Tuesday 1 June 2010

SWP in, AJ out

Nothing official at this stage but there are strong and reliable rumours that Shaun Wright-Phillips has made the 23 man World Cup squad, while Adam Johnson has not.

When it emerged that Theo Walcott had not made the cut it looked as if one of those two would, and it turns out that Shaun's second half on the left against Japan was enough to convince Fabio Capello to take him as change-up option to South Africa.

It's tough on AJ, who has played with vigour and audacity since joining MCFC in January, and makes a mockery of Capello's pledge to pick players on form. But clearly SWP's ability to play on either wing, his experience, his dexterity have won him a seat on the plane. That game at the Boleyn Ground, on the left wing, in front of Franco Baldini, is the key moment in this story.

But more on all of this later - once we have official confirmation.

2 comments:

Elephant said...

What's increasingly clear, though, is that AJ's time will come.

A fine piece of business by Marwood.

StanMCFC said...

Really pleased for Shaun, however, don't think it's anything to do with the second half vs Japan. Think he'd done enough in previous games under Capello to win the manager's trust.

Johnson's omission disappointing, thought we needed another left footer in the squad, but anyway at least he'll be fresh and hungry for next season!