With two more vital internationals coming up, Steve McLaren faces a dilemma. Actually, if he applies an ounce of common sense, he has a pretty straightforward decision to make, but we all know that common sense and decision-making tend to part ways rather dramatically where England selection is concerned, don’t we?
Frank Lampard is apparently fit again. Gareth Barry played better in his last two performancesfor the three lions than Lampard has in England shirt for about three years. The fact of the matter is that Barry must play and Lampard must sit on the bench - without whinging, whining and prodding at his new Gareth Barry voodoo doll with whatever sharp implement is to hand (which precludes, obviously, his wit).
And England must win, because despite my inept attempt of a month ago to make of myself a modern-day Cassandra, I really don’t think England will win in Russia. However, a win against Estonia and a draw against Russia should just about do the trick. For me, Russia’s fixtures look the easier: home to England and then away to Israel and Andorra. England are home to Estonia and away to Russia, then home to Croatia. It’s still very tight, and second place in the group could still go all the way to the wire . . .
Speaking of groups going all the way to the wire, what a fantastic performance from Scotland, to be leading the last two European winners of the World Cup, with only three games to go! I hope they make it. And as someone who still hasn’t forgiven Italy for the shameful cheating that knocked Australia out of the last World Cup, I hope France find the form to finish second. And please, oh gods of football, could Louis Saha for once return from international duty without an injury? Please?
A final thought: am I the only one who see sit as inevitable that Michael Owen will score against both Estonia and Russia, only to pull up injured about ten minutes from the final whistle in Moscow and be unable to play for Newcastle for another month?
