| So with another World Cup fast | | | | day of the season. Waybe who would see |
| approaching, what are England's chances | | | | his inclusion in any other national team |
| of success this time round. Read on to | | | | in the world and seen to be the player |
| learn more. | | | | who can make our World Cup dreams |
| It has been 40 years since England last | | | | possible with his attacking power was |
| lifted the World Cup in our one and only | | | | tragically diagnosed with a broken |
| triumph. The team of that day contriving | | | | Metatarsal. With 6 weeks put on his |
| the Charlton brothers, Jeff Hurst, Alan | | | | recovery time and just 6 weeks to the |
| Ball, Bobby Moore and the rest of the | | | | beginning of the World Cup, the optimism |
| lads has been immortalized in history, | | | | seen previously was replaced with |
| with the achievement held close to the | | | | disappointment. |
| hearts of football fans across the | | | | In the few weeks since though the |
| country. | | | | reports coming from Rooney and his |
| That victory against West Germany though | | | | medical staff seem to be good, and he |
| has stood as a high point in a mostly | | | | well now might play a role in the latter |
| underachieving half-century. Italia '90 | | | | stages of the competition. If though |
| saw us progress right through to the | | | | this isn't to materialize then the |
| semis only to be knocked out on | | | | magnificent attacking displays of Gerard |
| penalties, penalties again saw us | | | | this season could see him being given an |
| defeated on home soil in Euro '96. The | | | | advanced role in Rooney's position, |
| World Cups of 1998 and 2002 have seen us | | | | where-by in doing so the thinking is we |
| progress well but meeting unfortunate | | | | will not lose any of the cutting edge we |
| fates in the final stages. | | | | need to progress all the way. |
| This World Cup however has entailed | | | | Whether Rooney makes it to Germany or |
| fresh hope and optimism not seen for | | | | not we still have one of the best squads |
| half a century. With many of our players | | | | in the world and our chances are just as |
| matching and in some cases outperforming | | | | much as a number of other teams. Whether |
| many of the foreign stars in our league, | | | | without him we will have the X factor |
| and their achievements being recognized | | | | needed to reign supreme over such teams |
| by the likes of EUFA in their award | | | | as Brazil, Argentina, Germany or France, |
| ceremonies, the optimism this time round | | | | is yet to be seen. |
| has a sense of basis in our having a | | | | Whatever happens on the injury front |
| genuine chance or success. | | | | though I will certainly still be hanging |
| This optimism has been carrying right | | | | my England flag out the window with a |
| through this season unhinded until the | | | | sense of optimism that this could be the |
| tragic Wayne Rooney injury on the last | | | | year. |