Jack Wilshere. A name you should, by now, have heard. Arsenal's youngest ever league debutante and future England great is currently on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury, but here's why I think he will one day be huge.

Movement, aggression, dribbling, vision and passing. Attributes which I think sum Wilshere up brilliantly, on the break and attacking he is a serious threat with his snappy short passes and his ability to put in the defence splitting long ball.

Good news for England fans today as UEFA has reduced Wayne Rooney's three match suspension has been reduced to two matches after a successful appeal by the FA.

The reduction means that Rooney , 26,will now be available for England's third Group D game, against Ukraine, but will miss the fixtures against France and Sweden.

By Alan Duffy

While UEFA's decision to reduce Wayne Rooney's ban to two matches for next summer's EURO 2012 finals has been generally welcomed by England fans, Liverpool's Scottish boss Kenny Dalglish has a slightly different take on the story.

• Kop That: Right wing hooligans and sky high prices await England fans at Euro 2012 http://t.co/1umFRnEs 23:08:29, 2011-12-03
• Kop That: Why backing England at the bookies could see fans lose out http://t.co/ALhBufiW 23:08:25, 2011-12-03
• Kop That: Emotional Allardyce pays tribute to Gary Speed http://t.

UEFA impose ticket limit for England fans

Teams will only get 5,000 official seats for Euro 2012 quarters and semis

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-12-01 23:05:11 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Postcard from Poland: Why Arsenal fans at Euro 2012 will feel right at home in Warsaw's national stadium

England fans have been invited to the biggest Fan Zone in history at Euro 2012. Defilad Square in the centre of Warsaw is ready to host up to 120,000 supporters from all over the continent during next summer's month-long tournament.

By Alan Duffy

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva is yet another example of a talented player who was unfairly criticised by the kind of dim football fan who has no mind of his or her own. England fans' treatment of Owen Hargreaves followed a similar path to that of Lucas, but sadly it now seems that the Brazilian has something else in common with the injury-plagued Manchester City man.

By Eric Beard. Trying something new. Responses and reactions welcome.

Tom (thinking): Oh my... Where on earth am I? London, still? God I hope so. WHAT. A. NIGHT. After the clock struck midnight though, bam! I can't remember a thing! Remember the match perfectly though.

You'll find Guti in the Bad Week section. Like didn't already know. Image: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Europe.

Your favourite things this week included Frankie Sandford (style reasons), Olivier Giroud (nefarious reasons) and the ill-thought out and totally unlikely possibility of a Kickette Book Club (spiteful reasons).

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been confirmed as the man who will lead England against Spain in tomorrow night's highly anticipated friendly at Wembley.

Lampard had been widely tipped to take the armband in the absence of the rested John Terry but in case the 33-year old was excluded from the starting XI, there were suggestions that Manchester City's Gareth Barry would receive the honor.

Charlie thought eating Luka would prevent him leaving Spurs
Maybe it's the many, many years of crushing disappointment but, a decade or so ago and beyond, the international break seemed far more exciting. England were preparing for tournaments we thought we could actually win by finishing second in competitions like 1995's ‘Umbro Cup' – who could forget Tottenham hero Darren Anderton's stoppage-time-woodwork-pinball-volley against Sweden – or triumphing in ‘Le Tournoi', a trophy made famous largely by Roberto Carlos's other-worldly free-kick against France.

Krakow mayor promises warm welcome for England at Euro 2012

Jacek Majchrowski says there will be no problems with England fans clashing with locals

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-07 16:28:06 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Okay, if the next England manager has to be English, who do we choose? Here are some of the English manager currently employed as football managers (seems like a good filter), in order of preference (some rational, some not):

Alan Pardew hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Lee Clark knows how to win, was a good player, should be a dark horse, but ideally would have managed and succeeded in the Premiership.

England fans face travel misery at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Scheduling of matches could mean fans flying hundreds of miles between games

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-20 18:43:32 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

In this week's review section, we look back at stories from the African Natios Cup qualifying groups as well as at England striker Wane Rooney. You can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast and can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below, or highlighted in blue.

Why the only thing that can stop Rooney is his own head (despite UEFA's best efforts)

I'm often accused of wanting to get my own name in the paper, but a three-game ban for what Wayne Rooney did in Montenegro really is savage. It's out of all proportion and indefensible.

Well, despite Wazza losing the plot yet again, England qualified for Euro 2012 last week guest blogger Richard Smith runs the rule over some of the prospects that could make their international breakthroughs in Poland and the Ukraine next summer...

Having confirmed their place at Euro 2012 next Summer as any England fan will acknowledge nothing is straight forward when it comes to the "Three Lions" and tournament football there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future of the English National team.

With the FA indicating that Capello wont be kept on past the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine the search is on to find the next England boss.

David Berstein said that Capello is to stand down from his position of England manager after the tournament. This is not a shock to everyone, as after the string of poor performances at the World Cup in South Africa.

In the wake of Sven Goran Eriksson's opinion that Arsene Wenger would be the ideal next England manager, bookmakers have installed the Frenchman at odds of 25/1 to take over from Fabio Capello when the Italian's contract is up next year.

Needless to say, few people will be in agreement with Eriksson's opinion and anyone with a brain cell will not really believe this will actually happen, moreover there is no way that the Arsenal boss would even consider taking the post (fortunately for England fans).

By Alan Duffy

The Guv'nor is in town and he's not a happy bunny.

Currently "in between" jobs and probably with an eye on a media position, the tough-tackling former West Ham United star has let rip at the state of the national team.

"If you get called up, you should make sure you're there, " he explained.

By Chris Wright

Pies' pick of the ten (don't count them, we know there's eleven!) best snaps from this weekend's international footballing action from arooooouuund the glooooobe...

Martin Skrtel airs his considerable ink after Slovakia's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin

During a training session in Calcutta, Lionel Messi pulls what we believe the kids would call a bit of a 'derp face'

England fans drape a flag on the Soviet Army Monument opposite the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria

Michal Kadlec's ill-gotten penalty hits the back of the net to chalk up a late equaliser (2-2) for the Czech Republic against Scotland at Hampden Park

US Virgin Islands keeper Carlos Claxton sits dejected on the pitch after Haiti had just put their sixth unanswered goal past him in Port-au-Prince

Silhouetted Albanian supporters light flares before the start of their World Cup qualifier against France in Tirana

Giampaolo Pazzini and Andrea Ranocchia enjoy some Isotonic japery during Italy's pre-Slovenia training session at the Coverciano sports center near Florence

Peephole Pringle: Philipp Lahm removes his shredded jersey during Germany's 6-2 drubbing of Austria on Friday night

Your guess is as good as mine as to what's going on in this goal-mouth still from Israel qualifier against Greece in Tel Aviv

After becoming the first side to qualify for Polkraine 2012 on Friday, Germany warm down with a few 'eye-level crotch scissors'

Ronaldinho talks to a friend following a training session ahead of Brazil's friendly against Ghana at Craven Cottage tonight

Photos: PA

By Chris Wright

Pies' pick of the ten (don't count them, we know there's eleven!) best snaps from this weekend's international footballing action from arooooouuund the glooooobe...

Martin Skrtel airs his considerable ink after Slovakia's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin

During a training session in Calcutta, Lionel Messi pulls what we believe the kids would call a bit of a 'derp face'

England fans drape a flag on the Soviet Army Monument opposite the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria

Michal Kadlec's ill-gotten penalty hits the back of the net to chalk up a late equaliser (2-2) for the Czech Republic against Scotland at Hampden Park

US Virgin Islands keeper Carlos Claxton sits dejected on the pitch after Haiti had just put their sixth unanswered goal past him in Port-au-Prince

Silhouetted Albanian supporters light flares before the start of their World Cup qualifier against France in Tirana

Giampaolo Pazzini and Andrea Ranocchia enjoy some Isotonic japery during Italy's pre-Slovenia training session at the Coverciano sports center near Florence

Peephole Pringle: Philipp Lahm removes his shredded jersey during Germany's 6-2 drubbing of Austria on Friday night

Your guess is as good as mine as to what's going on in this goal-mouth still from Israel qualifier against Greece in Tel Aviv

After becoming the first side to qualify for Polkraine 2012 on Friday, Germany warm down with a few 'eye-level crotch scissors'

Ronaldinho talks to a friend following a training session ahead of Brazil's friendly against Ghana at Craven Cottage tonight

Photos: PA

Where are our players?

Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing will be looking to show England fans what's got Kopites so excited about their attacking partnership as they face Bulgaria in a European Championship qualifier on Friday night in Sofia.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-09-02 10:17:18 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

By Gareth McKnight

England continue their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign this week with fixtures against Bulgaria and Wales promising to give the fans a better idea of the nation's chances of competing in Poland and Ukraine next year. With Fabio Capello's men locked at the top of Group G on 11 points with Montenegro and an away day in Podgorica still to come, the Three Lions can ill-afford many more slip-ups.

Amazing subplots were cast over MLS action this past weekend. Robbie Keane scored in his debut for the Galaxy while newly transferred Juan Pablo Angel did the same for Chivas USA. Coming of brilliant Champion's League success FC Dallas took on Seattle. New York and New England fans were treated to more of the same from their respective teams and Portland fans found reason to cheer.

England: Fans to get refunds on Holland tickets

FA hope to stage postponed friendly in 2012

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-08-09 21:59:10 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

FIFA have released their latest world rankings which sees England jump from sixth to fourth, over such giants as Brazil and Argentina. After a disappointing World Cup in South Africa, England have not impressed many in their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, despite leading Group G on goal difference.

Guest contributor Richard Smith takes a look at the recently concluded Under 21 tournament, where at least we drew with the eventual winners...even if we didn't qualify for the semi finals because we forgot a game lasts at least 90 minutes.

If manager Stuart Pearce achieved one thing at the Euro Under-21 Championships in Denmark, it was to mentally prepare the players for future disappointments for when they represent their country at senior level.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today we were horrified to discover there is another football tourney currently taking place without our knowledge or consent. We've had a meeting and decided to take the line that everyone is always welcome to stuff our inbox with sufficiently important details.

England fans left disheartened by the Under 21s crashing out of the European Championships last night were given the perfect remedy almost immediately as the Under 17 side kicked off their Under 17 World Cup campaign in Mexico. The young Lions managed a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their opening match.

Okay Kickettes, we may have to reconsider our Cheech approach. Apparently, comedy devil horns and a gonky grin are the way to amuse him. Not exactly what we had in mind, but we're adaptable. Image: Reuters/Daylife

Considering how much time we spend moaning about the Weekend Results and how their preparation impinges on our revelry, it's something of a surprise that when given the opportunity to ignore football and competitions less omnipresent in their nature, we choose to write about them anyway.

2011 Summer Preview: Barnet transfer for Rooney, Tottenham's new sponsors, Chelsea's unsackable manager and more - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Thanks to Twitter,the green light for the "Silly Season" to start has been well and truly lit. As we head for the sun, tabloids and social media sites are preparing to fill inches with nonsense, here are a few of the stories which will have us pulling our hair out.

::: FistedAway today welcomes a guest post from Elliott, editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

For the past decade, two midfielders have owned the centre of the park for the Three Lions: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Frank Lampard of Chelsea. For years, fans have watched these two players make the same run, step on one another's toes, lazily expect the other to tackle, fail to beat up men and pass to the other team.

We couldn't have put it better ourselves, Joey. Image: Reuters/Daylife.

We think at this point we're supposed to offer you a comprehensive write up of all the International and Euro 2012 Qualifying fixtures that FIFA saw fit to throw at us this weekend, but running with the crowd is tough when caught in the thrall of the fashion world's current predilection for towering heels.

England 2 – 2 Switzerland

Lampard (pen) 37 Barnetta 32, 35
Young 51

Even the most ardent of England fans could have been forgiven for forgetting this England international was even on the calendar. The Premier League climax, Champions League final and corruption allegations within FIFA have dominated the headlines in recent weeks, overshadowing the build-up to this important Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland

England entered the match at Wembley top of Group G, albeit only on goal difference from Montenegro, knowing that victory would take them one step closer to next year's finals.

Over the long weekend I was luckily enough to see an advanced copy of the new movie 'One Night In Turin" which chronicles England's 1990 World Cup run where they lost to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.

Watching the movie I was struck by the similarities between England's 1990 World Cup run and the 2010 effort.

The Millennium Stadium has played host to some classic English domestic cup finals over the years while the old Wembley was being rebuilt, and England will have to tame the dragons when they clash in a crucial Euro 2012 Qualifier tomorrow.

Some fans will probably be bemoaning the break from the Premier League this weekend, but there is so much at stake.

Images: Getty Images/Zimbio.

The dashing of expectation onto the rocks of reality is a pain that England fans have hardened themselves to in recent years. Whether it's the alleged inability of their players to observe marital propriety or managers' failure to well... manage; for most of the team's followers the whole shebang has been nothing less than heartbreaking in recent years.

No doubt tomorrow at some stage John Terry will be jeered and booed by members of the crowd at the Millennium Stadium as England take on Wales tomorrow. We may even hear a section of the England fans doing it too but for all the negative press he has received, for all the ex players who have waded in with their "valued" opinions about reinstalling John Terry as England Captain it's nice to hear from someone within the camp who has nothing to do with Chelsea, speaking of the man that Terry is.

Here in England, even the neutrals seem to have a quiet affection for young Gareth Bale, a man who seems to have emerged from nowhere to become one of the best players on the planet. So talented is the Spurs man that even Arsenal fans have had no choice but to send plaudits his way, watching him rip apart the best teams in Europe and become a prime transfer target for the continent's elite and the football rumours reflect this.