Maybe a bit premature... LEE CATTERMOLE has not ruled out a late charge towards the England squad for this summerâs European Championships. The Black Cats skipper has been Sunderlandâs driving force under Martin OâNeill and believes his run of form deserves recognition from Three Lions boss Fabio Capello. Cattermole made 16 appearances for the England U21 side, but is yet to come under consideration for the senior set-up despite the likes of former international team-mates James Milner, Adam Johnson and Gabby Agbonlahor all earning full caps. âWell, I think I am playing well and if you get the nod, you get the nod donât you?â said the 23-year-old. âI believe in myself and I have done well for the Under-21s in the past. âOther people have progressed into the full squad in the past so it is something I am aiming to do.â Cattermole was one of Steve Bruceâs most trusted lieutenants and became a scapegoat when the flak was flying at the former Sunderland boss before his November dismissal. But OâNeill has injected new life into the midfielder, who has played a key role in Sunderland taking 16 points from eight games under their new manager. Cattermole said: âItâs the first time I have had a manager been sacked and I was devastated for Steve and absolutely gutted for him. âBut a new voice has come in and straight away, you just want to impress and thatâs what you do. âBut just winning games as well, people automatically start to say you are playing better. âWe are just winning games. It is not necessarily everyone is playing better, itâs winning games. âThe confidence is there and itâs great. We have been flying. We have had a great start, it couldnât have gone any better under the new manager. âWe are playing well, we just need to keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard and not get too carried away.â Stockton-born Cattermole comes up against former club Middlesbrough in this Sundayâs Wear-Tees derby as Sunderland look to advance beyond the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2004. Cattermole added: âWe need to have a good cup run. Itâs my third season here now and we havenât got past the first couple of rounds, so it would be nice for everyone. âItâs going to be tough for us. âBoro have been doing well â I know they have had a couple of bad results in the last few weeks, but they are a good side, so we are going to have to approach it right.
My dream is to win a triple roll over Euro Lottery and have the pick of any Female sky sports reporter as a my sex slave. I think I have more chance of that than Catts has of playing for England
Don't cancel your summer holiday Lee , it'll take more than half a dozen decent performances for you to get into the England team. On top of which , Capello would't have seen any of your games as you play too far from London.
Yet the last few times we played West Ham he played parker off the field in all of them! Not that I disagree with you but remember Parker is about 31 isn't he and catts is 23. IMO He's better than Parker was at the same age and, other than Parker, there aren't many better english Defensive Midfielders that I can think of
Agreed. It's early, as he was pretty poor for a long period, but on current form, if he sustains it for a while, of course he could play for England. A genuine strong holding midfielder is something we lack, he has a way to go, but he absolutely has the chance. Pearce loved him for the U21's, so when Cappello ****s off, if they liase with him, it'll surely help his cause. Last 6 weeks, Catts has been a thoroughbred captain and leader, long may it continue.
Absolutely - Cattermole has a chance of getting in the squad with of Barry, Parker, Lampard, Gerrard for a CM position, oh no Cattermole wouldnt even make the B team squad Capello or not...........Unless Steve Bruce becomes the next England Manager
Note the 'if he sustains it...' lines. And all of those players have let England down consistently for years. Do you even watch ****ing football?
A - He's too slow B - He's hot headed C - His all round play isnt good enough He might be your Kevin Ball wannabee but England???
Couldn't give one flying **** about the England team tbh. The squad is full of tossers & managed by Postman Twat. COYH!
a) he's no slower than anyone you listed b) the whole point is that he's controlling the 'hot-headedness' this season c) he wins the ball and plays it simple, his passing is adequate for a holding player, more than adequate. Why not watch the lad rather than go from outdated media opinions?
