By Ollie Irish

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Former West Ham star Paolo Di Canio watches the game from an executive box at Upton Park

Photos: PA

Subtitled: Scott Parker vs The World.

Anyone still think Chelsea won’t retain their title? … Nah, thought not. With Essien back at their centre, they look IMMENSE and almost unbeatable. I thought new signing Ramires looked useful too – no signs that the Brazilian will struggle to ‘get’ the Prem.

As for West Ham, I can’t see Avram Grant making it to October. And I just feel sorry for Scott Parker, surrounded by journeymen and heartless mercs.

A side issue: Time to drop Rob Green, surely.

Goal Of The Weekend: Scott Parker, West Ham v Chelsea

                          

THE best action from last night’s League Cup games. Because we care. A bit.

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West Ham United's Scott Parker celebrates scoring the winning goal against Oxford

Photos: PA

                          

By Ollie Irish

30 – 7 = 23

Official confirmation received, finally. We now know the names of the 23 proud Englishmen who will go into battle for Fabio Capello at the 2010 World Cup finals:

GKs – Joe Hart, David James, Rob Green

DFs – Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Ledley King, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock

MFs – Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips

FWDs – Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

Which means this lot can safely book their summer holidays:

AXED – Darren Bent, Leighton Baines, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, Scott Parker

It’s a pragmatic selection by a pragmatic manager, with Theo Walcott’s exclusion the biggest shock – though when you think about it, Walcott made it easy for Capello to drop him. Otherwise, it’s a fairly predictable 23. I would have liked to see Adam Johnson instead of SWP, but I understand why the latter was chosen. AJ is very inexperienced and without Walcott, SWP offers a bit more pace too. The downside? Ian Wright Wright Wright will be unbearable now.

What do you make of Capello’s final selection? Let’s have it…

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By Ollie Irish

Fabio Capello must cut SEVEN players from his provisional squad of 30 by midnight on June 1st. In Capello’s shoes, which seven players would you ditch?

A reminder of the 30-man provisional squad:

GKs - Joe Hart, David James, Rob Green

DFs - Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock

MFs - Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips

FWDs - Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

* * * * *

I would get rid of the following baggage:

1. Matthew Upson – He had a mediocre campaign for West Ham and is prone to mistakes on the big stage. Not quite international class.

2. Stephen Warnock – The Villa player is a solid pro but Leighton Baines has had the better season and offers more cut and thrust in attack.

3. Michael Dawson – A difficult call, but we’re stuck with Carragher now (who will surely make the 23, as he can cover Glen Johnson at right-back) and out of King and Dawson, the former Tottenham man has more quality and experience. Dawson’s time will come.

4. Shaun Wright-Phillips – Not good enough, simple as that. Almost certain to miss the cut.

5. Scott Parker – Has had a terrific season, but that’s in the hustle and bustle of the Prem. I don’t think his all-action game is well suited to a World Cup finals.

6. Tom Huddlestone – Assuming Gareth Barry’s ankle holds out, we’re stuck with one of Carrick or Huddlestone. Unlike Scotty Parker, Carrick is suited to the pace of international football. Hudd is a greatly improved player this season, but I have slight doubts about his temperament and athleticism, therefore the Man Utd player gets the nod.

7. Darren Bent – Yes, he’s had a fine season but I still don’t think he’s quite good enough for England. For all his faults, Emile Heskey – the only other striker who might have missed out – is fresh and proven at international level. Plus other players seem to love playing with Heskey, which does matter.

* * * * *

With those players out, England’s final 23 would be:

GKs - Joe Hart, David James, Rob Green

DFs – Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry

MFs - Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Theo Walcott

FWDs – Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney

Looks solid enough to me (and rather similar to my earlier shout).

But who would YOU cut loose?