The Road to South Africa

Given that they had failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and that Croatia were the team that had denied them a place in Austria and Switzerland, being paired against Slaven Bilic's men should have been a cause for trepidation. Instead, England trounced Croatia, thrashing them 4-1 in Zagreb and 5-1 at Wembley. The early fixtures followed suit, particularly a Rooney-inspired victory against Belarus in Minsk.Their record was tarnished slightly by a loss in Ukraine but by then the England of Fabio Capello had sailed through its group with impressive confidence.

The Star Players

John Terry (Chelsea) The man who grew on the same estate in east London that raised Bobby Moore might have dreamed of also lifting the World Cup as captain. The Wayne Bridge affair put pay to that and this will be a test of Terry's mental strength.

Robert Green (West Ham) The days when every England manager could rely on a great or very good goalkeeper are long gone and it is a toss-up between Green and David James who starts in goal. Both are prone to mixing in routine errors with real brilliance.

Peter Crouch (Tottenham) At international level he remains one of the finest goalscorers England have ever had, finding the net every other game. In part it is down to his height - 6ft 7ins – but it is the way he uses the ball at his feet that is the real surprise to anyone marking him.

The Coach

Fabio Capello The watchword in South Africa will be discipline. Mobile phones are restricted, everyone eats together and there will be no media circus surrounding the wives and girlfriends as there was in Germany four years ago. Capello's standing was very high when he came to England after coaching AC Milan to the Champions League and winning La Liga in two separate spells with Real Madrid. The way he has driven England forward since has only improved it.

Honours

World Cup: Winners 1966. Semi-finalists 1990
European Championship: Semi-finalists 1968, 1996.

Analysis

There is less arrogance about England than there was four years ago and a realisation that if they do not succeed this time around, there may be a long wait for a squad that is capable of winning a major international trophy. That said, the group is a straightforward as they could have expected. It becomes a bit more tricky thereafter, since the round of 16 pitches them against the second team in the Group of Death, which could be any one of Germany, Ghana, Serbia or Australia and then a potential quarter-final with France in Johannesburg. Quarter-finals are where it usually ends for England, although this squad has the capability, especially against the uncertain French to go one round better.

Verdict

Squad (4/5)
There are definite weaknesses, especially in defence and with the goalkeeper but this is a well-balanced and, above all, highly disciplined side that can go far.

Coach (5/5)
It is hard to think of anyone better than this art-loving Italian to direct England. Thus far the highlight of his career was overseeing Milan's 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the 1994 Champions League final. This could top it.

Attack (4.5/5)
Plenty of options that all revolve around Wayne Rooney. Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have proved their international credentials while Gerrard and Lampard are capable of providing goals from midfield.

Defence (3/5)
Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have real class but the fitness concerns over Ashley Cole mean there is nobody of comparable ability at full-back and this plus the lack of a great keeper mean England will always be vulnerable.