Playing with the big kids The eve of Thanksgiving and all ex-pat Englishmen will be hoping that McClaren and eleven others have the heart to give us another reason to enjoy a long weekend here in the United States.

I heard that if we don't make it today, nor Northern Ireland, then there is talk of the Home Nations coming back next summer to fill the void. That would be like the school playground. The best kids are playing on the grass and the crappy ones are playing three-and-in on the pavement at the side. How depressing would that be?

I don't necessary get that if we lose today, things will change. I don't believe that the FA are capable of instilling change in a positive fashion. I wouldn't trust them to put the rubbish out to be honest and can anyone make a real argument that there is a certain player playing in the Premiership that is not currently involved in the squad.

Nevertheless McClaren is still a nob but we're kind of stuck with him, so lets hope we make it through today so at least we can play with the bigs kids next June in Austria and Switzerland.

As I mentioned, this weekend is Thanksgiving and I plan to pack work up just after lunch today and will join some fellow ex-Pats including a young Croatian guy who used to work for me in the pub later.

The media are carrying stories that Scott Carson will start over Paul Robinson. Fully deserved but strange that McClaren chooses today to make the change. A five-man midfield and Crouch up front on his own. I reckon one goal will do it.  ¶ 08:44