International week - 3 things we have learned

England – They could lose Gerrard just as they did with Scholes

As Stuart Pearce handed the captaincy to Scott Parker it left a lot in the game more than confused.

Steven Gerrard is England’s vice captain and therefore has to be the man for the job. He has been there and done it at club level and has one so many occasions turned the game for Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard 

There cannot be any argument about age both men are 31 years old, and importantly tonight Gerrard won his 90^th cap for country as Parker picked up only his 10^th.

Over the last twelve months Parker has become an integral part of the team and the makeup of the midfield but he really doesn’t offer that much to the team apart from his tough tackling.

If you compare their career’s Gerrard has led Liverpool to everything (apart from the obvious) Parker has on the other has struggled. Mid table mediocrity at Charlton was followed by failures at Chelsea and Newcastle. His West Ham side were relegated and now he does a job for Tottenham.

The big risk for England is that it is likely that after the European Championships Gerrard will turn his back on his country just as Paul Scholes did and it would be far too early.

He has been rushed back into action by Liverpool and at times has looked tired but has shone with a match winning performance against Newcastle being the most memorable.  

He would be 33 if England qualify for Brazil and what a stage it would be for him to bow out on, the FA need to sort the managerial mess out and install Gerrard as captain for the campaign.

Wales – Craig Bellamy needs to give the fans one more campaign

On an emotional night in Cardiff, Craig Bellamy lead out his nation at Gary Speed’s memorial game and he provides new manager Chris Coleman with his first challenge.

He needs to ensure that Bellamy is part of the team ahead of the qualifying campaign that kicks off against Belgium in September.

Craig Bellamy

Since his summer move back to Liverpool he has been reborn and is now seen as an integral part of Kenny Dalglish’s side. With injuries a constant worry for Bellamy it would perhaps be easy for him to call it a day on his international career to ensure the longevity of his club career.

Coleman will over the next couple of weeks have to sit down with Bellamy and outline a plan ahead of the qualifying campaign. It is key that the issue is resolved relatively quickly as Wales need to carry on the momentum from the end of their last qualifying campaign.

Far too many campaigns have come to a premature end as a result of poor starts and let’s be honest if Coleman does not have all of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Bellamy in his first competitive XI they will struggle. Bellamy is integral and certainly has one more campaign left in him. 

Other business – England’s group opponents gear up for the Euros.

Right around Europe England’s group opponents were in action and as England has no manager and no permanent captain they all impress with memorable victories on the road.

Laurent Blanc’s France recorded a famous victory over Germany in Bremen. Goals from Olivier Giroud and Chelsea’s Flourent Molouda getting the goals to continue their impressive run.

Sebastian Larsson

No one expects much from the French at the tournament but for me they must now be considered as dark horses and will pose a tough start for England come June.

Sweden recorded a 3-1 win over Croatia in Zagreb as Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson grabbed two goals after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first half strike as they dismantled Slaven Bilic’s side. It is a result that will encourage the Republic of Ireland who tackle the Croats in their opening game of the tournament on June the 10^th.

England’s tournament may well be over by the time they take on hosts Ukraine in their final group game as they beat Israel 3-2  in Petach Tikva. Goals from Oleh Gusev and Yevhen Konoplyanka gave the visitors a two-goal lead at the break before substitute Tomer Hemed reduced the deficit from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half. Andriy Yarmolenko's close-range finish made it 3-1 just past the hour and although Ben Sahar pulled one back for the hosts, Ukraine held on to ensure their preparations for the summer continued.

Bellamy sets up dream final

A sensational performance from Cardiff born Craig Bellamy tonight, saw Liverpool get past Manchester City to secure their place in the Carling Cup final against Cardiff City at the end of next month.

Craig Bellamy

After last night’s drama in Cardiff the second semi final was a sensational encounter that was on a knife edge throughout. Liverpool simply wanted it more over the two legs and after Saturday’s awful showing at Bolton Kenny Dalglish needed his players to stand and deliver.

Having watched his boyhood Bluebirds book their place in the showpiece final there was no way he would miss out on joining them. He hounded the City backline all night, a constant menace at times unplayable.

In the early stages Bellamy tested the impressive Joe Hart who kept City in the tie, as he caused havoc.

He was his usual self continually snipping at the City players and mouthing off to his own players particularly Stuart Downing. He forced Roberto Mancini into a tactical change when Stefan Savic had to be replaced at half time as he torn apart time and time again by Bellamy.

When Edin Dzeko got on the end of Alexander Kolorov’s cross it looked like it would all in tears for Liverpool and Bellamy. Despite the hammer blow Dalglish did not panic and decided to stick with Bellamy and boy he delivered.

He showed great composure to bury his chance and finally beat his nemesis Hart and sent Liverpool to their first Wembley final since 1996.

He went off to a standing ovation in the closing minutes and the sheer respect that his former City colleagues showed him, proved how highly Bellamy is thought of by those who have played with him.

Nobody deserves a place in a showpiece final more than Bellamy, he was an unused sub in his only other final in football in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat in 2007.

His performance tonight has set up what will be memorable day for everyone involved with Welsh football but be rest assured he will not be giving his home town club an easy ride. 

Coleman tasked with carrying on Speed’s legacy

Wales confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in Welsh football when they announced this afternoon, that former player and Fulham manager Chris Coleman is to take over from the late Gary Speed.

In what was a tough day for everyone involved with Welsh football, with emotions still raw from the tragic loss of Speed in November, it was simply a call from his nation, that 32 times capped Coleman could not turn down.

Chris Coleman 

In the wake of Speed’s death a lot has been made of who should continue with the fantastic start the former captain turned manager had made. Raymond Verheijen had gone on record stating that he and fellow assistant manager Osian Roberts should take over the mantle and lead Wales.

It is not clear if the two will have apart to play in the future of the national side, but the Welsh FA moved swiftly to appoint Coleman following his resignation from Greek club Larissa, who have today started legal action and will seek compensation following his appointment.

He had left the club due to financial problems that have hit Greek football badly in recent times. He had gone out there to resurrect his managerial career after not being able to pick up a role since his departure from Coventry in 2010.

Coleman had made it clear on Sunday that he was in the running for the job, when he covered Swansea’s victory against Arsenal for Sky Sports.  He was indeed given an early chance to cast an eye over a number of rising stars he will have at his disposal.

His first task will be to take charge of the squad for the memorial match being played for Gary Speed at the end of next month in Cardiff against Costa Rica. It will be an emotionally charged night in Cardiff but he only start being judged when the qualifiers kick off in September.

The FAW have given the former centre half, contract until 2014, and for me Wales have picked the right man, a young, smart and tactically aware manager. He started his managerial career very young having been forced to retire at only 32 due to injuries he sustained in a road accident.

His first job was to at Fulham, and his record at Craven Cottage was impressive and under him they achieved their highest Premier League finish to date.

If he is to be a success in the top job in Welsh football, finding the right balance is going to be if the improvement is going to continue. Although it is a predominately young side the vast majority of the team are now plying their trade in the top flight which is the first time in a long time.

He simply has to keep Craig Bellamy onside and a key element will be devising a plan to use him to maximum affect, a suitable suggestion would be to only play him in the competitive games from now on. The likes of James Collins and Danny Gabbidon are going to essential in providing the experience to this promising and exciting squad that he has at his disposal.

Aaron Ramsey 

Captain Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale will be the key men if Wales are to succeed under Coleman and Steve Morison can be relied on upfront to deliver.  

Despite the tragic circumstances that have seen him become manager, Coleman has to carry on with the legacy. He is the man to get players on side, he is only 41 and the team that he will have around him, will be crucial because you will only have a few days to get your team prepared.

These are very exciting times for Welsh football, and what a perfect way to pay tribute it would be to Speed if this team was to qualify for a major tournament after all he has helped them get back onto their feet.