For me, the run-up to England’s Group G Qualifier with Wales today (Kick-off: 15.00) has been more interesting than the game itself is likely to be (this is England we are talking about after-all). That’s all the more true given that Welsh winger Gareth Bale has been ruled out of the clash. The 21-year-old Tottenham winger is reportedly experiencing some ‘muscle soreness’ (Welsh doctors, it seems, are very vague with their diagnoses) and Wales manager Gary Speed isn’t willing to risk him.
That something of a shame – there’s little doubt that Gareth Bale could have provided the English full-backs with something to think about.
No, the build-up to the England-Wales game was interesting because of the whole John Terry England captaincy debate. The debate essentially revolved around whether England manager Fabio Capello and the English nation could stomach having a morally repugnant man lead the Three Lions out onto the pitch, simply on the basis that he’s the best leader we have.
It’s a sad state of affairs then, that it was decided that we could stomach it. Capello’s decision is something of a “come back Terry, all is forgiven”. Has Terry paid penance for his mistakes? I don’t know. I just wish that England had more options in this department. Instead Capello is forced into an embarrassing climb-down: “Sometimes I regret what happened. It is possible to do some things better, but it is the past,” and those of us who aren’t Chelsea fans are left with a vague sense of disappointment.
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But let’s get down to the game itself. The main draw, I believe is the opportunity to see two Arsenal (yes, that’s right Arsenal) youngsters duke it out. Jack Wilshere having established himself for the Gunner’s this season will be looking to do the same for England over the coming months. Whilst he will face tough competition establishing himself in a midfield with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry (okay, maybe not the last one) he is still considered (along with Andy Carroll) to be the hope for England’s future.
On the Welsh side of things, we have Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, who is sure to give England a thing or two to think about today. He’s a ‘smart’ player and by that I mean he has a fantastic reading of the game and can pick out passes with ease. It’s a little surprising, however that he’s been granted the responsibility of captaining Wales at such a young age. He is, after all just 20-years-old. Furthermore, he’s just making a return from a long-term injury and looked more than a little rusty playing for Arsenal against West Brom last weekend. Whether he has the ability to marshal this Wales squad at despite his youth remains to be seen, but his talent is unquestionable.
The prospect of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere squaring off in the centre of the park is a mouth-watering one. With that in mind, let’s get down to some odds.
Great odds: Jack Wilshere to score first and England to win 1-0 – 40/1.
Good odds: Jack Wilshere to score first – 14/1.
Good odds: Aaron Ramsey to score at any time – 10/1.
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