Fabio Capello’s first team selection has just been announced, and as half expected Michael Owen does not make the starting eleven.
Michael Owen – dropped by Fabio Capello
Wayne Rooney will start up front with Joe Cole just slightly behind him in what looks like a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Jermaine Jenas, the former Newcastle United midfielder and now playing well for Spurs, surprisingly starts his first game for England in a long time. It looks like Jermaine will play on the left side and David Bentley of Blackburn Rovers on the right. So Jenas is playing out of position, which never usually works very well for a natural central midfielder.
We never expected Jenas to start, but to be fair to the lad, he’s looked very good recently in the Tottenham side, since Ramos has become manager. He certainly played an excellent game last weekend against Manchester United, where he seemed to be everywhere.
This is Jenas first start since England played Colombia on their tour of the USA in May 2005. And the game also sees the first England start for David Bentley, who’s been in great form for Blackburn, and that will delight his manager Mark Hughes, who has been singing his praises recently.
Captain Steven Gerrard is in the center of midfield, alongside Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry and Matthew Upson, of West Ham, as expected, starts in the center of defense with Rio Ferdinand. How Matthew gets the starting place in front of Jonathan Woodgate is a mystery to us. Wes Brown is at right-back and Ashley Cole is at left-back. Frank Lampard is not available due to injury.
England:
James, Brown, Ferdinand, Upson, A.Cole, Bentley, Jenas, Gerrard, Barry, J.Cole, Rooney
The substitutes have not been announced but we expect Michael Owen will be on the bench.
78 comments so far
Sinead
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Comment #41In fairness Carsley got in the way, when I say that he blocked Given’s few, through his Carsleys legs like ffs!! Good goal though. We were playing so well, everyone.
Geordie Joe
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Comment #42The bottom line is he is still one of the best keepers in the division so whats the point in piling the blame on him.
UTD111
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Comment #43Agree we were playing well, and still are. Duff’s looking sharper with every game :o)
Sinead
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Comment #44He’s not been as good this season but that said he’s been good enough and he’s getting better. If I was him, I don’t know if I could have went back if I got injured like that, the way he did against West Ham, I know he says it’s part of the game like, but I don’t know.
I’m not in the mood for negativity just concentrate on the game. LOL!!
No point in worrying about something that you can’t change.
ToonKing
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Comment #45nobody’s denying that Geordie Joe.
everybody loves Shay… 😀
ToonKing
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Comment #46let’s buy Robinho, he’s really good 😀
Sinead
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Comment #47Geordie Joe
Because it’s easier to, why blame the entire team and it’s structure and question Keegan and instead blame Given.
And it’s not even that, it’s a mental thing you know, one person criticizes him here and everyone does. Not just Given, any player or even the manager. It’s what ye do, and it’s strange, I don’t know why ye do it so much, I notice it here, no where else really.
ToonUSA
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Comment #48This might be the fire MO needs to get into gear 3 and stake his clame in the team
Geordie Joe
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Comment #49what will it take to get him into 5th gear though toon USA
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Comment #50Owen will now know just how much the new England manager rates him and he might pull his finger out and start performing for the Toon and not just England.
ToonUSA
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Comment #51Well from the looks of things it seems he also lost his # 10 shirt to Stevi G as well so hey that might be what will put him in 4th
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Comment #52If i was KK i would start with Carroll cos Viduka is never fit, couldn’t do any worse than Shola and unlike Smith when he does bring the ball down it doesn’t just bounce off him and Carroll is great at bringing other’s into the game.
Mike
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Comment #53Hey at least he can’t pick up any knocks and will come back to NUFC Healthy!
UTD111
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Comment #54Amazin – after the match I flicked over to the england game – and the ground was half empty!!!!
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Comment #55Anybody noticed Emre has done his usual trick by telling his agent to say he want’s to leave then the window closes and no- one want’s him he comes out and say’s how much he loves the club.
Mick G
Feb 6, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Comment #56Will EMO now be known as simply MO?
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Comment #57Fook that: Italy 3 – 1 Portugal 🙁
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Comment #58Tom Toon- What’s wrong with Italy beating Portugal there both latin shit holes.
ToonKing
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Comment #59Tom_Toon is half portuguese …………..
Sinead
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Comment #60Good game wasn’t it, unlucky lads, both Toon lads played well, they all did. The fun isn’t over yet more fun yet to come after the game though. Pity I didn’t get to go, last time it was brilliant. Brazilians using our bodhrans. Strange. LOL!!!!
Full Croker, half empty..Wembley?? half empty, yere so much harder to please though, I know we’ve different expectations yere’s would be higher then ours like (even though our team, with the right person in charge) could become a hell of a lot better, I actually think we’ve a better team now, but we’ll never get to prove that because we’re never drawn against each other which isn’t a bad thing and there’s never any friendlies between us and we all know why that is, scary night.
But anyway when we lost in 2002 in the WC in penalties the lads returned to a massive parade, celebrations, parties, hell when we drew against Germany before the Spain game we celebrated for weeks. Now when England lost and came home am I wrong in saying that there was no massive celebration.
Now maybe we just like celebrating but I don’t know, maybe it is cause ye’ve high expectations but ye should cheer up. Like a half empty stadium in a friendly, it’s one thing in a match where are desperatley bad and are loosing but one ye won, why not stay, celebrate, hell celebrate with the other fans.
JP from The Rock of Gibraltar
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Comment #61Wes Brown is shit i have been saying it all along. He was England’s weakest link. I will pray tonight that Newcastle never sign him, what a waste of money that would be. Bentley was awesome and we should offer bucket loads of cash to bring him to St James’. That guy will get even better, anyone miss Beckham?..I certainly didn’t. Also Gareth Barry had another good game and as I have said before we should fight for his signature too.
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Comment #62latin shit holes!?! Educated comment there :l
Punk Skunk
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Comment #63Aye, don’t say shit like that man cj, we do have fans/players from all over the world bro’!..EZ!..
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Comment #64….
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Comment #65Born, bred and living in England just with Portuguese ties and gives me a great excuse to support their national team 🙂
Call myself english though 🙂
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Comment #66I have just been listening to Jenas talk on sky and i hate to say it i have just noticed he has a bit off a Geordie accent from his time up here.
Sorry there Tom Tooniarno
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Comment #67Tom Toonaldo 🙂
ToonKing what is your opinion on Ciprian Marica?
Leo*
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Comment #68why is michael owen is known as EMO i will never know
ofcourse unless someone tells me
Tom_Toon
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Comment #69he slits his wrists!
CJ
Feb 6, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Comment #70Has anyone noticed on the first page on this site
Fulham web, zog may leave newcastle.
There’s more chance of us signing bin Laden than Zog going to Fulham.
JP from The Rock of Gibraltar
Feb 7, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Comment #71I hope N’Zogbia never leaves as he is class! He has to be one of our best players and he is only 21. We should do whatever it takes to keep players of his caliber at Newcastle always. If I am not mistaken it was Shearer who convinced the board at the time to fight for his signature. If this was a Shearer signing just imagine what the future could hold for us if or when he becomes manager. I would love it for Shearer to have a scouting or coaching role at the club.
CJ
Feb 7, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Comment #72JP- In my opinion Zog is the most talented player at the club.
Leo*
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Comment #73anyone know anything about this loan transfer window that opens on friday?
what is it for?
can any team make loan moves then?
or just emergency?
broon ale
Feb 7, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Comment #74i dont see Owen being on the bench as a snub by capello. In fact i think there is nothing in it at all. He has already said he knows allot about Owen, therefore a meaningless friendly against the swiss is an ideal chance to have a look at the likes of Ashley Young and bentley and not someone you have already seen. Unlike past england managers where they have called the likes of Phil and Gary neville up for friendlys instead of giving people like gareth Barry a chance. Anyways,, on with our lives.
thelongshanks
Feb 7, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Comment #75EMO (ENGLAND’S MICHEAL OWEN),I was at the ireland game yesterday and duff was excellent.The brazilians couldnt take the ball of him and at one stage there were bout 3 or 4 around him and he kept the ball and got free for the pass.He is def coming back to his best.Just have to focus on keeping nzogbia now.
Bill F
Feb 7, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Comment #76Leo no one seems to want to answer you, I am not sure as these rules seem to change like the English weather. But I think loans can be done at any time.
Leo*
Feb 7, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Comment #77i did get that impression Bill, i must smell haha
Graeme
Feb 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Comment #78Lets be honest. The simple fact is, Owen hasnt been playing well enough to deserve a starting place for England.
It may well be that its not 100% his fault, given our midfield, but him not playing – so what?