Bowyer for England!

I saw an article posted on the Leeds facebook yesterday, suggesting that Lee Bowyer was a contender for "England's worst number 7". 

Ridiculous.

The writer must have just looked up England number 7s, and shortlisted the ones with the least caps. 

Ignoring the fact that there was no better English midfielder in the Premiership from (approx) 1999-2001, and that he spent a long time being left out for off the field matters (which he was acquitted of) let's have a look at his solitary England cap.

The match was against Portugal. A good side, including players like Figo, Couto and Rui Costa, so his performance can't really be put down to poor opposition.

Bowyer played for just over an hour, before being replaced by Trevor Sinclair.

So what did he do with his 62 minutes? Set up a goal. Dreadful that, for a wide midfielder. 62 mins: 1 assist.

England's worst number seven?

BBC sport's take on the match (describing Bowyer's performance as 'a lively start to his international career', incidentally)

The squad for that match also included Mills, Ferdinand, Smith (who scored) Robinson and Woodgate.