World Cup Diary 17. England Can Win.

30 November -0001

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The World Cup - The last sixteen, the tie against Ecuador is a game England can lose in a moment of hesitation or win in an unleashed blaze of the best footballing talent this country has put together for forty years.

When Joe Cole smashed a dipping ball into the Swedish net from thirty eight yards he believed in his own ability and in the English game and now the 22 players left with the squad have the chance to give there all on the biggest stage of all.

Up front Sven has a range of options including playing Rooney alone in front of a flexible midfield four of Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard and Cole with Hargreaves in a holding role.

He can start with two up front if uses Crouch alongside the indominatable Rooney or he go with Lennon and Cole wide and Crouch leading the line and Rooney in the hole. Or he can play Cole in the hole behind Rooney or Crouch. He could in certain situations (perhaps with a defendable lead) even go with a midfield five and Theo Walcott lurking for a quick break

It goes on and on, loads of talent, and only useless lazy journalists are blathering on in a sea of negativity about something no-one can do anything about.

The England fans will be gathering and the stadium will be draped in the red and white flags and the team will be supported by all those that love the game of football as its played in Englands cities, towns and villages. The knock out stages are here.

Fear now stalks every game and the margins are tiny with split second errors costing destinies and careers. Michael Owen has said he will return to Germany for the final and to pick up his medal and with that he has shown a core of sporting leadership that should be taken as an example for all by everyone.

There is no point in going along for the ride - now all games have to be won. Michael has shown the intent. Its now. Come On England.

Courtesy Premiershipdiary

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