The West Ham triumvirate of Green, Upson and Cole have been named in the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Egypt. That is all well and good and shows that the three Hammers are firmly in Capello’s thinking for the forthcoming World Cup Finals.
The interesting thing will be how many of this claret & blue troika actually start on Wednesday. Upson should theoretically play in Ferdinand’s absence. Green may get another chance to impress between the sticks and Cole is well overdue a place in the starting line up. With regard to Cole, I hope that that Capello does not go for Heskey or Crouch again. Capello knows all about those players, he now needs to find out just what Cole can do, especially in tandem with Defoe. That requires a start and a full 90 minutes in an England shirt.
One would think that Capello would use this fixture to have a look at some of the ‘contenders’ for a place in the squad. Obviously, he needed to experiment at left-back and will include either Warnock or Baines in the starting eleven. An interesting addition is Ryan Shawcross, who is a highly promising young centre-half and well worthy of consideration. It must have been a bitter-sweet 24 hours for Shawcross, being named in the squad on the same day that he was unfortunately involved in the injury to Aaron Ramsey.
Apart from the enforced experimentation with Warnock and Baines, and the selection of Shawcross, there were no other surprise inclusions in the squad. From an Hammers perspective, it is perhaps disappointing that Scott Parker was not included. Parker is an outstanding PL performer for us week in and week out, but Capello obviously feels that he does not offer anything different from the midfielders currently in his squad. If Parker was to be given a chance then this friendly was probably going to be it. But you never know, he just needs to keep playing well for the Hammers, that’s all he can do under the circumstance and hope he gets a call.
For the second week running the PL results went our way, with Pompey beating Burnley and Wigan losing to Birmingham City. Yes, it would probably have been better if the Bolton victory over Wolves had been a draw, but it is ok, especially if we beat Wanderers next week. With Pompey to be deducted 9 points and effectively relegated, we have to hope that they continue taking points off the other teams in the bottom half. If Liverpool beat Blackburn and Fulham take points off Sunderland tomorrow we will have had a very good weekend, results-wise, without even playing!!
As a post-script, it was an interesting match at Stamford Bridge today. I am not referring to the Terry-Bridge issue, the thing that caught my attention was ex-Hammers Tevez and Bellamy destroying Chelski with their pace and clinical finishing. Once more, the regretful refrain so familiar to all us Hammers fans, ‘if only, if only’!
SJ. Chandos.
Cant see how Shawcross will get over what he inflicted on Ramsay the poor kid.Great to see King Carlos and Bellers destroy John Terry he was woeful but Bridge played brilliantly.I hope Zola has the boys ready for Bolton there should be no excuses.
If Upson and Terry are to be our center halfs for this world cup,we can kiss goodbye to the quarters! both are to slow,we would be well exposed.
Hope both cole and Upson don't feature, last thing we need is another flippin injury!
If Capello is going to learn anything from this fixture he surely has to start with Carlton. To my mind he is a much better bet than Heskey if it's going to be a big fella up front with Rooney as he does everything that Heskey does plus scores goals.
Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if, in the end, it was Crouch who was first choice in South Africa although I would rather see him coming off the bench and providing something different.
Barring a disaster I reckon Green will go to the World Cup but not as first choice although, on this season's form, both him and Upson will be quite fortunate to be included. With Terry's current form – and all of the other rubbish that's been going on – Rio getting fit is absolutely crucial for England. If we are brutally honest about, we have three world class players in this country (and by that I mean players who would get into most national teams) and they are Rooney, Ashley Cole and Rio. Without them we will probably struggle to get beyond the last 16.
Terry got skinned by Milito in midweek and Bellers and Carlos showed yesterday how paceless he is.Carlton is worth 45 minutes as he is regaining fitness Upson and Green are struggling, so Spain,Argies and Brazil will be our challengers but prey Rooney is injury free, mind you Defoe will probably be his partner.
Agreed that Cole has to start. I would also say that because Capello likes the big man little man, he should start the World cup too. If England are going to stand a chance of winning we must get a striker alongside Rooney who can create chances himself, get to the line with his pace and score goals. Heskey can't do any of those.
RoyClark. Agree with you about Rio. When fit he is the best centre back in the World. His performances in each tournament are faultless. We need him back and I'm sure he will be fit. Glenn Johnson will get back to fitness and also Cole has lot's of time to get back to left back. They will all be back. I'm not sure about Terry. I think he may be experiencing poor form due to his indiscretions(basically being found out!) and that won't clear up before the World cup. It is hard to see who should partner Rio – It might well be Upson. Terry is the better performer when fit and mentally ready but I personally think he is over-rated – too slow.
My concern is the recurrence of Lennon injury for spurs. Funny because it is Spurs but not for England. He can be real star of the tournament and is virtually unplayable when fit. The options just aren't good enough. Walcott has lightening speed but no composure and Beckham is a great option for the last 15 minutes to cross in balls should we need him.
Roy agree that Rio is World Class but you don't think Gerrard is? He has consistently been brilliant for Liverpool for the last 10 years. He is coming back from injury this season and by his standards is nowhere near his form – but he is World class.
World Class players.
Ashley Cole
Rio Ferdinand
Steven Gerrard
Wayne Rooney
Potential new Stars
Lennon
Walcott
Carlton Cole
Defoe
Glen Johnson
Other very good players
Frank Lampard
Joe Cole
John Terry(when his head is right)
Only Spain and Brazil can be placed above us in terms of talent. Why do we always as England fans do overly -criticize the players we have. We have many terrific players that any team would gladly love to have. We most certainly stand a very good chance- Providing, the players stay fit – but that counts for all world cup sides.
Spain for example have no more World class players than England, and Certainly Brazil and Argentina don't.
Spain- Torres/villa/ Fabregas/
England – Ashley cole/ Rio Ferdinand/ Steven Gerrard/Wayne Rooney
Form and injuries are the key to many teams and we have to get that right before we the World cup starts. Look at Argentina. They have terrific players but have no form or unity.
Andy, I agree with your point about Gerrard. Can't agree about you list of Spanish world class players. At a minimum you would have to add Xavi, Iniesta and Casillas.
Actually yes, I hold my hands up iniesta and Xavi are superb players. I wouldn't say Casillas is world class though still a very good keeper
It's an interesting argument as to what constitutes a "World Class" player. I heard an ex-pro once say that a player would have to put in several impressive performances at major international finals tournaments (ie. Euros or World Cup) to be considered World Class. Then again George Best never even appeared in a major finals competition.
By today's standards I would suggest that cutting the mustard in the Champion's League would qualify.
The reason I didn't include Gerrard as world class is that he has very rarely been as good for Engloand as he has been for Liverpool. If he played to his full potential for England he would be world class. He is also not having the best of seasons this year.
In terms of Spanish world class players I would include Xavi, Iniesta and Casillas. The first two keep Fabregas out of the side most of the time so they can't be half bad.
It's not just how good the players are but how they play as a team. The Spanish team know eachother inside out and play a very technical game which is very hard to break down. England 'stars' always make mistakes and never play very well as a team against the big nations.
There's a piece in the Mirror today quoting "highly placed sources" (ha) at Upton Park that the club won't stand in Rob Green's way if one of the top 4 come in for him, with Portsmouth's Joe Lewis tipped as the replacement. Apart from being a great way to unsettle a player in the important run-in to the season, yet another masterful piece of psychology from the ludicrous club owners, what do you make of this? First off, I don't reckon one of the top 4 wlll come in for him – maybe except Arsenal who have shocking keepers for a top club – because even though he is a terrific stopper his form this season hasn't been a patch on last. Second, would this be the first domino that sees Upson, Parker, Behrami and Cole out the door too? Would be ironic – and worrying – if we started next season without the world cup squad players and the spine of our team….
I agree that it is only Arseanl of the top teams who might be interested in Green. When you look at the other teams challenging for the top 4, Villa and Man City have Friedel and Given (plus Joe Hart) so they wouldn't be interested and Arry seems pretty content with Gomes now. So this doesn't leave many options for Green to better himself. Sunderland were reported to be interested in him but what would be the benefit of going there – apart from money of course.
The report in the Mirror is in other papers too and nobody has named the source. If it was one of the Davids they, with their craving for publicity, would surely have made sure their names were quoted. So it could just be paper talk.
Yep agreed – only Arsenal need a keeper. Even Liverpool who have such a paucity in talent have a superb keeper.
I put this down to Mirror talk. The water is fairly still right now at Upton Park so they are trying to stir it up again. Always the Mirror.
Rag of a paper. I wouldn't grace it by wiping my a*se on that rag
On a completely different note, you've got to feel terribly sorry for both Aaron Ramsey and Shawcross, more so for Aaron of course. What a horrific incident.
Possibly the most vindictive thing about it was the statement made by Wenger and some of his players afterwards which suggested it was intended, and that other teams have an agenda against them. Not so. This was simply a mistimed over-committed challenge that ended in the worst possible terms.
I fear now that Shawcross will get all number of morons sending abuse his way, from inside and outside of the press.
Although Wenger is an intelligent man, he is the most one-eyed Myopic manager I have ever witnessed. He needs to remember the challenges that have taken place by some of his players over the years, including the likes of Bergkamp, Eboue, Viera, Van Persie and Gallas all of which he claims never to see let alone comment on.
Violent play needs to be eradicated from the game but I just can't see how that can be classed as a violent incident. We have seen far worse this season but the players have come off far better than poor Aaron Ramsey.
Robert Hugh for Stoke punching Upson full in the face – and not even getting a yellow springs to mind. When incidents like that happen, I would go as far as to say the player should be up for an assault charge. It is not part of the game.
Wenger should be reprimanded by the FA. They have only gone on to inflame an understandably emotional incident. They haven't helped Ramsey.
Hopefully Aaron comes back as soon as possible and goes on to be an even better player.
Agree – it was a tough challenge but not deliberately dangerous from what I could see. Shawcross has been a bright spot this season and I hope he keeps his self-confidence. But as for Ramsey, how awful – hope that when he does come back he can fulfil his potential.
Lennon is a real danger,although hes a spud,his pace is a nightmare for anyone.
Rooney and Lennon are the key to our success,shame we are crap at the back,Rios not the same Terrys good until turned, glen Johnson is a crap defender, Coles class,but not as much as his ex Mrs!!!!!!!!!! Least we've all got a chance now.
[...] Hammers Triumvirate Named, as Results Continue to Go Our Way …The West Ham triumvirate of Green, Upson and Cole have been named in the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Egypt. That is all well and good and. [...]
Watched the Bolton/Wolves game and if we played both on the same day we would win I reckon Sunderland are looking worse than us good old Steve Bruce spent a lot of money and the team are hopeless.Is Mido playing against England on wednesday?if he is see how Terry handles him,perhaps handle was not the operative word!
Miss of the decade Landon Donovan v The Spuds,Wow!
Company accounts now available at the offical website;
lik is below;
http://www.whufc.com/staticFiles/a2/4a/0,,12562~1…
It makes pretty eye catching reading;
We owe the banks £45m
Wages went up 50% in 2007/8
Salary and wages are 85% of turnover!
The club had made a £75m loss in the last 3 years!
CH – you may have a bit of Humble Pie to eat!!!!!!!!
Colin Wan**r just jumped ship to QPR. Shame, I used to have a soft spot for them. Wonder if he'll sue palace for going under.
Does anyone else think that Gold and Sullivan are deliberately trying to upset the morale of the club with their inane comments and strange actions so that we are relegated? If we go down the asking price for the remaining 50% will similarly crash! Saturday's performance was so abject you have to believe the dressing room is in turmoil.
Emmanuel Eboue has proven himself worthy of the Arsenal shirt now – we’d really miss him if he went in the summer. Good luck in the World Cup (Ivory Coast) Emmanuel!