At Ease

England cruised to victory in Sofia tonight, scoring three times in the first forty-five minutes and preventing any fight back from Bulgaria in a more than comfortable away win.

After ten minutes with a lot of passing but a not similar amount of goal mouth action; the next ten minutes more than made up for it. On thirteen minutes following an unsuccessful corner, Gareth Barry slid a ball through the Bulgaria defence which made its way to Gary Cahill, who gathered the composure of a centre forward and passed the ball neatly into the net to put his side 1-0 up with his first England goal.

Although leading, not much effort was required from the England team who passed the ball around the Bulgarians with ease, and managed to double their advantage when the clock hit twenty minutes. Stewart Downing’s corner found the head of Wayne Rooney, who, effortlessly it seemed, powered the ball into the back of the net for his twenty-seventh goal for his country.

In cruise control, England looked extremely comfortable on the ball with Barry and Spurs’ deadline day signing Scott Parker expertly controlling the England midfield. Bulgaria were not to be ignored though, and England were worried slightly when a cross to the far post was misjudged by Chris Smalling, but the Manchester United defenders blushes were spared when the chance came to nothing.

The tie was all but over just before half time, in a well created move which saw Rooney double his goal tally for the night. Ashley Young’s defence splitting ball found United team mate, who had the easiest tap in of his life. Worryingly for the Bulgarian defence no one seemed to notice the England talisman stroll into the box, and so England went in at the break three goals to the good; more than pleasing Fabio Capello and the travelling England support.

Bulgaria woke up after the interval with Joe Hart having to make his first save of the game after a Martin Petrov corner was met by an oncoming attacker, and England’s number one pulled off a quick reaction save to keep a clean sheet for his team – a mark of a good goalkeeper that, even after having nothing of note to do all game, was switched on to prevent the danger.

Liverpool winger Downing almost put the tie way beyond reach soon after when Theo Walcott put a looping cross into the box which was met by Downing who, running, headed across goal but was denied by the post just as he was wheeling away to celebrate.

Although Bulgaria enjoyed a lot of the second half possession, Hart wasn’t troubled in the England goal, in fact his only worry was the flares being set off behind him, such was the quiet night Manchester City’s keeper had.

The introduction of first James Milner and then Frank Lampard allowed England to maintain their lead and see out the game. A comfortable win for England with faultless performances from all, and a date with Wales at Wembley on Tuesday to hopefully all but secure qualification.

Club Favouritism: We can see it Fabio.

At first glance, it's a head-scratcher: Chris Smalling called up to the England team. Upon closer inspection, it's a little easier to see why: He plays for Manchester United.

I'm all for giving players chances, it's rare you see Championship players called up for England so I'm happy Bothroyd has been given a chance even though I don't rate him, but when you see players called up and even better players not getting a look in, to me, it's nonsensical. It's ridiculous. And it points to the one thing the England manager won't want to admit: club favouritism.


I'm starting to think now that for Roger Johnson to get called up to the England squad he'd have to dance naked in front of Fabio Capello waving a DVD of 'RoJo's best bits' from last season in his face. The thing is though, Capello has actually watched him on several occasions: he came often to St. Andrews on Joe Hart watch, and saw what Johnson gives to a team. He's your real English centre back: He puts his heart on his sleeve and would put his limbs in the way of an oncoming train. He's the type of player that would play with a broken leg; he'd get up, dust himself down and hobble on until the end of the game. He doesn't like losing; he's said so himself. He doesn't like defeat; that's why he always carries on. He's always shouting at the other players; because when something isn't right, Roger will tell you. In fact, Roger should be telling Fabio it's not right, because if he were to stick on a Chelsea shirt or a Man United shirt tomorrow and play for them, he'd get an England call-up just like that.

The same goes for Gary Cahill. Although he's been called up before - and done everything to warrant being called up again, may I add - he's also being overlooked again. No one gets it, in fact I think the only people who get it are United fans who are, understandably, happy for their player and Capello himself. It's come to a point now where no one else gets it though. It's been said for years England managers show club favouritism and now it's becoming a joke.

This desision has caused a lot of talking points, and the names being thrown about are the two i've mentioned: Roger Johnson and Gary Cahill. They are two great defenders who really deserve a chance, and two defenders who are better than Chris Smalling. I'm sorry Chris, but you probably even realise it yourself. Even Scott Dann, who sometimes even looks more assured than Johnson, and has played at Under-21 level is still being ignored by the England set up.

From the start of last season, Roger Johnson has played every single minute of every single Premier League game for Birmingham, showing not only his obvious defensive talent in the games, but his body-on the line mentality and his never say die attitude. He is the type of person every England fan would love to see playing for their team, and I'm not being biased when I say this, because England fans are all saying the same thing.

Gary Cahill has been a top defender for years. Blues tried to sign him before, but - don't quote me - I think this is when he transferred to Bolton. And he's been doing great there. He's the rock of their defence and, like Johnson, he puts his body on the line. He's more experianced and probably more technically able than Roger, which begs the bigger question as to why Smalling was called up ahead of him. For experiance for the young lad who has played just twenty minutes of Premier League football this season? Please don't make me laugh. It's because he has a red devil on his chest and the Glazers put the money into his bank account every week. And we all know it is.

The sad truth is out there, and unfortunetly even the players know it. Roger Johnson was interviewed back in October and he said, and I quote: "When it comes to a move or an England call, they are things that I have got to look to do. If a big move comes in then I would have to think about it." - because that's what players have to do nowadays. Lets face it, the Bolton's and Birmingham's of this world are seen as inferior. How can they produce good players? How can we call up players from their teams and ignore players at Manchester United?

It's becoming and unwritten rule for England managers and I wish Capello would have the balls to pick players on form, like he says he does, rather than players by what club they ply their trade for.