Didn't sleep very well - three in a bed was actually two too many. Not sure how long Andy and Kev will be with me. Had to sneak them some breakfast this morning.
Training this afternoon - more running and jumping up and down. I like training - especially being able to wear those brighly coloured bibs - I was in yellow today.
The gaffa had a press conference this afternoon - and still no clue about the starting line up. Except he did say that Gareth's likely to be on the bench from the start.
We all watched the South Africa v Mexico game this afternoon. It was an OK match with a great goal opening goal. Fair result in the end. Getting ready to watch Uruguay v France - kick off in a few minutes.
Spoke with Mrs D today and she is getting excited about tomorrow. Going to the Rooney's for a WC BBC. That's a World Cup BBQ - not a BBQ in their toilet.
Can't stop on long - "Aero" saving me a seat.
Early night then - think the brothers will have to sleep on the floor. Need my rest tonight for the big day tomorrow.
Bye for now - and thanks for all your good luck messages that coming.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Thursday, 10 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #6
Now, I know that Ferdz is a very influential member of the squad and a great skipper. But sometimes players can get too wrapped up in their own publicity and self importance. I don't mean to be disrespectful to the big man but.... The TV in my room has a clever gizmo that lets me see what pay per view films have been watched since the squad checked in - here's the list and you make up your own minds
Blame It On Rio
Rio Bravo
Rio Grande
Rio Lobo
Road To Rio
Girl From Rio
Flying Down To Rio
Lost In Rio
Rio Conchos
I mean come on, the man really needs to get out more on his crutches and get some proper perspective on his contribution to life and the universe. Me, I'm gonna be watching Dawson's Creek tonight.
Closed training session today. James Milner still not feeling well so he had yet another day off and Ledley did more gym work - shame about his chronically dodgy knees - but it might turn out to be good for me. If Fabio has to choose between me and Matty Upson then I'm a shoo in.
It was off to Sun City after training for a round of golf. Last time I played I had trouble getting the ball through the door in the wooden windmill. Still, I managed to get round without losing my balls. Unlike Glen Johnson who hit the wrong ball off the fairway.
By the way Mrs D just for you and our cocker spaniels - here's a link to my FA Quickfire Q&A for YouTube Quickfire Q&A
Only two more sleeps until we start our campaign. The gaffa knows the starting line up but hasn't told us yet. My money's on JT and Ledley at the back. Hopefully I might get a run out at some point on Saturday - would be great to get my first cap at last. Even better to get the 2010 version of the one in the piccy.
By the way - it seems FIFA are reading my blog as their website has now been updated to show me instead of Rio. Thanks Sep. FIFA Website
They also have a pic of me in training quality.
That's it for tonight - sleep well. Not sure how much sleep I will get with Andy and Kev sharing the bed.
I'm getting really giddy.
Blame It On Rio
Rio Bravo
Rio Grande
Rio Lobo
Road To Rio
Girl From Rio
Flying Down To Rio
Lost In Rio
Rio Conchos
I mean come on, the man really needs to get out more on his crutches and get some proper perspective on his contribution to life and the universe. Me, I'm gonna be watching Dawson's Creek tonight.
Closed training session today. James Milner still not feeling well so he had yet another day off and Ledley did more gym work - shame about his chronically dodgy knees - but it might turn out to be good for me. If Fabio has to choose between me and Matty Upson then I'm a shoo in.
By the way Mrs D just for you and our cocker spaniels - here's a link to my FA Quickfire Q&A for YouTube Quickfire Q&A
Only two more sleeps until we start our campaign. The gaffa knows the starting line up but hasn't told us yet. My money's on JT and Ledley at the back. Hopefully I might get a run out at some point on Saturday - would be great to get my first cap at last. Even better to get the 2010 version of the one in the piccy.
By the way - it seems FIFA are reading my blog as their website has now been updated to show me instead of Rio. Thanks Sep. FIFA Website
 |
| Look at that concentration! |
They also have a pic of me in training quality.
That's it for tonight - sleep well. Not sure how much sleep I will get with Andy and Kev sharing the bed.
I'm getting really giddy.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #5
Oh dear more tension today as the gaffa has a right go at the press photographers. Relationships with the photographers and TV crews seem a bit strained. That's a shame - I need pics of me out there so I don't get mistaken for that Question of Sport bloke again or worse still Les Dawson.
Could do with a photo sending to FIFA as well and for the FA to remind them that I am now a proper member of the England squad. They need to get their website updated - still have Rio in the squad list. So come on FIFA get it sorted FIFA Website
In case you haven't already picked it up from the papers the gaffa is a bit of a disciplinarian. We need to be smartly dressed and no mobile phones to be used at meal times. It's a bit like being back at school in Northallerton - but discipline is important so we don't complain - well not publicly anyway.
Talking about being smartly dressed - those M&S suits are a bit of alright. Will be able to wear it when I get back home. If I leave the badge on I can even get tax relief on the cleaning bills - result. Even George Osborne can't stop that - well not yet at least.
I'm getting a bit worried about my blog - not sure Fabio will be too impressed if he finds out. I know our other halves back home are keeping a check on what's going on and read all the blogs and news stories. It's a bit like the "WAGs dogging the tale".
More training today. I quite like all that running and jumping up and down, stretching and waving my arms around - Training Video
The gaffa said we needed to practise our penalties. He showed us a video to help Crouchy and Defoe with their synchronised diving.
My two brothers, Andy and Kevin are arriving tomorrow. They haven't found anywhere to stay so they're gonna bus it up to Rustenburg and I'm gonna sneak em in to my room. There's a massive bed in my room, in fact you could get the whole back four in at the same time. Anyway me, Andy and Kev are gonna sleep top and tail - just like we did as kids.
That's all for today folks.
Could do with a photo sending to FIFA as well and for the FA to remind them that I am now a proper member of the England squad. They need to get their website updated - still have Rio in the squad list. So come on FIFA get it sorted FIFA Website
In case you haven't already picked it up from the papers the gaffa is a bit of a disciplinarian. We need to be smartly dressed and no mobile phones to be used at meal times. It's a bit like being back at school in Northallerton - but discipline is important so we don't complain - well not publicly anyway.
Talking about being smartly dressed - those M&S suits are a bit of alright. Will be able to wear it when I get back home. If I leave the badge on I can even get tax relief on the cleaning bills - result. Even George Osborne can't stop that - well not yet at least.
I'm getting a bit worried about my blog - not sure Fabio will be too impressed if he finds out. I know our other halves back home are keeping a check on what's going on and read all the blogs and news stories. It's a bit like the "WAGs dogging the tale".
More training today. I quite like all that running and jumping up and down, stretching and waving my arms around - Training Video
The gaffa said we needed to practise our penalties. He showed us a video to help Crouchy and Defoe with their synchronised diving.
My two brothers, Andy and Kevin are arriving tomorrow. They haven't found anywhere to stay so they're gonna bus it up to Rustenburg and I'm gonna sneak em in to my room. There's a massive bed in my room, in fact you could get the whole back four in at the same time. Anyway me, Andy and Kev are gonna sleep top and tail - just like we did as kids.
That's all for today folks.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #4
It's been a bit tense around camp England today. None of us covered ourselves in glory yesterday and the press and Talk Sport have had loads to say about the performance. We're all getting fed up of hearing "can Lamps and Stevie G play in the same team", "can Roono keep a lid on his temper". The answer is yes to both. So just get behind the team.
There's a great atmosphere in the squad and we're all confident we can do well. I'm really chuffed I got a couple of quotes in the quality papers today - The Guardian and The Telegraph. Mrs D's started a scrap book.
Put up my Daily Mirror World Cup 2010 wall chart this morning - can't wait to start filling it in on Friday. Got different coloured pens and everything.
We've got a sweep going and we drew our teams last night - felt really lucky - I got two teams - New Zealand and Honduras - don't feel so lucky now. Might still put a couple of bob on each, you know just in case. The odds are really good each one is 2000/1.
The Gaffa gave us a bit of a pep talk after training.
"Righta fellas, backa home they'lla be'a thinkin about'a us. We are'a so far awaya. So'a backa home they'lla be'a really'a behind us, in a everya game'a we play'a. They'lla share'a every'a goala Rooney is'a scoring. We will'a still heara them'a roaring'a. And we'lla give'a all a we've a gotta give'a for those'a folks'a back'a home. Avanti "
Well it went something like that, and went on a bit longer. Funny, but I thought I had heard it before somewhere. Maybe all managers use the same speeches.
Had a safari trip in to the bush this afternoon to see the wildlife. We saw three lions (see what I did there); giraffe's that took a keen interest in Crouchy; and buffalo with an uncanny likeness to Roono.
That's it for today - only four more sleeps before we whup the Yanks.
There's a great atmosphere in the squad and we're all confident we can do well. I'm really chuffed I got a couple of quotes in the quality papers today - The Guardian and The Telegraph. Mrs D's started a scrap book.
We've got a sweep going and we drew our teams last night - felt really lucky - I got two teams - New Zealand and Honduras - don't feel so lucky now. Might still put a couple of bob on each, you know just in case. The odds are really good each one is 2000/1.
The Gaffa gave us a bit of a pep talk after training.
"Righta fellas, backa home they'lla be'a thinkin about'a us. We are'a so far awaya. So'a backa home they'lla be'a really'a behind us, in a everya game'a we play'a. They'lla share'a every'a goala Rooney is'a scoring. We will'a still heara them'a roaring'a. And we'lla give'a all a we've a gotta give'a for those'a folks'a back'a home. Avanti "
Well it went something like that, and went on a bit longer. Funny, but I thought I had heard it before somewhere. Maybe all managers use the same speeches.
Had a safari trip in to the bush this afternoon to see the wildlife. We saw three lions (see what I did there); giraffe's that took a keen interest in Crouchy; and buffalo with an uncanny likeness to Roono.
That's it for today - only four more sleeps before we whup the Yanks.
Monday, 7 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #3
There was a bit of commotion in the hotel last night. Some joker got in to Rooney's room and nicked his personal pillow. Lots of shouting, laughing and joking until Wayno eventually tracked down his beloved pillow in Carrick's room. Still some confusion whether or not it was Carrick who nicked it in the first place - the smart money is on Joe Cole - the little tinker.
Final friendly match today and I knew fairly early on that I would be getting a run out against what can best be described as a local pub team. Not sure I will get a cap for this game but I suppose I am not an international player.
We were all required to meet local fans at the hotel before we set off for the match this afternoon. Really surprised to see a group of people from the South African branch of A Question of Sport fan club. They had come to meet Matt and had a big shock when they got me instead. Could see the confusion on their faces but I think I got away with it. Anyway I still autographed some of those funny shaped balls for them.
We got a good 3 - 0 win against Platinum Stars. Not the best performance in the world and Wayno lost it a bit and got booked - he can be a divvy sometimes. I was pleased with my 45 minutes and even got some comments quoted on the FA Website
Spoke to the boss (Harry) last night and commiserated with him after his England team lost the Soccer Aid 2010 game to a penalty by a bloke who's never played football in his life. Some of the guys today were hoping David James would get crocked so that Fabio would call up Jamie Theakston as his replacement - he had a brill second half last night.
Right must go, me and the other four Spurs lads are having a card school tonight - if we can get some little nods, winks and tells between us we should be able to fleece the rest of the squad of a few Rands
Sunday, 6 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #2
Looks like I'm getting the number 5 jersey. Fabio sent Becks down the local market this morning to get some of those stick on letters for the back of my shirt. I spent a couple of hours after breakfast taking "Ferdinand" off and sticking my name on - it does look good though but Rio's bloody shirts are gonna be miles too big for me - bet I look a right twat.
Phoned Mrs D before I went to sleep last night. She'd had a call already from Montana Manning (Lennon's other half - and a bit of alright if you ask me) - she has a bit of a reputation though for flashing her knickers when photographers are around (according to the Mail Online anyway). Seems like the "stay at home" WAGs are having a BBQ next Saturday at the Rooney's - Coleen's quite partial to a beef quarterpounder I hear.
Lots of really nice messages of congratulations and support from Spurs fans. Even one from an S Quinn in Ireland - say they're big Spurs supporters and hope I get a chance to play - but they'll still be cheering for the USA on Saturday.
Also some messages from Gooner fans asking me to kick lumps out of Wright-Phillips in training so that he has to go home and maybe that loser Walcott will be called up before Friday - er don't think so.
Let me tell you I'm a pit pissed off with Panini as it happens. Do you know there are stickers for the errand boy Beckham and that loser Theo - but there isn't one of me - bet Panini feel real stupid now.
OK, we're one hour ahead of you guys back in the UK so we're just getting ready to go down for dinner. Fabio's imposed a booze ban - feeling a bit guilty now about that crafty drink with JT yesterday - still he's not gonna say anything he's been in enough trouble already.
Hoping to get picked for some part of the friendly tomorrow against the Platinum Stars. Who needs bloody Rio.
Right, signing off now.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
World Cup Diary Blog #1
Well what a day yesterday. Me and the Mrs D went to see Jackson Browne in Sheffield. We had already planned to have a couple of weeks away at Butlins in Skegness and I was getting really excited about that.
Got home last night and had a message from Fabio telling me to get on the next plane to Johannesburg as Rio had injured his knee in a tackle on Emila Heskey - well that's what it sounded like. I can't really understand a word that Fabio says.
"Hello'a Mikel itsa Fabio ere. Thata bloody Emila Esky as nackurd Rio'as knee'a. I'a kneed'a you'a to catcha plane'a to Johannesburga straighta waya"
So there I was in the early hours of Saturday just hoping those BA strikers - no not Burton Albion, British Airways - don't cancel my flight. Anyway plane got away on time and I was able to get my head down for a few hours.
I can tell you I was mighty relieved that it was Rio that got injured and not JT. Wouldn't have wanted to leave Mrs D behind with JT back in the country - if you know what I mean.
Arrived in Jo'burg safely and surprised to see JT at the airport - thought my mate Ledley would have been there. Anyway JT took me to a local bar for a swift half before heading off to Rustenburg and my first training session. Not sure what my squad number is going to be yet - maybe I will just get number 5, which was Rio's number.
Accommodation looks good - deffo much better than we would have had at Butlins.
OK that's it for now - will keep you all posted - at least until the end of the first round matches. If things don't go to plan might even be home in time to go to Skeggy - have told Mrs D not to cancel the chalet yet - don't want to lose my deposit if it's not necessary.
Speak to you again soon.
Got home last night and had a message from Fabio telling me to get on the next plane to Johannesburg as Rio had injured his knee in a tackle on Emila Heskey - well that's what it sounded like. I can't really understand a word that Fabio says.
"Hello'a Mikel itsa Fabio ere. Thata bloody Emila Esky as nackurd Rio'as knee'a. I'a kneed'a you'a to catcha plane'a to Johannesburga straighta waya"
So there I was in the early hours of Saturday just hoping those BA strikers - no not Burton Albion, British Airways - don't cancel my flight. Anyway plane got away on time and I was able to get my head down for a few hours.
I can tell you I was mighty relieved that it was Rio that got injured and not JT. Wouldn't have wanted to leave Mrs D behind with JT back in the country - if you know what I mean.
Arrived in Jo'burg safely and surprised to see JT at the airport - thought my mate Ledley would have been there. Anyway JT took me to a local bar for a swift half before heading off to Rustenburg and my first training session. Not sure what my squad number is going to be yet - maybe I will just get number 5, which was Rio's number.
Accommodation looks good - deffo much better than we would have had at Butlins.
OK that's it for now - will keep you all posted - at least until the end of the first round matches. If things don't go to plan might even be home in time to go to Skeggy - have told Mrs D not to cancel the chalet yet - don't want to lose my deposit if it's not necessary.
Speak to you again soon.
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