Switzerland 1-3 England

During the build up it was all about Rooney and I for one was wondering whether Coleen should get in touch with John Terry for some vengeance.  I was watching the game and at half time Tim Sherwood commented on Rooney's muted celebration and how it was expected as he was in the dog house!  I think that is underestimate if I ever heard one and maybe this says something of the views of modern day footballers.  That they can pretty much do what they please.

Anyway I digress and just as the nation has been infatuated with this saga I have not been immune.  The fact is, it was always likely that Rooney would be up for this game and therefore his goal came as no big surprise.  Neither did the fact that for all England's domination in the first half the game was always precariously balanced and Switzerland looked like they could perhaps get back into the game after getting one back to make it 1-2.  Thankfully Darren Bent was at hand to put the game to bed.  I don't rate Darren, I think he works well in Steve Bruce's setup at Sunderland but no way is he international material.  I noticed Fabio having a chuckle after the goal probably saying to his staff, "Yes I think Mrs Redknapp could have scored that one to!".

So what do we think of England now?  I'm a pessimist and yes the bright sparks of the two Johnsons and Milners form have been for the things that stand out.  But too many things are still the same our inability to kill off a game early on, Theo Walcott picking up a serious injury and our reliance on Wayne Rooney!

England get a 6/10 can do much better.

Could Manchester City be serious title contenders?

Reading the interviews of Sir Alex and Roy Hodgson over the last two weeks I noticed the little digs at City.  Sir Alex with the view to continue the rivalry with the noisy neighbours and Hodgson in preparation to last nights game.  The main point made in both is money can't buy you a good team and going off City's first game to Tottenham they would be right.

After last nights 3-0 victory against opponents Liverpool the rest of the Premier League might just wonder if Roberto Mancini could pull this band of overpaid individuals together.  In any successful club there is a strong reliable keeper and in Joe Hart they have that.  Looking at the squad it is undeniable (even as a United fan) that there is an immense amount of talent at the club, but can he get them working for each other.  Can he generate that spirit that there is at United and Chelsea which allows them to pull back those games which they didn't look like winning.  Only time and results will tell, but I will be keeping my eye on the team with the deep pockets.