[funkdoctorspock]

I really don't know what to make of this.

No Defoe
Curtis Davies called up after 8 EPL starts
An inconsistent Owen
No Beckham

I understand the Beckham mindset now. Apparently Capello assured Beckham that he is still in the plans, so we'll see what happens. In my opinion, Beckham should have signed elsewhere to play in Europe. Its really coming back to hunt him, especially since he wants to fight for a spot.

I'm a big Jermain Defoe fan, and in my opinion he needs to leave Spurs and go somewhere so he can start week in and week out. I'm sure that not getting regular play with Spurs cost him an NT spot again.

Capello still has 7 cuts to go, so lets see what happens.

Curtis Davies is the surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's first England squad, while David Beckham will not win his 100th cap against Switzerland and Paul Robinson has been left out.


New England coach Capello has selected a provisional 30-man squad for the game at Wembley against the Euro 2008 co-hosts on Wednesday 6th February.

Aston Villa defender Davies, who is currently on loan from West Brom, is picked for the first time after making just eight Premier League appearances this season.

Davies' club colleague Gabriel Agbonlahor is also included, while the likes of Glen Johnson, Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate are also back in the international setup.

But there is no place in the squad for Robinson, with the Spurs keeper not currently first choice at club - Capello has selected David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland as his goalkeepers.

As expected, former captain Beckham will not be involved in the game, with Capello citing the midfielder's lack of match fitness for his omission.

John Terry, who was skipper under previous coach Steve McClaren, is missing through injury, along with Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.

Spurs strikers Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent are not included the squad, but Michael Owen is selected despite his recent poor form for Newcastle United.

England squad: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City) Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur) Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)
Sky Sports | Football | News | Capello springs squad shock

[GocartMozart]

the one positive is that he's not swayed by public sentiment and is looking to do what he thinks is best for the team. he's clearly not phased by the personalities at hand. to me that's step one for england to regain some of the respect that their hype has built.

[Silas "Subpoena" Awaketh]

Although Capello did not make a mistake per se by not naming Beckham in the squad, but I think he denied him a chance to say good bye to his fans, at home, in a meaningless friendly, although this game is unoffically bigger than the World Cup final for the press. It's obvious, Beckham would never be in Capello's plan, because of his age, and lack of matcn fitness (even if he plays everyday in MLS), but he could've done Beckham a huge favor by introducing him at 70', and letting him stay till the end of the game, since, he is the ONLY English player to DESERVE this. Beckham had been training with Arse for a month or so now as well, shows how eager he is.

This will what will happen now. Every paper will go berserk, spouting shit about the situation. This will pop up a week before every game. "Will Beckham play?", "David vs Goliath". And if the Swiss, by chance, draw or win this game, England are back to square one.

On the other hand, this shows what Capello is in for the business, for what he is being paid for, and not making it a circus like it was with the jokers before him.

Emile Heskey's in, but Defoe is not? Neither is Johnson? Bent? :s He'll be the 4th choice anyways (starters - Rooney and Owen, with Crotch on the bench), so I don't think it makes a difference.

Thanks!

[Dirtycheat]

Thats actually a pretty decent list. Nice to see upson back in the frame, he has been playing well for west ham.

I feel beckham really should have been included but there are rumours as to why he wasnt. Apparently Capello was a bit angry that becks went all the way to brazil to open a soccer school instead of proving his fitness. I still think becks has an england future because he is still a very good player. Beckham really deserved this cap IMO but i think Fabio is trying to experiment a bit. He may also be trying to prove a point by ignoring pressure from fergie, sven and the media to play him.

Im sure either way becks will feel burnt by the exclusion.

Curtis Davies is ok but his debut was a shocker. He isnt quite ready yet IMO but he does have a lot of potential. Giving him a taster of international football will do him no harm i suppose.

It's obvious why bent wasnt chosen but im not sure why defoe was overlooked. Owen still isnt back to his best and im not sure about him. Heskey did well last time for Mclaren so he deserves that place.

im excited about Young and Agbonlahor. They have lot of potential and have improved a lot. They are quick on the ball and are very effective together. Hopefully they will get a decent run out.


Will be interesting to see who is captain for this match. Might be a good indicator of who capello choses to be the next england captain.

[RobsonLegend]

Significant as this match will be since it's Capello's first in charge, it's still a friendly. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt as far as his "other players are more match-fit" excuse for leaving out Becks this time. At least he's showing enough balls to stand up to the media. In spite of the issues they've had in the past, surely it doesn't take a genius to see that Becks was one of England's best over the past year, if not the best?

I'm still wondering exactly how long it will take for Robert Green to get his due. He's done a massive job for West Ham this season, and it is simply stunning to me that he continues to get the snub.

Reading doesn't show up much on tv, and whenever they do, they're usually playing one of the top clubs in the Premiership. Based on what little I've seen of him, I am not overly-impressed by Nicky Shorey.

Captain: Rio? Gerrard?

[GocartMozart]

Ummm Funky did you not know that Defoe has been traded to Portsmouth?

Sky Sports | Football | News | Defoe in talks with Pompey

[mgf.]

There are quite a few youngsters in Young and Agbonlahor. I feel like beckham should have been included.

Tbh i don't rate Jeleon Lescott, he's not england class imo. I would have prefered Phil Neville or something.

No Andy Johnson? Pretty suprised by that tbh.

Captain...I think Rio

[funkdoctorspock]

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

Ummm Funky did you not know that Defoe has been traded to Portsmouth?

Sky Sports | Football | News | Defoe in talks with Pompey

I had no idea actually.

I'm delighted that Defoe is giving himself any opportunity to showcase his talents. Awesome.

If I had a gripe, it would be that I would have preferred him at Aston Villa. I was thinking that a Defoe - Agbonlahor strike partnership would have been great.

Either way, Defoe should easily make the next set of callups over Owen, Heskey or Crouch.

Another personal gripe about the English setup. The big-little strike combo really isn't needed. EPL teams have shown that you don't need it. Quite a few of the top NT teams show you don't need it. So why go with it? If Capello is here to bring about a complete revamp on England's attacking mindset, that should be definitely high on the list of changes.

[Torque]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

I'm a big Jermain Defoe fan, and in my opinion he needs to leave Spurs and go somewhere so he can start week in and week out. I'm sure that not getting regular play with Spurs cost him an NT spot again.

Well, here's what i've read on uefa.com

Originally Posted by uefa.com

Tottenham Hotspur FC have sold England striker Jermain Defoe to Portsmouth FC while adding Brazilian international left-back Gilberto to their squad.

Defoe moves
Gilberto, 31, arrives at Tottenham from Hertha BSC Berlin for a reported fee of €2.5m. Leaving White Hart Lane, meanwhile, is Defoe who has joined Premier League rivals Portsmouth FC for an undisclosed sum. The 25-year-old has failed to command a regular place, with just three of his 19 top-flight appearances this season coming from the start. Defoe, whom Tottenham had signed from West Ham United FC four years ago, has agreed a long-term contract with Portsmouth. In total, he scored 43 goals in 138 league games for Spurs.

Defensive options
Gilberto, whose pedigree includes 28 Brazil caps, recently passed a century of appearances for the Bundesliga club after his transfer from AD São Caetano in 2004. Gilberto had a short-lived stint with FC Internazionale Milano earlier in his career. He becomes Juande Ramos's fourth defensive acquisition of the transfer window following the arrivals of Alan Hutton, Jonathan Woodgate and Chris Gunter.

Stalteri departure
Also exiting Tottenham, albeit temporarily, is Paul Stalteri who has gone to fellow London outfit Fulham FC on loan until the end of the season. Like Defoe, the 30-year-old Canadian international defender has been limited to three starts this league campaign. He was previously with Werder Bremen.

[dave2k]

With a proper manager, we may finally be able to prove ourselves as what we are worth. Although it is kinda harsh that Beckham isn't getting his 100th cap soon