Football FanCast Davis Lowe reacts to the FA's recent demands of Fabio Capello and his England side and wonders whether their expectations are realistic.

If there is one thing about our great nation, then it has to be our internal optimism and our feeling of grandeur. Whatever sport we may partake in there is an overwhelming belief, fuelled by the media, that we should be the best and any subsequent failing demands the removal of personnel. It is this attitude that is the secret to our downfall and until we rectify this, we will constantly be doomed to faliure.

Football FanCast columnist Davis Lowe looks at the striking dilemma that faces Fabio Capello and wonders who he should choose to spearhead England's attack.

If you look back over the last 20yrs of English football, the national side has been blessed with some of the finest strike talent you are likely to see. Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Robbie Fowler, to name a few and it really was an embarrassment of riches for those respective England bosses and the type of headache all managers would like to have. It is however an area that has dried up quite considerably in recent years as clubs choose to bring in foreign strikers at expense of home grown talent and really you could forgive Fabio Capello for feeling let down with the lack of striking talent at his disposal.

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey looks at the continuing scandal surrounding England boss Fabio Capello and wonders if the fans are being kept in the dark for a reason.

England boss Fabio Capello, the highly successful former Milan and Real Madrid manager, was formally placed under investigation yesterday for perjury regarding his role in the match fixing scandal that rocked Italian football two summers ago.

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey reacts to Theo Walcott's scintillating cameo on Tuesday night, and ponders the Arsenal player's future domestically, and internationally.

Fabio Capello was full of admiration for the strength of English football after seeing three Premier League teams reach the semi finals, although special praise was reserved for Arsenal's Theo Walcott and his role in Arsenal's valiant defeat on Tuesday night.

Football FanCast columnist

When an unknown Brazilian keeper called Adriano Basso arrived at Ashton Gate from conference side Woking in late 2005, many City fans questioned the signing. With Steve Phillips still between the goal posts having seen off competition from endless loan signings, it seemed the same ending was likely to happen in this case. How wrong I was. Two and half seasons later and Basso has established himself as a first team regular and Phillips, who couldn't handle the rejection headed down the road to Rovers.

Football FanCast columnist

David Beckham once again proved himself to be one of the only England players comfortable with the ball at his feet against international opposition during his team's 1-0 loss to France last week.

Football FanCast columnist Chris Mackin reacts to the media-hype that has surrounded David Beckham over the past week and indeed the past thirteen years - unlucky for some, feels Chris.

David Beckham: he's a one, eh?  His glorious good looks clashing uncomfortably with his well-noted inarticulateness (like a young Brando doing a convincing turn at Tiny Tim). His above average abilities with a football somewhat ill-fitted to an international profile of the type usually reserved a first moon landing. Beckham is a fascinating miss-match of a man, not one facet of his being, or media image, fitting comfortably with the next; a sprawling mass of contradictions in a fashionable haircut.