Faddy's dropped out, so I won't be watching Scootland!

Seb is playing in midfield for Sweden against Wales on Sky, so that's a possibility.

Is Big Joe starting in goal for England? No, it's Robert Green! Big mistake Signor Capello!



Maik Taylor's in goal for N Ireland against Albania - wonder where I can find coverage of that one??

Watched the England game tonight.

Gerrard and Lampard = Barnes and Waddle. Great club players, shit international players.

It pains me to say it, but forgetting all the OTT hype surrounding Mr Rooney and forgetting rivalries for one moment, James Milner should be the first name on the team sheet along with Peter Crouch.

Crouch has got 20 goals in 38 games, currently a better scoring ratio than Alan Shearer. Whilst Milner is the best English midfielder based on current form.

Fabio, forget what the media is telling you, go with the players in form in an England shirt...

I didn't watch it tonight. But agree about Milner, especially if Joe Cole doesn't get his form back, and I think Cole is a cracking player. Gerrard never does enough in an England shirt, Lampard used to 4 years ago, but at least he does get a reasonable amount of goals, even if you do take away the penalties. Not so sure about Crouch, I know he scores lots of goals against poor and average opponents, but just don't see him posing the same threat if we came up against Brazil. The problem is, other than Rooney, I don't see any of our strikers doing so either. I'd like to see Carlton Cole given a few starts up front with Rooney. I think he can do what Heskey does, and he can finish off a chance if one comes his way. DeFoe will be great against the minnows in the group, and we should use him, and hold back Rooney for the latter stages.

I watched the whole game last night, the first half seemed to last about three hours as it was very difficult on the eye; passes went astray or were hit too heavily (blame the pitch for that), and our midfield were totally out of sorts. However, we looked different gravy in the second half when Carrick came on for Lampard and Crouch replaced Defoe. Milner is by far the most improved player in the last year or so and he must start at the World cup. Fabio may even play him at left back and play three centre backs to make room for him? Or maybe not.

Anyway, in summary; Lampard is not the player he is when he wears the three lions, Defoe is pants and the sooner we sort JT out the better, because being booed by his own supporters is not very clever..

Agree with all the above.

Gerrard in an England shirt is garbage IMO,why can't he ever seem to play a simple pass to one of his team mates in order to keep possession rather than trying his impossible, hollywood style passes that 99% of the time just don't come off?He surrenders posession more than any other England player by far,and his attempts at tackling are woeful most of the time.He'll be lucky if he's a starter come the summer,and we'll be unlucky if he is.He should be looking at the way Gareth Barry goes about his game;nothing fancy,rarely gives the ball away and breaks up the opponents play brilliantly and consistently.Lampard too had a poor game but at least he got in some decent positions and on another day may have/ should have scored at least one,not good but better than Gerrard.

Agree with Milner being a must,a really versatile clever player.And you can't argue with Crouch's scoring record for England,wouldn't start him but a great sub to have and his natural affinity with playing at high altitude could come in handy at some of the high altitude venues in SA.

Probably.

I have this horrible vision of Crouch and Wright-Phillips getting changed next to each other..

It's not a nice thought..

Watching the Upson and Terry partnership last night was like watching two incompatible teenagers out on a first date, where after five minutes they both looked as if they would rather be somewhere else.
Of course it wouldn't happen, but if I had to choose between Upson/Terry or Johnson/Dann to help England win the World Cup, I know which pair I would rather put my trust in.

They don't look like they're from the same planet let alone the same country do they?
I like them both though

I've never really rated Upson and Terry's mind is all too obviously elsewhere at the moment. The game was a good learning curve for the Algeria match and I fully expect Mr Capello to learn well from it, ie, Defoe won't be playing and Carrick and Milner will start..

Thought the game wasn't too bad for a friendly, at least a bit of food for thought for Capello and what is it two more friendlies before the real stuff starts ?
K.R.O.

Come on, Smudger, say it; Milner's a great player?

He's not a bad player to be honest,but his goalscoring record at the top level is modest to say the least...well that's it I've gone and done it..!! praised a viler.... ....must be getting soft in me old age ..!
K.R.O.

I wonder if Big Eck was watching that Zidan fella? He's pacey, can finish and he plays in Germany so must surely be itching to play in the Premiership?

As for England, nothing much has changed from Svens reign really has it? We still have a manager who has not the ballular spuds of love to drop Lampard or Gerrard and start with players in form.

Weren't there whispers of us signing Zidan before the Dark continent trophy of Campestrals started, (or the African cup of nations as it's now known)?

Ah those were whispers in the shadows, gruff blazing voices hating, waiting. I reckon Big Eck should just slap £20million on the Dortmund table and have them give Zidan directions to Wast Hills posthaste and all forthwith loike.

Now that's entertainment, folks.


I heard a rumour that Dortmund had already accepted an offer from one of the larger teams in Yerp. Does anyone know any different? Does anyone know that I made that bit up? Does anyone know if downtown Birmingham has a Little Egypt that Zidan could go to and have a cup of strong coffee and chew the fatima with fellow Countrymen?

Looks a great player, mind.