Owen denies Capello rift

Michael Owen has denied criticising the tactical approach of England manager Fabio Capello.
Reports on Friday had suggested that the Newcastle striker was unaware of his role after being sent on as a second-half subsitiute in Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to France.
However, Owen has refuted these suggestions and insists that his post-match quotes have been twisted [...]

Gerrard wants time in new role

Steven Gerrard is confident his England partnership with Wayne Rooney can work, providing the two of them adapt to their roles.
During Wednesday’s lacklustre 1-0 defeat in France, Gerrard was deployed as the support to Rooney, who was playing as a lone striker.
Gerrard has been operating in that role for Liverpool in recent weeks, but was [...]

Bentley – Let battle begin

David Bentley is determined to wrestle a place in England’s first XI away from centurion David Beckham.
Bentley was expected to be given the nod to start on the right of England’s midfield for the 1-0 defeat to France in Paris on Wednesday, but manager Fabio Capello opted to hand Beckham his 100th international cap.
Beckham made [...]

Wenger hails ‘model’ Becks

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists David Beckham was a ‘model’ to his squad during the time he spent training with the Gunners.
Los Angeles Galaxy and England midfielder Beckham spent a number of weeks over the New Year training with Arsenal in a bid to maintain his fitness as it was the American close season.
Beckham, who [...]

Messi – English main threat

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has admitted England’s four contenders in the UEFA Champions League pose the biggest threat to his side in this season’s competition.
The Catalan giants avoided any of the English sides in the quarter-finals draw after being paired with Schalke in the draw.
Messi is a big fan of Premier League football and he is [...]

Beckham happy to be back

David Beckham admits he is happy to be back in the England squad and hopes to win his 100th cap against France on Wednesday.
The former captain missed Fabio Capello’s first match as coach against Switzerland last month due to a lack of match sharpness.
But he has been recalled for the friendly with France in Paris [...]

Freddie back with a bang

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff took two wickets when he bowled for the first time since undergoing a fourth operation on his left ankle on Wednesday.
Flintoff, who made 39 with the bat on his return for Lancashire against Essex on Sunday, completed five overs in two spells against Sussex in his side’s third game of the [...]

The Development Debate,Football a business or enjoyment..?

Is youth football too competitive? Should it be more fun? Or should we instil a will to win in our children as early as possible?
I liked this little bit of discussion about football starting  at a very early age.This Paul Cooper has given out many insights to football beginning to become a  business and really [...]