Agreed, Walcott hasnt been up to the job.

Let's hope he has learned his lesson.

Agreed. And it shouldn't be dripfed out via journalists either (see BBC webpage) when it IS announced

Not a Walcott fan but I would have had him ahead of SWP, he would have been useful to bring on late in the game with his pace.

Why?

Wright phillips has a better first touch, better ability to take on defenders and a better end product.

The only walcott has over his competition is finishing, he's a better finisher.

Walcott can't take on the defence. A drop of the right shoulder doesn't cut it at the top level.

Wright Phillips over Johnson who has displaced him at club level is a shocker for mine. Glad Joe Cole is going.

My starting XI if everyone fit

Hart

Johnson
Ferdinand
Terry
Cole

Barry

Lennon
Gerrard
Lampard
Cole

Rooney


Capello will probably go 4-4-2 with Green in goal, Gerrard being ineffective on the left and Heskey upfront.

England's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Have to say I'm a bit gutted Johnson has been left out. Really rate the lad.

Wouldn't of taken SWP, Carragher or Heskey myself. Carragher hasn't been interested until Capello has told him he is definitely in the squad, surely he won't be starting. Johnson is a better option that SWP for me and Heskey is just Heskey. Couldn't get in the Villa lineup and has pretty much the same scoring record as John Terry for England. I know he's good at holding it up and all that jazz but Crouch can do that while also scoring himself.

When you look at it, it's a very structured squad. taking away the 3 goalies he's picked his 10 outfield starters and 10 direct replacements for each player. I can understand his thinking but for once, maybe a players versatilty (Walcott) may have counted against him if that's at all possible.

As sthelens rlfc has pointed out, it's a very structured, sensible squad.

Every player has a direct replacement. All selections have experience of international level. You include players like dawson, parker, johnson and you are entering into inexperienced territory.

I think the selection is hardest on darren bent.

I think the only thing that counts against him is the fact he's utter dogmuck.

Delighted that Walcott's not been given a second undeserved WC call up. Now I don't need to look for someone else to support.