Take Steven Gerrards British passport off him, Judas prick, that's about the billionth time he's turned his back on his country.

And another injury for England - this one more serious than needing Brylcreem removal. Theo Walcott dislocated a shoulder in training and is due to be out for a goodly spell.

And another injury for England - this one more serious than needing Brylcreem removal. Theo Walcott dislocated a shoulder in training and is due to be out for a goodly spell.

Aaaaaaawwwww FU*K the internatinal break, it's got to be one of the most horrid inventions of FIFA ever.

International breaks are a necessity in my opinion. English fans complain about it all the time, but then they complain when England play crap due to not getting to play with each other often enough, or we'll complain that the same players get picked over and over. International breaks gives nations a chance to try out new players and get the team into more of a rhythm in matches that mean very little.

I can't wait to hear Wengers view on the Walcott injury.

Oh please, there's what, 4 months until the next WC qualifier? How does a midweek game make any sense now?
And come on, Ferdinand, Gerrard and Lampard have managed to slime their way out of the situation and when the only Arsenal player eligable to play for England actually stands up, he's injured in training and we can now look forward to 12 weeks with Eboue on the right wing. Joy.

Well, it doesn't matter how far away the next qualifiers are, they should be having international friendlies on a regular basis. Certainly more than they do now.

The result will be all the big names choking up some sort of excuse for staying home and the NT made up of players used to be bench warmers at their club teams.

@Kurt .. what's your opinion of the hard-line Capello ?

This Capello bloke aint so bad.

What does hard-line mean?

Anyways. Germany 1-2 England resveres + Terry.

Outclassed and outplayed in their own back yard, first defeat in Berlin for over 30 years, and without 8 first team regulars. This Capello bloke aint so bad.

France-Uruguay 0-0. Gourcuff started for France and Cardacio played 20 minutes near the end

France-Uruguay 0-0. Gourcuff started for France and Cardacio played 20 minutes near the end

dint you want him sacked just the other day

when the only Arsenal player eligable to play for England actually stands up, he's injured in training and we can now look forward to 12 weeks with Eboue on the right wing. Joy.

Brazil 1 - 1 Portugal in the 15th. Goals by Luis Fabiano for Brazil and Danny for Portugal. Of the Milanisti present, Kaka is starting.

EDIT: Kaka assist to Luis Fabiano for his and Brazil's second goal in the 25th.

I'm following the game via Portuguese text commentary and from what I understand, Brazil are dominating possession.

EDIT 2: HT Brazil 2 - 1 Portugal. Sounds like Kaka is having a good game.

EDIT 3: Brazil 4 - 2 in the 60th. Brazil goals by Maicon and Fabiano (again), Portugal goal by Simao.

EDIT 4: FT Brazil 6 - 2 Portugal. Additional goals by Elano (Kaka assist) and Adriano. Sadly, the game was a Duck-Free Zone.

Eight goals scored on the night and not a single one from him… not even an assist.

Dunga doesn't seem to believe in Pato at all! but in a way he couldn't play him since Pato played only 70 minutes in our last 3 league games (= 270 mins)...

Sounds like Ronaldo had one of 'those games' again...

Dunga doesn't seem to believe in Pato at all! but in a way he couldn't play him since Pato played only 70 minutes in our last 3 league games (= 270 mins)...

Don't think it has to do with the playing time. Adriano played, and we all know his recent playing time. It's just Dunga.

He still would. That man is wierd...he only deals with 'finished products'. A lot like Carlo without the tactical acumen.

Does Brazil have any finished product left backs??

Cicinho who was once the next Cafu has now been abandoned for Maicon. Dani Alves is also second choice.

That is true. And being an Inter worshipper is not the same as saying, they have good players.

Call him what you like... but Zlatan has a lot of talent and for that I respect him.
At times he can even amuse me with his cocky & arrogant style.
(I really wish he stayed at Juve, prefer them ALOT more to Inter )

Zlatan is a Serie A superstar. That is for sure, and his contribution to inter in the past two years has really made the difference for them. He is the highest paid player in Serie A and is worth more than that

Fabio Capello believes that England's team spirit has been the most important improvement during his first year in charge.

The Three Lions Manager, who was appointed on 14 December last year, gave his end-of-year assessment at The FA's headquarters in Soho Square.

And, after eight victories, one draw and one defeat in his first ten games in charge, he can be pleased with the way things have gone.

England top 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group Six, after impressive away wins over Croatia and Belarus.

But Capello believes that the team improved their attitude and belief after losing 1-0 to France in March, and this in turn has bred confidence - and match-winning performances.

He said: "I am happy for the result and I am happy with what we did to create a group mentality and team spirit. We have managed to recover the confidence [of the players] - this was the most important work that we did.

"The spirit of the squad has been great, and most important. Without that spirit in the group, the confidence will not be there and it is impossible to win. Sometimes you can win one game because one player has scored a goal. But without the spirit it is impossible."

Capello views his side's 1-0 defeat to France in his second game in charge as the turning point in England's fortunes - simply because he made them believe.

"I think the most thing was when we lost to France," he continued. "Back in the dressing room I told the players it was another step forward. And the players thought I was crazy.

"I knew before we played France it would be hard, as they have been world champions. And we played in France, and in Paris. For half-an-hour we played very well. And when you can play well for half-an-hour, you can play well for the whole game. After this game, because of that reason, we moved forward.

"I understood the problem immediately, when we played the first game against Switzerland (which they won 2-1 in February).

"The players were not tested mentally and physically. When we played at Wembley I understood that these were not the same players [as they were for their clubs].

"I realised that the problem was in the mind of the players. Now we are better. We need time and we will continue to work. It is important to be a psychologist but we need good players to win. Good psychologist, bad players - it is impossible to win. We want to be better."

Michael Owen, the Newcastle United striker and captain, could be involved in England's next squad too, says Capello - despite only featuring in the second half versus France in 2008.

The 29-year-old has been in good form for his club after an injury-hit year, and Capello, whose team host Slovakia at Wembley in March, said: "I know he has been playing very well, and scored a good goal (against Portsmouth in Sunday's 3-0 win).

"The door of the national team is always open. I will check before the next international game. I will then decide if he is ready, if he is OK. The most important thing will be if he is fit."

Capello also praised Aston Villa's young forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and tipped them to star for England in the near future.

He added: "I am very happy for the players who play at Aston Villa. I also like [James] Milner, who is another young player. These players are the future, and it is a bright future."