Steve McClaren says he twice asked Paul Scholes to come out of international retirement, and has twice been told thanks, but no thanks. The red-headed midfielder hasn’t worn an England shirt (not professionally anyway) since Euro 2004.
McClaren asked Scholes once when he took over from Sven (who seemed convinced Scholes was a left mid) and [...]

Steve McClaren has announced his England squad for the Euro 2008 qualification double-header against Macedonia (October 7th, home) and Croatia (October 11th, away).
Rooney is back after his suspension for organ-grinding, meaning a return to Under 21 duty for Darren Bent, and Scott Parker makes a deserved return thanks to Owen Hargreves broken leg.
Despite dropping [...]

Jonathan Woodgate has been doing the business in Boro’s defence recently, and Steve McClaren has noticed.
“Jonathan has always been held in high regard throughout the game as a fantastic centre-half,” McClaren told Sky Sports News.
“Unfortunate with injuries over the last few years but certainly he has got an opportunity to play again at Middlesbrough, [...]

In a recent poll, 71% of fans wanted to see David Beckham back in an England shirt. Did they not watch the World Cup?
Turns out those surveyed were players of the LMA Manager 2007 game. Figures. Anyone with any sense would be addicted to Football Manager instead.
The Soccer Weblog

The England blog is back and - much like the team - it’s under new management. Shawn was caught negotiating with a fake sheikh about writing another blog for more money, so here I am.