This is the squad and formation I cooked up before the WC started and the Squads were named. Let me know what you think (if its anything better than Cappelo's). 4-4-2 (Opening Match Squad) GK Joe Hart D Glen Johnson D Michael Dawson D John Terry D Ashley Cole M Theo Walcott M Steven Gerrard M Frank Lampard M Joe Cole F Wayne Rooney F Peter Crouch Top Subs Gareth Barry Jamie Carragher Jermaine Defoe (I've never been a believer in Heskey) How much farther would England have gone?
Also let me bring this out. Part of the problem for England football is this...too many chiefs not enough indians. I feel that every player on England is the "Superstar(s)" of his respective team. You look at the Germans and not every single one of them is the "best" player on his team. Lots of them in fact have a team playing role on the team.
Maybe a bit early for him to start. He definitely should have made the squad because Lampard was rubbish. I could definitely see him being a force for the Euro 2012.
I definitely agree that Joe Cole should have started and I kept wondering if Crouch was going to ever get to play... I'd take your line-up. Dawson in the back is fine with me. I am not sure about Walcott getting the start but I could go with that. I think they would have been much better offensively. Here is what I would have liked to seen at least for one game... ---------------Joe Hart G. Johnson--John Terry--Dawson--A. Cole ---------------Barry-------------- -----Lampard----------Gerrard----- --------------J. Cole-------------- ------------------Rooney---------- ---------Crouch-------------------
Thanks for the input. It's a pity Rio Ferdinand was hurt. I wonder if England could get another WC out of him? I also would have liked to have seen Carrick get a little more action. I never have been a believer in Heskey either.
I don't believe Joe Cole will ever be able to play that position effectively at the top level. For years people, myself included, have yearned to see him regularly played in the hole, but he has consistently flattered to decieve. I've noticed Cole lacks awareness and the physical qualities to play this role. He isnt good at judging how close people behind him are, nor does he have the pace or strength to shrug them off once they close in on him. For this reason I believe Mourinho found his best position - as a wing forward off a targetman. Cole dribbling from the touchline is a different animal. He knows that no defenders will suddnely startle him from behind and he is able to see more of the play ahead of him when he has the ball. It simplifies his game - all he is thinking about is running at his direct opponent which he is very, very good at. Unbelieveable that Capello brought him on in the hole against the USA, when he has never impressed in this position. Although actually, I don't look for rhyme or reason when Capello makes decisions anymore.
You mean like it was a bit early for Muller to start and destroy England? The kid was easily one of the best wide men throughout the 2nd half of last season. It's not like he was an unknown quantity as Walcott was four years ago. He performed week in week out for Citeh garnering a couple MotM performances along the way.
its the final straw for players like terry and lampard the big name players have had their time to impress for england and never have. I also think james, green, upson, barry, SWP, carrick, heskey and defoe should never play for england again after their WC displays. Warnock and ferdinand out aswell Glen Johnson is no where near good enough defensively but not too bad Its time to use our talented youth that reached the final of the under 21 championship and won the under 17 championship. I would like to experiment with young players who have really impressed at their clubs this year (Gerrard would start in major tournaments obviously) Hart A.Cole Shawcross Cahill Richards Milner Huddlestone Cattermole Lennon Agbonlahor Rooney Gibbs, A.Johnson, Sturridge, Wilshire, Rodwell, Gosling, Muamba, Noble, Dawson, Taylor, Carroll, Simpson and more should be in the squad aswell before they go past international standard GK: Joe Hart Scott Loach Chris Kirkland DF: Ryan Shawcross Ashley Cole Michael Dawson Gary Cahill Micah Richards Kieran Gibbs Glen Johnson MD: Steven Gerrard Lee Cattermole Tom Huddlestone Jack Wilshire Aaron Lennon David Beckham James Milner Adam Johnson FW: Wayne Rooney Gabriel Agbonlahor Peter Crouch Daniel Sturridge Theo Walcott
I don't know what it is but I've always been partial to Crouch. Maybe, the fact that he scored 18 goals in 17 WC qualifying matches helped his cause. BTW I haven't heard of Emile Heskey was he just a result of Cappelo's system? Because I haven't heard of the man since the '02 WC.
Heskey played well under Capello during the WCD Quali's, then saw limited action for club, and his form took a dip.
Hm, I find it fascinating to see how people are rating Gerrard so far above Lampard after this WC. Curious stuff really.
I thought Gerrard was one of the few England players who came out with a halfway decent WC. Lampard has been a marvel for Chlelsea and garbage whenever he puts on an England jersey.