England 1 - 2 France Review

Oh England, England, England.
Oh Capello, Capello, Capello.

Maybe international friendlies aren't a waste of time and money.

What exactly did we learn? Other than the fact that Fabio looks like a twat in a hat!

So here is what I learnt:

*THEO WALCOTT lacks confidence playing for England and it doesn't help when people try to pass the ball, 8 yards behind him.

*England rely on STEVIE G in the same way that Liverpool do. And let's be honest, it ain't bloody fair. He can't be expected to be the player to create everything.

*KIERAN GIBBS is struggling for match fitness and even though it was his first start he will be made a scapegoat for this debacle.

*If GARETH BARRY is the answer, then what the hell is the question?

*Neither ANDY CARROLL nor JORDAN HENDERSON are ready to be regulars in the senior team. Let them continue their education under Stuart Pearce.

*BEN FOSTER is not good enough to be our No.1, his positioning was poor all night and he clearly cannot organise his defence properly. Do they even have any confidence in him?

*PETER CROUCH must be the unluckiest man in the world not to be the first name on the team sheet. Whether or not you like his style of play is irrelevant. His scoring record speaks for itself. He came on and scored our only goal with his first touch! Need I say more?

*France showed us exactly what is possible when you respect and understand your manager and what he asks of you. They played with freedom, they played without fear. And more importantly, they actually played football and attacked us.

Overall it was a disappointing showing by England and I don't buy the fact it was a young team. There was a spine of RIO, STEVIE G, BARRY, MILNER and WALCOTT, all experienced internationally and regular starters. The veterans should have been guiding and talking to the newbies, particularly in a defense that was constantly breached. I continue to wonder if RIO is the right man to wear the Captain's armband.

Once again we look lacking of ideas when playing 'good' international teams. According to FIFA we are 15 places ABOVE France in the World Ranking. Though on tonights showing, it should surely be the other way round.

I'd love to know what you learnt tonight. Feel free to comment.

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England v France Preview

There was a big, huge announcement today. In case you didn't hear it, here it is:

Fabio Capello is starting with at least three players under 30! I know, I was shocked as well. I mean, I didn't know he could count that low.

No, all jokes aside I'm a little bit impressed with Mr Capello's squad choices this time around. Hey, I only said a little. And not just with his squad choices but with the team we're hearing he will start with. It's a team that mixes expperience and youth and a team that points all the way to 2012.

KEVIN DAVIES of Bolton Wanderers has my sympathy on missing out on the squad, but on the basis that this friendly is all about planning for the future then his inclusion would've gone against that. I was a little shocked to see CARLTON COLE called up, I like him as a player but he is not even first choice for his club. Which goes against Capello's 'must be playing regularly' manifest.

As for JAY BOTHROYD, all I can say is congratulations. I remember his time at Arsenal and the cloud he left under clearly damaged his early career. But you have to respect the way he has learnt from his mistakes and rebuilt his career at Cardiff. The way he has matured is commendable. Having watched JORDAN HENDERSON a few times this season, his cap will not be a surprise to me. He is a talented young man and under the tutelage of Steve Bruce, I have the feeling he will go far.

JACK WILSHERE will be disappointed to be out of contention but as an Arsenal fan, I'm secretly glad he'll be resting and hopefully he'll be fit for the North London derby on Saturday morning. But, I think it can be agreed he has lots of time to become an England regular. I'm happy that KEIRAN GIBBS will be starting, after his injury problems it will be a good run out for him. It will also give him the opportunity to show why he is being called the natural successor to Ashley Cole.

French manager Laurent Blanc has played down his teams' abilities. Since the abysmal events at the World Cup the French have been in a transition period. Like Capello, the former World Cup Winner is rebuilding for the future as well as attempting to restore his nation's faith in the national team. Although he didn't make it to South Africa, SAMIR NASRI should start tomorrow. Hopefully he can take his club form to Wembley and inspire his team mates. They will still be without PATRICE EVRA who is still serving his ban, for going on strike during the WC. It will be down to the new boys to show they are good enough to keep their places when the qualifiers re-commence in March.

POSSIBLE STARTING LINE-UPS
ENGLAND: Foster; Richards, Ferdinand, Lescott, Gibbs; Walcott, Barry, Henderson, Gerrard, Milner; Carroll.
FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Moxes, Abidal; Gourcuff, M'vila, Nasri; Valbuena, Benzema, Malouda.

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