The Last Word - Sports Blog (Sean Simara)

England Squad Goalkeepers : Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City) Defenders : Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Everton) Midfielders : Jack Colback (Newcastle United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A quick view on the England team, off the back of a desperate World Cup Roy Hodgson has selected some fresh faces to his England side for the upcoming games against Norway and Switzerland. We now no longe...

Manchester United After what was the worst season at Old Trafford in Premier League history Moyes is no longer. In steps Louis Van Gaal a proven big name and winner for a big club. Moyes was not out of his depth but it seemed the players never at any point looked like they were playing for him. So what does LVG have to do? First is get back into the top four, however the United squad has been ripped apart and there's a number of players he does not rate. The 3-5-2 formation is what he wants to go with, Mata, Rooney and RVP will all fit into that, but do United have a defence or midfield for that formation? Key Man- Juan Mata , United desperately lack a creative midfielder so playing him in his best position behind the striker is a start. He has had an impressive pre season so he should have a much better season. Newcastle United The Toon simple stopped playing after January and if they didn't have such a good start they would have been in almighty trouble. Pardew was on...

Arsenal The Gunners ended a 9 year wait of a trophy last season with FA Cup success, they added the Community Shield to earlier this month. Now Wenger has dipped into his wallet again and brought Chile star Alexis Sanchez, it's a massive statement for their intentions this season. The buzz around Arsenal is back and their fans feel they could challenge for the title again. They do need to find cover in the centre back position though.  Key Man- Aaron Ramsey - If he didn't get injured last year it could have been an even greater season for Arsenal, he picked up where he left off and he was defiantly in with a shout for player of the year award. I think he is Arsenal best player and will show it this year.  Aston Villa Villa have added experience this summer with Senderos, Kieran Richardson and Joe Cole coming into the squad, along with Roy Keane as assistant manager. It looks set up for him to take the main role if things don't start well for them. Sti...

It's known as one of the hardest leagues in Europe easy to slip into hard to get out of, the 'English Championship'.18 of the 24 teams have tasted Premier League football which 3 will be the lucky ones to return to the top table.  From the 3 sides that went down last season all could make a challenge to get back up at the first time of asking. Cardiff City who won the league last time they were here have brought in Le Fondre & Macheda but the losses of Caulker, Campbell, Mutch & Medel could be more of an issue.  Norwich City  I think are in the best shape to return. Their team on paper already is stacked with players who are more than capable of doing a job in the Championship. Hoolahan, Johnson, Howson & Pilkington should control most games from midfield, Grabbon will also get a lot of goals in this team. If Gary Hooper decides to turn up it could be a partnership like Ings & Vokes of Burnley last season, look how that ended. Fulham were the thi...

Here's my review of the World Cup, slightly different as I have gone for a A-Z look at the tournament. First though my team of the tournament.   World Cup Team Of The Tournament G.K -  M. Neuer R.B -  P. Lahm C.B -  M. Hummels C.B - R. Vlaar L.B -  D. Blind C.M - T. Kroos C.M - J. Mascherano A.M - J. Rodriguez A.M - L. Messi A.M - A. Robben F -     T. Muller Top 3 Goals of the World Cup:   1st James Rodriguez v Uruguay  2nd Robin Van Persie v Spain  3rd Tim Cahill v Holland Player of the Tournament:   Thomas Muller  A-Z A-  Anthems - Iv never heard them sung so loud and proud especially the second verse of Brazil's one, the Argentinians going mental even the mascots got stuck in. B- Biting, Suarez again leaving a mark on a player. He once again shamed himself, his country and done over Liverpool without even playing for them. C- Chile fans i...

England take on Uruguay tonight in a vital World Cup game, the loser goes home. It's a massive game for England but for Wayne Rooney it is his biggest game in the three lions shirt. Pressure & criticism are firing at him from all corners. He doesn't do it for England, he has not scored at a World Cup he gets the most stick from the fans by a mile.  But for me Rooney is England's best player, he is also the only player who has been anywhere near world class (including club form) in his career. He gets stick because of jealously. He plays for Man United, he has won most trophies in the game, and scored some memorable goals.  For strikers they have to be loved. Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo and even Suarez are all loved by their nations, for England we try to belittle are stars the best way we can. Thierry Henry said this week 'play Rooney in his best position & he will deliver you need to love him'. He knows something about scoring goals. Rooney's best...

A few quick fire points on the National team as Brazil is only a week away. Rooney has to start in the first game against Italy, he's the only player England have anywhere close to World Class. People slag him off but I think this tournament he will do the business. I can see Hodgson playing it super safe in the first game, I would not be surprised if he goes reliable dogged players first, rather than young flair players, and make sure they don't lose the first game.  England have a problem if Jagielka or Cahill get injured because Smalling and Jones are not as good yet. I think this will be England's line up in the first game against Italy.                                 Hart            Jonhson    Jagielka     Cahill  ...