England v France (Friendly) Wed 26 March, Stade de France [R]

[three lions]

Less than a month away now. In the interest of sparking some discussion, let's see what we can come up with.:)

[iDiveStevieG]

This will be a good game

[three lions]

It should be a fantastic game. Capello has some interesting decisions to make regarding the lineup. Several players are coming back from injuries. The defensive lineup will be intriguing, with Terry and King back.

[Kazuma]

I am looking forward to this match. I am hoping that Domenech will be up for it, I just hope he shuts his mouth about this in the days leading up to it. He's made some embarrassing statements enough as it is. Again, looking forward to it and it should be a good match. Best of luck to your new manager and to your World Cup hopes.

[Vicivtwenty redded]

It will be the best opportunity for England to edge France.

[Prenn]

It will be the best opportunity for England to edge France.

Nah, I don't think Capello's been in charge for long enough or has had long enough with the players to have had that much influence. If the French take this game seriously I can't see past them as winners.

[sendorange]

Capello will need to make better choices than last time, Brown at right back and Upson in defence, that was painful. The likes of Benzema and Henry would kill them.

[lanman]

It'll be interesting to see how many injury withdrawals there are. Friendles at this stage of the season often see a number of players withdraw with minor knocks, but I can't see someone like Capello taking to kindly to players withdrawing and then playing again for their clubs in the following game.
I know that these can often be genuine withdrawals, but I can possibly see players reporting anyway now and letting the England team decide if they are fit to play rather than the club taking the decision.

[lanman]

Capello will need to make better choices than last time, Brown at right back and Upson in defence, that was painful

Capello's still getting to grips with a number of these players. I doubt he had even heard of Matthew Upson before he took on the England job. There is just no excuse for repeating Brown at right back, however. Centre back I can just about get away with (although there are plenty ahead of him in the pecking order), but there are enough natural right backs who should be considered ahead of him so he should not even be considered in that position again.

[three lions]

but there are enough natural right backs who should be considered ahead of him so he should not even be considered in that position again.

Of course Brown should not be playing right back for England. He has been rubbish for England. Richards should be playing right back, as there are more options at centre back to choose from.

I disagree with you on the depth chart of quality right backs to choose from though. Right back is the weakest depth of any position for England.

[lanman]

I disagree with you on the depth chart of quality right backs to choose from though. Right back is the weakest depth of any position for England.

I would feel a lot more comfortable with Glen Johnson or Luke Young at right back than Brown (and I never thought I would say that about either of them). Johnson has started to cut out a lot of the stupid mistakes he used to make and Young is quietly having a very solid season. Neither are world beaters, but are better in that position than Brown.
Gary Neville will hopefully be back before the season is over and you have Richards too (although he's likely out of this game after his operation).

[three lions]

I would feel a lot more comfortable with Glen Johnson or Luke Young at right back than Brown (and I never thought I would say that about either of them). Johnson has started to cut out a lot of the stupid mistakes he used to make and Young is quietly having a very solid season. Neither are world beaters, but are better in that position than Brown.
Gary Neville will hopefully be back before the season is over and you have Richards too (although he's likely out of this game after his operation).

Like I said, weakest depth of any position for England..;)

[lanman]

Like I said, weakest depth of any position for England..;)

It probably is (possibly along with centre forward), but Brown is well down on the list for me.

[three lions]

It probably is (possibly along with centre forward), but Brown is well down on the list for me.

Brown isn't even on my list. He belongs with Mong P.....

[lanman]

Brown isn't even on my list. He belongs with Mong P.....

If you had to pick one....

[Placid Casual]

If you had to pick one....

I would play with 10 men.

[three lions]

I would play with 10 men.

LOL.. Nice one P.C. Play a 3-4-2, and bunker down..:)

[iDiveStevieG]

whats your ideal line up for this game? (considering all injuries)

[squidward123]

whats your ideal line up for this game? (considering all injuries)

Now I don't know who is injured and who isn't, but...

GK

richards
woodgate
brown
upson

bentley
hargreaves
barry
joe cole

rooney
and someone else

[sinner78]

whats your ideal line up for this game? (considering all injuries)

4-2-3-1 (not considering injuries)

...............Robinson........


richards....Rio......Woodgate......Cole

.......Hargreaves.........barry

.bentley......J.Cole........A.Young

...............rooney