On Saturday morning, I saw the list of potential managers for the England National Team now that it finds itself without a coach. The Euro 2012 is not too far away now, and the eyes of the world are on England, waiting to see who will take the helm amidst the international controversy. I couldn't help but wonder that Arsene's name was on the list, so I had to do a bit of digging to determine the probability of his being selected for the coveted job.

Last time we see all 3 on the pitch at the same time?

Haven't written in a while, therefore this will be more of a short summation on things that have happened in the past week. No place better to start than with the players.

Emmanuel Frimpong will be out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

English football in 'shambles' shocker. With a major tournament around the corner, the FA intervene and strip John Terry of the England captain without consulting the manager. The manager resigns. England have no captain, no manager and naff all chance of winning Euro 2012.
In many ways, I don't blame Fabio Capello for leaving.

So says Duncan Castles on Twitter.

In which case:

• why have Fulham sold an important player to a rival?
• why is there no obvious replacement in place, even though we are not safe from relegation?
• why did we only receive £4-6m for a player who is in or around the England squad?

Easily the best footballing side in the Championship last season, it's hardly a surprise that Swansea have been attracting a lot of positive attention due to their performances in the Premier League. Thomas Rooney thinks a couple of Swans should be given a chance in the England squad and if the widely predicted changes happen after Euro 2012, Thomas has a point!

Forward-thinking Richards Can Add Attacking Edge To England - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Castrol EDGE performance analysis shows that Manchester City's muscular full-back, Micah Richards, has rediscovered his best form this season, providing his star-studded City side with a potent and creative attacking threat.

In sport, reputation can be crystallised or destroyed in one match. Claudio Gentile was unfairly recognised as a hard-man outside Italy for his savage treatment of Diego Maradona (and then Zico in the next game) in the 1982 World Cup but here was a player who was fantastically more all-rounded than that one game made him.

In sport, reputation can be crystallised or destroyed in one match. Claudio Gentile was unfairly recognised as a hard-man outside Italy for his savage treatment of Diego Maradona (and then Zico in the next game) in the 1982 World Cup but here was a player who was fantastically more all-rounded than that one game made him.

Mirror: What are the odds Phil Jones ISN'T in England's Euro 2012 squad? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Manchester City in round three and now Liverpool in round four. If Manchester United are going to win the FA Cup they're going to do it the hard way... with Phil Jones in the side.

Liverpool fans are overjoyed to see club captain Steven Gerrard back playing for the club regularly, and his inspirational impact on the team is being praised across the board. Former Arsenal stalwart Martin Keown joined the chorus of approval during the BBC's 'Football Focus' program' on Saturday.

Liverpool loanee Joe Cole has once again reiterated his desire to return to International football.Cole, who is in the midst of a successful loan spell with Lille, enthused:"Without a doubt, I'd love to play for England again."You can't talk yourself into the England squad though. They come and watch you play, and if they like what they see, they'll pick you.

Giant leap

Since it's the last day of 2011, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and may your target and aspiration be achieved next year. While everyone gets into their own party mood, there's still a game to be played for Arsenal with Queens Park Rangers visiting the Grove. The players will have to keep their celebrations on hold as we look to go back to winning ways.

Giant leap

Since it's the last day of 2011, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and may your target and aspiration be achieved next year. While everyone gets into their own party mood, there's still a game to be played for Arsenal with Queens Park Rangers visiting the Grove. The players will have to keep their celebrations on hold as we look to go back to winning ways.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has backed Andy Carroll to eventually live up to his record-breaking price tag.
Pardew reluctantly sold the 22-year-old to the Reds, who host the Magpies on Friday evening, on the final day of the last January transfer window when owner Mike Ashley decided a bid of £35million was simply too good to refuse.

Almost every team looks over their shoulder this time of year, and not at the teams around them in the league, but at the clubs who are coming to try and sign their prize assets.

The harsh realities are that most clubs are defenceless against the big boys and that an offer will get tabled that the smaller clubs are forced to accept.

Liverpool midfield legend Dietmar Hamann is a huge fan of summer signing Jordan Henderson, and his enthusiasm for the player is so great that he has total belief that the youngster will make it into the full England squad for Euro 2012.
Henderson has often been played out of position on the right this season but Hamann is confident it's only temporary
"I think he [Henderson] is one of the brightest English prospects, and Long-term, he probably will be a central midfielder for Liverpool".

I haven't had a chance to ask David Beckham of late about his future plans now that he's finally an MLS champion, but my guess is that he's leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy.
I do think winning that title last night meant a lot to him. He's a competitive player. He wanted to win very badly.
Yet there's something beyond club glory that has always mattered more to Becks.

I haven't had a chance to ask David Beckham of late about his future plans now that he's finally an MLS champion, but my guess is that he's leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy.
I do think winning that title last night meant a lot to him. He's a competitive player. He wanted to win very badly.
Yet there's something beyond club glory that has always mattered more to Becks.

By Alan Duffy

Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United Premier League 19th November 2011

Two of their goals may well have come from the penalty spot, but nouveau riche Manchester City were always in control of this top four clash against the surprise package of the 2011/12 season so far, Newcastle United.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed hope that the underachieving England squad performs well in next summer's Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, despite knowing that the level of competition will be extremely high.

Wenger understandably considers Germany and Netherlands as the greatest threats to defending champions Spain but after watching the Three Lions defeat the Spaniards 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday, the Frenchman refuses to rule out the prospect of an English triumph.

Capello challenges Carroll

Fabio Capello has warned Andy Carroll that it is up to him if he wants to win his place back in the England squad.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-11-15 07:45:35 from: Sky Sports

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

Without their trusted larger-swigging trouble makers, England managed to pull off an emphatic victory against the World Champions, writes Nicholas Spiller The stereotype of the English footballer has become that of the pub brawler, a man who can out-drink anyone and can rough you up on the pitch too.

Darren Bent recently took part in a Q&A on Twitter whilst on England duty, here's a glimpse behind the scenes. Perhaps a little on the whimsical side, I was still surprised by his answer when asked who is the fastest player he's seen on the football pitch. (It's not Gabby)

[Email readers: if the video isn't displayed, it's available here]

Gabby

In related news, I'm sure you're already aware, but Gabby was forced to withdraw from the England squad once again with a hamstring strain.

Theo Walcott will be wearing these specially embroidered boots for England's fixture against Spain on Saturday. Image via Facebook.

It could have been a rough week for John Terry. Fabio Capello's decision to include his captain in the squad against Spain and Sweden in the upcoming international friendlies was gearing up to be the talking point of the build up.

It beggars belief really doesn't it. Danny Sturridge has been (when fit) a regular first team starter under AVB and has scored five goals in nine games. He has received his first call up to the full England squad that is preparing to play Spain tomorrow and there is a good chance that he is going to start the game too.

England host Spain at Wembley in a mouthwatering friendly match designed to see exactly where Fabio Capello's men stand on the International stage. An acid test, or quite simply a glorified friendly fixture? Some say the former whilst others stress the latter. Neither in agreement nor in disagreement, the English media have themselves been keen [.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart are astonished to find two of their club teammates nowhere within the sight of England's squad ahead of Spain's highly anticipated visit to Wembley on Saturday evening.

Jones, who has been tipped as the future leader of United's defense, is still coming to terms with the exclusion of current leader Rio Ferdinand while Hart fully expected to see in-form right-back Micah Richards picked for the exhibition against the reigning World and European Champions.

• Kop That: Germany backs England to wear poppies http://t.co/tgN94aMA 23:06:23, 2011-11-08
• Kop That: Wilshere: The England team should wear poppies on Saturday http://t.co/cBvHU9iV 23:06:16, 2011-11-08
• Kop That: Rio Ferdinand accuses FA of dragging their heels over John Terry racism row http://t.

FA to monitor Terry situation as he joins up with England squad

Defender is at the centre of a racism row

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-08 22:30:54 from: The Mirror

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

Ahead of Saturday's friendly between England and Spain, In The Stands looks back to the pair's last match where goals by David Villa and Fernando Llorente sealed an easy 2-0 win for the hosts. David Villa and Fernando Llorente were the heroes for Spain as they brushed aside a feeble English threat in a resounding [.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is an eager on-looker as England prepare for a pair of friendlies against Sweden and more importantly, reigning European and world champions Spain in the week ahead.

While Gerrard is focused on regaining a consistently high level of fitness for his club, he understands that winning back his regular starting position will be a massive challenge given the quality of talent available for selection.

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has made three changes to his 25-man squad for the Euro 2013 qualifier against Iceland in Colchester on Thursday. Sammy Ameobi England U21 call-up With Sunderland's Connor Wickham and Middlesbrough's Alex Nimely both out with injury, and Jack Rodwell promoted to the full England squad, Sammy Ameobi of Newcastle is one of [.

By Alan Duffy

Surely Manchester City's Micah Richards deserved his place in the latest England squad? The defender has been in superb form for the Citizens, already chalking up five assists in City's almost flawless league campaign so far.

• Kop That: Graham Poll: Lee Mason should explain Old Trafford penalty reversal and card shark Luis Suarez http://t.co/zJG8x0VL 23:52:57, 2011-11-06
• Kop That: Who can replace Wayne Rooney for England http://t.co/YAiXxlw6 23:35:40, 2011-11-06
• Kop That: 'Sometimes we looked like headless chickens' Daniel Agger bemoans 'really, really bad' Liverpool perfor.

Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, subject of our Funny Feeling Friday back in August, has been called up by Fabio Capello to the England squad for the first time for this week's friendlies against Spain and Sweden. For a while in August ... Continue reading →

Congratulations to Danny Sturridge who last night, was called into the full England squad for our two friendlies coming up against Spain and Sweden.
It has been coming and well deserved in my opinion. Sturridge has played well this season although in the last couple of games he hasn't been anywhere near as effective as he was at the start of the season.

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The Full England squad to face Spain and then Sweden in a testing double dose of international friendlies was announced by Fabio Capello with some surprises in store: Notable absentees include out of favour Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand who just this week was told by Sir Alex Ferguson that his first team spot at [.

John Terry in England squad but Rio Ferdinand left out

John Terry is unlikely to lead England out against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday even though manager Fabio Capello will include him in his squad.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-11-06 19:33:19 from: The Mail

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

by Adam Bate

Lille may be a long way from Lourdes but the message from Joe Cole is clear – his visit to France has given him a new lease of life.

Cole had cut a forlorn figure at Liverpool but the loan move to Ligue 1 has seen him reinvigorated. Roaming the field with freedom and dribbling past defenders for fun, it is easy to be reminded of the player once hailed as the saviour of English football.