England 2 Czech Republic 2

The England team that played in last nights match against the Czech Republic:

David James, Wes Brown, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe.

Substitutes

Emile Heskey (for Defoe, 46min) , Joe Cole (for Gerrard, 57), Jonathan Woodgate (for Ferdinand, 57), Stewart Downing (for Rooney, 70), David Bentley (for Lampard, 79), Jermaine Jenas (for Beckham, 79).

Not used:

Paul Robinson, Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Matthew Upson, Theo Walcott.

This was not a great display and it is difficult to see any great improvement in the team. When was the last time England played well?

The team was nervous, a little disjointed and played with no real confidence. Mitigating factors may be that the game was a friendly and the players’ domestic seasons (apart from Beckham) have only just begun. The danger is the perception of a stale air of familiarity.

There has to be an improvement and perhaps the cutting edge of a competitive game can act as a catalyst for a more assured performance.

Fabio Capello has to do some deep thinking in order to improve the England team. The forthcoming match against Croatia in 3 weeks time is going to be the big test.

 

 

 

 

The Captain

John Terry has been named England Captain. Rio Ferdinand will be vice-captain.

England Squad

The squad for the forthcoming friendly against the Czech Republic is:

Joe Hart, David James, Paul Robinson, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Wes Brown, Jonathan Woodgate, Matthew Upson, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Gareth Barry, David Bentley, David Beckham, Jermaine Jenas, Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott.

 

 

Fabio Speaks

Fabio Capello has been discussing English football and his comments can be seen at the following URL.  There is also a suggestion of a call up for Darren Bent. We will also know who the England Captain will be just prior to the friendly against the Czech Republic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7554604.stm

I would also like to add that in the comments section on the BBC website that the above URL points to, there seems to be a certain amount of cynicism.

We should understand we are now an average football team. That Capello has faith in the players is a good thing and we should in turn have faith in Capello. There will be dull performances and questioning of tactics and selection. Lets’s look at our neighbours Ireland and Scotland who support their teams through thick and thin. If Capello cannot get England going then nobody can.