That's All Folks

So the dust has settled once again, although this time no smoke to clear from the cigar of a Chelsea manager- see June 1st 2009 for reference. And as last season it was all tied up with a lovely FA Cup win for Chelsea. This time though there is no English representation in the Champions League final so it'll be as far away as June 12th till we see some competitive football with Englishmen involved, can you last?

Reading over June 1st's post I notice that I alluded to Portsmouth possibly having some new money from new investors, oh the ironies of life. In fact I was of course wrong with many of the things I pointed out not even a year ago but then predicting the future has never been a skill of mine.

Back to today though and I must say congratulations to Chelsea, they fully deserve their double this season. Those in the past, not me, who have complained about Chelsea's lack of 'history' must now surely be silenced as their 'history' is now created in the present. Their league triumph was especially special, any team who scores over 100 league goals in a season truly deserves to win the league. It was also good to see a well contested final especially when, judging on the league season just gone, it could easily have been a battering.

Talking of a good old battering it would could not have been a more apt way to decribe the season Pompey and their fans must have been feeling this season, they have been utterly battered from pilar to post. And yet they came within the boot of Petr Cech of finishing the season as FA Cup winners. All this has meant their usually amazing fans have looked even more incredible this season and I for once shall miss them being in the Premierleague next season.

The first time I encountered Portsmouth fans in January 2003 at Old Trafford in an FA Cup third round match the season that they went on to win the Championship in. I was in awe at the size and noise of the crown for a mid-day Saturday afternoon kick off in the FA Cup. I thank them for that experience and honestly hope they some how make it back to the Premierleague in the near future only this time in a much better financial state.

And now it's time for me to wrap up the domestic season with a salute to my none PFA team of the year.

Goalkeeper; Where the PFA opted for Joe Hart, and rightly so, I'm going to go with a 'keeper' who has performed well- as he always does- but even more impressively due to his off field problems. It is Edwin van der Saar, coming back after injury and a serious illness to his wife to be as solid as ever.

Defence; My defence is made up of Leighton Baines, Michael Dawson, Vincent Kompany and Carlos Cuellar. It was a difficult choice and certainly many arguments could be made for the inclusion of player's such as Ledley King and James Collins. Baines has been integral to Everton's resurgence and is most likely to be Ashley Cole's understudy at the World Cup. Dawson has had an excellent season coming off the back of a pretty ordinary one last year, his next 12 months may be even bigger if he gets to pit his skills against the best in the world in South Africa and next seasons Champions League. Kompany moved from centre mid to centre back so effortlessly and nearly helped guide Manchester City into the top four, it was a big move for the Belgian as you can't help but think he'd be out at Eastlands next season if he was still in midfield. Carlos Cuellar was a rock at right back for Aston Villa's incredible defence this season in all three domestic competitions.

Midfield; Florent Malouda, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Steven Pienaar. Malouda has gone from a player with lots of promise who underperformed to a player in his element who helped win a double with some truly inspirational displays. If any player shows the value of rolling back the years it is Paul Scholes, another season where he was written off as being past it turned into another season where United could barely do without him- his goal at Eastlands kept United in the title when all seemed lost, just a shame it was all lost in the end anyway. 22 goals from central midfield is almost all that needs to be said about Frank Lampard and yet he brings so much more than that- pure inspiration and a calm enough head to tell Drogba who's going to be taking the penalties (maybe should have chosen Drogba in the cup final). Pienaar has been linked to Manchester United and Arsenal only a week after the season has finished and based on some of his perfromances it's easy to see why. If Arteta, Jagielka, Fellaini and co had been around all season to help out Pienaar, Liverpool may well have found themselves not even in the Europa League next season.

Attack; "When the ball hits row Zed there's one thing you can bet, it's not Zamora" but the Fulham striker, despite an incredible season- especially in the Europa League- still misses out. Instead I've plumped for the strike force of Fernando Torres and Carlos Tevez. Liverpool have often been referred to as a two man team and yet with Gerrard having such an average season that seemed to become a one man team, which isn't too bad when that man is Fernando Torres, who managed 18 league goals despite all the injuries. Imagine a world where Carlos Tevez still played for United- they'd have become Champions and City may not have even been in the Europa League. Not because City are a one man team but because Tevez can galvinise any side with his juggernaut like energy.

The manager; Roy Hodgson might be a good shout but his LMA award rules him out as far as I'm concerned. Zola could be considered after having to deal with Moron Gold and Moron Sullivan, and he nearly sneaked it after bringing out coffee to the press outside his house last week. Tony Pullis could be an outside bet after being the only manager to improve a promoted teams points tally in their second season. But I'm going with the man who this season had the hardest job in football- Mr. Avram Grant!

So that's it for the domestic season! Dust settled and all! Time to pack your bags and jump on a plane, for South Africa is just around the corner- bloody big corner if you ask me!

Name off the trophy?

So the time for all the talking to stop is here, and at this moment it's time for the Sidler to speak up once again.

Yes ladies and gentleman unsurprisingly the announcement of Fabio Capello's provisional 30 man squad for the upcoming World Cup has shot me right back into action. I mean it's not been that long has it? MARCH 1st?!?!? What the hell have I been doing?

I've no idea really but at least the football's been boring right?

Well with all the boring football it's a good job the World Cup is round the figurative corner and the countdown has now really kicked off with, not only Capello but, all the managers picking their provisional squads.

Perhaps the biggest news comes from Brazil where past World Cup winners Ronaldinho and Adriano are not included, though Dunga has gone straight to naming his 23 so any injuries could mean a last minute place for either of these two. The French have left out Premiership pair Samir Nasri and Patrick Vieira. Argentina have left out Esteban Cambiasso. Italy have left out Francesco Totti as he couldn't quite decide whether or not to come out of international retirement.

And talking of players coming out of retirement brings us right where we want to be, talking about England's squad.

Firstly there is the man who hasn't come out of retirement, Paul Scholes. I for one would have loved to see Scholes wearing an England shirt once again. The ginger maestro's retirement was probably one of the biggest tragedies of the Sven era. And with Gareth Barry's injury potentially keeping him out of the squad Capello's inability to get Scholes out of retirement may be one tragedy that keeps the World Cup trophy out of English hands. After all with no Barry it could be left to Tom Huddelstone to fill in the holding role in midfield and Huddelstone is an average player at best, even if his ability to hit a ball with power is second to very few if any.

Meanwhile Capello was able to get another player to come out of the international wilderness and unlike on his way out Jamie Carragher managed to not get himself on any sport's based radio stations on the way back into the big time. I am, probably unsurprisingly, not a fan of the Liverpool captain and yet I believe he will probably end up in the final 23 and it may well be one of the most astute picks by Fab. The reason is because of Carra's ability to play at either centre back or more importantly at right back.

Other talking points are in goal, despite the fact that there are no surprises. The three expected to go are the three that have gone but it is the fact that we don't yet know the order in which they are regarded and the fact that at least one if not two of them should perhaps not be there. Joe Hart is exempt from my criticism, he is an excellent goalkeeper in brilliant form and should be England's number one, the sad truth is he may end up being number 3. My main contention comes with the choice of David 'sideshow bob' James. James is simply not reliable enough a goalkeeper to be in the World Cup squad and he never has been. Sam Allardyce's opinion on why his 'keeper' is not going to the World Cup might be wide of the mark but you'd struggle to argue that he shouldn't be in the squad based on his previous experience and form this season.

Upfront the Premierleague's 3rd top goal scorer, Darren Bent, has managed to force his way into the 30 and yet with Capello likely to only take 4 strikers, along with Theo Walcott likely to be taken as a midfielder and cover for a striker, it means one of Bent and Heskey will not be going. And one can't help but think that despite his lack of goals, ever, Heskey will be on his way to South Africa.

But this all sounds far too negative from a man so upbeat on England's chances. So has the squad announcement on top of possible injuries to Terry and Barry and the news of Capello's now defunct ridiculous website dampened my spirit? HELL NO!

Now is the time, more than ever to believe and really get behind the men who will wear the three lions in just a few weeks. Forget my personal bias or club bias this is a squad capable of winning the world cup, heck any side with Messers Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, Terry, Ferdinand and A Cole has a great chance.

Win or lose it's time to use the next few weeks to get ready for what will no doubt be a thrilling rollercoaster of a ride. After all only 24 hours after the announcement former captain John Terry looked like he might be ruled out with a broken metertarsal and that's after only 24 hours. It's going to be an exciting time. Can England win the World Cup? As the advert says, "Maybe! Just Maybe"!

Taking the Mickey!

Walk up stairs, walk across dignitaries shaking their hands, smile, lift trophy, listen to crowd applauding- the banner said it all "Not arrogant. Just better" and after 90 minutes of cup final football you couldn't really argue.

Yes I am talking about Manchester United and them winning the first trophy of the year, one often called "The Mickey Mouse Trophy", and it was a tense and exciting final against Aston Villa.

The Carling Cup had had many names down the years but it is always patronised as a competition, either by the media's name calling or managers resting vast amounts of their players. But, other than mocking for mocking's sake, does the Carling Cup really belong to Mickey or is it slightly more dazzling?

There is the obvious, that some of the best teams in the country could not care less about winning the fourth best trophy of the season, these teams do not play their best available 11 in any round. Arsene Wenger has come closest to winning the trophy that he clearly holds no feelings towards whilst playing his often over complimented "kids". This never fully works though as the poor little kiddies get kicked all over the park by the overly cynical big boys (tongue firmly in cheek). Heck back in October we witnessed the children of the Emirates take on the reserves of Anfield or wherever they usually play. Two teams who don't care about minor competitions and only care about the big ones.

Fast forward four months and perhaps both managers, or at least Rafa, may want to reconsider their stance over the trophy Sir Alex and his men picked up at Wembley. Rafa's men can only win the Europa League, and there is certainly better sides than theirs left judging on their latest performance in that competition. Whilst Wenger's men can only win the Champions League, although they are in an even worse position than Liverpool's Europa League campaign, and an outside chance for the Premier League.

Perhaps the second thing against the cup is the lack of a place in Europe for it's runners up should it's winners already be in Europe. But should this really detract from a competition that does still give away a place in Europe? I mean no one's aiming to lose a cup final.

But didn't the Premier League champions win the league cup yesterday? And last year as well? Weren't Chelsea in the two finals before then? So Wenger and Benitez don't value the competition- does that mean it has no value?

Clearly not! Ask Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, both beat members of the 'big four' in their cup quarter finals and both led their semi finals at one point. They would have done anything to progress to the final and gave a shot at winning some silverware.

The same can be said for Aston Villa, not just content to battle for that illustrious forth position, Martin O'Neil and his players are hell bent on picking up some silverware. And had Nemanja Vidic not somehow escaped a red card they may have come away with some. O'Neil was rightly annoyed at the decision but didn't want to make the game all about it- perhaps is blow softened by the fact he still has the race for forth and the FA Cup to play for.

But the men who clearly think the Carling Cup is worth winning were the ones with the biggest smiles yesterday. Firstly the man who's been there and done that- Sir Alex himself. Having rested some players in the early rounds his selection has strengthened through the matches against Spurs, City and then Villa. Fergie understands that silverware is silverware, something Wenger seems to have forgotten, and that the momentum of a winning team will carry over to the league. Above all though Fergie still plays trophy winning rookies in the final so they know what winning in big matches is all about- every United player NEEDS to know how to win.

The second biggest smile was strung across the face of a United substitute- and let's face it that wasn't the first time this was true of a United winning team, it's just usually the sub isn't Wayne Rooney. The Englishman was dying to start but his manager was dying to rest him and so it was that he started on the bench. Unfortunately Michael Owen left early and so the inevitable match winner entered. Rooney knows how to win trophies and it all started with the league cup.

Above all else is some of the most exciting matches of this season in the earlier rounds of the league cup- the 2nd leg of both semi finals, the quarter finals at City and Blackburn, the topsy turvy giant killing of Burnley by Barnsley and Stoke's 96th minute winner against Blackpool.

Sure the League cup might not be the most important trophy but it's certainly worth winning the final, walking up stairs, walking across dignitaries, shaking their hands, smiling, lifting the trophy, listening to the crowd applauding and getting used to winning more trophies. And so the Mickey Mouse trophy is won! Will United also be the kings of the Magic Kingdom?

A Bridge Too Far

I think it was my good friend Swiss Tony who once told me "playing football is like making love to a beautiful woman"

I'll be honest I've no idea what he was talking about, but as a car salesman what did he know about playing football. But in Tony's comparison I guess the higher the level of football the more beautiful the woman- making the MJSL akin to Susan Boyle

There is obviously beauty in football- in the playing style of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, in the winning of trophies (not like Wenger's Arsenal), in overcoming injury and adversity and in the passion of the fans.

There is of course beauty in women as well, just ask John Terry he seems to find it in lots of them. And Terry's deeds with the ex of his one time team mate, Wayne Bridge, have led Bridge to quit the England team. Firstly I'm starting to think Terry should sleep with other wives of English players that we don't want playing for our national side- no names mentioned.

Now on to the real issue- Bridge! So he has turned his back on the England side at the moment when the England side actually need him. Not to be harsh to him but at no other point has Wayne really been needed by England- there has always been Ashley Cole. But Cole is injured, and though the Egypt game is not important it is what lies beyond that which matters. Cole may still be unavailable come the World Cup. Enter Wayne Bridge surely? Well not now!

I personally am not a fan of Bridge, it was never a shock to me that he was second choice at Chelsea and England to Cole, he's not as good. In fact the only thing that has shocked me is that he has always been second choice to Cole for the three lions, especially in recent times with Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines' stock rising.

And now we turn to Capello and wondering who will take Bridge's and possible Cole's place come June 12th against U.S.A. There is Warnock and Baines, two of the player's who even before this recent news would have been in the Italian's thoughts. Fabio could also turn to centre back come left back Joleon Lescott. Undoubtedly Lescott has more experience for England than the other two but he has never looked truly comfortable in an England shirt and he has been average at best for City this season whilst the other two have shone.

One other option would be to change the position of a player who had surely already booked his place to the World Cup and it could come in the form of either James Milner or Gareth Barry. Should everyone in the midfield be fit Milner would probably start this summer's tournament on the bench, despite his performances over shadowing those of Steven Gerrard this season, so with his versatility he could play at left back but that would mean restricting his impact as a great player to bring off the bench. Dropping Barry back would open a whole new question of who might fill in at Barry's position of the holding glue to England's attacking midfield. Once upon-a-time there was a defensive English midfielder who could have done such a job, his name was Owen Hargreaves- no really it's not a fairy tale!

For me, in a World Cup, you can't chop and change a player's position just 4 month before the biggest tournament in these players lives. One of Warnock or Baines should be the left back in the squad, the other though may not make it at all. With Milner, Barry and possibly Lescott in the squad there may not be the need for a second left back in the squad.

I guess if playing football is like making love to a beautiful woman then the World Cup would be Cheryl Cole. So that's two England left backs who won't be making love to Cheryl Cole then!

No I in Team

It doesn't rain, it pours (or snows in the case of the MJSL- third time this season we've had a game cancelled because it's snowed Saturday night). It's bad enough that you have a moronic owner but then fortunes on the pitch couldn't be worse. Bad results, bad luck and having to sell your best players for relatively cheap prices.

When once it seemed the only way was up now the only way is down and pretty damned fast, you may even be lucky to still be around come the end of the season. Oh how I feel for Portsmouth. Of course you probably knew I was talking about the 2008 FA Cup winners, I guess I could have been talking about Crystal Palace...

... Apart from the fact I feel sorry for Avram Grant, the same can't be said of Palace's manager.

Neil Warnock is the head of the whinge brigade of football managers. Don't get me wrong every football manager is allowed a whinge now and again but when it happens so often it gets annoying. And I should know the manager of my beloved Manchester United is one of the kings of it. This season Sir Alex's moaning has been unbearable, mainly because it's always about the same thing- the amount of added time in matches. Arsene Wenger is another moaner who frustrates, mainly because every week something other than his teams poor performance is at fault for dropped points or cup losses- Wednesday's comedy of errors against Porto for instance. Rafa Benitez is now hilarious, not because he moans, but because he doesn't, a simple "the ref was excellent" seems to do for the Spaniard.

Now to Warnock, a man who's past as the man who nearly put Bury- a club close to my heart and home- into administration a few years back, is clearly not my favourite manager at the best of time but his moaning pushes me over the edge. The former Sheffield United manager consistently blames officials if anything goes wrong and is so far over the top it's ridiculous, last weeks FA Cup match against Aston Villa was a major case in point. I don't argue that the officials got it wrong, clearly a corner was wrongly given but giving a corner wrongly is hardly the worst decision in any game. Instead of perhaps making a passing comment and accepting a draw with one of the Premier League's top sides as a decent result Warnock instead complained, but it wasn't a normal complaint, no Warnock suggested the official should be suspended- for giving a goal kick as a corner, utter ridiculous!

If this was not bad enough Warnock decided on Thursday, after Mick Mcarthy and Wolves had been wrongly, in my opinion, been charged for changing 10 players for their trip to Old Trafford, that this matter needed his opinion. Warnock is not a manager of a Premier League club, he hasn't been since May 2007. Warnock is not a manager of Wolves, nor has he ever been. The matter had nothing to do with the Palace manager or his current club. Warnock instead decided that this matter reflected 2007 when both Liverpool and Manchester United played weakened sides against Fulham and West Ham and thus Sheffield United were relegated. What he misses out is the fact that the reason Sheffield United went down, contrary to the courts blaming purely Carlos Tevez, was that Sheffield United weren't good enough to stay down. Furthermore he even asked the question "Were Liverpool or United docked points?", well no but neither were Wolves.

Above all the moaning and nearly running Bury into the ground my main problem with the former Oldham manager is his clear selfishness. Everything Warnock says is to do with him. He does not feel for the club, or the fans he only cares what impact it has on him. Sheffield United went down and it meant he was no longer a Premier League manager. Palace drew with Villa and so it meant he was not in the next round of the FA cup- never mind the fact a replay was most important for Palace.

Selfishness is what kills a club. In this team game there is no room for a "me" attitude in any team, never mind one that is in financial danger. And this is where Pompey come back into play.

Portsmouth have been destroyed by several acts of selfishness. From chairman to former players. Perhaps one of the worst cases is Sol Campbell. Sol enjoyed a good period at Portsmouth, moving for free from Arsenal, he was amongst the clubs top earners and lifted the FA cup as captain. Now, back at Arsenal, Sol had decided that this is the time to claim the image rights he is owed. An argument for Sol is that he's just claiming what is rightfully his from the contract he had with the South Coast club. But has he not made enough money in his career that he can't avoid putting yet another nail in the Portsmouth coffin?

Look beyond the moaning, look beyond the character's involved and see just what is left. The sad truth that two football teams, with fans like you and I, are on the verge of extinction and that is truly sad!

Oh for some excitement!

I knew one day Arsene Wenger would say something that not only didn't annoy me but I also agreed with. Of course it wasn't his comments after Arsenal's game against Porto. I mean that was hilarious- the incident and Wenger's comments after.

Wenger's undying refusal to ever blame his players is getting beyond ridiculous now. How he could possibly blame the referee for Arsenal losing last night was too far. The ref made an error in not awarding a penalty when Tomas Rosicky went down in the box, but then the commentators on both ITV and BBC Radio 5 live thought the midfielder had gone down easily, it wasn't till they saw the replay that they reckoned ref and linesman had got it wrong and neither these men had the fortune of seeing the replay. Other than that the man in yellow did nothing wrong when it came to the big decisions despite Wenger's thoughts.

Anyway enough of all that, Wenger complaining and me not agreeing is hardly worthy of blogging about, after all I'd end up doing it every week if that were the case. Now to what me and Arsene agree on- and to add to the madness so does Rafa.

I'm sure most of us would claim that the English Premier League is the best domestic competition in the world, but I'm also sure we'd like some changes perhaps. I for one would like more English players- I have nothing against the foreign players I just wish there was more talented Englishmen to mean we didn't always have to go abroad. I'd also like video refs, for decisions on goals and penalties, I'm not asking that the refs ask for someone to review which way a throw in should go but can't we eradicate mistakes like the ones which ruled out recent winners for Bolton and Stoke by simply asking a man in a booth "can I award a goal?" waiting 30 seconds to a minute and then awarding it.

Two things that aren't on the top of my list, or anywhere near, are the need for more excitement or the need for more money in the Premier League. Richard Scudamore seems to disagree with me.

I am of course referring to Mr Scudamore's new idea that there should be an end of season playoff between the teams finishing forth, fifth, sixth and seventh in the Premier League to decide who will qualify for the Champions League. This idea of course comes one season on from "Gam£ 39", as it came to be known.

Hold on! One of the reasons for the play offs is so the season is more exciting?!? I've missed something here. Is the Premier League somehow not exciting enough?

We have a very even title race, a very even race for forth and a very even relegation battle- not just even but bloody exciting. I would take a quick look at the table and suggest only Birmingham, Everton and Fulham can be all but sure they won't get relegated and be looking at too much of a deficit to get into the top 7 but I'm sure fans of these clubs would argue with my assumption- and rightly so. This all means, that with 3 months and 12 or so games to go, the Premiership is at it's most exciting in years, and it looks like the next few years will only shorten the gap between the 'big four' and those jostling for position behind them.

And what of those jostling for position? What if one did earn 4th spot? Would they be happy to then have to go through play-offs to re-earn what they already have? I think not, especially as the member of the 'big four' who got knocked away from 4th spot would almost certainly be in the top 7 and who would bet on them not winning those play-offs- not me!

The proposal would also be hugely detrimental to any future success in international competitions that England may be aiming for. Take this season for example- heading to a World Cup the teams in the play-off would be Liverpool, Manchester City, Spurs and Villa. So in essence players such as Gerrard, Barry, Bridge, Lescott, Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, Defoe, Crouch, Lennon, Huddelstone, Dawson, King, Warnock, Milner, Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey would all be playing in highly competitive matches for a further 2 weeks after the F.A Cup final, possibly even Champions League final. Fair enough I've over exaggerated the amount of players but those listed all have at least an outside chance of making the plane to South Africa.

Quite frankly other than lining the pockets of men like Scudamore and the other 'suits' in charge of our beautiful game there is simply no reason to add play-offs to the Premier League. Rafa himself suggested that if we do this why not a play-off for the last relagated team as well.

You could argue of course that Wenger and Rafa (and potentially me as a United supporter) have most to lose from the introduction of these play-offs but the truth is that the managers who usually complain the most about nothing finally have something to complain about!

Keeping, the Engand Job

It's been a while, for me anyway, since I mentioned that big tournament just 4 months away. You know the one in South Africa that England are going to win. Stop the giggling. Rio Ferdinand is going to get to lift the World Cup come July of that I'm sure.

And yes it will now be Rio's face we remember lifting the trophy in years to come and not the now ex captain John Terry. Of course on reading the title of this post you'd probably be thinking the comma is a typo and I'm about to embark on my opinion on Terrygate/Bridgegate. As it happens I would have kept JT on but I understand why Don Fabio didn't and fully back both his decision and how he delivered it in their short 12 minute meeting.

Meanwhile on the England front Wayne Rooney continues to show why most people increasingly believe that if he were to get injured between now and June England's hopes would evaporate. Also those player's who have at different times been definite starters on the right wing, Mr Lennon and Walcott, continue to fade from thoughts due to injury and form whilst their potential replacement, Mr Milner, continues to improve his rising reputation.

Along with Rooney there is one other aspect of the side that many believe must be right for Rio's side to bring back the trophy and end 44 trophyless years for the country. It is of course the question of who, as the song says, is "England's number 1, England's England's number 1"?

It is a question that has long been asked and long been unanswered, certainly since Paul Robinson's mistake in Croatia was followed up by very quickly by Scott Carson's at Wembley in the rain.

So those two players seem like a good place to start. After Robinson missed Gary Neville's back pass it looked like the then Spurs keeper would never recover to such a time where he might be considered as England's man between the posts again. Errors started coming into his game at club level and he looked a calamitous as a James. Shipped off to Blackburn though Robinson has set about rebuilding his career in the last 19 months and this season has put in a number of dazzling displays hardly helped by his defence. Carson on the other hand is no where near in the picture. Now a Championship quality goalkeeper playing in the Championship. It is proof that of all of Steve McLaren's mistakes as England manager the one to replace Robinson with Carson on that rainy night in London was perhaps the biggest.

Fast forward to the end of 2009 and the man most recently in possession of the cover ted gloves has been Ben Foster. It's an almost laughable thought that the man who started against Brazil in November will be starting against U.S.A in June. Foster has fallen so far off the radar with club side, Manchester United, that during Edwin van der Sar's recent absence it was not Foster but Tomasz Kuszczak who took the Dutchman's place. Foster is a talented goalkeeper, to that there has never been much doubt, but he is no longer a youngster and major questions remain over the mental side of his game. And without games for United there is unlikely to be any for England.

Before Foster it was Robert Green who had the gloves, not long ago he worse a pair with the words "England's number 6" stitched into them. But as recently as the qualifier against Ukraine Green has been England's number one. I personally am not a big fan, and he still looks highly error prone for West Ham but he must currently be in the top 3. It wasn't though till Chris Kirkland was injured for friendly against France in 2008 that Green came into Capello's thinking. For me the man he replaced is the most talented English keeper around- but his constant injuries all but count him out.

There is two more candidates at different ends of the scale. One an up and coming Englishman in the form of his life. The other an ageing keeper who is only just playing Premier League football because the inform keeper at the club has been sold to clear the team's debt. Joe Hart, on loan at Birmingham, has been nothing short of sensational at times this season. Birmingham have been the surprise package of this season and it is in no small part down to Hart's reactions, athleticism and all round game that shows maturity way beyond his years. Down in the south coast David James has been in and out of injuries for big parts of the season and is only now playing for Portsmouth, a side as calamitous as James' own nickname and reputation. I had the misfortune to watch the recent Manchester City vs Portsmouth match. It was a drab match in which most of the excitement came from James, on several occasions, being unable to hold on to the most simple of balls- one of which went for the corner which led to City's second goal.

At this time I would personally take Robinson, Hart and Green to the World Cup with the former two fighting for the number 1 spot.

One final thought though goes towards Brazil, serial winners of football's biggest tournament and specifically their recent wins in 1994 and 2002. The goalkeepers in those tournaments were Taffarel and Marcos respectively. Two goalkeepers who have never done too much in their careers and never been thought of as much more than average. Perhaps England don't quite have the sides these two had playing in front of them. Or perhaps all you need is a competent goalkeeper who won't cost your team the match and the tournament. Sorry David!