England still distinctly second rate. We've finally reached our level.

We dared to dream. Two good results (and good performances) against two fairly decent sides and it seemed the calamitous World Cup was well and truly behind us. But as the saying goes, a swallow doesn't make a summer and the frost definitely set back in at Wembley last night.

England's team has undergone a transformation somewhat from the team that lined up in the World Cup. Only five of the starting 11 that lined up against Montenegro played against Germany in the 2010 World Cup (Rooney, Gerrard, G.Johnson, A.Cole and Barry). Of the players that lined up against Montenegro last night, I'd say that only Gerrard, Hart, Adam Johnson and possibly Ashley Young should have been there.

Rooney's fall from grace these past few months has been as spectacular as it has been tragic. How can someone who was so deadly last season have gone from knocking on Messi's door for World's Best Player to someone who should be playing kickabout in the reserves?

Ferdinand shouldn't be in the England squad for the same reason Ledley King shouldn't. He's far too injury prone and he struggles to complete two games in a row. Alex Ferguson has seen it fit to replace him as the Manchester Utd captain, so why should he be the England captain?

There's a worrying lack of depth in the England squad. Yes there were injuries to some key players, but the in the 18 last night just aren't cut out for international football. Joleon Lescott, Kevin Davies, Glen Johnson, Stewart Downing and most especially Shaun Wright-Phillips should be nowhere near the England team.

Talking of Glen Johnson, I'm begging for Micah Richards to put his head down and put in some amazing performances for Man City in the coming months. When he broke into the England side under Steve McLaren he was amazing. Since then he's thrown it all away. If he can rectify that, he can knock Glen Johnson out of the park. He's better defensively, good going forward and he can play at right back or centre back.

Plus, there are some amazing youngsters in the Under 21's but I just can't see them getting a run out under Capello. He's made a token effort with Jack Wilshere, but it's just that, a token. Capello has said today that he will look at the younger players in upcoming friendlies, but when it comes to the competitive games will he revert to old faces? Are England going to have to wait until Capello steps down and (with any luck) Stuart Pearce gets the job for their to be a substantial amount of new, young blood? If so, those youngsters won't be the mouldable players we need any longer, but another generation of disappointments.

The England squad needs a total overhaul and this qualifying campaign and hopeful Euro 2012 tournament is the best time to do it.

If we don't, we'll have a bunch of inexperienced kids in Brazil. Or a squad made up of mid 30something has-beens. Not sure what's more frightening actually.

The England National Squad; Or How They Learned To Start Playing And Do Well In Competitions.

So, England. That was a bit rubbish wasn't it? Not only were they beaten, they were effectively taken out back and shot. There was no passion, no skill and no threat from the England team. Sure, England should have had Lampard's shot count as a goal, but the performance as a whole was indicative of much larger problems for the England side.

Firstly, why can't that collection of players play well at international level when they play so excellently for their clubs. I've heard many theories as to why. One is that they don't play enough together as so many of the team is playing for different clubs. I say that's nonsense. Even when more of the national squad was playing in less teams in the league, they weren't all that great. Look at England in the mid to late 70's/early 80's. They were awful.

Another I've heard is that they're paid too much money and that that's somehow reduced the desire to succeed internationally as it brings them nothing. Again, I disagree. To succeed as they have as professional sportsmen, you have to hate to lose. This doesn't change just because you put on an England jersey.

Some would blame the manager. I agree that Capello made some wrong calls. England will never progress if they stick to playing 4-4-2. It's an outdated system that's slowly being phased out by clubs at the highest level and other national teams are following suit. I would personally go with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1.

I think it's simpler solution; England choke under the pressure. It's different at club level. Yes you have your supporters, but they are far fewer. At the World Cup, it's the vast majority of the country rooting for you. Then you have the press bigging you up as Champions before you've even left the airport. With a club, there's always next year, but at the World Cup, you get 2, maybe 3 chances to get it right. It's a hell of a problem and one that I don't think the England players have the mental toughness to cope with. At least not yet.

Now, as for the squad, it's simply too old and too used to failure to carry on with the same group of players. With the exception of a core few, I would get rid of almost every player in the World Cup squad or relegate them to the subs bench. The dead wood needs to be cut out and it needs to be done with an eye to the future.

England's next game is against Hungary in a friendly at Wembley and it's here that England need to start thinking about the next 10 to 15 years at the least. Players such as Lampard, Wright-Philips, Carrick, Heskey, Warnock, Upson, King, Green, James and Carragher (who I believe will return to international retirement anyways) cannot be seen as first team players any longer. Add to that the average age of those players is 31, by the time Euro 2012 rolls around they will simply be too old. We seriously run the risk of turning into Italy, only without the glory of a recent World Cup triumph to look back on.

In those players place, I would call up players with youth on their side and something to prove. My picks would be:

Paul Robinson, Ben Foster (if he does well at Birmingham, which I think he will), Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Tom Huddlestone, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott

Those ten players have an average age of 27, with the oldest outfield player being Phil Jagielka at 27. Now, if you give those players a two year qualification campaign to blood themselves properly, then they can do some real good in Poland and Ukraine.

Personally, my team for the game against Hungary would be:

Hart

G.Johnson - Cahill - Terry - A.Cole

A.Johnson - Milner - Barry - J.Cole

Gerrard

Rooney

Foster

Robinson

Baines

Jagielka

Ferdinand

Dawson

Walcott

Downing

Huddlestone

Lampard

Defoe

Agbonlahor

Joe Hart must absolutely be assured of being the England number one goalkeeper. I sincerely hope that Man City give him Premiership games or send him on loan to another Premiership club because he's just too damned good to be warming the bench.

And yes, I'd be inclined to drop Ferdinand from the starting line-up. He's now 31, has lost his pace and is becoming increasingly injury prone. I'd be heavily inclined to leave him and make Steven Gerrard the permanent England captain. He's the one person at the World Cup who gave it his all and was by far England's best player.

Let's also not forget that England have a fantastic Under-21 side, which has actually been doing well in the Under-21 tournaments. Players like Kieren Gibbs, Chris Smalling, Dan Gosling, Henri Lansbury, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wileshire, Andy Carroll, Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell all have the potential and with any luck, the passion to succeed where the so called "Golden Generation" failed.

It remains to be seen whether or not Fabio Capello stays. If he does, I hope he sees the flaws with the team he took to South Africa and I hope that he looks to the future, because England need to start preparing now.

Capello's World Cup Headache Starts Now.

Now that England have overcome a tough test against Egypt, Fabio Capello must look at his players long and hard before making the biggest choice of his career so far: Who to take to the 2010 World Cup.

On today's showing, several players have virtually booked their ticket, while others have pretty much shot themselves in the foot. Of the players out there tonight, I thought there were three who really put on a display. Ironically, they were all substitutes: Peter Crouch, James Milner and Michael Carrick.

Crouch is perhaps the most obvious of these. His two goals rescued England, while also taking him to 20 goals in 37 games for England. He's like a better, taller, whiter Emile Heskey. He serves the same role as a target man, but also puts the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.

Milner is one of those sorts of players every team wants. He's willing to play pretty much anywhere on the pitch and is almost universally good wherever you put him. At a World Cup, where fatigue and injuries are likely to take a toll, someone like him proves invaluable. In previous tournaments, Gerrard has been the one to do this. Now with Milner on the scene, Gerrard should be free to play where he wants and England will be able to get the most out of him.

Carrick is probably England's best out and out passer of the ball, with the exception of maybe Beckham. His vision and accuracy were on show against Egypt and someone like him, sitting deep and proving ball after ball up the field will really strengthen the side. He's also pretty handy defensively.

I was tempted to include Shaun Wright-Phillips in this, but as far as I can tell he's not in Capello's first team plans if Aaron Lennon's fit. Capello seems to have more faith in Lennon, Milner or Beckham on the right hand side and I think that if Lennon gets fit again and SWP still fails to get into the Man City first team, he's in serious trouble.

As for the players who messed up a golden opportunity, Theo Walcott stands out from the crowd. Starting off on the right of the pitch, his pace and ball control should have torn shreds out of the three man Egyptian defense. Instead, poor first touches, overhits and a lack of an end product saw him have a terrible game. He started the game well, teeing up Frank Lampard who admittedly should have done better. Once Egypt got into the match though he soon faded away, much like his World Cup chances.

Matthew Upson also did his World Cup chances no good, being majorly at fault for Egypt's goal. Some may say that the poor Wembley pitch was to blame for his slip, but at this level it doesn't quite cut the mustard.

Going on form and the Egypt game, the squad I'd take to South Africa (if Cole's fit) would be:

Goalkeepers

Robert Green: Seems to be Fabio Capello's Number 1 now. Wasn't at fault for the goal against Egypt and always looks good when called on. Needs full 90 minutes in the pre-tournament friendlies to get much needed international experience.

David James: As good a back-up goalie you could hope for (unless you happen to be Spain). Experience at this level will be crucial in the camp, even if he doesn't make the starting 11.

Joe Hart: Most likely won't play, but the experience will do him good and should the worst come to the worst he's a highly capable keeper.

Defenders

Glen Johnson: Best right back available for England. Not as good defensively as Wes Brown (although not poor), but very good going forward.

Wes Brown: Cover for right back and centre back. I personally don't like him, but he's got experience and is defensively competent.

Ashley Cole: Best left back in the world in my opinion.

Stephen Warnock/Leighton Baines: Can't choose between them because they're both very similar and both talented. I'd possibly pick Warnock ahead of Baines simply because he's older and more experienced.

John Terry: May not be the captain any longer, but is still a leader on the pitch.

Rio Ferdinand: Captain and as such, a must.

Joleon Lescott: Better at centre back than Upson and can also play left back if needs must.

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard: Vice-captain and probably England's second best player.

Frank Lampard: Like Gerrard, a very talented player who is crucial to the squad for his experience as well as his talent.

Gareth Barry: Number one defensive midfielder. Passing's not as good as Carrick, but better defensively.

Michael Carrick: The inverse of Gareth Barry.

David Beckham: Dead ball specialist and the most experienced member of the squad.

James Milner: Captain versatility. Can play anywhere on the pitch except for in goal (although he'd probably give it a go if you asked him).

Shaun Wright-Phillips: He's got pace, he can cross a ball and is also a pretty capable finisher as well.

Stewart Downing: Naturally left footed winger and is having a great season for Villa.

Ashley Young: It's about time he was recognised internationally. A bit of a risk, but he's similar to Milner in that he can play anywhere in midfield and do it well.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney: Best English player by a country mile. He's the difference between England as Quarter finalists and "England as winners. Without him we're nothing.

Peter Crouch: You can't ignore his international record and he provides options up front. As good with his feet as well as with his head.

Jermain Defoe: A real poacher. His pace will be useful as a super-sub.

Emile Heskey: Big target man that strikers love to play alongside.

Get your vuvuzelas out! My predictions for the World Cup.

So the draw for the greatest sporting event has been made and England have been handed a fantastic chance to go far in this competition. Without further ado, my predictions (and explanations) for the 2010 World Cup!

Group A
1. France - 7pts
2. Uruguay - 4pts
3. Mexico - 3pts
4. South Africa - 1pts

Unfortunately for the hosts they're going to make history as the first host side to go out at the group stage. They've got some good players, but are going to be completely outclassed by the three other teams in their group. That being said, I think they'll start well and get a 1-1 draw against Mexico.
France are utterly mediocre compared to what they used to be. Their saving grace here is that they'll get through on sheer talent alone. Like Argentina they're let down managerially. The experienced players are over the hill and the players in their prime aren't experienced enough at this level.
Uruguay are better than Mexico in my opinion. Mexico are very toothless going forward with their main centre forward, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, 37 by the time summer rolls round. Uruguay on the other hand have Diego Forlan, one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment, leading their front line.

Group B
1. Argentina - 9pts
2. Nigeria - 4pts
3. S. Korea - 4pts
4. Greece - 0pts

That's right, Argentina to win all their group games. Yes they cocked up their qualifying campaign rather well and yes they're managed by someone so incomptent it makes Raymond Domenech look like Alex Feruson. But this is a team with Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez and Walter Samuel available to them, they should breeze through this group. That being said, like England they have real problems between the sticks. They have a good up and coming goalie with Oscar Ustari but he's only played for them once, while Leo Franco and Roberto Abbondanzierri, their two most experienced goalies, have both been ignored by Maradonna.
The rest of this group is a bunch of mediocre national squads. Korea won't match the achievements of 2002, nor Greece 2004. Nigeria are the only other team in this group with the depth and quality to make a go of it.

Group C
1. England - 7pts
2. USA - 6pts
3. Slovenia - 2pts
4. Algeria - 1pts

England couldn't really have asked for a better group. The USA and Slovenia are beatable without being push overs, so we shouldn't get too complacent. Algeria are a team there for the taking as far as I'm concerned. Whoever we have in goal shouldn't be too heavily tested against any of these sides, although I expect Slovenia to surprise us with a draw. Dunno why, I just do.
The USA should do well in this group. They're a good team with some good players and are difficult to break down. Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard are known quantities to us here in England and are both cracking players. Players such as Landon Donovan also provide a real threat on goal as well.

Group D
1. Germany - 7pts
2. Ghana - 5pts
3. Serbia - 2pts
4. Australia - 1pts

Germany to win the group with their typical efficiency. With players like Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Gomes and Klose they'll inevitably do well and will overpower the rest of their group. Only sticking point for them will be Ghana. I can see that game getting mired in the middle of the park as both sides strong midfields slug it out.
Talking of Ghana, they'll do well in this group. With Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah in midfield they'll be able to choke other teams while also getting the ball to their forward quickly and accurately.
Serbia are a good side and are unfortunate to land this group. In another group they'd have stood a solid chance of getting through. A good side with some good players, let down by no definite article. Their main striker in Nikola Zigic who can barely get a game for Valencia.
Australia aren't the team of four years ago. No depth, no quality, will get a get a point out of sheer determination and stubbornness.

Group E
1. Holland - 7pts
2. Cameroon - 5pts
3. Denmark - 2pts
4. Japan - 1pts

Ah Holland, you little tease. You promise so much and deliver so little. Attractive, flowing football is all well and good, but not when you haven't the grit to knuckle down when needed. I can see a good game between them and Cameroon (2-2). Eto'o will have a field day against their back line, but the rest of the squad will let him down. The Dutch really do have a problem defence. Not one player in their backline is world class and with Van der Sar now retired from the international stage they don't have him to fall back on.
Denmark and Japan are much like Korea and Greece, quite mediocre. Not their fault of course, but they'll have a poor tournament.

Group F
1. Italy - 9pts
2. Paraguay - 4pts
3. Slovakia - 4pts
4. New Zealand - 0pts

The World Champions will qualify with ease from this group. They'll be slow to start and may have to grind out a result against Paraguay, but a demolition of New Zealand will set them well on their way.
Paraguay and Slovakia will be seperated solely on goal difference. It really comes down to who can give New Zealand the biggest hiding really.
As for the Kiwi's, what the record for the most goals conceded in the group stage?

Group G
1. Brazil - 9pts
2. Ivory Coast - 6pts
3. Portugal - 3pts
4. North Korea - 0pts

Group of Death, how nice of you to join us! This group contains two of the teams England desperately wanted to avoid in Portugal and the Ivory Coast, while Brazil will always be a monumental threat, especially when going forward.
I reckon the Brazilians can win all these matches, I really do. They've had a transformation under Dunga, similar to the one England's had under Fabio Capello. Gone is the celebrity culture of Brazil-that-was and in is the no-nonsense, well balanced game which is utterly devastating. Whereas pre-Dunga they were like Real Madrid, a bunch of stars playing football, now they're Barcelona, footballers first who just happen to be stars as well.
I've gone for the Ivory Coast to take the other qualification spot. They've a fantastic spine to the team, while Didier Drogba is in the form of his life. Yes the Portugese have Ronaldo, who is without doubt an amazing player. However, that's about it. No-one in that Portugal side leaps out at me bar him. If he has a bad tournament, Portugal have a bad tournament. The two are mutually inclusive.
Poor North Korea though. Their glorious leader Kim-Jong Il has said that North Korean matches in South Africa will only be aired if they win. Looks like North Koreans won't be seeing much of South Africa, then...

Group H
1. Spain - 9pts
2. Chile - 4pts
3. Switzerland - 4pts
4. Honduras - 0pts

Spain to dominate this group easily. Chile will put up a fight, but that's about it. Spain have far too much attacking talent to not swat any of these teams out of the way.
Chile and Switzerland seem quite evenly matched for me. No real match winners, nothing to really shout about. This game will be rather boring.
Honduras will get a thorough dicking by everyone. Like New Zealand, I've no idea how they even qualified.

Now that's the group stages done and dusted, onto the meat and potatoes of the competition: the knockout stages.

Second Round:
France 2 - 1 Nigeria
England 2 - 1 Ghana
Germany 1 - 0 USA (AET)
Argentina 1 - 1 Uruguay (Argentina win on penalties)
Holland 2 - 0 Paraguay
Brazil 3 - 0 Chile
Italy 2 - 1 Cameroon (AET)
Spain 2 - 1 Ivory Coast

Quick Summary:
France, England, Holland, Brazil and Spain all overcome their opponents due to their depth and quality. Germany to have a tough time against the Americans due to their tight-knit nature and organisation. Argentina and Uruguay will be a tough one for both sides, but Argentina's depth of star players will see them through a shootout. Italy to win due to superior fitness levels deep into extra time.

Quarter Finals:
Holland 1 - 1 Brazil (Brazil win on penalties)
England 1 - 0 France
Argentina 0 - 2 Germany
Italy 1 - 2 Spain

Quick Summary:
Holland and Brazil will go right to the wire. Heroics by Julio Cesar keep Brazil in the competition.
England score early and grind out a win against a lacklustre French side. Lack of decent service to Henry/Benzema/Anelka to be their undoing.
Argentina's luck runs out against a highly organised German side. This game should be won from the touchline, with Maradonna running round like a headless chicken and Joachim Low keeping cool and exploiting the lack of Argentinian leadership.
Italy and Spain to be the most entertaining match of the tournment so far. Immovable object versus unstoppable force time. Italy to score from a set-piece, but Spain just edge it due to relentless pressure.

Semi Finals:
England 0 - 2 Brazil
Germany 0 - 1 Spain

Quick Summary:
England's intrepid run comes to a brutal end. Defensive fumbles aplenty is the dish of the day. I can see the pace of Brazil causing havoc for what is quite a slow defence (with the exception of Ashley Cole).
Germany efficiency outdone by Spanish elegance.

Third Place Play-Off:
Germany 1 - 1 England (England win on penalties)

Quick Summary:
Well it has to happen some time...

Final:
Brazil 2 - 1 Spain

Quick Summary:
Brazil's improved defensive qualities see them lifting the trophy for the sixth time. Power and pace combined will shatter a tired Spanish squad.

Top Goalscorer:
Luis Fabiano

Now these could all be totally wrong, and most likely will be, but it'd be a good tournament if it played out like this. Brazil vs Spain is probably the best final I can think of if I'm to be honest.