If there is anything to bring Bolton fans together in agreement, it's when defending it's best players against injustice. Whether they are being branded 'thugs' or 'hoofers' Bolton fans will defend them no end.
Whilst fans loyalties may be split in other areas of the club, one thing remains constant, the support of the eleven men on the pitch and Fabio Capello has incurred our wrath, with his continued ignorance towards our players. Fabio Capello was once quoted as saying he'd pick England players on form rather than reputation. One can only question whether that was the biggest lie in football since Wenger first proclaimed he 'didn't see it'.
It only shows the progress of our club that the fans now wait with anticipation for the England squads to be announced, hoping to hear a Wanderers player included. With Fabio watching two good performances from the Whites against West Ham and Tottenham, you could be forgiven for expecting at least one Wanderer in the latest England squad. This however, was not the case, instead we got the same crowd, mainly consisting of undeserving Aston Villa and West Ham players.
Gary Cahill must be wondering what more he needs to do, he plays week in week out for Bolton and he steals the show every game. In a recent 3-1 win against West Ham, which Capello attended, it was clear even to the untrained eye, that he was performing a level higher than the other 21 players on show.
Still, Matthew Upson, Joeleon Lescott and Wes Brown are picked ahead of him AGAIN.
Wes Brown is what? Man Utd's 68th choice defender? Matthew Upson's team currently sit 19th in the table, only 2pts ahead of beleaguered Portsmouth. Lescott has hardly pulled up trees since his ridiculous 20M move to Manchester City.
Cahill has piled up praise from opposition players, pundits and managers alike, infact Fabio Capello himself was believed to have reccommended him to a few Italian clubs. Good enough to recommend to Milan? Not good enough to earn a place in your England squad?
Of course, one theory is that Capello is just another 'Yes Man', hiding behind a scowl, the England team seems tight nit. Terry and the likes seem quite happy to have unthreatening players such as Upson in the squad. A young, hungry player who has the potential to displace John Terry. That will not do.
Of course, the main worry for Bolton fans is that Cahill will see leaving Bolton as his only route to the England squad. An ambitious player who is destined to be one of the best in the game, of course one day it's likley he'll move on to a big club. But it's not a good advert for us a club and certainly not a good selling point when trying to bring in young English players, that we are starting to be viewed as the after thought of English football.
Other suspect inclusions see Aston Villa's third choice striker Emile Heskey heave himself up off the bench to play some competitve football. It almost seems pointless batting for Kevin Davies anymore. Capello clearly doesn't fancy him, maybe he has been listening to the Southern based press who'd have you believe he elbows everyone he comes up against.That can be the only plausible solution.
All I can say for Kev, is that he will probably go down as one of the better players to never wear an England shirt. Anyone who has watched, or played against Kevin Davies knows who is the better target man, who is the more dangerous in front of goal. In his hey-day Heskey had a pace advantage over Davies, that day has long passed. To be fair to Heskey, he has not let England down. But if you offered me a sub Premier League striker or a striker scoring goals, playing weekly and captaining his side. There is only one winner.
Away from Bolton, Gabby Agbonlahor, or 'Mr Fast' has earned a place ahead of genuine quality striker Darren Bent. Baffling.
England fans themselves are outraged this week to learn they will have to subscribe to an Internet stream to watch the latest England qualifier against Ukraine. What has it come to, that no-one wants the rights to an England World Cup qualifier.
Myself, well I'll be honest, I don't really care. I've never been the biggest England fan. I give them my support and hope they win, but I'm more of the 'Jamie Carragher' view when it comes to club versus country. If I saw players I thought were deserving of a call-up getting the call-up, maybe I'd be more enthused to watch England. I used to love watching England in the 90's. But while the current clique controls the squad i'm not really that interested in England.
England to win the World Cup or Bolton to win a cup (even the Carling)?
No contest. A cup for Bolton every time.
