image: thefa.com

Now some of the excitement surrounding Theo Walcott has died down (actually it hasn't, but let's pretend) how about some calm, sensible analysis of Sven's World Cup Squad? The positives(+), the negatives(-) and what this will mean(=) next month.

Goalies: Paul Robinson, David James, Robert Green

• Easy choice. Sven has picked the best 3 keepers available to him. Simple as that.
  


• Experience. Robinson's first tournament but he's played enough internationals not to worry. Plus we have a back up with plenty caps.


• Clear pecking order. All 3 know where they stand. Will minimise any in-fighting a la Lehmann and Kahn.


• Fit. James is always in good condition (physically if not mentally) and Paul Robinson seems to have kept away from the pies lately.

• James isn't the most popular keeper with press and fans, and I don't imagine he fills everyone in the squad with confidence.


• Green is lacking big time experience. Could he handle a World Cup?

• As long as nothing happens to Robinson, everything should be fine.

Defenders: Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell

• No doubts surrounding any of their abilities to play at this level. Compare this to 2002 when Danny Mills tried hard but looked nothing like an international right back.


• Familiarity. After playing together for virtually all of Sven's tenure, these guys all know each others game.

• Right back. Usual procedure is to have two for every position: two right backs, two left backs and four central defenders. Sven has cheated by relying on Jamie Carragher to cover in case of injury to Neville. Carragher's solid defensively but useless going forward.


• Readiness. Ashley Cole has just returned from injury, while Sol Campbell's sanity is still a slight question mark.

• Looks solid, but injuries could stretch these 7 players thin. Worst case (but possible) scenario: Sol Campbell turns out to be the meltdown man from West Ham, as opposed to the defensive giant he was in 1998, 2002 and 2004. This leaves just Jamie Carragher covering three players (Neville and the two central defenders). They say Sven gambled on Walcott, but the real gamble is only taking seven defenders.

Midfielders: Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas, David Beckham, Aaron Lennon, Stevie Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Stewart Downing.

• Strength in numbers. There's 9 (count 'em) midfielders. Plus the likes of Cole and Gerrard can realistically push forward to play "in the hole" behind a forward.


• Wingers. For the first time in a long time, England has what my dad calls "good old fashioned wingers." England's midfield has been too flat for too long, but the pace and enthusiasm of Lennon and Downing should add some real width. It will be on the bench but at least it will be in Germany.


• Holding midfielders. Carrick and Hargreaves are 'proper' holding midfielders, so hopefully either Gerrard or Lampard won't get stuck doing the job. They should be able to play their natural attacking game instead.

• Jenas and Hargreaves. They've both been in Sven's squads since I can remember, without really impressing. Sven should have left one of them behind and taken an extra right back instead.


• Inexperience. Lennon has never played for England, Downing has only played once.

• Looks really solid, and unlike in 2002 and 2004 there will be genuine game changing options on the bench. If the regular foursome of Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Cole isn't doing the business the likes of Lennon and Downing can inject pace, or Carrick can calm things down as a defensive mid.

Strikers: Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Theo Walcott.

• Walcott. It's debatable, but I think Walcott's inclusion is a positive. He's fast, he's skillful and he seems to have a great attitude. Bent didn't really look to have that something extra, and I've never been happy about Defoe's attitude.
  


• Crouch will confuse and terrify opposition defenders, just as he did against Argentina. Plus he's got a great first touch. Not just 'a good touch for a big man', but a good touch full stop.


• Owen has international experience, loves the big stage and needs a good showing to get a move away from Newcastle.


• Rooney(?). Maybe it's folly taking him, but I can 100% empathise with Sven here. If he gets fit during the later rounds, it will be a massive morale boost for everyone.

• Injuries. Obviously, Rooney's injury is not a good thing, and there will be those who argue he shouldn't be in the squad if he can't play. Factor in Owen's injury and let the panic attacks begin.


• Walcott and to a (much) lesser extent Crouch are lacking international experience.


• Crouch is meant to be plan B, coming off the bench. If Owen doesn't make it he's officially Plan A.

• It's a gamble. Walcott could freeze, as could Crouch (remember his outrageous dry spell for Liverpool this year?) Rooney probably won't play, we're waiting on Owen. The good news is, problems up front could be the solution to England's talented but overcrowded midfield. Someone like Gerrard could be forced to play in the hole, creating a more functional central midfield of Lampard and Carrick. Remember how France lifted the trophy in 1998 with only a not very good Stephane Guivarc'h playing up front? He didn't score, but the talented French midfield (including then left winger Thierry Henry) had no trouble finding the net.