The World Cup is just around the corner and I’m in a state of excitement so great that I might combust at any moment due to the unbearable anticipation.

Imagine then what the players who were lucky enough to be selected in Fabio Cappello’s preliminary 30 man squad must be feeling like, especially Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher who has made a return to international football after a self imposed exile.

I wonder how he feels about representing his country on the grandest and most prestigious platform available to any footballer?

Smiling through gritted teeth and forcing an unconvincingly contented smile, reminiscent of Tony Blair’s during the Iraq war; Jamie Carragher looks to be a man who’s had his heart and soul ripped out by Liverpool’s horrendous start to this season.

Before Tuesdays clash with Depression in the big boys European League he attempted to put a gloss on the turd of the season that he has found himself buried in.

In a vain attempt to add a shine to a dark and gloomy couple of months the defender fibs that winning the Europa League would “put a different gloss” on a so far disappointing season, despite the fact that it would actually be a great smear on their season and be the signifier of their lack of success in the big boys competitions.