England Still Have Much To Learn

Since England’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals next summer Fabio Capello would have been looking to learn as much as he can about his players in the upcoming friendlies before he finalises his playing party for the tournament in South Africa.

However the Italian manager would have discovered very little about his depleted England team, who succumbed to yet another bout hesitation at the back as they were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in Doha.

A beautifully directed header just 90 seconds after half-time from Nilmar sealed the win for Dunga’s side, who saw Luis Fabiano sky a penalty later on after yet more deliberation in the England defence.

Wes Brown, who was certainly at fault for the 56^th minute penalty award which saw Nilmar ghost in behind the defender and be eventually caught by Ben Foster, has done nothing to assure the manager that he can ably step in at full-back ahead of the defensively naïve Glen Johnson.

In the final third things hardly improved as England looked totally devoid of ideas, and frustratingly lacked a final ball when they did carve out half chances, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and James Milner the worst offenders.

Milner in-fact had England’s best chance of the match with a volley that he careered over the bar after Wright-Phillips eventually found an England player from one of his more effective crosses.

The likes of Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott will be licking their lips after seeing a poor performance from both of England’s wing-wizards and a repeat showing from either of these players in an England shirt will all but end their chances of making the plane to South Africa.

You do have to however feel sorry for the partners of Wayne Rooney- Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe- who saw a lack of service affect their ability to impress in the humidity of Qatar.

The Sunderland man, whose playing catch-up in trying to make the squad for next summer, will be more hurt by his performance than Defoe, who knows his two-goal salvo in Holland will linger in the mind of Capello when he chooses the final 23.

Elsewhere it’s difficult to find many more positives in England’s performance, Wayne Rooney’s guile and effort was very much in vein, Gareth Barry’s passing was unusually inept and Jermaine Jenas must come away from his showing thinking he’ll need yet another injury-stricken squad to find himself in an England team.

It was slightly disjointed from Brazil as well however-none of the free flowing football that we’ve come to expect- but more steel and a higher intensity off the ball, much of England’s failure in the final third was down to the pressure on the ball from both Gilberto Silva and Filipe Melo- an added string to the Brazilian bow.

But Brazil showed the perfect trait of any top quality side though, and that was to capitalise upon their opponent’s shortcomings- something that goes along way in a major tournament.

One plus for England though was that they kept Brazil down to just a one-goal win, with just two players who could boast to being first choice in Capello’s team starting the game, and you’d have to think both team’s performances would have altered had England been able to call upon their star-turns.

It’s a slim but important point to take from this latest friendly- and until March the player’s league form will have to do the talking- but after the heat of Doha that alone may not be enough to seal their place in South Africa.

Sky is the Limit For Haye

If we learnt anything about David Haye on Saturday evening it was that his ability to shoot for the stars is a gift that no other boxer currently on the Heavyweight circuit can match.

Yes he was able to make a 7’2 giant look like an estranged alcoholic at the back end of his fight in Neremberg with Nikolai Valuev, but the way he set his sights on the remainder of the boxing world just minutes after his historic victory shows that his ambition is almost as vibrant as his talent.

The fight had barely finished when Haye laid down his intentions for the rest of the Heavyweight division and the boxing world.

"Here I am, heavyweight champion of the world and I'm loving it. I'm going to clean up the division."

Now most boxers are well known for talking themselves up before and after matches no-matter what the result may be- but Haye’s confidence in his own ability is infectious to say the least.

The Brit has a mandatory defence of his title early next year against John Ruiz, before setting his sights on either of the Klitschko brothers, in particular the older Vitali.

The 38-year old fought Britain’s last World Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in 2005, with Lewis winning by technical knockout after a dominant performance by Klitschko-so the Ukrainian certainly has some unfinished business.

Haye’s match-up with Ruiz- a boxer whose has been defeated by Valuev on two occasions- is expected to take place at the O2 Arena, but it’s the venue of the potential unification title fight between Haye and either of the Klitschko brothers that’s of most interest.

Wembley Stadium and the New Den are the current front-runners to host a future fight proving that Haye is now one of the most in-demand boxers in the world right now.

The home of English football can seat up to 90,000 people while the New Den is the home of Haye’s beloved Millwall football club.

It’s surprising that given his personality that a fight in Las Vegas hasn’t been mentioned as yet, as it’s certain that the American public would lap up his eccentric persona.

However it’s important that with all these major venue’s and opponents being mentioned, that Haye doesn’t get to far ahead of himself, he might be world champion now but holding onto his crown will be a bigger ask- he needs to stay focused.

Given that, maybe taking his progress one fight at a time would be more favourable, after all you don’t become a great Boxer overnight, Haye might have to bide his time.

Safin Takes His Bow In Paris

Without uttering an often used ‘legend defining’ cliché it’s difficult to sum up the immense impact that Marat Safin has made in world tennis since his debut on the tour in 1997.

He burst on the scene during his first ever tournament in Holland, reaching the semi-finals before being eventually ousted by Spainard Salvador Navarro.

The following year however his progress was rapid.

He hit the stage at Rolland Garros, beating Andre Agassi and Gustavo Gurten, players who lay in the top 20 of the world at the time, before loosing out at the fourth round stage.

It was obvious that as his career progressed, that he would begin to excel on the hard court, and that’s where his four Grand Slam finals have taken place.

A win at each of the hard-court major events, including a victory over Pete Sampras in 2000 will assure Safin’s name in Open era history, but the way his career faded away as a result of injury and loss of form will probably linger just as greatly.

His victory over Leyton Hewitt in Australia in 2005 was his last major tour final, with a semi-final on his less favoured grass court at SW19 in 2008 the only glimmer of success the Russian has mustered in his remaining years.

In-fact in 2008, the year of his Wimbledon resurgence, he failed to surpass the third round in any major tournament, but maybe this single success highlights his ability to perform on the big stage rather than the inconsistent nature of his career.

Safin’s success opened the floodgates for an influx in Russian tennis stars with Nicolay Davydenko, his sister Dinara Safina and Maria Sharapova-another whose injury problems have affected her recent progress- all entering the world stage with prolonged success.

Safin was the first ever Russian to win the US Open in 2000 and can attribute part of the recent success and talent in Russian tennis down to his own early victories.

All of which leads us to this week, and Safin’s bow in professional tour tennis.

The Paris Masters is usually a tournament left to players scrapping for places in the season ending Masters Finals-this year to be hosted in London-but with many of the places all but secured it might be a week best left for reflection on Safin’s superb career.

He takes on qualifier Thierry Ascione in the first round in Paris on Monday evening, and if victorious will take on Juan Martin Del Potro, a player who’s in the Safin mold himself.

The Argentine won the US Open last year against world number one Rodger Federer, and Safin produced as big a coup in 2000 when he beat Sampras at the same event, victories that both players will surely see as career defining.

Either way Safin’s career will be over by the end of this week, but will the Russian be remembered for his double major success and his number one ranking, or his battle with injuries and his brittle temperament? I’ll let you decide.

Chelsea Find the Finishing Touch as United’s Big Game Temperament Fades

John Terry’s 75^th minute header at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening proved that even in the pressure filled cauldron of the Premiership grasping football’s basics can be the biggest weapon of them all.

It was a lesson that Manchester United ultimately failed to understand meaning that League leaders Chelsea could come away with all three points in a tight game at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors dictated play for long periods but failed to turn a dominance of possession into clear-cut chances as Chelsea pounced on United’s lack of creativity and concentration.

The Champions will surely be questioning the judgement of the officials for Chelsea’s winning goal, which saw a free kick given for a foul by Darren Fletcher in which he seemed convinced that he’d won the ball and then from the resulting free-kick which saw Didier Drogba waft at the ball while in an offside position.

In truth both queries don’t diminish the fact that Terry-arguably The Blues’ finest header of a ball- was left unmarked from the free kick and had the simple task of guiding the ball into the far corner of the net.

United’s fans and players were quick to blame the officials for their defeat at Anfield last month, but just like that fateful day on Merseyside they should have a long look at their own performance before crucifying the decisions of the men in the middle.

In addition it’s now becoming a common theme of United’s form on the road that they can’t raise their game sufficiently against their ‘top four’ rivals.

Yes they endured this type form while still claiming a third successive League Title last season but given the current form of both Arsenal and leaders Chelsea, United might need to buck up their ideas.

Carlo Ancelotti alternatively will be delighted that in two home games against their title rivals they’ve claimed maximum points while rarely breaking a sweat.

It’s difficult to see much of a weakness in a Chelsea side that could rely on Terry to produce the goods as their attacking gems were marked out of the game.

Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were particularly frustrated as a makeshift United back-four got the better of Chelsea’s attacking threat.

Their squad size also makes for impressive reading, with the likes of Florent Malouda,Yuri Zhirkov and Jon Obi Mikel not even called upon on Sunday evening.

I’m not sure the temporary suspension of the clubs transfer ban will make a host of difference to their title chances, it will be more down to the size of lead they can take into the African Cup of Nations, where they’ll lose four of their star turns.

Maybe Ancelotti had thought ahead and demanded a fast start ahead of next year’s African competition so that in the close season run-in the club would still be in the running for the title- it’s a move that already looks shrewd.

Their rivals from North London are also setting the League alight with their all action performances, but unlike previous years Arsenal seem to have a final product to their ultra precise passing game, and the spread of goals is something to feared by both United and today’s victors from the Kings Road.

Of course Liverpool should not be discounted, especially at this early stage of the season but it seems like they look devoid of ideas and drive without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres- the return to fitness of the duo appears to be crucial to their chances.

As for Chelsea they just continue to turn up when it matters, but we’re yet to see how their Italian manager can cope over the course of a whole season, remember you win nothing in November.

Superb Harper Kicks New Era into Top Gear

An inspired performance from Goalkeeper Steve Harper ensured Newcastle United celebrated their new backroom stability by going top of the Coca Cola Championship after prevailing in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The 34-year old seemed intent on impressing his on looking former teammate Shay Given, with a number of first class reaction saves to deny the Blades a point.

His stop from Darius Henderson’s late header particularly caught the eye, and his showing was yet again the cornerstone of another impressive away win for the Magpies.

The win took Newcastle two points clear at the top of the Championship, news that is sure to excite plenty of fans in the North East- but maybe last weeks announcement about the clubs immediate future should make more of an impact at St James’.

Just a week ago it was announced that Chris Hughton would be appointed full-time manager of the Geordie's and more importantly that owner Mike Ashley had taken the club off the market and promised to invest in its future.

Ashley had originally put the club up for sale 14 months ago, but a number of failed takeovers by local and foreign investors has led to Ashley taking a new interest in taking the club forward himself, and it’s this sort of stability that the clubs supporters have been craving.

Confusion over the destiny of the club had been widespread since Ashley’s admission that he could no longer run the club but last weeks announcement means the club can finally move forward off the pitch and concentrate fully on regaining their place in the Premiership.

Newcastle’s performances and results have in-fact been a far cry from the chaos that’s been going on behind the scenes and last night’s triumph was their ninth win in 15 league games.

Given the physiological scar that relegation left on the players, this season’s effort has been truly astonishing especially with a painfully thin squad to work with.

The trio of Marlon Harewood, Danny Simpson and Zurab Khizanishvili have arrived on short-term deals to bolster the squad, but despite the impressive start the squad still needs more work if promotion is to be assured.

Hughton has to be hugely praised for getting on with his job with limited resources, and with the confusion surrounding his and the clubs future his commitment to the cause means he’s deserved his chance.

Fortunately for the manager, finances may well be available in the near future after Ashley announced that he plans to sell the St James’ Park name to gain further revenue.

In keeping with their frustration during Ashley’s tenure at the club, the supporters have reacted angrily to the move with the supporters trust starting a petition in a vain attempt to ensure the stadium’s original name is retained.

It seems that no matter what Ashley does at the club the fans simply won’t back him, and now that Hughton has been appointed as manager full time it should now delay, if not extinguish the possibility of Alan Shearer undertaking his second spell in charge of his hometown club- despite the supporters own wishes.

The former England captain displayed huge tactical naivety as manager last season as he took Newcastle down to the Championship and it’s feasible that had Shearer taken over last week all of the momentum and success created by Hughton would have been lost.

While the North East faithful may never warm up to the ‘cockney mafia’ at St James’ it’s surely results on the pitch that they should be concentrating on- and although we're only in November it’s doubtful that they’ll be complaining just yet.

My England World Cup Squad

As qualifying for next years World Cup in South Africa starts to reach a climax it’s a good time to start looking at England’s possible squad for next summer mammoth tournament.

All the big guns are set to join England in South Africa after Argentina assured their place in the final 32, with Portugal and France odds-on to make their way past their tricky play-off opponents.

England squads usually feel the brunt of a full English league season, which might go on as late as the 22^nd May, and Fabio Capello might have to re-vamp any possible 23 he has in mind at this stage, to make way for injuries.

Injury permitting however the Italian has an excellent group of players to choose from, and like every wannabe manager I’ve had a go at churning out my own version of the squad.

So get ready to sharpen your knives and here we go.

Goalkeepers

David James: - England’s most experienced goalkeeper, and comfortably number one in the side despite being recently overlooked for Robert Green. Important to England’s chances that he brings the same form he’s produced over the past three years as oppose to his ‘calamitous’ side that we saw while he was at Liverpool.

Robert Green: - Even though I’m not a fan of the keeper, it would be naïve of me to suggest that he won’t be in the squad. For his country, apart from the error that could have seen him sent off against Slovenia, he’s been pretty solid, but his day-to-day work with his club worries me.

Joe Hart: - A sure international goalkeeper of the future and the experience of a World Cup at his age and stage will be invaluable. As an England fan I wouldn’t be at all worried if he was introduced as an emergency goalkeeper at some point as his talent is undeniable. His shrewd loan move to Birmingham alone shows his desire to make this squad

Defenders

Glen Johnson: - His defensive abilities have been rightly scrutinised but it seems that his attacking intent will see him start as first choice full back for Capello.

John Terry: - Aiming to become the second England captain to lift the World Cup, and just like Bobby Moore, Terry is the heart and soul of this England side. His fitness is crucial to their chances.

Rio Ferdinand: - Lack of fitness or lack of match practise? Whatever you want to call it Ferdinand is far from his best right now. The worry mainly surrounds his form because of the lack of world-class replacements, and the contrast of the strength and no nonsense approach of Terry with Ferdinand’s composure and pace is difficult to find elsewhere. He’ll make the squad and the team but he must buck up his ideas.

Ashley Cole: - Arguably the best left back in the world right now and he’s one of the first names on the England team sheet. Might be the only solely left-footed left sided player in the squad so his contribution going forward will need to be thorough.

Matthew Upson: - The hard-hitting defender has made himself third choice centre-back and will ably step in if either Terry or Ferdinand is struck down. A certainty who is likely to play second fiddle for the most part in South Africa

Wayne Bridge: - Like Upson is a certainty to be on the plane, but may well not appear in the tournament whatsoever. Solid, if not spectacular left back.

Wes Brown: - Capello seems to see something in Brown that many, including Sir Alex Ferguson, doesn’t. For a long time Brown was the team’s first choice full back ahead of Johnson, and his versatility, including the ability to fill in at centre back will be his trump card and see him creep onto the plane.

Midfielders

Frank Lampard: - After calls for him to be dropped from the England side, his true ability has been summed up in this qualifying campaign as he adapted his style of play to fit in Capello’s 4-2-3-1 formation. His breaking from deep might be un-defendable manoeuvre for most countries.

Gareth Barry: - His defensive minded role means his worth to the side is hugely undervalued, but in a day and age where a holding midfield role is almost mandatory Barry fits the bill perfectly. Another sure starter for the opening group game.

Steven Gerrard: - I still feel he under-whelms too often for his country but his sheer potential to thrill means he shouldn’t be underestimated and should definitely not be excluded. Asked to play out on the left far to often, and it clearly affects his performances. Joe Cole’s return to fitness might interest him.

Theo Walcott: - His hat-trick in Zagreb assured he’d make his second World Cup squad and his electric pace is sure to terrorise defences in South Africa. Whether he’ll be blooded from the start or not is to be decided, as a number of injuries kept him out of the back end of the qualifying campaign.

Owen Hargreaves: - Set to make his comeback from a long term injury next month but his importance to the team, something that we saw in abundance in Germany four years ago is nothing short of unique. If fit, his versatility and high-energy will see him take one the last remaining places, at the expense of his club team-mate Michael Carrick.

Joe Cole: - Another who could make the journey despite seeing a long injury limit his involvement in the qualifying campaign. Is still the solution to England longstanding problem on the left-hand side and has always popped up with important goals. Could make a surprise start if he hits top form.

David Beckham: - Now that Beckham has assured himself a move to AC Milan in January he should be attending his record fourth World Cup. His contribution may well be limited to just a number of late substitutions, but his know-how in pressure filled situations will be crucial.

James Milner: - Several players are fighting it out for this final midfield place, and I expect Milner to kick on this season seal his place in Capello’s squad. With an excellent final ball, the ability to beat a player, being adept with both feet and plenty of experience on the international stage (albeit it with the under-21’s) he’ll be the perfect impact player for England.

Strikers

Wayne Rooney: - England’s irreplaceable player. Rooney has now added more goals to his repertoire. His fitness and form is vital to England’s chances, and no other player can boast their importance to the side more than the Manchester United striker.

Emile Heskey: - He’s been rightly criticised for his goal-scoring form, but his importance to the team goes far beyond his goal contribution. Apart from making space for England’s ‘flair’ players, his work with his back to goal can’t be replicated elsewhere in the squad. The sort of player you need to win big tournaments as he does so much grafting on and off the ball.

Jermaine Defoe: - His two goals in Holland all but assured his place in the squad and his league form suggests the World Cup is coming at the perfect time for the striker. Rumours that he’ll start ahead of Heskey are far from the truth but he’ll be England’s go-to-guy if things go pear shaped.

Peter Crouch: - Reasons for his inclusion are about as long as his 6 ft 7inch frame. His goal scoring record for both England and his club Spurs is excellent for a player who isn’t first choice in either side and I have yet to see a defender deal with his incredible height. Yes the side’s style of play is sometimes affected by his introduction as a substitute but he’s sure to get goals when given a chance.

Micheal Owen: - If fit and getting goals then it’s difficult to see Owen being left out of this England squad. The country’s fourth highest ever goal scorer adds to an already impressive strike force and if anyone has the ability to produce the goods on the big stage then it’s Owen.

As ever there’s players that will miss out. Darren Bent has never quiet cut it in his short International career but maybe deserves a chance in at least one of the remaining warm-up games to reward his good club form. He same could be said about Carlton Cole

Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright Phillips have pace in abundance but loose out to a goal-hungry Walcott, a delivery specialist in Milner and the experience of Beckham, components that both these wingers lack at International level

As for the goalkeepers, Ben Foster has chosen the worst possible season to start making high profile mistakes and it’s obvious he’s not ready to be trusted with a big international in the World Cup.

The tournament has come a bit to early for Adam Johnson, whose form in the Championship has been nothing short of stunning. Expect him to be part of the post-World Cup era.

As ever you’ll all have your separate opinion about who should and shouldn’t go to next years World Cup, and please feel free to post your recommendations, queries and concerns about my squad selection below.

Liverpool’s Challenge is Far From Over

It’s 45 years since a team from England’s top flight lost four of its opening nine league games and then went on to win the league title.

This stat might be disappointing reading for any other side in this years Premiership title race, but for Liverpool, who have been turned over no more than four times already this season, history is on their side.

They were the side that endured those four defeats in their first nine games, and the same side that turned around that difficult start by winning the league title by four points from Manchester United.

Yes the league seasons have shortened since those days in the 60’s and the margin for error was greater but its proof that even with a terrible start like that of the 63/64 Liverpool title winning team that no team should be simultaneously written off as possible title winners.

But by the same token maybe there’s a good a reason why it’s been so long.

Liverpool, believe it or not, are only six points off the pace in the league despite those four defeats; and as a result they’re already been all but written off as possible champions this time next May.

In truth the fixture list has not been kind to the Reds, with three of their defeats coming against teams that finished in the top eight last season.

The fourth came on Saturday; against Steve Bruce’s reinvigorated Sunderland, who are another club feeling the benefit of a generous American owner and an ambitious new manager.

Managerial frailties of both Roy Keane and Ricky Sbragia meant the Black Cats finished just two points above the relegation zone last season- but now after taking four points off last seasons top two they can firmly set their sights on joining that top eight.

Rafael Benitez could argue his side have now endured the worst of all their away league games and that now their season can properly start.

The thing that for me sets Liverpool above their other title contenders is that they seem to be able to dig out results without their star players- something that is well documented as nothing more than a fallacy.

Last season Chelsea struggled to keep up with the pacesetters after constant injuries and loss of form to Didier Drogba, and then latterly to Joe Cole who made his first league appearance since January on Saturday at Villa Park.

Manchester United constantly needed to rely on both Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to win matches last season, in fact not a single player apart from the pair reached double figures for goals in the league last season.

The reigning champions have already shown a great deal of vulnerability in defence this season and without the host of goals the Portuguese International consistently provided the champions purely rely on Rooney for goals, and it was no coincidence that without him United only stumbled past Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Only winger Ryan Giggs looks like creating a spark in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, and the Scot can’t reply on the 35-year old to play every game this season let alone to keeping digging his side out of a hole every week.

Liverpool however seem to be able to call upon the rest of their squad, albeit thin on the ground, to chip in with goals while their big stars sit on the sidelines.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard started just 13 league games together last season, and while it’s perceived that the duo are relied on entirely for Liverpool’s success the reality is far different.

Together they contributed 30 (38%) of Liverpool’s goals as they finished second behind United.

However Ronaldo and Rooney, United’s alternative superstars, scored the same amount of goals, but that amounted to 44% of the team’s overall effort, while in terms of total starts between them they made just six more than their rivals from Anfield.

The extent of Liverpool’s goal threat was summed up by Dirk Kuyt’s goal effort, as the Dutchman, Liverpool’s third top goal scorer last season with 12, was equal with United’s second top goal scorer Rooney.

I think it’s a slight myth that Liverpool only perform with Torres and Gerrard in the side, yes Saturday’s defeat highlighted how much they miss the duo, but I’d debate the defeat was more down to a bizarre change of tactics and bad luck.

And in addition with the amount of defeats last season’s top four have already endured it’s unlikely we’ll see a team win the title with less than five defeats to their name-the gap between the ‘top four’ and the rest of the league seems to be shrinking with an increasing number of foreign investments littering the league.

Next weekend sees a pivotal game for the Red’s title hopes as they host Manchester United in a match they won last season without their two much talked about stars.

A defeat would see a nine point gap open up in late October but writing Benitez’s team out of the title race would still be foolish to say the least.