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The Final Day Connections Quiz - The Questions
And so, the Premier League is done for another year. Celebrate/console yourselves with a quiz about the connections between the teams playing this weekend...
The Final Day Connections Quiz - The Answers
How did you get on?
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Jermain Defoe
We should all remember that JD was there when it mattered in South Africa, expertly shinning the ball into the net against Slovenia and saving England's blushes (or delaying them, rather). The World Cup hangover seemed to have a bigger effect on Defoe than most, however, as he spent almost all of last season struggling for form and fitness. Now 29 years old, we all know what Defoe can offer - he's the only player on this list with a decent record of scoring from outside the box, and he creates space for teammates with his incisive runs. His current partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor at Spurs is reason for optimism, along with his international goals-to-games ratio of 1 in 3.
Peter Crouch
Crouch recently insisted that his England goalscoring record stands up against anyone's, and with 22 strikes in 42 matches it's hard to argue against him. Barring a miracle season there's no way Crouch will make the starting line-up in Polkraine, but with his experience he'd make a solid option from the bench - especially if the opposition centre-back has a ponytail crying out to be yanked. After being overlooked for the last few matches, it doesn't look like Crouch is in Capello's plans, but we all know how desperate Fabio can get when it comes to picking his final squad - just ask Paul Scholes.
Bobby Zamora
Capello's curious little obsession. The Italian is still unsure about Zamora, who was denied an unlikely place in the 2010 World Cup squad because of an Achilles injury. Despite spending much of last season on the treatment table, Zamora has started this campaign impressively and warranted his place in the squad for the Montenegro match. He offers both an aerial threat and decent movement - his link-up play with Andy Johnson in the recent match against QPR exemplifying his awareness. Expect him to push Carroll and Crouch all the way for that 'big man' berth.
Andy Carroll
Zamora's potential nemesis. A lot has been said about Carroll's performances for Liverpool since his transfer from Newcastle back in January, but for a man who loves the North East almost as much as Gazza, the move away was always going to be difficult. He was obviously, is obviously and obviously never will be worth the amount of money that was paid for him, but that doesn't mean he's not good enough. A goal in the Merseyside derby and a call-up for the Montenegro match should serve as a timely confidence booster, and under the guidance of Dalglish he can prove the doubters wrong.
Darren Bent
If footballers are meant to peak around 27/28, then Darren Bent is the one player on this list with absolutely no excuse not to be in the form of his life come next summer. After years of international inconsistency, Bent seems to have finally made the transition from perennial benchwarmer to first-team regular. Given his domestic goalscoring record, his current run as England's number nine is well deserved, and perhaps even long overdue. His goal against Montenegro sums up exactly why he's in the team, and hopefully his knack of being in the right place at the right time won't have deserted him by the time Euros begin.
Gabby Agbonlahor
He may be the rank outsider of this list, but Agbonlahor is staking a claim for a place with the way he's started the season. A brilliant curling effort against Blackburn was quickly followed by goals against Everton and Newcastle, and a man of the match performance in the last match with Wigan. His blistering pace could be a valuable asset at the finals as well as his developing partnership with Bent, but firstly ne needs to prove a level of consistency.
Daniel Sturridge
Considering his form in the Premier League in 2011, it's a surprise (to put it mildly) that Sturridge still hasn't been capped. He was England's best player at the European U21 Championships in the summer, and it can't be long until he makes the natural progression to the first team. The improvised finish against Sunderland showed Sturridge's creative ability, and he also offers versatility, often playing on the right of a front three and cutting inside on his stronger left foot. It could count against him that the Euros are to be Capello's last tournament in charge, as the Italian may choose to sacrifice his talent for more experienced options.
Danny Welbeck
The man of the moment has started the season in blistering form, despite missing several matches because of a hamstring strain. On current pecking order, Welbeck is certain to make the squad and will be among the favourites to start in the place of his stupidly suspended United teammate. He's the most gifted finisher England have had since Michael Owen, and hopefully he can make a similar impact to the one Rooney had at Euro 2004.
Matthew Stanger - He's on the Twitter
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