Gary Neville

Gary Neville - England's right back - World Cup 2006
squad no. 2

club: Manchester United
position: Right Back
age: 31
caps: 79
goals: 0

He may not be everybodies cup of tea but Gary Neville has never let us down on the big occasions and we need to him to be at his best again.

Missed out last time through injury and this will be his last World Cup so let's hope he goes out with quiet efficiency. We don't expect miracles.

If he can persuade his big mate David Beckham to stay out on the right hand side that would also be a bonus.

Football England Verdict
Rating: 7.00

Neville's rating probably benefits from his managing only two games because of injury and by the fact that his replacements did such a shoddy job in his absence.
Did well to come straight back in against Portugal and help the defence to by far its' best performance.
He will feel his last chance of a major international honour has gone but he must still be in the running for Euro 2008 (assuming we qualify).

Portugal 0-0.
Football England rating: 7
His return coincided with the defence becoming formidable again. Perhaps not a coincidence? Was steady throughout and had to watch their one dangerman for much of the time.
Had the bit of luck he deserved when Portugal failed to score when the ball bounced off him in the box.

Ecuador 1-0.
Had to sit this one out as well but is due back in training and will hopefully be right for Portugal. They do have wingers so we might be struggling without this guy.

Sweden 2-2.
Had to sit this one out with calf injury and we can only hope he will be right for the rest of the tournament.

Trinidad 2-0.
Had to sit this one out and he will be sweating over whether his World Cup adventure is over.
England should be sweating too. If Eriksson keeps on picking Carragher or Hargreaves the chances of us playing any significant amount of football are slim.

Weds, June 14
Gary's picked up a calf strain in training and is almost certain to miss the Trinidad game. This could be a worry, we would want Neville fit for the knockout stages. The back up is frustratingly average.

Paraguay 1-0.
Football England rating 7
One of the positives. Backed up the attack in the first half and was solid defensively throughout.
The studied ball with which he released Frank Lampard in the first half may well remain the best headed pass of the tournament throughout.

Check back here for Football England's Assessment of Neville's Performances and News.