England V Bulgaria (UTV @ 8pm)

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 5:22pm #1

England return to competitive action for the first time since the World Cup with a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday.

When the Three Lions set out on their quest to reach South Africa two years ago they had a point to prove after missing out on the previous European Championship, although the arrival of Fabio Capello at least brought with it fresh hope.

England responded in magnificent style with a near-faultless qualification campaign and will now be hoping to replicate that success and book their place in Poland and Ukraine.

But the sound of criticism is ringing in the ears of Capello and his men after a dismal World Cup, when a series of unconvincing performances in the group stage was followed by the humiliation of a 4-1 defeat to fierce rivals Germany.

The infamous 'goal that wasn't' from Frank Lampard could not mask England's shortcomings and the manager's future came under intense scrutiny from not only the fans and media but also the Football Association.

Capello was eventually backed to continue in the role and, after having faith shown in him by his employers, the Italian has extended the same generosity to many of the players that toiled over the summer.

Despite pledging to look to the future and introducing a number of young players into his squad for the narrow friendly victory over Hungary last month, the team that lines up against Bulgaria is likely to have a very familiar look to it.

Chelsea duo Frank Lampard (groin) and John Terry (hamstring) may have been ruled out but apart from two enforced changes, the outfield players may be the same that were so outclassed by Germany.

Phil Jagielka is expected to slot into defence alongside Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and Matthew Upson after shaking off an ankle problem.

Lampard's injury creates space for in-form Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, with James Milner switching from the right in a midfield also containing Gareth Barry and captain Steven Gerrard.

Capello admitted on the eve of the match that he knew 10 members of the starting XI but Jermain Defoe is expected to get the nod up front to partner Wayne Rooney, who has not scored an international goal for 12 months.

Joe Hart was the third-choice goalkeeper during the World Cup but has been promoted to No.1, partly due to Robert Green's mistake against USA and David James' age but also because he has started the season in splendid form for Manchester City.

Bulgaria news

Bulgaria will be without their most famous player as Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has retired from international football, but there will still be some recognisable faces in manager Stanimir Stoilov's side.

Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov is a key player in central midfield and namesake Martin, of Bolton, has the pace and trickery to trouble any full-back down the wing.

Former Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov is also in the squad and Stoilov has insisted Bulgaria will be coming to Wembley with attacking intent.

"In a game like this, a win for us would be the perfect result but we hope not to lose," he said.

"We have to fight to achieve that goal but we will try to play football and, in a game like this, you never know."

Bulgaria face Montenegro in their second match on Tuesday, with Wales and Switzerland the other teams in Group G.

Looking forward to this one, I could get used to football on a Friday night!

mike65 · 03-09-2010 5:55pm

Hmmm will Adam Johnson get a chance?

SantryRed · 03-09-2010 6:03pm

England to win by 2 or more.

_Bella_ · 03-09-2010 6:09pm

England to win, Walcott brace

KELTICKNIGHTT · 03-09-2010 6:25pm

england probly win,be nice if not a one sided game other wise watch something else

SantryRed · 03-09-2010 6:29pm

I can't follow what you say KELTICKKNIGHT.

Fully expect England to struggle through this but win by 2 or 3.

KELTICKNIGHTT · 03-09-2010 6:31pm

SantryRed wrote: »

I can't follow what you say KELTICKKNIGHT.

Fully expect England to struggle through this but win by 2 or 3.

what im saying im hoping a good game too watch,be nice if not all england playing good ,hence a one sided performance,but i dont think it will

Moist Bread · 03-09-2010 6:33pm

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

what im saying im hoping a good game too watch,be nice if not all england playing good ,hence a one sided performance,but i dont think it will

Errr ... what?

03-09-2010 6:36pm

Moist Bread wrote: »

Errr ... what?

I'll try and translate.

I'm hoping to see a good game tonight, it would be nice if England didn't play well though as I don't really like the English, thus meaning it would be a good game even though it was one sided, yet, alas I don't think it will be.

MickShamrock · 03-09-2010 6:38pm

SantryRed wrote: »

I can't follow what you say KELTICKKNIGHT.

Fully expect England to struggle through this but win by 2 or 3.

Same, although I can't see them winning by more than 2.

KELTICKNIGHTT · 03-09-2010 6:39pm

Moist Bread wrote: »

Errr ... what?

hopefully not too much a boring game

KELTICKNIGHTT · 03-09-2010 6:41pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I'll try and translate.

I'm hoping to see a good game tonight, it would be nice if England didn't play well though as I don't really like the English, thus meaning it would be a good game even though it was one sided, yet, alas I don't think it will be.

in a nutshell,hopefully not a boring game who ever wins:D
and hopefully rooney plays better than world cup,wasnt in form

Bodhisopha · 03-09-2010 6:44pm

Berbatov. Retired or wha?

ultain · 03-09-2010 7:19pm

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

hopefully not too much a boring game

And the commentators going on like their playing Brazil or something:rolleyes:

03-09-2010 7:27pm

ultain wrote: »

And the commentators going on like their playing Brazil or something:rolleyes:

It is England, you know, hype central.

mike65 · 03-09-2010 7:31pm

Jasus get the digs in early why not? You could always elect not to watch, The Late Late is back tonight.

kev9100 · 03-09-2010 7:44pm

mike65 wrote: »

The Late Late is back tonight and it's ****.

FYP:)

_Bella_ · 03-09-2010 7:45pm

England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Dawson, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe, Rooney.

ultain · 03-09-2010 7:47pm

3-0 to England

qwertplaywert · 03-09-2010 7:49pm

Nice to see Dawson getting the nod ahead of Upson.

SlickRic · 03-09-2010 7:53pm

i'm looking forward to this.

i hope, over the course of the next two years, England actually shut up all the know-it-all England fans who don't realise what they have in Capello.

KELTICKNIGHTT · 03-09-2010 8:01pm

ultain wrote: »

And the commentators going on like their playing Brazil or something:rolleyes:

l know,if they win,they will the euro cup:D

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 8:02pm

A lot of empty seats for a competitive game...

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 8:03pm

YES!!!

_Bella_ · 03-09-2010 8:04pm

That didn't take long...

SlickRic · 03-09-2010 8:05pm

it's good to hear what England fans are there give it loads, even before the goal.

typical Defoe.

recylingbin · 03-09-2010 8:09pm

This is always my favourite part of England campaigns. The first qualifying game after a tournament where they disappointed. Clive trying to reel himself in from lavishing the upmost praise on England, but not quite managing it. All the while, installing England as favourites for the next finals in his head.

ultain · 03-09-2010 8:10pm

43rd in the world:cool:

MR NINE · 03-09-2010 8:13pm

Is Lampard injured or dropped?

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 8:13pm

MR NINE wrote: »

Is Lampard injured or dropped?

Injured.

Gonzovision · 03-09-2010 8:13pm

MR NINE wrote: »

Is Lampard injured or dropped?

Injured

ultain · 03-09-2010 8:21pm

unlucky..johnson:eek:

yahoo_moe · 03-09-2010 8:24pm

Ha, Capello calls him Rooney

baldbear · 03-09-2010 8:24pm

Come on Bulgaria! Jaysus them English band players are annoying.

Paparazzo · 03-09-2010 8:26pm

I normally want to see England lose, but with the treatment the press are giving Capello, I'd love to see them win about 5-0

ultain · 03-09-2010 8:28pm

Paparazzo wrote: »

I normally want to see England lose, but with the treatment the press are giving Capello, I'd love to see them win about 5-0

Go away outta dat..ya messer:D

Paparazzo · 03-09-2010 8:31pm

Donkey ears on capello because he didn't pick jack wilshere? COME ON ENGLAND!!

SlickRic · 03-09-2010 8:34pm

don't let the commentators fool you.

this has been the same old England so far, except they had a flying start.

from an England persepctive, this performance has not really been good enough so far IMO.

very lethargic, and defensively a bit frail.

EDIT: ha, bar the last 5 minutes or so :P

ultain · 03-09-2010 8:37pm

Cole having a lot of joy out on the wing

recylingbin · 03-09-2010 8:48pm

Where's EBJT?

baldbear · 03-09-2010 8:48pm

Samo old England performance. Nothing special at all. The game would be better to watch if Bulgaria wern't so crap.

mike65 · 03-09-2010 8:48pm

Just missing the 2nd goal really, thats the first time I've seen Liverpools ex keeper in action I think.

baldbear · 03-09-2010 8:50pm

recylingbin wrote: »

Where's EBJT?

With another players missus probably! Injured

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 9:05pm

That was just sexy from Rooney!

recylingbin · 03-09-2010 9:07pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

That was just sexy from Rooney!

Would have been sexier if he'd played whoever was inside him, in front of goal with no-one on him, in on goal. maybe Defoe.

IvySlayer · 03-09-2010 9:09pm

Dawson :eek:

Looks painful.

baldbear · 03-09-2010 9:09pm

England are slacking off now and letting Bulgaria in. Will they ever learn?
Ohhh that looks sore. Harry will be raging.

MagicMarker · 03-09-2010 9:09pm

I winced as I watched that!

Ow!

recylingbin · 03-09-2010 9:10pm

OOOOF, that looked horrible.

Kiith · 03-09-2010 9:11pm

I hope to god Dawson is ok. It'd be a horrible shame if he misses the champions league because of this.

ultain · 03-09-2010 9:12pm

IvySlayer wrote: »

Dawson :eek:

Looks painful.

No matter what camp your in..you never want to see that happen to any player.:( twist on impact..very nasty!

England V Bulgaria (UTV @ 8pm)

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