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England’s forgotten men?

Danny Denhard — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:47:19 +0000

England’s forgotten men?

After the 5-1 battering of closest rivals Croatia last night, thought it only right to assess the players which are out of the England frame currently.

Goalkeepers -

David James, the ageing former number 1 appears to be falling down the pecking order, with ok performances from West Hams Rob Green and number 2 jersey going to current Manchester United’s Ben Foster, David James must want to get back from injury as soon as possible. It is without doubt James has improved in his later years and could if form allows it squeeze his into the three keepers going to South Africa. Capello has used 8 keepers in his time as England boss.

Other keepers to keep an eye on are,

Chris Kirkland of Wigan, has always been highly regarded and has settled in at Wigan. His injury record has always been his downfail, the tall keeper looks like he hasn’t had a real opportunity, Capello is a firm believer in disruption, which maybe his ultimate let down.

Joe Hart on loan at Birmingham, the Man City number 2 has gone out on loan as Shay Given has come in, Joe Hart looks to be fighting for the 3^rd spot in the squad. Joe Hart is a lucky keeper and as so young he has a real long term chance to be England keeper of the future, he will need to play out of his skin week in week out to creep into the world cup squad but has the skills to get into the squad.

A real outside chance Scot Carson of West Brom, although playing in the second tier in English football it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise thing to happen in world cup squad’s. He is one of those keepers who seems to have a bad day regularly, playing at a team at West Brom who did concede a few goals couldn’t have helped last season. His clangers seem to have stuck with him. If in January a bigger team snaps him up and a few injuries he could sneak his way in.

Defenders -

Micah Richards, the Manchester City full back come centre back had a great run in the team and appeared to control the right back birth until the management change. Although Glenn Johnson has made the right back position his under Capello don’t be fooled to think Richards is out of the picture.

Ledley King, the defensive general from North London has not been called up since the well documented argument between the FA and spurs. Capello clearly likes Ledley and his record speaks for himself. If it was not for the constant knee injury he definitely would be challenging John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Matt Upson.

There are two other noticeable absentees are Everton duo Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines. Phil Jagielka played one game at centre back and looked a little shaky, Capello however looked keen to keep the versitle defender in the squad, his injury at the end of last season didn’t help but a good winter could see Jagielka come into the 23 man squad due in South Africa.

Team mate Leighton Baines has now cemented his place at left back for the toffee’s. Baines is the natural replacement for Ashley Cole in my opinion, great left food, good defender and can whip great crosses and free kicks in. His deadball skills have been a good outlet for Everton and has scored some screamers. I think he should replace Wayne Bridge on the subs bench.

Midfielders -

Owen Hargreaves, another injury stricken player who hasn’t featured for over year, his talented was shown for all to see in the world cup and would be pushing Gareth Barry and in my honest opinion would be starting in the engine room. His ability on the ball, tackling and breaking up the game is much needed and not to mention his dead ball accuracy and his willingness to adapt in any role.

Joe Cole, the Chelsea wide player always seems to be injured until a big championship year, was one of the best performers in an England kit and at the last few tournaments he has been up there with the best players. He will first have to get back into the Chelsea team then dislodge Liverpool captain and double scorer Steven Gerrard to regain that old problematic wide left birth.

Other players to watch out for -

Stuart Downing of Villa, currently injured but looked like a real Capello type of player, it could be hard for him to dislodge Milnar and/or Young in the Villa team but a centre role is spoken about. As one of the only natural left sided players he is an outlet that we would look at taking. Whether he has done enough in an England shirt for Capello is another matter.

Next player who has flirted with the fringes of the squad is Franco Zola’s favourite engine Scott Parker, having being capped and being the enforcer in the middle for West Ham. The pedigree of Scott Parker is for all to see and in my opinion is wasted in that holding role at West Ham, he is more suited in that box to box role. Capello seems to have his midfield set, but the subs bench rotates could be a late additional into the full world cup squad if in form for the hammers.

Lastly comes the forward Theo Walcott, currently injured, Fabio Capello has seen what many others have in the right sided forward, he played a number of games for Mr Capello and still features for the under 21’s. With Aaron Lennon playing so well recently, it could be hard for Walcott to compete with the right wing/attacker role but if given the opportunity after injury I can see Walcott come in as an attacker.

Forwards

There are two strikers who haven’t been included for very different reasons, one who’s talents haven’t had the opportunity to shine for England through injury is Dean Ashton and the other is Michael Owen who has the second best strike rate for all strikers who could be considered for England.

Dean Ashton who’s premier league career has been short enough is currently injured, he is that one player which England need. He is good with his back to goal and scorer good goals with both feet and his head. There were a number of clubs interested when he signed for West Ham a few seasons ago. This international career has been hampered by getting injured while being away with the national team, he has made his international debut after two years from the first call up against Trinidad & Tobago. I hope for both England and Ashton he can regain fitness and make a late run for a squad place.

Michael Owen now at Manchester United may have settled for being overlooked by the England management has had a slowish start to his Man U career. Owen who is known for injury affected seasons should in my opinion be given a t chance at international level, the partnership he had with Owen was unbelievable and his experience with other England players over his long successful career must count for something. He is the best finisher in English football and always finds himself in the right place. One thing that will go against him is his injury record and not playing regularly for the red devils. The Liverpool born striker will look to push his way into the Man Utd’s first then push for a place in the England squad. I think he could do it and with a large amount of England goals and caps to his name he could take inspiration from the likes of David Beckham that the door isn’t always closed.

Danny Denhard

Catch me on twitter or on my blog -

@betalabs

www.betalabs.co.uk

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Live international football on tv – September 8th, 9th and 10th

Danny Denhard — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:10:52 +0000

Tuesday 8th September

Republic of Ireland v South Africa