Whenever a Harry Redknapp team does well I start to worry. I start to worry that the team is
about to go out of business or that someone might declare him the best manager they have ever
worked under, but most of all I worry that it is only a matter of time before he starts being
linked with the non-vacant role of England manager.
As some of you may know, I am a Bolton fan. At the very end of the transfer window, we were
lucky enough to pick up a certain Daniel Sturridge on loan. In the three games since joining
Bolton, he's shown why Coyle was interested, scoring in each of them. He's now scored as many for
Bolton as he had in his previous 31 Premiership appearances.
Break my heart foir I must hold my tongue! Shakespeare was English, but his greatest story was
of a Danish King. So when England take on Denmark it seems reasonable to filter the game report
through (mis)quotes from that play. Right?
Frailty Thy Name is England!
England were defensively really poor, especially in the first half.
If you want a great night, don't join us (myself Ethan and myself Ethan) here at 7:30pm
GMT, but if you want a rubbish night, do. Or something like that.
Ethan goes to Hollywood
This fixture will inevitably bring back memories of the last time we paid a visit to Denmark.
England swaggered into that match and came out of it humiliated. This time, we have an England team
with considerably less confidence. To contrast our recent poor form, Denmark has been doing well
having, a record of W-2 D-2 L-1 since going out of the World Cup before the Round of 16 last
summer.
Football, is not coming home. The 2018 World Cup will be held in Russia.
We haven't covered the bidding process that much here at WCB, mainly because its been a bit boring,
despite the English Press best efforts. I'm more dissapointed than I thought I'd be to be honest,
but on the other hand, I do think Russia will be put on a good show and good for them.
So, you were probably expecting a post about England's flickering attempts to hold the 2018
World Cup? Hard Luck. That's just some people making some speeches at the moment. So instead I give
you, something suggested to me on Twitter earlier.
You'll never look at him the same again.
So, England vs France in a meaningless friendly. Where else would you want to spend it but with
me, and possibly Ethan and Matilda, if they can (they probably can't). So please don't leave me
here all alone.
England Vs France
So England take on France tomorrow in a friendly. In times gone by this would be a Big Test to
prove ourselves against a quality opposition to keep our ambitions in check while we coasted in
qualifying.
But it isn't like that now. For a start, France have had a bad a time of it of late as we
have.
A quick warning before I really get into this post. I am a Bolton fan, and I am inevitably
biased by this. I do try to remain clear-headed when writing for England WCB, but I know that my
loyalties will come out. Apologies ahead of time.
Before we start, have a look at the final squad:
Keepers: Foster (Birmingham), Hart (Man City), Green (West Ham)
Defenders: Cahill (Bolton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man
City), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd), Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), A Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard
(Liverpool), Barry (Man City), Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Henderson (Sunderland)
Strikers: Bothroyd (Cardiff), Carroll (Newcastle), Crouch (Tottenham), C Cole
(West Ham)
This is slightly different than the original squad released, however Gary Cahill, Stephen Warnock,
and Carlton Cole have been called up for the injured John Terry, Ashley Cole, and Gabby
Agbonlahor.
The gloves are well and truly off in the run up to Dec 2, when we'll find out whether its
England, Russian or Spain/Portugal that hosts the 2018 World Cup. While the latter bid is mired in
some controversy about vote fixing, England and Russia are the leading bids, and the Russians are
playing a high risk strategy to get the bid.
A couple of days ago, England took on Montenegro, and drew 0-0. I'm pleased we didn't liveblog
it, because it was boring. England probably should have won, and were denied a stonewall penalty,
but there was a distinct lack of chances created by England, and we sort of settled for 0-0 late
on.
Of course this has caused a minor outrage in the press who think England let us down again etc
etc.
Neither Darren Bent or John Terry will play against Montenegro for England tomorrow, both have
joined the England Injury List Peter Crouch will start up front with Wayne Rooney with Lescott and
Rio Ferdinand (Who has regained the captaincy on his return to England duty from Steven Gerrard) in
the centre of defence.
So, West Ham and England legened and all round FA go to boy Trevor Brooking has added to his
previous comments that the next manager of England should be English by putting Steve McClaren's
name in the frame. I'm sure you don't need reminding what happened last time Steve was England
boss.
Brooking reasons that Steve has done well post Brollygate leading FC Twente to the title in
Holland, and is now manager of erm, under performing Wolfsbuirg.
Despite Andy Carroll being widely tipped for a call up to the full England Squad after being
left out of the U21s, it is in fact, Kevin Davies who has got his first proper England call up,
something that will no doubt please one of my co-bloggers.
Davies had presumably given up on the idea of actually playing for England, but with Heskey
retired from England duty, and injuries to Zamora and Agbonlahor, Davies joins Rooney, Crouch and
Bent in the England squad to face Montenegro this week.
