The provisional England World Cup squad

Today Fabio Capello (does anyone else think he looks like Postman Pat?) named his squad of 30 players to provisionally be in the squad, they are as follows:-

Goalkeepers
name caps goals debut Club
Joe Hart 1 0 v Trinidad & Tobago 1 June 2008 Birmingham
David James 49 0 v Mexico 29 March 1997 Portsmouth
Robert Green 9 0 v Colombia 31 May 2005 West Ham Utd

Defenders
Leighton Baines 1 0 v Egypt 3 March 2010 Everton
Jamie Carragher 34 0 v Hungary 28 April 1999 Liverpool
Ashley Cole 77 0 v Albania 28 March 2001 Chelsea
Michael Dawson 0 0 - Tottenham
Rio Ferdinand 76 3 v Cameroon 15 November 1997 Man United
Glen Johnson 20 0 v Denmark 18 November 2003 Liverpool
Ledley King 19 1 v Italy 19 March 2002 Tottenham
John Terry 59 6 v Serbia 3 June 2003 Chelsea
Matthew Upson 19 1 v South Africa 22 May 2003 West Ham
Stephen Warnock 1 0 v Trinidad & Tobago 1 June 2008 Aston Villa

Midfielders
Gareth Barry 36 2 v Ukraine 31 May 2000 Man City
Michael Carrick 21 0 v Mexico 25 May 2001 Man United
Joe Cole 53 10 v Mexico 25 May 2001 Chelsea
Steven Gerrard 78 16 v Ukraine 31 May 2000 Liverpool
Tom Huddlestone 1 0 v Brazil 14 November 2009 Tottenham
Adam Johnson 0 0 - Man City
Frank Lampard 77 20 v Belgium 10 October 1999 Chelsea
Aaron Lennon 15 0 v Jamaica 2 June 2006 Tottenham
James Milner 6 0 v Netherlands 12 August 2009 Aston Villa
Scott Parker 3 0 v Denmark 16 November 2003 West Ham
Theo Walcott 9 3 v Hungary 30 May 2006 Arsenal
Shaun Wright-Phillips 30 6 v Ukraine 18 August 2004 Man City

Forwards
Darren Bent 5 0 v Uruguay 1 March 2006 Sunderland
Peter Crouch 37 20 v Colombia 31 May 2005 Tottenham
Jermain Defoe 39 12 v Sweden 31 March 2004 Tottenham
Emile Heskey 57 7 v Hungary 28 April 1999 Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney 58 25 v Australia 12 February 2003 Man United

The Italian manager has picked 30 players from 12 difference English teams (how many teams can boast a squad all playing in their own domestic league), the most coming from Tottenham with 6. with a squad having to be trimmed down to 23 for the World Cup finals, the three goalkeepers are all assured of a place on the bench, Paul Robinson and Ben Foster being overlooked. Though David James (who would surely be a better keeper if he spent more time on the training pitch than at the hairdresser's) has been relegated with bottom club Portsmouth, it's safe to assume Fabio Capello wants to test Robert Green and Joe Hart and the competition to who starts in the England no. 1 shirt could be interesting.

With Ashley Cole a sure starter at left back for the team, Leighton Baines will be expected to be back up in the squad and make the final cut, the only other consideration would of been Wayne Bridge but as he's forced himself into international retirement, Baines gets the call up. Right side, Gary Neville has been omitted after a steady end to the season with Manchester United, as has Wes Brown and Phil Jagielka, with Glen Johnson (though the balloon made a better attempt at a block in Liverpool's game against Sunderland, he must of been thinking of toilet seats again) expected to be Capello's starting right back, it's between the returning Carragher and Stephen Warnock to impress to make the final cut, Carragher (just heard an interview with him about being called up to the England squad and couldn't understand a word he just said)versatility at also playing in the centre alongside his experience could give him the edge. In the centre, it's expected captain Rio Ferdinand (after Terry was stripped of the captaincy he was said to be devastated and deeply sorry, I'm not surprised! choosing Wayne Bridge's partner over Ashley Cole's!! what was he thinking) and John Terry (though Terry could play right wing as this season has shown he's good at getting past left backs and scoring) will partner leaving up to Ledley King to prove his fitness to make the squad but knowing Capello is a huge admirer of his, it's expected to be so and his fine end to the season has done him no harm. Matthew Upson (if he has a son, should call him Chin) hasn't had the best of seasons and has the chance to prove himself against as the uncapped Michael Dawson (if he has a son, he should call him Closda), one if not both of these players will be dropped for the World Cup squad.

In midfield, the holding position seems most competitive, with Capello wanted to pick the injured Barry (in an interview yesterday he said of being in the England squad 'the management are doing well to keep us from the media', he said this to Sky Sports News by the way), it's up to the out of form Michael Carrick, reliable Tom Huddlestone and surprise inclusion Scott Parker (having won 3 caps intermittently over the years while at a difference club each time, if he earns one more cap while a West Ham player, he'll be the first ever England player to earn 4 caps while playing for 4 different clubs), it's up to Barry to prove his fitness and Carrick his form or they may lose their spots to one of the other two. Attacking in the centre will be Gerrard and Lampard (when asked on Sky Sports News about Joe Cole being included, Lampard said 'I don't think there are many players who can beat a man like he does' how quickly Frank forgets Gerrards assault trial.....or Chris Browns), both familiar faces, both assured of making the trip to South Africa. On the left is Joe Cole, has some experience though has it all to prove under Capello, finally injury free, the coming weeks are vital for him to show his worth to the team while the uncapped Adam Johnson (getting his place in the squad over Stuart Downing) gets a chance after some fantastic performances this season in the sky blue of Manchester City, Milner can play either left or right and this may prove vital in taking a place in the final 23 over Johnson. On the right is an abundance of speed and skill, Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Walcott, all capable of producing so this will go down to form though Wright-Phillips has barely played regually this season and I'd expect that to go against him. Notable exclusions include Downing, Jermain Jenas and Ashley Young .
The forwards are the predicable few, though bobby Zamora was pushed by the press to be excluded, being top scorer in the Europa League didn't fully transfer to the Premier League and Darren Bent's performances have at least earned him a chance to prove himself over Zamora. With Rooney expected to start each match, Heskey supporting and having options like Defoe and Crouch to bring on as subs, expect these four to get the plane tickets and Bent to miss out though hopefully after making a name worth adding for future squads. Though it would of been interesting if Vanessa Perroncel had been selected as she's clearly really good at getting between defenders.

In all, the squad is to of been expected, Capello always said he'd go with form and has proved as much, omitting players like Wes Brown, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Paul Robinson. The coming weeks and friendlies against Mexico and Japan should prove interesting for the fans and players alike. Don't be surprised if a big name doesn't perform, to not make the finals