World Cup 2010 / Paul Moon / 27 October 2009 / 1 Comments

There's a while to go and injuries and form will inevitably have a role to play but Paul Moon knows who would be on the plane to South Africa if he was Fabio Capello. Michael Owen doesn't make the cut.

"While it is both trite and hypothetical to say that if England had a world class goalkeeper and the hardcore stayed fit they would be genuine contenders, it is probably true. Reality suggests that the keeping department, combined with the lack in depth and mental strength, will scupper their chances."

Historically the English media over-estimate the home nation's chances of winning a trophy and the 2010 World Cup will be no exception. Hype must not be allowed to gloss over areas of grave concern.

The first eleven almost pick themselves but within the nature of a tournament, squad deployment, along with fitness and tactics, become vital. Irrespective of form, there are certainties for the plane in David James, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jermaine Jenas, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney.

English goalkeeping is at an all-time low! Rationale indicates you cannot win a major trophy without a decent keeper. Despite his propensity to commit aberrations between the sticks and gift goals, David James stands clear of his challengers and this shows the value of our depleted stock. Paul Robinson and Robert Green are probably deserving of the other goalkeeping spots in the squad.

England's chances would be significantly improved if Micah Richards, frozen out by Fabio Capello, could rediscover the phenomenal form of his first few games for England. They would further be improved if the dodgy knees of Ledley King could last a couple of games within the tournament. Alas, this will not happen meaning Wes Brown, Joleon Lescott and Mathew Upson will dilute the quality of the defence. Hopefully Gary Neville will not be required.

International football tournaments demand fitness, intelligence, ball retention and passing ability and the squad should reflect this. Whilst you can carry an artisan or a poacher, carrying a gaggle of lightweights is somewhat different. The blind alley boys Shaun Wright-Phillips and Theo Walcott lack the necessary ingenuity, craft and guile and are totally unable to produce a decent final ball. They should stay home to reflect on their short-comings with Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing, who both lack real conviction.

High energy, low quality also applies to Aaron Lennon but his blistering pace is a nightmare for full-backs and he might be useful in a bit-part capacity. He should share the right side of midfield duties with Beckham (15 caps in 18 matches under the tenure of Capello) who may also be asked to cover the centre of midfield when necessary. Ashley Young is upwardly mobile, quick and with a good delivery meaning he can ask different questions to those Joe Cole will pose on the left side of midfield. The versatile, honest and energetic James Milner is able to cross with either foot so adds an extra option to the squad based on the fact he can play on either wing and already has an understanding with Villa team-mates Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young and former Villain Gareth Barry.

The delirium associated with Heskey is grossly misplaced. Seven goals in 57 games is a paltry return while silly mutterings about him being unselfish means zilch in the final analysis. Peter Crouch should take his place - he is the second best striker in the squad with 18 goals in 35 appearances. Jermain Defoe and Gabriel Agbonlahor offer variance and because of the goals from midfield, there would be no need for a fifth striker. If an extra striker were deemed necessary then Carlton Cole would be the best bet but probably at the expense of Young. Regretfully, natural goalscorer Michael Owen can no longer be trusted to prove his fitness and injured players are no use to anyone over a league season, let alone at major tournaments where the permitted size of squad is smaller.

While it is both trite and hypothetical to say that if England had a world class goalkeeper and the hardcore stayed fit they would be genuine contenders, it is probably true. Reality suggests that the keeping department, combined with the lack in depth and mental strength, will scupper their chances.

Now is not the time to look to young guns. Capello will continue to organise and hone within the players recently used and the latest Betfair prices show: Brazil [6.0] Spain [6.0] England [7.8] Argentina (10.5] Germany [14.0] Italy [16.5] Holland [17.0] Portugal [23.0] France [24.0]. England will probably just fall short and Argentina will self-destruct so Spain (if they can deal with the added pressure of being European Champions) looks great odds to make it a tournament win double. A saver on Brazil is always advised.

My proposed squad - James, Robinson, Green, Johnson, Ashley Cole, Bridge, Terry, Ferdinand, Upson, Lescott, Brown, Barry, Lampard, Beckham, Gerrard, Joe Cole, Young, Lennon, Crouch, Rooney, Carlton Cole, Agbonlahor, Defoe.

Tags: David Beckham, England football team, England world Cup squad, Fabio capello, Steven Gerrard, World Cup betting