England
The Great Handbag Scandal of ‘09

Could this work of art kill England's World Cup Bid?
OK so perhaps the title is a tad hyperbolic, but really things are getting ridiculous. A quick refresher course for those of you who have missed this: England (as you all should know) is bidding to host the 2018 World Cup. Recently there was a conference in London at which Jack Warner, a FIFA vice-president, was present. Geoff Thompson, former FA chairman and current FIFA vice-president, held a dinner which Warner and his wife attended. At said dinner Geoff Thompson presented Warner’s wife with a Mulberry handbag (and let me just state for the record that I’m incredibly jealous) valued at £230.
More England World Cup News
Please Stay Fit Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney contributed what looked like a good all round performance for Man Utd vs Blackburn on Saturday, featuring some nice link play and a sweet sweet goal which he swept home to make it 2-0 (around 4:10 in the above video).
I saw about 15 minutes of the game live, and there was also a magic little inside-of-the-foot-with-back-to-goal pass that ... [read]
When Will Rio Be Back?
If you had asked me six months ago who was England’s best centre back I would have undoubtedly said Rio Ferdinand. However posed with the same question now I would be a little less sure. I think that the talk that he’s “over the hill” is overly dramatic, but Ferdinand’s form ... [read]
Aaron Hunt for England? He Says Nein, Danke.
Interesting story in Bild recently, suggesting that Fabio Capello has been asking Stuart Pearce to keep an eye on Werder Bremen’s 23 year old attacking mid/forward Aaron Hunt, who you can see above scoring twice for Werder Bremen (in white) this weekend. The second goal (which tied the game at 2-2) is an absolute cracker of a chest-volley combo.
(more…)
... [read]
Why Friendlies are Important and Alex Ferguson is Wrong
Sir Alex Ferguson has always enjoyed a good moan. Especially when it comes to England friendlies. So it wasn’t a huge surprise to hear him complain about England’s upcoming game vs Brazil in Doha, Qatar on November 14th.
Ferguson doesn’t mention the Brazil game specifcially. But he may as well have. It’s a ... [read]
Beckham “Seals” Milan Deal

You may be wondering why the name at the top is neither Daryl nor Rob. I’ll introduce myself, I’m Matilda, I also write for Bolton Offside. Both Rob and Daryl will still be writing here, I’m just a little addendum.
Milan chief executive, Adriano Galliani, has come out with the wonderfully self contradictory ... [read]
Joe Cole is Back, Now How About an England Recall?
Watch Chelsea Highlights in Sports | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Hands up if you’d forgotten about Joe Cole? No need to be embarrassed, I sort of had as well. At least as an England starter anyway.
The Chelsea man has been out since January with a knee injury, but returned to play a starring role as Chelsea thrashed Blackburn 5-0 this ... [read]
Write for England WorldCupBlog

I’m not quitting, and neither is Rob. But we both have other blogging commitments and so could definitely use some help here on England WCB. Especially as we begin the buildup to the big football show that is World Cup 2010.
Much like Fabio Capello, we won’t settle for just anyone. We need ... [read]
The Not Good News: Theo Walcott Injured Again
Theo Walcott returned from a back injury and made his first start for Arsenal this past weekend. But 33 minutes later he came off again with what turned out to be damaged medial knee ligaments, thanks to a robust slide-tackle from Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell.
Word from the Emirates is that Walcott will ... [read]
On Darren Bent, and How Scoring Goals in the League Doesn’t Guarantee International Recognition

Darren Bent’s matchwinning goal for Sunderland this weekend was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that it hit a beach ball on the way in. But the fact is that – beach ball deflection or not – Darren Bent scored again. Against good opposition. Bent isn’t just the highest scoring English player ... [read]
Latest Comments
- The Great Handbag Scandal of '09
Is it not totally unreasonable to question why all the delegates had "wives", ie why they were all m ...[read more] - The Great Handbag Scandal of '09
Well with all things considered it's perfectly plausible for Warner's wife to have thought the bag w ...[read more] - Aaron Hunt for England? He Says Nein, Danke.
Holtby Wiki link here, if anyone's interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Holtby Featu ...[read more] - Aaron Hunt for England? He Says Nein, Danke.
Thanks Michel-Olivier, I'd never heard of Lewis Holtby, but just looked him up after reading your co ...[read more] - When Will Rio Be Back?
Some good points all round - but defenders don't last as long as they used to - top strikers today a ...[read more] - Please Stay Fit Wayne Rooney
I completely agree. Rooney dazzled me at the Euro 04, and was actually one of the reasons I fell in ...[read more] - Aaron Hunt for England? He Says Nein, Danke.
lewis holtby also qualify for england - Why Friendlies are Important and Alex Ferguson is Wrong
For the record, problem is fixed now. - When Will Rio Be Back?
If Rio's still dropping clangers in May, then it's time to panic. Mostly because there's no obvious ...[read more] - When Will Rio Be Back?
Jamie Carragher needs to come back and partner with John Terry, Jamie Carragher is a phenomenal play ...[read more] - Beckham "Seals" Milan Deal
Yeah I definitely can't see him lasting the whole 90 minutes in many games. He'd be an impact substi ...[read more] - On Darren Bent, and How Scoring Goals in the League Doesn't Guarantee International Recognition
There's absolutely no way Heskey doesn't make the squad. Unless he's injured, the big man is going t ...[read more] - Beckham "Seals" Milan Deal
I would love David Beckham to play in South Africa but I feel he will spend most of the time sat on ...[read more] - Why Friendlies are Important and Alex Ferguson is Wrong
Seth, Yes, we're aware of the problem and have people working on it. Thanks for letting us know t ...[read more] - Why Friendlies are Important and Alex Ferguson is Wrong
I totally agree that if there is a scheduled international date then it makes sense for a national c ...[read more]
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