maddog Posted 21 June 2010 Posted 21 June 2010 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. Still can't believe people keep saying about the draw thing. If we do draw it is highly likely it will be 0-0 or 1-1 which will see us definitely out. And even if we draw 5-5, the chances are one of USA or Algeria will win, and we're not going to score that many goals or concede that many. It will be 0-0 or 1-1 if we draw, so we will be gone anyway regardless of the US result. We have to win.
Guest NGoloMode Posted 21 June 2010 Posted 21 June 2010 ----------------------James Johnson---Dawson---Terry---Cole -----------------------Barry ------Lennon-------------------Cole --------------------Gerrard -------------Heskey----Defoe\Rooney Yea i would drop Rooney
Lisburn Fox Posted 21 June 2010 Posted 21 June 2010 -------------------------------------James Johnson-----------Terry-------------- Upson------------------A Cole -----------------------------------Barry Milner--------------------Lampard-------------------------------J Cole ------------------------Gerrard -------------------------------------Rooney
DJ Barry Hammond Posted 21 June 2010 Posted 21 June 2010 James Johnson - Terry - Dawson - A Cole Lennon - Lampard - Barry - J Cole Gerrard Mardy Face Rooney I like the attempt to play more than 11 players and a guy from the A-team who isn't even in our sqaud (or English) but I don't really think thats on is it?
Joe. Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 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? It really will baffle me if he doesn't get the nod tomorrow, it really would be ridiculous if we don't use him. But anyway, we will win this game and go through. As group winners. The players know they have to perform in this game, they've had their much-needed meeting and everybody should now take this more seriously than ever before and produce the goods. If Capello gets this one right we should have eleven players on the pitch perfectly capable of getting past Slovenia with ease, I don't care how poor we've played so far. Joe Cole and Crouch are surely musts for this one - we need creativity, and we need goals. And we will do it. A potential tie against Germany in the next round doesn't particularly worry me either at the moment. A match of that magnitude needs no hype, and most of those players would undoubtedly be more up for it than any match in an England shirt they've performed in before. But not to get ahead, we've got a game to go and win...
marbelladave Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 It really will baffle me if he doesn't get the nod tomorrow, it really would be ridiculous if we don't use him. But anyway, we will win this game and go through. As group winners. The players know they have to perform in this game, they've had their much-needed meeting and everybody should now take this more seriously than ever before and produce the goods. If Capello gets this one right we should have eleven players on the pitch perfectly capable of getting past Slovenia with ease, I don't care how poor we've played so far. Joe Cole and Crouch are surely musts for this one - we need creativity, and we need goals. And we will do it. A potential tie against Germany in the next round doesn't particularly worry me either at the moment. A match of that magnitude needs no hype, and most of those players would undoubtedly be more up for it than any match in an England shirt they've performed in before. But not to get ahead, we've got a game to go and win... You will get neither, not from the start anyway. Terry has fcuked any chance Joe Cole had of getting a game and the signals are that Defoe will replace Heskey as Rooney's partner. More 4-4-2 with Gerrard in his usuai role (anywhere but) on the left. Going to be a tough afternoon!
purpleronnie Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 The only way england will win is if I bet slovenia to win.
Salieri Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 The only way england will win is if I bet slovenia to win. With my recent betting history thats a fantastic idea. Although i may lump on Slovenia or draw, just to be safe.
Joe. Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 We really will have to be patient tomorrow. Slovenia know that putting ten men behind the ball is their best hope of getting what they need and I have a feeling we could be in for a long, hard slog. It won't be easy, but we should have the qualiy to pull this off. Bring it on.
Tilley Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 James Johnson Upson* Terry A. ColeMilner Lampard Barry J. ColeGerrardRooney *Personal choice would be Dawson but it is nailed on that Upson will start.
Jaspa Posted 22 June 2010 Posted 22 June 2010 I can see Algeria qualifying. Proble all that paint thinner u were huffing
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