Peter Fraser predicts the players to be cut from England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
Peter Fraser picks the players to be cut from England's squad
A colleague in Germany informed me earlier in the week that 'the nation is standing in awe' of England ahead of a possible last-16 meeting at the World Cup finals, while here we have been persistently told that Fabio Capello's task of whittling a preliminary 30-man squad down to 23 is the greatest mindbender since the invention of the Rubik's Cube.
However, on the evidence of Monday night's flattering 3-1 pre-finals farewell victory over Mexico at an expectant and free-spirited Wembley awash in the cross of St George, both topics would appear to be the subject of exaggeration.
Let's be fair. It was far from England's strongest line-up who struggled to cope with the clever and incisive passing and counter-attacking of Javier Aguirre's side, a lively blend of experience and men who were crowned the Under 17 world champions five years ago. But that should not be used as an excuse.
This was an opportunity to stake a claim, an exercise to follow through hard work that had been undertaken at England's Irdning training camp in Austria before Capello finalises a squad who, it is hoped, can follow in the footsteps of Sir Alf Ramsey and the boys.
England's squad players, especially in the first half, were left chasing shadows versus Mexico, spending large periods without the ball and dependent upon set-plays for respite against a team who would have been considered mere World Cup also-rans prior to kick-off. The predictable organisation and power of Germany would surely not be quaking if they faced some of England's fringe players on this showing.
Capello has announced that he will only telephone the unlucky seven who are to be cut from his final plans, presumably not keen on the sort of emotional face-to-face meetings that have been the unsavoury task of predecessors. Glenn Hoddle axing Paul Gascoigne in 1998 to be met by 'a man possessed' in a Spanish hotel room springs to mind.
Criticism
It has been said that there will be more head scratching from Capello prior to his cull than a contestant on Blind Date attempting to decide between Sarah from Croydon, Hannah from Matlock and Emma from Hull. However, after the meeting with Mexico, there is perhaps more reason to suggest that England's manager will not have a Scouse twang of, 'but, look who you turned down?' in his head when reminiscing over his selection rights and wrongs as the dust settles on the World Cup in mid-July. There will be no need for a quick reminder from our Graham.
Michael Carrick has come in for the majority of criticism following an anonymous display against the Mexican wave of creativity. When the 28-year-old made way for Tom Huddlestone in the 62nd minute he did so with the sunken shoulders of a man who knew he had not done enough. There is always Sunday's meeting with Japan, but it is not expected that the Manchester United midfielder will be given another opportunity.
Despite his opening goal, Ledley King looked rusty when performing his priority task of defending on his return to the international scene. The Tottenham colossus appeared to have left his calmness and decision-making of club level in the White Hart Lane dressing room as he was turned with ease by Guillermo Franco in the early stages and allowed Rafael Marquez a comfortable header in the build-up to Mexico's goal.
King's partnership with Rio Ferdinand, who was guilty of ball-watching when Franco converted from Marquez's flick-on, was clearly in its sapling stages. King only truly looked comfortable when playing alongside Jamie Carragher as the Liverpool centre-back U-turned on international retirement in the second half. Former captain John Terry must have been rubbing his hands when watching from the stands considering pre-match speculation suggested he was set for a place on the bench against USA on 12th June in Rustenburg. Indeed it was probably those who were absent against Mexico who gained the greatest benefit.
After a break afforded due to FA Cup exertions, the importance of Terry and his Chelsea team-mates, Lampard and Ashley Cole, who was unconvincingly deputised by Leighton Baines, was highlighted. Joe Cole's reputation will have not been done any harm and he will know he could now grab a golden ticket against Japan.
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James did not play and, although starter Robert Green produced some tidy saves and second-half replacement Joe Hart kept a clean sheet, perhaps a benefit from thorough shooting drills from varying ranges in Austria which have been designed to replicate the sidewinding flight of modern footballs at altitude ahead of South Africa, there is still no clarity as to a No.1.
Groans
The significant role of Gareth Barry was also more than evident ahead of the assessment of his ankle injury on Tuesday, with Carrick and James Milner failing to thoroughly impress in holding midfield and Steven Gerrard a passenger on the left before becoming more involved when moved centrally after Huddlestone's introduction. A decision on Barry's fitness is likely to be Carrick's only saving grace.
Back to those involved and Wayne Rooney at times looked a little frustrated before suffering a slight neck injury that is apparently not a major concern. Peter Crouch kept his excellent goalscoring record intact, but did not truly form a partnership with Rooney to leave an ideal strike force as a topic of debate, before Jermain Defoe looked lively from the bench. Darren Bent's tight hamstring does not bode well for the Sunderland man and he could again be set for the chop after being cut from Sven Goran Eriksson's plans in 2006.
Theo Walcott was in the form that extracts groans from Wembley as his choice of run and pass did little for the cause, while substitutes Adam Johnson and Aaron Lennon showed more in their combined efforts than the former produced in three quarters of the match.
That Shaun-Wright Phillips did not make it off the bench suggests that the Manchester City wide-man will be spending the majority of this summer on his much-loved Playstation 3. The unused Michael Dawson, Scott Parker, Stephen Warnock and Matthew Upson may also do well to take a trip to Thomas Cook.
It would seem that there are seven players, man of the match against Mexico Glen Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney, who are certain of a place in Capello's starting line-up in South Africa. The remaining positions of goalkeeper, two more attackers, plus, depending on Barry's fitness, the holding midfield role are up for grabs.
With seven players as good as assured a first-XI place, there are contrastingly another seven, Carrick, Dawson, Parker, Warnock, Bent, Wright-Phillips and Upson who can expect the phone to ring in seven days.
Who should Capello drop from his World Cup squad? Have your say below.
