England 2-0 Uzbekistan, Under-21 International – Why Isn’t Jack Rodwell In The Senior Squad?

Ollie Irish

11th, August 2010

2 Comments

By Ollie Irish

What the hell is Jack Rodwell still doing in the England Under-21 squad? If Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are good enough for the senior squad, Rodwell is too. Why the wait? Today’s friendly against Hungary represents the perfect opportunity to blood Rodwell – who will surely be an England regular for the next decade, fitness permitting – and other young English talents, but instead Capello sat and watched Rodwell run the show for England’s Under-21s against Uzbekistan last night. A wasted chance. Another one.

David Moyes knows Rodwell should be in the senior squad (the Scot was apparently incredulous when he wasn’t picked). I know it. You know it. So why doesn’t Capello know it? Is it because Stuart Pearce – a poor coach, in my view – is whispering in his master’s ear, holding Rodwell back? I hope not.

The English way, unfortunately, is the way of apprenticeship, of serving time, of learning the ropes. F*ck that – Glenn Hoddle stuck Michael Owen in at 17, and that worked out okay. Ditto Pele. If you’re good enough etc etc. And Rodwell is good enough, definitely. Get him in the senior squad now – England’s Golden Generation (ha) had its shot and blew it, more than once.

Some pics of last night’s game (click to enlarge), which England won 2-0 (goals by Tottenham midfielder Danny Rose and Liverpool defender Martin Kelly):

Photos: PA

Posted in Featured, International football, Photos

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2 Comments

  1. Shanks says:

    To answer the question in the headline…
    Because he plays for plucky, little Everton, only 9 titles to their name and not a member of the Sky4
    Personally, made up that he’s being ignored – he’s a nice lad from a good family; don’t want him mixing with that shower of over-rated, overpaid, self-centred tossers (Jagielka excepted, of course)

  2. PhilandoTorres says:

    It really is absurd how the English press treat players. They build them up from as early an age as possible and wait for them to fuck something up. Much in the same way they destroy the confidence of ‘keepers after mistakes.

    Jack Wilshere has barely made an impression on the PL and is already being heralded as the sole future of English football.

    Personally, I reckon they’d be better off abolishing the England national team. Save everyone a ball-ache and deprive the greedy parasites and hangers-on of millions of revenue quids.

    All the righteous anger following the Euro 08 fiasco had fuck all to do with the football – the likes of Venables, Graham Taylor and the like were pissed off that they’d missed out on the grubby advertising dollar. Cunts.

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