RANT - 10 Reasons Why England Can Win the 2010 World Cup

With today seeing the draw for the first round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, I got excited by the headline in today's The Independent newspaper from the UK: 10 Reasons Why England Can Win The 2010 World Cup.

Aside from it annoyingly being spread over 10 ad-strewn pages, the list quickly dampened my excitement. Nowhere do I see "because they have the best team" or "because their goal-scoring talents exceed those of the competition". No, you'll find BS "reasons" like Fate, Fortune and even lame duck Beckham.

I include the ad-free list here, but it doesn't make the content any more inspiring.

1. FABIO CAPELLO

For the first time since Sir Alf Ramsey, England have a manager who accepts nothing but the best. You don't mess with him. With every boss since Ramsey, and I include the late, great Sir Bobby Robson in this, players have taken liberties. Not now. Capello tells players to leave egos at the door. Discipline is a must and tactically he knows how to change games when they are not going well. He's also Italian - they know how to win World Cups. Think back to Germany 2006.

2. HUMILITY

This is usually a foreign concept to England players. I remember sitting in press conferences before and during the last World Cup and every player boasted that they were going to win the thing. Doh! Be confident sure, but don't let the arrogance drip out of you. I believe England's players will have learnt their lesson from last time.

3. WAYNE ROONEY

At his best, Rooney is awseome. At times with Manchester United he still plays football as if he was a kid in a playground, chasing everything, all over the park, which can often be to his disadvantage. With England, Capello tells him to stay in the opposition half - that's where he can really hurt opponents and help England.

4. STEVEN GERRARD

Rooney and Gerrard work as well together as Gerrard and Torres. Must be a scouse/Spanish thing. Gerrard has never truly delivered at a big tournament. If he can shrug off his injury problems, this could be the competition in which he excels and leads England to glory. He really is that good.

5. ATTACKING FULL-BACKS

In Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole England will have the two best attacking full-backs in the competition. As Brazil showed in the days of Cafu and Roberto Carlos that can be crucial in gaining success.

6. FATE

When Spain won Euro 2008, it was 44 years since they last won the tournament. In 2010 it will be 44 years since England won the World Cup.

7. FORTUNE

To be fair to England while on many occasions they have only had themselves to blame, fortune has not always smiled on them at the major competitions in terms of injuries and refereeing decisions. Maybe this time they'll get the rub of the green.

8. THE FANS

Yes, I know England have a hooligan element, but the vast majority of their supporters are decent people. Bar the hosts, England will have more supporters in the stadiums than any other team. They travel in huge numbers to major tournaments. And believe me they will make themselves heard which will inspire the players.

9. COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

As well as the glory of winning the World Cup, the England players all know that they will make millions away from the game if they lift the trophy. Note: That will be an incentive for some more than others.

10. DAVID BECKHAM

It's written in the stars that Becks will come off the bench to score the winning free-kick or penalty in the final. They will then make a movie about it, David will star as himself and claim the Oscar. They will then change the rules so that he can be President of the United States. And of course he will then bring peace to the globe...