Who Makes It? On The Plane To Brazil

Just under a week until we know who to pin our childhood excitement on, however inevitable failure at the quarter final stage appears. The next in a long line of decisions for Roy Hodgson is who exactly has earned the place on the plane? His recent comments that a last dash of form wouldn't change his mind may be true, but it is worth examining those that seem set to miss out unless they do something spectacular with two to go in the Premier League season.

Goalkeepers
Obviously Joe Hart, but which other two deserve a place on the bench? For me, it is down to three for the two spots. Celtic's Fraser Forster has once again been solid for the Scottish champions this season, as he has for the past few campaigns. The main criticism levied against the ex-Newcastle man is that his abilities are overplayed due to the favourable clean sheet statistics, thanks mostly to Celtic's huge superiority in the league. However, having seen his performances against Barcelona both this season and last, I take such criticism with a pinch of salt. Reliable when called upon, I think he would be my number two.

So who for the last place? For me, despite the talk of youngster Jack Butland making the side, it has to be between West Brom's Ben Foster and Norwich's John Ruddy. The statistics demonstrate how marginal it is. While Ruddy's 11 clean sheets betters that achieved by Foster, who has only managed 7, the Norwich stopper has conceded 6 goals more than his West Brom counterpart. Perhaps that says more about the defence in front of him than his ability, but nevertheless a difficult decision. However, these, and any other stats like saves (which Ruddy also leads) are somewhat skewed by the fact that Ben Foster only managed 5 appearances in the first half of the season, with Boaz Myhill being preferred to the Englishman. Going purely on my gut feeling, I would take Ruddy. He is an excellent shot stopper who has earned the opportunity. Not that Foster hasn't, but his previous experience and mistakes unfortunately count against him.

Defenders
Now it gets interesting. With neither of the usual stalwarts of Rio Ferdinand or John Terry available for selection, a little more reshuffling is needed in the World Cup backline. Beginning at left back, it is a case of two places, three candidates. The left back present in the last three world cups, Ashley Cole, is not assured of his place this time around, having been robbed of his club spot by Cesar Azpilicueta. With the Chelsea defender being talked about as over the hill, it offers flying Everton wing back Leighton Baines the chance to cement that first team spot. Though the Toffees player has not been as effective this year as previous campaigns, he remains our best left back, and I would certainly take him (assuming his home sickness means he can go!).

This is one of the positions where a late run will make all the difference. Despite being sensational in the early to mid season, Southampton's Luke Shaw has flown somewhat under the radar in the last few weeks. Unfortunately for the 18 year old, this has happened just as Cole has returned to the fore for Chelsea in the big games in the Champions League and Premier League. For me, I would take Shaw. Cole has been an excellent servant of England, but his time is over, and it is time to allow the next generation of England players to take the main stage. With Baines into his early 30's, he is unlikely to keep the left back shirt for long, meaning that Shaw is the most likely to hold down the place in the long term.

Going into the centre of the field, it is again tough. I think that Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka have already booked their places on the plane. This is not necessarily as a result of any performances this year, though Cahill has been exceptional this season in particular, but the partnership that the pair have created at the heart of England's defence. Outside of this pair, who is there? Thankfully not Matt Upson, but the likes of Joleon Lescott, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Steven Caulker and Ryan Shawcross have all been mentioned in relation to the contest. Of these, I would take Phil Jones, and maybe surprisingly, Steven Caulker. Lescott has not played enough games this season, while Ryan Shawcross and Chris Smalling are about as consistent as simulation decisions.

Right back is a little more confirmed. Though Liverpool's Jon Flanagan has had a good season, he is not ready for the World Cup. As a result, his teammate Glen Johnson and Tottenham's Kyle Walker seem shoo-ins for the squad. Both have had anonymous seasons, but with relatively little competition, it is certainly the position that England are struggling for now.

Midfielders
Here I will split this into central midfielders and wingers. Beginning with central midfielders, with Steven Gerrard's incredible season this year, he is impossible to rule out. Equally, exceptional years for Southampton's Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson mean that I would take them too. That leaves just two places. So who is left?

Chelsea's Frank Lampard has had a difficult season, with sporadic appearances for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, and being less effective going forward than he has been in previous years. Nevetheless, his England pedigree means that he cannot be ignored for consideration. Equally, injury has hit Jack Wilshere's England charge this year, with his appearances for Arsenal limited to a handful. Manchester United, despite a horrific season, have a number of English candidates, and Michael Carrick is certainly one of them. The defensive midfielder has struggled this year, after a number of excellent years for the Red Devils. Manchester City's James Milner, often maligned for being dull and boring, is perhaps the most consistent and hardworking player of the lot. What he lacks in flair, he more than makes up for in tenacity. However, his first team appearances have also been limited with the arrival of Jesus Navas. Ross Barkley, the Everton playmaker has shown desire, drive and innovation, but does his youth and inexperience count against him in such a hotly contested position? Tom Cleverley? No. Just no. Too far.

So which two get the nod? Though I would love to see Barkley lighting up the Maracana in July, I just wouldn't take the risk. There are too many experienced and seasoned campaigners to take the young Evertonian, but his time will come. At the other end of the scale, I would discount Frank Lampard. Though he can take a good penalty (always an important consideration with England), his best days are behind him, and he is no longer the 20 goals a season player we are used to seeing. It is so difficult to separate the three remaining, but I would take Carrick and Milner. Both have experienced World Cup football before, and both have the drive and work ethic to succeed in tough conditions. I feel Wilshere, with his well publicised petulance, would be far too easily wound up by the likes of Pepe and the South Americans with their diving to risk taking. Who knows, he may end up swearing at more crowds? Carrick offers reliability, while Milner offers stability in the midfield, which will be essential when playing sides with pace.

Now, to wingers. It's a shame Theo Walcott will not be on the plane, as he more than many deserves the opportunity after a lightning fast start to the season. However, the winger to most benefit from this has to be Raheem Sterling. The 19 year-old Liverpudlian has performed beyond everyone's expectations in the second half of the season, putting defences to the sword and acting as the catalyst for Liverpool's incredible title challenge. He is definitely there. Other than him, it is difficult. No-one else has stood out massively, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andros Townsend denied games by both injury and more illustrious teammates. Aaron Lennon has been a regular starter, but has failed to fully take advantage. Similarly, Adam Johnson at Sunderland has attempted to show fight, with a few good mid-season performances. However, he has not been consistent throughout the season. For me, I would take the North London duo of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lennon. Despite his excellent performances for his country, Townsend has not done enough to win a place throughout the season.

Forwards
Two of these are already sewn up. Wayne Rooney remains United's shining light despite the trials and tribulations, and Daniel Sturridge, behind just Luis Suarez and Yaya Toure, would be my pick for player of the season. So who gets the last two places? It would have been Jay Rodriguez after a phenomenal couple of years, but his horrific injury has cut that dream short. Despite a late run by Andy Carroll, I would take Rickie Lambert and Danny Welbeck. I dislike Welbeck's play in general, as his touch is often abysmal but he works hard. He is just an English Carlos Tevez, but he does have an excellent scoring record for the Three Lions. On the other hand, Lambert more than deserves his place. His power and aerial ability is important, but he is also more than capable of using either foot, and his dead ball delivery is exceptional.

Full Squad

Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Celtic), John Ruddy (Norwich City)

Leighton Baines (Everton), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

England Series: Harry Redknapp: The Jilted Lover

                            In the build-up to Tuesday's do-or-die fixture at home to Poland, I will be running an England mini-series, looking at the talking points that have haunted the England side's preparations, and looking at their chances going forward. A few weeks ago, I gave my opinion on Greg Dyke's comments that England should be looking to reach the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 competition, and win the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. This assumes that the groundwork is already in place for England to become a viable winner of trophies, as Spain's 'Golden Age' really began a decade or so previously, with the change of several rules regarding training of youngsters. Using the State of the Game report, as well as evidence from the current England squad and the lower leagues, I will examine just how much creedence can be given to Dyke's claims. I dismissed them a few weeks ago-was I wrong to?

                             This post will be the last in my 'headline-makers' aspect to this England series, and has perhaps been the most damaging to English footballing stability. It concerns Roy Hodgson's appointment as England manager in the spring of 2012 was a surprise, as the front runner for the position from the start had been then Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. The loveable Cockney Arry', best known for his transfer deadline day antics, most famously hanging out of his car window, and his odd resemblance to a bulldog, had proven himself to be one of the Premier League's top managers in the previous few seasons. Having taken Spurs from the relegation zone after 7 games of the 2008/2009 season, he transformed the North London club's fortunes, taking them to a league cup final in the same season, where they lost narrowly on penalties. The following year, he led Spurs to 4th place, and a Champions League spot for the first time in the club's history. A remarkable run in the competition took them to the quarter finals, where they had accept defeat against Real Madrid. Nevertheless, from the relegation zone to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in two years is a quite incredible run, and put the Spurs manager on the lips of many for the recently available post of England manager.

                              However, things took an unexpected turn for the Londoner. With all the distractions over his potential move, his Spurs side began to slide away from the title race in 2011/2012, even finishing behind local rivals Arsenal. This meant that they missed out on the automatic Champions League places, which would prove incredibly costly. With Chelsea winning the tournament, 4th was not enough to get them into the Champions League the following year. To make matters worse for media darling Arry', despite him being installed as overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss, the FA opted to go with Roy Hodgson, a decision met with derision by many in the footballing world. They say that bad things come in threes, and this was to be the case for Harry, as no sooner had the season concluded, with Spurs equalling their best ever finish to a Premier League season, he and Spurs parted ways, due to 'unresolved contract issues'. Since the dismissal, Redknapp's managerial career seems to have been in terminal decline. He quickly found employment in the form of struggling QPR last season, only to lead the club down, rock bottom of the Premier League. Since the speculation over the England job, he had not been the same successful Harry that football had known and come to love, and, underneath, there was developing a rather bitter edge to the Cockney manager that few had fully experienced.

                               This bitterness was suddenly thrust into the public eye with the release of his autobiography in October 2013. Here, he registers his disgust at the FA for the decision-making in the run-up to the announcement of Roy Hodgson as England manager. Whilst the former Spurs manager states that he never held anything against the former Fulham manager, the tone in which he wrote his words suggests exactly the opposite. Just read some of the words he (and by that I mean Martin Samuel) wrote: 'I wouldn't trust the FA to show me a good manager if their lives depended on it', 'Everyone says I was the people's choice, the only choice' and 'I got quite a few text messages at the time from players saying they would love me to manage England: Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry. But the FA went for Roy Hodgson-a man who is more their cup of tea.' All of these quotes have an undertone of bitterness to them, and will do little to further his career.

                                 These comments are also exactly what Roy Hodgson and England did not need in the build up to their two most critical World Cup Qualifiers for Brazil 2014. With England not guaranteed qualification, two performances (at home to firstly Montenegro, and then Poland) would be required to ensure their place in South America. Considering that Harry specifically says in his book that he wants England to do well, you have to question the release date of an autobiography that is so critical of the England manager and the FA. Surely it wouldn't have made any difference to Redknapp if he had waited to release his book for another week? Or perhaps that was his intention-especially if England did fail to qualify over the following two games. That way, he could point to the England performances as evidence of the FA's incompetence in appointing Hodgson over him, as predicted in his book. Had he released it a week later, he could be accused of acting in hindsight, when his claims would not have as much of an effect. Perhaps that is me being cynical, but they are certainly questions that can be levied at the former Spurs boss.

                                  Timing aside, the way in which Redknapp has criticised the FA will do nothing to aid the England side as they prepare for the game against Poland. Any negative comments about the squad, manager and FA will inevitably destabilise the side, potentially even causing the seed of doubt into the minds of the England players. If the Montenegro game is anything to go by, we shouldn't worry too much about the mental effect, but nevertheless, it is hardly the ideal preparation. Redknapp has inherently criticised all three of those groups, claiming that recent performances at World Cups have not been acceptable, that the manager is not the right man, and as we have heard, aimed several shots across the bows of the FA. How much of this is influenced by the ludicrous expectations placed upon our national side by the media and the FA, I am unsure. However, we have been shown that our national team needs little excuse to implode, and these comments could certainly have been the catalyst.

                                   In my opinion, Harry Redknapp has acted very much like a jilted lover. His bitter comments to the press are broadly similar to telling your friends embarrassing secrets about your ex after they have broken up with you. How malicious the intent of both the comments, and the timing of them, are cannot be proven, but my cynical mind tends to suspect that there is a very good reason for releasing his comments when he has. Such has his recent conduct been, I would almost expect him to have a rebound one-night stand managing another national side to try and make England jealous! His managerial failure with QPR has left him wildly blaming others for his decline, with the FA the prime recipients of his bile. If nothing else, this episode has illustrated precisely why the FA made the right decision to go with Hodgson. If a manager deals with disappointment by bitching about others to the press, he is hardly the professional you need. His media darling image has well and truly gone now, and I expect him to become the managerial equivalent of a spinster, with his only supporters his loyal bulldogs.