Fabio Capello's OFFICIAL 23-man squad

[Stephen_G]

for South Africa has been finalised

http://news.bbc.co.uk..._cup_2010/8713742.stm

Theo Walcott, Darren Bent, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, Leighton Baines, Scott Parker and Adam Johnson all miss out.

Walcott: Great pace but runs out of ideas when he gets to the oppo 18-yard box. No height or physical presence in the box either.
Bent: 24 in 38 in the Premier League means F.Hall to Fabio. What else does he have to do.
Dawson: Must have been close with Ledley King for the nod. Shame but he's got time on his side.
Baines: Started against Mexico. Probably ahead of Stephen Warnock in most stats in the Premier League.
Parker: Fantastic season for the Hammers. Don't really know why he's been omitted.
(Adam) Johnson: Gets in the squad ahead of his predecessor Stewart Downing and now neither of them are going to SA. Fair play to Capello though, his five minute cameo netted Boro £1 million as part of his transfer to Man City. Thanks Fab ;-)

[redman41]

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Strikers: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

[lesblue]

I would have liked to have seen Johnson given the chance. We are weak again on the left, and this guy has certainly impressed me from what I've seen. Not sure either that Upson is any better than Dawson, and I don't think Baines did himself any favours against Mexico. At least Emile's going!!!!!!!!

[dr b]

Wandered over from Q&P to see what was up here; as a typical American I pay a moderate amount of attention to soccer (yes, soccer!) every 4 years. (Actually that probably makes me an atypical American, since once every 4 years would be a lot for most of us. There is a reason that when we play Mexico here, it's like a home game for Mexico.)

I noted that the US roster has 9 guys who play for English/Scottish clubs, and 8 others who play in Europe. Are any of them considered to be any good over there? My understanding is that Tim Howard is viewed as a good goalkeeper, but what about the others? Does the US stand a chance in the opener, or would this be 1950 all over again if we won?

[joeluke]

Squad discussion thread from 'news' section

http://www.theanswerb...s/Question901502.html

Dr B.....Howard is a good goalkeeper, Donovan who spent a few months over here with Everton looked an excellent player........and by the way its called FOOTBALL (we invented it so we should know)

[Panic Button]

Association Football.

[joeluke]

Thanks for that added bit of irrelevance PB

[4getmenot]

Is brent going though?

[joeluke]

Darren Bent is not in the squad

[Booldawg]

dr b - most English people only get interested in 'soccer' every 4 years as well. Scots, Welsh and Irish even less.

[4getmenot]

yer I saw bent was. I was having a tongue in cheek moment about the boards on Sunday when they put D Brent up on it 3 times

[joeluke]

Lol, sorry 4get I didn't know that........David Brent would get my vote ahead of Mr couldn't-score-in-a-brothel Heskey though

[Panic Button]

Emile Heskey is like David Blaine - hangs around in a box for no apparent reason.

[thetruthhurts]

I'm happy with the squad apart from, Heskey.Now, I know he's a good supplier and yes, he's worked well with Rooney in the past, BUT.....what happens when we are in need of a vital equaliser or hopefully a winning goal, and Mr Heskey finds himself in front of goal with just the keeper to beat? Would you put any money on him scoring? I wouldn't back him, in front of an open goal! I sincerely hope he proves me wrong.

[TTG]

Expect Heskey to do nothing except miss sitters. Not a good player at all.

[piggynose]

i love it when ab´s become pundents on sab. do you really think the eye tie chose heskey to make the numbers up?
still think the septics will repeat 1950 again