England v Slovenia

[marbelladave]

do you honestly believe capello would have stuck aound this long if he wasn't actually in charge? If he didn't have control over the team he would have resigned by now.

Steady on...

You are messing with a pretty good conspiracy theory here, we might need it when we get dumped out on Wednesday.

[Guest]

Being a Leicester Lad I was stoked that Heskey played against the US and I thought he did well - but against algeria especially with Ronney's miserable performance his lack of confidence in his own goal scoring was inhibiting. He didn't want to shoot. He'll have to be dropped.

SWP is a waste of space even as sub.

We just need to go out ultra agressive and attacking and the game is ours. Slovenia will come out trying for a draw. WHEN we go one up me must keep attacking.

[fox123]

James

Johnson Dawson Terry A.Cole

S.W-P Barry Lampard J.Cole

Gerrard

Rooney

[Fosse Fox]

Who is then? The players? I doubt that since most were on record saying they wanted Green to continue. The FA? Not too unlikely.

James

Johnson - Dawson - Terry - Warnock

J.Cole - Barry - Milner - A.Cole

Gerrard - Rooney

My guess is that it is a cabal at Soho Square/Wembley Stadium. I also think that Capello's 'assistants' (Baldini, Galbiati et al) are important communication channels and opinion formers. All this palava of not naming the team until two hours before kick off suggests that Capello is ultimately taking orders from external sources. This is probably a more widespread practice than most fans realise - it's almost certainly happening with France now and also probably occurred when the Brazil squad was selected.

There can be little doubt that England at any given moment are sub optimal by between 3 - 4 players, that roles assigned to certain individuals are alien and inhibitibng and that squad omissions and inclusions are frankly baffling and inconsistent with the manager's previous behaviour and opinions. Here are some examples:

1) Robert Green - the OPTA stats confirm what is apparent to those in the know - he is at best a keeper of above average ability who has had a poor season at club level. In reality, he is indistinguishable from a clutch of keepers like Carson, Foster, Kirkland etc who will spend the rest of their careers on the fringes of the England squad. Yet:

Joe Hart, the best natural goalkeeping prospect that England has unearthed in a generation who had an outstanding season on loan at Birmingham City (it is widely accepted that it was his eerily authoritative performances that were the principal reason for their record breaking run in The Premier League), is glued to the bench. His lack of international experince as a reason against his inclusion in England's starting XI would be credible if Green had not been selected against the USA. The latter has yet to complete ten full games for his country and his last appearance was his debut in a major tournament.

Having been his original No 1, James has been reinstated by Capello who reportedly only dropped him because of injury. Yet, as widely reported, James stated he was fit and ready to play against the USA.

2) Jamie Carragher - Capello (along with McLaren & Eriksson) just viewed him as a squad stopper and wouldn't have played him in the qualifiers if he had been available for selection (with good reason). Strangely, the hoofer is persuaded to come out of his self imposed international exile and then features in two England games. Yet:

Sol Campbell a far better, experienced option who had a stand out run in with Arsenal is not only overlooked by Capello but is also airbrushed out of the media - why?

3) Ledley King, an outstanding versatile defender who would, under normal circumstances, be a no brainer for any manager if he wasn't half way between being a permanent walking wounded/stretcher case. But he is selected by the very same man who declared that all players would have to prove themselves 100% fit before he would consider them. Most ironic of all is that 'King the Crock' is brought in as cover for 'Rio the Crock'. Yet:

Micah Richards who, also like Sol Campbell had a notable run in with his club, mysteriously passed under the radar for World Cup selection but is widely expected to be visible on the Euro Qualifier monitor (more on that in a mo).

4) Gareth Barry, although sidelined through injury for his club's run in, is still selected for the squad even though it seemed he might not even get a kick in South Africa. Not only is this an even more blatant example of Capello transgressing his own fitness rule it is a demonstration of remarkable courtesy to a squad player. Considering his condition and the woriies over England's prospects it is more remarkable still he was given a starting berth against Algeria. Yet:

Joe Cole, the most outstanding technical talent in the squad, festers on the bench.

Jack Wilshire, the only real prodigy that has emerged since Walcott, kicks his heels at the academy gates. Capello went public that he was seriously considering including Wishire in his World Cup squad. Despite impressing hugely on loan at Bolton (some commentators crediting him as the force that kept Bolton up) Capello quietly backtracked in the full glare of the usual publicitylessness that normally accompanies such unprincipled behaviour. Needles to say, Jack's another shoo in for the Euro's.

5) James Milner, a stocky, trundling journeyman of middling ability starts against England's most highly ranked group opponents - despite not having fully recovered from a virus (yet another breach of the fitness rule). He is murdered for pace by an anonymous Yank flanker and is substituted after barely half an hour. Yet:

Theo Walcott, the most electrifying English winger in The Prem, is not even selected for the squad. This despite the fact that formerly, when fit, he was virtually a guaranteed starter for Capello. Again, like Richards, Capello promised Walcott that he was certain to feature in the Euro Qualifiers.

6) Emile Heskey - the striker who lays it on a plate for others to er... lay it on a plate - not only breezes into the squad, but also onto the starting blocks and fires his usual blanks. Strange how all this has come about considering how sniffy Capello was about picking him during the qualifiers. Stranger still that Emile has been rehabillitated considering how he flagrantly breached Fabio's disciplinary code (Bruno texted his 'bitch' during dinner) and didn't apologise. And bizarrely, oddly weird that he made it consdering he was kept out of the Villa side by World Player of the Year (Black Country Gazette Awards) Gaby Agbonlahor and after having had his commitment questioned publicly by father figure and mentor MON. Yet:

Jermaine Defoe, he who accelerates like a dragster and fires Katyushas for fun, gets a patry 15 minutes on the pitch out of a possible 180.

You might notice that I haven't even mentioned Lampard, the midfielder selected for his impressive club goals/games ratio who has only scored a solitary penalty on foreign soil in internationals in nearly six years. Or the misplaced notion that Rooney is still a natural out and out striker at international level. Or even the strange idea that Gerrard's natural berth is wide left (not that it seems to stop him from doing what he wants).Fabio's decisions appears fickle, inconsistent and downright illogical. He does not seem to know his own mind.

And that's because his mind is not his own...

[The Doctor]

Capello could quit if England fail

[WardyisPukka]

i hope he does go watever happens !! i think its time for a english manager ( harry ) to install some passion back into this team!! i think capello has this ingrained italian way of 4-4-2 and that doesnt suit us at all

[Samilktray]

If we cant do anything worth shouting about under Capello, what hope do we have under someone like Harry Redknapp, or anyone for that matter.

[Koke]

i hope he does go watever happens !! i think its time for a english manager ( harry ) to install some passion back into this team!! i think capello has this ingrained italian way of 4-4-2 and that doesnt suit us at all

[Tilley]

MANAGER WITH PASHUN.

GIVE IT WALSHY

[WardyisPukka]

If we cant do anything worth shouting about under Capello, what hope do we have under someone like Harry Redknapp, or anyone for that matter.

ok fair point!! its an impossible job anyway !! i think we will win on wed but capello has to change it fact!!. plus mclaren had fook all experience in football anyways let alone international football

[BoneDog]

My guess is that it is a cabal at Soho Square/Wembley Stadium.

Most likely correct, and this is why Brian Clough never got the job. He wouldn't of stood for this shit and The FA knew it!

He does not seem to know his own mind.

And that's because his mind is not his own...

Love it

[marbelladave]

Important message for Radovan Fox.

The first rule of conspiracy theory.

Don't talk about the conspiracy!

The second rule.........

[Fosse Fox]

My guess is that it is a cabal at Soho Square/Wembley Stadium. I also think that Capello's 'assistants' (Baldini, Galbiati et al) are important communication channels and opinion formers. All this palava of not naming the team until two hours before kick off suggests that Capello is ultimately taking orders from external sources. This is probably a more widespread practice than most fans realise - it's almost certainly happening with France now and also probably occurred when the Brazil squad was selected.

There can be little doubt that England at any given moment are sub optimal by between 3 - 4 players, that roles assigned to certain individuals are alien and inhibitibng and that squad omissions and inclusions are frankly baffling and inconsistent with the manager's previous behaviour and opinions. Here are some examples:

1) Robert Green - the OPTA stats confirm what is apparent to those in the know - he is at best a keeper of above average ability who has had a poor season at club level. In reality, he is indistinguishable from a clutch of keepers like Carson, Foster, Kirkland etc who will spend the rest of their careers on the fringes of the England squad. Yet:

Joe Hart, the best natural goalkeeping prospect that England has unearthed in a generation who had an outstanding season on loan at Birmingham City (it is widely accepted that it was his eerily authoritative performances that were the principal reason for their record breaking run in The Premier League), is glued to the bench. His lack of international experince as a reason against his inclusion in England's starting XI would be credible if Green had not been selected against the USA. The latter has yet to complete ten full games for his country and his last appearance was his debut in a major tournament.

Having been his original No 1, James has been reinstated by Capello who reportedly only dropped him because of injury. Yet, as widely reported, James stated he was fit and ready to play against the USA.

2) Jamie Carragher - Capello (along with McLaren & Eriksson) just viewed him as a squad stopper and wouldn't have played him in the qualifiers if he had been available for selection (with good reason). Strangely, the hoofer is persuaded to come out of his self imposed international exile and then features in two England games. Yet:

Sol Campbell a far better, experienced option who had a stand out run in with Arsenal is not only overlooked by Capello but is also airbrushed out of the media - why?

3) Ledley King, an outstanding versatile defender who would, under normal circumstances, be a no brainer for any manager if he wasn't half way between being a permanent walking wounded/stretcher case. But he is selected by the very same man who declared that all players would have to prove themselves 100% fit before he would consider them. Most ironic of all is that 'King the Crock' is brought in as cover for 'Rio the Crock'. Yet:

Micah Richards who, also like Sol Campbell had a notable run in with his club, mysteriously passed under the radar for World Cup selection but is widely expected to be visible on the Euro Qualifier monitor (more on that in a mo).

4) Gareth Barry, although sidelined through injury for his club's run in, is still selected for the squad even though it seemed he might not even get a kick in South Africa. Not only is this an even more blatant example of Capello transgressing his own fitness rule it is a demonstration of remarkable courtesy to a squad player. Considering his condition and the woriies over England's prospects it is more remarkable still he was given a starting berth against Algeria. Yet:

Joe Cole, the most outstanding technical talent in the squad, festers on the bench.

Jack Wilshire, the only real prodigy that has emerged since Walcott, kicks his heels at the academy gates. Capello went public that he was seriously considering including Wishire in his World Cup squad. Despite impressing hugely on loan at Bolton (some commentators crediting him as the force that kept Bolton up) Capello quietly backtracked in the full glare of the usual publicitylessness that normally accompanies such unprincipled behaviour. Needles to say, Jack's another shoo in for the Euro's.

5) James Milner, a stocky, trundling journeyman of middling ability starts against England's most highly ranked group opponents - despite not having fully recovered from a virus (yet another breach of the fitness rule). He is murdered for pace by an anonymous Yank flanker and is substituted after barely half an hour. Yet:

Theo Walcott, the most electrifying English winger in The Prem, is not even selected for the squad. This despite the fact that formerly, when fit, he was virtually a guaranteed starter for Capello. Again, like Richards, Capello promised Walcott that he was certain to feature in the Euro Qualifiers.

6) Emile Heskey - the striker who lays it on a plate for others to er... lay it on a plate - not only breezes into the squad, but also onto the starting blocks and fires his usual blanks. Strange how all this has come about considering how sniffy Capello was about picking him during the qualifiers. Stranger still that Emile has been rehabillitated considering how he flagrantly breached Fabio's disciplinary code (Bruno texted his 'bitch' during dinner) and didn't apologise. And bizarrely, oddly weird that he made it consdering he was kept out of the Villa side by World Player of the Year (Black Country Gazette Awards) Gaby Agbonlahor and after having had his commitment questioned publicly by father figure and mentor MON. Yet:

Jermaine Defoe, he who accelerates like a dragster and fires Katyushas for fun, gets a patry 15 minutes on the pitch out of a possible 180.

You might notice that I haven't even mentioned Lampard, the midfielder selected for his impressive club goals/games ratio who has only scored a solitary penalty on foreign soil in internationals in nearly six years. Or the misplaced notion that Rooney is still a natural out and out striker at international level. Or even the strange idea that Gerrard's natural berth is wide left (not that it seems to stop him from doing what he wants).Fabio's decisions appears fickle, inconsistent and downright illogical. He does not seem to know his own mind.

And that's because his mind is not his own...

'Strange how all this has come about considering how sniffy Capello was about picking him (Heskey) during the qualifiers.'

This statement is inaccurate and I withdraw it.

Apologies to all...

[martyn]

My team

James

Johnson

Upson

Terry

A. Cole

Lennon

Milner

Barry

J. Cole

Gerrard

Rooney

[C-man]

Frank Lampard did well in that interview. Speaks very well and handled the press with aplomb. Shame he can't turn up for England every now and again 'cos otherwise he'd be my Captain.

[davieG]

West Ham defender Matthew Upson will start England's crucial final World Cup group game against Slovenia in South Africa on Wednesday.

England are without the injured Ledley King and suspended Jamie Carragher and coach Fabio Capello told the BBC that Upson will play in Port Elizabeth.

The 31-year-old was a key member of the side for the qualifiers.

"Upson will play because he always played with John Terry and I probably will change some others," Capello said.

England need a win to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Capello had a straight choice between Upson or uncapped Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who was brought in as a late replacement for injured captain Rio Ferdinand, and the Italian opted for the experience of the Hammers star.

Tottenham defender King was replaced at half-time in England's draw with the US and was later ruled out for three weeks with a groin injury.England are without a victory at the World Cup after drawing 1-1 with the United States in their opening game before being held to a goalless draw by Algeria on Friday.

His replacement, Liverpool defender Carragher, was booked against both the US and Algeria, resulting in a one-match suspension.

King sat out training on Monday, as did Michael Carrick who has an ankle injury, but the Manchester United midfielder is expected to be fit for Wednesday's match.

King could possibly return for the knockout stages of the tournament, if England qualify.

A defeat against Slovenia would mean England are eliminated, while a draw would leave their fate depending on the result between the US and Algeria.

England have also been forced to revise their plans off the pitch ahead of the game against Slovenia after being told they will be unable to train in the stadium on Tuesday.

Fifa are mindful of protecting the playing surface at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and have decided neither side will have access to the pitch.

It is now likely that Capello's squad will remain at their Rustenburg base to train in the morning before catching a later flight to Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Fifa have also announced that German referee Wolfgang Stark will take charge of the clash with Slovenia.

[marbelladave]

West Ham defender Matthew Upson will start England's crucial final World Cup group game against Slovenia in South Africa on Wednesday.

England are without the injured Ledley King and suspended Jamie Carragher and coach Fabio Capello told the BBC that Upson will play in Port Elizabeth.

The 31-year-old was a key member of the side for the qualifiers.

"Upson will play because he always played with John Terry and I probably will change some others," Capello said.

England need a win to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Capello had a straight choice between Upson or uncapped Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who was brought in as a late replacement for injured captain Rio Ferdinand, and the Italian opted for the experience of the Hammers star.

Tottenham defender King was replaced at half-time in England's draw with the US and was later ruled out for three weeks with a groin injury.England are without a victory at the World Cup after drawing 1-1 with the United States in their opening game before being held to a goalless draw by Algeria on Friday.

His replacement, Liverpool defender Carragher, was booked against both the US and Algeria, resulting in a one-match suspension.

King sat out training on Monday, as did Michael Carrick who has an ankle injury, but the Manchester United midfielder is expected to be fit for Wednesday's match.

King could possibly return for the knockout stages of the tournament, if England qualify.

A defeat against Slovenia would mean England are eliminated, while a draw would leave their fate depending on the result between the US and Algeria.

England have also been forced to revise their plans off the pitch ahead of the game against Slovenia after being told they will be unable to train in the stadium on Tuesday.

Fifa are mindful of protecting the playing surface at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and have decided neither side will have access to the pitch.

It is now likely that Capello's squad will remain at their Rustenburg base to train in the morning before catching a later flight to Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Fifa have also announced that German referee Wolfgang Stark will take charge of the clash with Slovenia.

Erm.......... Interesting.

[Jon the Hat]

Erm.......... Interesting.

Cole in for Gerrard, who will play up with Rooney.

[dandannieldanok]

Independent article about Crouch

Tag-line on the article says it all really: England need to score against Slovenia on Wednesday to stay in the tournament. How about picking a striker who actually scores goals?

[marbelladave]

Cole in for Gerrard, who will play up with Rooney.

Nasty.

I know that is the 'peoples choice', but personally I really do not like the idea.

Mind you, given the poor range of options available.....

[Bugg]

Independent article about Crouch

Tag-line on the article says it all really: England need to score against Slovenia on Wednesday to stay in the tournament. How about picking a striker who actually scores goals?

You express your hate for Heskey on every page, we get it.

[dandannieldanok]

You express your hate for Heskey on every page, we get it.

How is that expressing a hate for Heskey, don't think I mentioned him did I?? It's got fuck all to do with Heskey.

[marbelladave]

Heskey is in the side to give Rooney the time and space to play.

Rooney has been woeful for two games, Heskey has been quite decent in his assigned role.

So, drop Heskey and push Rooney up front where he has hardly ever played...

Football eh, you couldn't make it up...

[The Doctor]

How is that expressing a hate for Heskey, don't think I mentioned him did I?? It's got **** all to do with Heskey.

How about picking a striker that actually scores goals?

^ That is quite clearly a reference to heskey.

[dandannieldanok]

^ That is quite clearly a reference to heskey.

Not my words though, read the quote more carefully. I'm sorry but I thought this was a discussion topic about England and how to fix it for our next game. I guess simple selection issues like our strikers are not allowed to be talked about unless they fall in line with the majority opinion. I wholeheartedly apologise to everyone offended by my opinion.