Depleted defence faces friendly fire

ENGLAND were training at the same time as Ireland at London Colney yesterday but the English session was strictly behind closed doors, meaning that the Irish press posse was kept at more than arm’s length while our English counterparts weren’t permitted on site at all.

Still, that didn’t stop an enterprising local journalist attempting to get a few column inches out of Giovanni Trapattoni’s views on Fabio Capello’s current woes. Being the practiced media operator that he is, Trap was careful not to get entangled in the detritus of the Terry-Bridge soap opera, contenting himself with a statement which, with plurals added, came out as: “Thanks Gods, it’s a friendly.”

Fortunately for Trapattoni, he hasn’t had to field any similar inquiries on his own turf but, going in to tonight’s game against Brazil at the Emirates, he too has reason to “thanks Gods” it’s only a friendly.