England B v Albania - Friday 25th May

[all_funkt_up]

Here's the squad for the game at Turf Moor:

Player	Club
Gareth Barry	Aston Villa
Owen Hargreaves	Bayern Munich
David Bentley	Blackburn
Joleon Lescott	Everton
Phil Neville	Everton
Alan Smith	Manchester United
Stewart Downing	Middlesbrough
Kieron Dyer	Newcastle United
Michael Owen	Newcastle United
Scott Parker	Newcastle United
David Nugent	Preston North End
Nicholas Shorey	Reading
Phil Jagielka	Sheffield United
Michael Dawson	Tottenham Hotspur
Jermain Defoe	Tottenham Hotspur
Jermaine Jenas	Tottenham Hotspur
Ledley King	Tottenham Hotspur
Aaron Lennon	Tottenham Hotspur
Paul Robinson	Tottenham Hotspur
Ben Foster	Watford (loan)

[all_funkt_up]

People will say 'its only a B Game, who cares?' but I am excited by that line-up. And I reckon the lads in that squad will work harder than the main men who know they are guaranteed a berth in the regular team, come what may.

Quite a few players there should be pressing for a place in the regular England team, but our coach is too shit scared to include them.

Players like Lescott, Shorey and Nugent have had good seasons but would struggle to make it into the first team because they play for "smaller" clubs. Totally wrong IMO, but its the way Steve operates isnt it. At least they have the opportunity to prove themselves at International level.

[Magpie]

Why is Hargreaves in the 'B' squad? Fitness reasons and the fact he's missed most of the 1st team games?
Or just to get used to playing in Lancs?!?!?!

[all_funkt_up]

Alright Al, assuming it is you.....

Aye I reckon its to demonstrate match fitness before the qualifier in June.

[Tricky]

6 spurs players in, but I can't see why Robinson is in the squad. It can't give much confidence to Englands young keepers.