Even a hugely comfortable 4-0 win over Bulgaria wasn’t enough to ease the despair hanging over the senior side at the moment. But Capello is not even close to being our biggest problem.

Step forward Stuart Pearce. Here is the man given the task of moulding the best of the young English talent before they make the final step up to senior international status. A task he is failing again and again.

Before readers jump to conclusions, this isn’t a criticism of how he dealt with the Jack Wilshere situation – I actually think only he can possibly make that decision, and with England winning fairly comfortably in Portugal you have to say he got it spot on. Man management is one of the few areas of coaching where Pearce can be trusted as far as I’m concerned.

His team and squad selection though, leaves plenty to be desired. Instead of picking a team to develop, the players most likely to become successful senior internationals, time after time he calls up and starts the likes of Ryan Bertrand, Michael Mancienne, Danny Rose and Fabrice Muamba. Physique and experience is constantly preferred to talent and technical ability, results given complete priority over development. The worst part is, as England face Lithuainia in a game where a win might still not be enough to take the U21s through to the play-offs, ‘Psycho’ hasn’t even got his team winning.

Take Germany’s approach to the Under 21s, they won the U21 Championship in 2009 because they had brought the most talented players through, in a system that worked for international football, and they embarassed England in the final just as they did in the senior World Cup this summer with six of the same players. In stark contrast, not a single of Pearce’s players that day were named in Capello’s squad for South Africa.

Tactically Pearce is equally inept, probably best illustrated by Friday when Michael Mancienne was chosen to play in midfield in what was a must-win game against Portugal. In the end England breezed through, but if Mancienne or a player like him ever plays in defensive midfield for the senior side it will be a dark, dark day for English football. We don’t need to mimick Spain’s style to be successful – indeed, it will be a very long time before we’re capable of that – but not wasting possession is crucial to international success and Pearce’s brand of glorified kick-and-run park football will always come undone.

I fear for English football when I read the newspaper columns berating Capello in one paragraph and then praising Pearce in the next. The Italian is a world class manager who was without doubt let down by underperforming players and a few suspect decisions after a hugely successful qualification campaign. The Englishman is a poor manager who, if anything, is damaging the supply of English footballers available to Capello. You tell me who the papers should really be calling to resign.

As with each new term, all eyes were on how the latest selection would do as many made the step up from last seasons successful U17 side and they weren’t disappointed as the young Lions comfortably dispatched their opposition with goals in each half from Liverpool duo Michael Ngoo and Jonjo Shelvey.

Noel Blake’s team dominated the game from start to finish in the international friendly and a goal in the 16th minute after Ross Barkley set up Ngoo score on his debut was no less than they deserved.

They continued to create chances but had to wait until the 72nd minute before doubling their advantage, former Charlton Athletic starlet Shelvey stepping up to curl home a free kick from 25 yards to seal the win.

This was their only opportunity to train together ahead of the European Championship qualifiers next month as they look to progress from a group containing Cyprus, Albania and Belgium and Blake declared himself delighted with the performance after the game.

“The victory is one thing, and that’s always a good start for a new year group. But I was absolutely delighted with the performance from start to finish.

I thought we controlled the tempo of the game and scored two very good goals but I was most pleased with our passing and our game management in particular.

That’s something we’ve spoken about a lot and it really pleased me, so it’s good food for thought from the first game.”

Arsenal’s Benik Afobe amd Nico Yennaris also made their debuts for the U19s, appearing as second half substitutes, and will hope they have done enough to assure themselves of a place in next month’s squad.

He has included three of Arsenal’s Academy Premier League-winning team from last season, including captain Nico Yennaris who only turned 17 this summer. Alongside him is prolific forward Benik Afobe and midfield powerhouse Emmanuel Frimpong fresh from impressing in the Emirates Cup.

Other exciting names include Chelsea’s creative midfielder Josh McEachran who has been tipped as one to watch by many this year, whilst Liverpool’s summer signing Jonjo Shelvey is one of the most experienced players in the squad, having broken on to the scene with Charlton Athletic at just 16.

Squad in full:

Benik Afobe (Arsenal)
Ross Barkley (Everton)
Aziz Deen Conteh (Chelsea)
Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal)
Ezekiel Fryers (Manchester United)
Shaun Jeffers (Coventry City)
Will Keane (Manchester United)
Josh McEachran (Chelsea)
Jack Mills (Reading)
Michael Ngoo (Liverpool)
Lee Nicholls (Wigan Athletic)
Bruno Pilatos (Middlesbrough)
Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool)
Jed Steer (Norwich City)
Luke Williams (Middlesbrough)
Andre Wisdom (Liverpool)
Nicholas Yennaris (Arsenal)

Left back Kieran Gibbs and creative midfielder Jack Wilshere were two players tipped by Fabio Capello to have a role to play in the upcoming 2012 European qualifiers and it appears that the Italian coach has decided that now is the time to test them, with a game against Hungary coming up next week.

Another player thought to be close to a spot in Capello’s squad was Everton’s Jack Rodwell, but it appears that he’ll have to wait a bit longer for his chance after Stuart Pearce still picked him for the Under 21s game against Uzbekistan next week.

Pearce has included four new faces in his 19-man selection, with Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, defenders Martin Kelly (Liverpool) and Phil Jones (Blackburn), and Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton all making the step up to U21 level for the first time.

The full squad for next week’s game can be found below.

Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers)
Alex McCarthy (Reading)

Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea)
Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers)
Martin Kelly (Liverpool)
Michael Mancienne (Chelsea)
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa)
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United)
Jack Cork (Chelsea)
Jordan Henderson (Sunderland)
Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic)
Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers)
Jack Rodwell (Everton)
Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur)

Andy Carroll (Newcastle United)
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

“We’ve got modern football stadia, great facilities and infrastructure, wonderful countryside and, just as importantly, passionate and welcoming people.”

The North East – a hotbed of footballing passion. The World Cup – a glorious celebration of the beautiful game. Combine the two and it seems a perfect match, but does the region have what it takes to help make the 2018 World Cup bid a successful one?

“As a native of the region, I’d throw that question back at you and say ‘why not?’.”George Caulkin, the North East football writer for The Times, clearly believes that the World Cup bid is an ideal stage for the North East to finally showcase what it has to offer. “We’ve got modern football stadia, great facilities and infrastructure, wonderful countryside and, just as importantly, passionate and welcoming people.”

One of those modern football stadiums Caulkin mentions is the Stadium of Light, home to the sole remaining Premier League representative from the North East. Looming above the skyline it’s visible from much of the city, with a complicated roof structure taking inspiration from the industrial past. As you get nearer you have to cross the vast steel bridge which proudly illustrates the city’s history.

Inside the stadium and it is a far cry from the past, a modern stadium capable of seating up to 49,000 passionate and vocal Sunderland fans on a Saturday afternoon. As a regular Mackem match-goer explains: “It’s a great arena to watch a game from, and perfect for a major tournament. It certainly wouldn’t look out of place on the world stage. The Stadium of Light doesn’t get the credit it deserves from other fans, but the bid has finally given it recognition.”

Sunderland welcomed, among others, former World Cup winners Italy and held a quarter-final at their previous home Roker Park during the tournament in 1966, yet for many Sunderland wasn’t an obvious choice as a host in 2018.
The Black Cats’ chairman Niall Quinn spoke after the host cities were decided, telling Sky that “various things have happened in this city, in this region: the shipbuilding stopped, the coal mines closed and it’s been a struggle ever since to regenerate and reinvent itself, but this is a huge help.”

“When Sunderland announced their intention to bid for host city status there was a local feeling of ‘yeah, nice idea, but you’ve got no chance’ – being accepted is a valediction,” said Caulkin. It’s a city with high aspirations but low reputation – many here believe a successful World Cup could be the catalyst for fixing the latter and achieving the former.

Further north sits a far better known footballing city. Despite Newcastle United’s relegation from the Premier League, it remains a famous city with a heritage for the beautiful game, even if St James’ Park was not one of the stadiums involved (Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park had that pleasure) in England’s World Cup winning campaign all those years ago.

Jumping into view in the heart of the city, two imposing stands soaring above as you climb the stairs, Newcastle’s stadium is a sight many football fans can instantly recognise. It is every bit as intimidating inside with its steep sides and colossal roof only adding to the sense of theatre.

“It’s perfect for the World Cup,” stated an avid Newcastle United fan. “It’s already being used as a stadium for the Olympics and then the Rugby World Cup in 2015 – it’s in a great city full of great people who deserve to be part of something like this. It would be so important, not just for Newcastle but the surrounding area too.”

So two fantastic stadiums in two very different cities that share a very real passion that’s possibly unrivalled by the rest of Britain. But how much work is there to be done before a global tournament could be hosted? George Caulkin answers: “Improvements or changes would have to be made in the run up to any tournament because there are certain criteria that have adhered to, from fan parks to media access, but no large-scale construction would be necessary. Sunderland’s bid has also been pan-North East, involving other clubs and councils in the region. Middlesbrough’s palatial training complex, for example, would be available.”

In just over 250 days, both of these proud cities will know if they will be helping England welcome the world in eight years time. And if the bid is successful, Newcastle and Sunderland will deserve every second they get in the spotlight.

TheFA.com haven’t given a reason for them disappearing from the squad list on their website but with the Carling Cup just a week away it seems that the talented duo have been given the nod to play and Arsenal have recalled them from England with the fixture against West Brom in mind. Certainly it’s unlikely that there are injury problems to blame, with both Bartley and Murphy playing in Mondays excellent 1-0 victory over Stoke City this week.

Kyle Bartley has earnt the right to start a Carling Cup match this season after a year of consistently impressive performances at reserve and youth level, but Rhys Murphy would be a very surprising inclusion with the likes of Gilles Sunu, Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Brian Eastick has named 6 of Man City’s highly successful academy in his squad who have been drawn against Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Ghanain the group stage. Despite many star players such as Wilshere, Rodwell and Moses not being involved, there are still a few eyecatching talents in the squad in the form of Kieran Trippier, Matthew James and Gary Gardner worth looking out for.

Here is the revised England squad in full:

• Sam Baldock (MK Dons)
• Febian Brandy (Man Utd)
• Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
• Adam Clayton (Man City)
• Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
• Gavin Hoyte (Arsenal)
• Matthew James (Man Utd)
• Martin Kelly (Liverpool)
• Paul Marshall (Man City)
• Ben Mee (Man City)
• Alex Nimely (Man City)
• Jon Obika (Yeovil Town – on loan from Spurs)
• Nana Ofori (Chelsea)
• Mark Oxley (Hull City)
• Elliot Parish (Aston Villa)
• Jordan Parkes (Watford)
• Jason Steele (Middlesbrough)
• Kieran Trippier (Man City)
• Andrew Tutte (Man City)
• Josh Walker (Middlesbrough)
• Michael Woods (Chelsea)

The call up will come as no surprise for Arsenal fans having seen the striker improve enormously over the last year, scoring crucial goals in the Gunners’ successful Youth Cup campaign before taking part against Rangers in the Emirates Cup in pre-season, illustrating just how far he has progressed in Wenger’s estimation. He’s fresh from scoring an impressive brace against Birmingham City reserves on Tuesday and will look to continue his impressive early form.

He’s not the only name of interest in the latest squad named by Blake though, with Spurs duo Andros Townsend and John Bostock, Villa’s Nathan Delfouneso and Newcastle’s Nile Ranger being included in a very promising attack for the England team. Townsend caught my attention in Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat in the Youth Cup quarter final last season where he shined despite his side being overrun by the eventual winners, while team mate Bostock is a far better known player but one who has lost his way since moving from Crystal Palace in what looks to be an ill advised and controversial move. The talent is still obvious and he has still got plenty of time to find his feet once more though.

Villa’s Nathan Delfouneso recieved the Golden Boot award in the recent U19 European Championships and is always a goalscoring threat and Newcastle’s Nile Range has proven himself to be another player capable of finding the net with ease.

Full Squad:

• Nathan Baker (Aston Villa)

• John Bostock (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Reece Brown (Manchester Utd)
• Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
• Jordan Clarke (Coventry City)
• Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)
• Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa)
• Ryan Donaldson (Newcastle Utd)
• Wesley Foderingham (Fulham)
• Scott Malone (Wolves)
• Matthew James (Manchester Utd)
• Dean Parrett (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Nile Ranger (Newcastle Utd)
• Declan Rudd (Norwich City)
• Cameron Stewart (Manchester Utd)
• Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur)
• James Wallace (Everton)
• Sanchez Watt (Arsenal)
  

England 1 -0 Portugal

John Peacock named a much stronger team for this match, recalling many of the star talents in the England youth set up with the likes of Louis  Laing, Benik Afobe and Bruno Pilatos getting starts. Saido Berahino was rewarded for his two goals in the previous game by earning a start alongside Afobe in attack.

England could have fallen behind very early on in this fixture, Portugal producing an incisive move that ended with Sancadino Silva failing to beat Sam Johnstone one on one after good work by Esgaio bursting from midfield. England responded with a fairly tame effort from Saido Berahino after a brilliant turn just inside the box.

Despite a poor miss earlier on, Sancadino Silva looks like a very talented player on this showing with a mesmerising run and one two leaving him with a striking opportunity inside the area but from a difficult angle he curled just wide.

Manchester United’s Will Keane was next to spurn a chance, just clipping the crossbar with a powerful effort following a good cross and the starlet was in the thick of the action shortly afterwards too as a curled effort just went wide of the far post. Good work from Benik Afobe in the early stages of the second half gave Keane another chance to put England ahead but his side foot finish from the 6 yard box missed the target by inches.

That man Silva then cut inside dangerously before failing to get hold of his strike and Afobe should have scored with a volley from a deep cross but like Silva his connection was poor. Silva should also have converted moments later when he was teed up perfectly for a simple finish but he couldn’t find a way past the defenders on the line to give his country the lead.

The turning point in the game came when Chuks Aneke replaced Berahino and 13 minutes later the strong Arsenal
man produced a fantastic finish from 25 yards to win England the game. Those who bet online and had their money on England were in a celebratory mood.

England 2 Turkey 3

Peacock made 7 changes to the side that could only draw against Italy in the previous game, the likes of McEachran and Afobe missing out, but it took only 12 minutes for one of the replacements to stake a place for himself in the first choice side, West Brom’s Saido Berahino converting a Chuks Aneke through ball in a tidy finish.

Turkey picked up the pace after going behind and forced several opportunities to level the scores, a mixture of brave and solid goalkeeping from Jack Butland and a desperate goal line clearance keeping the home side in front. It only delayed the inevitable though and 12 minutes into the 2nd period Turkey got what they deserved through a deflected close range strike from Okay after great wing play by Gurbuz Gurbey.

Another great finish from Saido Berahino saw England regain the lead against the run of the play but once more Turkey would fight back, striker Artlin taking the ball past Butland before slotting home coolly. The Eastern European opponents could have instantly got a third as well, but had another goal line clearance thwart them. It was only a matter of time before the winning strike would come and when it did it saw the two goalscorers link up well, Okay pulling the ball back for Artlin to sweep home expertly.

England were unable to respond and now go in to the final game against Portugal playing just for pride, knowing that they are unable to win the tournament after Portugal’s win against Italy took them onto 6 points.

England 1 – 1 Italy

In a game of missed chances England failed to get off to the ideal start in the tournament, settling for a draw against a determined Italian side. England had already began to make their mark on the game and the Italians could so easily have fallen behind with a fantastic double save from Nicola Leali keeping Arsenal’s prolific front man Benik Afobe out. His club team mate Chuks Aneke had dragged a half chance wide just a few minutes earlier as the England boys started to put pressure on the oppositions defence.

Then the Italians took a surprise lead with a rare forway forward ending in a cross inviting Magnaghi to tuck away for the opener and the young Azzuri striker did exactly that with a smart finish from close range and it seemed that the goal could disrupt England’s early flow but it had the opposite effect on Peacock’s side and galvanised them into action for the rest of the match.

The momentum was still with England and with Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran pulling the strings a goal seemed pretty close by, Afobe lifting the ball narrowly over from a tight angle after a fantastic reverse ball played through byMcEachran in the final chance of the half.

Jake Bidwell replaced Chuks Aneke at the break and on the left flank caused a lot of problems for the Italian right back, another Afobe effort coming as a result from a ball across the box by Bidwell before his header teed up Afobe who beat his man before putting the ball on a plate for Morrison, but the United man could only see his effort come back off the post.

The goal came just after that but when it did it was not the result of any flowing play by England, a corner being lofted into the box and inexplicably pushed into his own net by the otherwise outstanding Italian goalkeeper. They all count though and there is no question that it was fully deserved.

England were still pressing for the winner and Benik Afobe, who won’t be sorry to see the back of the Italian goalkeeper, could have scored once again when he beat his man before seeing his strike blocked by Leali once more, before right back Bruno Pilatos blasted a half volley just wide of the target.

There wasn’t to be another goal though and the final chance fell to the Italians after an awful spill by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone gave Magnaghi a chance to double his tally but the English goalie got up well to smother the effort excellently and redeem himself.