World Cup: Premature Expectation

As I type this the England team will be boarding a flight to South Africa taking with them the hopes of the nation and no small amount of expectation. Before each World Cup we all get a little carried away with dreams of winning the tournament, but the general consensus seems to be that we've got a more realistic shot this year than any time since 1970.

Although I don't think we are the favourites, there are a few factors in our favour that elevate us to likely semi-finalists. I think that will be our limit, but why not enjoy the dream while it lasts?

So, what are these factors?
Coach: Capello seems to be tactically sound and able to control 23 egotists. He has the respect of the players and the press haven't turned on him yet
Climate: I've always thought that always playing the World Cup of a year-round game in blazing hot summer tilts the scales in favour of the hotter nations. I imagine if previous tournaments were played in the winter England would have more than the solitary triumph. So, going to South Africa will balance things out for the temperate nations.
Goal threat: In the last few World Cups it's always been difficult to see where the goals were going to come from. We relied too heavily on set-plays and one main striker. This time, we've got goal-scorers in Midfield, and both the strikers (presumably Rooney and Crouch will start) get goals. We've got a decent right winger too, so I think we'll be a little more penetrative than normal.
Good players fit: The last 2 World Cups have been blighted by our best player breaking a metataursul in the build up and then not being fully fit. Well this time Rooney is looking in top shape and I doubt if there is a defender in the World Cup not worried about him (well, excluding the England defenders, obviously)
Draw: We've been lucky with the draw. The group is about as easy as possible and that is followed up by a relatively clear run to the semi-finals. The old cliche about no easy games at this level still applies, of course, but we should be strong enough. Shouldn't we?

I should reiterate the fact that I don't think we are the favourites. That is Spain, who are so good in Midfield that I wonder whether they ought to play a revolutionary 0-10-0 formation. But England have a few other little obstacles to overcome if they are to meet expectations:
Defence: We've looked shakey at the back, particularly in the centre. John Terry is not the player he was and Rio isn't totally fit.
Squad morale: I do wonder if the players aren't so self-centred that a Dutch-style implosion could ruin all morale and with it our chances. This is likely to be tested by...
The Press: The national press seem determined to ruin anything that is good and optimistic. For example, the Daily Mail Lord Tresman affair (well done Gary Lineker for quitting the Mail after that) and the Daily Telegraph storing up an expenses scandal for post the election. What are the chances that there is one major scandal involving a key player waiting to be deployed on the morning of our first game?

Hopefully not. Hopefully the players are innocently flying out tonight worrying of nothing more than doing themselves and the nation justice on the world stage.

I hope to be back again before the tournament starts with a more general preview of the some of the other nations. And I'll brief you on my 2010 World Cup Betting plan. Until then t'raa