Apart from Pennant, I think the other player worth considering at Birmingham by Hughes is Neil Kilkenny. A technically gifted central midfielder with a lot to learn but with good potential. Althought Tugay will be at Rovers for another year - surely he'll play less games than ever.

Yeah, Viera. What a luminary of the game he is.

Firstly, Abbey, I thought you had located the capslock key. Secondly, Joe Cole playing as a second striker is veritably sensible in comparison to Souey's demented ploy of playing silky skilled Scotsman, Dom Matteo, on the left wing. Cole has all the attributes to play as a second striker. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, when he broke through at West Ham, that was his favoured position because he has skill but not bags of pace. Mourinho has got good performances out of him as a winger - but who's to say Cole's not capable of playing through the middle, especially as his shooting has improved dramatically. Playing a footballer out of position is not prima facie insanity. Benitez has used Gerrard effectively as a second striker this season. Alex Ferguson has revived Giggs' career by moving him in field. Our very own Lucas Neill has put in at least two admirable performances at centre back this year - although that position is not completely new to him.

Sven has said that Joe Cole will be used as a second striker if need be. So Walcott could well be 5th choice. Unadulterated sense. Well done.

Well done Michael Clarkson and THE MERCENARIES! I got pipped by two points on the last day and the investigation into food poisoning in my house begins unabated.

Crouch? Well it's hard to eulogise about him but he has scored a fair few goals for Liverpool and his link-up play has been good. In terms of target men, we don't have a lot to choose from. He's better than Heskey which is a start. Personally, I'd have liked to see Ashton there but no doubt his lack of pace was one of the reasons for not getting in.

Abbey, if players were included in England squads based on objective criteria which assesses who 'deserves' to be in the squad, we would not need a manager. All we'd need is a bunch of stattos to tell us who has scored the most goals and assists and clean sheets. Squad selection is not as objective as that. Sven will have to consider who he thinks has the right mental attitude to make an impact off the bench and be a positive character off the pitch. He will also have to consider the weaknesses of the opposition we will face and who has the attributes to exploit those foibles. We can argue about the Walcott selection until we're blue in the face. Or, now we've made our feelings known, we can wait for the World Cup and see who got it right. And btw, Hargreaves gets a lot of stick but has he actually been played in his natural central midfield role for England?

There's a tramp who lives in my local area who sports the Grabbi hair... However, I've seen him sprint after his wretched dogs and he's pretty quick over 50 yards, so clearly not the real Grabbi.

Not silly at all. Firstly, Darren Bent has done what Michael Ricketts, Marcus Stewart and Kevin Phillips have done. Banged in a bunch of goals playing for a poor team. I for one think that Bent is superior to those players and would gladly see him in a Rovers shirt. But when you want someone to come off the bench for England to make an impact against a defence playing deep and trying to protect a lead, you don't want Bent for all his target man attributes. Especially as we'll have Crouch as an option. You want someone with skill to open up the defence.

Because Arsenal have Henry, Van Persie and Reyes - who would be in the England squad if they were English. Furthermore, Wenger has next season to plan for. Sven has not got the next world cup to prepare. Because he's not. Why has he struggled to dislodge Keane and Mido, when those two were fit? What has he done for England coming off the bench? I don't deny that Defoe is a superb player but in the circumstances of needing an impact sub - Walcott will prove to be a better choice.

That's nonsense and you will know it by the end of the summer. Sure, maybe Bent deserved a call but in my mind the Walcott inclusion is a fantastic choice by Sven. Sven is taking Walcott as his trump card. He's taking him as an impact substitute and with his pace, he will do just that. Apart from Rooney, who have we got up front who has the ability to run with the ball? Walcott can do that and will also provide an option on the wing. Darren Bent is a target man forward not a skilful player. Jermain Defoe is a rubbish substitute who needs solid games to hit top form. It makes sense to take Walcott. Bravo Sven for not going for 'safe' option for once.

I just hope that you and Abbey and the others will have the guts to accept that you were so wrong when the time comes. I will be if I'm wrong but I am pretty sure that Sven has made the right move in including Walcott. You (and others) have fallen into the trap of expecting a squad of the best English players based on the records rather than thinking of a squad of players capable of winning the World Cup. You may not see the nuance but there is a difference. For example, Defoe might be a top English striker but what sort of substitute is he? If he's a rubbish sub, WHY TAKE HIM? because chances are that he won't start a game. Everyone's saying Walcott's something special. Is Darren Bent something special? No, he's just a decent striker who had a good season. With Crouch filling the target man role, in the World Cup we will need a player capable of the exceptional to help us if Rooney isn't doing it. Walcott could be the man/boy. And btw have Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole never played as second strikers? I think the hysteria is uncalled for. I don't rate Sven but this squad has restored a modicum of my faith in him.

Bobby G has got this totally right on Walcott's inclusion and all you frothing at the mouth about the choice will be magnanimous in being wrong by the end of the World Cup. Jermain Defoe is not a good substitute. FACT. Whether for Tottenham or England. SO seeing as he's not going to be starting, why take him when he's not going to do anything of the bench. SHould we take him because his record of Prem goals? Of course, not Sven needs to WIN the cup not pick players who people believe 'deserve' to be in the squad. Darren Bent is unlucky to not even be a stand-by but is he really going to offer that much different from Crouch, Owen and Rooney? NOPE. Walcott is a dribbler and exceptionally fast. He will offer an extra dimension to England if called upon. Who of all people should know about the guy? HIS MANAGER. Wenger has said that Walcott is ready - why shouldn't we believe him? He has nothing to gain from Walcott being in the squad - he hardly WANTS the media hype to inundate his young star. If anything, he'd probably prefer it if Walcott stayed out of the limelight and developed outside the intense glare of the media. Who cares if he doesn't have any Premiership games under his belt? We have heard a lot about Walcott's mental strength, so who's to say he can't cope with the pressure? Finally, there's quite a bit of nonsense bandied around that we'll only have two fit strikers if Owen and Rooney don't make it. Haven't Gerrard and Joe Cole ever played as second strikers for their Premiership clubs?

We'll see won't we but take not of this: "I could see Theo fulfilling that role. He is an impact player who can come on and change the game" Huw Jennings, Saints Academy director on Walcott. I say it again. Why take someone experienced like Defoe when they never make an impact from the bench. Better take someone who will - even if young. Who cares how old he is? It's all about his mentality and talent. I don't know the deadline but this is a PROVISIONAL squad. Sven may add strikers to it if he deems that OWen or Rooney aren't going to make it. Hysterical benhben. Defoe is not 'behind' Johnson. They're both on stand-by.

12 year old? Not quite. People slammed Sven for picking Rooney when he was very young but he came good. Walcott's not even played a Prem game but he's one of England's finest prospects - and who knows might be ready to perform on the world stage. Why take Defoe when everyone knows that the guy doesn't perform when he comes of the bench? All I can say is that at least Sven is trying something different.

Stand-by players: Scott Carson, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Jermain Defoe and Andy Johnson can't understand how AJ is ahead of Darren Bent. Makes no sense.

Provisional England squad: Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich City) Defenders: Gary Neville (Manchester Utd), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich/GER), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) Forwards: Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd), Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Sorry, wasn't sure whether to put this in the World Cup forum but I'm sure it'll get moved/deleted if it is in the wrong place. Most controversial point is surely Walcott's inclusion ahead of Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe. I'm with Sven (believe it or not). He's been bold and Walcott, from what we hear, has that extra special ability to run with the ball that Defoe and Bent don't have. I'm really happy to see Lennon in and Walcott could be the secret weapon. If you're good enough, you're old enough. However, Jenas and Hargreaves? Is it necessary to take both? I think taking another striker instead of one of those would have been a better idea. But as we know, the pair are particular favourites of Mr Sven.

Having doubted his talents at first (and still doubt his capacity to be a regular now) it will be sad if Kuqi does leave. His attitude is first class and he has nearly always contributed when called upon.

Ok so after a bit of ranting from me, I have established that we do actually agree that McClaren isn't a very good manager and the FA should have gone for someone else. However, I believe McClaren to be an upgrade on Sven and you disagree. I'm sorry if I was disrespecting your opinion but the issue of Sven and his £4 million a year gets my blood boiling every time - and not just through avarice...!

Sven has been successful results-wise? I would argue (no doubt you will disagree) that that is the equivalent of saying Morten Gamst Pedersen is the best left winger in the Premiership statistics-wise. I also note you've changed your tune. You said that England would probably not qualify for a major tournament under McClaren. That's what I described as baseless negativity. I would put the UEFA cup comebacks down to the immense talent Boro have at their disposal rather than McClaren's Churchillian oratory skills. Those highly paid superstars are occasionally going to pull the finger out now and again - regardless of who the manager is. But i wasn't in that dressing room so I wouldn't know. What I do know is that Southgate compared Sven to Iain Duncan Smith in terms of being a man of inspiration, and this man is the best England manager since Ramsey. Maybe the Tories made a mistake in ditching IDS after all.

Sorry Flopsy, but I still stongly believe Sven is inept. There have been good results but with the riches at his disposal, it would've been a crime if we hadn't achieved good results and qualified for tournaments. Arguably, the current crop are the best set of players any England manager has had to pick from for aeons. Please cast your mind back to the embarrassing way we surrendered to Brazil. Never mind Sven's tactics in Euro 2004 - what about his selections? Darius Vassell?! Where was Jermaine Defoe? Where was Shaun Wright-Phillips? Why was Beckham playing when unfit? Why did he not get subbed for so long when it was clear he wasn't performing? WHy was Owen Hargreaves coming on to play left wing? Why was Heskey disposed of mid-tournament when we desperately needed a big man who might do something with the aimless long punts forward? Why on earth was Scholes playing left midfield? Sven is a supine manager. He doesn't have the guts to make big decisions. Everyone knows that he has to make a decision of picking one of Lampard or Gerrard alongside a defensive midfielder for the World Cup. However, the guy hasn't got the balls to make that decision so will pick both and watch as Gerrard puts in another under-par tournament. Prior to Euro 2004 he intended to play a diamond formation in midfield. Along come shop-steward Gary Neville and skipper Becks and demand to play 4-4-2 and of course, he caves in. You might call that listening to your players - but imagine a REAL manager doing that. Can you? - Alex Ferguson? Jose Mourinho? His record in Serie A is pretty poor considering the talented sides he's had at his disposal. There a people more qualified to talk about Serie A football than me but I'm sure the consensus is that he ain't all that good. Of course, he has achieved qualification for England every time and the records might rank him alongside the greats but stats are only the tip of the iceberg. According to the stats, Morten Gamst Pedersen was the best left winger in the Premiership this season. The FA fooled themselves into thinking they had found a mentally strong, tactical genius. And gave him the appropriate contract. Now they realise that they have given a king's ransom to a fraud. I don't care whether Sven is a complete dullard or not. I care that he's a rubbish manager who is being unjustly enriched.

Now that imo is a little extreme. Firstly, when you say that McClaren isn't 'passionate' are you decrying his lack of Kevin Keegan type histrionics on the touchline? It is possible to be a good manager without acting like a loon on the side of the pitch - Benitez amongst others. However, if you're talking about McClaren's capacity to inspire the troops when things are going badly at half-time, I would agree with you. After all, McClaren was there in Japan and Korea. Secondly, it is idiocy to suggest that we won't qualify for another tournament under McClaren. That is baseless negativity. We coasted to qualification under Sven. SVEN! The most inept waster England has seen for a while. If Sven can do it, McClaren can. Of course, whether we can win it is a different story.

League performances reveal the true talents of a manager. Middlesbrough have a plethora of hugely paid multi-talented international players as well as arguably the best crop of youngsters in the land. Where are they in the league? I say it again, McClaren is better than Sven, but we're splitting hairs. Sam Allardyce has done more on a much lower budget and deserved the job ahead of Sven Mk II.

No apologies are needed. People felt a strong loyalty towards Souness because he rescued us from the mire that Brian Kidd, Roy Hodgson and the pathetic excuse for players we had created. Perhaps that loyalty blinded people a bit when it was clear that Souness' was losing the plot.

That is a point that I fully agree with. What is the point of having U15s, U16s, U17s, U18s, U19s, U20s...?!!! Talk about overkill. The U20 side are just players who are not good enough to play for the U21s - so clearly will never be good enough to be internationals so why bother? The same applies to most of the other youth sides. The selection process for these teams is so arbitrary, it makes Sven's selection choices seem respectable. Players from Premiership clubs are continually picked for these youth teams, regardless of their performances whilst players lower down the rungs, with more promising futures, are ignored. Until they sign for a big club. Classic example is Joe Garner. Now we all know that he's a prospect and a few years back he was being hailed as the next big thing from Rovers academy. However, his goals have stopped flowing since breaking into reserve football - yet come rain or shine, goal drought or not, England beckons every time. Is it any surprise that one of the biggest problems in English youth football is players with great potential getting too much too soon and lapping up the attention and hype whilst letting the football deteriorate? The other problem are the coaches/managers. Who are they? Don't ask me. They're anonymous characters who are accountable to no-one. If their team capitulates in a youth tournament they will trot out the same cliche about learning and a big curve. They will say that it's not about the winning, it's about the development. Typical bull**** - and they don't mention how lovely the all stay in Brazil or wherever was and how much they're looking forward to the next one. England, as a major football nation, should be winning youth tournaments left right and centre. We're not, is the simple fact, and then people wonder why the senior side can't do anything in the real thing. Oh - and btw, Steve McClaren is a crap choice. He seems barely capable of coping with the pressure of Middlesbrough - so God knows how he'll cope with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. You have to say though, anyone's better than that promiscuous Swedish accountant.