Keeper Choice Beggars Belief

As it's a bit quiet on the City front at the moment, I just thought I'd come to the defence of a City old boy, David James and like many, I just cannot understand why he has not made the England squad for the up-coming games against Estonia and Brazil.

At a time where McLaren has given into media pressure to recall a largely ineffective and vastly over-rated Beckham to the squad, the England boss has again ignored Jammo, who for me was this season's outstanding 'keeper.

On recent form, James stands head and shoulders above the three 'keepers who were selected, namely Messrs Robinson, Carson and Green and why he hasn't made the squad or let alone the starting spot is yet another example of gross misjudgement by McLaren.

James will always divide opinion, but surely even his most vocal critics will recognise his outstanding performances this season and last season for that matter when he played for us.

I know he has made some errors, but name me a 'keeper who hasn't? Furthermore, his most memorable gaffs took place many years ago, and for the past 3 or 4 seasons, he has been rock solid. Some of the saves I've seen him make for City have been breath-taking and world class.

It's difficult to know just exactly what more Jammo needs to do to get back into the squad, but given a choice between Beckham and James, I know which old boy I'd go for.

England Suffer From A Touch Of The Blues

I don't normally cover any of the England internationals, but yesterday's debacle in Tel Aviv was another in a series of woeful performances of Man City proportions.

As the game unfolded, it was just like being at Eastlands watching a bunch of hopeless overpaid egos coasting around the pitch, each waiting for somebody else to take some responsibility and get a grip of the game.

I know it was only a crucial Euro qualifier ( in Israel ?? ), so I guess it was too much to expect the cream of the current England players to motivate themselves and actually win when it matters.

The parallels with City were frighteningly stark. It was dull, workmanlike, devoid of imagination or inspiration and ultimately completely frustrating. Despite a lot of possession England could have played until Yom Kippur ( which I believe is 22nd September this year) and still not have troubled the score sheet. One goal in the last five games is simply not good enough; Andorra must be fancying their chances on Wednesday night !

Like many, I thought that McClaren's appointment was disastrous and I remember doing an article on another board last year predicting that England would become the new Middlesbrough. Sadly, I have been proved right, but I take no pleasure from that at all.

Even though McClaren is clearly the wrong man for the job, I do feel a bit of sympathy for the man after last night, but not too much as I can't feel too sorry for anyone who would even think of playing Phil Neville.

Even without any sort of coaching or instruction, the players who took the pitch yesterday should have been able to think for themselves and adapt to the pace, shape and tempo of the game; they are highly paid professional footballers after all. Like the rest of us and despite his public post match comments, McClaren must have privately been thinking "w.t.f" was that ??

It's time for some tough decisions and the manager needs to be brave enough to ditch some of the big names who regularly under-perform and disappoint and give a chance to other players who are hungrier and want that England shirt more.

Hopefully, our own manager will have taken note and learnt from the universal criticism of the England performance, except most notably from McClaren who bizarrely saw it as "almost a complete performance"; a complete shambles would be a much more accurate description.

After this weekend's flop in Israel, the day of atonement can surely not be far off.

What Was The Point ?

Great seeing a couple of City players in the full England squad and with all the media hype about the Barton/Gerrard/Lampard thing, it was all a bit of an anti-climax in the end.

However, having said that, what was the point of Joey really being there in the end, as he was only on the pitch for 11 minutes; what sort of opportunity was that?

As soon as I saw the teamsheet I was tempted to run down the bookies and stick a few quid on an away win. The Neville brothers at full back - what was all that about? What could McClaren possibly learn from that has-been brotherly pairing? What made it even worse was that Micah and Gareth Barry (a naturally left sided player) were left on the bench - what's going on?

Lamps and Stevie G failed as a midfield unit yet again, leaving the onlooking Barton to freeze on the bench in complete bewilderment as to what he was doing there. SWP flattered to deceive again and just always looks like he's trying too hard all the time to prove he was right to join Chelsea, which we all know he wasn't.

At best, the England performance was lacklustre and at worst pathetic. At least when Micah came on we looked more threatening with his pace and power. Joey was given all of eleven minutes in a hopeless cause and looked comfortable without really getting into the game. We did however see one of his trademark through-the-back tackles and was a bit lucky to get away with it.

On a positive note, nice to see Stevie Ireland grab a late winner. He's played well since the start of the year and deserves a decent run in the City team and a new contract.

What then about England? Last night confirmed yet again it was a case of wrong team, wrong formation, wrong manager.

Israel must be shaking in their boots !

Gerrard And Lampard's Pal Joey

Love him or hate him, you've just got to hand it to Joey Barton, that his inclusion in the full England squad England has confirmed his re-rehabilitation and transformation from villain to hero.

Many non-City fans may not realise just how close Joey was to having been shown the door following his notorious Christmas party incident and fracas with an Everton fan on a pre-season tour. It's one of the few high points from the KK era that the club kept faith with Joey in those dark times and Pearce also needs a bit of credit for how he has nurtured and developed Barton from potential outcast into the heartbeat of the City team. I guess Joey also needs a bit of credit too.

It's been well documented that Joey ruffled a few feathers amongst the "Galacticos" in the England squad when he criticised their performances and questioned their priorities when it seemed selling books was more important than performances on the pitch. They didn't like it, but Barton was really only saying what most ordinary fans felt; Joey was spot on.

Narturally the press are making a lot of the Gerrard-Lampard thing; it makes great copy, but in reality it is overstated. I'm not a big McClaren fan, but he needs a bit of credit for not giving into player and press power and including Joey in the squad. Joey deserves it; it's as simple as that and he will, if given a chance show a lot of people that he can mix it at the top level.

It's no real surprise that Lampard and Gerrard allegedly don't like it. This England midfield combination, despite many opportunities, has just not worked. Lampard has taken much of the flak, and his World Cup performances didn't do himself or the team any favours. Similarly Stevie G is carving out a JohnBarnes-like England career where despite awesome club performances, the majority of his international games are frustratingly below par - remember Euro 2004?

Barton's inclusion should introduce much needed creative and positive tension into what has become a stale and stagnant midfield. If nothing else and even if he doesn't get on the pitch, his presence should give the midfield incumbents, who have become far too comfortable and complacent, a much needed kick up the backside. The same would apply to Kevin Nolan, who is desperately unlucky to miss out again, but having said that, three Scousers in the midfield may be a step too far :-)

I didn't think I'd ever say this, but good on you Steve McClaren !