Euro 2012: 10 Miracles England Need to Win

As a Scot, there's nothing more I'd like to see than England getting dumped out of their Euro 2012 group in hilarious fashion.

And with Wayne Rooney banned for the first three games, this is well within the realms of possibility!

But joking aside, England will need something short of a minor miracle (or 10) to actually go on and win the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next year.

Don't get me wrong, Capello's men are a good side—but here are 10 things that need to happen if the English are to prevail in next summer's tournament.

Wayne Rooney's Ban Needs to Be Cut

The Manchester United forward is among the best in the world.

But he does have a bit of a temper.

After a foolish kick out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic, England's star player was sent off and subsequently received a three-match ban, ruling him out of his country's three Euro 2012 group games.

The FA's appeal to the ban will be heard on December 8, and England supporters are praying that the sentence will be cut to allow Rooney to run riot next summer.

Joe Hart Needs to Stay Consistent

England have been dogged by goalkeeping errors throughout the past decade.

Ever since David Seaman's clanger against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, the English have had their fair share of howlers, including some very notable ones from Scott Carson and Paul Robinson.

Although Joe Hart has looked steady in nets, he'll have to remain on his toes for the entire competition if England are to succeed in lifting the trophy.

Jack Wilshere Needs to Start

Arsenal's talented midfielder is currently out injured, but when he returns, he should be one of the first names on the England teamsheet.

The 19-year-old has shown time and time again his quality, and Fabio Capello needs to follow Denmark's lead with young Christian Eriksen and simply thrust Wilshere into the first team.

Eriksen has become instrumental in Denmark's side since his inclusion, and Wilshere could have a similar impact if Capello shows a little faith.

Capello Needs to Ditch the Old Guard

Forget the likes of Gerrard, Barry, Ferdinand and Crouch.

Capello should start with players like Rodwell, Cahill, Walker and Welbeck.

However, despite the impressive showings of the above players in both the Premier League and internationally, I can't see the Italian sticking with the younger generation.

Euro Favourites Need to Slip Up

This is probably the most unlikely miracle of the lot.

Can we really expect the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and Holland, with their abundance of talents, all to slip up? Not to mention sides like France, Croatia, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

To sum up—it's going to be an incredibly tough tournament for England.

England Need to Be Drawn in an Easy Group

How does this sound for England's Euro 2012 group: Spain, England, Portugal and France?

That would be perhaps the most deadly "Group of Death" of all time.

Or how about Holland, England, Croatia and the Czech Republic? Again, a massive task for Capello's men.

For the English to stand any chance of progression, they need a group like this: Poland, England, Greece and Denmark.

But even then, nothing is guaranteed.

England Need to Avoid Being Drawn with Ireland

Everyone loves the Irish. When the Republic qualified for Euro 2012 after thrashing Estonia in the playoffs, the whole world celebrated with them.

And this is why England need to avoid Trapattoni's men at all costs.

It wouldn't just be the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish hoping the English lose—it would be everybody.

Not to mention the fact that the Irish are a talented side that could definitely make a serious impact in the competition.

England Need Some Luck

It may sound like a strange title, but Capello's team will need a helping hand from Lady Luck if they are to win Euro 2012.

In Euro 2004, Sol Campbell scored what looked to be the winning goal against Portugal in the quarterfinal, but this was ruled out after a supposed foul on the keeper. England went on to lose on penalties.

In 2006, Wayne Rooney was sent off (again against Portugal) in a bad-tempered game, which also saw the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo wink as England were dumped out of the competition.

England supporters will hope for a rub of the green this time round as they take on the best in Europe.

Capello Needs to Step Up His Game

You could probably count the number of impressive England performances in the last three years on one hand.

This might be down to the players or the opposition, but many believe that the buck stops with Capello.

The Italian hasn't exactly set the world alight in his spell as manager, and Euro 2012 is the final opportunity for the 65-year-old to exit in a blaze of glory.

England Need to Play Well

Forget what I said earlier, this is without doubt the most difficult miracle of them all.

England are notorious for performing poorly at international tournaments. Look at last year's World Cup as a prime example.

And as I said before, you could probably count the number of impressive England performances in the past few years on one hand. 

It's not impossible for England to play well together, as they possess some of the best players in the world, but can they mesh on the big stage?

Will Capello get his tactics right?

Will Rooney make as big an impact as every England fan hopes he will?

All will be revealed in just seven months.