Manager Tony Pullis knows how rare decent left wingers are and didn’t want to risk losing his man. The former West Ham player has been an integral part in turning Stoke into a Premier League force. His £2 million transfer from West Ham in January 2009 looks like an absolute bargain now.

Those who bet Premier League money often will be aware that it hasn’t all been rosy for Etherington. He admitted to losing nearly £1.5million on gambling when he was living in London. The move away from the capital has turned his life around and that has been evident from his performances. He was one of the names mentioned for a place in the England World Cup squad.

He wasn’t called up but has cemented his reputation as one of the best left wingers in the Premiership. The former Peterborough player is now focused on helping Stoke push on this year. Tony Pullis’s team surprised everybody last year to finish 11th in the league.

The secret to Stoke’s success is that no team enjoys playing them. They aren’t afraid to get stuck in when it matters. Stoke are one of the league’s top scorers from set-pieces. Be it an Etherington corner, a free kick or a Rory Delap wonder throw, Stoke posses a big strong team who like to get their head on the ball. If Pullis can bring in a couple more players they could go even better than last year.

Elsewhere, for those of you who bet championship money regularly will want to pay attention to the fact that Middlesbrough have been installed as favourites for promotion to the Premier League.

These three teams lost out to Dagenham and Redbridge in the play-offs and are again likely to contenders for promotion. Chesterfield, Bury, Port Vale and Northampton Town were also in the hunt for promotion until the final week of the season last term and their supports have every reason to expect their team to again be competitive.

Of these teams, League Two betting suggests that Rotherham appear best suited to sustain a promotion challenge. They have a strong defence and in Adam Le Fondre have a genuine goalscorer who can fire the Millers to the title if he again passes the 25-goal mark.

Gillingham, Wycombe Wanderers, Southend United, Gillingham and Stockport County were relegated from League One and the latter two clubs have more pressing concerns to deal with than worrying about on-pitch matters. Both have been blighted by financial instability and solvency next May is their major priority.

Gillingham and Wycombe are rightly well-fancied in the League Two winners’ market. Both clubs were in the hunt for survival until the final week of the League one betting season with the Gills ultimately paying the price for failing to win away from home all season.

Gary Waddock, is like Gills boss Andy Hessanthaler, relatively new to the job but had enough time last season to shape the squad to his liking and can have no excuses if the Chairboys are not a major force this term.

However, there are plenty of teams who on rational reflection will line-up on 7th August for the season curtain-raiser with slightly more realistic ambitions for the campaign ahead. Dagenham and Redbridge, in the third tier of English football for the first time in their brief history, are one such team who should consider survival as a major achievement.

The Daggers know all about the glory of the play-offs after being promoted from League Two despite finishing seventh, but John Still’s outfit will be more concerned with a relegation battle this time around. League one betting has them down as one of the favourites to go down, after all.

They will be visiting some grand stadiums and big spending clubs, but the east Londoners will not be overawed and a rock bottom finish is not guaranteed.

Notts County conquered League Two betting last term, finishing 10 points clear of Bournemouth with a goal difference of +65. Despite the loss of Steve Cotterill and Kasper Schmeichel County should have no relegation concerns under the stewardship of former player Craig Short.

Bournemouth and Rochdale, separated by one point last season in League Two will struggle more, but in Brett Pitman and Chris O’Grady they have goalscorers who can flourish at this higher level, although Bournemouth were too reliant on Pitman last term, scoring only 61 goals in 46 matches.

Six teams finished within three points of the League One relegation zone last season and each of these will again be vulnerable. Leyton Orient have done well to stay in League One for four seasons after more than a decade in the bottom tier of the league structure and manager Russell Slade, new to the job late last season, needs a good start if they are to prosper. Yeovil Town and Exeter City might also be fighting particularly long relegation battles this year.

Therefore, instead of being dropped from the next England squad, the player has taken it upon himself to retire from international football with immediate effect.

The 4-1 defeat to Germany in South Africa was the last of Heskey’s 62 caps and the end of an international career that has mustered seven goals along the way. No one with a betting system backed him to score in an England shirt.

Speaking about his decision, Heskey said he had “enjoyed every moment and always worn the shirt with pride”. He went on to thank everyone who has helped him make so many appearances for England and wished the team the best of luck for the future.

The former Leicester striker has certainly had his ups and downs on the international stage, but his commitment can never be questioned. His goal scoring record is poor, but he had spells in very impressive England teams playing alongside Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

The best betting site odds suggest England should comfortably qualify for Euro 2012, but Heskey will not be part of that effort.

He clearly recognises that it is time for England to move on and it is big of him to make one of Capello’s decisions much easier. Heskey must now concentrate on getting himself in the Aston Villa team and enjoying the last few years of his career at the top level.

His side performed better than many expected, claiming second spot in Group E behind a very impressive Dutch side.

The Blue Samurai played some excellent football when beating Denmark 3-1 to secure their place in the second round but they were unable to replicate this against Paraguay and a penalty shoot-out sealed their fate.

Speaking to Japanese TV after the defeat, Okada revealed that his time in football is over and he is ready to start a new life.

He said: “I want to get away from soccer. Even if I was offered a new contract, it won’t happen. So let’s not talk about it.”

The Japanese FA will now have to find a replacement for a man who got the best out of a side many expected to finish bottom of a tough group. In their victories over Cameroon and Denmark, the team looked well drilled and ensuring the new coach is able to recreate this should be the top priority.

South Korea, who also pulled off a minor shock by making it to the second round before being knocked out by a South American side, are on the lookout for a new manager as well.

Huh Jung-moo decided not to extend his contract and wants time to “recharge himself” after the rigours of a World Cup campaign.

Despite not making it as far as World cup 2010 final betting, the Asian sides have done well in this tournament and have largely justified the decision to give them four automatic qualifying places. Admittedly, North Korea were the worst side in the tournament, but only goal difference prevented Australia from joining the two other Asian sides in the last 16.

By comparison, less than half of the European sides managed to get out of their group, so Okada and Huh must have been doing something right.

Germany will come into the match full of confidence, after the 4-1 drubbing of England in the second round. This young German side completely tore the English apart, with clinical counter attacking play. Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, as always have both raised their game when putting on the national shirt.

Both had poor seasons at their respective clubs but when they play for Germany they look like different players. Young Thomas Muller has come from nowhere, and has been class throughout the tournament.

He scored two goals against England and was one of the best players on display. Mesut Ozil has been the real stand out player for the Germans. The young playmaker has announced himself on the international scene this summer, with his outstanding displays. The Germany world cup odds to win will depend on his performances, that’s for sure.

Many thought that Germany would lack leadership without injured captain Michael Ballack. Philipp Lahm and vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger have proved themselves more than capable of stepping up. In goal, Manuel Neuer has surprised many with his performances. The 24 year old goalkeeper came into the World Cup very inexperienced, but has looked impressive in the number one shirt.

It remains to be seen if the match will end in fireworks, as it did four years ago. It’s sure to be a fiery occasion none the less.

Secondly, I was playing cricket on Sunday and missed the first 20 minutes of the England game. Incidentally, it was a game my team won and I managed to contribute with the bat too.

So the World Cup wasn’t top of my list of priorities which is maybe why I didn’t feel too down about it all. The main reason though is how far away from reality the players are.

Yes, they will be disappointed about the way they performed, but let’s face it they will go on holiday for a couple of weeks, return to their clubs and start the season like nothing happened.

John Terry, for example, was abysmal in England’s defeat yesterday, but he will go back to Chelsea as the captain of the Premier League champions and be adored by the Stamford Bridge crowd once more.

This is because, for a lot of these players, their club team seems to be what they care about most. This is where all their money comes from and this is where they are hailed as “superstars”. If you get told something enough you start to believe it, don’t you?

Prior to the tournament all the players were told that they are good enough to win the World Cup. They were told that they were some of the most talented players in the world and that they could be a match for anyone. The World Cup odds even made them third favourites for the tournament.

Is this really the case though? If you made up a World XI would any England players be anywhere near it? Just because they play in the most entertaining league on Earth, doesn’t mean they are the best players in the world.

You can look at the Champions League form of Premier League clubs in recent years and with the exception of last year, it has been good.

However, where would Chelsea be without Didier Drogba? How far would Arsenal have got without Cesc Fabregas? Would Manchester United have won it if they didn’t have Cristiano Ronaldo?

In reality, anyone with a betting system knows England’s odds are always shorter than they should be due to the patriotic fever which is whipped up before big tournaments.

The fact is English clubs have a few good domestic players who can form a successful team with the helping hand of some foreign players. When England are left to do it themselves, that is where the problem lies.

Honduras should have been beaten by a wider margin in the Group H opener, as they were completely outplayed by a well-drilled unit that showed more attacking intent than virtually anyone else.

Chile came a comfortable second behind Brazil in CONMEBOL qualification, scoring only one less goal than the Samba Kings along the way. That goal threat was in evidence against the hard-to-breakdown Hondurans, fluent passing regularly unlocking a deep-lying defence.

Alexis Sanchez showed why he is getting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, tormenting the opposing defence with pace, skill and direct running. The absence of Humberto Suazo, the top scorer in South American qualification, was not felt at all, as goalscorer Jean Beausejour also impressed. The defence appeared well-marshalled and reliable, albeit against limited opposition.

The bottom half of the draw is not taking shape as it was expected to. Group F Betting 2010 World Cup pundits have stated how Italy failed to impress in their opening fixture as did Portugal, Brazil and Spain.

Although a tough second round match is guaranteed for the qualifiers from Group H, Spain’s struggles against Switzerland suggests Chile might have a chance of topping the group and improving their chances of progress.

Chile have stated they expect to reach the semi finals and although there is a long way to go, a first World Cup victory in 48 years, ending a 13-match tournament winless streak is a good start. There is more to come from Chile, something that cannot be said of many other teams

The German performance has certainly made the rest of the world take notice and they look primed for a good tournament even without injured skipper Michael Ballack.

Low is also without several other big names through injury but the XI he fielded on Sunday night looked like a solid unit and their attacking play was fluid. Both starting strikers Klose and Podolski have had poor seasons in the Bundesliga but both came alive in Durban and supplied by star man Mesut Ozil they both had plenty of chances.

Werder Bremen midfielder Ozil ran the show and he will be a key man for Low for the remainder of the tournament. The former Germany Under-21 ace has a terrific range of passing and is able to beat players at close quarters and Australia simply were not able to keep track of his movement.

He certainly is the fulcrum for Germany and one player they must definitely keep fit if they are to have designs on this year’s trophy. However, they do face a tough draw if they, as expected, win Group D with the runners-up in Group C – which could be England – lying in wait.

Germany and England would much rather avoid each other in the round of 16, but Germany are still in line to face Argentina in World cup quarter-finals betting and that’s probably the reason why Low’s men are still a generous price.

The 28-year-old played for his country for the first time in 20 months during a friendly against Japan last month and made a positive impression on those watching. He then scored in England’s warm-up game on Monday to continue his progression.

The betting guide odds make England among the favourites for the tournament, and the midfielder feels he can play a vital role for the side.

Speaking about his chances of starting against USA, Cole said that “managers like experience at the start of tournaments”, something which would stand him in good stead ahead of the likes of James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who haven’t played for England as much as the Chelsea man has.

The former West Ham midfielder – who has 54 international caps – said: “It would mean the World to me play against America and play in a third World Cup.” He also revealed how much he enjoys major tournaments, saying that he loves coming away with England to face the best in the World.

He may enjoy this World Cup even more too as he clearly has a lot of respect for England boss Fabio Capello. Cole says that the Italian is “right up there with the best” and that his management style “keeps the players on their toes”.

The player’s comments should reassure anyone who has made England their football tips for this World Cup.

Should Cole be handed the starting berth on Saturday, it would be a good way to respond to the news that he will be released on a free transfer by Chelsea in July after the club decided against offering him a new contract.

This means that Cole will be searching for a new club after the World Cup, with reports that Arsenal are already interested in his services.

Cole needs to focus on international matters for now though and performing at his best for England. Then, he will undoubtedly get the transfer his talent and passion for the game deserves.