World Cup Diary Blog #10

Hands up everyone who remembers Steve Hodge.  Yes, that Steve Hodge - played for Notts Forest and Spurs as well as six other clubs and 24 times for England.  A man renowned for footballing knowledge - as here he calls on Fabio to pick Jamesy and me against Algeria on Friday - Telegraph Online  Anyway he's certainly gone up in my estimation.  Hope the gaffa takes notice.

Sunny, cold and windy in Rustenburg today.  Resemebles Stoke on winters afternoon at the Victoria Ground.

Yesterday me and Matty Upson went to off to visit a local orphanage near Rustenburg.  Spurs have paid for one of the bungalows that houses up to eight orphans.  I have sponsored one of the kids (Aubrey) for the last three years and it was really great to see him.  Gave him a signed England shirt - managed to find one that wasn't covered in crap from the drain leak - although it does have some dodgy autographs.  Here's a report from the Mail Online.

Couple of pretty dull games earlier today.  Have been looking forward to watching the best South American team and North Korea tonight.  I realy love Brazilians but every time I mention them Mrs D gives me one of her knowing looks.  Korea have been playing OK but as I'm writing they've just conceded a goal - whatever happens by the end of the game it will have been a close shave.

Spoke to Mrs D this evening and she had heard me interviewd on Talk Sport - the cocker spaniels went crazy when they heard my voice - one of them even did a whoopsy on the kitchen floor.

Mrs D thinks she will be watching the match on Friday by herself.

Card school tonight before cocoa and bed. 

Nite nite.

World Cup Diary Blog #9

Bright sunny day in Rustenburg - unlike other WC locations where it was chucking it down and cold.  At least we got the choice of hotel and training camp right.

Back to training - Roono decided to sit round the pool instead - claiming to have a knock on his ankle.  Ash had his usual day off as well - can't seem to play and then train immediately afterwards - molly coddled if you ask me.  My mate Ledders is really struggling with his groin injury.  I think he needs to take his time and make sure he recovers well.

Serious darts tournament going on in the squad - 501 is the game of choice.  David James is practicing every opportunity he gets and is leading at the moment.  Mmmmm 501? the number of minutes before Amelia Heskey scores his next England goal? and unless Matty Upson has a sudden injury it'll be 501 minutes before I get a game - that gets me on in the second half of the final.

It seems the pundits don't think I'm gonna get a game or play much part - even when I do get a mention they always add that I am uncapped and inexperienced.

Have to admit the Germans looked good yesterday and seem to be the team to beat right now.  Rumour has it that they have been using the WC ball in the Bundesliga since last December.  Clever beggars.

Sat with some of the lads to watch the Italians tonight - they got out of jail and I think will still be hard to beat.  Although we saw some of their usual amateur dramatics when they allegedly went down injured.  They've got it off to a tee.

Had a problem with the drains at the hotel today and the kit room was flooded with foul water and other stuff.  Not sure what actually happened - didn't fancy going to look to be honest.  Anyway the kit that was supposed to be on the way to Cape Town for Friday's game against Algeria had to be washed all over again - hmm perhaps I don't fancy wearing any of that.  Think I'll get down to Sportz Kitz R Us  and buy myself a couple of replica kits to be on the safe side.

As well as picking a team in the squad sweep we also had a guess how many red cards there would be.in the whole tournament.  I went for ten - blimey already four in the first eleven games.

Just had a text from Mrs D - she's watching Match of The Day on BBC2 - got a mention from Alan Shearer.  Mind you he said that I didn't have much pace - that's a bit rich coming from someone who never left the six yard box.

Right, off to bedroom to play FIFA World Cup on the Wii - I'm the England skipper and scored the winning goal in the last game.

Nite nite.

World Cup Diary Blog #8

Didn't get chance to write my blog last night.  We've been having the usual post match analysis as you can imagine.  The lads all feel that it was two points lost - but it's not a total disaster.

We got off to a great start with an early goal from Stevie G.  The rest of the first half was fairly even and then Greeny was caught out by a pot luck shot from Clint Dempsey.  I'm not gonna say anything here about what happened - that wouldn't be fair on Greeny - needless to say all the lads and the gaffa are fully behind him - as was the ball as it happens.

Second half we had some chances to win the game but didn't take them and Greeny made a super save from Altidore to keep the scores level.

My brothers met up with some guys from Hull (where Andy plays) and they are moving in with them later today - they've got a villa near Johannesburg.  So I will get my bed back.

Spoke to Mrs D before going to sleep last night - tried using Skype instead of just the phone.  It was OK - picture was a bit jerky though.  She went to Coleen's BBQ - here's a link to an artcle in the Daily Mail about it.  They had a great time but missed Wayno's cooking - they got professional caterers in to make life easier.
They watched the game on a plasma TV, enjoyed a few beers and some sausages and hamburgers.

Mrs D said she doesn't know yet what she's doing for the Algeria game - waiting to see what offers come in.

It was pretty subdued on the bus back to the hotel.  Some joker plugged their iPod in to the speakers and we got "Careless Hands" by Des O'Connor, "Fingers and Thumbs" by Erasure and "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis.  Greeny took it all in good spirit - put his head in his hands and promptly dropped it.

Had a cup of cocoa and then off to bed by midnight.

We'll be watching Algeria v Slovenia at lunchtime.  Hoping Fabio will get the "tictacs" right for Friday.

Speak again soon.

World Cup Diary Blog #7

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.

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

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.

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.

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.