I didnt actually see the squad properly before. On second glance it is very average, this will not be the team to bring glory to England for sure, indeed it will struggle to qualify. Capello is a great manager, but considering his lack of knowledge for England and the game before he came, I am beginning to question whether he was the right choice, but fair is fair, lets see how he does.
Owen isnt included firstly because he has just came back from injury (played like 3 games since) and secondly because Capello already questions his benefits to the squad, especially in a game v Croatia where you need your forward to be fit and willing to run the channels... Owen is lazy nowadays and just waits for the goal... maybe more useful against Andorra, but not against Croatia this time around. I think Capello will stick just Rooney upfront and play several midfielders to try and make sure Croatia at least dont score and maybe England can counter.
And which of the other strikers are better than Owen? Whats Rooney's running around achieved for us exactly, compared to Owens sitting there and actually scoring. An Owen with a broken leg is still far more of a goal threat than Rooney, Heskey, Defoe and Walcott. So this argument doesn't wash, if its in the context of starting fresh and all the other oldies were thrown out then yeah but on the basis of fitness... no. And I don't think a lack of knowledge of England is any excuse, he is a world class manager... how do you NOT know about one of the big three's league players? Not only that but even if you didn't know (which would be pathetic), how do you watch Owen, Ashton etc. then watch Heskey and think "Hmmm, I know nothing about these players before but on what I have seen Heskey is magical!". How does anyone who has never seen English midfielders somehow work out from the few EPL games that Jenas should be in ahead of countless players. Nah, doesn't wash. He's just gone looney, thats the only explanation I can come up with. Or the FA have lobotomized him like every other manager.
Basically, this is more of the same from Capello. He hasn't brought any new idea's, just repeating what Sven and Baldy did before him. I think he is a great manager, but clearly knows nothing of young talent in England and somehow despite watching them live seems unable to spot which are good players. And who are clearly past it, playing in the american league apparently isn't any sort of indication to the man. I assume he didn't do many of the transfer signing decisions at his clubs, his eye for talent is woeful. Maybe he has too much time on his hands, has become bored and decided to screw with peoples heads to entertain himself... like God.
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As to all the people saying Bullard deserves it, are you fvcking mental? Really! He has a brain? Feck off, he plays at the bottom end of the table for a reason. He is 29, this will be his first cap if he gets it. Whats he going to bring to the world cup? WHY the hell do you not call him up previously in friendlies available before a COMPETITIVE match. Its exactly the same kind of nonsense that saw Walcott called up to the WC with no experience. Except he was young and a future prospect, Bullard never had an 'it' to be past it. He is a nice guy, but is he of international quality? Hell no, you don't think this is a joke to any half decent team in the world? Its an embarassment once again to have such an amazingly talentless group in this squad. Be honest with yourselves and tell me you can't think of better options for the team. Even Barton is better ffs.
Onto the shambles -
Robinson: Already made several howlers this season, on what basis has he been picked on merit here? Where is Hart?
James: Last game he played he did his usual go batshit insane tactic to lull the opposition into a false sense of security. He has tried this every other game for England and yet it somehow always fails. HE IS NOT INTERNATIONAL QUALITY, how many times must this be witnessed for it to be burnt into peoples heads.
Green: Deserved, great last season and good start so far. He is good on pens which already elevates him above all our other keepers. Won't get a look in though since that is the antithesis of England.
Lescott: Done well, not better than Richards though so although ahead of Brown still a bit behind.
Bridge: Hasn't played as much as I rate him, not a choice on merit if he hasn't had a game. His own dumb fault. Baines, Shorey or someone should be ahead.
A Cole: C0ck
Terry: Looked a bit more like his old self lately.
Brown: See Lescott. Behind Richards, Johnson and Lescott. Please go away.
Ferdinand: Best defender of the last year or so.
Johnson: A young player with promise who is all about attacking, whats he doing in an England squad?
Upson: Better than Woodgate? No. One of those decisions by Capello that is quite baffling, while Spurs may be shit, Woodgate has been great. Richards is better than him too.
Barry: Meh.
J Cole: Doing good, one of our technical players so should play. Still needs to grow a pair and actually try and take the game on properly. By that I mean he has the talent of Ronaldo but nowhere near as determined or dedicated. Quite pathetic how he is pissing away his talent.
Lampard: Too old, still great and doesn't deserve anywhere near as much criticism (or singling out at least) but aren't we trying to build a team for two years time to all be on fire at the same time?
Bullard: See above, absolute joke of a decision.
Beckham: If Bullard is the joke, Beckham is the punchline. Whats he there for, really? We have seen him fail in every tournament. He is playing in a piss league. He is counter-productive for the team in terms of media, fans, FA and playing the ball on the fvcking ground.
Downing: Better than Young? Nope. Adam Johnson is better than him at that.
Bentley: Not a blistering start but with ENgland he has been our best player every time he has played. Deserves to start ahead of various knobs.
Jenas: So despite Spurs playing shit as a not so small part played by this ****, he gets called up? He hides in games, has no passing ability, no strength, no brain and he is neither a DM, CM or AM. What is he there for? Johnson isn't better than him? Noble? Huddlestone even. I will never get why or how three seperate managers have looked at this guy doing absolute tosh and included him. He's not even famous. How has Capello even known about this abortion?
Walcott: Not better than Owen, Bent, Sturridge, Ashton, Agbonlahor.
Rooney: Meh.
Defoe: I suppose he is there on merit, even if we have tried him at this level and found out he really isn't good enough.
Heskey: Well, what can possibly be said about this? I want an explanation, I want an essay from Capello on why he is this fvcking stupid. Ashton is clearly MILES better than him. He has scored less goals as a striker than most of our midfielders! He has the touch of a rapist. This is clearly some kind of wind up for England to make the world think we can only produce Heskey's. We have better players! Honest!
One of the worst squads I have seen, depressing and hopeless. Everyone I speak to is of the same opinion and cares less and less with every team selection.
As to my selection... I would go with -
------------------James
---Brown----Upson-----Robinson---Cole
----Beckham---Bullard----Jenas---Downing
---------------Heskey---Defoe
Then napalm the pitch.
Kopite - What are these experienced players experienced in? Losing. Thats it, thats what they have accomplished. Not only losing, but losing in such humiliating ways as to drive off tons of fans, drag England through the mud and make us an international joke. THAT is what they have experience in, and you find this to be some kind of contribution?
[/rant complete]
One thing though, dont be surprised if he still gets the results.
