Is it just me or does it feel like the number of international friendlies is on the increase?

Statistically, of course, I am sure somebody would be able to prove that teams now actually play less than they did in the past. At least that’s what the authorities keep telling us.

But that doesn’t change the fact that it feels like the week-to-week fun of domestic soccer is being interrupted on a more regular basis than ever before.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we never used to have international breaks during which regular football would grind to a halt. The friendlies were just squeezed into mid-week gaps.

Whatever the cause, the fact is that yet again we are faced with an international weekend as teams around the world start their preparations for next summer’s World Cup.

Admittedly there are the play-offs going on as well, but with all the big teams except Spain already assured of qualification, for the majority of us it’s an evening of substitute-packed, generally pointless non-competitive ties.

There is one exception to that. England vs Argentina. There is so much history between the two countries, both politically and on the pitch itself, that this can hardly ever be considered a friendly.

Forgetting the whole Falklands war for a minute, Argentina knocked England out of the World Cup in Mexico and France while England effectively did the same last time round in Japan.

We have had penalty shoot-outs, wonder goals and the infamous ‘Hand of God’ in previous encounters. Not to mention a little flag burning too.

In short there is no love lost between the two teams and all the bad blood will no doubt rise to the surface again tonight.

As far as team selection goes I don’t think Eriksson will spring any major surprises. He will probably start with his strongest 11 and then swap and change as many as he can at half time. Usual procedure.

What will be interesting to see, however, is how the crowd react to Peter Crouch. The beanpole striker was unfairly booed by supporters during the match with Poland and it would be extremely unfair if he were to receive the same treatment again.

He may not be much to look at, but there is no doubt he does offer England another option up front and I would be happy to have him on the bench to be used in case of emergency.

Because with Sven in charge, you can pretty much guarantee there will be a few of those next summer.

New Wembley,

old problems

Finally, after months of denial the chief executive of the new stadium has admitted that it probably will not be ready on time to host the FA Cup Final.

“We’re going 100 per cent for the cup final but nobody can guarantee it,” Michael Cunnagh said.

Apparently the harsh winter that experts are predicting for England will make it difficult for the builders to dig through the frozen ground to lay the foundations for the pitch.

Well, nobody could have seen that coming.

How is it that a project which is costing hundreds of millions can be brought to a halt by a bit of frost? Surely they have been working on site long enough to realise that the English weather gets a bit chilly over the winter period?

Not only has Wembley gone grossly over budget but it now looks like the extra 75 million it is going to cost builder Multiplex is not enough to buy a few heating lamps.

Hopefully when it is completed, the stadium will be something to be proud of. But, then again, at the rate it is going, by the time it is completed, it will probably look a bit old fashioned...

Parry and the US

Obviously encouraged by how hugely popular the Glazer take-over of Manchester United has been, Liverpool are now looking to bring an American tycoon of their own on board.

The club’s chief executive Rick Parry was in the US last week meeting with billionaire Robert Kraft who owns the New England Patriots NFL team.

Although any investment by Kraft is certainly not imminent, it is thought that Liverpool could be looking for some outside money to help them build their new stadium in Stanley Park, the cost of which has already risen from 80 to 150 million.

Overall it is a positive move for Liverpool and the fans should not be worried as apparently Parry is looking for a cash injection rather than to sell out.

Oh, and Kraft isn’t nearly as irritating to look at as Glazer either...

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