We're now just under three months from the start of Euro 2012, and England are still without a permanent manager or captain and face a very real possibility of going in to the tournament's first two matches without their first and second choice forwards. Oh, and there are also question marks over the fitness of their prodigious playmaker.
Still, we'll have a laugh, won't we? Right?
Here's how we see the state of the squad at present, whoever's picking it...
Key:
â² = moving up
â¼ = moving down
â = non mover
â = new entry
1 Wayne Rooney â²
Coming into form nicely. Will b crucial, despite missing the first two matches.
2 Joe Hart â¼
Lynchpin in goal. Key man, still pretty much unrivaled between the sticks.
3 Ashley Cole âÂÂ
Best tournament player: a must, despite patchy form at club level.
4 Scott Parker âÂÂ
The teamâÂÂs insurance policy. A potential captain for the finals.
5 Steven Gerrard âÂÂ
Could be star man in RooneyâÂÂs absence, if he can stay fit.
6 James Milner â²
A man for all positions. Will the new manager favour him as Capello did?
7 Joleon Lescott â²
Could secure a starting place if Terry or Ferdinand are left out.
8 Danny Welbeck â²
Looks increasingly like a starter, especially with Bent now injured.
9 Daniel Sturridge â²
Battling Walcott for wing berth. Staying in Chelsea side crucial.
10 Leighton Baines âÂÂ
Capable but untested. Most logical back up to Cole.
11 Gareth Barry â¼
Another steady season, though FabioâÂÂs departure may hurt him.
12 Chris Smalling âÂÂ
Could usurp underplayed Cahill. He'll need games at club level, though.
13 Theo Walcott â¼
Still consistently inconsistent, but this has been perhaps his best season.
14 Frank Lampard â²
Will be an asset from the bench. Evidently Villas-Boas agrees...
15 Kyle Walker âÂÂ
Pushes ahead of Glen Johnson
16 Phil Jones â²
Could be main beneficiary if the new manager opts for youth.
17 Ashley Young âÂÂ
Injury hasnâÂÂt affected his form
18 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain âÂÂ
Makes things happen; starting to look genuinely exciting. Needs games.
19 Jack Wilshere â¼
Injury delay means he could now be seen as a gamble.
20 Darren Bent â²
Stagnating at Villa but one of few out-and-out strikers
21 Scott Carson â¼
A concern if he has to play, but there are few options available.
22Robert GreenâÂÂ
Playing in the Championship is better than not playing in the Prem (see Stockdale, D)
23 John Terry â¼
Bye-bye Capello, ta-ra Terry?
Close contenders
Micah Richards started against Holland, and his versatility may stand him in good stead. Yet Kyle Walker - who pulled out of that game injured - is still probably just ahead of him at this stage. Stewart Downing was one of England's better performers in that friendly defeat, but his inconsistent form for Liverpool could yet see him lose out. Michael Carrick wasn't involved in that friendly, but his form for Manchester United has certainly been good enough to put him in contention. This Redknapp old-boy could benefit if Jack Wilshere doesn't make it.
Manchester City's Adam Johnson and Manchester United's Tom Cleverley will both be in contention, but will need to be fit, firing and playing regularly for their clubs to get the nod.
Bubbling under
Jermain Defoe's form for Tottenham this season has been reasonable, but he hasn't been able to force his way into the team regularly enough to keep his England squad place. Rio Ferdinand's impressive performance for Manchester United at White Hart Lane was a reminder that he can still cut the mustard. Everton's Phil Jagielka hasn't played since January and will need to find momentum quickly upon his return.
Outside chance
With Rooney suspended and Bent potentially injured, there have been a few shouts for new names in the striking department. The campaign for Norwich's Grant Holt to be included has continued on Twitter, but Swansea's Danny Graham is perhaps a more likely 'shock' inclusion. If the man Redknapp gets the gig, it's not inconceivable Peter Crouch could be back in the frame, but we suspect Fraizer Campbell may not be invited back.
The Euro 2012 England squad predictor: January, February
