"Watching England's final warm-up match against Jamaica last Saturday, I was left speechless during one part of John Motson's commentary," said Fowler.
"As he was talking to Mark Lawrenson about England's possible starting line-up against Paraguay, Motty suggested that the 11 who began against Jamaica would do so in Frankfurt this weekend.
"Suddenly, though, he seemed flustered and felt the need to correct himself. 'Sorry,' he said. 'Gary Neville will come back in for Jamie Carragher at right-back, obviously.'
"Obviously what? Carra has played in England's last three matches in three different positions and could not have been more impressive.
"I thought he was excellent in the holding role against Hungary but what more does he have to do to get credit from the so-called experts?
"Some people have often wondered whether Carra offers enough going forward, but unless my eyes were deceiving me, I'm pretty sure I saw him surge into the box and deliver a perfect cross for Peter Crouch to score his second.
"Play him as a right-back, central defender or central midfielder and he'll never let you down, but to suggest Neville should walk straight back into the team is at best grossly unfair and at worst, patronising.
"Football is all about having the ability to take your chances and there is nothing more certain to weaken a squad than lack of competition for places.
"When a player knows no matter how well he does that he will be dropped, there is nothing more demoralising.
"Take it from me, I must be the only player in history who has been dropped after scoring a hat-trick - twice!
"I read one column the other week that indicated he was happy just to be part of the squad. Rubbish. The reason Carra gives 100 per cent in every training session is because he is desperate to play.
"He will hate being stuck in a hotel room uncertain about whether he will play or not. In my opinion, he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
"I know for a fact the Italians and the Spaniards can't believe Carra isn't first choice at centre-half. We all think that at Melwood, too. Earlier this season, even the legendary Franco Baresi named Carra alongside John Terry as two of the best defenders in the world.
"Having seen the heroics Carra performed in helping Liverpool win the European Cup, the AC Milan legend is hardly a bad judge, is he?
"You'd be hard pressed to find four better defenders than Carra in the world. He must be given the platform his talents deserve."
