Geordie Powerhouse Carrol Ready for England Call

Geordie powerhouse Andy Carroll looks likely to receive his first England call up by national team manager Fabio Capello when the Italian selects his next squad for their friendly match with France at Wembley on the 17th of November. The Newcastle United striker has made an excellent transition from Championship football to life in the Premier League and has already netted 6 league goals this season - with his most recent the winner against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. In spite of numerous recent problems in his private life that may have hit the form of some other well known English strikers in recent months (not mentioning any names of course!), Carroll has maintained his excellent start to the season with continuing consistent displays of power and aerial dominance.

Capello may see the 21 year old as an excellent option as a target man for England - and with the striker also banging in the goals at club level it is understandable that the Geordie born star has caught the England manager’s eye. Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has been keen to keep Carroll’s feet on the ground, but would not begrudge his young star for making his debut for England in the coming months: "He has still got a long way to go. Andy is working hard on all aspects on his game and he is certainly going in the right direction…For me, being picked for Newcastle United is the most important. Anything which comes from that means he has earned it." If he can keep a lid on his temperament it is almost certain Andy Carroll will be one to watch for the future.

Capello’s England Boosted By Rooney Inclusion

Fabio Capello’s England squad have received a huge moral boost this afternoon after England striker Wayne Rooney travelled with the squad to Switzerland prior to Tuesday night’s all important European Championship qualification match. In spite of potentially damaging allegations surrounding the Manchester United striker’s private life, the England coach confirmed that England’s star man would travel and play for his country against the Swiss as England seek to keep up the momentum after a promising 4 - 0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday.

The news will no doubt be music to the ears of England fans who are now seeking much improved performances from the scouse forward after what was by the player’s own admission a bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign - and many fans seem to think that such distractions off the field may ironically in fact help focus more Rooney when on the pitch. Rooney showed glimpses off his best form with critical assists in England’s group opener against the Bulgarians and English fans will now hope for more quality play from their star man as he seeks to end a poor run of games without scoring for the national side.

Capello Set to Carry Can for England Failings

As the dust settles on the burnt ashes of England’s world cup disaster and the inquest into its mind boggling failures begin, one man that may truly feel the sword of Damocles towering over his head is England manager Fabio Capello. The Italian manager, who had seemed so confident and self assured in England’s pre world cup press conferences following what was undeniably a highly successful qualifying campaign has seemingly subsequently been reduced to a stuttering buffoon in recent interviews, struggling with his English, using an interpreter and clutching to the same excuses that previous England managerial failures had clung to over the past few years in accounting for their team’s ongoing incompetence. Capello looks a frustrated and broken man – and who can blame him after such a wretched World Cup campaign for the English team.

The FA announced upon the arrival of England’s world cup squad’s return to the green fields of home that they would wait 2 weeks to decide on the future of the Italian. However, the question it seems may not to be whether they want Fabio to continue as England boss - but more a case of whether they can afford to get rid of him. If English football’s governing body had genuinely intended Capello to stay on as a spearhead of England’s Euro 2010 qualifying campaign, they would have immediately backed him publically and unashamedly following the national team’s defeat to Germany. Instead they have chosen a 2 week period of discussion thus illustrating their clear unrest at the Italian’s performance at the World Cup. A reported £12 million is needed just to get shut of Fabio Capello, and the FA’s wisdom of extending the mangers contract days before a major tournament now look very questionable indeed.

England Must Stand Up and Be Counted Against Fired Up Algeria

English football fans across the country are urging their team to stand up and be counted in tomorrows World Cup Group C fixture against an Algerian side that to some extent remain an unknown quantity. The African side have been fired up by recent quotes from Wayne Rooney in England’s press conference that they have seen as disrespectful of their footballing calibre. Nothing less than a win will do for Fabio Capello’s side after a lacklustre performance that led to a draw against the United States in their opening World Cup match - in which they failed to fashion many clear cut chances. German World Cup legend Franz Beckenbauer derided England’s efforts in a press conference earlier this week, and was quoted as describing the English national side as a “kick and rush” team, that had regressed under the leadership of their current manager. While this is a somewhat harsh summary after just 90 minutes of football, England know they still have a lot to prove if they are to silence the doubters of their World Cup credentials.

England will however be boosted by the return of holding midfielder Gareth Barry from injury, who’s neat and tidy play at the centre of the park was a critical element in the success of England’s qualifying campaign. Nonetheless, question marks still remain for the selection of the England side in key positions. One such area that remains the subject of great scrutiny is goalkeeper - following Rob greens devastating error against the USA. Capello’s alternatives David James has been struggling with an injury and young goalkeeper Hart is thought to lack sufficient international experience.

There is some great speculation also in terms of who should partner England talisman Wayne Rooney in England’s attack. In spite of ongoing criticism from the English media and fans alike, Emile Heskey was arguably one of England’s few shining lights against the USA, setting up the goal for Steven Gerrard and proving a strong and consistent outlet for his side throughout his time on the field. He may yet however be set to be replaced by pacey Tottenham front man Jermaine Defoe, who is thought to offer a greater threat and more prolific record in front of goal. Whoever England select tomorrow they know they must up their game if they are to stand any chance of winning the biggest prize in international football.

Humble Keeper Green Apologises to English Fans

England goalkeeper Rob Green has openly and publically apologised to English football fans after his disastrous mistake against the USA in England’s opening World Cup fixture last night. Green somehow managed to allow a Clint Dempsey grubber to squirm away from him when he was apparently in the correct position to cut out what had seemed to be a fairly innocuous shot from Fulham’s American midfielder. Some sources suggest that Green may now make way for the more experienced David James in England’s goal – although the Portsmouth star has himself had a season plagued by injury.

The keeper’s mistake proved costly for Fabio Capello’s side, as England failed to add to their 4th minute opener from captain Steven Gerrard to earn what will ultimately seem a frustrating 1 – 1 draw against a lively USA side. England must now rally quickly in order to secure victories against other group rivals Algeria and Slovenia if they are to avoid a shock exit in the preliminary group stages of the World Cup.

Walcott Humbled As Capello Slims 30 to 23 Ready For South Africa

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was the most notable emission from England manager Fabio Capello’s final 23 man squad for the national team’s forthcoming World Cup campaign. The young speed merchant has seemingly paid the price for some disappointing recent performances in England’s friendly matches against Mexico and Japan. During these recent fixtures Walcott’s critics had suggested that while he had shown some glimpses of his great pace and willingness to take on the full back, he had consistently failed to deliver crosses into the box of sufficient quality for an international footballer - and the player has indeed seemed to have made little real progress over the last year in which he has been plagued by injury and inconsistent form.

With the absence of Theo Walcott, Capello’s final 23 man squad does in retrospect seem to offer a greater degree of balance with the addition of Michael Carrick as cover for Capello’s preferred holding midfield player Gareth Barry - who was today himself passed fit after a great deal of scrutiny by the England physio team. Joe Cole also played himself back into contention with a fine second half against England’s most recent opponents Japan - and offers a greater level of big tournament experience on which the coach can draw. The final 23 man squad will now fly out to host nation South Africa carrying the hopes of the English people on their shoulders - and no doubt dreaming of being the first England side to reach a World Cup Final since the country hosted and won the famous tournament back in 1966. For those who have been left behind the pain they feel must be immense - but you would feel that Walcott at least at the tender age of just 21 will remain hopeful that his chance on football’s greatest stage is still yet to come.

Fans Across The World Ready For World Cup

Fans of the English national team are growing in excitement in the ongoing build up for the countries 2010 World Cup Campaign. The England squad are currently in preparation for their final friendly match before the start of the tournament as they are set to face Japan in Graz, Austria on Sunday (Kick off 1.15 GMT). Fabio Capello’s final England squad will be announced following the match, and fans are already speculating as to which 7 unfortunate players will be left behind as the squad is shrunk down from 30 to 23.
World Cup fever is clearly gripping England at this time, with the English press and television channels packed with stories surrounding the players and their fitness worries - most recently Wayne Rooney was the focus of such concern, although the start striker has since allayed any concerns on his fitness.
When the tournament finally gets underway when hosts South Africa play Mexico on the 11th of June, luckily fans will be able to enjoy all the World Cup the games live on terrestrial television channels as well as cable TV and internet. Its sure to be a great tournament generating interest from around the world – and no more so than in England.

Carragher Set For Shock England World Cup Recall

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is set to make a highly unexpected return to international football after a plea from England manager Fabio Capello. With experienced centre back Rio Ferdinand continuing to struggle with a back complaint, John Terry’s sporadic dips in form during this season, alongside the sidelining of other possible cover at centre back such as Jolien Lescott who has been out for the majority of the Premier League season after he stretches hamstring – the Liverpool veteran is now to make a return to the international scene. Having been widely tipped in various sources of the English football media to make a shock return to coach Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad, the centre back has now been officially named in Capello’s provisional 30 man England squad earlier this afternoon – with the full squad finalised to just 23 to be announced on the 1st of June 2010.

Capello Stamps Foot Down Over WAGS and Player Excess

England manager Fabio Capello has continued his famous hard line approach to man management by criticising the excesses of professional footballers in the English game. Speaking before this week’s 3 - 1 friendly win over Egypt at Wembley, Capello condemned the Hollywood lifestyles of professional players in the modern day arena, and was quoted as saying “the private life is a big problem for some players.” Although the Italian admitted that he believed that the problem was not rooted purely in English football but also across the other top leagues in Europe, he expressed his personal dissatisfaction at the way some young players acted off the field, stating that the large quantities of money associated with playing at the top level was potentially having a negative impact on their careers and development - particularly on young individuals within the game. Capello has already openly dictated that the players WAGs (wives and girlfriends) - who are famous for there lavish lifestyles, designer clothing, fashionable sports sunglasses and lives in the media spotlight - are not welcome with his playing squad at this summers World Cup, and that he wished them to keep a much lower profile than they famously held under the tenure of former coach Sven Goran Eriksson. Off the field issues have blighted the England squad in recent weeks, with revelations about the private life of John terry and Ashley Cole taking up tabloid inches that the England boss would have much preferred to be reserved for on the field performances after a successful qualifying campaign in the build up to this summer’s world football showpiece.

England's Subs Bench Fuel Amsterdam Fightback

England's substitutes gave head coach Fabio Capello a selection headache last night after inspiring a rousing fightback in Amsterdam. The Dutch found themselves 2 goals to the good at half time and seemingly cruising after dominating long periods of possession whilst England were often wasteful, giving the ball away cheaply on two many occasions. Indeed, England's sloppiness resulted in not only one but 2 first half goals for the home side. First, Rio Ferdinand's woeful attempted backpass allowed Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt the chance to steal in, before rounding keeper Rob Green and firing home - a truly poor error from one of England's senior players. If the first goal was disappointing for England then what was to follow would only serve to further frustrate the travelling supporters. Gareth Barry played a blind pass back towards his own defence allowing former Chelsea star Arjen Robben the chance to run at goal. England keeper Green did well to rush out and block Robben's effort, but was powerless to see Rafael Van Der Vaart convert the follow up.

England needed a wake up call at half time, and Capello sent on Jermaine Defoe at the break to push for goals. The Tottenham striker's impact was almost immediate. Frank Lampard helped on a long ball from the England back line, and Defoe showed great pace and an excellent first touch to race clear of the Dutch defence before expertly finishing in off the post. England looked more confident, and fellow substitute James Milner provided a good cross on 67 minutes for Defoe - who headed just over at the near post. However, the duo would later combine for England's second goal. Milner did well down the left hand channel, before providing a slide rule cross for Defoe to bundle in from close range on 77 minutes. The substitutes had injected new life into an England team that had looked short of confidence in the first half, with Carlton Cole also looking threatening with his excellent display of strength, pace and close control. The West Ham striker also went close himself - firing just wide after showing great skill to turn the Dutch defender inside then out. A much improved second half performance from England's bench must surely now give Fabio Capello food for thought about his best 11 for England's next World Cup qualifiers and beyond.

England Boss Snubs Owen Again But Insists Door Is Still Open

England boss Fabio Capello has once again emitted striker Michael Owen from his latest England squad set to play against Holland in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Manchester United's new signing has regularly failed to inspire Capello under his tenure as England boss following a turbulent period in his career which has been dogged by long term injury and Newcastle's disastrous relegation from the Premier League last season. Owen's record for England remains prolific - the diminutive striker bagging 40 goals in just 89 matches for his country - but he has struggled with form and fitness in recent months and has had to face up to going from being the first name on the England team sheet to battling for a place in the squad. In spite of this latest emission however, Capello still insists the door is open for Owen, and suggests that the strikers arrival at Old Trafford provides the perfect platform for the player to prove he is once again ready for international football. Capello suggested that United will offer Owen the chance of Champions League football in order to prove he is once again ready to bang in the goals at the highest level. Owen was not the only big name striker missing out of the latest England squad however, with bean pole target man Peter Crouch also missing out in favour of Rooney, Heskey, Defoe and Carlton Cole.