England manager Fabio Capello has just one selection poser for the game later today against Germany, and that’s who to play alongside John Terry in central defense.
Matthew Upson – should partner John Terry today
Matthew Upson started the decisive match against Slovenia and we though he produced a very good performance which included that last ditch and brilliant block, in injury time, that saved England.
He looked good alongside John Terry and the two of them seem to play well together for England.
Fabio talked about the selection he has to make:
“I have to decide who will play with John Terry,”
“Matthew Upson played well, Jamie Carragher played well and King played well, I have to choose.”
“It is more or less the only decision I have to make.”
In fact Ledley King also has an outside chance of playing as the Tottenham defender trained with the rest of the squad on Saturday to prove his fitness to the manager, so it looks like all 23 players are now fit, which is great.
Fabio Capello – England manager
So Capello could play Upson, Carragher or King to partner John Terry, who has easily been England’s outstanding player so far in the tournament – you certainly cannot accuse this lad of not having the St. Georges Cross tattooed right across his forehead.
While we are not great admirers of Upson, he showed in the last game that he can play solidly for England, and has a good partnership with John Terry and that should give him the nod today.
Capello continued:
Today all 23 players have trained, all the players are fit, Ledley is training normally with the other players.”
“I’m happy now because we have found the spirit and the physical situation is really, really good.”
And Capello is not unhappy at all about having to meet Germany and then probably Argentina if we win, because he rightly says you have to beat any team put in front of you – and we think getting two top teams in the next two rounds could be an advantage, if anything, to England – because the lads will be ready to play at their very best in both games .
Capello continued:
“To go forward you have to beat all the teams,””Germany is one of those teams, not more. I respect Germany but I think also Germany respects us.”
We have to now hope that the poor start to the tournament is behind us and if the lads can produce the sparkling form they showed in qualifying and winning 9 of their 10 games, we should be able to beat Germany today, who do not have a very strong side this year.
That’s the hope that England has, but as usual it’s up ot the players, and we expect Capello to start an unchanged side today, and we are hoping England can make us proud.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Captain Beefheart
Jun 27, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Comment #1I don’t rate England to be honest, and nothing I have seen in the last 6 games has caused me to reconsider. However, I do think the current team will still have too much experience for the Germans to cope with and I am expecting a tight 2-1 win, with no extra time & no penalties!
The next round is another matter.
MacToon
Jun 27, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Comment #2En Ger Land
ofc we can beat the Germans, on our day we can give any team a run for the money but depends which team turns up. Hopefully we can keep a good pace up like the last game and improve without the nerves of the first 2 games we played.
BarcelonaMag
Jun 27, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Comment #3I think it’s a mistake to say that Germany “don’t have a very strong side this year”. They’ve looked very confident in the two games that I’ve seen and played good, flowing attacking football. The only problem might be their lack of experience. Whatever happens, I think we’re in for a hell of a game, as usual. I’m feeling confident, though, and predict us to win 2-1. Haway, England!
thepict
Jun 27, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Comment #4Oh dear atmit England 1 Germany 4. No doubt for the next century we will hear about the disallowed goal. Should have had a Russian linesman;))))))))))))))
Yorkie Dave
Jun 27, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Comment #5can the next gereration of england misfits please stand up!
riquelminho
Jun 27, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Comment #6Congratulation to Germany, they were much better. Creativity, off the ball, movement, one touch passing, Germany has a great team and still very young. England played football from 20th century, Germany 21st century. England needs more players like Lennon and some creativity to the midfield and a good GK.