The Beautiful Game

As the qualification process winds down and more and more countries learn their fate ahead of the World Cup draw in Durban on December 4^th – a true nightmare is potentially going to happen for FIFA.

We are not talking about riots, or issues with South Africa’s infrastructure – we are talking about the potential for the two best players on the planet not being present next summer. That very outcome is hanging over Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Not only is this a massive issue for FIFA’s PR and Marketing team, but it is also a massive blow to all those who love the game.

Firstly, Ronaldo’s Portugal have struggled throughout their Qualification Group and look like sneaking into the Play-offs at the expense of Sweden. However, that will mean immense pressure and some very strong teams in the Play-offs - potentially the winker might not get the chance to play on the greatest stage of all when in the form of his life. He may be arrogant, he may fall to the ground easily but he is an amazing talent, and the most expensive footballer in history. Although Portugal have knocked out England in recent times, I would love to see Ronaldo lighting up the tournament, at least up until the Quarter Finals.

Secondly, the shambles that is the management style of Diego Maradona looks likely to condemn Argentina to miss their first FIFA World Cup in 39 years. Late, late, late in to Saturday night a last minute goal by the 57 year old striker Martin Palermo (okay, 35) meant Argentina scraped a victory against Peru (the same Peru team that had played eight games, lost them all, scored two goals and conceded 24). They now have to look to their final match away against Uruguay and hope results go their way to clinch the last Qualification spot or even the South American Play-Off place. Maradona has used a staggering 70-something players during Qualification and by no means is he left with an easy fixture as Uruguay have a phenomenal record at Montevideo.

He seems to make impulsive decisions before and during matches. If Messi ends up missing the 2010 FIFA World Cup, not only will Adidas be smarting (he is their lead global athlete) but the tournament will feel like something is missing – now imagine if both were to miss out.

What this could mean is a real shift in the perception of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Usually a tournament is talked about through the players. The Ronaldo World Cup of 2002, the Baggio World Cup of 1994, Pele 1958, Maradona 1986.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup could change that and move from superstar flair players, to organised and combative teams – working together towards the common goal. Victory.

 This will give the likes of Germany and excellent chance in South Africa, and also should see Brazil do well as Dunga has evolved a team of eleven isolated players in 2006 into a physical and powerful unit, with a hint of flair.

I can’t wait for next summer, but I just hope that come December 4^th Portugal and Argentina are in the hat and we avoid a FIFA World Cup being remembered as per Euro 2004 – the Greek Tragedy.

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Last night at about 8:07PM I was able to begin to wipe from my mind the memory of the last time I saw Croatia play at Wembley on that dark, wet and miserable night back in 2007 when England were eliminated from qualification for UEFA Euro 2008. As Frank Lampard stepped up to convert the penalty it felt like it was going to be a great night. The team playing well, keeping the ball, creating chances and scoring goals - but there was one element which I was getting a bit stuck on. Good old Emile Heskey.

Before the game I was fully bought in to starting Heskey over Defoe. Sure Defoe has been on fire for Spurs so far this season, but the England team look so much more balanced and get the best from Rooney and Gerrard when there is a big guy who can hold the ball up. However, the two chances that Heskey missed in the first half are ones that I am confident Harry Redknapp's wife could of scored - and if we have designs on winning the FIFA World Cup then we need two strikers who can offer a goal threat.

He is great at doing his job, has pretty good movement and makes Rooney play well - but I think that now we have the luxury of secured qualification Fabio Capello should turn to Carlton Cole. We know Heskey can do the job well. However, could Cole offer the complete package that as well as the hard graft and link play delivers an eye for goal?

It stunned me to find this from the Daily Mail;

Cole is easily the best option to replace Heskey.

I believe that he should start, and finish, both of the remaining competitive FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. There are 9 months for the team to be developed and refined and you could argue that with a fully fit crop of players only the right midfield and partner for Rooney are the ones that do not pick themselves (assuming David James is fit and playing well). Lennon deserves a run in the team - and he should get that after his MoM last night - but if we do not give Carlton Cole the minutes on the pitch we will never know and then what happens if Heskey gets injured in the first match?

Come on Carlton, don't let me down

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Manchester United are on the verge of signing Michael Owen on a free transfer from  Newcastle United.

Only time will tell if Fergie has lost his marbles, but I have a feeling he likes the odds of this bet..

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Each season, more and more players are involved in more and more fixtures. There has been a big debate around Theo Walcott and his involvement in the seniors prior to the UEFA U-21 European Championships , and that he will end up without any rest before getting stuck back in to pre-season training.

However, that has now gone away (although bound to resurface if he gets any injuries next season), and the fact that Gerrard plays 65 games in a season does not surprise anyone anymore. It is always going to happen as the game continues to grow and be the global power that it is. What is interesting to me in these days of huge squads (and teams with a number of star players) is whether resting players actually helps the team.

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So Spain have finally lost a match, there 36 match unbeaten run that looked set to carry them to glory has come to an end, oh wait, no. This is the U-21 Spanish.

England's young lions who turned them over in the UEFA European U-21 Championships 2-1 . A powerful performance masterminded by Stuart Pearce that saw England play intelligently with the ball, create chances and be solid at the back to cement their place in the Semi-finals.

Although nowhere near the same level as the FIFA World Cup, it does start to give hope that the next crop of England players and I am sure that a number of these lads will be starting to think this could springboard them on to the plane to South Africa if they return with the trophy. Muamba and Gibbs were excellent and Milner, despite missing a penalty, again looked a solid player. Walcott perhaps had a point to prove and hopefully his impact in the 2nd half with make him believe in the tournament again and not keep dreaming of the Seniors.

I will be intrigues to see what happens after the tournament, as there are bound to be numerous scouts attending these championships over the FIFA Confederations Cup - if you recall it was this tournament that launched  Massimo Maccarone, Mark Hately and Bobby Zamora, so watch this space...

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The RMT strike that has effected London's Underground network yesterday/today/tomorrow has created a knock-on to the poor old real fan. England are playing their final FIFA World Cup Qualifier tonight against Andorra at the £850M planned and 8th wonder of the world Wembley Stadium, and with the transport issues not only will the FA lose more than £1M, but the real fan will be the one losing out.

It is still a tough ask to get a ticket to an England match, especially the big ones that come along. Andorra at home gave a opportunity for kids who might never get to a competitive England game to go with their families and experience an England game live, without there being 55 substitutions.

I remember as a lad going to Wembley to watch England play, it was always a real treat, something special and amazing - the home of football, where we won the World Cup - and even though I have never experienced England actually winning anything those early memories have always been the foundation to my passion for football. Across the country today families will be accepting the bullet - and killing kids dreams - by getting a refund from the FA and giving up the chance to see Rooney, Beckham, Gerrard and Co. All this because a small % of Union Officials are not fully satisfied and have a threat of redundancies - imagine if this approach was taken by everyone, the country, the world would fully shutdown.

It is great that the FA are refunding tickets, but I don't understand the set-up. So the tubes are down, but the trains are not even stopping at Wembley tonight, there are no extra bus services or parking options. I understand that they want to make a protest, but surely they can see that they are hurting the general punter, not the Government.

I am still going to go, and will have to walk, bus, train, walk to get there to cheer on the 3 Lions - ill be amazed if there are more than 30,000 there, but want to be there and not let these few take it away from me. I just think it is a real shame that this is going to have such an impact on the future England fans.

Just imagine if they pull this again during the Summer of 2012......

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