FIFA World Cup 2010: What England Need To Do To Save Their 2010 Tournament

Today, I looked at the odds of England not making it out of their World Cup group on Wednesday, and I can get 6/4.

That's pretty good money, if you consider that they were favorites to walk it before the tournament started.

But one Rob Green highlight "Fail," a super-inept performance against Algeria, and Wayne Rooney swearing at England fans the world over afterwards, and suddenly the chances of England not even making the second round—let alone score World Cup success— are very, very real.

In this humble football supporter's view, this is what England need to do to qualify:

1. Find a leader—Gerrard isn't working

Steven Gerrard may have scored against the USA and really tried to work things against Algeria, but he's no leader. Making all the noise at England's latest press conference was John Terry.

And although this writer isn't a great fan of "JT" by any stretch of the imagination, it's become apparent that's he's the best leader. Remember: he was fired because he couldn't keep his underwear on, not because of his playing ability.

While we'll see Gerrard with the armband, it's apparent that "JT" will be the clubhouse leader. And he needs to be—his performances have been dreadful thus far. We look forward to hearing about a "vocal and productive" meeting sans manager , and we can only hope some heads will be bashed together.

2. Do NOT play Heskey

While he may have set up England's one and only goal in this competition, Emile Heskey can't shoot, his control is a joke, and he's got as much communication with Wayne Rooney as the French football team currently have with their management. Despite what Rooney might be whispering in Fabio Cappello's ear about the greatness of Heskey, the manager has to face this fact: he's crap. Start Crouch or Defoe.

3. Name the team EARLY

When I say name the team "early," I don't mean let the press, supporters, and therefore the opposition know who's going to play on Wednesday. England players need to have confidence that they are playing, and Wednesday's going to be all about confidence.

4. Work out Wayne

On a good day, Wayne Rooney can be one of the best players in the world. On a bad day, he can be a whiny, rude, angry kid who no one wants on their team simply because of his attitude.

The Wayne Rooney that England fans are seeing now is unfortunately the latter. He's going deeper and deeper towards his own goal to pick up the ball, and no one's moving for him. He's getting increasingly frustrated.

And sadly, with that frustration seems resignation—that's why he also seemed to be making (like the other players on the field that night) little effort out there. Sadly, he doesn't look match fit, either.

If need be, Cappello might have to go against public opinion and drop the guy. Stunning news I know, but it's not as though Tottenham Hotspur strike partners Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe (who also played at Portsmouth together) don't know how each other work. They are also brilliant at scoring goals together.

They should at least be given the chance—even at the expense of a player who carried Manchester United on his back all season (until the end, when he got injured).

5. Sort out Aaron Lennon and Gareth Barry

Can ANYONE teach Aaron Lennon how to put in a good cross? Please? The best way to sort out Aaron Lennon might well be to bench him and replace him (deep breath) with Shaun Wright-Phillips.

And if Gareth Barry's not fit—and he certainly didn't seem it on Friday—then, for crying out loud, start Joe Cole, who's been an off-the-field inspiration to us all lately and was in fantastic form for Chelsea late in the English season. And he can put in a cross—which would all be an improvement for the dross that England fans have been watching for much of the campaign.

6. The back four

Who's going to partner Terry in the centre of defence? Will it be Michael Dawson? Will it be Matthew Upson? I'd argue that Dawson should be given the nod, simply because his club form has been so much better. Plus, he's going to have the job of carrying Terry, as Carragher did against Algeria on Friday.

Had it not been for Carragher, England could have found themselves out of the group.

7. Stop crying, and get on with it

The noises coming from the England camp about their two straight draws have been encouraging. While the French side seem to be creating World War III nicely, the English players are almost saying, "We've been horrible over the last two games. We're confident we can play better." But this also goes back to the first point that was made—England needs a leader.