DICK CREASEY Manager of Wisbech Town I BELIEVE England have a good chance of success in the World Cup. Our midfield is as good as any team but I m concerned with our lack of options up front. Theo Walcott has a lot of pace and he is the kind of player you

DICK CREASEY

Manager of Wisbech Town

I BELIEVE England have a good chance of success in the World Cup. Our midfield is as good as any team but I'm concerned with our lack of options up front.

Theo Walcott has a lot of pace and he is the kind of player you can bring on in the later stages if you need a goal. But I would have taken another striker in a different mould to the others - perhaps Darren Bent or James Beattie.

There is a question mark about Peter Crouch and I don't believe that he is world class but, like Eriksson, I would have taken Wayne Rooney because he is definitely worth the risk.

We should get through the group stages and if Rooney is then fit to play he will give the team a real boost.

I am puzzled by the selection of Owen Hargreaves and Jermaine Jenas but, to be fair, we don't see a lot of Hargreaves' performances from week to week.

We have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals and if Joe Cole can keep his form going he could be one of the stars of the tournament.

However, I have to tip Brazil to win the cup, mainly because of the ability of Ronaldinho, but I also think that we should keep an eye on France and Holland.

The Czech Republic always seem to do well in cup competitions and I am sure that there will be an African nation who do well.

PAUL SWANNELL

Ex-manager of March Town Utd

I DON'T think we will win it because we are lacking in certain departments, particularly up front. I think Theo Walcott is a good selection but there is a lack of cover.

If we are missing Rooney and Owen then we are really struggling to find someone to replace them.

Jermain Defoe hasn't done it this season and there are very few others who have made an impact at club level.

Playing at this level is totally different to club level and goalscoring chances are few and far between. Without our main two strikers, a lot of emphasis is placed on Peter Crouch and possibly Joe Cole, if he is selected to play in attack.

In my opinion, Rooney had to be selected for the squad because if he is fit for the later stages then he can turn the important games.

Owen Hargreaves is a steady player but nothing special and I suppose that he gives Sven Goran Eriksson an option if he wants to shut up shop during a game.

I think that Brazil will win it but I also fancy Italy to do well. As far as England go, we will make it out of the group stages but then it will come down to the luck of the draw in the second round and quarter-finals.