"We've got the whole world in our hands" – Column

Here we have it. England has qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Amid the disgust and disappointment of the European Qualification campaign with the man they call the "Wally with the Brolly" we have now found a true leader. In Capello we trust! A man of respectable stature, a born winner. 12 league titles and a Champions League trophy speak for itself. He is the man who will take us to the end. John Terry lifting the World Cup at the podium in Johannesburg, 95,000 screaming fans. I can see it and we all must believe as we always do. Failure and disappointment are behind us. We have world-class players at the ready mixed in with a great youth of talented players. Why can't we compete with the likes of Spain and Brazil? On our day, the sky is the limit and the limit is where we shall hit.

So what will the squad involve? Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney and Terry are all a given. But what about players such as Beckham? Is he past it, is he merely iconized by many fantasizing on his adequate performances. I think not! Beckham has to go with the squad. Who do we want at the end of our free kicks in the dying minutes of the game, who will put in the vital cross at the most crucial point of a match? I agree David Beckham should not be included in Plan A but every team needs a plan B, and Beckham is that. Influential, Symbolic, god-like are no mere understatements to describe this man. He has to go and he may be the difference between a heart broken nation or a nation filled with joy and jubilation.

So what about the rest of the team? Lennon, Walcott, Wright-Phillips and Young: An abundance of midfield pace and trickery. As for who should be taken out of them, let the season commence. All players must have a key season to stand a chance as maybe only two of these four can be taken.

As for goalkeepers I don't believe anyone has truly replaced the spot of David Seamen. For me I have no set number one although experience speaks on behalf of Calamity James. More experienced than the likes of Foster and Green and subsequently more consistent internationally than Robinson he is my current choice. 23-man squad and many places up for grab. I wish the nation all the best in the World Cup. Come on England.

Bolton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match Report

Spurs went into the game at The Reebok knowing a victory would further strengthen their top four breaking credentials. Bolton Wanderers are yet to record a win at home this season but they hoped to build on a late minute winner at Birmingham last week. Peter Crouch replaced the injured Defoe up front whose dislocated fingers suffered in the victory against Burnley landed him a place on the bench. One change for Bolton as Lee Chung-Yong came into replace Ivan Klasnic who dropped to the bench.

The game only took four minutes for a goal as Ricardo Gardner took advantage of a Carlo Cudicini parry from Lee Chung-Yong’s close range effort. Bolton continued to pressure as their battling display caused havoc with the makeshift Tottenham back line. Numerous free kicks were given away although Tottenham managed to keep the deposit at one goal. Spurs punished Bolton’s missed chances as Niko Kranjcar sent a stunning shot past Jaaskelainen to level up the match. The teams went in at half time one goal a piece with Spurs looking lucky to go in level.

The second half began as Tottenham started to gather pace in the match. Spurs should have gone in front after 50 minutes but Palacios’s shot was sliced well wide. Jermain Defoe replaced Keane on the 67th minute who had been largely ineffective following his four goal slaughtering against Burnley. Bolton gained their lead once again as Cohen’s chipped ball was bundled over the line at the far post by Kevin Davies. Spurs had a chance to hit back after Defoe’s shot landed at Crouch’s feet but his shot was deflected onto the crossbar much to Bolton’s delight.

Shortly after, the sides drew level for the second time in the game as a Kranjcar’s corner was headed in from an unmarked Vedran Corluka. This goal spoke much for Tottenham’s attacking ability as this meant that every outfield player for Spurs had scored this season.

Tottenham finished strongly although a point a piece seemed to be the fair result for both sides. Spurs would have been content with the result as this game would have been one lost last season. Wanderers may of felt hard done by but would have been pleased to extend the unbeaten run to four games.