Vindaloo, Vindaloo... NAH NAH!

Hodgson taken ill

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England Manager Roy Hodgson has been rushed to hospital tonight, Sky Sports New can exclusively reveal, mere weeks before the England national team kick start their World Cup campaign in Brazil.

Hodgson suffered a heart attack late last night at home in his home town of Croydon. He is currently recovering in hospital, although it is believed that he will not resume his position with the national team once recovered.

Now the speculation arises as to whom Hodgson's successor will be leading into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Bookies are already taking bets and current England coach, Gary Neville leads the current betting at 4/1.

1

Shearer announced as new Three Lion's boss

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Alan Shearer has been announced as the new England manager in a press conference today coming from St. Georges Park. The appointment may come as a surprise to some as the job is only Shearer's second in management after, unsuccessfully, trying to save Newcastle from relegation back in 2009.

Shearer will be tasked with leading England to glory in Brazil in just over a few weeks although, his first task will come in the shape of a friendly against Switzerland. "I feel that we can hit the ground running. Roy achieved World Cup qualification, and although he can't carry on by leading the team to Brazil, I have been trusted with that job and I intend to not only fulfill what is required of me - but exceed it."

England are drawn in World Cup Group A with Brazil, Australia & Tunisia. "My aim for the World Cup is to finish with at-least 7 points. Whether that will be enough for us to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament remains to be seen, but that is what me and all the lads are aiming for. Although, I believe we can reach the Semi-Finals."

Only being in the job a few hours and Alan Shearer seems to be very confident in the teams ability in the upcoming tournament. England play Switzerland this Friday at 7:30pm.

Shearer announces first England Squad

Alan Shearer has announced his first England squad for his first match in charge of the national side. The squad remains largely unchanged from previous manager Roy Hodgson's choices in, what proved to be his final match, against Russia in the World Cup Qualifying Play Offs.

Shearer has decided to recall Aaron Lennon and Wayne Rooney whilst, possibly, handing a debut cap to Reading Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy against Switzerland on Friday.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, John Ruddy, Alex McCarthy
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Steven Caulker, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshire
Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge

England announce Friendly matches

Before Alan Shearer leads the England team out onto the pitch in Brazil, he and his coaching staff have decided to hold a few friendlies just before the tournament to make sure the National Team are up to par for their group, and beyond.

Two of the game will be contested at Wembley, whilst the final game against Chile will be contested at the Nacional stadium. The three games will be as follows:

England vs. Switzerland
England vs. Germany
Chile vs. England

Shearer will hope the squad, who were unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, show the same flair for him as they did for the old boss.

England announce World Cup squad, defeat Switzerland


The squad that England are using in the friendlies before the World Cup is also the squad that they will be utilizing at the tournament, it was announced today. Alan Shearer has surprised a few people by taking young Southampton left-back Luke Shaw to Brazil in a few weeks time, with some people saying he isn't ready.

Goalkeepers: John Ruddy, Joe Hart and Fraser Forster
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones, Steven Caulker, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Michael Carrick, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Steven Gerrard, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Frank Lampard
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert

England 2 - 0 Switzerland
Rooney '33
Cleverley '87

Gary Cahill '56

John Ruddy
Joe Hart

Theo Walcott
Wayne Rooney

England fielded a strong side in the first friendly against Switzerland with new manager Alan Shearer utilizing a 4-2-3-1 with Danny Welbeck up front and Wayne Rooney playing just behind. This match was the same old from the Three Lions with Rooney scoring a goal 33 minutes into the first half and Tom Cleverley hitting the second 3 minutes before the end of normal time. A good statement of intent from Alan Shearer and his side going into the next two friendlies and then, ofcourse, the World Cup.

England mediocre in Friendlies

England were mediocre at best in their last two friendlies before the World Cup next week. Alan Shearer's men lost 2-0 to a strong German side and although, not considered the favourites for the match, defeated Chile 2-1.

The national side looked disheartened after their lost to Joachim Low's Germany, who are currently ranked 3rd in the world as opposed to England's 11th place ranking. Germany's Mesut Ozil hit home after 23 minutes followed by Max Kruse scoring in the 77th minute to secure a victory for the Germans.

On the other hand, it was a different story 6 days later when England met Chile in the Nacional Stadium. Although the team had a strong showing, this could be slightly marred by the injury to the England captain Steven Gerrard who, it has been confirmed, will now miss the World Cup.

A rare goal from defender Steven Caulker got the Three Lions on the score sheet. After this, only a second England goal from Southampton's Rickie Lambert all but confirmed the victory before Chile tried to stage a revival with Hector Mancilla scoring in the 89th minute to no avail.

With England set to face Brazil in just under a week, it remains to be seen how the national team will rally in the absence of the captain with another England old guard, Frank Lampard, poised to take the captaincy.

England off to a flyer in Rio

England 3 - 2 Brazil
Jones '14
Lambert '18
Young '46
Jones '68
Walker '79
Carrick '90

MotM: Phil Jones

England got their World Cup off to a flyer in Rio de Janeiro this evening with a 3-2 victory over the hosts. Nobody gave the Three Lions a chance when it was announced they were drawn against the World Cup hosts, Brazil, although it seems Alan Shearer has rejuvenated the national side after their disappointing performance in the pre-tournament friendlies he had lined up for the squad.

Brazil opened the scoring two minutes in with Lucas Moura scoring a superb goal, although England were down but not disheartened as demonstrated 12 minutes later when Phil Jones scored his first England goal after an assist from captain Frank Lampard.

A short while, Rickie Lambert added to his two goals with another scored from a header in the box after a corner by Leighton Baines.

Another rare defender goal came at 79 minutes with both sides level pegging, before Kyle Walker scored an absolute screamer from outside of the box much to the delight of the travelling England fans and ofcourse, the manager.

"We can definitely build on this victory, I mean if we can come here and beat the hosts - who no-one gave us a chance against - I have every confidence we can beat Australia and Tunisia by a much higher margin." - Alan Shearer after the game.