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)

Everton

David Moyes continues to defy all logic with his management of Everton. The Toffees have been long renowned for having not much cash to splash, and as a result one of the smallest squads in the Premier League. Something emphasised by just 20 players starting a Premier League game in 2010/11, the fewest throughout the league. However he still run neighbours Liverpool close, and gave them a mighty fright that he could topple them yet again. After just missing out though, a more than respectable 7th place was achieved.

Goalkeeper

Tim Howard has transformed himself since his move to Merseyside from Manchester United in 2006. He has proved himself to be once of the league most reliable, and could be partly thanked for keeping Everton surging up the league year upon year. In Back up, last years signing Jan Mucha still waits for a sniff of a chance.

Defence

There are some very solid performers contained within this back four, something that is emphasised by the persistent rumours linking many of them away. Joseph Yobo could well depart, but Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are also getting the rumours treatment this summer. Tony Hibbert proves to be ever reliable and Phil Neville is still going strong, if Moyes can keep hold of these this shouldn't be too much of a problem next term.

Midfield

Another area that is strong, but similarly to the Defence it is all on the surface with strength in depth very questionable. Leon Osman continues to perform at the highest level, while Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini are two more of this squad surrounding rumours they are soon to be off to pastured new. It is of no doubt though that Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill are the crown jewels of this side, their performances crucial to the success of the side. And as it looked like they could stay, Everton could be set for another good finish next term. Although Diniyar Bilyaletdinov still continues to divide opinion.

Forward

Possibly the weakest part of this side. Louis Saha, when fit is a tremendous striker, but that is all too rare. Jermaine Beckford performed OK after his free transfer from Leeds United, while Yakubu was farmed out on loan to Leicester City and doesn't seem to have a future at the club. Their are however some exiting youngster in the ranks, Joao Silva and Magaye Gueye are definite prospects.

Manager


David Moyes seems to have performed miracles here, and they should be thankful he loves the club so much that he continues to stay. The Scot is ingrained in the fabric of Everton now, and could be here for years to come.

Areas to Strengthen

If players leave they will definitely need to be replaced as numbers are thin, but apart from free transfers and nominal fees selling could be the only way to raise funds. A prolific striker needs to be added, an injury prone main striker and goals from Midfield can only get you so far.

Expectations

Despite the small squad and budget such is the job that Moyes has done at Everton, expectations continue to rise. The Premier League will be the most fiercely competitive for years, but a top half finish should definitely be achieved.

Odds

300/1 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Eric Dier loan (Sporting Lisbon) Royston Drenthe loan (Real Madrid) Denis Straqualarsi loan (Tigres)

Players out

James Vaughan £2.5m (Norwich City) Jermaine Beckford undisclosed (Leicester City) Mikel Arteta £10m (Arsenal) Yakubu undisclosed (Blackburn Rovers) Kieran Agard Free (Yeovil Town) Hope Akpan free (Crawley Town) Luke Dobie free (Middlesborough) Tom Donegan free (Fulham) Gerard Kinsella, Iain Turner, Luke Dobie, Daniel Murphy, Craig Nathan, Lee McArdle (all released) Joao Silva loan (Vittoria) Shane Duffy loan (Scunthorpe United)