2010 FIFA World Cup: Five Reasons Why England Can Win the World Cup

Okay, so England has flunked miserably yet again and the knives are out for Fabio Capello and his men both at home and in South Africa. Out-witted, out-smarted, and mystifying everyone by being out-battled by a spirited Algeria side. But they are not out of it just yet, which is the message for England supporters, and, despite the barrage of abuse and justified criticism to what truly was a toothless performance, there is reason to suggest that this could well be the perfect kick up the backside that England's under-performing stars need. Five, in fact!

1) Squeaky Bum Time: Time To Deliver

Aside from all the Italy talk and how their notoriously slow start and messy passage out of the group stages does not usually hinder their later performances, there is a resonant feeling that the England players have not actually started playing football in South Africa as of yet. Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey were impressive in the opener against the USA, but it is fair to say that no one exactly covered himself in glory in Cape Town last night, with stars Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney particularly under-par.

This is an experienced outfit, and these players will realise that and take a long, hard look at themselves in the coming days as they prepare for the crunch clash against Slovenia next Wednesday. They know what is at stake, and will still be fancied to beat the Eastern Europeans despite the latest setback, and despite Matjaz Kek's largely impressive performances. With all that in mind, you cannot help but bet on anything but an England win, and on we should go!

2) The Twelfth Man...

Known for their vociferously staunch support of the Three Lions at every major tournament, the jeers that greeted England's crest-fallen troops at the final whistle will not have done the players' morale any good. Conversely, this will be seen as the ultimate spur ahead of the next one.

It is pleasing to see England's die-hard supporters shed their past misdemeanors and get on with supporting their national team in the true spirit of sport. And they will be fired up for the next one against Slovenia. The boos and heckles will be drowned out by a full-on crescendo of voluble backing that has served an under-performing England and English clubs so well in the past, and the players will want to pay back that support, while also appreciating that the fans are no mugs and demand more effort. More passion to the cause.

3) Beware of an Angry Wayne Rooney

You will have probably seen Wayne Rooney's contemptuous dig at the aforementioned boo boys as he trudged off in dismay at the end of yesterday's match. To be honest, it was childish in the extreme, and can be interpreted as a lack of insight into the predicament that England currently find themselves in. And this from supposedly one of the world's best strikers, who looked disinterested and even disorientated at times last night.

But, as with any winner (and sore loser), Rooney will fuel his anger and negative energy to maximum effect, as we have seen it happen time and time again for Manchester United last season. As the only true world class striker available for England, the 24 year old will be desperate to hit back at his critics and hit the heights expected of him. And on his day, he is more than a match to the world's best. Expect to see a different, hungrier Rooney to lead England into the latter stages.

4) The Manager

We have seen before how important a top coach can be in boosting his side's chances of glory. The likes of Otto Rehaggel with Greece in Euro 2004 and Marcello Lippi with current world champs Italy back in 2006 were almost the trump cards in their teams' successes, applying their tactical nous and experience into exalting their teams to the top, despite not necessarily being the best sides competing.

To me, Fabio Capello can have exactly the same effect.

Let's be honest, the Italian has so far made some high-profile cock-ups. From controversial squad selections to sticking Steven Gerrard out on the left wing against the Algerians yesterday, it hasn't been clever stuff from Don Capello so far. However, here is a man who is not afraid of change, who will clamp down on the players' attitude, and who will studiously investigate his each and every move from the first two World Cup matches. This is what his resounding successes at AC Milan, Roma, and Real Madrid suggest, and we should not be surprised if it is all change again come next Wednesday.

5) It's Up for Grabs!

Having cast a critical eye over the big guns out in Africa, it is fairly reasonable to deduce that no team has really shown us their best thus far, including England, of course. True, Argentina have looked impressive, but it is rather clear that their defence will not be un-breachable against sides with more quality. Elsewhere, Germany's magnificent first outing against the Aussies was undone by Serbia, bringing them back to the drawing board. Not to mention perennial favourites Brazil, as well as the Netherlands, having laboured through to victory. And with Spain starting disastrously, you begin to think that no team currently looks like they have their name on the World Cup.

This is an experienced England outfit, with players at the height of their careers and they realise that this may well be the last chance saloon for many of them. Granted, most of what I have aired on here is based on England getting the win they so desperately need against Slovenia next week, and anything but will spell a decrepit denouement to a generation (and a nation's) dream.

However, should they get that win, and most will be backing them to do so, only a fool would deny that their chance will be as good as any of the sides I mention to go all the way. This is what they should aspire to, and a first victory to resuscitate that dream is what they simply must go all out for!