Well, it is only a friendly, but if Capello has got any sense he’ll urge his players to continue their winning ways against the sterner test of France away. A poor display with a host of substitutions won’t do anyone any good. England need to use these friendlies to build confidence and a team that is comfortable playing together – a happy band of brothers.
This weekend the manager will cut his squad from 30 to 23 and hopefully only 13 or 14 of them will see action in Paris on Wednesday week. there’s a lot of talk about rules in the camp, discipline on and off the field and after the behaviour of Ashley Cole, Terry and Lampard in the game against Spurs last week I would hope that England fans expect their players to show more respect for their opponents, the officials and the game.
Here is my pick for the game –
—————————- James —————————-
Johnson — Woodgate — Upson (Wheater) — Wayne Bridge
Bentley — Hargreaves — Barry — J Cole
Gerrard (Cap)
———-Agbonlahor
Subs: Rooney, Defoe, Jenas, Lampard, Brown, Bridge, Carson
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Goalhanger – good point. The booing of other national anthems is a disgrace. Maybe that should read, ‘English fans of football…’
a€I would hope that England fans expect their players to show more respect for their opponents, the officials and the game.a€
Like they do when the opposing team’s national anthem is playing?
Damian,
You’re probably right. The above is MY pick. I’d give Becks his 100th against the US. That would seem fitting enough – you could even spin it that he’s be fit and raring to go with no long haul flight. Would you play Lampard or Ashley Cole?
Longball – I’d love it!
David Beckham will lead England out against France. Capello has said he will not name his captain until the WCQs start so he will let Becks lead out the side on his 100th cap (and probably the 101st as well against the USA) and then will probably never pick him again. So there.
How would England fans feel if that team lined up in a WC game??