Scholes : it was too late

Paul Scholes tells the press he would probably have gone to South Africa if Capello had asked earlier. Though he also says he would have felt guilty at taking the place of somebody who had been in the squad all through the qualifying phase.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7808983/World-Cup-2010-Paul-Scholes-tells-Fabio-Capello-he-called-too-late.html

Michael Owen explains why Rooney is even better than you think in the Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7808477/World-Cup-2010-Wayne-Rooneys-even-better-than-you-think-says-Michael-Owen.html
I think he is right to suggest that Rooney will be best if he is played up front on his own. I have no idea how he then fits the team around him. I know the team i would probably pick, well midfield to attack anyway. The trouble is my team would be very attack minded whereas we know that isn't generally how Capello sees the game.
Fow what it's worth, i would play a 4-3-3 with one holding player, that holding player would be Barry, though a fit Hargreaves would have had that role snapped up if fit. I would have Lampard and Gerrard playing just in front taking it in turns to get forward to support Rooney. Of course past experience says that probably won't work, but i would give it one more try. To finish off i would have Lennon on the right with a very attacking role with Cole on the left with orders to tuck into midfiled when we haven't got the ball.
As for the goalkeeper, it would have to be Hart, on the basis that he is at least as good as the other two and from what i have seen of him, less prone to mistakes. Long term, if he is going to be the player some think this would be invaluable experience for the future at a pretty young age.
And then there is defence, this, i'm afraid is why i can't see England ending their trophy drought. If Johnson is your best right back, things aren't good, he might look good occasionally going forward, but the guy can't defend. I would be tempted to give Milner a go there, at some stage. But the fact he hasn't done that in a friendly suggests that is not in Capello's thoughts. Cole is a top player, and top class wanker who walks into the team.
Terry though not the player he was and susceptible to pace, who has always needed a Carvallho or Ferdinand next to him, is the best centre half in the squad The problem is the other centre half, though Ferdinand is also nowhere near his peak either, it says everything that no one had come through to threaten his place. Ideally you would want someone with pace next to Terry, but that option isn't there. I would go for King, but how many games are you going to get out of him.
The only defender who is a really top player and in reasonable form, is Ashley Cole. I know he hasn't played much since christmas, but that could be a good thing for him entering the competition fresh. But there are big questions over almost every other defender in the squad. Generally for an attack to function at its best it has to confidence in the men behind it. That's where i see England's hopes floundering.

Will Keane one of a handful of promising youngsters in the academy set up who look to have a chance of eventually making their way through to the first team squad.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1242181_united_youngster_keane_for_success

A view from Florida of yesterday's revelations from Andersred. Oh such touching faith in big business, it as if Enron and Lehmann brothers never happened.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/glazers-statement-does-little-to-reassure-tampa-bay-buccaneers-fans/1100764

Report suggests that Premier league wage bill is too high and shows no sign of clubs learning to live within their means.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/topflight-clubs-issued-warning-as-wage-bills--hit-alltime-high-1994144.html

Music
Gotan Project - La revancha del tango: French electronica outfit mix tango and elctronica to great effect. I had heard some of this before but not the whole album. It's as good if not better than i expected.

Guano Padano - Guano Padano: Italian trio come over all American with a touch of spaghetti western on this superb album. There is some superb instrumental work alongside a couple of guest vocalists. Deserves a much bigger audience.

Harmonia - Music von Harmonia: The debut offering from classic Krautrock super group? Harmonia. It stands the test of time, i wouldn't say it's an all time classic, but it's darn good.

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes: Another debut album, this time from classic Brazilian tropicalia act Os Mutantes. You can hear the influence of the Beatles alongside the various Psychadelic and Brazilian influences. Another top album.

Rachid Taha - Diwan: One of Algerian music's most famous exports mixing various forms of north African music with all sorts of western influences to makes him one of the formost world artists around. I like sub Saharan music and desert acts like Tinariwen, but i didn't expect to like this to the extent that i did. The fusion of north Africa and western rock really works.

Various artists - The most complete compilation of Peruvian underground 64 -74. This is another tremendous album, though it's Peruvian there aren't many sounds of South America. There are some great slabs of garage rock, psychadelia and even a bit of funk though. There are some blinding tracks on it, and i'm going to have to do a bit of research on some of these groups, of which i ihaven't heard of a one.