England - lets not get carried away

Two friendly wins from two, an unbeaten 2011 and a Goalkeeper that is still to taste defeat in a Three Lions jersey in some 16 appearances.  It is easy to see why England fans could get carried away with this sides progress, however that would be way too premature and slightly foolish.  Have we not learned from the past?

In many a tournament during my lifetime the same thing happens, people get carried away in the immediate build up thinking victory is inevitable.  Only for that idyllic scenario to explode, and then flows the criticism.  While from the stats this year point to a roaring success, results haven't always been the best.  And if we are perfectly honest, we still fall way behind a lot of nations worldwide.

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying we are down in the doldrums, just that we are a side slap band in the middle of transition.  Players like Daniel Sturridge, Jack Rodwell, Kyle Walker etc, who featured in the two recent friendlies, aren't going to immediately come into the side and turn us into world beaters.  We are building for the future, and just how long did it take Spain to become this unbelievable force that we currently see?

However if we can bed these youngsters alongside more experienced members of this side, there's no dount the future could be bright.  Wayne Rooney is of course the fulcrum of the national team, but will be missing for the group games in Euro 2012, the FAs appeal to Fifa aside.  Scott Parker is arguably the best thing to come out of Fabio Capello's era, he looks a natural and picked up another man of the match award against World Champions Spain.  While Defensively we recently looked solid, it can be up and down and as previously mentioned Joe Hart will be number one between the stick for atleast a decade.  Plus there's always the highly regarded under-21s under Stuart Pearce's leadership.

But that is all the future, let's retract and bring it back to the present.  If the Spain game taught us one thing, it was that we need to be more confortable and controlling when in possession.  Vicente Del Bosque's side pegged England back for the majority of the match, and even the most die hard of fans would have to admit we were, at least, a touch fortunate.  Compared to side's of this quality we simply don't come close, there would certainly be no repeat of this score line if we came up against Spain in more serious circumstances.

Sweden was a different kettle of fish.  A nation we hadn't defeated for over three decades, with a very experimental side put out by the Italian.  Walker proving the stand out performer in the 1-0 win, and perhaps proving a real contender to Glen Johnson who continues to divide opinion.

There aren't many games left until Euro 2012 now, and for once I just hope the usual hype doesn't consume this country once again.  Lay off, lessen the pressure and they could well perform at a good standard, although winning the thing will prove one or two steps too far.

England and Spain primed for battle

A huge test awaits England at Wembley this Saturday when World and European Champions Spain take to the hallowed turf.  Both squads have now been announced, with it being the home side who have caused the most talking points.

The biggest of which has caused consternation throughout the blue side of Manchester and beyond, and concerns Micah Richards.  Manchester City's right-back has been in red hot form this season, putting in a number of eye catching displays but not it seems to Fabio Capello.  Glen Johnson returns, while Phil Jones, who has been operating in that position for Richards cross city rivals Manchester United, is also included as is Tottenham full back Kyle Walker.  Following the announcement Richards took to twitter to voice his feelings saying "Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!," Before refusing to spit his dummy and vow to work harder, later tweeting "Oh well better look next time! Roll the sleeves up and work harder!"  Phone in's up and down the country have been inundated with baffled fans, while Richard's ex-City team mate Joey Barton also took to twitter to voice his views, adding "Don't understand Eng Squad. No Newcastle players?? No Micah Richards?? Surely he has to be Man City 5 pts clear, MoM at Old T and skipper??"

With England seemingly going through a period of transition, surely it would have made sense to try out some new faces, or those that haven't featured for a while, ahead of next years European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.  This isn't to say there aren't new faces in the squad, Jack Rodwell has been promoted from the under-21s and while Daniel Sturridge could also earn his first cap, while Gabriel Agbonlahor is also to be given a chance to shine.  Richards however has been one of the stand out performers in this seasons Premier League, and it does very much seem to be a baffling absence.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll's omission on the other hand is less puzzling.  The £35m forward is struggling to live up to his billing at Anfield, and the chance missed at the weekend, when hitting the bar, and a gilt edged headed chance he put wide against Norwich City have probably hampered his claim.  It may be a new regime on the red half of Merseyside, but Carroll very much needs to start firing if he is to live up to the hefty price tag Kenny Dalglish splashed out to bring him to the club during the January transfer window.

Spain have announced a strong squad for the match, and have included the bulk of the players that helped the side to their Euro and World Cup triumphs.  Four Premier league players could potentially feature, while over half the squad is made up of players from the nations big two clubs of Real Madrid and Barcelona.  Vicente Del Bosque's world beaters will no doubt head in as favourites, a tag you can't argue with, and barring a tremendous effort from The Three Lions, will prove to be far too strong.

England squad in full:

Joe Hart (Man City), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), David Stockdale (Ipswich); Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Gary Cahill (Bolton), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal); Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bobby Zamora (Fulham), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd)

Spain squad in full:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Nacho Monreal (Malaga); Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona); David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla)

Future stars - Martin Kelly

To kick start the new future stars feature, we start on our shores with a young English defender that is really starting to make a name for himself.

20-year-old Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly is predominantly a centre back, but mostly finds himself deputising on the right side on defence.

A position where he is gaining huge plaudits, with some positive that in a few years he will not only be number one at his club but for the England national side too.

Sundays 2-0 home victory over Chelsea saw Kelly once again deployed in the right-back berth, after Glen Johnson suffered another injury set back, and together with the rest of the back four he performed admirably.

While the clubs number one Johnson often gets criticised for defensive lapses, this isn't a problem for one of the most promising players to come through the Liverpool academy in years.

His defensive abilities are getting better each performance, whilst he is also getting more confident going forward.

Emphasised with a wicked strike on Sunday that was just deflected round the post by the Chelsea defence.

Previous manager Rafael Benitez often seemed unwilling to bleed to many youngsters into the squad, but the fact he brought through Kelly speaks volumes.

His senior debut came in the Champions League during the 2008/09 season, when he came on as a substitute away to PSV Eindhoven.

With his first start coming in the same competition a little less than a year later, when Liverpool took on Lyon at Anfield.

After returning from injury next up was a call to the England under-21 side, where he rewarded Stuart Pearce with a goal on his debut against Uzbekistan.

In a world where football is hugely evolving, and there is a crying need for versatile full-backs who are equally adept at defending as well as attacking Kelly could thrive.

If he continues to get regular game time, the calls that he will be England's number one in a few years time could not be too far off the mark.

England disappoint against Montenegro!

After that shambles in the summer, England fans were once again beginning to get optimistic following a series of victories.

Added into this mix was the emergence of new talents, think Adam Johnson, and it was widely believed that Euro 2012 qualification was a mere formality.

But who are England to disappoint, and right on cue they have reminded their public that this isn't the case with a very poor performance.

Should this have been against one of the top sides, a draw wouldn't seem so bad but it was against the side tipped to finish bottom of the group.

Well that certainly is the case if you tip the current table upside down.

Added into the mix is also their current standing in the FIFA rankings, where Montenegro sit fortieth one ahead of Colombia and just behind Burkina Faso.

Montenegran fans celebrated like they had won at the final whistle at Wembley and who could blame them, if it wasn't for a lick of paint they could well have done.

But with Joe Hart well beat Milan Jovanovic's shot shuddered off the bar, and reminded England not to be too complacent.

The Sixth ranked best side in the world dominated possession for the most part, but struggled to make any real openings.

And when they did they found a keeper in top form, with Mladen Bozovic proving the last line in what was mostly a very staunch defence.

People connected with the national side will point to the clear penalty that should have been awarded when Jovanovic handled in the box.

But the truth is England shouldn't struggle to break these sides down, even if they settle for the most part.

Ashley Young and Adam Johnson may be the positives to take out of the game, with both being lively but during the course of the whole game not seeing enough of the ball.

Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole were also subdued in attacking from their full back berths, something we are all to used to seeing.

Most worrying of all though for Fabio Capello and Sir Alex Ferguson alike, will be another subdued performance from Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United striker of a few months ago would have buried the two chances that fell his way, but on the night Bozovic thwarted him.

Injuries should have subsided by the next qualifier in Cardiff in March, but before that is the friendly against France at Wembley next month.

A stark improvement is needed if the three lions are to get back on track.

England breakdown

Following the unsuccessful qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, England needed a major overhaul. And they got just that. Fabio Capello came in, and transformed an unconfident team into one that breezed through the group. One of the top points scorers was coupled with one the highest goal scorers in Wayne Rooney, with a 4-1 win in Croatia the main highlight. The usual height of expectation has already begun in England, just this time they may not disappoint.

Goalkeepers

Two experienced 'keepers are being pushed all the way by the new kid on the block. In recent months Robert Green has over taken David James, but Joe Hart's form while on loan at Birmingham has caused much debate about the 'trouble position' of the last few years. Capello's claims that he picks on form suggests that Hart will be the one given the gloves, although that policy seems to have gone out of the window with some selections in his 23 man squad. It is widely thought that Green is the one that will be trusted with the gloves in South Africa, as James' injury troubles seems to have cost him. However if it was down to the fans, the general consensus would show Hart to be the overwhelming favourite.

Defenders

In the two warm up friendlies there have been many problems highlighted, with one being the defence and what seems to be a lack of organisation. This is a rare problem for an Italian coach, although it is not new, clean sheets have been a rare phenomenon during Capello's reign. Pace seems to be the main problem in the center, with usual paring John Terry and Rio Ferdinand not blessed with great pace. Neither Matthew Upson nor utility man Jamie Carragher solve the problem, so it would be left to Ledley King if was needed. Although this problem could have solved itself, due to the injury to Ferdinand it looks like King will get the nod to step up. If Ashley Cole keeps himself fit there's no problem there, although Steven Warnock as deputy would be less inclined to bomb forward. Glen Johnson on the right still divides opinion with his attacking intentions, but he is the best we've got and in all honesty isn't anywhere near as bad a defender as is made out. With a bit of confidence the first choice of Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand and Cole is solid, and with Gareth Barry coming back it could be just the confidence that is needed to keep those all important clean sheets.

Midfield

Theo Walcott's omission has got many questioning Capello's selection, but I believe he has made the right choice. We have Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole all naturally right footed, but capable of operating both wings. Pace alone doesn't make you a good footballer, and these three all offer something different which is well needed. The midfield could be the hardest position to guess, due to the sheer quality that lies throughout. Although if it goes with the usual decisions, it will no doubt be Lennon, Barry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. But I whole heartedly believe Michael Carrick, James Milner, Wright-Phillips or Cole could fill the breach if needs be. There is plenty of dynamism and creativity within the eight selected here, and it could be these players that make the difference both going forward and in defence.

Strikers

Darren Bent was the unlucky party to miss out up front, with, to almost everyone's dismay, Emile Heskey was chosen instead. However i don't believe this decision is as catastrophic as everyone is making out. It is well known that Wayne Rooney likes partnering Heskey in attack, due to the sheer amount of chance he makes due to his strength at holding the ball up. If this can be used in the right way Heskey could be key to success this summer. Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch make up the four, with the Tottenham men showing this season that they are more than capable of having an impact in South Africa.. Although both were out scored in the Premier League by Darren Bent.

Key Man - Wayne Rooney

No one else could be given this title except the enigmatic Manchester United striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo gone he has shone for his club side in front of goal, and has taken that form onto the international stage with England. Injured when he went to the last World Cup he couldn't have the desired impact, and ended the tournament with that controversial red card against Portugal in the quarter-final. He is now determined to set the record straight and shown the world what he is capable of, with Capello's advice to be more selfish and stay up front ringing in his ears.

One to Watch - Joe Cole

Before the injury troubles that has blighted his last few years, Cole was a key member of the England squad. And now back to regular football he is reminding us all of why exactly that is. His tricky style of play makes him exciting to watch, and the knowledge that he is capable of doing the unexpected makes him difficult for defenders to handle. His impact in the friendly against Japan has hopefully set a precedent as to what we can expect this summer.

Manager - Fabio Capello

The Italian has won trophies where ever he has plied his trade, and he doesn't intent on stopping now. Although admitting this is his most difficult challenge, he has instilled a belief into the England squad that has been lacking for years. Similarly to 2006 this could be our best chance yet of emulating 1966, and more importantly the players also seem to think so.

Odds - 6/1

Prediction - A semi-final place at the least is all what would be considered an acceptable return.

Next Time

Tomorrow I will be looking at the rest of group C, Algeria, Slovenia and USA.