Robinson has been guilty of a LOT of howlers though, for both Spurs and England - Carson has only made the one major howler. I'm still not convinced about Carson, he looses concentration too easily so unless he improves that he'll never be able to become a top, top class goalkeeper. Joe Hart will be England #1 within a year or so anyway.

Or Ben Foster. He's better and when fit again I can see him keeping VDS and Kucshak out of Man Utd's team. Kuchak isn't that good and VDS is certainly showing his age at times...

Or Ben Foster. He's better and when fit again I can see him keeping VDS and Kucshak out of Man Utd's team. Kuchak isn't that good and VDS is certainly showing his age at times...

 

I forgot Foster! It'll definitely be between him and Hart for the #1 England jersey eventually. Van Der Saar's not got too long left in him so I don't think it'll be long before Foster is going for the #1 jersey at Man Utd. But who ever emerges as England's #1 in the near future won't be #1 for very long because of the simple factor they're not good enough. Carson will make some howlers like he did against Croatia the more he plays, he's a good goalkeeper but not a top class one.

 

On the bright side however, and in terms of the whole England squad, there are some very good players who are emerging...suprise, suprise barely any of them are from Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool however!

Yeah there are definitely some good players coming through. It's great to see Agbonlahor, Young and Bentley get called up. It's a shame Walcott really hasn't progressed that much. I'm looking forward to seeing how Adam Johnson comes through too. I reckon he could be better than Downing. Wheater is looking good for Boro and surely it's only a matter of time before Mark Noble gets picked ahead of Carrick and Jenas?

Gerrard's been named captain.

 

He's one of my favourite players, but he's not a brilliant captain for Liverpool...

Hope Bentley starts tommorow, should be given the chance to see what he can do, he's been brilliant for Rovers this season ^_^

Not a very great England performance, it was frustrating to watch at some times, it was a poor first half, until the last 10 mins the match picked up, but poor ball possession

I think Richardson and SWP would be a much better combo down the side rather than Bentley and Brown (who has been one of our poorest players this half).

I don't think we've been as bad as Lawro seems to suggest but I don't think we work with 4-5-1, especially with Rooney as the lone man.

I don't think we've been as bad as Lawro seems to suggest but I don't think we work with 4-5-1, especially with Rooney as the lone man.

 

I agree with all of the above. If we are playing a 4-5-1, then bring Crouch on, move Rooney back into Joe Cole's role, move Joe Cole to the left-wing, switch Steven Gerrard to the right wing & sub Bentley who has been ineffective in the first 45 minutes.

Better second half, more entertaining to watch, conceded a goal at the start, by sloppy defending, but full marks to Wright Phillips what a corker of a goal

Sloppy defending? That was an excellent goal!

I swear I nearly threw something at the TV this morning when I saw we were going to play a 4-5-1. The first half it just showed we just can't do 4-5-1 :lol:

 

The 2nd half was a far greater performance after Capello obviously give them a real good talking to. But if we do that against France and start as badly next month we'll be in trouble.

 

I thought todays performance was very encouraging. The first half was a bit shaky, but that was to be expected - as he stated, he can't work miracles.

 

What is clear now is Capello is more a manager than their mate. There is no certs as to who is in the team so if the players want to play for England they'll have to play. The plus points of the night were Bentley who I thought did extremely good in the right of midfield, Rooney played out of his skin in a difficult role to play, Joe Cole was excellent as ever and Steven Gerrard was brilliant without Lampard.

 

Few bad points however, we were very poor overall in the first half but Capello obviously gave them a huge talking to. Wed Brown looked a bit nervy and the England #1 jersey is still up for grabs very much so...

*cough* give it to Joe Hart *cough*

 

he pulled off some rather good saves in the U21 match

*cough* give it to Joe Hart *cough*

 

he pulled off some rather good saves in the U21 match

 

I think he should definitely be given a chance. Kirkland should be given a shot at having a stint in goal too. The goalkeeper is definitely the main weak point of the team atm...

*cough* give it to Joe Hart *cough*

 

he pulled off some rather good saves in the U21 match

Possibly.. but give him some experience by playing him in a few of these friendlies first instead of throwing him in the deep end like McClown did with Carson <_<

Last Updated: Thursday, 20 March 2008, 12:15 GMT

Beckham recalled to England squad

BBC Sports News

 

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44505000/jpg/_44505878_becks2_getty_203.jpg

Beckham is hoping to win his 100th England cap

 

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for the friendly with France in Paris on 26 March.

The LA Galaxy midfielder, 32, who has 99 caps, is in a provisional 30-man squad named by coach Fabio Capello.

 

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, 19, has been called up for the first time since the 2006 World Cup finals.

 

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater, Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe and Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor are also included.

 

But Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and his club-mate, goalkeeper Ben Foster, miss out along with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, who has also been left out of the Under-21 squad.

 

Capello has picked Portsmouth veteran David James, Villa's Scott Carson and Wigan's Chris Kirkland as his three keepers, meaning there is also no place for Tottenham's Paul Robinson or West Ham's Rob Green.

 

Beckham was omitted from Capello's first squad, for February's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland, along with Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard, who both return after injury.

 

But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for LA Galaxy in Dallas at the weekend and obviously did enough to convince the Italians over his fitness.

 

Capello explained: "I always said that when David was fit he could be in the squad.

 

"I have had good reports on him from Franco, who watched him on Saturday night, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team."

 

Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has no doubts about Beckham's sharpness and told BBC 5 Live: "David has played in all our pre-season games. He is healthy, excited and motivated.

 

"Every player wants to be called up on merit. As significant as it is to get your 100th cap, this is a situation where Fabio Capello is calling in a great player to help him with the task in hand.

"I can assure everybody that he is injury free and ready to go.

"We hope he stays that way not just for the game midweek for England but through our season which begins the following weekend.

"Hopefully he will get his 100th cap against France then come back to the US and continue with LA Galaxy as we start our season."

 

Agbonlahor was selected by the Italian for the Switzerland game but was forced to withdraw because of injury.

 

Walcott's inclusion comes two years after his first and last appearance for England under Sven-Goran Eriksson, when he became the youngest England international.

The Gunners forward told his club's website: "I celebrated my 19th birthday on Sunday so the call-up is a great birthday present for me.

"I am looking forward to meeting up with all of the lads after the weekend's game."

 

Walcott and Wheater were called up after discussions with England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce.

 

Capello explained: "Theo and David are two good young players who have done very well for the Under-21s this season and when I have seen them play for their clubs.

"Stuart Pearce has given me excellent recommendations on both players.

"Next week Stuart has a friendly match so it is a good opportunity for us to consider some of the younger players for the senior squad."

 

Those named in Capello's first 30-man squad in January who miss out this time are Micah Richards and Curtis Davies, both injured, as well as Ledley King, Nicky Shorey, Emile Heskey and Carrick.

 

There is a keen interest in who Capello will choose as his captain against France.

Liverpool midfielder Steve Gerrard wore the skipper's armband against Switzerland but previous incumbent under Steve McClaren, Terry, was ruled out of that match because of injury.

 

The squad will be reduced to a final group of 23 players on Saturday night, even though 13 of the players will play on Sunday when Manchester United host Liverpool and Chelsea take on Arsenal.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Tottenham), Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Young (Aston Villa), Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Jenas (Tottenham)

Forwards: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Crouch (Liverpool), Rooney (Man Utd), Owen (Newcastle), Defoe (Portsmouth).

 

Any Comments on Capello's latest selection?

 

how the waffles is Owen there :dizzy:

 

and Beckham may not make the final 23 ^_^ Strange the cut is being made before the big three + Liverpool play on Sunday.

Nice to see David Wheater getting his recognition, even though [escaping an injury/special circumstance] he won't make the cut. The left-back situation is a bit of a problem..

 

Also thought Joe Hart MAY just squeeze in ahead of Scott Carson, judging off recent performances.

how the waffles is Owen there :dizzy:

 

and Beckham may not make the final 23 ^_^ Strange the cut is being made before the big three + Liverpool play on Sunday.

He was good against Birmingham the other night, plus which striker is the one who always delivers for England?