So here it is, England's 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup finals. Let's have a look at what it might mean for the Tottenham contingent:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.
I see the Italian has opted for the extremely shakey Robert Green over ex-Spur Paul Robinson. I think that's a big mistake, but we can only hope that that berth is considered 3rd choice and so will be largely irrelevant. James is having a decent season and I wouldn't lose any sleep if he opted for him as number 1.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.
Common sense has prevailed and Ledders and Daws both get the call. If you assume he wants 2 men for each position then you have to assume 2 CB's are for the chop. I'm 100% sure he will take King, which makes it a straight shoot out between Daws, Carragher and Upson for that last spot. Upson is shit and Carragher has already let his country down once so I think Daws has to be the favourite. Particularly if King goes.
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.
I'm extremely pleased he's opted for Cole and Adam Johnson. The former has invaluable experience and the latter has impressed me greatly in recent weeks - with the added bonus of him keeping Downing out of the squad! The odd thing is he's a lefty but I think he plays mostly on the right for City. Lennion is a dead cert to go, and is the most likely to start right side against USA on the 12th. I can see SWP being cut.
The most interesting battle for places is amongst the defensively minded CM's though. Milner is this tournament's Mr. Versatile so Barry, Carrick, Parker and our Hudd are surely battling for one - maybe at the most 2 places. I think Big Tom's game is perfectly suited to International football. He'll get plenty of time on the ball and he's easily the best passer of the bunch, but I don't think it looks good for his chances of going. Cappello will probably stick with what he knows and take Carrick and Barry. I'd rather see Parker go as I think the squad needs a terrier in the middle for when we have something to hold on to. Tom has to hope Barry's injury is long term.
Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.
Would have been a bit harsh on old Dazza to not make the 30 wouldn't it? I still don't see him going though - he's a bit of a big game bottle job isn't he? I think that all depends on the Hesky situation though - I thought Capello wasn't picking players on the fringes of their club teams and Heskey has mostly been a 'last 15 minutes' kind of a guy for a couple of months now, and in fact has only got the full 90 6 times all season. Maybe the big fella deserves one last swan song though - even though I know in advance I'll be swearing at him at least 5 times every game. Benty is going to need to make an impact during these friendlies to stand a chance.
My 23 man squad (from Capello's 30):
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Stephen Warnock.
Midfielders: Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker
Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.
Come On England!!!
New Champions League Logo!!!
So Spurs finally grab their place in the Champions League - and one can only say that it's fully deserved. Team Tottenham have always been capable of delivering the goods on their day, the difference for me this season is that their disaster days, in which they spend an hour and a half trying to string 6 passes together, have been fewer and farther between.
Last night we were under the kosh for periods - but we didn't panic. We put our foot on the ball and started knocking it about (OK, there was also lots of lumping it to the big fella, but I'm trying to ignore that). I don't think any of our midfield were particularly on their game, but they did enough. Defoe got bullied and Crouchie was... well Crouchie. No, what won it was the magnificence of the back 5. Ledders and Dawson - immense. Fabio must surely take both to South Africa. Kaboul - solid, brave and against all odds managed to avoid being sent off. My personal hate figure at left back was occasionally left wanting positionally, but got stuck in and made strong tackles when he needed to. Gomes - I can't think of another keeper in the world I'd rather have right now.
Despite me screaming for Harry to swap Huddlestone for Palacios and Crouch for Gudjonssen for much of the last half hour, he stuck by his men and got the result. Shows what I know! Does it feel as good as winning the FA Cup? Hmm - it's close. I'll say this though, it bloody well will should Fulham manage the impossible on Sunday, that's for sure. Third place at the expense of those lot would just about put me into football utopia!
Here's a celebratory graphic for your amusement...
(thanks to Spurs Club regular Martin Gibbins)
Last night we were under the kosh for periods - but we didn't panic. We put our foot on the ball and started knocking it about (OK, there was also lots of lumping it to the big fella, but I'm trying to ignore that). I don't think any of our midfield were particularly on their game, but they did enough. Defoe got bullied and Crouchie was... well Crouchie. No, what won it was the magnificence of the back 5. Ledders and Dawson - immense. Fabio must surely take both to South Africa. Kaboul - solid, brave and against all odds managed to avoid being sent off. My personal hate figure at left back was occasionally left wanting positionally, but got stuck in and made strong tackles when he needed to. Gomes - I can't think of another keeper in the world I'd rather have right now.
Despite me screaming for Harry to swap Huddlestone for Palacios and Crouch for Gudjonssen for much of the last half hour, he stuck by his men and got the result. Shows what I know! Does it feel as good as winning the FA Cup? Hmm - it's close. I'll say this though, it bloody well will should Fulham manage the impossible on Sunday, that's for sure. Third place at the expense of those lot would just about put me into football utopia!
Here's a celebratory graphic for your amusement...
(thanks to Spurs Club regular Martin Gibbins)
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