After the same boring England squad with no surprises, I think we need either to reintroduce 'B' internationals or run a tournament for squad players. This would be a good stepping stone for the players while the coaching staff could assess their talents accurately.

My younger alternative 11 would be:

Ben Foster – has been consistent for Watford and is highly rated throughout the game. Manchester United bought him last year and it looked like the young keeper would be understudying this year -- but he's back at Vicarage Road on loan. It would be good for him to get international experience because Paul Robinson could be injured and we'd be stuck.

Glen Johnson – Chelsea and Jose Mourinho didn’t fancy him, but he definitely has talent and Portsmouth will be a good club to help him develop and get regular football. He can certainly progress -- he is happy defending or attacking, a right-sided Ashley Cole. He just needs experience and with Gary Neville coming into his 30s we need a quality young right-sided player.

Wayne Bridge – another English player not fancied at Chelsea. As long as Ashley Cole plays for them and isn’t distracted, Becks-style Bridge will be frustrated. Almost a bridge too far?

Michael Dawson – has been a rock for Spurs and a massive scalp for them, too. He is tall, good with the ball at his feet, loves a tackle and I can’t remember him losing a header. Unfortunately he has major competition in John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King but he's got what it takes to succeed on the international scene.

Joleon Lescott – young, gifted and good in the air and floor. I'm not surprised Everton made the swoop for him, has been highly rated since his mid-teens and would, I feel, do an excellent job in the middle of the park.

Jermaine Pennant – possibly the only player who has not really been mentioned to take David Beckham's place on the right. Although he has had his problems, he is a good player and playing for Liverpool will only make him a bigger and better talent. Arsene Wenger once described him as the most talented English player he has worked with, (no surprise there, Arsene).

Michael Carrick – probably the best ball-playing and play-breaking Englishman. Overlooked by the international side but his class is never in doubt. If England will ever challenge, we need a player with a footballing brain who can break things down.

Kevin Nolan – possibly the most underrated player in England. Can play anywhere and would do so. Would push Frank Lampard for a starting place if he was at a fashionable club and not Bolton.

Ashley Young – Watford’s star in the last couple of seasons. With the right coaching he could be a world beater. We are struggling for a left-sided winger but Joe Cole has shown how we do not always need a left-footer to create and boss the game.

Dean Ashton – The West Ham forward has been unlucky with his injury but is an awesome talent. A number of clubs looked at him while he was at Crewe. Good on the deck and in the air and is a team player. With some more games I feel he will start for the national team.

Darren Bent – Often overlooked, playing for Charlton will only hold his progress up. He has the attributes of an international striker but I am worried the likes of Andrew Johnston and Peter Crouch will hinder his international career.

Now for squad players or players who could or would make it if they weren’t English:
Wes Brown - good defender.
Michael Tongue – if he took a step up, he would be definitely be able to show his class.
Tom Huddlestone – will be class, I've never seen anyone as young boss a game
Jonathan Woodgate – has man-marked class strikers out of games.
Joey Barton – a younger Steven Gerrard, with Scouse humour and temperament.

Oh, and my manager would be Martin O'Neill, who should have got the England job.