WRITE STUFF Email: sport@sundaymirror.co.uk Twitter: @ dgdgdggdgdggd EDITED BY IAIN CAMPBELL STAR LETTER two IF ever a week epitomised the media’s relationship with the England football group, then the final week was it.

Soon after Friday’s victory over a lacklustre Bulgaria team, some voices had been suggesting that England were set to win Euro 2012 and the Globe Cup.

Nonetheless, a couple of days later immediately after a poor performance against spirited Wales, we were one particular of the poorest international teams, according to particular journalists.

We have to accept that England aren’t the preferred international side all around.

Nonetheless, let’s get behind them in what could be a new golden generation with Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Stewart Downing, and Jack Wilshere, but not place unnecessary pressure on them to win tournaments – as a result of at the second it’s not realistic.

Gary Tutton, Welwyn Garden City. iC SayS: You sound like the voice of cause.

@JackWilshere: Pot of tea in bed? Yes please..

Goodnight my associates!

iC TWEETS: Tea and sympathy, Jack? 2 Having watched England‘s woeful and inept overall performance against Wales, I am at a loss to realize how they’re rated fourth in the planet underneath the FIFA rankings.

Their performances at Wembley above the previous year have, commonly speaking, been abysmal and it seems to me that the ranking method is a comprehensive joke and FIFA are living in cloud cuckoo land.

John West, Hove iC SayS: There definitely seems to be a basic flaw in the world rankings. two AM I the only Liverpool fan to really feel slightly uneasy at Luis Suarez’s petulant attitude to becoming substituted against Bolton? He flounced to the bench, sat with a sulky frown on his face and stalked off down to the dressing area at the final whistle without having joining his teammates on the pitch to shake hands with the Bolton players.

It is a Team game, Luis – please do not spoil your superb talent by turning into a diva. Mrs. G Hewitt, Newcastle-beneath-Lyme.

iC SayS: On the other hand, I am certain his manager wouldn’t want him to be Happy about getting taken off.

@ToonArmyMIA Toon Army Miami: Ashley revamped Newcastle United seating strategy iC TWEETS: Deckchairs on the Titanic? Credit exactly where credit’s due, I suppose.

two I READ this week that FIFA have proposed an international calendar of 17 games a season, increasing from 12.

This just exhibits how the game is becoming run by the funds-men simply because this could see the world’s stars head towards playing a 100- game season.

That may sound like an exagerration, but 38 league games, two domestic cup competitions, a Champions League/Europa League run, 17 internationals and a Globe Cup….

A World Cup? Yes, the tournament exactly where pundits say star players are tired when it comes around immediately after a season.

Our game’s governing physique should be executing the most reliable for their players and clubs, not their pockets.

Andy Van-Hagen, Birmingham iC SayS: Playing so various games damages the big tournaments given that players are washed out by the summer time.

@mortreport: Sources say Peyton Manning had surgical treatment – 2-3 month minimum recovery iC TWEETS: Indianapolis Colts will be lucky to see him in NFL this season.

Read Iain’s views and have your say by going to our webpage at www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport You can also write to The Sports Desk, Sunday Mirror, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP

Author: Anonymous

ArSenAl are furious at Fabio Capello’s criticism of their medical staff.

The england boss questioned the therapy offered by the club to midfield star Jack Wilshere.

But an Arsenal supply stated: “Capello is speaking not having any understanding of what went on amongst the club and Jack in the summer.

“Bone bruising requires rest and that is what we gave him. It fast became apparent that a month was not enough. It’s as quick as that.” Wilshere is out for three months – as reported exclusively in the Sunday Mirror last week -with an ankle dilemma aggravated all through the two-two euro 2012 qualifying match against Switzerland in June.

Capello recommended Arsenal were mindful of the difficulty, but, as an alternative of giving him immediate attention, they allowed the 19-year-old to go on holiday for a month.

The emirates staff are furious at the implication they had been negligent and insist they are giving Wilshere the highest quality doable recovery programme.

Arsenal’s medical team has earned substantial praise from Gunners’ Aaron ramsey, who effectively recovered from a horrendous ankle fracture sustained against Stoke in February 2010.

He said: “I was delighted at the way they treated me. What they did was nice.”

Author: STEVE STAMMERS

IF you like playing lengthy odds-on shots then you are in luck, mainly because Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 coupon is stuffed complete of skinny ‘uns.

No prize for shouting the most likely winners – it really is all about no matter if there’s any meat left on the bone.

You absolutely get no gravy with your 1/six England for their dwelling game against Wales, in spite of the latter’s improvement under Gary Speed (ideal). The Welsh will have their tails up right after the two-1 defeat of Montenegro on Friday, and can give flashes of international superior going forward, but are so naturally flimsy elsewhere that I’ve no appetite for the shock play.

It’s time to dabble in the unusual.

Ten out of England‘s final 15 Wembley outings have noticed the second half develop more ambitions than the primary half, so the Evens (Bet365) for that outcome once more is a fun telly punt with a bit of sense to it.

The Republic of Ireland are as quick as 15/four to beat Russia in Moscow.

That appears like a generous assessment.

This pack of Ruskies are practically nothing pretty unique, despite a sprinkling of superior twinklers like Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavluchenko.

But on Friday’s toothless Irish showing against Slovakia, you’d want a big pair of crystal balls to give some thought to the away win. The Republic search a relatively crackable puzzle, and the hosts at 4/five (Stan James) is the answer.

Estonia’s goalkeeper will have a lot of quiet time to wrestle with his suduko puzzle, or maybe make a begin on the ironing, when Northern Ireland roll up.

The guests have blanked in 13 of their last 16, if you disregard games against the Faroe Isles.

Don’t ignore the standout 17/10 (Paddy Electrical power) about a property win.

Writer: ALEX HANKIN

DICK ADvoCAAt is currently producing excuses ahead of the have a look at of Ireland to Moscow on tuesday evening.

the Russian boss is below intense pressure to deliver Euro 2012 qualification and understands victory against Ireland is important to their progression.

But the former Rangers boss is groaning about his players’ lack of regular action at club level – and the compact amount of young players generating the breakthrough at international level.

“three years have passed given that the end of the final European Championship, and the Russian national group plays just about the same composition,” he mentioned.

“We have a shortage of new talented players who could replace the present players. No competition, and at a higher level, it becomes a dilemma if you want to make their players carry out much better.

“We have a group that can perform nicely, I think in it. But in the team now we play the exact same players as when Guus Hiddink was in charge, the team has not changed.

“I do not see the approach of the younger generation, and it bothers me.”

Advocaat also moaned about the time some of his players spend on the bench at club level – but took encouragement from the possible match winning capability of Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin.

He insisted: “I know that players like Arshavin could determine the outcome of the meeting at any time.”

Author: CIARAN O RAGHALLAIGH

StEPhEN hUNt would like Ireland to summon the spirit of Paris on tuesday evening.

Ireland head to Moscow being aware of defeat would all but finish their chances of automatic qualification for Euro 2012.

Victory even though, could set the nation up for a dramatic final two games that could see Giovanni trapattoni’s males leading Group B. hunt said: “It really is a related predicament to the a single with France. I think we have to win the game so we will see how we go,” mentioned hunt.

“russia and Slovakia have to play each other, and they may well do us a favour, but if we win it is in our hands for the last two games. We’ve been in this situation prior to with France with a two legged play off.”

Author: CIARAN O RAGHALLAIGH

WAYNE ROONEY is once again feeling the appreciate when it comes to getting England‘s striking hero.

A year right after risking the wrath of the nation by mouthing off at fans who had travelled to the Planet Cup in South Africa, the Manchester United star is back to getting the country’s most treasured footballing asset.

Two goals in the 3- Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria on Friday evening offered considerably more compelling proof that Rooney is back to becoming the talismanic influence that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to break the bank to hold him at United last season.

His cursing in Cape Town was maybe lowest point of a year that Rooney accepts was his annus horribilis.

But immediately after starring in Sofia, he mentioned: “You can see that I have a rapport with the fans.

“What occurred in South Africa occurred. But I am certain that the fans see for themselves that when I play I give 100 per cent.

“The fans had been impressive again against Bulgaria and I genuinely would like to thank them for their outstanding support.

“But I have generally loved playing for England – and I’ll retain on playing for my country until eventually another person tells me that I cannot.”

The new-look Rooney is terrorising defenders this season – and not just since of his hair transplant.

The 25-year-old seems leaner and keener than ever prior to right after a summer time spent concentrating only on rest and relaxation.

He has already scored seven instances this season – five of them coming as United set a blistering pace in their bid to retain the Premier League title.

It is clear he has been energised by the younger gamers who now look up to him for the two club and country.

England skipper John Terry believes that Rooney is thriving on the additional responsibility.

Terry said: “Wayne has been exceptional. He is nevertheless really much at the forefront of this England team.

“Everyday people will talk about the young players that have come in, but Wayne nevertheless has an awful lot he can give England over the following ten many years.

“He’s a good quality character to have about the camp considering that his enthusiasm rubs off on the younger players. He certainly not settles for anything less than being a winner.

“That’s the sort of character he is, even in training. He has shown some outstanding early form for Man United and has now carried it on with England.”

Rooney struggled in 2010 just after suffering an ankle injury which blighted United’s hopes of achievement at dwelling and in Europe.

Frustration at failing to rediscover his kind for the Globe Cup boiled more than when Rooney criticised England‘s travelling help after they jeered a goalless draw with Algeria in Cape Town.

A couple of months later, he had a transfer request rejected by United and even though he did sooner or later sign a new pounds 250,000-a-week contract, it was only in the last few months of final season that he began to rediscover some thing like his old kind.

“I am extremely enjoying my football,” mentioned Rooney. “We have responded essentially very well from the disappointment of the Planet Cup by performing in the Euro qualifiers.

“It was a really good win in Bulgaria and if we beat Wales on Tuesday night we have considerably more or much less assured our qualification. I thought at the top of the pitch notably we had a lot of energy and movement.

“That created it truly difficult for their defenders to cope with us.

“It was a very good efficiency and a outstanding win. I took a bit of a knock, but the physio has had a search at me and I’ll be fine.”

Writer: SIMON MULLOCK

THE danger for England on Tuesday is that the memory of such an very easy victory at the Millennium Stadium in March could nevertheless be floating close to the minds of the squad as it prepares for the penultimate Euro 2012 qualifier.

Wales had been exceptionally poor that day and were caught out early by the pace and trickery of Ashley Young as England had the match won just after just 15 minutes.

Gary Speed has tried to set up a new way of playing, by passing the ball out from the back, and will be greatly encouraged by the outcome and overall performance against Montenegro on Friday.

Even so, it remains to be observed if he continues with this strategy at Wembley as England went for the jugular in Cardiff and Wales by no means recovered from a wretched start.

I am certain that most in the Welsh camp would like to return to a more familiar fashion of play against England, specifically with bragging rights at most of the top clubs up for grabs.

Wales have nothing to lose on Tuesday and can afford to have a best go, figuring out that their opponents have dropped points against both Montenegro and Switzerland at Wembley, even though David Vaughan’s and Craig Bellamy’s (above) suspensions may perhaps just limit their possibilities. There will be way more belief and purpose in the Welsh squad – for the reason that of Friday’s win – than prior to, but it is nevertheless a vastly inferior unit to England and should really be exposed as soon as further by the pace and vitality of Capello’s strike force.

In the matches against Wales and Bulgaria, England have sprinted out of the A Cole (Chelsea) blocks and had the game won ahead of half- time and Fabio Capello would love a comparable starting this week.

Utd) I do not assume that he will tinker too substantially with the team and its shape as a result of yet another win would see England almost on the plane to the European Championship.

So, I can’t see a recall for Frank Lampard as England want to assert some form of authority in the middle of the park against Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey.

Scott Parker and Gareth Barry should really continue with each other, but the only change I can see is to replace Stewart Downing with James Milner, should really Darren Bent nevertheless be unavailable.

Milner is versatile on the flanks and in the centre of midfield, but this would be a cosmetic alteration and not out of wonderful will need. Gareth Bale didn’t play in the to begin with match and is the only genuine clear risk to Capello’s men.

So Chris Smalling will have to have cover and aid on England‘s appropriate flank, which Milner could provide more effective than Walcott and Downing.

So, I take England to win two- once more and make it a super September for Capello.

TERRY’S Group TO PLAY WALES

Author: Anonymous

JACK WILSHERE could have just 1 friendly to push his Euro 2012 claims following confirmation the Arsenal midfielder will be out for up to 3 months with an ankle injury. The news implies Wilshere will surely sit out subsequent month’s final qualifier with Montenegro and even in a highest quality-case situation he would be pushing it to play in a November play-off, need to England will need one particular, or the friendly that will be scheduled rather.

“I can verify I will be out for close to two-3 months,” Wilshere said on Twitter. “I am operating challenging in the health club to stay match and I am gutted but I will be back more powerful.”

CRAIG LEVEIN has no worries about the match officials in tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania regardless of remaining adamant that “two horrendous decisions” price Scotland two valuable points against Czech Republic on Saturday.

With the Scots leading two-1, Dutch referee Kevin Blom awarded the visitors a controversial late penalty when winger Jan Rezek appeared to dive beneath Danny Wilson’s challenge.

Michal Kadlec converted to secure the point which keeps the Czechs in pole position to finish in the play-off spot in Group I behind runaway leaders Spain.

The Scotland head coach’s anger was exacerbated when Blom later booked Christophe Berra for simulation when he fell under Roman Hubnik’s challenge in the other penalty region.

Rezek’s late intervention was reminiscent of a dive by a player who will face the Scots – Saulius Mikoliunas, who was banned for two games by UEFA right after illegitimately winning a penalty in a European Championship qualifier at Hampden four many years ago.

Levein, although, will waste no power worrying about Icelandic referee Kristin Jacobsen, who is the man in the middle at Hampden tonight.

“I cannot go in to each and every game concerned that someone might possibly dive in the box and the referee makes two horrendous decisions,” he mentioned.

“In the normal course of events I would expect competence from referees and how sometimes do these things (diving) happen? “The final 1 ahead of Saturday was against Lithuania so they are fairly handful of and far amongst.

“There was the initial feeling of anger but we have a new concentrate and that is tonight.

“It is vital not to enable what occurred on Saturday to have any damaging effect.”

Levein admits that Scotland should really have conceded a penalty in the primary half when Charlie Adam challenged Milan Baros in the box, but insists the two choices against Scotland were much a lot more important.

“For me, that is an additional horrendous mistake – that is 3 he has produced,” he stated.

Final results npower League, 1 Charlton …………………….. (1) 1 Sheff Wed…………………… () 1 Wright-Phillips 3 Morrison 56 Att: 14,014 European Beneath-21 Championship Qualifying Group 10 St Mirren Park Scotland U21 ……………….. () Bulgaria U21 ……………….. ()

WALES manager Gary Speed insists his side will run out against England at Wembley with “no fear” tonight.

Speed’s side lifted the gloom of a dismal qualification campaign with an terrific win at home to second-positioned Montenegro on Friday.

And, though that outcome was music to table-topping England‘s ears, Speed hopes his charges can disrupt Fabio Capello’s bid for Euro 2012 qualification.

“It’s going to be difficult,” he stated. “But if we can perform as we did the other evening and keep our shape defensively, we can give the Welsh fans a thing to sing about.

“There’s no fear, we’re seeking forward to it. England have got great players, we know it really is going to be challenging but what a terrific opportunity.

“We’re just concerned about ourselves. England are by far the greatest team in the group and will qualify comfortably, but hopefully for our sake it won’t be tonight.”

England cruised to a two- win at the Millennium Stadium in March right after early targets from Darren Bent and Frank Lampard, but Speed saw optimistic signs in the second half – and also made light of a 34-year gap considering Wales‘ scored their final win in England.

“I don’t feel we’ve played there that in many instances,” he stated of a mere three-game sequence, before adding: “I do not feel we’d ever beaten a team from the former Yugoslavia until Friday evening.”

On the Cardiff clash, he additional: “Last time all around it was my primary game and we had been still putting elements in place, trying to get the ball down and pass it.

“We possibly played as well deep, and that played into England‘s hands, but I was looking prolonged-term.”

CAPTION(S):

* FEARLESS: Wales Manager Gary Speed thanks his players Darcy Blake, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Leadley following their 2-1 win above Montenegro