Stick with the same 11 or not.

Most definitely, McClaren should stick with the same 11. One of the problems that McClaren has had is that there hasn't been competition for places, with players receiving automatic selection based on their reputation.

No matter how many times pundits constantly feed us the line - 'of course Lampard and Gerrard can play together, they are class players!", there is insufficient proof that they actually can, in reality. In theory they should be able to play together, however for whatever reason, they don't prove it.

England actually showed yesterday that if each player is played in their 'correct position' and they are set up with a decent shape, then they can pass the ball at a high tempo and create chances. Barry was excellent in respect that he was taking the ball from the defence and making progress with the ball before slipping beautifully weighted passes into the strikers feet and that is what we saw with Owen's quality finish. It was so refreshing to see the England team releasing the ball at the correct times rather than showing a lack of composure and giving the ball away.

McLaren needs to state to the players that if you perform then you keep your place, if your performance drops below the required standard, then someone will take your place, who plays in your position.

• Gerrard, Lampard or Joe Cole can compete for the attacking midfield role
• Barry, Hargreaves or Carrick can compete for the slightly deeper midfield role
• Phillips, Beckham or Lennon can compete for the right sided role
• Joe Cole can compete for the left sided role

 

Lampard and Gerrard are the same player....just as Lampard and Ballack are the same player. (ask Beckenbauer....he should know)...it's one or the other, definately not both.

 

First definatly start with the same 11, don't mess with what is working, until it stops working.

Also if you switch any or more than one player out now and a result does not come the weight of the world will crash upon those players fair or not so stick with the hot lineup.

Gerrard is a top player but he really was not that impressive the last two, especially by his standards, Barry impressed far more. Frankly if we play this system with J Cole on the left, SWP or another fast winger on the right along with Micah and Hesky or another hold it up flick on physical striker any two of Barry, Lampard, Gerrard and Hargreaves can play and work togeather.

Lampard and Gerrard have not really played togeather in a balanced 4-4-2 system like the one used the last two. Usually you get Beckham, who is past the pace part of his game and who crowds the middle more than he aggresivly attacks wide and can not track back as quick as SWP to give Micah more attacking freedom, along with Rooney going into that middle space and Gerrard and Lamp both going there as well when they have a holding mf to cover. I think you could have put Barry and Hargreaves, Gerrard and Hargreaves, Lamp and Hargreaves and yes Lamp and Gerrard into those two spots and if you left everything else the same as in the last two matches they would have been equally effective, perhaps some combos even more. At the moment, contrary to what I said a couple of days ago after just one performence, Barry is the first mf on the team sheet for me unless he proves otherwise, not the first 1 or 2 mfs of the 4 I would buy if I owned a club but my first on Englands team sheet for now.

Also I do commend McSven for not only playing a balanced system which was forced on him really though, but especially for going with a more English attacking and pressing style. Defencevly especially for the most part we attacked both the ball and passing lanes far more aggresivly, quickly and higher up the pitch, well done.

Though for Estonia, I would like to see Young, Bent and Ashton, Lennon if he is healthy on the bench to come in if the game is well under control.

 

A properly functioning Englasnd side with Lampard and Rooney on the bench would be formiddable indeed.

You have to question whether these players could play like that against France, Italy or Brazil but the performance has certainly got better in the last 2 games.

We now have Neville, Beckham, Lampard, Rooney and Hargreaves all not in the side. A month ago anyone would have played at least 4 of them in a fully fit England side.

Now, they're going to struggle to make the bench...

 

The bench had room for Downing, Crouch, Brown, Smith, and Neville, Phil that is, so lets not go crazy here and as you said England was not playing Italy , or Brazil not to take away at all from the accomplishment of 2 great wins under HUUUUGE pressure but I am not sure why you mentioned that non-Euro 08 team that can't even beat Scotland, home or away, in the same breath

 

There is much football to be played before the next match. As somebody mentioned in the game thread, let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. We have enough options with players coming from injury. McClaren, by happenstance, stumbled on a very balanced side. I was very impressed by Barry, over the two games he was the better of the two central mid-fielders. There is still room for Rooney, Lampard, Beckham, Crouch etc., if only because nobody can guarantee on injuries or club form for any of last night's starters.

What the last two matches have done is give confidence to Heskey, Barry and Wright-Phillips, although he latter did fade horribly in the last match and still needs to work on a few aspects of his game. Additionally, Lampard and Rooney know they have a fight on their hands for a starting berth and that can only be good.

I am looking forward to the next month or so of club football.

 

As you said I think a key was stumbling upon/being near forced into a "balanced" formation and that was probably far more importent than many of the players selected. I have little confidence that McSven will stay balanced when some/all the players are recovered a big reason for me wanting to see the same team for Estonia and then Russia if they carry on as succesfully.

As to SWP, as a Chelsea fan, I must mostly agree with you, he fell off quite a bit, lots of effort untill he tired out and he did track back pretty well, but on the attack all that running was to little purpose, looked a bit like last years SWP. Thought Joey Cole picked it up a couple of notches this match overall. I would start those two but if the game is in hand or SWP tires or is ineffective, I'd like to see Lennon and/or Young get some time against Estonia.

And thank the heavens for the return of club football, I hate getting all revved up in August and then being forced to a screaching halt.

 

I think the question now is this: all players will be back from injury and presumably fit. Do we keep the same lineup or do we toss out some people from the team and the squad? How will Roo fit in? Beckham? Lampard? Neville? Really interesting problem for McGladIStillHaveajob.

Sure Roo may be our best player indiviadually but where does he fit in now? Beckham did the job at the last time of asking so where does he fit in? Hmm

 

You might wish to re-read my post mate, because your point is exactly the point I made, which is why I stated that Gerrard, Lampard or Joe Cole should be competing for the attacking midfield role whilst Barry and Hargreaves compete over the defensive midfield role.

 

I was agreeing with you...not having a go....mate.

 

I may be confused...but doesn't Barry usually play on the left for Villa? And why all this talk of dropping Hargreaves and painting him with the same brush as Lampard...as if Hargreaves has been a long standing England regular who hasn't had to work hard for his spot in the starting 11. As I recall he was Englands player of the tournament at the WC and has played exceptionally as a DM for ENgland and Man U since. Has also been voted MOTM by ManU fans for all 3 games he's played this season. So what I'm saying is...Barry surely warrants another run out for England...but why not out on the left where a natural left footer should be? Or as part of a 3 man midfield (Barry, Gerrard, Hargreaves) with 3 attackers (Owen, Heskey, SWP or some such combo). If you`re going to drop someone why on earth would you pick the player who is widely acknowledged as having been the strongest english player over the last year. Lampard...no doubt now comes behind Barry in the selection. And poor Michael Carrick!

 

Well said. Yes he plays on the left for Villa, but when you're lucky enough to find a natural lefty, you tend to do that. While I don't advocate wholesale changes to the team, you still must look at whom your playing and adapt accordingly. After a great game against Israel, Sweep was frozen out and pretty invisible against Russia. Hard to make the decision to leave him out after his Israel display, but I think against big strong, quick, defenders like Russia had, his effectiveness suffers due to his size. As for the front line, I can't see making a change there. The M & E show needs to run until it stutters and Barry needs to stay as a setup man unless the dynamics of the opponent dictates otherwise. Might even consider 4-3-3 and have Rooney as a deep lying striker, so he can run at people. Stevie on the right and leave Joe on the left. When he comes inside, Cashley usually overlaps and keeps the play spread.