International friendlies

England have not exactly set themselves up for a good showing in Poland and Ukraine – and not just because the Three Lions always fail at major tournaments – with the manager resigning ahead of the tournament as his captain was relieved of the armband (and will not be getting it back) while arguably the best player, Wayne Rooney, will be missing for two of three group games.

It does not look an ideal situation for anyone but the identity of the men who will be leading the side, both manager and captain, remains to be seen – and there are just three friendlies to sort things out.

Stuart Pearce has been given the immediate task of filling Fabio Capello’s boots with his current remit to oversee the friendly against Holland, while Harry Redknapp appears to be everyone’s choice to become the next permanent manager.

It will be no easy task for Pearce on Wednesday against the side ranked third in the world although the World Cup finalists are only marginal favourites in the match betting at 13/8, with England on offer at 7/4 and the draw priced up at 11/5.

Recent history suggests there is little to choose between the two sides as the last four matches – all friendlies – have ended all square, with Holland triumphing 2-0 at Wembley in 2002 in the most recent positive result.

England have won five and lost four of the 18 meetings between the two countries with nine ending in draws – and in the middle of a season will either side be busting a gut to get the victory?

As is the nature of friendlies these days, there is also the problem of withdrawals to deal with as Pearce has seen Rooney, Kyle Walker, Darren Bent and Tom Cleverley pull out of his first, and possibly only, squad.

The big-hitting trio of Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben have all had their injury problems so both sides may well field less than full strength line-ups.

England endured a dismal World Cup campaign but Capello successfully managed to guide the side to the Euro finals, something they did not achieve four years ago, relatively comfortably.

The Italian noted England’s faltering abilities at Wembley but the team goes into Wednesday’s encounter on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, winning the last three matches at home.

Even reigning world and European champions Spain have been beaten in that time, albeit in a backs-to-the-wall kind of fashion, so the hosts have at least proved they can be hard to beat.

Holland cruised to the finals on the back of nine wins in Group E and only surrendered their 100 percent record in the last game of the qualifying campaign in Sweden.

Robin van Persie has been in sensational form this season and is an obvious threat and unsurprising favourite at 9/2 in the First/Last Goalscorer betting, while he is priced at 2/1 to bag anytime.

He has enjoyed huge success against English defences and must be considered, given the inexperience in the home side’s backline, which has to cope without both John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Pearce does not have too much experience up front either following Rooney’s withdrawal but Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck (both 6/1 – First Goalscorer) have both impressed this season, while Theo Walcott’s (10/1) fine brace for Arsenal made a mockery of recent criticism.

Steven Gerrard also looks worthy of consideration at 7/1 First/Last Goalscorer and 7/2 Anytime as he is expected to lead the side and thrives on the extra responsibility.

It is difficult seeing it being a free-flowing, attack-minded game, particularly with Pearce not wanting to harm his chances of permanent appointment with a big defeat, so expect a tight contest.

However, Capello’s former assistant might boost his chances of success if he gets the players confident wearing the shirt and looking like they enjoy playing for their country, which does not appear to have been the case for some time.

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It was a remarkable statement given that Zidane was a giant among his peers and rightly regarded as the best player in world football at his peak.

“Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation,” added the former Juventus and Real Madrid icon.

The Scholes appreciation club gained a new member this week when World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst suggested the 35-year-old Manchester United star should end his international exile with England.

The Old Trafford favourite won 66 caps – the last was in the European Championship quarter-final defeat by Portugal – and scored 14 goals for his country before retiring in 2004, largely down to the fact that Sven Goran Eriksson played him in a wide-left position.

Steve McClaren made four unsuccessful attempts to try and persuade Scholes to return to the international stage and the consensus now is that his time has gone.

However, Hurst, England’s 1966 hat-trick hero, believes current manager Fabio Capello should make one last attempt to convince one-club man Scholes he could do a job at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Hurst said: “If Paul Scholes changed his mind and came out of international retirement I would pick him, definitely, for the World Cup.”

Scholes, a winner of nine Premier League titles, scored a crucial winner in the recent derby against Manchester City to keep Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the chase for a record 19th domestic crown (6/4 Man United – Premier League outright).

Hurst said on current form Scholes is still as good as any other England midfielder and deserves his place at the World Cup this summer.

Speaking at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, he added: “There is a position for him in the England squad this summer if he changes his mind. Six months ago I was not so sure but now I would say ‘put him in’.”

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