By Simon Cambers
London - Expectation, hype and disappointment. Three words that sum up England in almost every World Cup since they won the trophy for the only time on home soil in 1966.
While a semi-final showing - in Italy in 1990 - and reaching the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006 would satisfy many other countries, it is not something that keeps their own fans happy.
England, and the England fans, expect better.
Why they do is a question for another day. The fact is that they do and, having clinched qualification for the finals with a couple of matches to spare, hopes are growing that Fabio Capello's men can win the trophy in South Africa.
After the embarrassment of not qualifying for the 2008 European Championships, Steve McClaren paid the price and was replaced as coach by Capello, whose club record around Europe is second to none.
Having marched through their qualifying group, they appear to be in good shape and there has been no shortage of people lining up to say that England can win the World Cup, with Brazil star Kaka the latest to give them his backing.
In the end, whether or not they succeed will depend on the players, of course and on paper, they have a strong squad with a strong spine - David James, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney - and a mixture of experience in the likes of David Beckham and the youth and pace of Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott.
The fitness of Rio Ferdinand will be giving Capello a few sleepless nights, however. The Manchester United defender has been an integral part of the side for many years but recent injury trouble has caused the Italian to tinker with his central defence.
Captain Terry has had a number of partners in Ferdinand's absence and though the United defender is still prone to the odd lapse in concentration, his record is difficult to argue with and he is still the best option.
In midfield, Capello has moved the ever-willing Gerrard to the left so that he and Frank Lampard can play in the same midfield and Liverpool midfielder Gerrard has responded with gusto.
On the flanks, Beckham's second loan spell at AC Milan should mean he will figure in Capello's plans for his experience as much as anything, while the return to fitness of Joe Cole could be a nice bonus and help push the likes of Lennon, Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips on to greater things.
In attack, Rooney is the first name on the sheet, but who he plays with is still up for grabs. A fit Emile Heskey has been Capello's first port of call, while Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Peter Crouch are all options.
The other option for Capello is Michael Owen, the former Liverpool striker who joined Manchester United in the summer.
Owen has barely featured under the Italian because of injury and a lack of goals but, if he puts a run of form together his track record as England's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time - with 40 - means he could yet force his way in.
Capello is well used to balancing a big squad from his time with AC Milan and he does not suffer fools, but he generally makes the right decisions. If those decisions pay off in the summer of 2010, he will forever be a hero in England as well as Italy.
The Coach: Fabio Capello arrived in England with a reputation for strong management and as a tough disciplinarian. The Italian's track record was untouchable - league titles with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid - and he was given carte blanche to get things right with an England side that failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships.
His tactical nous has shown itself in England's results but more than anything, his strength of character has been crucial in gelling a squad and making himself respected by the players, which is half the battle.
The Star: For all the world-class players that Sir Alex Ferguson has had at Manchester United, by the time he retires, the name of Wayne Rooney could well be regarded as his best ever purchase.
Together with Steven Gerrard, Rooney is the heart of the England side. A tireless worker, he is much faster than he is given credit for, is a great finisher and an unselfish partner in attack. The only thing you might say is that he is not greedy enough. If he keeps his occasional temper in check, he could have a stunning 2010 World Cup.
Factfile:
Nickname: The Three Lions
Founded: 1863
FIFA affiliation: 1905
Highest FIFA ranking: 4 - December 1997 (first achieved)
Lowest FIFA ranking: 27 - February 1996
Previous World Cup appearances: 12 (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006)
Best World Cup performance: Winners (1966)
Date qualified for finals: September 9, 2009
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