Skysports.com tracked down World Cup winner Martin Peters to get his thoughts on South Africa 2010.
World Cup winner has reservations about England's prospects at 2010
As the countdown to South Africa 2010 begins in earnest following England's successful qualification campaign,
skysports.com tracked down World Cup winner Martin Peters to get his thoughts on England's prospects.
While the likes of Argentina, France and Portugal are all still struggling to secure their places at the next World Cup, Fabio Capello's revitalised squad have already qualified in some style.
A 5-1 triumph against their closest rivals in the group, Croatia, on 9th September sealed the deal with two games still to spare, though, in truth, it has been an almost identical core of players to those employed by Steve McClaren.
Mettle
The introduction of Capello's iron rule has seen England's players display a far greater fortitude, however, prompting Peters to believe the nation can go on to end 44 years of hurt in South Africa.
"I think England are going to be there or thereabouts and if they have a little bit of luck they could go on and win it, but I think we are a bit short in two key positions," Peters told
skysports.com.
"We still need a striker who can score you four or five goals in a tournament to accompany Wayne Rooney and a goalkeeper who can play out of his skin. If we had them then I'd say we can definitely win it.
"Mr Capello has done a fantastic job, he's similar to Sir Alf Ramsey in many ways - he doesn't take any rubbish and what he says you have to do or you're out on your ear.
"Sir Alf was just like that and hopefully Capello will continue to go forward and make us a winning country."
Opportunity
The former West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City legend, who only made his debut for England on 4th May 1966, before going on to score in the World Cup final, feels there is a chance for two players still to make a name for themselves.
"I think building up to the World Cup in '66 that the back five was signed, sealed and delivered long before the tournament started with Banks, Cohen, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore and Ray Wilson," he continued.
"I don't like the rotation with goalkeepers. You need to build up the understanding whether the keeper is going to be coming or the defenders getting out the way.
"When I used to play with Pat Jennings, for example, you knew that he was going to collect most things so you held back and so if it is Robert Green given the opportunity then they need to stick with him and give him the chance to build a relationship with the back four.
"I don't think Emile Heskey is going to be the answer either because his goal scoring ratio is not good enough. You can say he makes space for other people but when you're trying to win the World Cup you need your centre-forward to be scoring goals.
"I don't see an obvious replacement in that position either because if you look at the guys that are scoring goals right now like Jermain Defoe, he and Rooney are both small players.
"Peter Crouch is obviously a big tall boy but he's only scored goals for England in the more minor games. He can be outstanding on his day and obviously he's so tall, it could work with him but I'm not sure.
"There's definitely a chance for somebody to play well for his club and get into the team. There's no one that's stood out yet, but it's early in the season and there's still a lot of football to be played before the end of the World Cup. "
Favourites
Peters, famously dubbed 'The Ghost of '66' for his ability to pop up around the pitch undetected by the opposition, has his favourites in the modern game just as he did in his playing days.
"I like Steven Gerrard to be honest with you. He gives 110 per cent every game, he works hard, scores goals, plays from midfield and I like him above all else," he added.
"But I don't think there is anyone that plays with that style I had. My career led me to play in every position for West Ham and even for Norwich City.
"I think Steven Gerrard is very different to me, although he's a midfield player that scores goals like I used to do. But I just like him because his attitude is really good.
"As for my best players of all time, easily the best player that I played against was Pele. The best goalkeeper is Gordon Banks, the best defender is Bobby Moore and the best forward was Bobby Charlton."
Requisites
And finally his advice for the England players heading to South Africa hoping to replicate the heroics of '66?
"To get into the team we had to prove ourselves. When you're playing for your country it breeds a knowledge that you've got to play so well all the time to keep yourself in the team," he concluded.
"We're nine months away and things can happen. Obviously if you look at my situation, within two months of playing my first game for England I was scoring a goal in the World Cup final so you don't know who's on the scene that might come late and play well and catch the eye of Mr Capello and get the opportunity.
"But to win a World Cup it takes togetherness. Everyone's got to be working hard for themselves and each other. You work your socks off for yourself and for your mate, for the guy who plays in front of you, beside you and behind you. You've got to work as a team; you've got to work as a unit.
"And providing we can sort those two positions out that I highlighted then there is no reason why we can't go on and win it!"
