A week after England's disappointing loss to Croatia in the Euro qualifiers, it 's time to start thinking of the future. People need to forget the past and be more optimistic for the coming years.

Is it really all about finding a new manager? We all agree that Steve McClaren wasn't up to scratch and never should have been the man to lead England's qualifying campaign, but is it not also important to look at the players themselves? Surely they should accept some of the responsibility? They just didn't perform and the goalkeeper and defence last Wednesday were just plain awful.

So let me introduce you to a new rising star for England.  His name is Stephen Warnock.  The versatile Blackburn Rovers player has been in great form for his club this year and surely deserves his place amongst the England regulars.  He usually plays in the left-back position but can if asked move upfield to a more midfield role, a position he graciously accepted against Fulham at the weekend, where his constant crosses into the goal area caused so many problems for the opposition. 

'The versatile Warnock has been in great form for his club this year and surely deserves his place amongst the England regulars'


Warnock, a 25-year-old product of the Liverpool youth academy, scored the equaliser at Craven Cottage and was by far the best player on the field with his attacking runs. Competition for places in the Anfield team led him to seek pastures new and after three seasons as a fringe player on Merseyside, he jumped at the chance to join Mark Hughes' Blackburn side. 

He was impressed, as many are, by Hughes' aspirations for the club and moved to Ewood Park during last January's transfer window. An instant hit with the Rovers fans, he has since been a constant fixture in the first team.

Warnock has been called into the England squad before, in 2005, but failed to be chosen for the game. But surely he is now worth his place in the national team's defence. Yes, the likes of Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are excellent players but bringing in Warnock would bolster the competition for places. And at 25, he will be near his peak for the next World Cup - if we qualify, that is!