What: International Friendly

Who: England versus Czech Republic

When: Wednesday 20th August, 20:00 (GMT)

Where: Wembley, London

INTRODUCTION

An interesting encounter for two managers both considered rookies on the international scene. Fabio Capello has the benefit of overseeing proceedings on four previous England games, whereas Petr Rada takes the ‘Cecho’ reins for the first time.

Capello and Rada are provided with just 90 more pitch minutes - this is the last scheduled friendly in the international calender - before they embark on their separate World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Three Lions Must Roar

Wembley will be willing the national side on but an air of apprehension will no doubt encircle SW1. Since the humiliating humbling they received from Slaven Bilic’s efficient Croatian display, England have played with the heartache that fans have felt from watching mediocrity after mediocrity. They can’t keep drawing on the 5-1 German thrashing six years ago for comfort. From game to game though this year, there have been improvements.

The first match of the Italian technician’s tenure saw him pitted against Switzerland. About twenty minutes of good passing movement was the only positive to take from the game, that and the result.  Against the French in their Parisian backyard, they were just as uninspiring.

Against the USA, England started to find their stride. Still far from world-beating, but at least they began to control games. Whenever David Beckham plays, the England turn into the international version of Aston Villa - the majority of their goals arriving from set play - but is that an advantage or a disadvantage? If the team wins, surely it can only be beneficial.

Then against Trinidad and Tobago, there was a gulf in class. Despite a three-nil victory, England were capable of more, and probably could have gone on to net a few more times. It will take a while for Fabio Capello to get the team to come to terms with his strategies and tactics. But with the World Cup qualifying round looming, time is no longer a luxury Capello can afford.

Wayne Rooney has been told by managers at both club and country to be more selfish, to not help out his midfield as much, and to concentrate more in the final third. If he has taken this constructive criticism on board, England will play with more fluency. If Rooney plays well, England will play well. He can be the heartbeat. The only thing he has to keep on watching is his temperament. Opposing teams know they can rile him up, but a recently launched FA scheme - focusing on respect - starting this season, hopefully controlling his passion through the right channels will play on his mind.

John Terry has been named full-time captain, again. Hardly a surprising choice. He is the most vocal, a natural leader, and past blemishes aside, he does embody the traditional English ethic of work hard, never stay down, give 110 per cent.

This week Joe Cole stressed the need of a good start. He said all the players would walk through brick walls to pull on the white shirt of the Three Lions. Fabio Capello also mentioned that the English were technically comparable to the European Champions, Spain. As a cynic it appears this was said with the intention of appeasing certain English fans. It’s time for the Fabio Capello, and every member of that squad to do their talking on their pitch, because all they’re doing at the moment is blowing hot air.

Czech Mate

By their own standards the Czech Republic underperformed at this years European Championship. So like England, they will be carrying heartache, the only difference being England have had a bit of time to get over it. The game against the Turks was one of the matches of the tournament. Turkey looked all but out, the manner of their comeback was superb, but the Czech’s must have felt robbed of their passage through to the knockout stages. Petr Cech looked worse off, he was uncharacteristically at fault for his nation’s shortcomings.

Further bad news for the eastern Europeans is the news that they will be Koller-less. The tall targetman, Czech Republic’s highest goal-scorer, has bowed out of the international scene having retired after the summer’s competition. Libor Sionko will also be missed as a leg injury rules him out. Tomas Rosicky too will not be on the name sheet, but his exclusion won’t surprise Arsenal fans, who are used to the attack-minded midfielder’s absence.

A stubborn defence awaits England. Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Ujfalusi, and Marek Jankulovski wear the club colour’s of some of Europe’s heavyweight sides, kitting out for Juventus, Athletico Madrid, and AC Milan, respectively.

Vaclav Sverkos has been called up, who may be remembered for scoring Czech Republic’s only winning goal of Euro 2008, against the Swiss in their opening game.

FORM GUIDE

England

21-11-2007 versus Croatia LOST 3-2 (H) Euro 2008 Qualifier

06-02-2008 versus Switzerland WON 2-1 (H) Friendly

26-03-2008 versus France LOST 1-0 (A) Friendly

28-05-2008 versus USA WON 2-0 (H) Friendly

01-06-2008 versus Trinidad & Tobago WON 3-0 (A) Friendly

Czech Republic

27-05-2008 versus Lithuania WON 2-0 (H) Friendly

30-05-2008 versus Scotland WON 3-1 (H) Friendly

07-06-2008 versus Switzerland WON 1-0 (A) Euro 2008

11-06-2008 versus Portugal LOST 3-1(N) Euro 2008

15-06-2008 versus Turkey LOST 3-2 (N) Euro 2008

TEAM NEWS

England

Peter Crouch is a notable absentee, deemed not worthy of a place perhaps due to not being a prominent member of the Liverpool line-up last year. Emile Heskey, who was an ever-present for Wigan Athletic, is instead favoured. Jonathan Woodgate may not feature - long-term fitness issued cited as his exclusion from training on Monday. Michael Carrick was in the original squad but has since been replaced with Jermain Jenas. Paul Robinson makes a return, as does Jermain Defoe.

Squad

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermain Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur) Joe Cole (Chelsea) David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic).

Possible Starting XI: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole, Beckham, Gerrard, Barry, Lampard, Cole, Rooney.

Czech Republic

Reading midfielder Marek Matejovsky has been ruled out of this fixture. He picked up an ankle inury during Reading’s tie with Nottingham Forest last weekend. Former Arsenal striker Papadopoulos may feature. Tomas Rosicky and Libor Sionko have not been called up due to injuries, whereas Jan Koller has stayed with his club. Czech Republic will forever have to make do without Tomas Galasek and Jaromir Blazek, because the pair both retired from international football following the Czech’s exit from Euro 2008.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht).

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Juventus), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Michal Kadlec (Sparta Praha), Zdenek Pospech (FC Kobenhavn), David Rozehnal (Lazio), Tomas Ujfalusi (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: David Jarolim (Hamburg), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moskva), Marek Matejovsky (Reading), Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna), Jan Polak (Anderlecht), Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht), Jan Rajnoch (Mlada Boleslav), Radek Sirl (Zenit St. Petersburg).

Strikers:Milan Baros (Olympique Lyonnais), Michal Papadopulos (Mlada Boleslav), Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava).

Possible Starting XI: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Jarolim, Vlcek, Kovac, Plasil, Polak, Baros.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

England

Recently criticised for helping out his team too much, Wayne Rooney has been told by both club and country managers that he needs to be more selfish and focus on his goalscoring game. He is England’s best player, and when on form he makes the three lions tick. Providing he gets the right service, and doesn’t try to come back into midfield to do things himself, then he will be a handful for the Czech defence.

Czech Republic

Like Emile Heskey, Milan Baros is far from a prolific goal-scorer in club football, but like his English counterpart he makes a nuisance of himself in the oppostion half that his team-mates feed off. He won a penalty against Manchester United in the quarter final of the FA Cup for Portsmouth earlier in the year, and also fed Nwankwo Kanu a fine pass that the Nigerian duly slotted home in the Semi. Without his contributions in their cup charge, Portsmouth may not be playing European football this year. England will have to be on guard.

PREDICTION

England 1-1 Czech Republic

Ref From Alan Dawson - goal.com

After a frustrating first day back at the office for defending champions Manchester United against Newcastle, Goal.com’s Chris Myson analyses the performances from both sides after the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Edwin van der Sar - 6.5: Did not have much to do for long periods of the game, questionable decision to punch the ball in the build up to the corner that led to Newcastle’s goal.

Wes Brown - 6.5: A quiet game for Brown, not as prominent as he can be going forward and is set for a good battle for the right-back berth with returning captain Gary Neville this season.

Rio Ferdinand - 7: A steady performance from Ferdinand. United were not tested too much in a defensive sense, but the England international kept his focus and made one excellent challenge on N’Zogbia as Newcastle broke on the counter.

Nemanja Vidic - 7: Like his defensive partners, Vidic put in a solid display today. The back four will not be a problem area for United this season and the quartet who played today had no real problems. Came close with a header, which bounced on to the bar.

Patrice Evra - 7: An energetic performance on the left for Evra. Showed more attacking promise when he moved to the left wing later in the game and put in one excellent cross for Campbell. Could have done better in possession during the closing stages, however.

Darren Fletcher – 7.5: A very busy day for Fletcher. Guilty of losing Martins for the goal but made up for it two minutes later with an excellent near post run and low finish. Looked confident on the ball as the game progressed.

Michael Carrick - 6.5: Neat and tidy performance from Carrick before being substituted through injury in the first-half. Not enough time to influence the game.

Paul Scholes - 7: Full of effort, work-rate and energy despite his advancing years. Slightly off target with his long range shooting but proved that he can still dictate the game at the top level with some exquisite passing.

Ryan Giggs 7.5: Looked more threatening than he did for much of last season. Surprised the Newcastle back-line by showing some good pace at times and crossed well for Fletcher’s equaliser. Taken off due to a knock and United did not look the same after his departure.

Fraizer Campbell - 7.5: Must have thought he had scored early on before Given somehow kept out his header and gave a performance that shows real promise. Quick, confident and could be a player who plays more often than many thing to add another element to the United attack.

Wayne Rooney – 7: Looked lively despite missing the end of pre-season. Still drifting out to wide areas too often to influence the game as much as he could and needs to become more selfish if he is to score in big numbers this season, but a decent start for him.

Substitutes: O’Shea 6.5, Possebon 6, Rafael 5.5.

Newcastle United

Shay Given - 8: Coped admirably with the United onslaught in the early phases of the game. Somehow kept out Campbell’s header and made a super double save to deny Rooney and then Scholes. Stayed alert in the second half despite not having too many key saves to make.

Habib Beye – 6.5: Didn’t see a huge amount of Beye in an attacking sense but was disciplined in defence along with his colleagues. Could have a big season if he can repeat some of the form displayed last year.

Steven Taylor – 7: Played reasonably well to kick off what will have to be a big season for him if he is to progress and become a top defender. Was off the pitch when Fletcher scored receiving treatment for a knock.

Fabricio Coloccini  – 7: The new £10.3 million signing would have expected a much sterner examination from the United defence than he received today. Still to gain full match fitness but will be pleased to get through his first test unscathed.

Charles N’Zogbia – 7: One of the players who showed ambition to get forward throughout the match, which contributed to Newcastle nullifying the United threat more comfortably. A couple of careless challenges, but a good all-round display.

James Milner – 7.5: Milner had a strong performance on the wing for Newcastle and underlined his importance as one of their key players. A threat throughout getting forward and should get better and better with experience.

Nicky Butt – 7.5: A very good display by the combative midfielder against his former club. United did not create a large amount of chances and much of the credit for that must go to Butt who was the unsung hero in the holding role.

Danny Guthrie – 7: An efficient midfield performance from Guthrie on debut. More to come from him but if he can focus on his game he could become for Newcastle what Carrick is for United - an excellent passer of the ball who supplements the side’s flair players superbly.

Damien Duff – 6.5: Been given another chance at St. James’, and is capable of becoming a key player if he gets a run of games. Didn’t get into the game today but worked hard and didn’t let anybody down.

Jonas Gutierrez – 7.5: A signing who should excite the Toon faithful. Quick, great on the ball and positive - with an eye for a pass - could prove to be an excellent addition for Kevin Keegan this season.

Obafemi Martins  – 8: Had a powerful shot just minutes into the game and from that point onwards it was clear that he was focussed and set for a good display. Found space well for his headed goal and worked hard as the lone striker, stretching the United defence and keeping van der Sar alert with the occasional long-range effort.

Ref Chris Myson - Goal.com