Ride The Walrus
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After an abysmal campaign in South Africa and the furore that followed England will return to competitive action for the first time tonight at Wembley, when they take on a Dimtar Berbatov less Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier.
When the English three Lions embarked on the same journey to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, England had a point to prove, Capello was new to the job and was under immense pressure as England failed to reach the preceding European Championships and when Fabio Capello delivered the promise, there was fresh hope for England.
England were emphatic in their qualifying campaign, as they secured qualification to South Africa with a near perfect record but only to self destruct in the actual campaign.
England will hope for a renewed faith and belief as they set on their quest to book a place in the Euro 2012 to be held in Poland and Ukraine.
There still are shenanigans going on about the Capello reign, as England humiliatingly lost to fierce rivals Germany and crashed out of the World cup but the English FA has put their hope in the Italian manager and even the players have backed Capello ahead of this fresh start.
After the World Cup, Capello promised widespread changes in the squad and spelled the end of an era when he said there will be no room for David Beckham in his squad and he promised to bring in youngsters into the fray. However, as England prepares to take on Bulgaria tonight, there appears to be a similar look to the English squad.
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry have been ruled out of the match with a groin and hamstring injuries and apart from the forced changes, all the others will be the same that were outclassed by Germany
Rio Ferdinand is still absent and despite featuring for 45 minutes for United reserves in the midweek, he is still missing from the thick of things. Phil Jagielka of Everton is set to take his place in the centre of the defence partnering Matthew Upson of West Ham, while Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson will be performing the duties of the wingbacks.
The injury to midfield talisman Lampard means that there may be space for Arsenal hotshot Theo Walcott, who is in inspirational form this season and has already scored a couple of beautiful goals for his club. Along with Walcott, the midfield will be expected to feature Steven Gerrrard, Gareth Barry and James Milner.
Meaning that scintillating talent Adam Johnson will only be confined to the bench once again, while Jermaine Defoe is all set to partner Wayne Rooney in the attack.
One place that is as certain as death and taxes, is the place between the posts where Joe Hart will start.
Bulgaria will be going into the match without Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov, who announced his retirement from international football but there still are expected to be some familiar faces in Stanimir Stoilov's starting eleven.
Aston Villa’s Stiliyan Petrov will be performing his duties in the middle of the part and his namesake Boton’s Martin will be providing his marauding runs down the wing.
Ex Manchstester City striker Valeri Bojinov is expected to start upfront for the Bulgarians, who will be going into the match with renewed confidence given England’s recent performances on the pitch.
The match will start at 2000 BST and if the reverberations from a calamitous world cup campaign are to be stopped, England will have to come up with a performance of note as the fans will not be in any forgiving mood.
Discuss.
When the English three Lions embarked on the same journey to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, England had a point to prove, Capello was new to the job and was under immense pressure as England failed to reach the preceding European Championships and when Fabio Capello delivered the promise, there was fresh hope for England.
England were emphatic in their qualifying campaign, as they secured qualification to South Africa with a near perfect record but only to self destruct in the actual campaign.
England will hope for a renewed faith and belief as they set on their quest to book a place in the Euro 2012 to be held in Poland and Ukraine.
There still are shenanigans going on about the Capello reign, as England humiliatingly lost to fierce rivals Germany and crashed out of the World cup but the English FA has put their hope in the Italian manager and even the players have backed Capello ahead of this fresh start.
After the World Cup, Capello promised widespread changes in the squad and spelled the end of an era when he said there will be no room for David Beckham in his squad and he promised to bring in youngsters into the fray. However, as England prepares to take on Bulgaria tonight, there appears to be a similar look to the English squad.
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry have been ruled out of the match with a groin and hamstring injuries and apart from the forced changes, all the others will be the same that were outclassed by Germany
Rio Ferdinand is still absent and despite featuring for 45 minutes for United reserves in the midweek, he is still missing from the thick of things. Phil Jagielka of Everton is set to take his place in the centre of the defence partnering Matthew Upson of West Ham, while Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson will be performing the duties of the wingbacks.
The injury to midfield talisman Lampard means that there may be space for Arsenal hotshot Theo Walcott, who is in inspirational form this season and has already scored a couple of beautiful goals for his club. Along with Walcott, the midfield will be expected to feature Steven Gerrrard, Gareth Barry and James Milner.
Meaning that scintillating talent Adam Johnson will only be confined to the bench once again, while Jermaine Defoe is all set to partner Wayne Rooney in the attack.
One place that is as certain as death and taxes, is the place between the posts where Joe Hart will start.
Bulgaria will be going into the match without Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov, who announced his retirement from international football but there still are expected to be some familiar faces in Stanimir Stoilov's starting eleven.
Aston Villa’s Stiliyan Petrov will be performing his duties in the middle of the part and his namesake Boton’s Martin will be providing his marauding runs down the wing.
Ex Manchstester City striker Valeri Bojinov is expected to start upfront for the Bulgarians, who will be going into the match with renewed confidence given England’s recent performances on the pitch.
The match will start at 2000 BST and if the reverberations from a calamitous world cup campaign are to be stopped, England will have to come up with a performance of note as the fans will not be in any forgiving mood.
Discuss.
