcup, Gerrard has to be in the game more often like he does for his club.
Sweden
Boasting of star players like Ibra, Larrson and Ljunberg, Sweden are a strong team and should be considered favourites to qualify for the second round alongwith England. They are known to play attacking football and a proven strikeforce duo, if on fire, will mean that they wont be pushovers even in knockout stages.
Paraguay
Having qualified for the worldcup in a rather comfortable way, they are not to be taken lightly. Known to slow down the pace of the game and being good at set pieces, they shocked a full strength Brazil in the qualifiers and having qualified for second rounds in their last two outings in the finals will mean that they are capable of pulling off a shock or two.
Trinidad & Tobago
T&T will be keen to prove that they are not here just to make up the numbers but to make a name for themselves in finals and give oppostion a tough time. However, if they make it to the second round it will be a major upset for the finals.
Fixtures
Eng v Par (Sat 10th Jun)
T & T v Swe (Sat 10th Jun)
Eng v T & T (Thu 15th Jun)
Swe v Par (Thu 15th Jun)
Eng v Swe (Tue 20th Jun)
Par v T & T (Tue 20th Jun)
Prediction
England and Swedes will fight it out for the top spot in the group on 20th and I cant see Paraguay qualifying for second round and achieve a hat-trick. Winner of this group will avoid facing Germany in second round provided Germany win their group. Progress of England will be determined by the fact how well Gerrard Lampard combo plays and if and when Rooney gets fit.
Man for man England can match most teams at the WC. Theres very few players in the world who can match the individual talents of Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney or Beckham’s precision passing. However as a unit their flowing play tends to break down too often and as you said they lack that defenisve midfielder to keep possesion. Ledley King would have fufilled this role but unfortunately is injured. Another worrying point is after the first 11, the rest of the squad is average and in the knock out stages when tiredness and injuries sets in, you have to start using your squad players. Defensively there are plenty of class players but in midfield and attack there is hardly any back up
As seen with Liverpool, Gerrard is the type of player who produces his best when up against the wall and I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until England come up against Sweden and in the knock outs.
The opening game against Paraguay is a good test to see how they’ll fair in the WC. It would be russian roulette to come 2nd in this group having to face Germany so soon in the last 16. Winning this group is a must.
I had England progressing to round 16 few weeks back but my thoughts have changed. England won't beat neither Sweden nor Paraguay. it's just a tip.
Paraguay has been pretty good in the World Cups lately. They've made it to the second phase in the WC two times in a row, losing to the eventual champion with a golden goal in '98 and to the finalist in '02. Don't know what kind of a team they have now, but Valdez of Bremen and Santa Cruz of Bayern are not bad forwards, and they have traditionally been excellent on defense.
England haven't beaten Sweden in something like 40 years, so it's hardly a given this time.
Peter Crouch and his robotic dances seem to be doing pretty well. Although I don't know whether its just luck or he can seriously pull it off. England should be top of this group, if not second. They'v actually played quite well during the friendly matches, I hope they dont crash and burn when it really counts.
suppose due to a slip-up Germany end second in their group......will England and Sweden both try to lose the match agianst each other in order to avoid the Germans in the second round?
Just read on BBC that Rooney will be in worldcup squad. But I dont think he will be absolutely sharp till very late in the tournament. Altho it does give English team a big lift. He is a fantastic player.
