Franz Beckenbauer Hits out a England's World Cup Tactics

Ever since the World Cup draw was made last December England fans will have had half an eye of their potential second round opponents - Germany.

The Three Lions' opening draw with the USA coupled with Germany's rout of Australia has increased the likelihood of the two sides meeting in the first knockout round, leading to the first opening salvo of verbal volleys being delivered this week. The World Cup football betting suggests the sides are fairly equal, so it seems to be a case of getting your retaliation in first.

Franz Beckenbauer is a footballing legend no question, and his opinion on the game is one to be respected. But his stinging criticism of England in a South Africa newspaper article has only served to open old wounds.

He has a point when he highlights England's agricultural style of play in the match at Rustenberg. Frustrated by the well organised and determined US defence, England lacked a plan B and resorted to long balls towards Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch.

However, Beckenbauer's assertion that England have "gone backwards" under Capello is puzzling and the motivation behind his comments unclear. After all, England's flawless qualifying campaign under the Italian was achieved in considerable style - in contrast to their laboured and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to reach Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.

The press immediately seized upon his words and asked members of the England squad leading questions, clearly designed to invoke a response and stoke up the war of words. Capello went further, suggesting the Germans are scared of England and Beckenbauer's comments were an attempt to increase the pressure on the Italian and his squad.

After watching their 4-0 demolition of the Aussies I doubt that is the case. Instead Beckenbauer's thoughts appear a little ignorant and solely based on England's performance on Saturday, rather than the two years of Capello's reign. It is also the chance to stick the knife in to an already wounded England, while the Germans bask in the glory of their opening win - a result which saw their World Cup odds shorten dramatically.

But in doing so he has opened a whole can of worms, with comments and accusation set to fly between the two sides in the coming days.

The only way to decide the argument of course in on the pitch which, as an Englishman, is where I get worried.