FORGET goals, Walcott gets his England place on speed alone - and he's not even good enough for Arsenal


TERRY & Co don't show respect - they only understand red cards


MEMO to Keegan - get McGeady from Celtic - Magpies are a much bigger club

He's Speedy Gonzales quick and he sent Paolo Maldini heading for the knacker's yard with a cameo role in the Champions League but haven't we learned from the last time he was called up like a nursery tot sent to Big School.

• Yesterday's HATCHET MAN

He should be allowed to develop slowly, to grow into being a footballer before being thrust onto the senior international stage. Why not keep him in the under-21s?

Quick is good, which is why Gabriel Agbonlahor should be next in line, but Walcott needs more to his game. In fact, he just needs more games. Scroll down for more

Milan magic: Theo Walcott could have driven Maldini into retirement with a Champions League supershow

This is the England squad, where caps should be earned, not given away and Walcott might have been better if he'd gone out on loan for some regular football, even if it meant going to a Championship club.

Walcott could be another Thierry Henry if he learns his game but that is what he must still do. Learn.

It's not just my view. Read this part of the GQ interview with his Arsenal captain, William Gallas.

"I think he can be the new Rooney," said Gallas. "But he has to change his style of play. He must work hard in training, because everyone knows where he will run with the ball.

"He goes on his right foot. So he must work to come on the inside, on his left foot. He must be less predictable and more focused. He can also take too long on the ball."

So there you have it. Hardly an England player of today, maybe not even an England player of tomorrow. Let's give the kid time and room to grow, before we over-expose him again.

Why can't we learn from the mistakes of last time? I suppose at least, this way, he gets to play with some Englishmen.

Watch Speedy, the rodent equivalent of Theo

••••••

The FA have a campaign called RESPECT aimed at better behaviour on the field of play.

But this toothless effort is not directed at Premier League players.

So when the first of the powderkeg games this week starts with Chelsea versus Spurs tomorrow, watch how both teams behave towards officials.

Then, when Chelsea and their captain John Terry chase referee Mark Clattenburg all around Stamford Bridge on Sunday during their match with Arsenal, the message that it sends to Sunday Park football is that it's okay to abuse officials.

Scroll down for more

Simple language: John Terry sees red - a few more and maybe he start playing ball with refs

It's simple. If anyone apart from the captain approaches any official, it should result in a red card. Zero tolerance and, after an early flurry of cards, it will then settle down and we'll have less bullying and, yes, more RESPECT.

Sundays sees the big four all in action and a chance to set an example but don't we just know, they won't.

It's going to be carnage.

••••••

Sky bring us marvellous wall-to-wall football coverage but I am fed up with their "Grand Slam Sunday" sell, when the big four play each other and England can go to hell.

Remember, Fabio Capello's team take on France next Wednesday but their most gifted players will all limp into the team hotel after a decisive Premier League afternoon when title points will be traded.

When are we all going to learn that our national team is being swallowed up by the greedy money-making machine that is the Premier League and its partners?

••••••

I watched Celtic last night and Aidan McGeady looks a player. If Newcastle were to sign him in the summer and actually create some decent chances for Michael Owen, they might start to look like a team.

Of course, they'll have to avoid relegation first but Newcastle are a bigger club than Celtic and he's Kevin Keegan's kind of player.

••••••

While we are on Scottish football (don't worry, we'll be heading back down south very soon), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink hit an Aberdeen defender with two shocking elbows last night.

One split Zander Diamond's lip, the next left him with a deep cut under his left eye and a lump the size of a golf ball.

And, you know what the referee did? He just let them get on with it.

More evidence that the Scottish game is like a Sunday pub league.

••••••

A good night for Frasier Campbell. The Manchester United kid was picked for the England under-21's for the first time and then scored twice as Hull continued their unlikely drive towards the Barclays Premier League.

Scroll down for more

To Hull and back: Frazier Campbell scores last night

••••••

Martin Taylor made his return for Birmingham reserves last night . Let's lay off him now. Let the man go back to his work and forget that poorly-timed tackle on Eduardo.

• Read NEIL MOXLEY'S report here

Scroll down for more

Concentrating on football: Martin Taylor returned to action after his clash with Eduardo

••••••

Ray Stubbs was back singing (murdering) a song for Sport Relief at the weekend.

You just have to admire him for his balls (if not for his voice).

Here's a reminder of last time when "The New Modfather" stormed the airwaves. Don't be too harsh with your judgement, it's all for charity.