So, here we are, mere months away from the World Cup Finals and our world-beating centre backs are falling apart before our very eyes.
John Terry escaped with his third deliberate hand-ball of the season on Wednesday, this time costing Villa the win. One suspects this myopia won't extend to the international refereeing community. Rio Ferdinand took his goal-scoring spree to new levels by lobbing his own 'keeper whilst starting a red card collection.
And as for Big Sol, well, really . . .
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
