No Gray Areas - Parker should start
Andy Gray tells us why some new names on the England teamsheet is good news for the side.
I have to say I was really glad to see Fabio Capello bringing some new faces into the team on Wednesday.
Scott Parker obviously isn't that new a face, he's been around for years, but has rarely started for England in important games and I'd like to see him get an extended run in the team. I've got nothing against Gareth Barry, who I think plays that holding role very well for Manchester City, but I just think the West Ham favourite gives you that little bit more energy and dynamism.
As for Jack Wilshere, what is there to say that hasn't already been said? He has skill, composure, an outstanding range of passing and a fantastic football brain - everything you need to become one of the very best players on the planet. He's already been starting games for Arsenal all season and has now started a few in a row for England and has been very impressive in all of them. It's not normal for a player as young as him to cope with playing against the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta which is what happened when Arsenal were up against Barcelona but cope he did; that's how good he is.
In the heart of defence John Terry is obviously an automatic starter but the absence of Rio Ferdinand has given Capello something to think about. I really like Bolton's Gary Cahill and think he's good enough to play for England but I can see why he went with Michael Dawson on the day. The Spurs man has been playing Champions League football this season and that sort of experience is invaluable when taking the step up to international football. Ashley Young and Darren Bent are two others who rarely start for their country but they were both in the starting eleven against Wales and had good games. And that's even without mentioning Andy Carroll.
Competition for places is always healthy and it's not good when certain players think all they have to do is show up for duty to walk into the team. This is an exciting time to be an England supporter and I hope we see a few more players getting a rare chance to start on Tuesday night when England are up against Ghana.
Published: 28 Mar 2011
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