Home Nations need Reality Check

Two years ago, during European Championships qualification, Scotland scored two late goals to overcome Liechtenstein 2-1 at Hampden Park, a result that kept their flickering qualification hopes alive  - barely.

This week, a fellow British team pulled respect from the jaws of defeat as Northern Ireland scored late on to draw 1-1 with the Azerbaijan, with old boy, David Healy, coming up trumps.

In both games the home crowds went wild – more out of relief than delight of beating a major rival. The apparent embarrassment of losing to such lowly footballing nations would have left Northern Ireland the laughing stock of Group F had they fallen to Azerbaijan at home.

Yet should we still expect our home nations to ‘perform’ on the international stage? When Scotland beat Liechtenstein, back in September 2010, there was a feeling around Hampden that they deserved victory before kick off, such is the history of football in Scotland and their domestic league strength compared to Liechtenstein.

It is a feeling many England fans and Betfair football pundits voiced when playing Macedonia and, recently, Moldova: ‘Why should we play these small teams in qualifying, let them play each other so we can get on with it.’

This unfortunate attitude is very dangerous for the greater good of football that does not focus solely on the home nations. For none of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales have any divine right to overturn international opponents, despite the history and development apparently in our domestic leagues.

International football has grown since these four were even remotely powerhouses in the game and we can now expect ‘smaller’ nations, such as Azerbaijan, Macedonia, and Moldova, to put up a fight against our national teams.

It may be embarrassing to draw or lose to such lowly opposition, but they nevertheless have as much right to play international football as we do and fans must realise this before they criticise their teams for apparent underachievement.

Forster eyes World Cup place

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster says he’s now aiming to seal his place in the England squad for the 2014 World Cup following his recent heroics against Barcelona.

The 24-year-old has been earning rave reviews since moving to the Bhoys on loan in 2010 and his performances in last season’s title winning campaign persuaded the Glasgow giants to pay Newcastle £2.5million for his permanent signature in the summer.

He has once again impressed so far this term, helping Celtic to some impressive live scores         

, and after years of taking the plaudits in Scotland, he finally earned some recognition south of the border, as he was called up to the England squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers.

Following his match winning performance in Celtic’s Champions League win over Barcelona, as result that stunned punters gambling online,  he was once again included in the party for Wednesday’s friendly with Sweden.

Despite being yet to make his debut, Forster is being tipped to earn his first cap in Stockholm and is seen by many as current incumbent Joe Hart’s biggest long-term competition for the Three Lions number one jersey.

The ambitious stopper is understandably pleased with his form and is now eyeing a place in the 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"I was in the England squad for the last World Cup qualifiers and I'm in again this time which is great," Forster said. "England is something I've been aiming for and I enjoyed getting to work with Joe Hart when we met up with the last squad. He's a great guy as is the goalkeeping coach Dave Watson.

"That fortnight was an important experience for me and, having watched the last World Cup on TV, I've got to be aiming to get to Brazil with England for the next one."

Hodgson Aiming to Put the Pride Back into the Three Lions

Roy Hodgson may not have stepped into the England manager’s role with quite the same reputation as some of his recent predecessors, but what he lacks in top level success he is certainly making up for in enthusiasm.
Over recent years players seem to have grown to consider playing for England as a burden, an inconvenience that they could do without. After watching squad after squad filled with players who could win the Champions league at club level but fail to make any impression in major international tournaments, it seems that Roy Hodgson has had enough apart from just improving England’s results and scores he also wants to restore pride in the shirt.
 "When people are called up I expect them to come running, get on a bicycle and cycle to the training session if they have to, then they shake hands with everyone and tell everyone how happy they are to be there” he told news sport reporters.
Since becoming England manager it seems that Hodgson has had to endure more than his fair share of disruption caused by withdrawals from his squad. His message to those players who regularly pull out of squads for no good reason seems be simple- if you aren’t interested in playing for England then we aren’t interested in you.
"It is very simple for me: to be asked to play for England is a major honour and a major feather in people's caps," said Hodgson. "I am not interested in people who are deciding whether England is where they want to be or whether they want to be somewhere else.”
After the apathy of the Eriksson, McClaren and Capello eras, Roy Hodgson’s pride and belief in the England squad and what it means to play for England is a real breath of fresh air. If Roy can pass his enthusiasm on to his young charges then all might not be lost for England just yet.

Bolton right to pursue highly-regarded Freedman

Bolton's search for a new manager to succeed the sacked Owen Coyle has so far proved fruitless but they appear to be barking up the right tree going after Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman.

The Trotters look to have made the highly-rated Eagles boss their number one target after several other, more high-profile, names were initially linked with the post in the wake of the popular Coyle's departure.

Mick McCarthy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and even Sven Goran Eriksson were mentioned in latest odds as possible contenders for the Bolton job.

Clearly, the under-performing Lancashire club are keen to go down the route so many other teams seem to want to go down now, and make an up-and-coming young British coach their new manager.

And, in this case, their judgement seems spot on, but whether they will be able to lure him to The Reebok or not remains very much up in the air.

Palace initially refused to allow Bolton to speak to their former striker and are, understandably, desperate to keep hold of Freedman, who has managed to guide them up to fourth in an ultra-competitive and extremely tight Championship so far this season.

This comes after the firm fans' favourite, who is only 38, lead Palace to the last four of the League Cup last season, which included a famous win at Manchester United, something that further marked him out as one of the brightest young managers around.

Palace insiders say Freedman, a favourite of the odds betting community, is a methodical, open and intelligent modern coach, who does his best to utilise all the tools available to him to make a success of the job at Selhurst Park. Judging by what he has done already, he seems to be learning quickly and his methods are undoubtedly getting positive results.

He may decide to stay where he is for now, viewing the Bolton job as only an equal position to the one he already has and don't bet against him leading Palace into contention for a promotion spot later in the season if he opts to continue the job he has started so well.

On the other hand, Bolton may get their man after they were eventually granted permission to speak to him.

But one thing's for sure, it looks like the talented Freedman's career will continue on a swift upward curve, whoever he is in charge of.

Neville won't tolerate complacency

England assistant boss Gary Neville says he will do all he can to ensure the Three Lions do not fall foul of complacency ahead of their meeting with San Marino on Friday.

Roy Hodgson’s men host the minnows at Wembley, knowing that they’re expected to record an impressive victory over what is likely to be a team largely made-up of amateurs and part-time players. Indeed the latest betting news suggests punters expect England to score at least six goals without reply.

England famously missed out on qualification for the 1994 World Cup after conceding an early Davide Gualtieri goal during a qualifying match in the tiny republic and despite winning the game 7-1, the team were blasted for their perceived complacency.

However, Neville is adamant that there will be no similar slip-ups this time around and has called on his players to prepare in the same manner as they did for last month’s win over Moldova. He insists that the fans at Wembley Stadium, at home watching on TV or even logging-on to watch live football online will see a professional and committed England team take to the field.

England also face Poland in this batch of international fixtures and the former Manchester United defender says it’s vital that his side take match against La Serenissma seriously, as it will help them prepare for Tuesday’s game in Warsaw

“People can look at the San Marino game and think it's a formality and I'm not going to stand here as an England coach and say I'm not fully aware of our responsibilities to win this match,” he said.

"But when I was a player playing in this type of game in the past the way I prepared for it was to scare myself and think of what would happen if we didn't win and that's enough to get you focused.

"And we certainly don't want to go into the Poland game with anything other than a very good victory on Friday," he added.

Bent must build to Gain England Chance

Coming off the bench for just 10 minutes of action in a huge local derby when your team needs a goal is not what a prospective England striker should be doing. Firing home a cool-headed finish to equalise for your team with just two minutes on the clock, however, is bound to catch the eye of Roy Hodgson.

As is the enigmatic status of Darren Bent, currently sat in purgatory with no idea where his career will turn next. At Villa, he has started every game but one, yet competition for places is fierce, after the arrival of Christian Benteke in the summer.

At international level, a freak ankle injury back in February ruined his chances of playing at Euro 2012 and ended his season as Villa slowly fell into a relegation scrap. It now seems Hodgson’s plans have moved on since then to accommodate a different type of striker, while Villa still need a talisman.

Bent has a lot to do to secure another England chance, and form at club level is all-important. Yet without a winning goal in the Premier League this season, his reputation as a match winner is fast depreciating. Thank goodness he scored at the weekend.

The Aston Villa marksman rocked West Brom’s travelling support last Sunday when he volleyed home the equaliser, earning manager, Paul Lambert, a crucial point and restoring some sort of pride against their Midlands rivals; his finish was composed and determined, a gift in front of goal that still needed converting.

Bent must build on this strike against Spurs, this weekend, and start netting regularly for Villa if he has any chance of convincing Hodgson to try him out for England again. At 28-years-old, Bent does not have time on his hands and must hit the back of the net for Villa before Christmas comes around.

Looking for betting tips for the weekend? Take a look at the favourite winning odds Premier League.

England’s Young Lions

So, let us be positive; let us forget England’s disappointing showing at the Euros and their ordinary performance against Ukraine in the World Cup qualifier.

Let us assume that England will qualify for the finals in Brazil in 2014, and that the young players showing promise will progress as we hope, and will be injury-free come the big carnival.

Let us also, for the sake of this discussion, take all players who will be over 30 in two years out of the equation, and that includes Joe Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, and Ashley Cole.

What have we got left to frighten Brazil, Spain, and the rest? Well, here goes: how about this for a team of ten twenty-somethings and one teenager?

Joe Hart (who will then be 27) in goal. A given. A back line of Kyle Walker (24), Phil Jones (22), Gary Cahill (28), and Leighton Baines (29).

A midfield comprising Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (21), Tom Cleverley (25), Jack Wilshire (22), and Raheem Sterling (19). And a front two of Danny Welbeck (23) and Wayne Rooney (28).

Doesn’t look too shabby, does it? And, while sticking with youth, there’s decent cover at the back with Ryan Bertrand and Chris Smalling; in midfield, with Theo Walcott, Jake Livermore, and Nick Powell, and up front with Daniel Sturridge and Andy Carroll.

England demonstrated against Ukraine that possession for possession’s sake does not get you very far; we need players from front to back who can keep the ball and use it tellingly when and where it matters.

There are signs that the group mentioned above has the skills to deliver. Perhaps it is asking too much for them to light any fires in Brazil, but they will almost all still be in their twenties come the Euros in 2016 and then we may well have a team to go all the way with.

Fans with their hopes planted firmly in the present should take a look at the early betting on Champions League for updates on next week’s games. 

There is also hope for Barnsley fans in the Championship Previews: Tykes to Continue Ipswich's Miserable Run.