Is Scott Parker the answer?

Rewind to the world cup in the summer of 2010. England were heading out to South Africa and Capello had named his squad. When naming an injured Gareth Barry in the squad the whole of England was worrying about the defensive minded midfielder's fitness. Throughout the 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign, Barry was instrumental in the team keeping their shape when on the back foot and no one was able to fill the gap left by Barry.

2011, Wales - England. Capello switches to a new look 433 formation, selecting West Ham's Scott Parker instead of a fit Gareth Barry in the same position. England go on to win the game 2-0 proving that the risk of formation change paid off admirably for Capello. England closed down superbly well off the ball and then had options all over the pitch for a pass. Something which they had been lacking in the old 4231 formation. Parker, this time was instrumental in the victory popping up with well timed tackles breaking down Wales' fluidity.

If England are to succeed in the latter stages of a tournament in the summer, a packed midfield is what they are going to need. This was highlighted when England got knocked out against a fluid German team who simply out passed England in the centre of the pitch.

 However if both Gerrard and Lampard are fit, it will be interested to see if Capello ditches the new 433 formation to go back to playing both of his star midfielders in the same team line up.

England 1 - 1 Ghana

Andy Carroll scored his first goal for England last night in a 1-1 draw with Ghana. The team line up featured Gary Cahill, Baines, Wilshere, and James Milner in a central midfield role. 

The new 433 formation got another outing as England played well in an exciting game. They looked as if they were going to wrap up the game comfortably however in the dieing moments Gyan scored a solo effort which he was deserving of after having a good game all night.

My man of the match: Gary Cahill

Played the full 90 minutes and looked comfortable in his defensive role. The only real dangers England faced were at the expence of Jolean Lescott's lacking. 

To watch match highlights of the game click the link below.

http://www.thefa.com/video/England/Mens-Seniors/2011/Ghana/England-1-1-Ghana

England - Ghana

Tonight the England first team are back in action in a friendly game against African opposition, Ghana. However a number of first team players have been sent home to return to their club to be rested ahead of important club fixtures. The players sent home include Chelsea players, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole. Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney and Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has returned due to a slight injury.

Ahead of the game with Ghana, England manager named Gareth Barry as the stand in captain for the game at Wembley. This comes a week after renaming John Terry as captain controversially after being stripped of the Englands arm band due to allegations in his personal life.

Capello also said that Bolton defender Gary Cahill will start for the first time in his career whilst Andy Carroll will play up front. 

Weekend Review 26/27 March

Saturday 26th March

Oxford won the boat race

England got knocked out of cricket world cup thanks to Sri Lanka 10 wicket victory.

England won Wales 2-0 in a euro qualifier

Sunday 27th March

Vettel won the first F1 grand prix of year, Hamilton second, Petrov 3^rd (first ever podium finish)
Brazil beat Scotland 2-0

Wales 0-2 England

Fabio Capello's change of formation and system paid off for England yesterday as they came out 2-0 winners at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. 

England started with a 4-3-3 formation with Rooney playing wide left and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young playing wide right. Capello described the system as when England have to defend Rooney and Young stayed wide but when they were on the attack the two wingers could play more central and cut inside. 

The change of formation was what England could have done with during last summers world cup when England looked outplayed by better teams midfield.

England opened the scoring early in the first half with Frank Lampard converting from the spot after Darren Bent won England a penalty. Bent made it 2-0 shortly after when man of the match winger Ashley Young put a low cross in for Bent to hit high into the roof of the net.

Rooney worked well throughout the first half linking up with Jack Wilshere as England not only looked capable of scoring from the wide areas but also centrally.

The second half saw Wales come back into the game more but not really pose much of a threat. New captain Aaron Ramsey didn't have the best of games whilst Craig Bellamy had the best chance when shooting from outside the area late on.

The win leaves England joint top of group G on 10 points. Wales are bottom on 0.

England - Wales, My line up.

EURO 2012 GROUP G QUALIFIER: WALES v ENGLAND
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday 26 March Kick-off: 1500 GMTCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio Wales Sport; full text coverage and reports on BBC Sport website; also live on Sky Sports

This is how I'd like to see Capello choose team today to face Wales. Using the same 4231 system that Capello loves, I chose James Milner to help Gareth Barry out in the central of midfield. Which I believe would hope to give us a bit more bite when off the ball instead of a more attack minded Wilshere there, Lampard or Gerrard when fit.

In the last England game we saw Wilshere link up really well with Rooney however Rooney does have a tendency to drop off a bit so could end up us playing a Wenger style no striker.

Cannot wait for the game today, Wales are missing Bale and have said Ramsey will be captain. Some pundits have said that Ramsey has a point to prove to fellow Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere. Wilshere has replaced Ramsey in the center of Arsenals midfield and has in turn cemented his place there well enough to be tipped to start today for England.

Gareth Bale to miss England Match

Its been announced today Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale will miss the Euro2012 qualifier against England with a hamstring injury.
The lay off comes as a major blow for Wales manager Gary Speed just days before he has to prepare his squad to face England and was hoping to select Bale has he had been in excellent form all season.

"Due to a hamstring problem, Gareth Bale has had to withdraw from the Wales squad to face England," a Football Association of Wales statement said.

"He felt tight last week during training with his club.

"After playing 90 minutes on Saturday he felt some muscle tightness. Initially, this was expected to be muscle soreness after playing his first game.

"On joining up with the Welsh squad he was kept off his feet in training for two days to recover.

"As he still felt tight in the warm-up on Tuesday, Gareth was pulled out of the session.

"He did not train at all on Wednesday and was sent for a scan.

"The scan revealed that Gareth Bale picked up his injury last week."