American lawyer Michael Garcia is currently involved in an independent investigation into the bidding process and is due to deliver his report to Fifa in mid-July. Unfortunately, it's possible that Garcia might be in Blatter's pocket.

Possible...? It's a shambles all the way, apparently some witnesses to the bribery have just said 'no' to being interviewed and that's that with no questioning.

There is nothing wrong with Garcia per se. The problem is, his remit is so narrow that the investigation is nothing more than a sick joke.

What is needed, self evidently, is a far more expansive investigation that will also focus on Russia 2018.

I still find it astonishing (well actually I don't) that the location of two World Cup tournaments can be decided on the same day.

At his press conference, the Owl says:

"It is very exciting. We have a potential, a lot of belief in this potential but I must advise some caution because the players haven't had a lot of chances in an England shirt to show they can realise that potential. I believe it will be but first lets see some good performances in  England shirts.

"Lets calm down before we say we have world beaters because to have world beaters you have to put an international shirt on and play very well.

"We have more pace, more mobility, a lot of technical players. I am not trying to play down the future looks quite bright and there are interesting times ahead. This World Cup, we are also going to need our experienced players."

I think that shortens the odds on a midfield of Gerrard, Lampard & Milner

I fully expect Hodgson to trot out a super conservative midfield of Gerrard, Henderson, and Milner for the Italy game, with Milner or Henderson given the job of shadowing Pirlo, and the other to give defensive support to Gerrard (and Johnson). That doesn't leave much attacking engine with either Lallana or Sterling and Rooney, with Sturridge at the spearhead of a Christmas tree 4-3-2-1 formation.

I actually don't mind Milner being given the job of shadowing Pirlo, as he has a real engine in him and is definitely one of, if not the fittest of the England players.  But, my opinion is different in that the best way to take Pirlo out of the game is to have someone who can shadow him, but also run off him with the ability to turn that into counter attack, which Milner is not really capable of.  Rooney is too indisciplined, and Barkley too wet behind the ears for that.  This is where a Gareth Bale type player would fit perfectly into an England shirt.

The best way to nullify Pirlo is to keep him occupied - Sterling is more than capable of doing that if he has maintained his league form.

It's also worth noting that age in his case probably won't make much difference. I think I'm right in saying that in the Euro 2012 England - Italy bore draw he covered more distance on the pitch than anyone else - certainly on the Italian side at least.

Yes, I read that somewhere too. Pirlo is still reasonably fit two years on and played something like 43 domestic games last season.  The heat/humidity may sap something out of him, but then it will for everyone, so keep him occupied for 70 minutes and then throw someone on him with pace to kill (Sterling or Barkley) and he could become the weak link in their team.

We all know that Roy will do the most conservative plan in most likelihood, especially being an opening game, but with the youngsters he's take, there's every hope he surprises us with a bold selection.

Blatter is told he should step down.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27787841

Potentially some good news.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27789874

Mirror are suggesting Sterling will play through the middle with Rooney out wide. Most odd, especially Rooney.

A reminder of a manager England should have had.

He gets going after about three minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oqAZsoF-ghw

Rooney has played wide left several times for Man u n puts in his usual hard working shift.. problem with Rooney he could probably start in any postion across the midfield and up front, he can fill most voids where there is a gap in talent / options

I think that's where his talent has been somewhat stifled

He's not deft enough to play in that role behind the striker(s) or to play on the left or right. IMO, he's better off playing as a striker in a 4-4-2 or in a system where he has at least one player upfront in support to play off.

hard to fathom the thought process here.

Yes he did. The Mirror report I think was based on yesterday's training session.

TBH, I think Rooney is far more suited to a #10 role with Sterling out on the right - even though Brenton has played him through the middle before.

We need Sterling to keep the LB busy, in order to prevent him from having a go at Johnson.

To a place on the bench

I think his game & vision made him the perfect player to grow into the No10 role. Unfortunately, his versatility and willingness to put in the graft for the sake of the team saw Baconface deploy him in a variety of positions meaning he couldn't develop his game as an out and out No10. Having Van Persie at OT has also worked against him, partly because he was shunted around even more, and partly because Van Persie's game isn't suited to having a No10.

I can't stand Rooney, but acknowledge he was a massive footballing talent. Look at his perfornces in Euro 2004. Regretably, he simply hasn't developed - indeed, he's gone backwards. And I blame his time at Man U.

Certainly over the last few seasons Rooney has prob gone backward in his career prob due to the work he has had to do in covering for a total lack lustre Man U midfield. Has he peaked already..? Possibly.....as Scholes already mentioned. For him to further his career he needs to be surrounded by quality players at Man U

I blame his work ethic.

In fairness to Rooney he does track back. Yet as already stated, he has been played out of positon and been surrounded by pretty average players for the most part. I'm not expecting too much from him in this tournament. I hope to be proven wrong.

P.S. Playing Sterling through the middle would be an absolute fooking waste.

I have to say I have a feeling that the World Cup will be a dull and defensive affair for the most part - lots of buses being parked . I suspect there will be a great deal of diving, cheating, feigning injury and time wasting to add to the "spectacle" of the World Cup. 

As for England, can't make my mind up as to whether it will be another poor tournament, or they will spring a surprise and do rather well!

I don't fault his work rate on the field. I'm more on about his general fitness over the last few years. He has the body type that can easily get out of shape, but he's paid a decent enough wage to train in order to keep in top fitness.