England Team Thread

[Chunky]

No Dave Kitson then

[Number45]

I have to say I like Woodgate. When he was still at Leeds with Ferdinand I thought that he didn't get enough credit for what was going on there - if things had been different with injuries I think he could well have been the bollocks. Might still be, of course.

[vanpeebles]

Hes a great defender but hes done nothing lately to get him in the squad and Beckham not.

[Jebus]

Upson?

I'm a little suprised not to see Sidwell in there somewhere!

[toythatkills]

Hes a great defender but hes done nothing lately to get him in the squad and Beckham not.

Except actually play games?

[Number45]

I am biased, but Upson has been outstanding since he's been back fit and playing for us.

[abigsmurf]

I think Steve Sidwell is a bit of a donkey tbh. He messes up even the most basic balls. He wouldn't be playing at chelsea at the moment if our limited squad didn't force it.

One notable absense is Theo Walcott (for me at least). So much for Wenger's wonder kids...

Also, England need a world class striker if we're going to win things. Owen is past his prime and too injury prone (at a scarily young age) and Rooney hasn't got what it takes to take on world class defenders without good support.

I'm hoping he sorts out the Gerrard/Lampard situation. Before the whole "they can't play together but they'll do it anyway" farce, Lampard was a vital source up front but he's been forced out because of McClarens crap tactics.

[ezee ryder]

Hes a great defender but hes done nothing lately to get him in the squad and Beckham not.

Erm Beckham is not a defender If he was gonna be chosen over anyone it would be over one of the midfielders who were included. From the midfielders chosen (see list below) he has done nothing over them in the last few months to justified being picked (apart from the odd topless kick up session on the beach in Brazil).

Michael Carrick
Steven Gerrard
Gareth Barry
Jermaine Jenas
Owen Hargreaves
Joe Cole
Ashley Young
Stewart Downing
Shaun Wright-Phillips
David Bentley

[Jebus]

Except actually play games?

Yeah just like Ledley King has? The man who literally plays a game, rests a game, plays a game, rests a game?

Crouch can't get a start in the league for love nor money.

Heskey has been injured for most of the last few months too has he not?

Ezee, I see where you are coming from but Stewart Downing over Beckham?

It's pointless arguing about it because what's done is done but I really felt it would have been better for EVERYONE if they just capped him and got it over and done with.

[toythatkills]

I think Steve Sidwell is a bit of a donkey tbh. He messes up even the most basic balls. He wouldn't be playing at chelsea at the moment if our limited squad didn't force it.

I never saw the logic behind Chelsea signing him. Any midfielder in the world they could probably get, and they chose him?

One notable absense is Theo Walcott (for me at least). So much for Wenger's wonder kids...

He's in the U21s isn't he? They've got a qualifier so they didn't want to take all the best players for a friendly. Surprised Agbonlahor isn't with them too.

Also, England need a world class striker if we're going to win things. Owen is past his prime and too injury prone (at a scarily young age) and Rooney hasn't got what it takes to take on world class defenders without good support.

Rooney is the support really. He should be a midfielder (with no defensive responsibilities.)

[Number45]

One notable absense is Theo Walcott (for me at least). So much for Wenger's wonder kids...

He's been called up (down?) into the U21s. The lack of a prolific striker is what worries me the most as well - we have some talented players but they're either unfit, not playing at club level or just not able to consistently perform at international level.

[glazza]

abigsmurf...You musnt be watching the same Rooney then..wasnt so long ago at the Euros and World Cup he was takeing on evryone by himself.and now hes a much more mature footballer with that never die attitude and desire that no defender in the world likes to play against with fantastic movement ,pace and power and hes one of only a few England players that has got that hidden attribute of making something out of nothing.

Just my 2 cents worth..

[ezee ryder]

I think Steve Sidwell is a bit of a donkey tbh. He messes up even the most basic balls. He wouldn't be playing at chelsea at the moment if our limited squad didn't force it.

One notable absense is Theo Walcott (for me at least). So much for Wenger's wonder kids...

Also, England need a world class striker if we're going to win things. Owen is past his prime and too injury prone (at a scarily young age) and Rooney hasn't got what it takes to take on world class defenders without good support.

I'm hoping he sorts out the Gerrard/Lampard situation. Before the whole "they can't play together but they'll do it anyway" farce, Lampard was a vital source up front but he's been forced out because of McClarens crap tactics.

Lampard, vital source up front?! Rooney, hasn't got what its takes?! Are you a Chelsea fan sir?!

Lampard has 60 caps (14 goals) and had an awful World Cup where he couldn't hit a cows backside with a banjo. Rooney has 40 caps (14 goals) and performed better at the World Cup than Lampard even though he wasn't fully fit. Not saying much though cos most of the team was pretty dire When it comes down to it Lampard is the one that is shown up internationally to be just a decent player (no way is he world class). He is made to look good at Chelsea cos he has players around him that do the midfield dirty work (Essien and Makelele). Rooney is a player that can make something out of nothing whether that be a goal or a pass that leads to a goal. Put Rooney in any team out there and he would shine, I wouldn't say that about Lampard...ever. Oh also you will never hear Rooney come out and say "why are you booing me?!", the guy just gets on with it and shows his desire/passion on the pitch.

I do agree with you on one thing though, we are lacking a truly world class goalscorer (someone like Van Nistelrooy). I guess that reponsibility would fall to Owen but I think he is past his best for club and country. I would loved to be proved wrong though and see Capello get the best out of him.

[fatbatch]

" we are lacking a truly world class goalscorer (someone like Van Nistelrooy). "

Just looked on BBC for the appearances and goals of the five forwards this season (for England and their club):

Agbonlahor - 7 goals in 27.

Crouch - 9 goals in 29.

Heskey - 1 goal in 18.

Owen - 7 goals in 25,

Rooney - 12 goals in 25.

[ezee ryder]

Add that all up and you have 36 goals in 124 games from our main forwards/strikers so far this season. Not impressive at all. More worryingly, our "main" goalscorer, Owen only has 7 goals in 25 games.