England's 23 Man Squad

[iBleedLeicesterColours]

Walcott is gash, good call Fabio.

Shame Upson's near the team, Wright-Phillips too really, would've rather seen Adam Johnson and Dawson taken, as would most I'm sure.

Pleased Joe Cole and Heskey are in the squad no end.

This.

[Bert]

Are people not allowed to have players that they'd like to go now? Jesus.

Disappointed that Johnson didn't go, but deep down I think it's the right choice. Even though I don't really rate SWP, he always seems to do something for England. Lennon has had a better season than Walcott and Joe Cole is more experienced version of Johnson. The young boys time will come, but we can't win a world cup on potential, which is all they have at the minute, compared to Cole and SWP who have won things in their careers.

[shen]

That's what I want to know. When he was playing brilliant for Boro early this season nobody mentioned him for England. As soon as he goes to Man City and scores that goal he MUST be in.

Odd.

Come on, he did much more than score that one goal!

[Tilley]

WHY IS NO ONE BOTHERED THAT MICHAEL CARRICK IS IN THE TEAM?! HE'S FUCKING SHITTTTTTTTTT.

[purpleronnie]

WHY IS NO ONE BOTHERED THAT MICHAEL CARRICK IS IN THE TEAM?! HE'S FUCKING SHITTTTTTTTTT.

Agreed, everytime I've seen him he's been poor.

[FoxyPV]

No surprizes in the squad selection (Walcott has been average all year) - feel a bit for Baines though.

[Fosse Fox]

I'd take Dawson over Upson but apart from that I think it's a ok. Walcott's final ball not strong enough for me.

Funny how everyone seems to be suddenly aware of 'Theo's final ball' or (supposed) lack thereof. One moment in the first half of Mexico when he didn't lay it on a plate for Saint Wayne. So let us be quite clear here folks: it is not Walcott's general 'final ball' but that one specific 'final ball' (actually it was a 'through ball' but let's not be pedantic whilst footie Philistines who don't appreciate the difference between a hoof and a first time pass are watching) to the national icon (who himself dithered instead of burying his eerily Melitoesque chance in the 23rd minute) who has blanked in his last SEVEN England matches (are we sure about this lone striker idea?).

The Sun have been on Theo's case ever since and so have Sky Sports News - wheeling out the biggest cvnt the game has ever known (Mullox) to diss him at every turn. So, perhaps on reflection, it shouldn't be a surprise that every shit-for-brains England fan picks up the 'Theo final ball' refrain. And, of course, it should not come as a surprise that Capello 'surprisingly' omitted Walcott from the squad.

But why this sudden left field hosility to England's finest 'impact' prospect? Whatever the true reason, it's a near racing certainty it has little to do with football. A quick look at the club affiliations of the final 23 perhaps provides us with a clue: four each from Chelsea & Spurs, three each from Man U, Liverpool, Man City & Villa, two from West Ham and one from Pompey. So all the top seven Premier League sides appear to have been placed on some kind of FA quota. All except one that is - ARSENAL: the most pure footballing team ever produced in this country (fact my friends - most frequent users of the first time pass and most sparing users of the long ball).

You could be forgiven for scratching your heads trying to recall another Englishman in the Gooners ranks and that is partly due to the fact that there aren't many of them. But it is also due to the fact that recently the media have suddenly came over all coy about one or two they'd been creaming themselves over.

Do you remember Fabio Capello 'confiding' to The Times that he was seriously considering including Jack Wilshire in his World Cup squad - and that was last August (this story still had legs when Jack went to Bolton on loan)? And then (perhaps more realistically) do you remember the rave reviews that Sol Campbell (unfortunate metaphor earlier I know) received on his Arsenal comeback? At the very least, Sol merited serious consideration for the final squad but I cannot remember his name being mentioned.

Now I can't claim to know exactly how this caper works (ie whether it's a snub to Wenger from the FA or Arsene telling them where they can stuff their three lionsj but only a complete anosmiac would deny that there's a bad smell coming from all of this.

Almost as bad as Triesman's Spanish/Russian bribery scandal that FIFA quietly buried with Melitoesque panache...

[poopbutt]

it's walcott's own fault he's not going, the guy hasn't shown any improvement since his last call up, let alone the fact his stamina is shit. dawson should go over the accident prone disabled upson (him having a left is the only reason he's got the nod) and carrick has been abysmal this season but everyone else fluffed their lines either in training or when capello played them. i just wish hargreaves had been fit this season. oh well. i hope emile has a brilliant world cup so all these thickos who don't understand what he does for the team (and the game of football in general) can shut the fck up for once.

[Number 6]

WHY IS NO ONE BOTHERED THAT MICHAEL CARRICK IS IN THE TEAM?! HE'S FUCKING SHITTTTTTTTTT.

Given his chance against Japan and was gash, as he has been all season. Parker not given any time in the friendlies, had a great season, and yet excluded. Don't understand it.

[marbelladave]

Radovan Fox

The politics (in the widest sense) that surround football teams / squads on these occasions are complex, picking groups of players from your top clubs is more than just some odd quota system, it makes a lot of sense both on and off the pitch.

In the main, top managers, particularly european ones, revere experience and chose their players accordingly, so Joe Cole, Carrick, Upson and Carragher are in, Adam Johnson, Parker, Huddleston and Dawson are out, obvious really.

Regarding Walcott in particular, I agree the media campaign against him has been vicious, but his failure to develop over the course of this season along with his frailties are real, not made up. For a wide man, playing without a 'proper' target man is always difficult and this limits Walcott a lot, both at Arsenal and more recently for England.

Personally I would have kept him in the squad as an impact sub, defenders are terrified of his pace and directness, it seems to me that this would have been a real option for us and I am surprised that it has been so easily dispensed with.

BTW Your points about Arsenal are something of a stretch, Wilshire is a decent prospect and Campbell played well enough but take them to this world cup? That's just silly.

[Fosse Fox]

Radovan Fox

The politics (in the widest sense) that surround football teams / squads on these occasions are complex, picking groups of players from your top clubs is more than just some odd quota system, it makes a lot of sense both on and off the pitch.

In the main, top managers, particularly european ones, revere experience and chose their players accordingly, so Joe Cole, Carrick, Upson and Carragher are in, Adam Johnson, Parker, Huddleston and Dawson are out, obvious really.

Regarding Walcott in particular, I agree the media campaign against him has been vicious, but his failure to develop over the course of this season along with his frailties are real, not made up. For a wide man, playing without a 'proper' target man is always difficult and this limits Walcott a lot, both at Arsenal and more recently for England.

Personally I would have kept him in the squad as an impact sub, defenders are terrified of his pace and directness, it seems to me that this would have been a real option for us and I am surprised that it has been so easily dispensed with.

BTW Your points about Arsenal are something of a stretch, Wilshire is a decent prospect and Campbell played well enough but take them to this world cup? That's just silly.

Tell Capello then that he's silly - after all HE was the one who went on the record to say that he was 'seriously considering' taking Wilshire to South Africa.

And if it's 'just silly' to take along a former first choice international central defender with 73 caps to his name (who only lost his place through losing his head rather than losing his form) then how would you describe selecting a crock, a permanent international second stringer and a bog standard club stopper who couldn't hack it in the top half of the Prem? The words 'fcuking idiotic' spring to mind.

But of course our Fabio is far from dumb, which suggests that it is someone else's hands that are pulling the selection strings. I'll come on to YOUR point about politics in a moment.

As for Walcott failing to develop - bull crap! Walcott's problems this season have been entirely fitness related - the result of serious injuries incurred as a result of vicious challenges by thugs like Liam Ridgewall who may well be operating under managerial instructions to 'do him' as Wenger pointedly insinuates. If a fit Theo is deemed good enough by the best footballing brain in Britain to start for Arsenal or good enough to come on and turn around a lost cause against the best footballing side in the world he's fookin' ten times good enough to do either for the most over rated side in international football - geddit???

As for the politics of it all - try either of these for size from today's Scum* (the second link provides a clue that hadn't occurred to me - but it does go some way to explaining why Murdoch media may have gone after him):

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2996180/Tottenham-4-Arsenal-0.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2996237/Theo-Walcott-fronts-ads-then-gets-axed.html

*Not content with giving Mullox airtime to assassinate Theo, Murdoch also gives him the column inches..

[Bugg]

I'm seriously thinking that Fosse Fox is Arsene Wenger in disguise.

[Joe.]

That's what I want to know. When he was playing brilliant for Boro early this season nobody mentioned him for England. As soon as he goes to Man City and scores that goal he MUST be in.

Odd.

In fairness I've always rated him - always said he was the best player in the Championship when he was with 'Boro. But really you don't ever even consider players for England unless they're playing in the Prem, it just doesn't happen otherwise.

From a personal point of view I think Johnson would have been a perfect wildcard to take. We have not got one left sided midfielder in the whole squad, and the player who is probably going to play there has barely featured at all this season.

Johnson's been playing at Man City over Wright-Phillips ever since he joined the club, so I'm struggling to see how he shouldn't get in over him now. Guess experience counts for a lot these days. He's played consistently well in the league since he came in January, and from reports he did well in training with England.

Just strikes me as a little odd when we're thin on the ground in that area.

[marbelladave]

Tell Capello then that he's silly - after all HE was the one who went on the record to say that he was 'seriously considering' taking Wilshire to South Africa.

And if it's 'just silly' to take along a former first choice international central defender with 73 caps to his name (who only lost his place through losing his head rather than losing his form) then how would you describe selecting a crock, a permanent international second stringer and a bog standard club stopper who couldn't hack it in the top half of the Prem? The words 'fcuking idiotic' spring to mind.

But of course our Fabio is far from dumb, which suggests that it is someone else's hands that are pulling the selection strings. I'll come on to YOUR point about politics in a moment.

As for Walcott failing to develop - bull crap! Walcott's problems this season have been entirely fitness related - the result of serious injuries incurred as a result of vicious challenges by thugs like Liam Ridgewall who may well be operating under managerial instructions to 'do him' as Wenger pointedly insinuates. If a fit Theo is deemed good enough by the best footballing brain in Britain to start for Arsenal or good enough to come on and turn around a lost cause against the best footballing side in the world he's fookin' ten times good enough to do either for the most over rated side in international football - geddit???

As for the politics of it all - try either of these for size from today's Scum* (the second link provides a clue that hadn't occurred to me - but it does go some way to explaining why Murdoch media may have gone after him):

http://www.thesun.co...-Arsenal-0.html

http://www.thesun.co...-gets-axed.html

*Not content with giving Mullox airtime to assassinate Theo, Murdoch also gives him the column inches..

FFS get a grip...

The Wilshire comment was made last summer, this has turned out to be a development season for the player including a long spell on loan. Different circumstances such as a spell in the Arsenal team and some high profile matches could well have made a difference but they didn't, get over it.

Campbell performed well for Arsenal, particularly in 'everyday' Premiership matches, but to bring him back at this stage is to go against everything that Capello stands for. Continuity, experience and team spirit count for a lot and Campbell has not been around the international setup for years, so yes it would be silly to bring him back at this stage. Like Wilshire, think about it by all means but then leave them out.

What is 'fcuking idiotic' (as you so delightfully put it) is not blooding young players over the last couple of years, in defense for example, King, Carragher and Upson all have some experience at this level whereas none of the players left behind do. Simple as that. Sure, Dawson has had a great season and is a better player than Upson or Carragher (at the least) but has no international experience either for England or his club and Capello is not going to take the risk.

Walcott's injury issues are well known but irrespective of the reasons why, Walcott has not had a good season and has not moved forward at all, in fact he has regressed in my view. I said quite clearly that although Walcott would not be in my starting XI he would have a big part to play from the bench, as an impact sub he should be our most formidable weapon but Capello clearly thinks otherwise, a major error I think.

I agree the media have been appalling with regard to Walcott and clearly said so. Whether your 'conspiracy' theories have any basis in fact is another matter.

[Fosse Fox]

FFS get a grip...

The Wilshire comment was made last summer, this has turned out to be a development season for the player including a long spell on loan. Different circumstances such as a spell in the Arsenal team and some high profile matches could well have made a difference but they didn't, get over it.

Campbell performed well for Arsenal, particularly in 'everyday' Premiership matches, but to bring him back at this stage is to go against everything that Capello stands for. Continuity, experience and team spirit count for a lot and Campbell has not been around the international setup for years, so yes it would be silly to bring him back at this stage. Like Wilshire, think about it by all means but then leave them out.

What is 'fcuking idiotic' (as you so delightfully put it) is not blooding young players over the last couple of years, in defense for example, King, Carragher and Upson all have some experience at this level whereas none of the players left behind do. Simple as that. Sure, Dawson has had a great season and is a better player than Upson or Carragher (at the least) but has no international experience either for England or his club and Capello is not going to take the risk.

Walcott's injury issues are well known but irrespective of the reasons why, Walcott has not had a good season and has not moved forward at all, in fact he has regressed in my view. I said quite clearly that although Walcott would not be in my starting XI he would have a big part to play from the bench, as an impact sub he should be our most formidable weapon but Capello clearly thinks otherwise, a major error I think.

I agree the media have been appalling with regard to Walcott and clearly said so. Whether your 'conspiracy' theories have any basis in fact is another matter.

Sorry my friend but you are putting words into my mouth. I have not advocated here (or anywhere else) Wilshire's inclusion in Capello's squad (if anything, by declaring Campbell's case more 'realistic' you could construe that I was not in favour of it). Like a drowning man you have clutched on to the straw (that I provided) that Capello's comments were made 'last summer.' You then go on to say in a peculiarly understated way that this has been a 'development' season for Jack.

I strongly doubt that Capello would consider holding on to a starting berth at a Premier League club battling for survival mere 'development'? A bit like putting down a squaddy's stint on the Somme as 'field exercises.' Given that Capello never demurred publicly from his expectations for him (and that they were recycled in several articles when Jack went to Bolton) it could be argued with some force that he was being fast tracked for a possible call up (given that the best midfielder in England by a country mile - yes, Steven Gerrard, that includes thee - was never going to make way for him).

All the points that you make about Campbell apply (doubly) to Carragher so Capello, it would appear, is quite prepared to go 'Bush wobbly' on his own standards for a player who not only previously excluded himself from selection but was/is also (markedly) inferior to another candidate. Not only does this not wash but your reasoning becomes even more tortuous...

So Sol performed well in 'everyday' Premier League matches did he? Were these 'everyday' encounters for some mysterious reason even more quotidian than those experienced by King, Upson and more than half the squad generally? But what about Campbell's Champions League appearances (that you so conveniently forgot to mention)? You know... those dull as ditchwater unstandoutish run-of-the-mill shifts that had Wenger ho humming as he extended Sol's contract for another season.

Important that, because that's pretty much the exact point when the scribes shut up shop on Sol. And, just as suddenly as they all came over weirdly amnesiacal about their own rave reviews of Campbell, the sports hacks then turned on the Premier League's arch villain, Theo Walcott.

Now, you state that Capello 'clearly thinks' that Walcott is not our most formidable weapon (as an impact sub). I put it to you my friend that what Capello thinks in this strange affair is at best clear as mud. Going through all the accounts of the events leading up to Theo's exclusion none of them make any sense (Capello's reassurance to him that he is definitely in his 2012 plans defies logic).

The circumstantial evidence suggests that Capello has been strong armed into this (is it his resistance to external interference, I wonder, that kick started the 'Woy for England' bandwagon and those purported overtures from Inter?) but exactly who applied the pressure and why we will probably never know.

One thing I can be sure of is this: it is a rare coach indeed who would so savagely and shamefully betray a player that virtually single handedly (or should that be single footedly?) laid the foundations for England's qualification for 2010 and preserved his reputation in the process. I do not believe that Capello is that sort of a man.

PS I loved your feigned moral indignation at my profanity ('fcuking idiotic'). The way in which you chose to start your post only served to make it absofookinlutely hilarious (Quick! Scroll up!!)!

PPS Shall we leave it there?

[breadandcheese]

Conspiracy involving Theo Walcott having Capello's baby

Chandler, is that you? Have you returned as a new poster?

The original mulder and scully who spent ages telling me World Cup 2010 would not take place in South Africa because it would be taken away from them, is now spouting forth another conspiracy theory.

I have an Arsenal supporting mate who knows some of the coaches at Arsenal. They've been concerned that Walcott hasn't developed as they'd have liked. Now admittedly, Theo's had bad luck with injuries, but the Arsenal coaches are also concerned that he hasn't developed the footballing touch and decision making they'd hoped he would have at this stage of his development. It's a big season for Walcott next year to really kick on.

[marbelladave]

Certainly not!

Wilshire was shunted off to duty 'in the trenches' (to continue your metaphor) because he was unlikely to play often enough for Arsenal, had he done so, particularly in the champions league then maybe he would have had the experience to make him a real contender.

I find Carragher's inclusion somewhat mystifying myself, I can only assume it is only because of our complete lack of cover at right back that Capello asked him back. Personally I would not have bothered and to be honest I would not have been in the least bothered had Campbell been included in his stead, after all neither are likely to get a game in anything other than the direst of circumstances.

To my mind I thought Campbell looked more assured in the Premier League than he did in the Champions League, he was exposed horribly for much of the Barça tie, and looked to me what he was, a decent backup defender who can no longer quite cut it at the top level.

I agree the Walcott affair is extremely odd but I do not buy into your conspiracy theories, I am more likely to believe the reports that he, Walcott failed to follow Capello's instructions in the recent friendlies, or those that have him performing poorly in training. If you get into Capello's bad books it can be a long way back, ask Ashly Young!

Whilst I am quite sure that there is plenty of political (and commercial) pressure on the England manager I am not sure that the press have that much influence on Capello. However, as you pointed out earlier, Walcott clearly managed to upset Rooney with 'that pass' and I am more concerned with the influence senior players may have on Capello than the press.

I am pleased you liked my 'moral indignation', I often try to lighten the mood which is of course why I chose to start my post with FFS.

Glad you enjoyed it, it goes over many peoples heads...

[marbelladave]

For all you conspiracy loving folk out there,

Shamelessly ripped from another site,

"After a night's sleep, I have decided to irrationally come up with a conspiracy theory. But it's one that I suspect may be true in my own half-crazy way. Theo Walcott is now being blamed for indiscipline, and was apparently dressed down in front of the squad. What about more established England figures who were even poorer in that game? It might seem that Fabio is not strong enough to take on the bigger personalities, and so has used a more shy and humble player to set his example, knowing there will not be further reprecussions from other squad members.

More than once I saw Walcott free in space wide right, but an obvious pass wasn't made by Rooney, Johnson, Lampard et al, Rooney waving his arms about like a demented puppet with too many strings when Walcott doesn't pick him out...possible then that he is not one of the 'in' crew? Wright-Phillips is from the ex-Chelsea crowd of Cole, Cole, Lampard, Terry and Johnson, and he's in. One of the things that everyone started to believe is that Capello removed the player power established under Sven. Suddenly, just before the World Cup, there's talk again of the Lampard-Gerrard partnership. Rio and Terry have both had very poor seasons but nobody questions their inclusion. I pray it isn't so, but I've a nasty feeling the egos have come to the fore at just the wrong time, and Capello's now close enough to the players to not want to stop it.

Sven's starting team from 2006, compared to Fabio's (likely one) four years later:

ROBINSON Paul - Qualifying disaster, dropped - GREEN Robert

NEVILLE Gary - Old and rat faced - JOHNSON Glen

COLE Ashley - In

GERRARD Steven - In

FERDINAND Rio - In

TERRY John - In

BECKHAM David - Injured otherwise would've gone - LENNON Aaron

LAMPARD Frank - In

ROONEY Wayne - In

OWEN Michael - Injured, would've missed out anyway - HESKEY Emile

COLE Joe - In (Probable to start now, with Barry injured, but if you want to split hairs, Hargreaves would've started for both if fit)

When you look at it, two of Sven's choice starting eleven are injured currently, Neville's too old and Robinson was an obvious drop following qualifying performances. I know Michael Owen would have been doutbful to play even when fit, but in reality Capello looks like making only two real changes of note through his own managerial choosing, and that's Heskey and Lennon.

It's a bad, bad time to start thinking it, but Capello appears to be throwing away all his hard work in qualifying and letting the players start making decisions. People have argued, rightly I believe, that Heskey played a frequent part in the team that played so well in qualifying, but so did Walcott."

Hmmmmm.......I like it...

[Fosse Fox]

Certainly not!

Wilshire was shunted off to duty 'in the trenches' (to continue your metaphor) because he was unlikely to play often enough for Arsenal, had he done so, particularly in the champions league then maybe he would have had the experience to make him a real contender.

I find Carragher's inclusion somewhat mystifying myself, I can only assume it is only because of our complete lack of cover at right back that Capello asked him back. Personally I would not have bothered and to be honest I would not have been in the least bothered had Campbell been included in his stead, after all neither are likely to get a game in anything other than the direst of circumstances.

To my mind I thought Campbell looked more assured in the Premier League than he did in the Champions League, he was exposed horribly for much of the Barça tie, and looked to me what he was, a decent backup defender who can no longer quite cut it at the top level.

I agree the Walcott affair is extremely odd but I do not buy into your conspiracy theories, I am more likely to believe the reports that he, Walcott failed to follow Capello's instructions in the recent friendlies, or those that have him performing poorly in training. If you get into Capello's bad books it can be a long way back, ask Ashly Young!

Whilst I am quite sure that there is plenty of political (and commercial) pressure on the England manager I am not sure that the press have that much influence on Capello. However, as you pointed out earlier, Walcott clearly managed to upset Rooney with 'that pass' and I am more concerned with the influence senior players may have on Capello than the press.

I am pleased you liked my 'moral indignation', I often try to lighten the mood which is of course why I chose to start my post with FFS.

Glad you enjoyed it, it goes over many peoples heads...

I was being ironic

[marbelladave]

I was being ironic

And I was (trying) to be amusing, but of course you knew that...

[AyewJoking]

When are the squad numbers announced?

[Guest ttfn]

I've thus far been unable to properly articulate my thoughts on this squad and our chances as it's been hard to fight my way through the dross posted by Fosse Fox and others but for what it's worth, this is my two penneth.

I'm reasonably confident about England's chances. We have what appears to be a very easy group on paper, certainly compared to what we could have got. The second round game would, in all probability pit us against a decent, but beatable side, especially if we win our group.

That makes the quarter-finals a bare minimum. I would be reasonably satisfied with this, but there's no reason that we can't kick on past there. Our likely opponents are a woeful French side, led by a barmy manager and with very little real quality beyond Lloris, Gourcuff and Ribery. The absence of Lassana Diarra should hit them hard.

So, the way seems (relatively) clear to the semi finals. No side as good as Portugal in 2006 (who had just got to the final of Euro 2004) or Brazil in 2002 stand in England's way before the semis.

On to the squad. I don't see any cause for alarm. The term 'world class' is bandied about a lot, and I will take it to mean, in this instance, any player who would make a 'worldwide world cup 23'. England have at least 2 players who would fall into this category in Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney, and several more (Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand) on the next rung down. In all probability you'd have 3-4 Brazilians and 3-4 Spaniards, but no other country other than those 2 would boast more such players than England.

The depth of the squad is only an issue if circumstances conspire against us. The first XI (Barry permitting) is balanced, and works as a unit. Without him, the out-of-form Carrick comes in and the team suffers, but should still have enough quality to see off the States. Beyond those 12, Ledley King is an accomplished performer, and the upcoming 10 days will help him develop an understanding with Terry and Ferdinand. Joe Cole is a big-game player and will prove crucial in the latter stages, whilst Peter Crouch has an enviable international scoring record. Jamie Carragher has been there and done it with Liverpool, winning the Champions League and (as much as I dislike him) is clearly an excellent leader, and the sort of wise old head England will need.

Unless England suffer a drastic dip in performance or there is an injury crisis, nobody else should be getting a look in. Realistically only 15 or 16 players will play and the rest will be there as emergency back up.

The other reason I am confident is the state of the other contenders. As much as our recent performances were unconvincing, Spain have just scraped past Saudi Arabia and for the first time in nearly 10 years, Iker Casillas' position as No. 1 is being called into question. Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres all missed the whole of the last 2 months of the season and will be out of touch when the tournament begins. Portugal, woeful in qualifying, drew 0-0 with Cape Verde. France's problems (sex scandal notwithstanding) have been documented above. Maradona has much to prove as a manager, whilst Germany are suffering an unprecedented injury crisis.

Which leaves us with Brazil. Strangely their best asset appears to be their Inter-inspired defence, but for all our complaints over Glen Johnson at right back, they have a far bigger problem at left back, where they must choose between left winger Michel Bastos or the relatively inexperienced Andre Santos. In midfield, Elano is a regular starter on the right hand side, a position he failed to keep the much maligned Shaun Wright-Phillips out of at Manchester City. Kaka has had an awful season (one to rival Steven Gerrard), leaving Luis Fabiano as the side's most potent goal threat.

So, I'm not saying England are going to storm to victory. Far from it, we'll probably scrape into the semis with a series of uninspiring performances. But let's not get too down. We've got 5 or 6 players who would get in any squad in world football (unless Maradona was managing it) and other teams have their own major problems which will undoubtedly be grabbing the headlines in their countries.

Wh

[Brainy]

Tell Capello then that he's silly - after all HE was the one who went on the record to say that he was 'seriously considering' taking Wilshire to South Africa.

And if it's 'just silly' to take along a former first choice international central defender with 73 caps to his name (who only lost his place through losing his head rather than losing his form) then how would you describe selecting a crock, a permanent international second stringer and a bog standard club stopper who couldn't hack it in the top half of the Prem? The words 'fcuking idiotic' spring to mind.

But of course our Fabio is far from dumb, which suggests that it is someone else's hands that are pulling the selection strings. I'll come on to YOUR point about politics in a moment.

As for Walcott failing to develop - bull crap! Walcott's problems this season have been entirely fitness related - the result of serious injuries incurred as a result of vicious challenges by thugs like Liam Ridgewall who may well be operating under managerial instructions to 'do him' as Wenger pointedly insinuates. If a fit Theo is deemed good enough by the best footballing brain in Britain to start for Arsenal or good enough to come on and turn around a lost cause against the best footballing side in the world he's fookin' ten times good enough to do either for the most over rated side in international football - geddit???

As for the politics of it all - try either of these for size from today's Scum* (the second link provides a clue that hadn't occurred to me - but it does go some way to explaining why Murdoch media may have gone after him):

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2996180/Tottenham-4-Arsenal-0.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2996237/Theo-Walcott-fronts-ads-then-gets-axed.html

*Not content with giving Mullox airtime to assassinate Theo, Murdoch also gives him the column inches..

What are you doing? He was talking to Radovan Fox

[Fosse Fox]

I've thus far been unable to properly articulate my thoughts on this squad and our chances as it's been hard to fight my way through the dross posted by Fosse Fox and others but for what it's worth, this is my two penneth.

I'm reasonably confident about England's chances. We have what appears to be a very easy group on paper, certainly compared to what we could have got. The second round game would, in all probability pit us against a decent, but beatable side, especially if we win our group.

That makes the quarter-finals a bare minimum. I would be reasonably satisfied with this, but there's no reason that we can't kick on past there. Our likely opponents are a woeful French side, led by a barmy manager and with very little real quality beyond Lloris, Gourcuff and Ribery. The absence of Lassana Diarra should hit them hard.

So, the way seems (relatively) clear to the semi finals. No side as good as Portugal in 2006 (who had just got to the final of Euro 2004) or Brazil in 2002 stand in England's way before the semis.

On to the squad. I don't see any cause for alarm. The term 'world class' is bandied about a lot, and I will take it to mean, in this instance, any player who would make a 'worldwide world cup 23'. England have at least 2 players who would fall into this category in Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney, and several more (Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand) on the next rung down. In all probability you'd have 3-4 Brazilians and 3-4 Spaniards, but no other country other than those 2 would boast more such players than England.

The depth of the squad is only an issue if circumstances conspire against us. The first XI (Barry permitting) is balanced, and works as a unit. Without him, the out-of-form Carrick comes in and the team suffers, but should still have enough quality to see off the States. Beyond those 12, Ledley King is an accomplished performer, and the upcoming 10 days will help him develop an understanding with Terry and Ferdinand. Joe Cole is a big-game player and will prove crucial in the latter stages, whilst Peter Crouch has an enviable international scoring record. Jamie Carragher has been there and done it with Liverpool, winning the Champions League and (as much as I dislike him) is clearly an excellent leader, and the sort of wise old head England will need.

Unless England suffer a drastic dip in performance or there is an injury crisis, nobody else should be getting a look in. Realistically only 15 or 16 players will play and the rest will be there as emergency back up.

The other reason I am confident is the state of the other contenders. As much as our recent performances were unconvincing, Spain have just scraped past Saudi Arabia and for the first time in nearly 10 years, Iker Casillas' position as No. 1 is being called into question. Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres all missed the whole of the last 2 months of the season and will be out of touch when the tournament begins. Portugal, woeful in qualifying, drew 0-0 with Cape Verde. France's problems (sex scandal notwithstanding) have been documented above. Maradona has much to prove as a manager, whilst Germany are suffering an unprecedented injury crisis.

Which leaves us with Brazil. Strangely their best asset appears to be their Inter-inspired defence, but for all our complaints over Glen Johnson at right back, they have a far bigger problem at left back, where they must choose between left winger Michel Bastos or the relatively inexperienced Andre Santos. In midfield, Elano is a regular starter on the right hand side, a position he failed to keep the much maligned Shaun Wright-Phillips out of at Manchester City. Kaka has had an awful season (one to rival Steven Gerrard), leaving Luis Fabiano as the side's most potent goal threat.

So, I'm not saying England are going to storm to victory. Far from it, we'll probably scrape into the semis with a series of uninspiring performances. But let's not get too down. We've got 5 or 6 players who would get in any squad in world football (unless Maradona was managing it) and other teams have their own major problems which will undoubtedly be grabbing the headlines in their countries.

Wh

Such a doddle this World Cup lark eh?

Funny how England have only ever reached the World Cup semi's once before 'on the road' so to speak.

Not a multi level marketing salesman by any chance ttfn?

[marbelladave]

Such a doddle this World Cup lark eh?

Funny how England have only ever reached the World Cup semi's once before 'on the road' so to speak.

Not a multi level marketing salesman by any chance ttfn?

I was going to point out that fffn's post was hopelessly optimistic but I am more concerned with other matters.

Such as the 'revelation' in the cribbed post above that England are going into the first group game with virtually the same XI who played in 2006 under Sven. Just 2 outfield changes and one of those only occurred because goldenballs tripped over his image rights and broke something.

In 4 whole years we have progressed from the 'Golden Generation' in its prime to the 'Well past it's sell by date Generation'. I think it was Einstein who pointed out that repeatedly doing the same thing, in the same way, and expecting different results is the sign of madness. (Or maybe stupidity.)

On reflection the stupidity belongs to the fans who actually believe that the same bunch of over rated, over the hill losers can actually do better than last time.

Even more worrying is the apparent re-emergence of player power blocking non 'G.G.' members to the English team. Could this be the real reason non members such as Walcott, Parker, Dawson, Johnson and the rest were left out whilst founder member, David Beckham, is going as some sort of non playing captain? Player power fooked us last time in Germany and will most likely do so again later this month. For a time, about 12 months, ago I though Capello might have had this under control but no I was wrong!

PPS

Will the person who pissed in my cornflakes this morning please own up to save the cyberworld from more of my ranting.

Thank you.