Seems to me that Capello's mantra went out the window last night.

Of course it so happened that an out of form player happened to win us the game. Does that change things though? If the manager says he'll only play people who are playing regularly and in good form, shouldn't he deliver on the promise - or not bother making it?

I can only assume he feels that all the players who are in form are crap. Doesn't exactly fill one with confidence for our prospects, does it...

think it's the sort of throwaway comment that all managers make to keep the media sweet. he'll pick the players who he believes will best get the job done. still not sure what he sees in walcott though.

think it's the sort of throwaway comment that all managers make to keep the media sweet.

If that's the case perhaps i gave him too much credit. With his reputation as being pretty strict and demanding, i thought he was to be taken at his word, ie if he says big names don't play if they aren't performing, then they don't play. Up until last night i think he pretty much kept to his word. Now we are getting close it seems like that's gone out the window. I'm disappointed. As an outsider and a taskmaster, thought he would have some fresh ideas. Instead we have the same old, same old. How many times do we have to watch Lampard and Gerrard play together to know it doesn't work?

Fresh ideas of course require bravery, and if things go wrong it's the manager who cops it. Perhaps Capello isn't as brave as i thought him.

^^

I think hes got these players 4-6 years too late, they best ones Rooney apart all about 30ish have made their money and now dont seem up for the fight as much ... plenty of players are like this nowadays, kind of like a boxer who has made his money and won the titles and just hasnt got that bit extra to train or fight.

The problem he has is that after the 1st eleven their isnt much behind it.

Must admit I had he same thought and it's an interesing observation. For me, the issue is centred around Walcott. Here is a player barely fit and not in form.

Reasonableness! after all clearly nobody disputes that Owen's inclusion is not justified, do they?

I guess there will always be some borderline calls.

How can Beckham be included in the squad under those conditions? In fact half the England team would be fighting for their place. No bad thing in my opinion as too many think it their God given right.

walcott? isnt that the small boy that won a scratch card " get to sit on the bench with the players"

at the last world cup, ?

is there anyone that can tell me what he has done in the last 48 months and is doing at the moment , that would now merit a call up to play for his country in a world cup ??,

or will there be a lucky winning ticket in his box of cornflakes again,

How can Beckham be included in the squad under those conditions? In fact half the England team would be fighting for their place. No bad thing in my opinion as too many think it their God given right.

Have to agree. When watching the Man U - Milan second leg - it will be interesting to see just what Beckham can bring to a game nowadays that is worth his England spot. Certainly in the first leg he seemed adequate but nothing special. Rooney on the other hand - awesome.

Have to agree. When watching the Man U - Milan second leg - it will be interesting to see just what Beckham can bring to a game nowadays that is worth his England spot. Certainly in the first leg he seemed adequate but nothing special. Rooney on the other hand - awesome.

Its without doubt Rooney will be a star at the World Cup without question. I reckon a fit and in form Lennon would be a big help for him. Besides that I reckon England need to look at pushing Gerrard forward into a supporting role with Rooney. Forget the target men. Waste of time in the latter stages and I reckon Capello knows this.

think it's the sort of throwaway comment that all managers make to keep the media sweet.

If that's the case perhaps i gave him too much credit. With his reputation as being pretty strict and demanding, i thought he was to be taken at his word, ie if he says big names don't play if they aren't performing, then they don't play. Up until last night i think he pretty much kept to his word. Now we are getting close it seems like that's gone out the window. I'm disappointed. As an outsider and a taskmaster, thought he would have some fresh ideas. Instead we have the same old, same old. How many times do we have to watch Lampard and Gerrard play together to know it doesn't work?

Fresh ideas of course require bravery, and if things go wrong it's the manager who cops it. Perhaps Capello isn't as brave as i thought him.

was a nothing friendly at a time of the season when the most important thing is that the players don't get injured, i wouldn't read too much into it. capello earns his money by getting results in competitive matches, which so far he has done.

was a nothing friendly at a time of the season when the most important thing is that the players don't get injured, i wouldn't read too much into it. capello earns his money by getting results in competitive matches, which so far he has done.

This close to the World Cup, i don't think it was a nothing friendly - maybe the result meant nothing, but the performance meant a lot and it can affect things. Take Crouch for example. Those two goals i think have guaranteed him a position. Before the game i think he was highly doubtful.

Have to start taking all games seriously, can't just expect to turn it on once the competition has started.

was a nothing friendly at a time of the season when the most important thing is that the players don't get injured, i wouldn't read too much into it. capello earns his money by getting results in competitive matches, which so far he has done.

This close to the World Cup, i don't think it was a nothing friendly - maybe the result meant nothing, but the performance meant a lot and it can affect things. Take Crouch for example. Those two goals i think have guaranteed him a position. Before the game i think he was highly doubtful.

Have to start taking all games seriously, can't just expect to turn it on once the competition has started.

I watched the France v Spain game yesterday. Much better football than anything England produced. Maybe they should have found more worthy opponents to play.

was a nothing friendly at a time of the season when the most important thing is that the players don't get injured, i wouldn't read too much into it. capello earns his money by getting results in competitive matches, which so far he has done.

This close to the World Cup, i don't think it was a nothing friendly - maybe the result meant nothing, but the performance meant a lot and it can affect things. Take Crouch for example. Those two goals i think have guaranteed him a position. Before the game i think he was highly doubtful.

Have to start taking all games seriously, can't just expect to turn it on once the competition has started.

I watched the France v Spain game yesterday. Much better football than anything England produced. Maybe they should have found more worthy opponents to play.

it was a structured friendly though, designed to replicate the style of playing algeria in the world cup. england simply aren't capable of playing in a similar way to spain anyway, it's not in their nature.

was a nothing friendly at a time of the season when the most important thing is that the players don't get injured, i wouldn't read too much into it. capello earns his money by getting results in competitive matches, which so far he has done.

This close to the World Cup, i don't think it was a nothing friendly - maybe the result meant nothing, but the performance meant a lot and it can affect things. Take Crouch for example. Those two goals i think have guaranteed him a position. Before the game i think he was highly doubtful.

Have to start taking all games seriously, can't just expect to turn it on once the competition has started.

I watched the France v Spain game yesterday. Much better football than anything England produced. Maybe they should have found more worthy opponents to play.

Whilst not comparing them to Spain lets no forget Egypt are not a bad side as recent results would suggest

^^

I think hes got these players 4-6 years too late, they best ones Rooney apart all about 30ish have made their money and now dont seem up for the fight as much ... plenty of players are like this nowadays, kind of like a boxer who has made his money and won the titles and just hasnt got that bit extra to train or fight.

The problem he has is that after the 1st eleven their isnt much behind it.

Hang on,we did beat the 3 times African chamipons so they are no mugs.I felt this was the wrong time for a friendly as the season is hotting up and the players needed a few days rest not a stupid friendly.

Whilst not comparing them to Spain lets no forget Egypt are not a bad side as recent results would suggest

I agree. They were'nt dummies that's for sure. They played some lovely passing football, i was quite impressed by them.

Its a pity Mathew Etherington got injured as i was sure he would get a call up for a friendly match.He can add something to the squad that we havent got,a great passer/crosser of the ball on the run,as Beckham will not be there and Walcot is already dead and buried

Its a pity Mathew Etherington got injured as i was sure he would get a call up for a friendly match.He can add something to the squad that we havent got,a great passer/crosser of the ball on the run,as Beckham will not be there and Walcot is already dead and buried

Does'nt he play on the left?

Its a pity Mathew Etherington got injured as i was sure he would get a call up for a friendly match.He can add something to the squad that we havent got,a great passer/crosser of the ball on the run,as Beckham will not be there and Walcot is already dead and buried

Does'nt he play on the left?

He is left footed but can play either side,but more natural on the left

etherington isn't international standard. decent premiership player but that's it.

The forwards situation, is why England will not win the World cup

Nobody disputes that Rooney is world class, but who partners him?

The best alternatives appear to be players who cannot even get a regular game with their own team (Heskey/Crouch)

Or players like Carlton Cole and even Bobby Zamora(?????) have been mentioned.

Surely if it was on form, then Darren Bent would be playing? But the fact he plays for Sunderland is a massive negative. I dont think he is an International player anyway.

think it's the sort of throwaway comment that all managers make to keep the media sweet. he'll pick the players who he believes will best get the job done. still not sure what he sees in walcott though.-- I see.

And why did he play rooney for 88mins,when he had just played on a shocking england pitch 3 days before that has cost us owen for the season.

England hopes rely on him and there is reports he will miss wolves because he has picked up a injury.

cost us owen for the season.

'Saved us from '.

And why did he play rooney for 88mins,when he had just played on a shocking england pitch 3 days before that has cost us owen for the season.

England hopes rely on him and there is reports he will miss wolves because he has picked up a injury.

Id be pretty sure he's just getting rested just like all of Wolves first team players.