Theo feels the cold shoulder of Capello

Selection day for England squads is always fun.

Firstly, you’ll have the surprise omission – for South Africa, it is widely received as Theo Walcott.

Normally he would be in for the simple fact he’s quick. Pace is always a good thing to have.

The only problem is Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon have got it as well. Plus a dab of reasonable form.

And of course, Walcott missing out is still infinitely less shocking than Sven’s decision to take him to Germany in 2006.

I desperately wanted to think of a good Theo headline tonight when I was doing the England spread and pen pics for the EDP – sadly it never came.

If it had been me as England boss – I know, unlikely – I’d have had Adam Johnson in there like a shot, for his quality with the ball more than anything.

That is the one reason David Beckham will be missed – that quality. It will happen, people will go on about it during the tournament.

All that said, I do think Fabio Capello’s squad is about right with what he’s got available.

And if the big players produce – Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole especially – England will beat most sides they come up against.

But Emile Heskey… is he really going to deliver in front of goal?

Is Steven Gerrard going to contribute on the left to the level he can?

Is Gareth Barry anywhere near the holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves was four years ago?

As I’ve kept saying, I’m a long way from being convinced we will seriously trouble the 1966 history boys.

But considering we’re now just 10 days away from World Cup kick-off and the hype is beginning to kick in, I’m ever willing to be proved wrong.

posted on 01 June 2010 23:09 byMichael Bailey - Sportsdesk

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