The USA could beat England.
They shouldn’t be good enough to win on Saturday – but it could happen.
Or the first game could be a scrappy, nervous 1-1 draw.
Golden Rule of tournaments : Don’t lose your first game.
England’s preparations are at the stage where Capello thinks they need to improve their pressing.
From what he said, and from what Frank Lampard said, I think today’s practice match against the Platimum Stars is a shape game. England need to work on their shape to improve their defending as a team. If they get out of the group they will be playing sides who are far better than Slovenia, Algeria and USA.
Capello wants to see his team work hard when they don’t have the ball, stay compact, and keep a sensible shape. You need to press collectively to prevent your opponents making killer passes. To do that you need to be sure of your shape, confident about what is going on behind you.
I like Peter Crouch, always have done, since he was at QPR. He can play. The QPR crowd nicknamed him Rodney and used to sing, “Rod-nee, Rod-nee !”
Always thought Crouch was a far better footballer than Adebayor. He scores goals for England and panics defences. That’s why I would use him as a sub.
I’m wondering whether Capello’s team to play the USA at 7.30 on Saturday night will be the same as my team.
I don’t think it will be. He will go with Milner/Ashley Cole against Landon Donovan, who is easily the USA’s best player.
David James is flaky and Rob Green has kept goal for Capello’s England more often than anybody else.
I think Fabio will play Green. But I’d play Joe Hart for his size and form.
My starting eleven has six London boys and two Joe’s : Joe Hart ;Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry Ashley Cole; Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, Stevie Gerrard, James Milner; Joe Cole; Wayne Rooney.
Joe Cole for Arsenal?
I have plenty to say about Joe Cole. And I’ll say it here if Wenger signs him. That’s a promise.
I will NOT NOT NOT write about players unknown to me before Wenger signed them. That’s another promise.
Bad news : Carlos Vela has snubbed Deportivo La Coruna to stay at Arsenal. He loves life in the creche. No pressure, no aggro, nobody shouting at him, nobody challenging him, loads of lovely money.