So it’s official- England will be at the 2018 World Cup finals. The next question is who will make the squad. Using the tabloids favourite cliche of airport terminology to illustrate who gets in the squad (or as they say who makes the plane) here’s a quick guide to who’s in, out and maybe Boarding […]
Tag: Three Lions
Life after England
As Roy Hodgson prepares to re-enter the dugout with Crystal Palace how did his England predecessors get on when they left Wembley? Bobby Robson Unlike his successors Robson had already agreed to leave the England job before his last tournament at Italia 90. Leaving England on a high Robson headed to PSV Eindhoven where he […]
Managing a fading star
As Gareth Southgate moves on from Wayne Rooney I’ve delved into the archives to look back at how other managers handled fading stars either easing them towards the door or trying to keep them in the room. Bobby Robson & Kevin Keegan When- 1982. Incoming England manager Bobby Robson felt it was time to put […]
6 England Squad Takeaways
The most fitting adjective I can think of for Gareth Southgate’s squad is sensible, I’d have preferred scintillating but sensible will have to do for now. With such exciting prospects at youth level ‘doing for now’ seems to be where England are right now. There were few surprises so what can be read into this […]
Farewell Wayne
Imagine my surprise when the article I was writing about the merits of Wayne Rooney’s imminent England recall were torpedoed by the announcement Rooney was retiring from international football. It’s the right decision for Rooney, for Everton and probably England too. Rooney has got himself in condition, found form and is rekindling his old […]
England Squad Announcement- Why fans should care
On Thursday lunchtime Gareth Southgate will announce his first England squad of the season. International squad announcements are usually followed by a collective groan. It’s the signal that a fledging season whose narratives we’re becoming engrossed in is shortly to be paused in order for England to take on the footballing powerhouse of Malta. It’s […]
England’s 10 greatest qualifiers
For all England’s tournament woes they remain Europe’s leading qualification experts- 1 defeat in their last 46 (and that was a dead rubber) is an enviable qualification record. I’m counting down here their 10 best qualification performances I’ve witnessed; 10. England 3-0 Poland (Sep 1993/ World Cup 1994) The game that almost saved Graham Taylor, […]
Remembering the England managers: Kevin Keegan
It’s hard to believe it now but in 1999 Kevin Keegan’s appointment as England manager was a cause for national jubilation (not just in Newcastle). English Football had finally appointed its greatest hero to its biggest job. After the fractious ending of Glenn Hoddle’s reign here was the man to bring the nation together. It […]
England’s fullback options
Probably the strongest unit England have at present there should be strong competition for places between now and the World Cup: Leftbacks– One player is nailed on, but there’s a lot of competition behind him. 1. Danny Rose– Developed beyond anyones expectations last season with Tottenham, looks the best left back in the Premier League and unassailable […]
England’s attacking midfield options
The key department in the England squad, right now England’s senior team doesn’t have a central midfield unit to match the craft and guile of France, Spain or Germany. But the advanced midfielders and wingers provide a threat to worry the best with pace and skill. Dele Alli- A world class number 10 in the making […]