MARK PALIOS seems to be keen to make his mark as FA chief executive.

Well, it's OK him making his mark, but if England are beaten in Turkey and are ultimately knocked out of the European Championships because of some of the decisions made this week, are the FA going to stand up and be counted?

What if Rio Ferdinand is found not guilty over his failure to turn up for a drugs test?

The England players talked about boycotting the Turkey game and I think, in view of what happened to Rio, they had a point.

The argument you have is that the FA should never have allowed it to come to this.

There's a confidentiality rule in these cases and they've dismissed that completely. Rio shouldn't have been put in this position. He was dropped from the squad before he had been charged with anything.

The FA just seem to shoot themselves in the foot all the time - and it's not just the business with Rio.

Sol Campbell got involved in that incident with Eric Djemba Djemba in the Community Shield at the beginning of the season, and the FA waited until the Wednesday before the biggest game of the season for England to put him in front of a hearing. It was ridiculous timing.

We're talking about something that happened back in August. In the week leading up to a really important game, it's just a nonsense that he should have to face an FA charge.

Palios . . . he's not Turkish, is he? He could be with a name like that!

For Sven-Goran Eriksson, it's a big blow losing Rio. I think it's going to be difficult for England without him, because he and Sol have developed a really good understanding.

At least in John Terry we have an able replacement for Rio. Terry has that bit more experience than Matthew Upson because he's played more at the highest level.

Things were looking good for us until Michael Owen's injury last weekend.

But, although he's the best striker we've got, in a game like this you can maybe do without him. The rest of the team can still be solid and cope with the situation.

With Michael out, I would go for the calmness of Emile Heskey. With his pace and power we'll still have a threat up front and I would just pack the midfield.

I agree with what Terry Venables said. I wouldn't play Wayne Rooney. He's fiery and only a young lad. He'll learn by his mistakes and he will make mistakes because that's the type of lad he is. This game is one where you need cool heads.

I know from first-hand experience what it's like playing in Turkey.

I played there twice with England and twice with Manchester United and it's the most hostile atmosphere I've known.

The fans hang up 'Welcome to Hell' banners and do everything they can to put you off your game.

They sing outside the hotel at night, they jostle the players when they arrive at the stadium - and they run a finger across their throats. It's very intimidating.

England will have to do their best to shut that out and focus on the game.

I still think we can get the result we need but it won't be easy because Turkey are now a world-class side, and they proved that last year when they finished third in the World Cup.