Tuesday 31 March 2009
David Beckham pictures breaking the record for most out field appearences
To commemorate breaking the record number of appearences for England as an out field player.
Monday 30 March 2009
Monday 23 March 2009
King call-up takes the headlines as latest England squad named.
So it’s England time again and boss Fabio Capello has again showed with his latest squad selection that he isn’t afraid to make controversial decisions.
That controversial decision being the selection of Spurs’ injury plagued centre-half Ledley King. King’s talent has never been in question, don’t forget he won his first England cap five years ago, but chronic knee problems mean he can only manage one game a week for Spurs and he barely trains in between.
You can’t really see him coping with the cut and thrust of a major tournament, with a match coming every three days or so. But as Fabio has said, he only picks players who are in form, so if Ledley helps England to two wins in their next two games, it is job done as far as Capello is concerned.
Another new call-up is Everton’s Leighton Baines (who I tipped for a call-up on this site earlier in the year I might add). It may be a surprise for some, but not for Everton fans who have seen the former Wigan man hit a great patch of form in recent weeks alongside Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka, who also received call-ups.
We don’t seem to be blessed with a great deal of left-backs. Ashley Cole is the obvious number one but with Wayne Bridge injured, Baines is far and away the most logical choice behind them.
Another one of my previous blogs on this site discussed the goalkeeping situation, which I think is Fabio Capello’s greatest challenge ahead of the World Cup next year. Many people have seen Ben Foster as the man with the potential to take that number one jersey, with only injury and lack of first-team action preventing him from adding to his sole England cap.
But after his heroics in the Carling Cup final earlier in the month he has been given another chance and I fancy him to start the friendly against Slovakia next Saturday. With David James and Edwin Van Der Sar both approaching 40, I reckon Foster may soon find himself number one for both club and country.
That controversial decision being the selection of Spurs’ injury plagued centre-half Ledley King. King’s talent has never been in question, don’t forget he won his first England cap five years ago, but chronic knee problems mean he can only manage one game a week for Spurs and he barely trains in between.
You can’t really see him coping with the cut and thrust of a major tournament, with a match coming every three days or so. But as Fabio has said, he only picks players who are in form, so if Ledley helps England to two wins in their next two games, it is job done as far as Capello is concerned.
Another new call-up is Everton’s Leighton Baines (who I tipped for a call-up on this site earlier in the year I might add). It may be a surprise for some, but not for Everton fans who have seen the former Wigan man hit a great patch of form in recent weeks alongside Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka, who also received call-ups.
We don’t seem to be blessed with a great deal of left-backs. Ashley Cole is the obvious number one but with Wayne Bridge injured, Baines is far and away the most logical choice behind them.
Another one of my previous blogs on this site discussed the goalkeeping situation, which I think is Fabio Capello’s greatest challenge ahead of the World Cup next year. Many people have seen Ben Foster as the man with the potential to take that number one jersey, with only injury and lack of first-team action preventing him from adding to his sole England cap.
But after his heroics in the Carling Cup final earlier in the month he has been given another chance and I fancy him to start the friendly against Slovakia next Saturday. With David James and Edwin Van Der Sar both approaching 40, I reckon Foster may soon find himself number one for both club and country.
Monday 9 March 2009
6 + 5 for the future?
Jose Baxter, Everton
Liverpool born striker Baxter is already being tipped to join the long list of home-grown Everton strikers - comparisons with a certain Wayne Rooney have already been mooted. He made his debut against Blackburn on the first day of this season, becoming Everton’s youngest player in the process, and has also captained England’s under-17 side.
Danny Welbeck, Manchester United
The 18-year-old had a prolific record at junior level and has been compared to Kanu by Alex Ferguson due to his unorthodox style. A regular in the England Under-18 side Welbeck has already made his mark on the United first-team with a couple of spectacular strikes against Stoke and Derby and an appearance at Wembley in the Carling Cup final.
Jack Rodwell, Everton
Seen as a defender in the long term by Everton boss David Moyes Rodwell found himself in midfield at the start of the campaign. After a brief spell out of the limelight Rodwell return to the first-team in the heat of a Merseyside Derby FA Cup tie and won plaudits for his neat passing calm and assured possession. He scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup fifth round against Aston Villa last month.
Jack Wilshere, Arsenal
Despite Arsene Wenger receiving criticism for the lack of English players in his squad, 16 year-old Wilshire has been the outstanding performer whenever the Arsenal ‘kids’ have made the step up to the first team. Wilshere also became Arsenal's youngest Premier League player when he came on against Blackburn last September. Tipped as a future England captain he has already scored for the Gunners in the 6-0 rout of Sheffield United.
Freddie Sears, West Ham United
A run of 25 goals in 24 matches for the youths and reserves saw Sears earn a call up to the first team towards the end of last season. It took him just five minutes and 16 seconds to score his first senior goal, the winner against Blackburn in March. Quick and direct, Sears has found himself a regular under Gianfranco Zola this season.
Monday 2 March 2009
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