Is it really England's time?

With the 2010 world cup fast approaching (33 days, to be precise), there is a lot of media hype as to whether England can win it or not. Everywhere you look there is offers saying 'If England win the world cup, money back'. However, do we actually stand a chance of claiming back all that money, and watching England raise the coveted trophy for the first time since 1966?

I have, as always, 2 views. However, for the purposes of this blog, it'll be 3.

The first is realistic. Realistically, we can, but it's going to be just as hard as it has been for the past God knows how many tournaments. England are a lot like the Aston Villa of international football, crying out for silverware to reward them in how they've come along, but never quite getting there. I think it may well be another case of false hope again. It's all good and well suggesting that England are favourites because of the team we've built and a better manager, but we said that for Sven, and he got us nowhere in terms of silverware. Also, you have to take other teams into account. Other countries such as Portugal, Argentina and Brazil have some world beaters in their squad, and whilst we do have the likes of Rooney, who've we got supporting him? Emile Heskey. Not quite Ronaldo or Messi.

That being said, there is my second, optimistic view. Yes, we can and will win it. This almost new team of fresh faces will be looking to make a huge impact in world football, and where else better to make it than the world cup? And seen as though the majority of footballers care solely about money now, imagine the job offers these players would get at some of the big teams in the world. Also, you could argue that a lot of the other countries previous super star status has been lost, purely with age and not being able to produce a team, more so a group of individuals. England have been shown to work well as a team, even if we don't have the strongest players, and this could well prove to be the key behind Capello's inevitable success (remember, optimism!).

My third and final view, is patriotism. This isn't so much as a view, but a stance. I will be fully behind England all the way, as should my fellow countrymen. Forget the media's non-belief, believe that this year is our year. 44 years of false hope... It's got to come to an end sooner or later. And when I see England flags all over the country, and I see the support this great team really has... You've got to believe that those 44 years are coming to an end much sooner rather than later.