Is there any cause for optimism for England in 2012?

England confirmed their places for next year’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine following a scrappy 2-2 draw against Montenegro last Friday night.

Despite the result securing qualification, the main talking-point afterwards was the dismissal of Wayne Rooney for kicking-out at defender Miodrag Dzudovoic and how this might affect England’s chances next summer.

Rooney faces the prospect of missing the first game and maybe more for Fabio Capello’s team.

You would have thought that with all his experience, he might have learned his lesson by now but that evidently appears not to be the case.

Realistically then, what are England’s chances of being successful at the Championships?

In short, I wouldn’t hold out too much hope. There are several other sides playing excellent football currently and will take some beating. And I’m not just talking about Spain.

There’s also Holland and Germany, while Italy are an improving side as they look to rebuild after a disastrous World Cup last summer. France could prove to be a decent bet too.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though.

England have a right to be considered among the potential winning sides mentioned above.

They’ve won their qualifying group, which although weak, is the best they could have done. OK, they haven’t got maximum points but the principal objective has been reached.

There are some promising youngsters coming through (Jones, Smalling, Young), and mixed in with the so-called ‘golden generation’ (Terry, Cole, Gerrard), 2012 could be where it all clicks together.

So there’s a reason for optimism.

Someone has to win the competition, and why can’t it be England’s turn, finally?

 

It would take a brave person though to put money on England winning Euro 2012, and here’s why.

The team has a horrible habit of underperforming not only in qualifiers but more importantly, Championships as well. It is widely believed that as the players play in the supposed best league in the world, they should be among the best players in the world.

However, as any football fan will tell you, 11 excellent players doesn’t necessarily equate to a top team.

The so-called ‘golden generation’ – John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard – are all now vastly experienced and have no reason to let the side down.

But in reality, they frequently do, which is why there is little cause for expectation.

Unfortunately, there is no indication that this trend will end anytime soon.

Every England match is met with initial optimism and hope, but is soon washed away with the drab reality – an underperforming side and one which you know will not win anything major anytime soon.

The team itself raises more questions than answers – here are some of my major concerns.

Aside from Joe Hart, there is very little sufficient back-up. For the time being this isn’t a concern, but as soon as he picks-up an injury, the alarm bells will start to ring. I do not class the likes of Scott Carson and Robert Green as international quality at all.

The right-back spot is up-for-grabs, as first choice Glen Johnson appears to spend more time on the treatment table as opposed to the field of play. It is now the turn of Phil Jones, Manchester United’s new recruit from Blackburn, but he will need time to get used to playing in that position. Nearly a year will hopefully be enough, you would hope.

The position of right midfielder/right winger has never been resolved in my opinion since a certain Mr Beckham retired.

Aaron Lennon is simply poor, yes he has pace but his end product is awful, which is why he has not held down the position ever since he had the chance after the 2006 World Cup.

Theo Walcott is similar, though carries a little more threat. Still, there are doubts over his defensive ability and if he can score on a regular basis.

As for up-top, aside from Wayne Rooney the strike force is looking weak too. Defoe, Crouch, Bent have all failed to secure the position and Capello seems to be forever trying out different players for the position without really knowing who is best.

Finally, discipline is generally not a problem and is certainly no worse than other sides. However, when your best player stupidly gets himself sent-off then there are problems.

Not just for himself, but he is letting the side down and that is not something he can afford to do, when England rely on him so much.

To be in with a chance of success next summer, a number of factors all need to be working for England.

Players need to perform, stay fit and keep their discipline. If these all happen then England will have a chance.

But this needs to be the case with all 11 players, which therein lies the problem.

I’m only being a realist here, judging on what has I’ve seen and what has happened in recent history.

There is a chance England can do well next year, but a lot of luck will be needed.

It might be early, but I’m going to write the side off already – I would just love to be proved wrong one day.