Pre-WC: Pick Your Group C Best XI

No forwards in this group have impressed.. Rooney had a few bright sparks in the USA game, but was terrible against Algeria..

I think that Glen Johnson has actually been the best RB so far, Gerrard had an awful game against Algeria so I'm not sure if he should be there, but Cole and Terry have not been bad, after all they have not conceded a 'proper goal' to put it that way.

I think the team leading the group is there by accident. An Algerian slip up. But the thing is this is life and thats about it. The only players I would pick from Slovenia would be Handanovic and Novakovic. Handanovic and Howard are pretty good but I would pick Howard just because he is regular in the Premier League. I can't see myself replacing Defoe with Novakovic.

This thread always confuses some people. This is not "who are the best players in Group C on a regular basis with their club teams/national teams?" this is, "who has been the best at this tournament, been most effective, and caught the eye of people most in Group C" Not sure why people fail to grasp this. My comment is mostly directed at Handanovic who I don't think has been good at all...especially as he is billed as one of the world's best. I would surely take Howard based on their performances over Handanovic. Too bad Hart hasn't gotten the run out because I think he is really talented. Also I think SoccerKowboy has it about right.

Gerrard doesn't belong anywhere near that if we're basing this on tournament form.

LoL at this.
Did you watch all the England games or are you talking out of your ass as usual.

Just because Lampard was a non existent player for the first 2 matches no need to gripe at Gerrard who incidently constantly created chances in all 3 games even though he was shoved out to the left for the last 2 games.
Gerrard and Cole were the best players on the park against the US.

So now that group C is done, where do we stand?

Didn't watch the England-Slovenia game, but from the US side I'd go with Bradley, Donovan, Howard, and maybe Cherundolo (toss-up against Glen Johnson). From Algeria I'd go with Bougherra. Can't go with any of Algeria's attacking players, they never really threatened the goal after the 6th minute rattle off the crossbar. Even the header in the 93rd was right at Howard.

I suppose Defoe should be on the team, so I'd say Altidore as the other striker. He played very well today.

My team would be

----------------Howard------------------

Johnson-------Terry----Bougherra--------Cole

Donovan------Bradley------Kirm------------Gerrard
------------------------Dempsey-----------------
---------------Defoe

Tough choices for me but I think I'll go with...

-----------Howard--------------
Cherundolo-Terry-Bougherra-Cole
Donovan--Bradley--Birsa--Gerrard
-----------Dempsey/Ziani--------
-------------Defoe--------------

Howard
Cherundolo-Bougherra-Brecko-Johnson
Donovan-Ziani-Gerrard-Bradley-Birsa
Altidore


Honorable mention to Dempsey

Cherundolo has been one of the best defenders in the tourney.

Not as good as G Johnson though

Ashley Cole not in Group C 11? He would be in the whole competitions 11, best left back in the world.

I think this is exactly how I would put it, with a possibility of switching Altidore with Defoe. The latter wasn't given much time to prove himself, but still scored and looked very dangerous the whole time, while Altidore played best of all forwards, but didn't do what attackers are there for; he didn't score until now.


(And Kirm is out of question imo, I wouldn't even put him in Slovenian starting eleven. I'd rather see Pečnik playing there, or even Komac. He is damn fast, but he lost a huge amount of balls during the matches.)

Glen Johnson at left-back?

hes a shit enough rb as it is

Lets not underestimate the fact that for all the failed expectation, in all 3 games England played, they looked the better side and their defence was hardly troubled.
Im sure if England went under a name like 'Obscurearia' we'd be picking most of the team here.

Disagree. They looked better than us and Slovenia, but I think Algeria got the best of them.

M'Bolhi
Cherundolo--Terry--Brecko--Belhadj
Donovan--Bradley--Gerrard--Birsa
Altidore--Defoe

He is, but he hasn't shown it in SA. It's what he's done in the tournament.

Are you blind he hasnt put a foot wrong all tournament.

I think it was in Goff's blog that I read this...but supposedly, Jozy has drawn 5 yellow cards in the 3 games.

That's pretty incredible.

That's correct, but he hasn't been the usual influential Ashley Cole either. He hasn't been bad at all, just not as good so far.

Hes a defender as of yet hes had each right winger in his pocket including Donovan who then impressed in the USAs next two games. Cole has been outstanding his job is to defend first not attack.

As for Altidore for all his good play he still cant put the ball in the back of the net and has been quite wasteful with his chances.

Brečko is a wing defender really, but that's the best 4-4-2 formation I could come up with, too. I'd still make Howard nr.1 goalkeeper, and Handanovič nr.2, though.