Now that Rooney is injured has England got its excuse as to why it will not win the WC?
539120
Rooney will play and one player can´t be an excuse for that much. If it would be Zidane or Ronaldinho fine, but Rooney no way.
386902
They still have a chance because the rest of the team is good, but with Rooney out, Owen hurting, England doesn't have too many scoring options left, which means players like Lampard, Gerrard, and Joe Cole are going to have to step up and provide that scoring touch they exhibited during the season at their respective clubs. This might mean that they will play alot of low scoring games.
619866
The manner in which the FA went about in selecting a manager recently is one example of "english arrogance" - it was stupid. You don't shortlist nor interview proven products like Gus Hiddink or Scolari - it's insulting. They can do that with any other english/british manager because they do not have the required experience/expertise.\n\nEnglish footballers are generally a predictable lot - you know more or less his next move, where he's going to kick the ball. Do you know what makes Rooney great? Apart from his other outstanding skills, his unpredictability is what sets him apart. And it is this aspect of the player that is so evident in the boys from brazil.\n\nI do believe England 2006 squad is the best team ever assembled since the days of the late Sir Alf Ramsey. And if they don't lift the trophy on July 10, England might have to wait out another 40 years in the football wilderness as nearly-men and under achievers. Because English or British managers DO NOT have what it takes to make a winning side. Steve McClaren will not even win a European Cup title for England, let alone a world cup. A Curbishly or an Alldaryce will plunge English football into rock bottom.\n\nThe FA need people who can ask a question like you did and come up with the right solution even if you have to go across the channel to bloody France if need be. If you can do this, you would have learnt an important lesson.
579280
A very good chance of winning this world cup. Brazil are favourites but everyone said the 1950 team, the 1974 and the 1982 teams would walk it and they didnt. The fact is they can beat anyone on their day, but so can England. \n\nWe have a bloody great midfield, who can pass, battle, tackle, score from all areas, deliver the ball in and in Joe Cole a tricky little bugger. How many midfields would boast the number of goals that our starting (Cole, Lampard, Becks, Gerrard) 4 have this season. Then we now have pace in Walcott, Lennon and Owen which is always hard to defend against and when he is fit for the latter stages Rooney who is a genuine World Star. \n\nBack 4 is very competant and the keeper is very solid. \n\nSo why shouldnt we win it and why shouldnt we beat Brazil. We can do it. and will.
662635
Rooney is a fabulous young player but has still time to mature. He will be a great loss to England if not fit in time. I do not think England will get near the final. I think we are going to see Argentina and Brazil if they do not meet earlier. You will also see Gerrmany go very close
1171066
As much as i dislike Ferguson i have to agree with him, rushing back a player isn't the right move espically as he won't be match fit for any of the matches. Remember David Beckham at the last world cup, same injury, he was rushed back and had a poor tournament, jumped out of a tackle which cost us a goal.\n\nThe opposition will be smart and will kick and stamp on rooney's foot when he plays whenever they get the chance. So i wouldn't expect rooney to be the same player he usually is for england, as the injury will always be in the back of his mind.
1153358
The Main blame will go to Wayne Rooney i agree. Also to the age of alot of their older players. I truly believe that they go into the world cup every year nig headed and thats their main problem.
528230
There are a lot of reasons they haven't won in 40 years. Usually there are 31 other reasons in the Cup. The biggest problem I have seen with England is they and their fans are ALWAYS OVERRATING their teams...always. That said, this might be the first year in 40 that I can recall they could have a legitimate chance -- if they stay focused and humble. Both are not likely.
670626
I think Totti will not be at the world cup, even though he is back and walking. Wayne Rooney has a better chance at playing yes he has a fracture yet his problem is not as big as Totti. Rooney is also younger and looks much stronger than Totti so I think that Rooney will be playing at the world cup.
554999
They are dreaming if they think he will be fit to play at all in the world cup. Once his leg heals he won't be fit enough to play for a few weeks, by that time it will be all over. The problem for Sven is there is no one else, Owen played his first game of the year last week, so he is out of practise, all that is left is Defoe and Peter "can't score in a brothel" Crouch.
1142688
Of course it's a fair game and it's one of the nail biting games.I think Wayne Rooneys presence must have given England players a best.The game between England and Paraguay was not the fair one.Trinidad is not out.Still they have a chance.The match between Paraguay and Sweden will decide it.
504372
I think it depends on several factors. Firstly we dont know what suprise Sven has got when it comes to squad selection and actual team selection for the games.\nThe next major factor is which players are going to be fit - Rooney, Terry and Owen currently injury worries and there are still more games to go before the World Cup so anything could happen.\nThirdly, it depends (assuming they are good enough to get through the group stage) on the teams they are selected to face and WHICH England team turns up - if its the one that lost to N.Ireland, Trinadad & Tobago will beat us 5-0. If its the one which beat Germany 5-1 away, then we will definitely have the ability to challenge the likes of Brazil and Argentina for the trophy.\nWith the right (and fully fit) squad, a bit of luck and no Kim Milton-Nielsen, we could go all the way: although I am expecting a Quarter Final place with the possibility further progression.\nLets see....\n\nCOME ON ENGLAND!!\n\noh and stay away from the dreaded penalty shootout!
174836
if everyone else in the team is as committed as WAYNE ROONEY is for every game... then england can be world champions again (provided soon-go eriksson doesn't say stupid things to/about the players - best english team so far!).\nit's about time... few youngsters remember alf ramsey's 1966 world cup team which trashed germany 4-2 in the final. i predict a brazil - england final - england 3 brazil 2
562167
No chance hes out for the whole world cup, he was the main reason England had a chance to win, now hes injured, its Brazils tournament.
1034402
England can win the WC. But they fail to fire-up quickly. Unlike the Germany V$ Costa Rica, where Germany went all guns after their opponents, the England V$ Paraguay game was boring. England got one goal, that to all thanks to Carlos of Paraguay.\n\nI don't think it is quite the start that England wanted. But nevertheless they won!
626287
wayne rooney is most likely out of the world cup because of his foot injury,which is said to be even worst than first thoought. but erikisson is still naming him on the sqaud with some hope that he will be ok. it would be really sad if he misses his first world cup with the big boys. as for michael owen he is said to be fit in time for the world cup so don't worry. any more details contact me at sweetasusual_07@yahoo,com. cool
1030121
We won't win it if people keep on telling us we won't.\n\nEngland have a better chance than they have had before. Brazil are the undoubted favourites and everyone knows they will probably win it again. \n\nWe've got a brilliant midfield and defence, our Goalkeeper's solid as well only possible problem might be our strikers with Rooney injured (which is getting a bit annoying with constant media coverage of it), Owen having fitness problems, Crouch needing a little bit more and Walcott being probably one of the most inexperienced players in the tournament. Having said that Darren Bent could probably have solved the problem and are we taking him NO and why the hell not. Crouch needs that little bit more and he'd be worthy and he's now coming out of his shell a bit.\n\nWe won't allow Argentina to beat us again and same goes to Germany. The Old enemies will be beaten and the ghost of '66' will be laid to rest finally. I think not only are the English public sick of only having won once but everyone else in the UK is sick of hearing about it.\n\nEngland all the way!