England manager Fabio Capello named a 30-man provisional team on Tuesday. I thought that the England-to-win price would get longer than the typical 6/1 to 7/1 currently on offer. Goalkeeping is a major issue after Paul Robinson was snubbed, and other weird choices were made. The prices haven't moved. Ridiculous.

The 'keepers selected are Joe Hart, Robert Green, and David "Calamity" James. Joe Hart has had a great loan spell at Birmingham, but Robinson is better than any of them.

Goalkeeper was my playing position (I couldn't run), so I always look there first. There were other strange selections as well. Capello has lured Jamie Carragher out of international retirement. Capello tried the same trick with Paul Scholes, but was rebuffed. I would have backed the Scholes move, but, more generally, once a player retires from the international game, the manager shouldn't try and talk him back.

The qualification road is long. Players who commit to the national team forego several one-week breaks in the run of each club season to play for their country—time that could be used to relax and to heal minor injuries. Passing over these players for oldsters who just want to turn out for the World Cup sends the wrong message.

Gareth Barry was selected, but has a very slim chance to overcome the ankle injury he picked up last week. Capello could have chosen someone else, such as Stewart Downing, Bobby Zamora, or striker Carlton Cole. None is an exact replacement for Barry, but each could have competed for a place.    

The forward line is thin. While Wayne Rooney will play every minute he's healthy, more forwards needed to be carried to camp, and to South Africa, in case Rooney's groin injury resurfaces. Rooney is tired after a long season. If he goes down, England goes with him. Emile Heskey is rubbish and Carlton Cole, Ashley Young, or Gabriel Agbonlahor should be there instead.

I'll be betting against England, as usual.

Squad: (seven to be cut)

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney