The Insider

  • England Crest

Follow Stuart Mawhinney, TheFA.com's insider in England's World Cup Camp.

Remember, you can have your say on these updates at the bottom of the page. To submit your comments you'll need a FAN Number (click the button at the top of the page to register), but we'd love to hear from you...



England leave today. Packing is in full flow now at team hotel, everyone preparing to head home.
11.03am, Monday 28 June

England back at the team hotel, packing starting for the flight home tomorrow. Sad day for all concerned. 
11.55pm, Sunday 27 June 
  
England coach approaching stadium now, not long to go now.
1:21pm, Sunday 27 June

England sitting down to pre-match meal shortly, leave for stadium soon afterwards. Beautiful day in Bloemfontein, let's hope it stays that way.
12,30pm, Sunday 27 June

Full moon tonight over African skies of Bloemfontein, Fabio Capello and Steven Gerrard en-route to press conference now.
6.41pm, Saturday 26 June 

England boarding flight to Bloemfontein. 24 hours to go until the kick-off.
2.36pm, Saturday 26 June 

All 23 players in the England squad train this morning at team base. Final preparations underway for clash with Germany.
10.36am, Friday 25 June

England  train this morning, all those who played last night will do recovery work in gym. Lennon and Carrick don't train, King out on pitch though.
9.30am, Thursday 24 June

Lovely welcome at the team hotel from the staff, singing and dancing in the reception as we arrived.
10.30pm, Wednesday 23 June

England about to fly back to Rustenburg. Happy plane, we're through to the next round.
7.30pm, Wednesday 23 June

England coach ready to depart hotel for the stadium, fans gathering on the sea front to see the team off.
1pm, Wednesday 23 June

Pre-match meal coming shortly, then we leave for the stadium two hours before kick off.
11.26am, Wednesday 23 June

Cabin crew cross check, doors to manual. England ready to fly to Port Elizabeth for game three of the World Cup.
2.55pm, Tuesday 22 June 

England players eating lunch now after training. Flight leaves in a few hours for Port Elizabeth, a little more than 26 hours to go now for the big game...
12.36pm, Tuesday 22 June

England training this morning at team hotel, prior to flying to Port Elizabeth. Only Ledley King not involved in the session.
9.55am, Tuesday 22 June

England training now; Michael Carrick (ankle) and Ledley King (groin) not taking part.
9.34am, Monday 21 June

No one turned anything down, or was prevented from going where they wanted to go.
12.05pm, Sunday 20 June

To clarify on Robben Island - England players weren't offered the chance to go, it was very simply a rest day for all.
12.04pm, Sunday 20 June

John Terry confident every player 'will have fire in their bellies on Wednesday night - we're English and proud.
11.32am, Sunday 20 June

John Terry says sod it, we've got one game on Wednesday and we're going to give it everything.
11.28am, Sunday 20 June

John Terry 'we are fully behind the manager'
11.25am, Sunday 20 June

England back on the training pitch this morning for the first time since Algeria game. John Terry speaking to media afterwards.
9.30am, Sunday 20 June

Long day, leaving Cape Town now back to base camp in Rustenburg.
7.54pm, Saturday 19 June

Make that an even 40, FIFA TV have appeared too!
4.55pm, Thursday 17 June

Fabio Capello and Steven Gerrard speaking to the media. 39 film cameras here at the Green Point Stadium.
4.45pm, Thursday 17 June

England players boarding the team bus now heading to stadium for pre-match training session.
3.48pm, Thursday 17 June

England have landed at Cape Town, very smooth flight, bright sunny day here.
12.10pm, Thursday 17June

England en route for our internal flight to Cape Town. Leaving base camp for first time since arriving 14 days ago.
9.40am, Thursday 17 June

Wayne Rooney: 'international football has come on a lot in the last four years, it's a lot tighter.'
11.55am, Wednesday 16 June

Wayne Rooney: 'my discipline has been perfectly fine, the last time I was booked was two years ago'
11.50am, Wednesday 16 June 

Wayne Rooney talking to media how 'we didn't play with any fear against USA.'
11.40am, Wednesday 16 June

Jermain Defoe and SWP joined FATV for a joint interview today. Great stuff, they brought out the best in each other, look out for it tomorrow.
9.33pm, Tuesday 15 June

On the bus back to the hotel, after Michael Dawson and Matt Upson have just visited an SOS Childrens' village in Rustenburg. Superb day.
2.39pm, Tuesday 15 June

England players watching the Dutch against Danes right now.
1pm, Monday 14 June

Jamie Carragher says his kids have asked for a vuvuzela each, but anyone who watches him at Anfield knows he's louder than any crowd noise! 
11.59am, Monday 14 June 

England back in training today. Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Ledley King into the gym, but Wayne and Ash are expected to train tomorrow.
9.37am, Monday 14 June

England back at team hotel. Late dinner and then to bed.
11.40pm, Saturday 12 June

Staff at Royal Marang all have flag of St. George painted on their faces as England prepare to leave for the stadium. 
5.40pm, Saturday 12 June 

Pre-match meal, short meeting then depart for the stadium. It's almost time for #England to play. #WorldCup 
4pm, Saturday 12 June

England just finished a stretching session they do on every match day. Pre-match meal later, then team meeting before getting on the bus.
11.40am, Saturday 12 June

Matchday is finally here, England players eating breakfast right now, stretch and team meeting later. Then to the ground to take on USA.
9.30am, Saturday 12 June

England back at the team hotel now, dinner being served. Just 24 hours remaining until that first game...
6.30pm, Friday 11 June

England boarding the bus for training at the stadium now, sun is slowly setting over Rustenburg.
5.30pm, Friday 11 June

It's finally here! All the England players are watching the first game about to kick-off. Time for everyone here at Royal Marang to watch the first 45 minutes before we leave for training at Bafokeng Stadium tonight.
4pm, Friday 11 June

Gerrard also said he would be 'hugely proud' to lead the boys out at a World Cup.
12noon, Thursday 10 June
   
Captain Steven Gerrard ready for the World Cup to begin, says that the players are 'champing at the bit' to start the tournament.
11.45am, Thursday 10 June

England training coming to a close now, only a session in the stadium tomorrow night.
10.45am, Thursday 10 June

James Milner and Ledley King in the gym, the rest on the pitch. Joe Cole talking to the media shortly. Three days until  England start WC 
11am, Wednesday 9 June
 
Rio Ferdinand has spoken with FiveLive about his injury, have a listen...
12.20pm, Tuesday 8 June

England training coming to an end this morning, James Milner has a temperature so missed the session.
10.30am, Tuesday 8 June

Also there will be highlights tomorrow from Fabio Capello and England players meeting local orphans from 'My Home' on the pitch after the match. 
6.05pm, Monday 7 June

England heading back to hotel now, dinner and then to bed. Look out for FATV interviews with Gerrard and Defoe later on. 
6pm, Monday 7 June 

First experience for the England players of the vuvuzela. Not my cup of tea I must admit.
3.15pm, Monday 7 June

No caps for players, it's just a training match today.
2pm, Monday 7 June

Training game not going to be covered live on television, but there will be rolling updates on TheFA.com.
11.45am, Monday 7 June

England players will be stretching shortly, as with every normal matchday, before a training game this afternoon against Platinum Stars.
9.34am, Monday 7 June

FATV spoke to late squad arrival Michael Dawson tonight, look out for the video in the morning.
11.16pm, Sunday 6 June

Ledley King says he is fit and ready for World Cup action, should he be asked by Fabio Capello.
1.49pm, Sunday 6 June

England training just finished up, Ledley King will speak to the media in a little while
12.10pm, Sunday 6 June

England into day three in Rustenburg, preparing for training on another beautiful morning
8.27am, Saturday 5 June

England squad at the end of day one in South Africa, impressed by the setup at the hotel, and turning in for the night.
10.02pm, Thursday 3 June

England settling into the surroundings of the incredible Royal Marang hotel, first training session took place this afternoon. Day one.
6.31pm, Thursday 3 June

David James tells FATV no-one can expect a place in the team, despite what squad number they have. http://tinyurl.com/3933oth  
6.31pm, Thursday 3 June

England have touched down in sunny Johannesburg, very peaceful night flight
7.51pm, Thursday 3 June

TheFA.com's Insider gives his final blog as the squad jet off to South Africa. http://tinyurl.com/2uhkuc9  
9.20pm, Wednesday 2 June

Photo taken on the steps - here's the view from inside the plane http://twitpic.com/1tcnpk  
8.34pm, Wednesday 2 June

Players boarding the plane now
8.22pm, Wednesday 2 June

England coach on the way to Heathrow now
7.35pm, Wednesday 2 June

England players arriving at the hotel now, luggage and suits await their arrival. Dinner, then to Heathrow
4.50pm, Wednesday 2 June

England fly overnight and will arrive in SA first thing tomorrow morning
2.08pm, Wednesday 2 June

Players and staff meeting late afternoon before heading to Heathrow for our evening flight to South Africa...it's almost upon us now!
2.07pm, Wednesday 2 June

Players and staff meet up tomorrow afternoon for England flight to South Africa.
6.46pm, Tuesday 1 June

Apologies to anyone who experienced difficulties with TheFA.com today, it seems a lot of people were v keen on finding out the 23!
6.45pm, Tuesday 1 June

Get the full England squad details here from FabioCapello's final 23 http://bit.ly/bYkpmH  
4.06pm, Tuesday 1 June

Forwards Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney
4pm, Tuesday 1 June

Midfielders Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips
4pm, Tuesday 1 June

Defenders Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock
4pm, Tuesday 1 June

Goalkeepers Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James
4pm, Tuesday 1 June

England squad confirmed on TheFA.com now, seven who miss out are Baines, Dawson, Huddlestone, Parker, Adam Johnson, Walcott, Bent.
4pm, Tuesday 1 June

Official confirmation of Fabio Capello's England World Cup squad coming at 4pm
3.02pm, Tuesday 1 June

Plenty of speculation about England Squad, but rest assured this and TheFA.com will be the first place you hear confirmation of final 23.
1.42pm, Tuesday 1 June

One more day until the 23 is named, who would you pick?
12.37pm, Monday 31 May

Senior team have just landed at Heathrow, everyone delighted to hear that U17s won the European Championship. So proud!
7.47pm, Sunday 30 May

Squad back on our plane, ready to fly home. Good result, players know there is more to do. Decision day is Tuesday.
5.23pm, Sunday 30 May

Just sorting out the mixed zone for all fans of how the media interact with the players post match. More to come
12.17pm, Sunday 30 May

Bidding farewell to Irdning, coaches departing now. It has been a good home for two weeks, the foundations. Now on to Graz, and Japan
3.06pm, Saturday 29 May

Our man in the England camp has just published his latest blog. Get an EXCLUSIVE behind-the-scenes view at http://tinyurl.com/33vbaux  
2.34pm, Saturday 29 May

Final day in Irdning, players have last session before Japan this morning, before Fabio Capello speaks to the media
8.51pm, Saturday 29 May

The rain seems to have passed, beautiful sunny morning in Austria. Players leave for training in the next 10 mins
11.20am, Friday 28 May

England just about to sit down for dinner, steady rain almost all day here in Irdning! How is the weather where you are?
7.14pm, Thursday 27 May

England training again in Irdning, dejà vu. Slightly warmer, although rain clouds looking threatening
10.56am, Thursday 27 May

England will face Hungary at Wembley for their first game of the 2010-11 season. http://tinyurl.com/3a4omm3
10.39pm, Thursday 27 May

Dinner at an end, most players retiring to their rooms. Darren Bent and Michael Dawson on the ping pong table
8.59pm, Wednesday 26 May

England have landed in Graz, sunshine is breaking through the clouds as we board the coach headed back to Irdning and the Schloss Pichlarn
4.06pm, Wednesday 26 May

Seats for takeoff, England in the air shortly
1.54pm, Wednesday 26 May

waiting in the lounge at Heathrow, England flying out shortly to resume training camp in Irdning
12.27pm, Wednesday 26 May

TheFA.com's England Insider brings you his latest blog following Monday's match with Mexico. http://tinyurl.com/2v6gdv5  
4.57pm, Tuesday 25 May

Glen Johnson told FATV about his joy after scoring his first England goal. Watch the interview now. http://tinyurl.com/37thfmb  
11.27am, Tuesday 25 May

It was a great atmosphere at #Wembley last night as England beat Mexico 3-1. Watch highlights of the game here - http://tinyurl.com/3xqycs2  
10.56am, Tuesday 25 May

Fabio Capello leads his charges around the Wembley pitch to say a big thank you to all the England fans.
10.01pm, Monday 24 May

Full-time at Wembley - England 3-1 Mexico. The perfect result to set the Three Lions off on their way to South Africa.
9.58pm, Monday 24 May

The teams have just come out at Wembley and are awaiting the national athems. You can follow all the action on www.TheFA.com
7.54pm, Monday 24 May

England goalkeepr Joe Hart speaks about his World Cup fever ahead of tonight's game, in an FATV exclusive. http://tinyurl.com/2vetbtk  
9.25am, Monday 24 May

England have landed at Heathrow, significantly warmer back here! Gloves and scarf not required...
6.15pm, Sunday 23 May

England have arrived at Graz airport, ready for the flight home. Already a lot warmer here than Irdning
3.14pm, Sunday 23 May

England leaving the Schloss Pichlarn in Irdning, heading home for the match with Mexico at Wembley on Monday night.
1.20pm, Sunday 23 May

Final day in Irdning, England leaving for training now. Then back for lunch, and a coach ride to the airport for our flight back to London
9.15am, Sunday 23 May

England eating dinner now, lasagne proving popular, everyone will congregate in the meeting room shortly to see the Champions League Final
7.06pm, Saturday 22 May

Read Fabio Capello's open letter to the nation asking England fans to get behind the Three Lions - http://tinyurl.com/2vgn98f  
11.17am, Saturday 22 May

Still raining in Irdning, but England spirits are high. Going to training shortly as we get closer to the first friendly, Mexico on Monday
9.04am, Saturday 22 May

Fabio Capello and his coaches are sat in the meal room watching U17s play Greece on German Eurosport
6.33pm, Sunday 23 May

Spoke to Joe Hart earlier today so look out for the interview later. At the training ground the rain is starting to fall more heavily, players are luckily under cover in the gym for a work out.
4.12pm, Friday 21 May

A growing number of coaches, led by Stuart Pearce and Christian Lattanzio, have been cycling around the hills and valleys of the foothills of the Alps. Once a day.
3.15pm, Friday 21 May

Today there has been a session on the grass in the morning, and the players will do a gym session this afternoon. Still very cool, and misty.
12.48pm, Friday 21 May

Players have just eaten lunch following training, and some are heading out onto the golf course for a quick round this afternoon.
1.32pm, Thursday 20 May

Been a busy media day in the camp today. Jamie Carragher spoke to the press and the team also had their pictures taken with the big match ticket ahead of Monday's Tickets For Troops international against Mexico.
4.15pm, Wednesday 19 May

Weather is cool, but there hasn't been much rain so far. Spirit is good, squad have a sharp focus and seem quietly determined.
5.20pm, Tuesday 18 May

England have just finished their second training session in Irdning, heading back to the hotel now for lunch.
12.05pm, Tuesday 18 May

I spoke to Michael Dawson this morning before training for TheFA.com and an interview in the England v Mexico programme. He says he's pleased that a lot of Spurs players are in the squad too.
9.40am, Tuesday 18 May

Landed in Austria and it was a very smooth flight. Now heading to the training camp. The World Cup is getting closer now and I'm looking forward to seeing the players training.
2.48pm, Monday 17 May

All present and correct on England's Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow, taking off very shortly en route to Austria.
11.58am, Monday 17 May


What Do You Think?

  • England is the only team who have been able to score 2 goals against Germany. Germany have just destroyed Argentina 4 goals to nil. England have nothing to be ashamed of this world cup. Germany are particularly on fire this year, and are not lettting in goals at all. England is the only team good enough to score against them. You're a brilliant team England. I've never stopped admiring all of you.By ukozgirl (34 months ago)
  • Whats going on with the so say English supports," England till i die," more like "England till we loose." Yeah it was disappointing that england came out so soon,but imagine how the players feel,i doubt they wanted to come home either. The way the so called fans and media are treating them is so wrong.They are our English team,and we should get behind them win or loose thats what being a fan is about. This wasn't our time, but we've got some of the best players and we will succeed. Bring on the Euro's come on lads have faith in yourselves u know u can do,forget the glory supporters, u do have real fans out there...By Nikki (34 months ago)
  • I added the following comment to the msn website this morning and thought it only fair to share it with the FA. I am an England fan who cares. I have worked in Africa for 13 years on international development and understand the difficulties in working across language barriers and therefore have some sympathies with the current manager. Whilst critical, I have tried to be objective and constructive. England failed miserably – why? I doubt if there is a single solution to this problem. It was transparent throughout that the team were not fully motivated. Why? You can blame the players as an overpaid ill disciplined bunch. “With all that money they should be self motivated in representing their country” – but they weren’t. Why? Had they previously played too much football? Had the manager failed to motivate them? Or was the overall management system not working well? This includes all of those things mentioned above, and a lot more. Importantly it should include a systematic approach to identifying all the risks to the key objective of winning the cup. This may have been applied but was it complete? In introducing the control over the risk of players’ potential indiscipline (nightclubs and pedolas etc) by keeping them confined to barracks / away from the WAGS, this may have introduced other risks e.g. their ability to cope with such restrictions. Was the team psychologist managing these risks? The body language of some of the key players may have given an indication on this. It includes clear leadership and direction which requires excellent communication skills. In a team environment this means giving clear messages, providing mechanisms for feedback, listening and responding to feedback in a positive way. I have no doubts that Fabio has all the tools and technical ideas to produce a winning team; his track record shows that. But can he communicate well enough to lead, inspire (bring out the true British patriotism), listen, understand, and react positively to a group of hyped up Englishmen who no doubt had their own views on how things should be done. I think the answer to that lies in his media performances / pitch side contortions. Was the human resource strategy correct in terms of team selection? Did the manager really have enough information to objectively evaluate the national potential at a given point in time, taking account of injuries, statistics etc? The continued presence of one mediocre player in the team with no recent good form or statistics questions that? Above all, the management system includes strategic direction – from the FA. What were their policy requirements with regard to the technical functioning, motivation and well being of the team? Were they clearly communicated? Had they identified and managed all the higher level risks including ensuring that the national structure of football optimises the development of English footballers? Was the league and cup programme ahead of such an important tournament too onerous? Had they selected the right manager with the full package of necessary skills? Did they have any reporting/feedback mechanisms on how their requirements were met, particularly just before and during the critical period of the tournament? They appear to have put a motivator in the team to support Fabio in David Beckham but was his presence enough? He truly was an inspirational leader on the field, but off the field? We have a national cricket team that is doing well at the moment with some fairly raw talent as well as experience and the rugby team managed to beat the Aussies recently; is there any read across to identify best practice in terms of management and motivation? The answer to the question, “why we did we fail?” will be a combination of many factors but my best guess is that the most significant factor was the communication difficulty between manager and players. I do not blame Fabio for this as he did not select himself and if he stays, his communication skills will likely improve to the level required. We do not necessarily need an English manager but we need a manager who can motivate and inspire Englishmen. There is not enough public information to carry out a full analysis which is what I believe the FA will be doing. Do you think Germany carried out any kind of systematic review to their approach to management of the sport and the national team? By johnmus (34 months ago)
  • Nothing will change between now and the Euros and probably the World Cup in 2014. In 6 months all of the players will be back at their clubs being worshipped again. Why would the FA or Premier League bother to make any changes to the structure of English football when it's easier to maintain the status quo, sit back and watch the money roll in and not give a monkeys about the English football team. Remember who payed astronomical amounts of money to go and watch the same four, largely foreign, teams, being managed by foreign managers, compete for the self-proclaimed "best league in the world". All of this looks wonderful on the PR wing of the Premier League (sorry, I mean Sky Sports News) and certainly helps them to sell subscriptions to punters, but it produces the results that we saw yesterday.By anonymous (34 months ago)
  • Who runs English football?Nobody knows.There was a chap who acused the spanish and russians of bribing the refs. English FA are always on about fair play.We cant string a team together so what do the mothers of all fairplay do? Buy a manager from the opsing teams.And then acuse other nations of bribery. One more point before we get to the football. Touch line technolgy would make it imposible to fix matches or influence refs. I,ll let the viewers decide why it has,nt been implemented years ago. The first thing that must be done is to decide who is in charge of our sport.Then they must resign and a new group of people set up to determine the future of English football. It must include ordinary members of the supporting public.Often those within the woods can,t see the trees. The rot started at spurs with villa and ardilles.You were allowed two foriegners now your lucky to get 2 English men in the team. Money has destroyed our football.You only have to take a look aropund this site,its pure advertising for England products. The emphasis is ,how can we get the most money out of the England team when it should be about how can we get the best football out of an England team.If you need more proof.Take Beckham,he will be remembered for the amount of money he generated and not for his supposed great footballing skills.And guess what some one has thought it fit to have him still lingering on the touchline. Football is won by scoring goals by people taking people on creating mayhem in the oposing area.People like mardona ,messi ,beardsley ,best etc.We aren,t just lacking in this field.The English FA actively discourage it.Brasil always field 11 atackers every single one of them is capable of causing mayhem.Any time the FA need advice you have my e mail.You wont get in touch because you hate people who can help you.The name Brian clough springs to mind.Graham taylor as well.Which one would you trust to do the right thing and which one woul you trust to create mayhem.?By ex england supporter (34 months ago)