So, here it is, Capello's provisional 30 man squad from which the eventual 23 man squad for the tournament will be drawn:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney
Although FIFA rules allow for inclusions in the final 23 that are not in the 30, one can assume that barring injury in the interim, this is it! And there are some surprises too.
Leighton Baines has had a fine season in sometimes trying circumstances, and with Wayne Bridge's withdrawal, is natural cover for Cashley.
Biggest surprise for me is Jamie Carragher, a man who said not so long ago that he didn't care about England, and actually retired from international duty. Couldn't be bothered helping us qualify, but now we're there... what a c**t. Doesn't deserve a place either on form or loyalty so what the hell is he doing here? On a purely footballing level he is is too old and slow, and won't get away with hauling down players in South Africa. One hopes he doesn't make the plane, if he does ahead of Dawson, it will be a disgrace. If only it was Paul Scholes coming out of retirement!
Michael Dawson has had a great season with Spurs and thoroughly deserves his place.
Some might say Ledley King is a risk as he cannot train, but form dictates he should have a place, and in any case is he any more injury prone now than Ferdinand? Probably a better player too.
Joe Cole - I thought this World Cup would pass him by, but I'm glad Capello's included him as his experience will prove invaluable.
Tom Huddlestone - another player in on the back of Spurs' exploits this season, and offers something different to the all too predictable fare sometimes served by Lumps & Stevie G.
Adam Johnson - seen very little of this guy, but what I have seen shows a fine football brain in development, and unlike the other out and out wingers in the squad, appears to be able to cross the ball. Lennon is improving in this area though.
Scott Parker - carried The Hammers at times this season, will probably move in the summer. As with Huddlestone offers something different. Every team needs a scrapper in midfield.
Darren Bent was probably always going to get the fifth striker berth after a good season with unfashionable Sunderland, but will probably be left at home.
So - My 7 to be left behind, assuming everyone is match fit:
Hart (his time will come)
Carragher (PLEASE!)
King (Despite what I said above, he will probably strain something while putting his socks on, and you'd be crossing everything at 50/50 balls, or, would he play 2 or 3 games in quick succession and then have to miss the important one, thus unsetlling the defence? Too risky. A shame because he's the best defensive footballer in the squad by a mile, Ferdinand included.)
Warnock
One of the 3 right wingers, depends on performances between now and then, but preferably SWP.
Johnson (his time will come too)
Bent
Bring it on!!!!!
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