The Fan

Predictions: England to win cup

A world cup predicted.

A part serious, part tounge-in-cheek, part hopeful prediction for the World Cup.

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Crouch hat-trick buoys England

England 6 - Jamaica 0

England gain confidence boosting win in their final friendly before the World Cup, with Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick and missing a penalty.

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Sven-Goran Eriksson, in his serene, understated way, can be as fiercely protective of his players as Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho and those instincts came to the fore here yesterday as the England manager launched a robust defence of Owen Hargreaves and insisted that the Bayern Munich player could play a prominent role in the World Cup.

Eriksson’s plan for the World Cup is to field a defensive midfielder instead of Joe Cole when England come up against one of the leading nations.

From: Guardian

 

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Two uncapped players in England World Cup squad

Only 2 fit strikers picked

Uncapped youngsters Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott are in Eriksson’s provisional World Cup squad. No places for Defoe, Bent or Wright-Phillips.

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The FA’s predicament

Not who to choose, but when to choose

If current media reports are to be believed, the English FA are currently wrapping up its interviews for Eriksson’s successor as England coach.

There were good reasons for England to announce earlier in the year that Sven would be leaving his post after this summer’s World Cup, but the affair of naming his replacement has dragged on to the extent that it has led to a new problems.

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England manager front-runner and Newcastle Utd target Martin O’Neill is not qualified for Newcastle job, but he is for England.

FA Premier League rules state that should Martin O’Neill be offered the Newcastle Utd job he would be required to complete a Uefa pro licence course. The England post, however, requires no such qualification

FA Premier League rules require all managers taking jobs in the top division to hold the Uefa pro licence but those already occupying such posts have until 2010. If they fail to obtain the licence within four years they will be dismissed but would then, theoretically, be free to manage England, as that position requires no qualifications.

From: Guardian

 

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The England shortlist whittled to “three or four” - believed to be taken from Martin O’Neill, Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Steve McClaren.

Steve McClaren is reportedly emerging as the favourite.

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New Wembley not ready this year

Builders Multiplex set to contest £120,000 a day fine

New delays will mean that England will not play at the new £757million Wembley stadium until 2007.

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The Football Association’s campaign to have diving punished retrospectively seems doomed.

The main problem in punishing simulation - attempting to deceive the referee - is that it comes under unsporting behaviour and is therefore punishable by a yellow card.

Fifa sources indicated yesterday they would change regulations only if the majority of the 203 national associations report similar problems [as the English FA].

From: The Telegraph

 

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Four England-based managers on Madrid shortlist

Real Madrid seek high profile appointment to turn fortunes around

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, along with Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho, Liverpool’s Rafael Benitez and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger are on the shortlist of manager’s wanted by Real Madrid.

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