Will the home grown rule really boost the England team?

This season has seen the introduction of the new home grown rule in the Premier League, a decision that has changed the dynamics of the transfer market and will almost certainly impact upon the quality of Premier League football.

Having responded to the xenophobia of the tabloid press, Richard Scudmore and the other Premier League bosses may need to be reminded of the reason the Premier League has become one of, if not the, best leagues in the world - a blend of technical proficiency mixed with high-tempo matches.

With this combination being provided by the technical ability of players such as Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta, and Nani, foreign players have helped to increase the talent required for aspiring footballers to make it in the top tier. However, with the English national side providing yet another underwhelming performance in a competition (although at least they qualified for this one), the transfer market has been thrown into chaos with the introduction of the home grown rule. The Betfair specialists have certainly been surprised by some deals as top sides look to snatch young English talent wherever they can find it.

Despite the fact England failed to succeed at international level before the increase in foreign players plying their trade in the Premier League, and the FA's failure to introduce a national academy to support youngsters in their development, footballing chiefs have now decided that it is the increase in competition for places, rather than a lack of support for youth development, that has caused the national team to flounder.

When you consider the fact many people make Bolton betting tips for relegation every season, it's hard not to sympathise with a manager who picks an experienced overseas defender over a young English player - he has to select a winning team.

Relegation for teams such as Bolton would be catastrophic, while for Arsenal not making the Champions League would also be a disaster, so it is perhaps wiser to look at the fact that managers can't afford to play to the press and blood untested, expensive, and perhaps not as talented English youngsters in the Premier League.

England 2 Hungary 1 pictures

Hungary take the lead with a "goal" which did not cross the line, another instance to debate goal line technology after the last game v Germany. Both of which England have been on the wrong side of, so if these things even themselves out.......

Match recovered by 2 great goals from Captain Gerrard.

Capello plans for the future

Fabio Capello has named his first England squad since his team flopped so spectacularly at this summer's World Cup and there is a new look about things going into the friendly against Hungary.

Three of Arsenal’s young English players have made the cut, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshire for the first time. Theo Walcott returns to the squad after being missing out on a trip to South Africa. Another player who was cut from the squad ahead of the World Cup was Manchester City winger Adam Johnson. The young winger will be hoping to cement himself in the England team after being included this time around.

Darren Bent finished last season as the second top scoring Englishman in the league, behind Wayne Rooney, but it wasn't enough to book his ticket to South Africa. Capello has given the Sunderland man another chance to impress by handing him a recall. Fulham's Bobby Zamora was unlucky to miss out on being selected for the World Cup. If it wasn't for an injury to his achilles heel at the end of last season, Zamora would have been in South Africa this summer. His chance has come now and he gets his first call up to the national squad, you can follow how he gets on with Betfairfootball.

Ashley Young's form for Aston Villa last season has earned him a recall, while Birmingham's new stopper Ben Foster is also in there. After his World Cup blunder Rob Green has been left out of the squad, perhaps a little harshly. David James' hopes that his international career would continue after his move to Bristol City in the Championship appear to have diminished with his exclusion.

Everton's Phil Jagielka and Bolton's Gary Cahill will battle it out with Michael Dawson of Spurs, to partner John Terry in defence, with fans from Bolton betting on their man getting the nod. All three will be looking to replace Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King, who both suffered injuries in South Africa.

Of those who flopped so badly this summer, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard John Terry, Ashley Cole, Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard have all kept their place in the squad. Surprisingly Jermain Defoe and Joe Cole are left out, a somewhat strange decision after Defoe's performance in the summer.

The squad has an exciting look to it and Capello seems to have listened calls for a fresh approach. Jack Wilshire is one of the most gifted players in a generation. Blooding him at international level at this young age will give him some valuable experience which will pay off in the future.

Germany 4 England 1 pictures and comment

At 2-1 down England score a goal which is not seen by the linesman or ref. The same linesman who gave Rooney offside incorrectly when clear through on goal, as he received the ball from a German. This latter point doesn't seem to have been discussed on the TV to my knowledge. Was that linesman competent???

England Slovenia pictures

England win 1-0 and qualify in second place and remain undefeated. Next match - Germany on Sunday!

Pre Slovenia match pictures and what England need to do

Here's the "low down". England win they progress to the next round. Whether they finish top or second will depend on the result of the USA v Algeria game. If USA and Algeria draw and England v Slovenia is a draw England can progress if they score at least 3 more goals than USA on the day. E.g. Eng 3 v Slo 3 and USA 0 v Alg 0. In the event of 2 more goals on the day compared to USA, I believe the team which progresses out of USA and England will be decided by a "lucky draw" tombola style. So 3-0 at half time to England please.....

England 0-0 Algeria

Second draw in the finals, not the result that England fans were expecting. The 2 princes in attendance as well! Rooney commenting on live TV at the booing as England left the pitch. Here are some pictures.... things can only get better... (?)