New England Kit - Leaked Images - Pre-Order - 1st April Release Date

Don't you love it, to recoup more money for the hideously expensive new Wembley, they've launched a new kit. Apparently this is the 45th new kit since we won the World Cup 43 years ago!

The leaked image of what some are saying are the new England kit is:



If that is the new kit then it's not so much different from the old one:


With the on-sale date being 1st April, then we can only assume its a crap April Fools Joke! But what isn't a joke is the price! It's gone up £4 which is over 10% in two years - that's just not funny, considering how many families are struggling with the recession.

You can get the New England Kit from Kitbag and UK Soccer Shop.

Ray Calls For Respect - FA Respect Campaign

FYR Macedonia v Scotland World Cup Qualifying - Wednesday 15th October

It's not looking great for Scotland. Ok so you've had one win, one draw and a loss. But boy you should have beat Norway! The lad on his debut missing from 2 yards - shocker!

With FCY Madedonia on your tails and being the next game and away, you really have to get a win - somehow.

Then you can rest and enjoy your Christmas! But with the press at George Burley's through I don't see it being much of happy Christmas with anything other than a good win!

World Cup Football Blog Prediction: FYR Macedonia 0 - 1 Scotland

Germany v Wales World Cup Qualifying Wednesday 15th October 2008

The Welsh aren't doing too bad, 6 points from 3 games and sitting 2nd in the table.

But you shouldn't take progression for granted. Wales only scrapped a 2-0 win against Liechtenstein, Finland on 4 points and Russia on 3 have a game in hand and you're playing the mighty Germany next.

If you manage a draw against the Germans then I'll eat a leak. I don't see it happening but I'll be over the moon.

World Cup Football Blog Prediction: Germany 2 - 0 Wales

Belarus v England - Wednesday 15th October

England fly to Minsk knowing that if they win against Belarus that they're 50% the way to South Africa. I know its a case of famous last words and all that, but we should do win over there - even if we just scrape a crappy goal from Heskey.

We can't get carried away with our win over Kazakhstan as it was against a team ranked something like 130th in the FIFA Rankings. Belarus may have only 3 points also, but if we put a solid performance and get a win and with Ukraine not playing until next year, we can go into Christmas with a 5 point lead of our nearest rivals.

I'm thinking that Capello may drop either Lampard or Gerrard to be bench and play Barry in there. He should play Rooney up front with Heskey and just drop Rooney behind.

World Cup Football Blog Prediction: Belarus 0 - 2 England

England 5 - 1 Kazakhstan

It was such a dull first half I actually walked away and packed for my holidays. This meant that I missed some of the second half and some pretty average goals. But goals is goals and they all count!

Wayne Rooney's were scuffy affairs, Rio has started scoring for club and country, there was an unlucky own goal and a neatly taken one from Dafoe.

It just proves that changing your formation to accommodate Lampard and Gerrard is not a wise move. At half time England went from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 with Wayne taking a more central position. If we don't do this against Belarus on Wednesday then I'll be very much disspointed!

We should come out on top of that game, but its a tricky away tie so you can never take them for granted!

And for Ashley Cole being booed, I don't like the fella but come on! Don't boo him because he's playing like a Sunday League defender - give him some support!

And why is football more interesting in a foreign language?



Man of The Match: Rooney Rooney Rooney!

Fixtures Saturday 6th September - Qualifying

Here's the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying fixtures for Saturday 6th September.

The qualifying rounds kick off this Saturday. Ronaldo will be happy to see some sun in Malta. It may also be a bit warmer in Andorra for the England squad. Scotland face a nice trip to Macedonia and Wales host Azerbaijan.

With the English midfield suffering from a variety of injuries and Wayne Rooney not being on top-form - we can only guess what the score will be!

Group 1

Albania v Sweden 17:45
Hungary v Denmark 18:45
Malta v Portugal 19:00

Group 2

Israel v Switzerland 18:55
Luxembourg v Greece 19:15
Moldova v Latvia 17:00

Group 3

Slovakia v Northern Ireland 16:30
Poland v Slovenia 16:00

Group 4

Liechtenstein v Germany 19:45
Wales v Azerbaijan 15:00

Group 5

Armenia v Turkey 17:00
Belgium v Estonia 19:45
Spain v Bosnia-Herzegovina 21:00

Group 6

Andorra v England 19:00
Croatia v Kazakhstan 19:15
Ukraine v Belarus 18:00

Group 7

Austria v France 19:30
Romania v Lithuania 19:00
Serbia v Faeroe Islands 19:15

Group 8

Cyprus v Italy 19:45
Georgia v Rep of Ireland 17:00
Montenegro v Bulgaria 19:00

Group 9

FYR Macedonia v Scotland 14:00
Norway v Iceland 18:00