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So after much speculation and media hype, the English squad for the World Cup 2010 was announced. The English folks, as it seems to me, are a joke. I mean c’mon, agreed, its the biggest football spectacle occurring after every 4 years. But pushing the hype to such an extent, that journalists and media folks literally tweet and broadcast the situation every 5 minutes about who’s in and who’s out is worthy of a big laugh. Media were busy contacting the players’ agents to confirm whether their client is on the plane to South Africa. I myself being a England fan was eagerly awaiting the squad announcement,but never in my wildest dreams would I become so desperate to know simply the squad thats being announced.

Heck, even the students in India aren’t this nervous when their results are about to be announced. Obviously not all were amused by this drama. Fans retorting on the BBC website was a hilarious experience.

What a pathetic way to find this all out, with it dripping through from various journos. Just make the official announcement FA!”

I wonder if any Englishmen died due to a stroke or a heart attack!

Finally the official squad announcement was made at 16:00 BST, what a relief that mustn’t been for the locals. It bought its share of surprises,of course. What’s English football without some ‘masala’ anyways? The exclusion of Theo Walcott came as a shock to many. After all, the boy wonder who made headlines all over with a game of his life against Croatia couldn’t have been expected to be left out. But it did happen, and maybe it did break some English hearts. But was it the correct decision by the Italian tactician Capello? I think yes, it was. According to me, the best word to describe Walcott at this moment would be ‘inconsistent’. He has the promise to be a great footballer,but for some godly reason,he never has proved his worth. He has had many chances to shine at Arsenal. But 9 out of 10 times, his judgment has been incorrect.

Good defenders wouldn’t hesitate one bit to face him. Since the day Walcott showed the promise, he hasnt improved one bit. Injuries to him over the year haven’t helped him either. So the question that arises here is,”Is the choice of Shaun Wright-Phillips over Theo Walcott justified?”

I’d say both are worthless at this moment, and nobody among them would make a difference. A. Johnson, on the other hand, after impressing many with his recent performances for Manchester City will be very unlucky.

Amongst the other absentees in the plane to South Africa will be Leighton Baines. Nothing much to argue there really, he dug his own grave with his performance against Mexico. Still the choice of Warnock over him is debatable, given Warnock didn’t face either Mexico or Japan for Capello to give his final assessment.

The Aston Villa defender performed that most unique of feats – playing himself into a World Cup squad by simply sitting on the sidelines.

Tom Huddlestone has had a consistent season for Tottenham, but is direly unlucky to have been left out in favour of Michael Carrick. The choice of Carrick is a joke. He has been steadily on the decline for Manchester United last season ,and some arguments that he usually came to his best form during November-December were quashed aside. I don’t think Carrick has any role in the England team, except of course providing some defensive cover in the midfield. Scott Parker for me would have been the ideal choice instead of Carrick. He ought to have been rewarded for his consistent performance for the Hammers this season. The return of Gareth Barry seems to be a huge plus for the English squad, but whether he really performs as the hype is, remains to be seen.

And of course, how can you forget Michael Dawson? He’s been excellent this season,but still no chance for him to get his first England cap in South Africa. Reason?

The selection of Matthew Upson. I jumped out of my seat when I read this. What was Capello thinking?!!

Darren Bent is another notable exclusion. He’s been denied a ticket to South Africa thanks to a hopeless, on-the-decline player named Emile Heskey. And why was Heskey chosen over Bent? Apparently because his partnership with Rooney or for that matter any other striker is good, that he links well with the team. Thats a “lolworthy” reason to select a player who’s simply a liability to a team and to leave out and deny a chance to a player who’s scored 26 goals for his club this season. Simply put, utterly shambolic.

Amongst the inclusions in the squad, Jamie Carragher would be delighted on being chosen. I only hope he does better things on the field other than needless lunges, hopeless bookings and the much unwanted own-goals. Ledley King has been chosen for his great and consistent performances in the last few weeks for Tottenham, but Capello seems to have overlooked his disastrous injury record and the struggles against Mexico.

Joe Cole is one player I’m optimistic about, I believe he should add another dimension to the England attack and prove his worth as a world class player. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon and James Milner were to be chosen by default, so no complaints there. Though Lennon needs to keep his injury problems in check. I really hope the Gerrard and Lampard partnership flourishes this time,as England would need the two to be in their top form if they are to succeed.

All hopes of England attack,however,must lie on,of course,Wayne Rooney. He’s just has a season of his life and will be rearing to go out there and give problems to the opposition keeper and defenders. Peter Crouch is another hotshot who does the opposite – Plays well for the nation but is disastrous for his club. Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson should be playing their part of being the attacking fullbacks as well.

The real problem in the England team for me, is their defence. Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are inconsistent, at best. Gone are the days when they used to be metaphorically described as the wall of their defence, and though thats not all over yet, its as frequently visible as a full moon. Ashley Cole is decent enough as a defender, but G. Johnson can be a big loophole at times. I’m sure Capello chose Johnson only as an attacking fullback and definitely not as a defender alone.

The inclusion of the goalkeeping trio of Green, James and Hart was inevitable. Yet whether they are consistent enough to perform at an international scale,remains to be seen.

On summarizing this squad, I’d say it just has the combination of experience and attacking and defensive prowess. On paper, they should be able to beat anybody. But their unconvincing display against Mexico and utterly inconsistent how against Japan should tell anybody the difference between a side written on a paper and a side performing on a field.

If I’m being realistic though, this England squad for me is good enough, but just not good enough to go all the way.

Although, anything can happen in football.