Two fans here (Man U & L'pool) in my office were going on about how many of their team players would be going to the W Cup, and that they feet some players may well 'ease off' towards the end of the season to avoid injury, just when the title race is in full swing, possible Euro and English Cup finals etc.

Which obviously got me thinking. Who out of our first team squad are deff. going to the WCup? Certainly given, O'Brien and Dyer, but is that it. Can't remember if Solano got through. The no-goers are Shearer, Bellamy, Speed, Lee, Hughes, Dabizas, Elliot, Distin, Bernard, dunno about Robert, not Acuna(?).

I'm undecided how to feel: I quite chuffed in that they won't be thinking of 'resting' themselves, but on the other hand I do wish we had more Mags in the World Cup.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Answers

Personally, If YKD sustains an injury setting up a goal for Shearer, which would win us the title, and as a result of the injury could not play until next season, I wouldn't be too bothered if he missed out on a World Cup place :-)

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

dyer at the world cup might see his value soar in a sharp way, for him personally it could be the start of big big things, though i guess that the star of the WC will be Beckham. Well rested, a point to prove and on his day a true star. and you would never have heard me say that this time last year!

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

I suppose their England players know they are certs while Shay is being followed very closely by that Charlton 'keeper and Andy O'Brien wouldn't expect a first team place automatically so really they should be playing their arses off.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Mick G, I couldn't agree more!

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

i think of all british based players Shay looks one of the biggest certs. he kept Ireland in it.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

More pertinent wil be the effect next season on players who have had no rest, been stressed out by playing in blistering heat on the other side of the world in pressure games.

Invariably there is a drop in performance from these players at the beginning of the subsequent season, as they have to come to terms with playing mundane Premiership games rather than the highs to be had fmor being on the world stage. (This is like the dip after CL games, but more pronounced)

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Steve Harper must be drooling at the prospect. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Andy O Brien will do well. smashing player.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Everyone seems to think we are going to storm the world cup, despite being in the "GROUP OF DEATH".

I have a feeling we won't even get through the group stages. One good win against Germany (that could have been oh so different when you look back on it) as well as a few scraped results doesn't equate to a world class team to me. Sorry to disappoint, but England aren't anywhere near good enough with the team at the moment.

If the other teams mark out Owen and Dyer they basically just have to score to win the game.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Don't think we'll storm it, Paul, but just as with Newcatle, I'd almost be happy just to see us die trying. As long as it's not the usual wet fart effort, I'll not mind.

I always enjoy England games, moreso because I'm abroad. They generate the best atmosphere in the bars here - and atmosphere is something in short supply in Barcelona, believe me...

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

I think we'll try, but the lack of any quality full backs, plus no real partner for Owen, as well as no real left sided player doesn't bode well against teams like the Argies who are strong all over.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002