The build up starts here

It may only be November but this weekend see's the start of the Euro 2012 build-up, most top clubs are probably dreading the thought of next summer more than most as it includes not only the European championships but the Olympics as well. With the inclusion of a team GB side for the first time more players than ever are going to be playing for two years straight, or in other words 'Arsene Wenger's nightmare'.

The main games over the weekend include the decisive play-offs for the four remaining places, with Ireland being seen as the most likely, out of the eight clubs, to be in Ukraine and Poland next summer. Not just because they have arguably the easiest tie (if there is an easy tie) out of the possible seven other sides, but they have two years of suffering on their shoulders from their last play-off tie in Paris and the infamous Thierry Henry handball.

Whereas England have already qualified there's no reason to think that everything is plain sailing with their preparations as a lack of fan support, misbehaving players and on going (justified) arguments with FIFA have been just a few cases of negative feeling leading into the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden. John Terry (yet to be proved innocent or guilty of racist remarks against Anton Ferdinand) looks likely to be on the bench against Spain but return as captain for the game against Sweden- if that makes any sense? Surely Capello trusts him enough that the accusations aren't true and that he wants to play his captain both games to get more understanding amongst an ever changing back line. Or he wants to try and blood new players into the fold and give Terry the fortnight off and rest for what could be a defining few months for the player's career. With Frank Lampard believed to be stepping up to captain the side against Spain, it is also evident that it may be the last tournament for many of the old guard to perform in a big tournament if they even make it to the summer that is, with younger talent trying to push them out before then.

The decision of FIFA to finally back down on letting England players wear a poppy for Saturday's game is a minor victory in the ever increasing tension between the two associations. However even with the poppy being worn on Saturday evening by England fans at Wembley and around the country, far less than usual will be supporting in person at England's north London home. Whether it's the high ticket prices or poor performances recently produced by England's 'finest' but the national following of the England team seems to have dwindled since the world cup failure. Whether it will be rebooted in time for the Euros could well be dependent on the player behaviour that is displayed in the coming month, otherwise it could be another short tournament for the England side and their travelling faithful.