Over the weekend I read a suggestion somewhere that I thought was a jolly good idea and, subsequently, worth sharing with you.

Basically a writer in an English paper pointed out that one of the key differences between today’s England team and those of the past is just how much the actual act of playing for your country means to the individuals.

Historically, international representation was the pinnacle of a player’s career. These days, however, with so much money washing round the game, playing in and ultimately winning the Champions League appears to be much more important than pulling on the three lions.

On that basis, this chap suggested, why not put together an England team made up of players not playing in the Champions League. In other words, excluding players from Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Fair enough, that would mean leaving a lot of top class players out, but you could still put together a decent side. How about this one to face Estonia in June: Robinson in goal, a back four of Sol Campbell, Matthew Dawson, Leighton Baines and Micah Richards. Kevin Nolan, Steve Sidwell, Aaron Lennon and Scott Parker in midfield and Andy Johnson and Michael Owen up front. Subs: Jermaine Jenas, Stuart Downing, Anton Ferdinand, Darren Bent, Scott Green.

It might not be the best team in the history of England internationals. But what they may lack in world class talent I am sure they will make up for in desire to actually be there.

And, thinking about it, there may be another alternative. How about we just bin this so-called golden generation? Get rid of this current crop of underachieving ponces and replace them with the under-21 squad.

Goodbye Gerrard, Rooney and Ferdinand. Hello Huddlestone, Dawson and Walcott.

Again, a lot of these younger players may not be the finished international article. But they will more than make up for that by showing desire and determination.

Just a little food for thought.

Lucky Chelsea

The most common word I heard mentioned over the last few days in relation to Chelsea was “lucky”. Well, there was another word that was generally added to that which starts with ‘b’, but I don’t think we will go into that much detail here.

And yes they were lucky against Watford scoring the winner that kept their title hopes alive well into injury time.

However I am a firm believer in the theory that suggests you make your own luck. And I think it would be unfair to claim Chelsea had done anything other than that against Watford.

They never gave up even when it would have been easier to write off the match as just a bad day at the office. True, they had a lot to play for but their spirit was still magnificent.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is most certainly not down to luck.

Sheffield United

A couple of close friends pointed out to me on Monday morning that Sheffield United are now only a point above the drop zone. Did they really think it was the sort of thing I wouldn’t have noticed?

In all honesty we were a little unlucky to lose 1-0 to Bolton on Saturday. It was not what you would call a pretty game being, as it was, a clash between two sides who play direct, in-your-face football.

But there was no lack of passion on display either. Yet United have now lost seven away games in a row and that is a very, very worrying statistic. Neil Warnock, and the so-called experts, keep insisting that it is our home form not our away form that can save us.

And, while they may be right, I can’t help thinking what you really need is to string together a little run of positive results that includes home and away games.

How much harder is it to win your games at home when you are always playing them on the back of an away defeat? Considerably, I would wager.

Do I still believe Sheffield United will get relegated? Maybe although it won’t be for lack of effort. But it could be for lack of away wins…

Benitez’s millions

Rumour has it Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been given 40 million to spend this summer by the club’s new owners. Their objective is to allow the Reds to compete at the very top of the game.

Well, I suppose the thought is nice. But, if memory serves me well, 40 million is only enough to buy one, possibly one and half, world class players. Nowhere near enough to buy yourself a title.

If the Americans are serious about funding a real Premiership challenge they will need to be looking at a figure closer to the 100 million mark to turn the current team into a title winning one.

It’s a benchmark set by Chelsea and it’s one I can’t see changing now.

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