Murray hits top form... at the wrong time!

They say timing is key. Unfortunately, Andy Murray appears to have got his all wrong and must never wished so much that it was April, not October.

As the season comes to an end in just over a month with the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, the new world number three has found a run of form which has seen him take the spoils in the last four of five tournaments, culminating in a fine display in the Shanghai Masters last week.

But for the world's top players, there is still over three months to wait until the next Grand Slam event in Melbourne and for Murray, there could prove a problem in maintaining his excellent form over the season break. Questions will again arise as to whether he can take the last step and realise his dream of a major win.

Roger Federer is not the player he once was, falling below the Scot to his lowest rank since 2003 and without a Grand Slam title in 2011. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has hit an unexplained slump in form and Novak Djokovic is feeling the effects of a remarkable season, one that nobody expected.

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME?: Murray has a renewed vigour following a hat-trick of titles in Asia.

And if Novak can do it, there is no reason Andy can't. A few minor tweaks and Djokovic springboarded himself to the top of the world rankings, taking the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles and five Masters 1000 events along the way.

Murray's efforts in the Grand Slams saw him reach the Australian final, succumbing to the excellent Serb in straight sets, before he capitulated in three semis against Nadal. The challenge for Murray is to overcome the nerves and pressure which seem to affect him in these big games.

He certainly has the ability to win a Slam, we all know that. What appears positive in recent weeks is a growing confidence and sense of belonging as one of the top players which he will need to carry into next season and will prove vital in any challenge he mounts for the Grand Slam title that he craves.

With eight Masters 1000 titles, the 24-year-old Scotsman's achievements should not be underestimated. His British number one predecessor, Tim Henman, only managed one in his entire career and never reached a major final, something which Murray has already accomplished on three occasions. But many believe a tennis player cannot be called a "great" until they have achieved glory at the highest level.

I think most would agree that Murray is the most likely British player in recent history to succeed in putting the Fred Perry references to bed, the question is when. With the experience and apparent confidence gained this season, I fully believe that 2012 is the answer.

Should he stay or should he go?

Excited for Euro 2012? Nope, neither am I. Let's be honest, it's a poor man's World Cup in which Spain will dominate and England will no doubt crash out around the quarter-final stage at best, especially given Wayne Rooney's three-match suspension.

Should the ruling stand (it is understood the FA are likely to appeal), Fabio Capello will be left with the tough decision of whether he should take Rooney to Ukraine and Poland next summer at all. If he does decide to leave him out, he will have to rethink his squad selection, which was previously centred around the Manchester United frontman, and figure out a way to make the best of an average bunch of players.

As by far and away the best English stopper, Joe Hart is guaranteed his starting place, barring injury. In front of him we can again be assured of the presence of John Terry and Ashley Cole. The other two places in the back four are very much up for grabs, with the major contenders being Phil Jones (who continues to go from strength to strength), Gary Cahill, Kyle Walker and Micah Richards, though the latter appears to have little admiration from Capello.

The midfield is once again where most of the questions lie. The only safe bet currently looks to be Ashley Young who seems to have finally found some international form. Jack Wilshere should also feature should he regain fitness and form following a lengthy absence and the same goes for Steven Gerrard whose experience is key in the centre of midfield. Theo Walcott should feature but needs to gain some consistency at the top level to establish himself as a Capello favourite.

WRECKLESS: Rooney's actions in Montenegro have left Capello with a selection dilemma

In attack, Capello is likely to go with the lone frontman and this is where the problems lie for the Italian. Rooney aside, England has little to offer in this area, so much so that Darren Bent is probably at the head of the pack, not someone you would group in the "World Class" category. Jermain Defoe, Andy Carroll and Bobby Zamora are likely to be given chances to prove themselves but they have hardly lit up the sky in an England shirt thus far.

Elsewhere, there is promising talent in Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge and even Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has impressed for both club and country (at U-21 level) in recent weeks, a hat-trick against Iceland U-21 the outstanding moment of his career so far.

I have little sympathy for Rooney - his actions in Montenegro were selfish, irresponsible and showed a worrying lack of maturity, something which many thought was a thing of the past for the 25-year-old.

The way he has been castigated by the press for the incident – “An Idiot Abroad,” “Roonatic” and “Roo Fool!”,  just a selection of the tabloids' choice words – is not surprising given the nation’s need for a scapegoat to cover over the cracks of a under performing national side, capable only of churning out dour wins in qualifying before stumbling at the major championships.

You'd hope that any potential Rooney absence will serve to dampen the unrealistic expectations that rear up every time England qualify for a major tournament. I predict this won't be the case though when the team heads out to the continent next summer. The usual display of national pride, shown through flying a service station-bought St George's flag from the back of a Ford Transit van, will quickly be replaced by burning effigies of Rooney when the inevitable happens and Capello's men suffer their usual disappointment.