green??

id pick him in the 23 but id play Joe Hart as my number 1. hart has been in great form and really deserves it.

Capello will play 4-4-2 anyways. And continue playing Heskey his love child

Nowhere near enough international experience to start in a WC tbh.

Capello will play 4-4-2 anyways. And continue playing Heskey his love child

i hope not. everyone talking bout him and james getting picked. england always make these silly team selections.

quite frankly if james, heskey or campbell get picked, then we not looking good.

Agbonlahor and Bent won't go because of Rooney and Defoe going. I think it'll be Crouch but wouldn't mind seeing Zamora go.

I think crouch will go aswell, however he record of 12 goals in 44apps scares me... as its not the best strike rate our there, however his experience is what i think will get him there

Adam Johnson won't go he left his run for the squad to late and his form still is a bit sketchy tbh. Ledley King won't go. If he can't play more then 2 games a week how is he going to handle a WC if injuries hit. TBPH Sol Campbell would be a better option than King at the back if injuries did hit.

Goal.com UK team pick their final England Word Cup squad

The 23 footballers whom Fabio Capello must take to South Africa

10 May 2010 10:24:00


As England manager Fabio Capello prepares to name his 30-man provisional World Cup squad, speculation is rife concerning the footballers the nation will be pinning our hopes on this summer.

From calls to pick in-form strikers Bobby Zamora and Darren Bent to rumours of a return to the international fold of Jamie Carragher, Capello has had plenty to mull over before naming his list on Tuesday.

Seven of those 30 will then face the heartbreak of being told by the Italian tactician that they have not made the final cut when he names his final 23 in June.

With that in mind, members of the Goal.com UK team decided to draw up our preferred 23-man squad - and to ask you which list you think is the best.

(Rules of Engagement:We have picked from all eligible English players, including those 'ignored' by Capello in past squads. Jamie Carragher has been excluded as he is still officially 'retired' from international football - for now)


Sulmaan Ahmad

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders (7): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Ledley King (Tottenham)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Scott Parker (West Ham), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)


Andy Brassell

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea)

Forwards (4): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland)


James Daly

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders (7): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Scott Parker (West Ham)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)


Stephen Darwin

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders (7): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)


Alex Dimond

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards (4): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)


Neil Jones

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards (4): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Darren Bent (Sunderland)


Matt Monaghan

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders (7): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)


Richard Parry

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders (7): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)


Steven Saunders

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

Midfielders (7): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)

Forwards (5): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Sunderland)



Amar Singh

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders (8): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Leighton Baines, (Everton)

Midfielders (8): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards (4): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)


Wayne Veysey

Goalkeepers (3): David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United)

Defenders (7): Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Ledley King (Tottenham), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Phil Neville (Everton)

Midfielders (9): James Milner (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Adam Johnson (Manchester City)

Forwards (4): Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)


BREAKDOWN

There is consensus over what seems to be an 'untouchable' core to the squad with David James, Joe Hart, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch named in EVERY squad.

Robert Green, who looks set to be handed the No.1 jersey despite an indifferent season for West Ham, is ommitted from three out of eleven squads - replaced by Paul Robinson (twice) and Chris Kirkland (once).

Six squads include Sunderland hitman Darren Bent, whose 24 goals this season make him the highest English goal scorer behind Wayne Rooney - whilst Fulham's Bobby Zamora is named thrice.

Scott Parker, whose all-action displays in the heart of midfield have sparked a debate over whether he has earned a return to the national set-up, is named three times, whilst seven squads include Chelsea's Joe Cole.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Owen Hargreaves, Wes Brown, Stephen Warnock and Phil Neville are all named just once respectively. And despite Shaun Wright-Phillips' dazzling performance against Egypt in England's last friendly, the shared belief that Tottenham's Aaron Lennon is a key member of the squad means the diminutive Manchester City winger is named just once too.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2867/debate/2010/05/10/1917358/debate-goalcom-uk-team-pick-their-final-england-word-cup

God I hope Adam Johnson gets picked his been class since joining City from Middlesbrough. Great crosser, great dribbler and can use both feet, plus his only 22yrs old. Must be on the plane IMO.

It will end in tears, it always does

* Mike Wood
* From: The Australian

The big kick-off is less than a week away and I've come over all Big Kev.

I know I've gone too soon in the excitement stakes but it's the World Cup for crying out loud and I'm hyped.

From here to the final on July 11 we're on the fever pitch express baby.

I'll nail my colours to the mast here - I'm English. Just an accident of birth but English nevertheless.

And when it comes to soccer, Englishmen are born to suffer for the national cause.

It must be a genetic flaw, because we never learn.

Every two years, when the World Cup or the European Championships come around, England doesn't just expect, it demands.

We yearn for success. Blissfully ignorant of some salient facts - that we're simply not good enough for example - we anticipate one tournament after the next, convinced that this is the one. That this is the year we get to lift another trophy.

And that will be the year we can finally stop banging on about 1966.

So every two years, for 30 days or so, we live life in a soccer bubble, struck by this debilitating disease that leaves us chairbound for inordinately long periods, swaying ever so slightly, eyes fixed on the TV, muttering a variety phrases likely to include: “Pass it. Square ball. Go left. Hit it! Useless wanker...”

It's bad when England doesn't qualify. Then we have to fill a month-long tournament following a surrogate team - maybe the Netherlands because they play “sexy football” or Trinidad & Tobago because everyone loves an underdog - but never the Germans.

Nor Argentina.

But when England does qualify we get swept along on a wave of national optimism.

The further the team progresses, and sometimes we do go quite a long way, the more the expectation builds.

Which just makes the pain of the inevitable defeat all the harder to bear.

And it is a pain which scars.

Say “Italia 90” to any Englishman of a certain age and he will fire back with: “Semi-final; Germany; Gazza in tears; penalty shootout; Psycho misses; shit.”

But that was a mere flesh wound compared to Euro 96.

That one was surely our destiny, played in our own backyard.

The country went bonkers. Flags were out. Kids were kitted up in the George Cross as opposed to hoodies and the streets hummed to the tune of “Football's Coming Home”.

We beat Scotland.

Murdered the Netherlands.

Then Germany in the semi-final again.

Another penalty shootout and yes, lightning can strike the same place twice.

This time it was Gareth Southgate's wobbly effort that brought the England express to a shuddering halt and a nation fell eerily silent as 50 million people realised at the very same moment that the party was over.

A striker called Kuntz scored for Germany that day, and his name never fails to be mentioned when that game comes up in conversation.

Here in Australia, I'm happy to report the country is relatively disease-free. Must be the quarantine laws.

But the symptoms are certainly there.

Is it really four years since the Socceroos skipped joyously through the group stage in Germany, only to be cruelly halted by a belly-flopping Italian throwing himself over a prostrate Lucas Neill to win a last-minute penalty?

That hurt.

And if it feels like it was just yesterday and it still hurts then you're sick, my friend. Soccer fever has its claws in you, too.

Over the next few weeks, South Africa 2010 will bring us the best of times and the worst of times.

Heart-lifting victories and gut-wrenching defeats.

It's madness to get sucked into it again and again but that's what happens. You'll see.

So for me, my new lucky t-shirt has arrived in the post.

The fridge is stocked, the wall chart is up and the HD recorder primed.

I'm excited.

Bring it on.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/it-will-end-in-tears-it-always-does/story-e6frg7t6-1225876162517

as always the great escape theme is relevant :d

okay lads the predictions for line up and scores for the match against the US on saturday night/sunday morning

--------------Green------------
Carragher---King----Terry---A.Cole
Lennon---Lampard--Gerrard---Milner
-------------Rooney------------
-------------Crouch------------

What time is the game on over here?

[quote]

The big kick-off is less than a week away and I've come over all Big Kev.

And it is a pain which scars.