Now updated after the Ukraine and Belarus games (and some 'interesting' feedback) below is the squad we think Don Fabio should take to South Africa, with reason for inclusion - and exclusion...

Who should go... Goalkeepers

David James - Has been first choice for a while now, and we are yet to find a better alternative

Rob Green - He is the closest we have to a better alternative.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Manuel Almunia proved he is good enough to keep Arsenal on track for honours this season with his performance against the team-that-dare-not-speak-its-name on Saturday.

Questions were asked earlier in the season about the Spaniard and one or two errors didn't exactly provide the cornerstone of a defence for his suitability as the No.

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Like so often it wasn't the greatest Manchester United performance but they did deserve the three points as Blackburn had made them fight hard for it. It was the inspirational Dimitar Berbatov who had carried United, demonstrating his tricks, flicks and of course a superb piece of individual skill which broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

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After the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend, Man United really needed a win against Blackburn Rovers. United were without the injured trio of Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic.
The Man United starting XI was- Edwin Van Der Sar, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Luis Nani, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov. Click to continue reading...

A Much Improved Bolton Suffer Heavy Defeat

• Tuesday, Ocotber 31, 2009
• Venue: The Reebok Stadium
• Attendance: 22,680
• Referee: Peter Walton

• Jlloyd Samuel [45+1]
• Frank Lampard [45+2]
• Paul Robinson [57]
• Deco [61]
• Paulo Ferreira [80]
• Zat Knight (og) [82]
• Didier Drogba [90+1]

It was going so well until the stroke of half–time, a clipped heel took Drogba down, Chelsea ahead and The Wanderers down to 10 men.

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EL PRIMER GOL DE ARQUERO EN EL FÚTBOL ARGENTINO
Pibona Alterio, arquero de Chacarita y tío de Héctor "vale la pena" Alterio, fue el primer arquero en convertir un gol en el fútbol argentino: lo hizo de penal a Tigre (1931), en un partido que terminó 3-3. No fue muy difícil. El arquero de Tigre, Savarro, se quedó parado junto al poste en señal de protesta por el cobro del árbitro. Click to continue reading...

Via the Guardian (of course), following our 5-0 demoltion of Blackburn on the weekend ...

"The oversimplified reading of a diamond formation* suggests that any success is significantly dependent on the excellence of attacking full-backs. Yet Chelsea were without Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa when they obliterated Blackburn at the weekend.

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Despite a woeful recent record away from home, you might have expected Allardyce's Blackburn to have put up more of a fight against Chelsea yesterday. But this was a masterclass performance from the Ancelotti's men who unleashed a second half blue-coloured blitzkrieg to put five past a hapless Blackburn Rovers.

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Despite a woeful recent record away from home, you might have expected Allardyce's Blackburn to have put up more of a fight against Chelsea yesterday. But this was a masterclass performance from the Ancelotti's men who unleashed a second half blue-coloured blitzkrieg to put five past a hapless Blackburn Rovers.

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Either it's a harbinger for the misery to come or the prologue to one of the greatest sports upsets ever, but  England will arrive in South Africa next summer brandishing new lows in their quality of goalkeeping. Never before have the Three Lions been represented at the World Cup by a keeper who has just finished the season with a side that got relegated. Click to continue reading...

Fabio takes his victorious side to Ukraine.

Watch Ukraine Vs England Live Online!

Fabio Capello says he expects England to play with a positive attitude in Ukraine to try to maintain their 100% record in World Cup qualifying.
Eight wins from eight have seen England confirm their passage to South Africa.

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Firstly, apologies that we've missed a couple of weeks on the Premiership front due to obligations elsewhere but as England have their last qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup coming up and it would be missing the point of the entire blog for to ignore them, we're back for a two part preview of the qualifiers that are taking place all over the world over the next week or so.

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Where did all the heroes go?

Watch Ukraine Vs England Live Online!

David James is as old as Methuselah(officially), Ben Foster has hands made out of butter (official), Paul Robinson still bears the scars of previous England and Tottenham gaffes, Robert Green and Chris Kirkland aren't considered big enough names, so just who is England's number one?

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Even though England have already qualified for the World Cup, Fabio Capello picked the strongest available squad at the moment for the final World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus. This means the boss has already started preparations for the final tournament in South Africa and he wants his top players available at all times.

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In the 2006-7 season Blackburn came to the Grove and scored in the third minute. Arsenal went on to win the game 6-2.

Yesterday Blackburn scored in the fourth minute and the result was exactly the same. I don't think it'd be unfair to say Arsenal might have scored more too, in what was probably their best attacking display of the season.

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.Arsenal defeated Blackburn Rovers 6-2 in a thorough team effort in a Premier League encounter. Playing at The Emirates Stadium, The Gunners pulled off a superb performance with spirited goals with 6 different team members. It was the Rovers who got off to a good start as Steven Nnonzi headed in a Paul Robinson free kick [. Click to continue reading...

Turns out that if you do this...

...and then let Kenwyne Jones beat you in the air like this...

... while Fabio Capello watches from the stands ... then you get dropped from the England squad. Fabio Capello has named his England squad to face Ukraine and Belarus, and Ben Foster is not in it.

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Before the season started, as we pondered the state of our defence, I said that I reckoned we would have to score more than we conceded, and if we managed to do that I'd be happy enough.
A crazy first half against Blackburn saw us go behind twice (to their only two opportunities - a long ball (good to see Sam not playing like Bolton like he said pre-match) and a defelcted shot that Mannone had covered.

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Arsenal looked to continue its good start in the English Premier League on Sunday, October 4, 2009 as they hosted Blackburn Rovers. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Arsenal crushes Blackburn Rovers 6-2 Video Highlights

(Match report courtesy of PremierLeague.

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A couple of weeks ago, we published an article that aimed to show which part of London was the best for producing top quality Premier League players. The intention was to put before you a team of players for North, South, East and West London based on the birthplace of some of the capital's finest, before pontificating on which team would be the best. Click to continue reading...

Paul Robinson in disguise Click to continue reading...

You may have read that Tope has signed for one more month, which means he will remain a Robin until October 13, 2009. So far Tope has participated in 7 matches so far and scored twice.

However, the official Swindon Town website no longer states that he is on loan from Bolton and gives Bolton as his 'previous club'.

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Foster has a lot to think about

Ben Foster has been enjoying his recent run as Manchester United's number one, "I've really enjoyed being involved so far it's what I've wanted, when you have a solid run in the team you can look forward to games in advance and settle down a bit more.

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Yes it's a new Samsung Ad which seems to be attempting to create a fictitious match up between England and Russia, but clearly without the rights to do so. You will see Russia (presumably, although not wearing an official strip) taking on a team that must be England, "how do you know that" I hear you ask.

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England has been wearing the tag of one of the best national teams in the world for quite a while, but the fans are still waiting for the emergence of a generation that could repeat the feat of winning the World Cup, something that only '66 team managed to do.

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England will take on Slovenia in an Internation Friendly as they prepare for upcoming UEFA World Cup Qualifying. The English roster is full of Premier League players along with David Beckham who's been in MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Live coverage of the match will begin about 15 minutes before kick-off or 17:15 GMT (12:15 EST).

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1. Two Coins For The Boatman
If you should ever find yourself watching a game of football that is worse than this debacle, then pray that your affairs are in order, for you, my friend, are in Hades.
2. What Can You Say?

I can't pretend that this article will give you great insight into the machinations of this game. Click to continue reading...

Time to get the ball rolling!

Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel could make his first league start of the season, having been preferred to Paul Robinson for Tuesday's League Cup win.
Andy O'Brien has recovered from a groin strain and is also in contention.

Greek defender Sotiros Kyrgiakos is on standby to make his Liverpool debut as centre back Martin Skrtel is still troubled by a jaw injury.

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Jlloyd Samuel could be in line to make his first Premier League start of the season for Bolton as Gary Megson's side host Liverpool.
Samuel was preferred to new signing Paul Robinson for Tuesday's Carling Cup win at Tranmere and could be set to keep his place in the side. Andy O'Brien is also in contention after recovering from a groin strain. Click to continue reading...

Last season was spectacularly mediocre for the Wanderers. With relegation a real possibility for most of the season it was easy to forget that we finished in the last 16 of Europe in 2007-2008. As with many lower table sides they were Jekyll and Hyde, playing like they deserved to finish in the single digits some days, other days playing in a fashion that would embarrass the Championship.

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. A hard fought battle was witnessed at Sunderland as the hosts came from a goal down to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1. Striker Kenwyne Jones was the star for Sunderland as he struck twice to seal the match for is team. Gael Givet had the score board ticking as he scored [...] Click to continue reading...

With C-Ron gone, it's time for someone to step up and take his place as the Prem's least popular player. Here's Pies selection for a team of the most unpopular players in the league: Paul Robinson (Blackburn) Out-of-form goalkeepers may...

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The new English Premier League season kicked off at the weekend in sensational fashion, with many players and clubs crushing the lazy assumptions and predictions surrounding them in the press. But, critic-defying performance aside, something else struck me about the opening round of matches in our beloved league, something that has had as big an impact as the new signings or the unwanted injuries.

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Steve Bruce will face the first competitive game of the season as Sunderland manager after impressing with Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic.

After managing to avoid the drop last season, the influx of money has been the Black Cats buy a few relatively big name players.

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England goalkeeper Ben Foster suffers injury and will be left out of the squad to face Holland in Wednesday's International Friendly. Click to continue reading...