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Capello recalls Beckham for France clash

Former England captain David Beckham looks set to gain his 100th cap after being recalled to the squad for next weeks friendly in France.

Beckham,32, has been included in the provisional 30 man squad released this morning.

Capello’s assistant Franco Baldini assessed the former Manchester United midfielder’s fitness last week and he was deemed ready for a long anticipated return to the international setup.

Also called up are Portsmouth striker Jermaine Defoe, Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor and Middlesborough defender Dave Wheater. Theo Walcott is also recalled despite not featuring for the national team since the World Cup two years ago.

Surprisingly Paul Robinson has been omitted from the squad despite some exemplary performances of late – Capello opting instead for David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland as his three goalkeepers.

With the return of John Terry from injury, speculation is rife surrounding who the Italian will name as captain for the clash in Paris. Steven Gerrard skippered the side against Switzerland last month, but with the return of the Chelsea defender, and even the inclusion of former captain David Beckham it is unclear who Capello will choose to lead the side out.

The provisional squad will be reduced to a final party of 23 on Saturday evening – despite thirteen players expected to play the following day when “Grand slam Sunday” pairs the top four against each other.

England legend released from hospital

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has been released from hospital after he was detained under the Mental Health Act.

“Gazza” as he is affectionately known was detained in February after being called to a hotel where residents and staff were said to be feeling “threatened” by his actions.

Gascoigne’s off the field problems have been well documented – almost on a daily basis since that memorable World Cup Semi Final with Germany eighteen years ago. The former Spurs and Lazio midfielder suffers with alcohol related problems as well as personality disorders which require psychiatric treatment on a consistent basis.

Football-mad Gascoigne has now been out of the game for several years following a brief stint managing Conference North Side Kettering Town. Personality clashes and claims of excessive Chairman interference put this to a speedy conclusion however.

Despite this news of Paul Gascoigne dominates the media to the same extent as it did when he was every school boys idol in the late 80s and early 90s. The whole country is interested in what he does, where he goes and the problems he faces. In essence he is the property of the media and it is this which has exemplified his illness to levels which far eclipse what they would have been with this harassment.

Former club Tottenham Hotspur have pledged to help Gazza and other former players by setting up a trust to support their former employees and their families. Gascoigne’s beloved Newcastle United have also stated their intention to help one of their most loved sons in a bid to give him his life back.

I wonder if those who must hold at least a large proportion of the blame, the media, will be equally as supportive?

Winning is Everything would like to which Paul and his family our very best wishes and hope that you not only overcome your current obstacles but you are given the privacy and respect to do this in a speedy manner.

Beckham ready to claim 100th cap

England Head Coach Fabio Capello has strongly hinted that former Captain David Beckham very much figures in his short term plans.
Capello has suggested that Beckham can be confident of achieving his 100th England cap in the near future despite missing out on the recent friendly with Switzerland due to a lack of match fitness.
The former Real Madrid coach has been quoted as saying that Beckham “is in contention” to play against France later this month and followed this up by stating that “he will get his 100th cap if he is fit and in form”
Beckham is reported to have had a fiery relationship with the Italian during their time together at Real Madrid, yet it seems that Capello is giving the midfielder an olive branch and asking him to prove that he is worth a starting place.
The Pieman applauds this approach - too many times England Managers have played people on the back of who they are rather than what they can deliver. Capello looks to have the balance just right which is very encouraging for the future!

England 2 - 1 Switzerland

Fabio Capellos first game in charge as England manager ended in a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Fabio changed things about, leaving out Owen and Hargreaves from the starting line up.

He went with a 4-1-4-1 formation, David James in goal, a back four of A Cole, Upson, Ferdinand, Brown. Gareth Barry played in front of the back four. The 4 in the midfield were J Cole, Gerrard, Jenas, Bentley and Rooney upfront.

The opening moments of the match wasn’t great with both sides packing the midfield, it was hard for England to break, Joe Cole as ever looked lively on the left, feeding Rooney who had a one-on-one saved by Benaglio.

It took a while but after some neat build up play from Joe Cole on the wing Jermaine Jenas was able to tap in from 5 yards for his first international goal. It wasn’t a convincing first half with most of the players still trying to work out the new system.

The second half was better with a relaxed England creating plenty of chances, the best falling to Rooney and Jenas.

The first subs came on the 56 minute, with little and large coming on, Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch, they replaced the goal scorer Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole.

But the sub seemed to be the downfall as a minute later on his debut Derdiyok slotted past David James to make it 1-1.

It didn’t stay 1-1 for long, a long ball was flicked on by Crouch, Gerrard crossed for Wright-Phillips to tap in. A classic English long ball goal.

Wayne Bridge replaced Ashley Cole who was rubbish, and Gareth Barry who played well was replaced by Owen Hargreaves. As the game went on it opened up a little with England controlling the game with long periods of possessions.

Man of the match Wayne Rooney was replaced by Ashley Young.

Overall a pleasing first match for Mr Capello, we kept the ball well and created chances but didn’t manage to extend the lead. Some will question the decision not to play Michael Owen who is a proven goal scorer at international level. Rooney, Bentey and Joe Cole the pick of the players.

England U21s beat the Irish again

In quite similar circumstances the England Under-21s beat the Republic of Ireland Under-21s 3-0 for the second time this qualifying campaign.

In what turned out to be a fairly even contest, England proved the more clinical of the two sides, with goals from Newcastle winger James Milner (2) and Wenger disappointment Theo Walcott.

The first half was a pretty dull affair with neither team really making a clear cut chance.

After a Stuart Pearce team-talk though at half-time, England came out to play a bit more and got their reward through a deflected James Milner cross/shot which found the right-hand corner of the Irish net.

In a contrast to the first half the game became quite open as the Irish players pushed on, needing victory. These hopes were all but dashed however when Milner shot from 20-yards finding the same corner to make the score 2-0.

Give them credit, those boys in green didn’t give up hope, and pressed forward for any signs of consolation but this in the end was their downfall as England caught them on the break with a cool finish from Walcott on his former home turf, which should hopefully give the boy some confidence.

The Irish did have their chances mainly through Wolves striker Andy Keogh who had at least three chances at close-range.

The win leaves England on 19 points at the head of the group, needing just a single point to guarantee their progression, although it is a near certainty as-is.

Captain Gerrard

Liverpool mid-fielder Steven Gerrard has been named our glorious leader for the national side.

At least for the time-being. Capello has stated that he will not name a permanent captain until the Andorra game, which is England’s first World Cup qualifier in September.

Reports suggest that Capello has banned players from using their mobiles, uses last names only and discourages the presence of wives and girlfriends.

Capello confirmed in a press conference today that he has laid down some rules to his squad and expects them not to be broken.

It also seems that Capello is on-the-ball for his news conferences. Speaking through an interpreter at the news conference, Capello made sure that he didn’t say anything that could be mis-interpreted.

Then one reporter, asked his question in Italian, and asked for Capello to answer in English.

Savvy Capello remained un-fazed by the demanding press, saying:

“I will speak English with you when I can be sure that I know all the right words, because you are very good at twisting things and I am very careful.

“I can communicate with the players much more easily - I am happy with my English with them.”

Seems to this “winning is everything” writer that Capello is doing things his way and will not be forced by the media into anything he doesn’t want to do. And that’s a good thing. After a media-obsessed, car-salesman-smile-wearing, umbrella-collector in the England hot-seat, it’s about time someone strong took the helm.

Don’t forget Defoe

After missing out on the initial England squad Jermaine Defoe has been called up due to Gabby Agbonlahor picking up an hamstring injury in Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Defoe moved to Portsmouth from Spurs with a view to getting back into the England setup and it seems to have worked being called up after he scored on his debut in the 1-1 home draw with Chelsea.

On the hand its a bit disappointment for Agbonlahor who was called into his first England squad after impressing for Aston Villa. It’s thought that ‘Gabby’ will join up with the England squad but is very doubtful to be a part of the match squad for the Switzerland game.

Capello cuts squad

After Saturdays matches Fabio Capello announced his revised squad for the England international vs Switzerland.

Emile Heskey and Ledley King drop out through injury. Stewart Downing, Michael Carrick, Curtis Davies, Nicky Shorey and Glenn Johnson were all cut from the squad. For Villa defender Curtis Davies it must of been a bitter pill to swallow after being called up to the international stage for the first time.

Villa team mate Gabby Agbonlahor does remain in the squad looking for his first cap in the senior England squad after 9 starts for the under-21’s

It still remains what formation Capello will play, either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. It is thought that he will play with a holding midfield player something that he has implemented in his team over the years, so expect a start for either Owen Hargreaves or Gareth Barry in the middle of the park.

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Fabio Capello’s first England Squad

New England supremo Fabio Capello has announced his first England squad for the Switzerland friendly with the talking point being David Beckham’s exclusion. Ex -captain Beckham was looking for a place in the sqaud to earn his 100th England cap but it looks like the LA Galaxy star might have to wait longer with Capello sighting a lack of competitive football a problem, thats not a dig at the American a league it’s the Summer break at the moment.

Capello also left out fatty Paul Robinson, again a lack of football but gave call ups for the first time to Aston Villa due Curtis Davis and Gabby Agbonlahor.

With Robinson left out the place in goal will be contested for by James, Carson and Kirkland. Ledley King is back after a lengthly injury and so is Jonathan Woodgate who moved to Spurs recently.

The Full Squad

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (West Brom on loan at Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

England to face Germany….again

 Winning is everything has learnt that England are to play Germany in Berlin on 19th November.
The friendly represents the first time England have faced the Germans on their own soil since that famous 5 v 1 victory in Munich back in 2001.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Head Coach Fabio Capello said “I’m delighted this fixture has been arranged, it should be a real challenge and something the players will look forward to,”
It promises to be an interesting evening and one which I am thoroughly looking forward to. Its always good to beat the Germans, even in friendly matches.
Lets hope Fabio can bring back a good win and if he has time a chippy for Stan Boardman – he looks anorexic lad does!

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