WHY were England worried about what FIFA would have done if they’d worn poppies on their shirts against Spain? They have already decided where the World Cup is going, and every time someone from that awful organisation opens their mouth, their reputation seems to slide downhill that little bit more. It has been a ridiculous situation. I know FIFA have agreed to let England wear a poppy on their armband now but who exactly were FIFA trying to pander to? Who would have been “upset” if England had poppies on their shirts during the game itself? It has been blown out of all proportion in the press, and I am a little surprised FIFA even changed their mind and allowed the poppy to appear on the armband. But it’s typical that rules like this exist in the first place. Fortunately a compromise has been reached but I’d have been interested to see what would have happen ed if they had taken it a step further. They were saying a fourth official might stop players going on to the pitch if they wore something on their shirt – I’d really like to have seen that. Can you imagine the situation if the world champions Spain had had to kick off the game without any opponents, at Wembley Stadium, all because of a paper flower? I don’t understand why wearing a black armband with a poppy on it is any different. Of course, it isn’t. But when you live your life according to a rulebook, then you’re bound to leave yourself open to criticism like this. -------------------------------------

PEOPLE are quick to write you off these days, and that has certainly been the case for Kevin Davies.

By some of the comments that have been aimed his way, you’d think the skipper was heading for the knacker’s yard rather than trying to get his team out of trouble, and that’s why I was delighted to see him back to his best against Stoke.

I’ve written it here many times - he has carried this team on his back for years, and I think it’s natural that the bad form has got to him.

Owen took him out of the team against Swansea and judging by his performance the other day, he looks fit, sharp and refreshed.

There are 11 players out of contract next season, big Kev included, and by next summer we should have a much clearer picture of what he wants to do with this team.

Owen hasn’t really been able to put his footprint on the squad but he’ll get his chance then.

I know we are looking to bring down the average age of the squad but sometimes you will also keep your dressing room in mind as well.

I can see a time where Kev doesn’t play every game, and maybe a coaching career is on the horizon, but for now, I think he has got much, much more to give this football club as a player.

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JOE Riley is in the driving seat now for the right-back slot after his performance against Stoke City.

It was a really big decision for Owen to throw a young lad into a game like that, but credit to him, Joe stepped up.

Gretar Steinsson has had his chances and not taken them, and with Dedryck Boyata, Sam Ricketts and Tyrone Mears all injured at the minute, there weren’t many options in that position.

But sometimes it takes a situation like that to develop, or the proverbial window to open, for a career to really take off.

It reminded me of when Nicky Spooner first came into the side for Phil Brown back in my day. He was untested, but he took his chance and had a decent run, and there’s no reason why Joe can’t do the same.

We have a good record of producing young defenders, like Nicky Hunt, and it would be great to see him go on and take his chance.

Big decisions like that can change your season. For example, the fact that David Nogog was left out has hardly got a mention.

So while the players deserve credit, so does Owen and his staff. They got it spot on.

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THE technique Chris Eagles showed with his first goal at the Reebok on Sunday was quite incredible.

I’ll admit my jaw dropped when I saw his first touch, and then his volley back into the net from the angle, it was a thing of beauty.

But then you get back to the question, why isn’t this happening more often?

It’s okay ripping up trees one week, but like a lot of others in the squad, Eagles has to produce more consistently.

I think there is a run of fixtures coming up now, starting with West Brom a week Saturday, where we can really rack up some results and get ourselves well out of the mire.

Nobody would have expected us to get a scoreline like that - It was like a dream - but Owen will be desperate to keep his players on the boil and string a few results together now.

Everyone deserves a pat on the back for turning things round, but they won’t need reminding that the hard work starts here.

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GARY Cahill has got absolutely everything on his side to claim a place in England’s Euro 2012 squad.

He’s the right age, he’s performed superbly when he’s been called upon just recently, and his game suits international football perfectly.

I think he’s ahead of Rio Ferdinand now because Fabio Capello doesn’t even know how many games he’ll be able to play for Manchester United, let alone England.

But like any Wanderers fan, I don’t mind how he goes on in a meaningless friendly just as long as he gets back to the Reebok fit and healthy next week.