Monday 23 February 2009

Who Should be England's number one?



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England’s keeper problem.

Fabio Capello was in the stands at Craven Cottage at the weekend for Fulham’s Premier League match against West Brom. The only two players he was realistically looking at were Andy Johnson (who must’ve impressed, bagging a goal and assist) and Baggies ‘keeper Scott Carson.

The former Liverpool stopper still hasn’t recovered from THAT howler against Croatia 16 months ago and has started to build a collection of goalkeeping mishaps. There was nearly another one against Fulham when a lack of communication between Carson and centre half Leon Barnett nearly saw the defender score a comical own goal. But the very fact Capello is even considering Carson shows the extent of the goalkeeping problem we have at the moment.

Ten years ago we were well stocked in the goalkeeping department, with David Seaman, Nigel Martyn and David James. But now, despite trying a host of players, we still aren’t sure who our number one is. Here is a few of the options we have:

David James
The current number one, and probably the best of the bunch. He is very experienced but he is always prone to unforced errors, like in the recent England friendly against Spain when he spilled an easy cross. Age is also a factor, but is there anyone else out there?

Paul Robinson
Looked set for a long career as England’s number one but suffered a crisis of confidence at Spurs, and of course that howler in Zagreb. He still hasn’t recovered, and now finds himself in a relegation battle with Blackburn.

Robert Green
A consistent performer at his club West Ham, Green perhaps hasn’t been given the run in the side he perhaps deserves. Question marks remain over whether he is up to International standard but he at least deserves to be given a chance to prove himself.

Scott Carson
Looked a promising keeper a few years ago when at Liverpool, but ever since the Croatia game he has been making far too many costly errors for his club. Looks an outside bet for me.

Ben Foster
A promising season on loan at Watford three years ago earned him a first cap. But he has suffered a string of serious injuries. Has he recovered sufficiently to return to his previous form? First-team football should be high on his list of priorities.

Chris Kirkland
Another keeper who showed early promised and if it wasn’t for some badly timed injuries he would have won a handful of caps by now. The Wigan number one has been plagued with back problems in recent years, but if he can show some consistent fitness he may be in with a shout.

Joe Hart

A regular in the Under-21 side Hart has already earned a call-up to the squad. But since the arrival at City of Shay Given, will a place on the bench hamper Hart’s development?

Who do you think should be England’s number one? Is there any other contenders? Feel free to leave comments and your suggestions

Thursday 19 February 2009

World Cup 2010 tickets on sale for South Africa

World Cup 2010 tickets go on sale 20th of Febuary 2009. There are various options for individual teams and games. Money will be refunded if your team does not qualify.

Fans Demand World Cup Tickets

Thursday 12 February 2009

Spain 2 England 0 match pictures and images

Football - Spain v England International Friendly


Beckham matches Bobby Moores record of 108 caps, now the 2 most capped out field players.

Football - Spain v England International Friendly


England fans at Saville

Football - Spain v England International Friendly


Football - Spain v England International Friendly

Monday 9 February 2009

Do you think Beckham will be in the 2010 England Squad in South Africa

Beckham steals the headlines as England hope to reign in Spain.

The recall of former skipper David Beckham understandably took most of the headlines when Fabio Capello announced his England squad on Saturday evening.The former Man United man has impressed while on loan at AC Milan and now has the chance to equal the late, great Bobby Moore’s record of 108 international caps.
Though I’m sure he would never admit it, I believe Becks made a mistake when he left Real Madrid for L.A. Galaxy in 2006. At the time he signed the pre-contract agreement to move to the U.S. he was frozen out of Steve McClaren’s England squad and out of favour at Real Madrid (ironically under Fabio Capello). So a big money move, and a chance to see out is career in L.A., must have seemed an attractive proposition.
But by the time he made the move across the Atlantic, McClaren had recalled Beck’s to the England fold. Beckham’s dream of playing at the next world cup in South Africa had suddenly become more of a reality – but playing in a sub-standard league was never going to count in his favour.
To be fair to Beckham, he was the consummate professional and got his head down and worked hard to settle in at his new club. But wasn’t a surprise that when Milan came calling, Becks jumped at the chance to play for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Despite the usual media circus that surrounds him, Beckham’s performances on the pitch have been impressive and his recall to the squad is on merit. If I was a football betting man, I would be tempted to put money on Becks being on the plane to South Africa next summer (should we qualify of course!)
Elsewhere Capello continued his policy of picking players based on form with, among others, West Ham’s Carlton Cole earning a call-up. Hammers striker Cole has been in goal scoring form of late and looks set to play in the ‘Heskey’ role, using his strength and power to hold up the ball.
His inclusion may have raised a few eyebrows, but it is a statement from Capello. Too often under previous managers the squad has been seen as a closed shop, with the same players being called up every time. But Capello has given hope to any English player that if they play well enough, they are in with a shout.
Cole may have his weaknesses, but if he uses his power and strength to hold up the ball and lay it off to more creative team-mates, he could play a key role in England’s future.
The game against Spain represents another step in England’s recovery from their disastrous EURO 2008 campaign. Pride has been well and truly restored by Mr Capello and the victory in Germany last November gave us the biggest boost of all. A win over reigning European champions Spain could show to the world that England is back as international force.

Written by Tom Mallows, online sports writer for Betfair. Check them out for the latest Cheltenham odds.