Let's do the time warp again.
At the time of writing, the final England 23 is due to be announced. Of course it was due to be announced at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm so who knows?
But the news is leaking like a paddling pool with the plug missing.
It would seem that the seven missing out are: Adam Johnson, Darren Bent, Leighton Baines, Theo Walcott, Scott Parker, Tom Huddlestone and either Michael Dawson or Ledley King.
Apparently it does not matter who the manager is because, essentially, the team picks itself, and not in a good way.
David James, Emile Heskey, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, Shaun-Wright-Philips, Joe Cole.
These players are all, apparently, certain to go to South Africa.
It's not that I have a problem with the players themselves, it's more a nagging certainty that recent form and/or injuries made very little difference to Capello's selection.
The England squad is in a time warp.
Apart from the inclusion of Joe Hart, it bears no resemblance to the domestic season just gone.
Joe Hart is the exception that proves the rule, but despite being the pick of the three goalkeepers, he is likely to be third choice in South Africa because he has no World Cup experience.
Adam Johnson had a much better season at City than Shaun Wright Philips, Scott Parker had a better season than Gareth Barry, everybody in every league across the world had a better season than Michael Carrick!
Ok, maybe not quite, but close enough to make his inclusion incredibly worrying.
Theo Walcott is a tricky one as he has not had a great season, but on balance I would still have taken him as an impact sub.
I fully admit I'm slightly biased towards Adam Johnson. Firstly I'm a Boro fan, and secondly I would count him as an acquaintance having worked closely with the Boro players for a couple of seasons now in my capacity as a journalist.
But here are the footballing reasons I would have taken him:
1. He is left footed
2. He's been brilliant since joining City and was Boro's top scorer before he left
3. According to media at the training camp, he was the only one to score three penalties
4. He was also one of the best at crosses - something he has clearly worked on
5. He can play on the right, and is equally comfortable
6. He's in blistering form and full of confidence
7. He would be an unknown quantity for the opposition
8. He is not particularly injury prone, and more importantly is fitting fit right now
9. Manchester City stats - 16 appearances, 11 assists, 1 goal (premiersoccerstats.com)
10. There's something about him that makes you think he could have done something special.
And that's just my top ten!
For the record, SWP made 30 appearances for City last season, 19 as a sub, grabbed nine assists and scored four goals, none of which got Goal of the Season, which was of course scored by Adam Johnson against hometown club Sunderland. I'm just saying...
But this column is not about Johnson, not really.
It is basically just me, as a fan, expressing my disappointment that the manager of my national team, who is being paid partly for his ability to inspire, has shown so little imagination, and a complete inability to take a risk.
I sincerely hope that this England squad can prove me wrong.
First published on www.SportingPreview.com on 1/6/2010
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