GEARING UP FOR THE BIG CUP!!!

With the European season winding down to a close it's almost time to turn our attentions to the 2010 World Cup Finals

Just over a month to go to the grand event in South Africa and I know a lot of you have your favourites already, your doing your fantasy league picks and you have placed your bets. let remind you all people that was then at the beginning of the season, a long painful season for some, a very quiet season for others.

What I am trying to say is simply this a lot of players have been playing all season banged up and the injuries are only now starting to take their toll. A lot of important players will be there in South Africa but just how effective will they be.

A lot of people are tipping England to go far and as a Brit you know I agree right.....no I don't and I know I'm going to receive flack where thats concerned. The Premiership is one of the more brutal leagues in Europe based on the schedule and the physical nature alone.

Not sure what I mean ask the likes of Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Rio Ferdinand, Aaron Lennon and Ashley Cole who are supposed to be key to Englands suggested success. They have all suffered this season with injury. Lennon and Cole are short of match fitness even though they are back to there respective team rosters. Rooney has been bothered by a bum ankle over the last few months and is not the threat he was for the first six months of the season.

My early season favourites Spain have their own problems with three key midfielders, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas all presently injured and Major doubts to start the tournament. If you think thats worrysome enough, star forward Fernando Torres will definately miss at least the first game of the tournament.Who knows they may get humbled in the knockout stages or find it very tough in the so called 'easy' group. Also don't forget with the Spanish their season does not finish til later than everyone elses.

You have to wonder what goes on in the head of someone returning from injury. Is he going to go full out or will he be tentative and end up being a non-factor for his team. This is where the egos have to be left at the check-in counter for the plane and team managers have to pick with their heads and not emotion.

So if the Spanish are going to struggle then who will take home the big prize?

I am positive an African team will go deep into the final stages and the Brazilians will also be a force as usual (even though it has been romoured that Ronaldhino will not be there because he refuses to cut his hair!) but if your looking for a good dark horse then it's time for the underacheiving Dutch to finally win this thing.

Arjen Robben has been playing out of his skin lately and so has Wes Schneider, Marc van Bommel has also had a solid season meanwhile Robin van Persie is fresh from a long injury layoff and is raring to go. Edwin van Der Sar is always Mr. Reliable between the sticks for the Dutch.

Listen in to me and the boys Thursday nights on TEAM 990 where the chat is on Football as well as other sports.