Goalkeepers: James (West Ham), Robinson (Leeds), Walker (Leicester). Defenders: Cole* (Arsenal), Bridge* (Southampton), Mills (Leeds), P Neville (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (Birmingham City) Midfielders: Beckham (Man Utd), Scholes (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle), Jenas (Newcastle), Hargreaves* (Bayern Munich), Murphy (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Sinclair (West Ham); Strikers: Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Rooney (Everton), Vassell (Aston Villa), Beattie* (Southampton). * Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Owen Hargreaves and James Beattie to join up with squad after South Africa match Walker??? Ian Walker? Is Sven taking the piss? Wright, Hoult and even Seaman must be well ahead of him in the pecking order. How the hell can you include a keeper who's just spent a season in division one? It looks to me like a squad hit by injuries but it's goot to see Jenas back in and a chance for Terry to show what he can do.
But Gareth Barry must be wondering whether he did something wrong in a previous life (oh no sorry, Hoddle's not manager any more). Honeslty, with Ashley Cole AND Wayne Bridge out for the S.Africa game, now would be a perfect opportunity to give Barry a start. But he doesn't even make the squad. Upson? Hmmm........
Yeah, Barry always impressed me when he played for England under Keegan what could be the harm in selecting him now?
I would tend to agree. Barry has done a job job, the only problem is he's in a p**s-poor Villa team. Maybe, if he does well next Season he may get a chance.
No way Walker sees anything but the bench anyway. What's it matter who the third keeper is? They're like having a third nut -- something pretty traumatic would have to happen before they see any action. I think it's more interesting that there's no Seaman. That's a fairly inglorious way to end your international career, not getting called in for a friendly. Ouch. Same questions remain: who's on the left and who's with Owen.
I agree, there's no way Walker will see any action, but he did have a great season with Leicester City (albeit in Division One). And Sven has kept his eye on Walker… I had a feeling Ian would be picked for the England side when Leicester went up (although not this soon).
I still can't believe he's called up a first division player. He should have called up some Bolton players like... err... ummm... Disregard.
I know a girl called Lizzie who could say a few things about what John Terry can do, but that's a subject for a different time, hopefully never.
I think Sven knows the end is near for Seaman, and wants to get some National team experience for the other Keepers. I think Seaman will make another appearance for the Nats.