England Team Thread

[abigsmurf]

Neither Theo Walcott or Shaun Wright Phillips can deliver in quality balls. They run past the opposition with their pace, then when it comes to delivering a ball, rather than look for somewhere to place it, they stare at the ball at their feet and kick and hope. Either hits the first defender or goes to the keeper.

You can almost see defenders backing off of them because committing to tackle them isn't worth the risk it when you know the chances of them getting a cross in under pressure are slim.

Beckham may not have pace or fitness but he can at least deliver in a quality ball

[Extra Terrestrial]

Beckham may not have pace or fitness but he can at least deliver in a quality ball.

I got frustrated with the first half as the wingers could outrun the defenders but as soon as they go for a pass (be it short or long) or a cross in the box, they fall to pieces.

You could tell that as soon as Beckham came on that not only the crowd were lifted, you were seeing outstanding passes and balls/crosses into the box with relatively little effort.

I know that his pace and general fitness levels are not as high as they used to be but by goodness, nobody can pass or deliver a cross (or dead ball) like he still can.

[abigsmurf]

I think he's got a good place in the squad as a 'wonder-sub' (as much as I hate that term). Bring him on for the last 25 minutes and his fitness will be less of an issue playing against tired defenders.

That said, Joe Cole will be fit by the world cup which make choices in that area tough.

[fallenangle]

Joe Cole is usually used on the left and is generally more effective there than any other player. As for the Lennon, S-W-Phillips, Theo Walcott issue - we need to take at least one of them because Beckham isn't going to be usuable for the full 90 mins. He's not immune to giving the ball away and making silly errors either.

The question of who, out of the previously mentioned three, goes is a no-brainer at present. Lennon's recent form for Spurs has included an unquestionable vast improvement in the delivery of his final ball. This makes him by far the strongest contender. I think a Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Stephen Gerrard, Aaron Lennon first choice mid-field four with David Beckham as a 'super-sub' would be a pretty effective and flexible line-up.

S-W-Phillps and Theo Walcott, even when in their preferred position on the right wing, so often fade into anonimity and crucially, fail in the delivery far more often than Lennon. With Wayne Rooney's multi-positional ability I wouldn't be surprised if neither of those two made the squad.

But there's still plenty of time before the WC and things can change.

[Matt]

For me, Beckham constantly shows his quality. He's a class above everyone else, the only other player in the team with his quality is Rooney, imo of course.

If Becks can keep fit, I can't see how they can't take him to the Finals. Guaranteed threat every game, he puts in quality cross after quality cross, on target, and then there's the matter of his free kicks.

We've some good passes of the ball in midfield, yet Becks does it better.

As others here have said, Lennon can skin players all night, but his crossing is ****. Right now, I'd like a look at Johnson on the right wing - he's a better crosser than Lennon, and isn't afraid to get in the box and take a shot.

I'm a big Hargreaves fan. If he can return to his previous best, he's got to be selected. And for me, a starter in the middle of the park, with Lampard slight in front. Maybe then play Gerrard behind Rooney and see what happens. Barry is coming on as well. Carrick is not looking good this season, but does seem to be getting better the last few weeks.

And J. Cole on the left, he's great over there for England.

[Adrock]

I think Joe Cole really doesnt deserve just be put out on the left because he can do a job there.

He is clearly the most creative player England have at their disposal when he is fit. Its a shame he has had such a torrid time of it the last year or two. I'd play him on his natural right hand side and let him shine.

As for Beckham, I'm not a fan. Never have been really, theres no denying the man's quality with crossing. To me, however, he seemed to be far too willing to try and hit that long inch perfect pass last night and most of the time they didnt come off. Although I do concede he is worth taking for the squad morale and the impact he could have in a tight game.

[JU!]

Will England and Brazil play their strongest sides in the friendly in Dubai? Will we learn anything from playing our strongest team? I think I`d rather see some different players and see how they perform. Although not man y friendlies left before the World Cup!!

[abigsmurf]

Some interesting changes in the squad. Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand are notable absences, Cole perhaps being more surprising as I think his form has been fairly solid recently.

Not a terribly impressive line up of strikers, When you've only a single player for teams to worry about, it's easy to take him out of the game by sticking 1 or 2 men on him. As SWP can't deliver a ball to save his life, I think we'll still be heavily reliant on our mid field for creating chances.

I could easily see 3 or 4 changes being made to that squad. The two Coles and Gerrard being the more obvious ones (Despite his frequent injuries and the way he gives the ball away in vital areas for England, Fabio would be lynched if Gerrard wasn't included)

[Flabio]

Did anyone even watch the Brazil game? I forgot about it cause I was playing MW2 with a friend. Doesn't seem like I've missed much though.

[abigsmurf]

Watched it on off. Brown didn't seem to have a good game, constantly getting beat defensively and gave away a penalty. Didn't think we ever looked dangerous from what I saw.

Bit pointless given there are so many players out injured that this bares little resemblance to the actual world cup squad. Also notable in another loss from a high profile team.

[fallenangle]

As a Spurs follower I was pleased to see old Peter Crouch and J.Defoe working well together but it was thin stuff as they were getting no help from the midfield except via Milner (?). Jenas didn't do his cause any good by wasting one good free kick opportunity, the manager was not pleased. Even with my Spurs bias I can't understand why he's in the England squad anyway.

Still on the Spurs theme: Huddlestone came on for his first cap and was totally anonymous throughout.

England should have lost 3-0 and been down to 10 men, that 1-0 scoreline was very flattering. It might have been an experiment and tough conditions but all it told me is that without our full selection of first choice talent (particularly the midfield) England look mediocre.

[toythatkills]

Euro 2012 qualifying...

Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, SCOTLAND Lithuania, Liechtenstein
Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland
Group G: ENGLAND, Switzerland, Bulgaria, WALES, Montenegro
Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
Group E: Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
Group C: Italy, Serbia, NORTHERN IRELAND Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
Group B: Russia, Slovakia, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan

[abigsmurf]

Scotland have it tough.

Group A looks like the group of death

[fallenangle]

On paper England should have no trouble in that group but you can bet they'll make heavy weather of it. As far as I can recall matches against Switzerland are usually very boring affairs typically 0-0 or 1-0. Don't know much about the current Bulgaria or Montenegro sides but looking at the group I'd say Wales have a decent chance of getting through too.

[nakamura]

Had to do it!

http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=wayne+bridge&init=quick#!/group.php?gid=356632698382&ref=search&sid=674455077.2880187127..1