Defending the selection of Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll is never going to be easy. But the relative merit of footballers is a subjective debate which can only be settled with hindsight and not even always then.
However teamsheets from past games are not open to the same kind of discussion and Roy Hodgson handed a major victory to the #Hodgsonout campaign in explaining why he picked uncapped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Arsenal winger, he said, had impressed against Milan at the Emirates. Fair enough if he had stopped there, but hapless Hodgson continued:
“I was there and saw how well he dealt with Pirlo and Ambrosini."
The only problem is, neither played, as the screenshot of our coverage shows.
So there's the first definitive boob of the new manager's career. What will be the next one? Well he could always try fielding nine of the 11 players who were completely and utterly humiliated by Germany in Bloemfontein.
With the help of some of the world’s best footballers, adidas launched their latest football boot; the Predator® Lethal Zones.
A roster of stars including Edin Dzeko and Nani put the new boot through its paces by taking on five challenges designed to test every aspect of a player’s ability and showcase the capabilities of the new Predator boot.
Speaking at the launch event in Manchester, the United winger said: “I’ve been involved in the design process for the new Predator Lethal Zones and I’m excited to see the final product and test it out across the five different zones. The boots are light, comfortable and help me with ball control whether I’m passing, shooting or dribbling.”
The challenges comprised:
Dribble Water Course
Designed around an automated slalom course to test the player's fast paced dribbling abilities against a series of water blast sequences.
First Touch Air Cannon
Designed to test the player’s ability to control the ball at different heights and speeds, the First Touch Air Cannon Challenge sees a high-powered air cannon launch balls into the air for the players to control and then strike into two targets.
Sweet Spot Target Practice
Designed to demonstrate power and precision within a player’s passing, using the sweet spot zone to generate increased power without losing accuracy as they attempt to hit five static targets at different distances within a 30 second time window.
Drive Power Generation
Designed to test how much power players can generate using the raised and thicker 3-D shape on the forefoot, players will hit the ball as hard as they can into a specially designed pentagon that will measure and then display ball strike speed.
Pass Accuracy Showcase
Designed to test accuracy to the max, this challenge requires players to use the memory foam pad on the medial side of the boot to showcase their deadly control and accuracy.
“For the first time ever, Predator wearers have the complete weapon of control. We have been working with elite and amateur players for a number of years, and with Lethal Zones we have taken the Predator to a whole new level,” said Aubrey Dolan, product manager for Predator® Lethal Zones.
Supporting the five lethal zones is a newly engineered Hybridtouch upper which combines the benefits of leather and synthetic – comfort, stability, reduced water uptake and the highest quality feel in all weather conditions.
The boot also integrates the revolutionary Sprint Frame outsole construction featured in the adizero f50, offering the perfect balance between light weight (225g) and stability as well as the Traxion 2.0 stud configuration which ensures maximum grip and acceleration.
The Predator® Lethal Zones is the first miCoach enabled Predator® boot, which means players can now track their performance stats such as distance, sprint count and maximum speed, then wirelessly transfer the data to a mobile phone or PC.
Other world-class players including Robin van Persie and Xavi have also tested and contributed valuable input to the development of Predator® Lethal Zones and will debut the boot in their games in May 2012.
Of the new boot, Gunners star van Persie said: “If you want to be a top player it's vital that you are an all-rounder and that’s what the new Predator Lethal Zones are about. The five areas on the boot cover where players touch and strike the ball and the design works to maximise accuracy, power and control.”
The new Predator® Lethal Zones football boot will be available from June 2012 in bright blue/infrared/collegiate and navy/white colourways.
To find out more about the new Predator, visit adidas.com/football or go to facebook.com/adidasfootball. You can also follow @adidasfootball on Twitter to join the conversation.
For more football news and stats follow msnsportlee on Twitter
This is the hit that brought down boxer Tony Pietrantonio in the third round of his light heavyweight bout with Lavarn Harvell.
The full force of the impact was captured by Reuters snapper Tim Shaffer ringside in Atlantic City.
Looks like it hurt.
Chelsea aren't going to be league champions but they're going to use their London connection to jump on the Olympic bandwagon and add a golden touch to their strip for next season.
Yours for £55, the new kit is refreshingly simple and one might almost say regal.
Fittingly (some would say ironically) golden-boy Fernando Torres is chosen as one of the four players in the accompanying publicity shots.
You can pre-order it at the Chelsea store from May 10.
Nathan Cleverley was on hand to reveal the ball, named The Albert, that will be used at this summer’s Olympics.
Adidas asked members of the public to suggest a name and over 12,000 unique names were suggested over a ten day period.
Robert Ashcroft submitted his suggestion of ‘The Albert’ with his own interpretation of cockney rhyming slang where he proposed the London iconic landmark ‘The Albert Hall’ could mean ‘Ball’.
The Albert carries the London 2012 logo and features additional design elements in striking colours from the London 2012colour palate. The ball will be used to kick off the Olympic Football Tournament in Cardiff on 25th July, two days before the Opening Ceremony.
Cleverley said at the launch, “It is like no other ball I’ve seen before and it is going to really stand out on the pitch. The ball looks youthful and that is what London 2012 is meant to be about. The Olympic Games is going to be a huge event for Great Britain and if selected I would be delighted to represent Team GB.”
Social games publisher We R Interactives’ online football game I AM PLAYR has received a nomination for best online browser game in the BAFTA Video Games Awards.
The awards acknowledge the most popular, innovative and cutting-edge creativity in today’s gaming industry and those individuals at the top of their field. The online browser category, which debuted this year, recognises the best online experience and includes social, casual and browser games.
David Rose, CEO of We R Interactive commented: "With I AM PLAYR we set out to build a totally unique experience for both players and brands by blending the very best of gaming, film and TV production. Game and film media are two of the key creative disciplines that BAFTA represents and awards, so to have this innovation recognised by our peers in this new category which rewards excellence in the changing game development landscape critically validates everything we set out to achieve.”
I AM PLAYR is the first ever online game that lets users play the life of a professional footballer.
Played across Facebook, its own dedicated website and now on MSN UK, I AM PLAYR fuses live action video, interactive story-telling and first-person perspective 3D game play to create a truly original narrative, where the storyline is dictated by the player’s decisions and actions both on and off the pitch.
Top football talent featured in the game includes Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon, amongst others.
The GAME British Academy Video Games Awards will take place on Friday 16 March at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Find out more about I AM PLAYR
Play I AM PLAYR on MSN
The biggest losers from the resignation of Fabio Capello look likely to be John Terry, who has lost a key supporter, and Tottenham who are poised to lose their manager.
But who are the winners?
Scott Parker is one, according to Paddy Power. The odds on him becoming England captain shortened from 4/1 to 5/2 when it emerged that his club boss is likely to be running the national team by the time of the Euros. Steven Gerrard remains the firm favourite at 5/6.
Harry Redknapp looks almost certain to be installed in the hot seat. He's 1/3 this evening after starting the day at 15/8. Stuart Pearce and Jose Mourinho are joint second favourites at 10/1.
However the most interesting trend is a surge in money coming in for David Moyes to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post. Punters are betting that he could be moving south to White Hart Lane.
With apologies to Liverpool fans, this season is all about Manchester v London. The northerners are currently edging it in the league, but football is about so much more than points, which is where I AM PLAYR comes in.
The game which allows you to gain a taste of the life of a top professional has teamed up with MSN to launch the I AM PLAYR awards.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers players take three of the top four honours in the inaugural 2011 awards, which are decided by public vote.
Only Nani salvaged some pride for the red side of Manchester by edging out Robin Van Persie by 73 votes - 2,280 votes to 2,207 – in the category of top free-kick taker. The MSN editors' choice - Sebastian Larsson - was third with 1,762 votes.
What do you think was Nani’s best free kick? Let us know in the comments below
Kieron Dyer was already leading the most injury prone category when he cemented the top spot by announcing he would not play again this season. Even Michael Owen’s aging limbs weren’t enough to pose a serious challenge, collecting just 574 votes to Dyer’s 670.
Of course your ability to score from set plays and sustain a season of battering football is only part of the challenge of I AM PLAYR, you also have to decide how to conduct yourself off the field. Will you impress the manager by becoming a model pro or stick with the lads and go for the girls as a party animal.
Rob JonesA fan of all things competitive, Rob plays, watches and shouts on the terraces of most sports.
