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XENOPHOBIA IN MY HEART
ENGLAND v WALES PREVIEW, Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, 3rd September 2005
JAMES KEEN
After some indifferent performances in recent months, England look again to the World Cup Qualifiers as a way to keep the press off Sven's back.
The USA tour was much maligned but after a brace from Owen against Columbia and another for Kieron Richardson against the USA, we were all imagining World Cup glory. Beating the mighty Germans on their own turf...... and then BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG...... the Danes fired four warning shots at England, each one hitting David James square in the chest.
A 4-1 friendly defeat. Our biggest defeat since the mighty Welsh beat us by the very same score back in 1723. Or something like that!
And so we face the Welsh in a match that is arguably the most important game in the group. Well that's what the BBC will be saying before the game starts!
A strong English side should be too good for the Welsh, although the absence of Stewart 'Wonder Boy' Downing will be a massive plus point for Wales. His knee injury will see him miss the game, although it is believed that he will be giving a prematch team talk designed to inspire and motivate Sven's squad.
Another terrible miss of course is Ray Parlour. The fiery haired southerner will no doubt be hugely missed from the England dressing room. Parlour was accidentally not included in the squad due to Sven's pen running out. He will be replaced in the side by the young Frank Lampard, a rising star at the Chelsea school of excellence.
Also missing from the midfield is James Morrison. The young right winger is set to miss out owing to David Beckham still being the captain. Morrison is said to be disappointed but can accept that as captain, Beckham shouldn't be dropped.
At full back England will be looking a little bit unfamiliar with Luke Young coming in owing to the injuries of Tony McMahon and Gary Neville.
Young, the Charlton player of the year and the mastermind behind Boro's defeat at the Riverside will be looking to make an impression to try and win a permanent place in the squad, although it is believed that McMahon will be instantly selected on his return to fitness.
Up front Michael 'I really love it in Newcastle... for a year' Owen is suspended and so nobody will partner Wayne Rooney up front. Although it was touted in some quarters that Danny Graham was set to be called up after his goal in the Boro Reserves 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Sadly Sven missed the game as he had a prior engagement.
And so, to the Wales squad.
Wales haven't been the same since Clayton Blackmore retired and should really prove no match for England. I don't think there's much else to say. They've got a couple of Premiership players but nobodt from Boro.
My Xenophobic Mind tells me that it'll be a comfortable 3-0 England win but my Lion's Heart tells me we'll get a 2-1 win in front of the Welsh fans.
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