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Oh Noes!!!!!
Jul. 12th, 2010 10:05 pmPAUL HAS RETIRED. HE WAS GERMANY'S BEST PLAYER. AND HE WAS BORN IN ENGLAND. HE COULD HAVE PLAYED FOR US. I AM DEVASTATED. THEY GOT HIM HIS OWN WORLD CUP THOUGH AND HE WAS CLINGING TO IT. CLINGING I TELL YOU.
Oh Noes!!!!!
Jul. 12th, 2010 10:05 pmPAUL HAS RETIRED. HE WAS GERMANY'S BEST PLAYER. AND HE WAS BORN IN ENGLAND. HE COULD HAVE PLAYED FOR US. I AM DEVASTATED. THEY GOT HIM HIS OWN WORLD CUP THOUGH AND HE WAS CLINGING TO IT. CLINGING I TELL YOU.
Paul got it right!
Jul. 11th, 2010 10:11 pmThe octopus was awesome. The Dutch let themselves down significantly. Sadly a controversial goal won it but Holland got what they deserved for the way they approached the game which was appalling. Mr Webb did not come out of the game very well, but he was fighting a losing battle with such cynical tactics to face. Really he should have sent at least one Dutch player off, but probably didn't want to spoil the game. Don't worry Howard, the teams did that. Very shoddy end to a shoddy tournament.
I found this so I am going out with a bang with the official song from France 1998. That's more like it!
I forgot to say it has been horribly windy today - gale force for most of the time. It's calmed down now.
I found this so I am going out with a bang with the official song from France 1998. That's more like it!
I forgot to say it has been horribly windy today - gale force for most of the time. It's calmed down now.
Paul got it right!
Jul. 11th, 2010 10:11 pmThe octopus was awesome. The Dutch let themselves down significantly. Sadly a controversial goal won it but Holland got what they deserved for the way they approached the game which was appalling. Mr Webb did not come out of the game very well, but he was fighting a losing battle with such cynical tactics to face. Really he should have sent at least one Dutch player off, but probably didn't want to spoil the game. Don't worry Howard, the teams did that. Very shoddy end to a shoddy tournament.
I found this so I am going out with a bang with the official song from France 1998. That's more like it!
I forgot to say it has been horribly windy today - gale force for most of the time. It's calmed down now.
I found this so I am going out with a bang with the official song from France 1998. That's more like it!
I forgot to say it has been horribly windy today - gale force for most of the time. It's calmed down now.
Not very good so far. The Dutch are acting like Wimbledon: no skill; plenty of shocking fouls and poor attacking football. Alan Green is not impressed and neither am I. The game has been cynical and poor. No football involved at all. Poor Howard Webb has had to book virtually all the Dutch team and some Spaniards, but the Dutch havemade no attempt to use skill. I hope Spain win now on this showing.
This is a sound indictment of this World Cup which is the worst I can remember - and I go back to 1966. The negativity from the majority of teams has been very disappointing. Big names, both teams and individuals, simply did not turn up. I can remember nothing much of any game except the Paraguay penalty shootout v Japan, Ghana v. Uruguay and Argentina v. Germany. The following teams might as well not have bothered turning up:
Italy
France
England.
Going away with heads held high:
Ghana
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Germany
Japan
USA
New Zealand
Flattered to deceive:
Brazil
Portugal
Where were they?
Kaka
Messi
Ronaldo
Rooney
Torres
Good show:
Teves
Muller
Ozil
Sneijder (except for a cynical foul in the Final)
What was good?
The African people.
The stadia
The fact there has been no trouble or hooliganism reported
The little boys who have come out with the teams. Some of them were tiny and gorgeous
Some of the National Anthems
Chris Waddle's rant after England lost to the Germans.
What wasn't?
Vuvuzelas. They ruined all the national sounds for different teams - never heard the Dutch band or the Brazilian samba or singing. Every game sounded the same.
The football. Maybe two goals have been scored from free kicks in 64 games.
Whoever wins this Final it will not have been a memorable tournament, but they will still be World Champions.
Alan Green has moaned and whinged about every game he has been at
This is a sound indictment of this World Cup which is the worst I can remember - and I go back to 1966. The negativity from the majority of teams has been very disappointing. Big names, both teams and individuals, simply did not turn up. I can remember nothing much of any game except the Paraguay penalty shootout v Japan, Ghana v. Uruguay and Argentina v. Germany. The following teams might as well not have bothered turning up:
Italy
France
England.
Going away with heads held high:
Ghana
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Germany
Japan
USA
New Zealand
Flattered to deceive:
Brazil
Portugal
Where were they?
Kaka
Messi
Ronaldo
Rooney
Torres
Good show:
Teves
Muller
Ozil
Sneijder (except for a cynical foul in the Final)
What was good?
The African people.
The stadia
The fact there has been no trouble or hooliganism reported
The little boys who have come out with the teams. Some of them were tiny and gorgeous
Some of the National Anthems
Chris Waddle's rant after England lost to the Germans.
What wasn't?
Vuvuzelas. They ruined all the national sounds for different teams - never heard the Dutch band or the Brazilian samba or singing. Every game sounded the same.
The football. Maybe two goals have been scored from free kicks in 64 games.
Whoever wins this Final it will not have been a memorable tournament, but they will still be World Champions.
Alan Green has moaned and whinged about every game he has been at
Not very good so far. The Dutch are acting like Wimbledon: no skill; plenty of shocking fouls and poor attacking football. Alan Green is not impressed and neither am I. The game has been cynical and poor. No football involved at all. Poor Howard Webb has had to book virtually all the Dutch team and some Spaniards, but the Dutch havemade no attempt to use skill. I hope Spain win now on this showing.
This is a sound indictment of this World Cup which is the worst I can remember - and I go back to 1966. The negativity from the majority of teams has been very disappointing. Big names, both teams and individuals, simply did not turn up. I can remember nothing much of any game except the Paraguay penalty shootout v Japan, Ghana v. Uruguay and Argentina v. Germany. The following teams might as well not have bothered turning up:
Italy
France
England.
Going away with heads held high:
Ghana
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Germany
Japan
USA
New Zealand
Flattered to deceive:
Brazil
Portugal
Where were they?
Kaka
Messi
Ronaldo
Rooney
Torres
Good show:
Teves
Muller
Ozil
Sneijder (except for a cynical foul in the Final)
What was good?
The African people.
The stadia
The fact there has been no trouble or hooliganism reported
The little boys who have come out with the teams. Some of them were tiny and gorgeous
Some of the National Anthems
Chris Waddle's rant after England lost to the Germans.
What wasn't?
Vuvuzelas. They ruined all the national sounds for different teams - never heard the Dutch band or the Brazilian samba or singing. Every game sounded the same.
The football. Maybe two goals have been scored from free kicks in 64 games.
Whoever wins this Final it will not have been a memorable tournament, but they will still be World Champions.
Alan Green has moaned and whinged about every game he has been at
This is a sound indictment of this World Cup which is the worst I can remember - and I go back to 1966. The negativity from the majority of teams has been very disappointing. Big names, both teams and individuals, simply did not turn up. I can remember nothing much of any game except the Paraguay penalty shootout v Japan, Ghana v. Uruguay and Argentina v. Germany. The following teams might as well not have bothered turning up:
Italy
France
England.
Going away with heads held high:
Ghana
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Germany
Japan
USA
New Zealand
Flattered to deceive:
Brazil
Portugal
Where were they?
Kaka
Messi
Ronaldo
Rooney
Torres
Good show:
Teves
Muller
Ozil
Sneijder (except for a cynical foul in the Final)
What was good?
The African people.
The stadia
The fact there has been no trouble or hooliganism reported
The little boys who have come out with the teams. Some of them were tiny and gorgeous
Some of the National Anthems
Chris Waddle's rant after England lost to the Germans.
What wasn't?
Vuvuzelas. They ruined all the national sounds for different teams - never heard the Dutch band or the Brazilian samba or singing. Every game sounded the same.
The football. Maybe two goals have been scored from free kicks in 64 games.
Whoever wins this Final it will not have been a memorable tournament, but they will still be World Champions.
Alan Green has moaned and whinged about every game he has been at
Well that didn't work. It was a quirky game though. A goal disallowed for offside that was onside: bad. A penalty given for holding: good. Missed: bad. A penalty given at the other end immediately: scored. Whoops! Encroachment: take it again: Saved! Foul on the rebound: penalty not given.He he. Villa: hit post; rebound along line; hit other post: in. 1 - 0 Spain.
Hard lines Paraguay. All Sunderland players now out with heads held high mind, because the luck of the football gods did not smile on them rather than through poor play (take note England. One disallowed goal does not misfortune make).
So, all the South American teams out except the least likely: Uruguay. Three European teams through to the semis and so could win for the first time on non European soil. It's a corker. Heart says Netherlands. Head says Germany, so.... come on Spain! David Villa has scored the most goals.
Hard lines Paraguay. All Sunderland players now out with heads held high mind, because the luck of the football gods did not smile on them rather than through poor play (take note England. One disallowed goal does not misfortune make).
So, all the South American teams out except the least likely: Uruguay. Three European teams through to the semis and so could win for the first time on non European soil. It's a corker. Heart says Netherlands. Head says Germany, so.... come on Spain! David Villa has scored the most goals.
Well that didn't work. It was a quirky game though. A goal disallowed for offside that was onside: bad. A penalty given for holding: good. Missed: bad. A penalty given at the other end immediately: scored. Whoops! Encroachment: take it again: Saved! Foul on the rebound: penalty not given.He he. Villa: hit post; rebound along line; hit other post: in. 1 - 0 Spain.
Hard lines Paraguay. All Sunderland players now out with heads held high mind, because the luck of the football gods did not smile on them rather than through poor play (take note England. One disallowed goal does not misfortune make).
So, all the South American teams out except the least likely: Uruguay. Three European teams through to the semis and so could win for the first time on non European soil. It's a corker. Heart says Netherlands. Head says Germany, so.... come on Spain! David Villa has scored the most goals.
Hard lines Paraguay. All Sunderland players now out with heads held high mind, because the luck of the football gods did not smile on them rather than through poor play (take note England. One disallowed goal does not misfortune make).
So, all the South American teams out except the least likely: Uruguay. Three European teams through to the semis and so could win for the first time on non European soil. It's a corker. Heart says Netherlands. Head says Germany, so.... come on Spain! David Villa has scored the most goals.
What a match! Ghana were so unlucky. To get a penalty in the last second and miss it. Shame, shame. They deserved to win after that and Uruguay won the penalty shoot out. Mensah missed but they were all in tears at the end. Heroes, the lot of them. That was an amazing two hours. I hope this standard keeps up. Today's games were excellent.
What a match! Ghana were so unlucky. To get a penalty in the last second and miss it. Shame, shame. They deserved to win after that and Uruguay won the penalty shoot out. Mensah missed but they were all in tears at the end. Heroes, the lot of them. That was an amazing two hours. I hope this standard keeps up. Today's games were excellent.
There are tears
Jul. 2nd, 2010 05:40 pmSo, Brazil. Not so invincible as we thought eh? One or two players have disappointed; Kaka for instance, a shadow of the player he was in Italy. I don't think his season at Real Madrid has done him much good. Meanwhile, an old favourite of mine scored the winner for the Netherlands. Stand up Wesley Sneijder! Oh, you are standing up (he's only little). Scored with a header of all things and totally unmarked. Of course, Brazil's cause was not helped by their captain Melo, stupidly standing on Arjen Robben after he fouled him. Off he had to go.
Here's Wesley:
That was probably the most entertaining game I've seen so far. I actually watched the second half rather than do something with the football on in the background. I don't think it's been a very good quality tournament actually. Only a handful of players have come up to their potential and some of the early games were deadly. Paraguay are playing in the quarter final tomorrow on the strength of one victory and a penalty shoot out. Doesn't seem fair when New Zealand went home undefeated.
Another mouse in the trap last night. That's three. There would be more, I bought three traps, but the first casualty broke the trap and another trap never worked because the metal progger never fitted under the little bar so only two worked. They were only 99p though. Slowly but surely is the way.
Today is sunny but breezy and I have the window open again.
Here's Wesley:
That was probably the most entertaining game I've seen so far. I actually watched the second half rather than do something with the football on in the background. I don't think it's been a very good quality tournament actually. Only a handful of players have come up to their potential and some of the early games were deadly. Paraguay are playing in the quarter final tomorrow on the strength of one victory and a penalty shoot out. Doesn't seem fair when New Zealand went home undefeated.
Another mouse in the trap last night. That's three. There would be more, I bought three traps, but the first casualty broke the trap and another trap never worked because the metal progger never fitted under the little bar so only two worked. They were only 99p though. Slowly but surely is the way.
Today is sunny but breezy and I have the window open again.
There are tears
Jul. 2nd, 2010 05:40 pmSo, Brazil. Not so invincible as we thought eh? One or two players have disappointed; Kaka for instance, a shadow of the player he was in Italy. I don't think his season at Real Madrid has done him much good. Meanwhile, an old favourite of mine scored the winner for the Netherlands. Stand up Wesley Sneijder! Oh, you are standing up (he's only little). Scored with a header of all things and totally unmarked. Of course, Brazil's cause was not helped by their captain Melo, stupidly standing on Arjen Robben after he fouled him. Off he had to go.
Here's Wesley:
That was probably the most entertaining game I've seen so far. I actually watched the second half rather than do something with the football on in the background. I don't think it's been a very good quality tournament actually. Only a handful of players have come up to their potential and some of the early games were deadly. Paraguay are playing in the quarter final tomorrow on the strength of one victory and a penalty shoot out. Doesn't seem fair when New Zealand went home undefeated.
Another mouse in the trap last night. That's three. There would be more, I bought three traps, but the first casualty broke the trap and another trap never worked because the metal progger never fitted under the little bar so only two worked. They were only 99p though. Slowly but surely is the way.
Today is sunny but breezy and I have the window open again.
Here's Wesley:
That was probably the most entertaining game I've seen so far. I actually watched the second half rather than do something with the football on in the background. I don't think it's been a very good quality tournament actually. Only a handful of players have come up to their potential and some of the early games were deadly. Paraguay are playing in the quarter final tomorrow on the strength of one victory and a penalty shoot out. Doesn't seem fair when New Zealand went home undefeated.
Another mouse in the trap last night. That's three. There would be more, I bought three traps, but the first casualty broke the trap and another trap never worked because the metal progger never fitted under the little bar so only two worked. They were only 99p though. Slowly but surely is the way.
Today is sunny but breezy and I have the window open again.
Poor game but Paraguay are through to the quarter finals for the first time and it was via a penalty shoot out! First of the tournament. 5 cracking penalties. Cardozo took the last one and he just sauntered up to the ball and side footed it in as cool as you like. One Japanese missed and hit the bar. They play Spain or Portugal next for a place in the semis. 2 Sunderland lads still there.
Thunderstorm in the night so I opted not to go to the cricket. Missed 10 wickets falling as Durham start the second innings 60 odd ahead.
Thunderstorm in the night so I opted not to go to the cricket. Missed 10 wickets falling as Durham start the second innings 60 odd ahead.
Poor game but Paraguay are through to the quarter finals for the first time and it was via a penalty shoot out! First of the tournament. 5 cracking penalties. Cardozo took the last one and he just sauntered up to the ball and side footed it in as cool as you like. One Japanese missed and hit the bar. They play Spain or Portugal next for a place in the semis. 2 Sunderland lads still there.
Thunderstorm in the night so I opted not to go to the cricket. Missed 10 wickets falling as Durham start the second innings 60 odd ahead.
Thunderstorm in the night so I opted not to go to the cricket. Missed 10 wickets falling as Durham start the second innings 60 odd ahead.
Nothing to show
Jun. 27th, 2010 11:31 pmBy Jove the country is stunned and I am at a loss to see why. We were rubbish. From the moment we arrived in South Africa we were rubbish. Consider the team we played today:
David James a goalkeeper aged 40. He has hardly played this season and when he did it was for a team who were relegated. 22nd of 22 teams in the Premier League. He wasn't too bad today though.
David Johnson injured half the season and playing in a poor Liverppol team that haven't qualified for Europe next season. Not an international full back. Never won anything in Europe.
Ashley Cole injured half the season. Played for the Premier League champions but never won anything in Europe. Was one of the better defenders.
John Terry has had a lot of personal baggage. Stripped of the captaincy after sordid details of an affair with another player's girlfriend became public. Tried to start a coup amongst the team in South Africa but was battered back by Capello. Famously missed the penalty that cost Chelsea the Champions League. Never won anything in Europe.
Matthew Upson 4th choice centre half (!) after Ferdinand (injured) King (injured) and Carragher (suspended and then why change a winning team). West Ham player who struggled to avoid relegation all season, were taken over and then sacked their manager. Never won anything.
James Milner Promising midfielder from Aston Villa serial under-achievers. Never won anything.
Frank Lampard 22 goals from midfield this season. Star member of Chelsea's Premier League Champions. Never won anything in Europe.
Seriously under-performed in this world cup.
Steven Gerrard. Had an in and out season for Liverpool with nowhere near his usual standard. May have been unsettled by poor quality of this Liverpool team missing Torres most of the season. Won the European Cup 5 years ago. Nothing since in Europe. Had to play out of position for England.
Gareth Barry played for serial underachievers Aston Villa for years before moving to new wannabes Manchester City. He was injured and a doubt for the squad after they arrived in South Africa. Never won anything in Europe.
Jermain Defoe. Set off like a train for Spurs this season and scored 18 goals. Got injured and seriously tailed off at the end of the season. Never won anything. Substituted today when team was 4-1 down. Replaced by Emil Heskey the only England striker never to score.
Wayne Rooney only topped by Didier Drogba this season as goal scorer of the year. However, he was injured towards the end of the season and the goals dried up. Won the Champions League 3 years ago, but did not score in the final against Chelsea.
This is the so called Golden generation and when you look at them on a World stage only 2 of them have actually won anything outside of the domestic game and even then Rooney was playing against an English team. Yet they were expected, by the media at least, to get to the semi final. Well you could forget that when they won only one of the group games and ended up in the half of the draw where they could potentially meet Germany and Argentina before getting to the semis.
Mr Capello means to stay and see them through the European qualifying where we have another soft group.
Root and branch, that is what is needed. The following players from this squad can go: James, Green, Johnson, Terry, Lampard, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Heskey.
4-4-2 does not work at the World Cup. It doesn't even work at Manchester United where Rooney plays as a lone striker. 4-5-1 is what the majority of players play domestically and they are used to it.
Fabio Capello is not the answer. He has never managed in England; he cannot speak good English; he is intransigent in his tactics.
David James a goalkeeper aged 40. He has hardly played this season and when he did it was for a team who were relegated. 22nd of 22 teams in the Premier League. He wasn't too bad today though.
David Johnson injured half the season and playing in a poor Liverppol team that haven't qualified for Europe next season. Not an international full back. Never won anything in Europe.
Ashley Cole injured half the season. Played for the Premier League champions but never won anything in Europe. Was one of the better defenders.
John Terry has had a lot of personal baggage. Stripped of the captaincy after sordid details of an affair with another player's girlfriend became public. Tried to start a coup amongst the team in South Africa but was battered back by Capello. Famously missed the penalty that cost Chelsea the Champions League. Never won anything in Europe.
Matthew Upson 4th choice centre half (!) after Ferdinand (injured) King (injured) and Carragher (suspended and then why change a winning team). West Ham player who struggled to avoid relegation all season, were taken over and then sacked their manager. Never won anything.
James Milner Promising midfielder from Aston Villa serial under-achievers. Never won anything.
Frank Lampard 22 goals from midfield this season. Star member of Chelsea's Premier League Champions. Never won anything in Europe.
Seriously under-performed in this world cup.
Steven Gerrard. Had an in and out season for Liverpool with nowhere near his usual standard. May have been unsettled by poor quality of this Liverpool team missing Torres most of the season. Won the European Cup 5 years ago. Nothing since in Europe. Had to play out of position for England.
Gareth Barry played for serial underachievers Aston Villa for years before moving to new wannabes Manchester City. He was injured and a doubt for the squad after they arrived in South Africa. Never won anything in Europe.
Jermain Defoe. Set off like a train for Spurs this season and scored 18 goals. Got injured and seriously tailed off at the end of the season. Never won anything. Substituted today when team was 4-1 down. Replaced by Emil Heskey the only England striker never to score.
Wayne Rooney only topped by Didier Drogba this season as goal scorer of the year. However, he was injured towards the end of the season and the goals dried up. Won the Champions League 3 years ago, but did not score in the final against Chelsea.
This is the so called Golden generation and when you look at them on a World stage only 2 of them have actually won anything outside of the domestic game and even then Rooney was playing against an English team. Yet they were expected, by the media at least, to get to the semi final. Well you could forget that when they won only one of the group games and ended up in the half of the draw where they could potentially meet Germany and Argentina before getting to the semis.
Mr Capello means to stay and see them through the European qualifying where we have another soft group.
Root and branch, that is what is needed. The following players from this squad can go: James, Green, Johnson, Terry, Lampard, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Heskey.
4-4-2 does not work at the World Cup. It doesn't even work at Manchester United where Rooney plays as a lone striker. 4-5-1 is what the majority of players play domestically and they are used to it.
Fabio Capello is not the answer. He has never managed in England; he cannot speak good English; he is intransigent in his tactics.
Nothing to show
Jun. 27th, 2010 11:31 pmBy Jove the country is stunned and I am at a loss to see why. We were rubbish. From the moment we arrived in South Africa we were rubbish. Consider the team we played today:
David James a goalkeeper aged 40. He has hardly played this season and when he did it was for a team who were relegated. 22nd of 22 teams in the Premier League. He wasn't too bad today though.
David Johnson injured half the season and playing in a poor Liverppol team that haven't qualified for Europe next season. Not an international full back. Never won anything in Europe.
Ashley Cole injured half the season. Played for the Premier League champions but never won anything in Europe. Was one of the better defenders.
John Terry has had a lot of personal baggage. Stripped of the captaincy after sordid details of an affair with another player's girlfriend became public. Tried to start a coup amongst the team in South Africa but was battered back by Capello. Famously missed the penalty that cost Chelsea the Champions League. Never won anything in Europe.
Matthew Upson 4th choice centre half (!) after Ferdinand (injured) King (injured) and Carragher (suspended and then why change a winning team). West Ham player who struggled to avoid relegation all season, were taken over and then sacked their manager. Never won anything.
James Milner Promising midfielder from Aston Villa serial under-achievers. Never won anything.
Frank Lampard 22 goals from midfield this season. Star member of Chelsea's Premier League Champions. Never won anything in Europe.
Seriously under-performed in this world cup.
Steven Gerrard. Had an in and out season for Liverpool with nowhere near his usual standard. May have been unsettled by poor quality of this Liverpool team missing Torres most of the season. Won the European Cup 5 years ago. Nothing since in Europe. Had to play out of position for England.
Gareth Barry played for serial underachievers Aston Villa for years before moving to new wannabes Manchester City. He was injured and a doubt for the squad after they arrived in South Africa. Never won anything in Europe.
Jermain Defoe. Set off like a train for Spurs this season and scored 18 goals. Got injured and seriously tailed off at the end of the season. Never won anything. Substituted today when team was 4-1 down. Replaced by Emil Heskey the only England striker never to score.
Wayne Rooney only topped by Didier Drogba this season as goal scorer of the year. However, he was injured towards the end of the season and the goals dried up. Won the Champions League 3 years ago, but did not score in the final against Chelsea.
This is the so called Golden generation and when you look at them on a World stage only 2 of them have actually won anything outside of the domestic game and even then Rooney was playing against an English team. Yet they were expected, by the media at least, to get to the semi final. Well you could forget that when they won only one of the group games and ended up in the half of the draw where they could potentially meet Germany and Argentina before getting to the semis.
Mr Capello means to stay and see them through the European qualifying where we have another soft group.
Root and branch, that is what is needed. The following players from this squad can go: James, Green, Johnson, Terry, Lampard, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Heskey.
4-4-2 does not work at the World Cup. It doesn't even work at Manchester United where Rooney plays as a lone striker. 4-5-1 is what the majority of players play domestically and they are used to it.
Fabio Capello is not the answer. He has never managed in England; he cannot speak good English; he is intransigent in his tactics.
David James a goalkeeper aged 40. He has hardly played this season and when he did it was for a team who were relegated. 22nd of 22 teams in the Premier League. He wasn't too bad today though.
David Johnson injured half the season and playing in a poor Liverppol team that haven't qualified for Europe next season. Not an international full back. Never won anything in Europe.
Ashley Cole injured half the season. Played for the Premier League champions but never won anything in Europe. Was one of the better defenders.
John Terry has had a lot of personal baggage. Stripped of the captaincy after sordid details of an affair with another player's girlfriend became public. Tried to start a coup amongst the team in South Africa but was battered back by Capello. Famously missed the penalty that cost Chelsea the Champions League. Never won anything in Europe.
Matthew Upson 4th choice centre half (!) after Ferdinand (injured) King (injured) and Carragher (suspended and then why change a winning team). West Ham player who struggled to avoid relegation all season, were taken over and then sacked their manager. Never won anything.
James Milner Promising midfielder from Aston Villa serial under-achievers. Never won anything.
Frank Lampard 22 goals from midfield this season. Star member of Chelsea's Premier League Champions. Never won anything in Europe.
Seriously under-performed in this world cup.
Steven Gerrard. Had an in and out season for Liverpool with nowhere near his usual standard. May have been unsettled by poor quality of this Liverpool team missing Torres most of the season. Won the European Cup 5 years ago. Nothing since in Europe. Had to play out of position for England.
Gareth Barry played for serial underachievers Aston Villa for years before moving to new wannabes Manchester City. He was injured and a doubt for the squad after they arrived in South Africa. Never won anything in Europe.
Jermain Defoe. Set off like a train for Spurs this season and scored 18 goals. Got injured and seriously tailed off at the end of the season. Never won anything. Substituted today when team was 4-1 down. Replaced by Emil Heskey the only England striker never to score.
Wayne Rooney only topped by Didier Drogba this season as goal scorer of the year. However, he was injured towards the end of the season and the goals dried up. Won the Champions League 3 years ago, but did not score in the final against Chelsea.
This is the so called Golden generation and when you look at them on a World stage only 2 of them have actually won anything outside of the domestic game and even then Rooney was playing against an English team. Yet they were expected, by the media at least, to get to the semi final. Well you could forget that when they won only one of the group games and ended up in the half of the draw where they could potentially meet Germany and Argentina before getting to the semis.
Mr Capello means to stay and see them through the European qualifying where we have another soft group.
Root and branch, that is what is needed. The following players from this squad can go: James, Green, Johnson, Terry, Lampard, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Heskey.
4-4-2 does not work at the World Cup. It doesn't even work at Manchester United where Rooney plays as a lone striker. 4-5-1 is what the majority of players play domestically and they are used to it.
Fabio Capello is not the answer. He has never managed in England; he cannot speak good English; he is intransigent in his tactics.
