Current Squad: Joe Hart, Robbo, James, Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Rio, Johnson, JT, Wes Brown, Woodgate, Upson, Barry, Lamps, Stevie G, Becks, Carrick, Joe Cole, Bents, Downing, Walcott, Roo, Heskey, Defoe...
Absentees from previous Capello squads: Wheater, Jenas, Young, Gabby, Warnock, Hargreaves, Owen, SWP, Lewis, Jagielka, Crouch, Ashton, Carson, Kirkland, Green, Lescott, Richards, Huddlestone
What more can Darren Bent do?! I don't understand the lad is in top form... He is finding the net on a consistent basis, although Capello snubbed Defoe when he was playing quality football at the end of Pompeys campaign as well.
Perhaps Capello is in his own world when it comes to selecting and commenting on the English strikers. He claims that España have the best strikers in the world, (I won't argue this) Villa and Torres are absolute quality, but why doubt the likes of Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe, Dean Ashton and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Peter Crouch 28 caps 14 goals... Wayne Rooney 43 caps 14 goals...
I would have selected Young instead of Becks, Crouch for Heskey, Bent or Walcott for Rooney... whats the deal with that virus anyways, we know Wayne has quality but give him a break.
We expect too much from him sometimes right?! I suppose the match against Newcastle will prove if he is fit for August 20th.
Young can deliver a damn fine cross, and the lad is brilliant when he is involved with set pieces. Bentley is another up and coming winger that should get a cap before Mr LA LA land loving David Beckham. (I have all the respect in the world for him, by the way) old man Becks is stalling the international progress of David Bentley/Ashley Young and it's a damn shame.
Peter Crouch once again 28 caps 14 goals... Emile Heskey 45 caps five goals. I don't understand this nonsense.
On a side-note, Dean Ashton and his injuries are heartbreaking! I mean who doesn't feel bad for the lad?
Theo Walcott is going to be a legend for the three lions. (HOPEFULLY!) Liverpool vs Gooners April 8th 2008... Walcott took the ball from deep inside his side of the pitch dribbled, jumped and ran past four Liverpool players like it was a jog through the park then set up Adebayor for an easy finish.
If that is what is to come from Walcott... be prepared for defenders to be facedown on the pitch 20 yards behind speedy Theo and his magic touch. Unless he turns into an Aaron Lennon... Another young lion that needs more time!
Ben Foster... England number one!!!... again injuries and a lack of first team experience are hindering his growth, but the quality is obvious. He will bring many trophies if he stays at United.
Finally, Micah Richards will put "own goal" Gary Neville where he belongs... at home watching highlights on Sky Sports. If you watched the Euro 2008 qualifiers you understand what I mean...
Thanks for reading and or commenting my first football article on Bleacher Report.
PS:Capello if you read this (haha)... JT is our captain!!
Ole ole ole ole England, England!
Remember Wembley '66
Cheers.
3 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
David Sarch 10 months ago
Darren Bent was dreadful against Middlesbrough this weekend and don't forget that 4 of his preseason goals came against Norwich and another 3 against Leyton Orient. Not exactly quality opposition.
It is however a little bit surprising to see how thin England is down the middle. Gerrard has carried injuries through most of the pre-season so it will be interesting to see what Capello does in the middle of the park.
Good article though. Would agree with Young over Beckham and I am surprised Agbonglehor didn't get the call up after the Ashton injury.
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MIchael JJGW 10 months ago
Bent is not is not the answer.
Capello, not Becham is blocking the way.
I'ma Chelsea fan, but JT is not International calibre - Gallas is, Rio is, Vidich is, JT is a good club player. Same goes for Brown, barry and Lampard.
Does Crouch score against good teams or Rooney? Is Defoe good enough?
Becks is way past his best and declining rapidly.
We are not going forwards, these players haven't done it in 8 years, they aren't gonna start now. A fresh aproach is needed and thats what Capello is supposed to provide. WE are STAGNANT and devoid of ideas.
South Africa looks a million miles away and if somehow we get there? More of the same!
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brett williams 10 months ago
Fabio Capello doesn't know what he is doing... his starting lineup Is a joke. Once again we have gone back to players who can make an impact at their clubs, but not on the international scene. Russia, Croatia, Holland and Spain have got what it takes to dominate world football. Why? One touch football, team chemistry, solid keeping and counter attacks that destroy their opposition. There was not enough creativity in the starting lineup that Capello named against the Czech Republic. David Beckham please stay home in LA or pretend you are hurt, your services will not be needed for this campaign. Ashley Young, Joe Cole, Bents, Michael Carrick, Barry, Stevie G, Micah Richards, Stewart Downing, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Dean Ashton, Jermain Jenas, Wayne Bridge, Jermain Defoe, Milner, michael owen, Wes Brown, Rooney, Crouch, Walcott and Owen Hargreaves... these are the creative players that can bring trophies. Obviously Rio and JT are our defence when fit... when they aren't England always suffer tremendously...England's lack of creativity is costing them points in qualifying campaigns... The gaffers are blaming our lack of quality strikers for the failures... This isn't a factor however, when you turn the ball over in midfield and don't win it back (constant examples David Beckham, Frank Lampard) We have watched these two lads destroy the hopes of several counter attacks. England are not going to qualify for tournaments... When they play the long ball as often as they did on wednesday... Becks and Lampard were just bodies turning the ball over and not falling back to defend. We all know Becks can deliver a ball on a set piece or cross, but the rest of his abilities are useless. Young, Carrick, Bents, Barry, Hargreaves and Stevie G have more to offer than the LA Galaxy player. England can play like Holland and Spain, but not with wednesdays starting lineup. A solid back four, and an international keeper that keeps clean sheets (ben foster please recover or paul robinson please find your form once again) as well as creativity in the midfield, solid players on the wings and up pace up front are essential for the three lions tournament success. Capello is clueless in attacking or so it seems. We need our wingers to make setting up simple goals a regular occurrence. A midfield of Barry, Stevie G, Becks and Lamps doesn't work. Capello needs to start the following players before Lamps and Beckham: Young, Bentley, Joe Cole, Barry or michael Carrick and bring in hargreaves when England need to protect a lead in the 2nd half, need to keep posession of the ball, or mark a troublesome winger and or midfielder...
we need to get this going or else we might have to wait eight years or so for a team with a solid gaffer and cup winning potential.
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