The England world cup squad

Does Mr Cappello realise the trouble that lies ahead in South Africa when finally he will be judged. All round adulation and a series of awards for coming through a group in qualifying with the minimum of fuss has in my mind distorted his thinking and the stench of complacency has filtered through the ducts of all media offices up and down the country.

Sven made a habit of cruising through groups without the same unadulterated fuss and always made the last eight. No chance of that happening this time.

Let us examine the current state of the squad.

Joe Hart is the only contender for the No 1 and after a great season at Birmingham deservedly so. Lack of international experience however must be a worry and the cover options are very poor.

The centre backs Ferdinand and Terry are in disarray and there isn't a full back worth his salt defensively in sight.

Midfield there are Gerard and Lampard who we know cannot play together. In my mind Milner is a must for central midfield however he is in Cappello's thoughts as a full back.

Striker wise its Rooney and one other. I think Rooney has peaked early and will be jaded. The other picks are all to cumbersome and not suited to a tournament where craft and speed of thought will be the requisite qualities.

I will follow up with my squad in a later blog as well as talking about the upcoming Cheltenham festival where there has to be shocks aplenty due to the bad weather.

Any suggestions for the England squad post them to me at twitter.

Manchester United and Rangers for big wins today.

Enjoy your Sunday sport.

That was the week that was!

The Manchester derby takes pride of place today after one of the most insightful weeks into the current state of the British game. I fully expect the Master to put Hughes and his team in their place with an exhibition of controlled aggression mixed with speed, flair and goal scoring power.

The incredible decision by UEFA this week in the Eduardo case has given an absolute mandate for a cheats charter and the Europa experiment with six officials was farcical. Football will never be the same and my conclusion is that we must revert to the sacred rule of the match official's decision being final. I would do away with all TV evidence, rescinding of cards and retrospective legislation. Let argument and debate rage in the grounds and pubs and then there will be equality at all grades of the game including grassroots. Referees are a horrible breed but a necessary evil and managers and players will just have to include their ineptness in their planning and playing.

Arsene Wenger has lost a huge amount of respect this week. He endorses cheating and never finds fault with his players but was at pains to get Adebayor into trouble. If he goes a fifth successive year without a trophy he deserves the sack.

On a refreshing note later in the week the very wise and able Mr Souness delighted SKY viewers as usual with his insightful views on the current mood of the modern day player. He is spot on and has had the courage to come out and say what many people know. It always amazes me that people are critical of his managerial record as it stands up well to careful scrutiny. Most of today's stars wouldn't have lived with him on the pitch and most of todays managers will not ever touch silverware. Funny how even today arrogance and success bugs people who would instead champion all the wrong habits and morals.

I hope Manchester United restore just a little bit of faith in the game I love.

THE POWER OF THE MEDIA

Video footage released by the Guardian sparked furore this week surrounding the alleged assault, and subsequent death of Ian Tomlinson. He, as you will by now know, was the newspaper seller who was supposedly  on his way home from work and just happened to find himself in the middle of the main G20 protest lobby positioned outside the Bank of England.

Now, I have studied the various clips very carefully, and I just do not see the body language of a man caught up in a situation he would wish to avoid. Dressed in a shabby shell suit and slightly overweight, he ambles and swaggers in front of the police in an ambivalent manner suggesting a healthy disrespect for law and order. 

What is extraordinary is the backlash from the media referring to Britain as ' a police state ' and castigating the force at each and every turn. 

Even more disturbing was the role the media had to play in the Bob Quick resignation this week.

The Anti terror chief, highly respected within the Met, blundered badly when allowing highly sensitive documents, relating to an anti terrorist operation, to be captured on film by a journalist. The operation was immediately brought forward and was a complete success with 12 arrests being made and a major cell uncovered. Would our press really jeopardise the national security for a story. Where does integrity and public interest meet on the scale.

Mr Quick has shown great humility in resigning and a certain London Mayor has got his way after his public display of contempt over the arrest of Damian Green, instigated by Mr Quick, some months ago.

The Steven Gerrard myth was once again exposed during the week as a refreshed and invigorated Michael Essien got full use of his suitably embroidered back pocket.

Frank Lampard must play central midfield for England partnered by a suitably disciplined holding player.

Sir Alex must achieve what no other Manager of a British club has come next wednesday. We have been here before have we not.

Augusta is in full swing and my tip, young Rory McIlroy, needs to make the cut thereafter anything is possible. Be warned I did tip the German juggernaut Bayern Munich against Barcelona during the week.

I hope everyone has an excellent Easter break.

GRAND NATIONAL SATURDAY

What a week of controversy and what a weekend of Sport to look forward to.

Grand National synopsis to follow, but let's have a recap and opinion, in no particular order of 'That was the week that was."

The G20 in London panned out in expected fashion. Perfectly executed operation, well hosted, delivering exactly what was required within tolerance limits, to enable the wisest of us to at last see the much heralded green shoots of recovery. The dirty unwashed pathetic protesting mob, easily handled by a police force which is totally up to speed in these difficult times, unable to get any sort of message across to an unsympathetic huge majority of hard working and law obeying citizens. I used to get angry about these tax dodgers but in the bigger picture they are merely a very small minor irritant. So well down Gordon Brown who continues to work tirelessly despite unabated criticism.

In a tiny corner of France Mr Paul le Guen permitted himself a small smile of satisfaction as he tucked into his morning Croissant.

The SFA and Rangers are spot on in this one with the fans at last being uppermost in the minds of the shiny shoe brigade as they made their decision. I sincerely hope George Burley and his staff can now take Scotland to the finals via the play offs.

Louis Hamilton exposed for what he is and Andy Murray racking up the diddy final appearances!

Another shooting massacre in America again bringing into contention gun laws and the constitutional rights of the individual.

Now to todays Grand National. I have the winner but here are some ideas for consideration.

Slight rainfall should not affect the going which is expected to be good.

Lots of late money for last years winner Comply or die. Can he become the first to rack up two in a row since the legendary Red Rum?

Cloudy lane is the best horse in the race but is carrying top weight?

State of Play and Black Apalachi have major chances!

E/W choices are Parsons Legacy, Snowy Morning, Rambling Minster and Idle talk!

I am ruling out My Will and Butlers Cabin. Ruby will not follow up his Cheltenham miracle and McCoy has as much chance of winning the National as Andy Murray has of winning a Slam!

Getting close to the verdict however consider this: Nos 6 and  7 in the race are Ollie and Stan!!

My best each way shout is Irish Invader and I have no doubt about the Winner being KILBEGGAN BLADE.

Enjoy the day.

Raffa's new deal, Not so fab Fab and Miscarriage of justice

So finally Rafa has won his war, ousting Rick Parry, and getting the better of the Americans Gillete and Hicks. Good or bad for Liverpool FC. The fans are split down the middle on this one.

Here's my take on the situation. There is now an incredible amount of pressure on Rafa to deliver a trophy this season. Why? Because if he doesn't what has changed. Key players will be a year older and the squad still isn't strong enough despite the vast spending of recent seasons. £25 million over the next five seasons is a huge investment with the Premier league title still the holy grail for the club. I cannot help thinking the events of the last seven days have blinkered the club hierarchy into another false dawn. Robbie Keane is only one of a number of signings who have come and gone without either making, or being given the opportunity to make an impact. Even although they have taken a lot of points from their top four rivals they are unlikely to win the league. What happens if they are paired with barcelona in tomorrows Champions league draw.

So many things can go wrong and probably will. There is an imminent need for a new stadium as well as new players, so the future is far from certain. I think Liverpool will end up empty-handed this season and will be rid of Rafa by the end of next. Time will tell.

Lots of media coverage re the Arsenal v Hull FA cup tie during the week. Phil Brown astonishingly seems to be coming under attack and criticism from all sides in the cold light of day. Two main points out with the alleged spitting. Why was Fabregas allowed on to the pitch and why as Club captain was he attending a match at the Emirates dressed like some common hooded thug. Wenger has no real standards, and as the Spanish have proved often, neither do they as a nation!

Sean Hodgson was released as a free man yesterday after 27 years in jail.

New evidence in the form of DNA sampling, taken at the scene, did not prove a match with his, meaning the conviction was deemed unsafe. Recently Barry George won his appeal in the Dando murder, and there have been many more miscarriages of justice in the recent past.

Is it not now time that everyone in the country gave a voluntary DNA sample to provide a full database, which in turn will lead to either a sharp decrease in crime due to deterrent, or a higher detection and solving rate.

No doubt the human rights and privacy violation brigade would argue otherwise.

I leave you with this thought on the Sean Hodgson case.

Sean Hodgson was a compulsive liar who had a history of mental illness and actually confessed to the killing while in prison for a minor offence.

The Judge gave a damning summing up of the case which led the jury to their verdict.

Hodgson did discuss certain details from the murder scene that only someone present would have been aware of. That has not been explained and remains a stone unturned.

Gold cup day at the Oscars

After a drink induced days break yesterday, excitement reaches fever pitch on Gold cup day and I will start with that race which looks to be the most wide open and competitive for many years. As opposed to last year when we all knew Denman and kauto would finish in the top two, but not the order, this race has many conundrums to consider. Can barbers shop win for the queen who will be at the course today. Is Denman able to recover from a year of problems. Can Kauto be the first horse to regain the crown. Is this finally Exotic dancers day. What about Neptune and the classy up and coming Madison Du Berlais. I cannot unravel the puzzle. I think Madison Du Berlais will be in the frame as will Exotic however my heart tells me this will be a vintage Kauto day in oscars with all the crew on board and celebrating with a lavish rendition of Lily the Pink.

Here are my thoughts on the rest of the card.

1.30 Walkon or Zaynar with Jumbo Rio a good each way prospect.

2.05 Sunnyhill Boy (NAP) others to consider Dave's Dream, Raise your Heart and the supremely named Bedlam Boy at 50/1.

2.40 Pride of Dulcote, Browns Bailey and Weapons Amnesty.

4.00 Juveigneur and Cappa Bleu which I am reliably informed is a good thing.

4.40 The mighty Big eared Fran with Mamlock and Piraya others to consider.

5.15 Clew bay cove (NB) with Lorient Express for a place.

I am looking forward to a nice spot of lunch then a fabulous days racing and entertainment with the troops. I have no recollection of leaving the Polwarth the other night and there can be no repeat today with a huge cup tie versus Hutchison vale tomorrow.

I realise there has been flak regarding lack of blog yesterday. Watch out for major political debate over the weekend. Feel free to follow and comment as and when.

Enjoy

Cheltenham day 2

The champion jockey produced the ride of the day yesterday albeit his failure to follow up on Binocular made it a tough day for the punters. Cousin Vinny was another who did not deliver and the bookies only tough time came opposing JP in the cross country event.

Today is a nightmare and with the exception of the Queen Mother event where Masterminded cannot be opposed, picking winners will be tough with each way betting perhaps the soundest approach.

Here is some food for thought.

1.30 Cant buy time/Parsons Pistol     Le Beau Bai E/W

2.05 Karabak /Diamond Harry    Mikael D'Haguenet E/W

2.40 Cooldine/What a friend      Market Man E/W

3.20 Master Minded     Petit Robin E/W

4.00 The Polomoche {NAP}  Great Endeavour E/W

4.40 Miss Sarenne

5.15  Rites of passage (Patero banker of the meeting)

The Polwarth tavern is the venue for today's drinking renewal with the Man united v Inter clash for afters.

Lets hope everyone is upbeat come mid-afternoon today.

Enjoy