David Nugent's got a perfect record for England tbf. Scored a great goal in his only game.

And Klaus, glad that he's picked Henderson, Smalling and Carroll, the first two will play lots of games for England in the future. Not convinced that Carroll's anything more than the flavour of the month yet.

I don't know, Smalling still looks pretty rough to me. I would have called up Michael Turner for this one instead. He's been overlooked for a few seasons now despite putting in excellent performances on a regular basis.

Carroll has pulled out of the squad by the way.

Turner's a good shout but Capello's said this friendly is all about experimenting with some of our youngsters. Hopefully he sticks with that and Jack, Gibbs etc get significant minutes. And Smalling's clearly a talent, the likes of Roger Johnson and Michael Turner aren't going to play in any World Cups or Champions Leagues in their careers.

It's also a shame that the Chelsea game wasn't yesterday, Welbeck probably would have gotten in the squad on that performance. Edit - Maybe now he'll get his chance...

Yeah, in that case it's definitely understandable. Still, Turner is what - 27? He'll be in his prime for the Euros and Smalling will still be a United reserve.

Do you guys reckon Jack, Gibbs and Walcott will play then? I might give it a watch in that case.

Walcott will start. If Capello really is planning on giving the youngsters a chance then Gibbs and Wilshere will get at least 45 minutes, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't play.

from what Capello said, it seems Jack could play a half of the game..

John Terry looks set for a undetermined spell out on the sidelines. Good news.

Like the saying goes...

Couldn't have happened to a nicer cunt.

I know I'm a pessimistic bastard when it comes to our potential but this is a massive opening for us now. Chelsea have 3 proper CBs and with two of them out long-term, we have to take advantage of the situation; if we don't then we don't deserve any sympathy.

Again, despite my criticism, I think we probably have the most squad depth out of any side in the PL (with the possible exception of Citeh), so this is where that squad strength can come to the fore.

If they have to resort to Paulo Ferreira at centre-back again, they'll concede more goals. Imagine us using Eboue there (thankfully one of the few positions we haven't had the pleasure of him at...). I think he's their 5th choice for the position, but their 4th choice is Essien which certainly isn't ideal either. Suspensions for Alex and Ivanovic please!

Alex is out injured isn't he? No need for suspensions!

henrywinter

Wilshere started training, now gone down tunnel with physio. #eng

Well, fuck.

Probably not, but it was pretty poor of Capello to pick him and have him train despite knowing that he went off at half-time two days earlier.

Rhys Hutcherson, 20, suffered a gruesome 5in gash that just missed his eye and needed 45 stitches.

Yet Rhys, nephew of a police officer, was held for assault while his attacker went free.

This part is just unbelievable.

I doubt that he was held for assault but that attack is ridiculous. I don't think knife crime is particularly prevalent in Cardiff which makes it even more of a 'wow' moment.

Lansbury has had to go in goal for England u'21s

haha, just as Arsenal.com have an interview with James Shea saying Henri is always taking his gloves and going in goal in training...

Just stuck a tenner on them winning the league now; basically free money.

I'd go as far as saying that if we're not top by the end of January, then we don't deserve to win anything this season.

I dunno, our fixture list in the latter half of the season is easier I reckon. If we're somewhere near the summit by January I think we've a great chance.

They've got Ferreira as a CB; we really ought to be able to take advantage of that with just a two point gap.

Ferreira is really terrible as a centreback. Absolutely horrible. He is the sole reason they lost to Sunderland.

The sole reason.. 😆 Don't be silly.

A little overstatement but you get the idea. Every single attack of Sunderland, if you notice what Ferreira was doing 😆

Don Pacifico wrote:

I'd go as far as saying that if we're not top by the end of January, then we don't deserve to win anything this season.

Meh, trophies aren't handed out in January. My take on this season is that there aren't any defining games/months, ts simply who outlasts the other two. Even if we're 3rd in January, so long as we're within touching distance we'll be there or thereabouts.

I know what you mean though, if Chelsea do have a CB crisis now would be a great time to pounce. I think our best chance to win the league is to hit the front as early as possible.

Don Pacifico wrote:

I'd go as far as saying that if we're not top by the end of January, then we don't deserve to win anything this season.

But two weeks ago you said that no one in their right mind could possibly think that we're challenging for a trophy this season. I have to agree with Armor. Trophies are not handed out in november, nor in january.

I'll go out on a limb and make a bold prediction that if we are top of the table at the end of the 22nd of May, we most likely will win the premiership!

Lagos wrote:

I'll go out on a limb and make a bold prediction that if we are top of the table at the end of the 22nd of May, we most likely will win the premiership!

I didn't read your post properly the first time around lagos.
Overlooked the all important date!
Thought for a moment you'd gone mad 🙂

Klaus wrote:
Don Pacifico wrote:

I'd go as far as saying that if we're not top by the end of January, then we don't deserve to win anything this season.

But two weeks ago you said that no one in their right mind could possibly think that we're challenging for a trophy this season. I have to agree with Armor. Trophies are not handed out in november, nor in january.

I think that's kind of my point though. We have such a great opportunity now but we seem incapable of taking advantage of it and that is indicative of our capabilities; unfortunately despite my hopeful naivety, it seems as if my natural pessimism will once again be the winner this season.

Rumours doing the rounds on Twitter that Ancelotti handed in his resignation yesterday, which was rejected.

James wrote:

Rumours doing the rounds on Twitter that Ancelotti handed in his resignation yesterday, which was rejected.

Wouldn't be surprised. Martin Samuel reckoned Wilkins was sacked because Abramovich felt as if he amassed too much power, and reckoned Mourinho was sacked for similar reasons. I also wouldn't be surprised if their poor run of form has to do with what is happening behind the scenes.

The more Chelsea struggles, the harder it is to accept that we dropped points yesterday.

Does everyone feel as if Chelsea is a shoe-in for the title this season?

Such a strange thing to do. Apparently he got a seven-game suspension for it which will keep him out until early february.

That lad took it fairly well, huh?

That was retarded.

I was at the game where Suarez denied Ghana a place in the World Cup semi-finals. He's an unsporting bastard. No problem with him getting a long ban

yea he seems bit of a dickhead.

blackpool 2-0 up, get in!