Why cockiness over World Cup draw is a load of jingo balls... and Milner must start in South Africa

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Published 21:20 06/12/09

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As an England fan I'm delighted like everyone else that England have drawn the USA, Algeria and Slovenia in the World Cup.

But I don't share the triumphalism of those England fans who are now saying we're going to win it.

I don't know where that comes from and we have had enough close scrapes at the group stage to know we should assume nothing.

Like 1986 for example when we were drawn with Morocco, Portugal - who were nowhere hear as good as Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal - and Poland and we needed Gary Lineker to score that hat-trick to get us out of the mire.

Yes it could have been worse, but I don't think it warrants this tub-thumping patriotism.

The bookies have us second favourites and I find that crazy when you take into account that Germany have reached 11 semi-finals, and you've also got Italy, France and Portugal.

The one person I trust, more than the players even, to make sure there is no complacency in the camp is our manager Fabio Capello.

He is far too wily and experienced to take any notice of all the nonsense that has been said and written since the draw was made.

He will make sure his players are focused and not distracted by the rubbish some people are coming out with.

I feel we are in a group of seven or eight countries who can win the World Cup, but to make us second favourites on the basis of the draw is just ridiculous.

MILNER IS RIGHT FOR ENGLAND

I'm not saying this with my biased Villa hat on, but I think James Milner has a great shout to start on the right wing for England in the World Cup.

I love pace and I know Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott have that in bucketloads, but James Milner's ability at crosses, plus his willingness to track back and help Glen Johnson, who likes to get forward from right-back, tip the balance for me.

He's gone from being a probable in the squad who's knocking on the door to being a possible for a starting place at South Africa.

For me, in the next three friendlies, James Milner has got to be given the chance to show what he can do when he starts.

I feel that will give him the confidence to blossom further and show everyone what an exceptional talent he is.

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