Steve McClaren's squad for the games against Israel and Russia provesthere are two golden rules you have to obey if you are to make it into the England team.

1) You have to play regularly for just about any decent Premier League side.
2) Your name must not be Jermaine Pennant.

Of course, the England squad can and will always be the subject of heated debate. One of the wonderful things about football is that anybody is entitled to an opinion. However, Pennant's omission from the squad continues to puzzle me.

'Pennant's omission cannot be based on his form or contribution for Liverpool. Since January he has been one of the team's most consistent performers'


First, I thought perhaps McClaren had lost Pennant's phone number. Then there was the kit man. Could it be that he had run out of Ns and was therefore unable to print the player's name on the shirt? Unfortunately, I do not think that this is the case (after all, Wright-Phillips has played now and again, despite all the I's in his name).

Pennant's omission, however, cannot be based on his form or contribution for Liverpool. Since January he has been one of the team's most consistent performers. Previously, his consistency and attitude have let him down now and again, but in the past 12 months he has matured and emerged as one of the league's best wide men. Pennant plays in every important fixture and hardly ever fails to deliver.

This has been apparent in Liverpool's games so far this season, but was even more evident in last season's Champions League final in which he was arguably the best player on the pitch. He runs, he beats players, he gets crosses in. All that is lacking now is for him to score more goals, but once he gets more self-assurance I'm sure this will come along.

Take a look at McClaren's selection. With all due respect, I cannot understand how Ashley Young or Alan Smith can get the nod ahead of Pennant. The former has yet to prove his worth among the big boys, while Smith has not played a really good game since he wore the white shirt of Leeds United.

Congratulations are also in order with the selection of Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick. We now have three midfielders unable to do anything but pass the ball backwards or hope for a deflection. Get rid of Steven Gerrard and you will have the least creative midfield in the history of the game. Not that I am arguing that Pennant should play central midfield. But at a time when England appear to be lacking creative spark and players who can do the unexpected, it amazes me that one of the best wing players in the league is not selected.
 
It appears that either you are, or are not, one of McClaren's men. No matter how you play!

Has McClaren got it wrong again, and should Pennant be in the squad? Post a comment below or submit an article to Sportingo.