5 years of Sven

[Les Biehn]

Terry is also surrounded by class players such as Gallas, Makelele and Carvaliho, they make up for his lack of pace. I think he is a good English style centre half, but his game is not complete.

He may not be quick but he is the hardest fotballer alive.

 

[Spiros]

I'll wait to see him do something when it MATTERS before I buy in to the theory that he is this softly spoken tactical genius we're all led to believe...slinging on Gareth from The Office for the last 10 minutes when we were 2-1 down in a friendly does nothing to wipe the memory of him sitting on his hands as all in front of him collapsed around his ears in Japan and Portugal.

True, but just because you become a national team manager doesn't mean you stop learning - he may have now learnt from the experience, or he may have felt in those previous games that there simply was not another viable option other than to plug away with what he already had.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is a 'softly spoken tactical genius' but equally I don't think he's Englands Jeff Wood either.

 

[NMH]

I have been saying that for ages but have been shouted down by other supporters that Gerrard is one of our 'World Class Players'.

He also gets away with murder on the field because of this notion.

Sheesh, he scores goals on a regular basis for his club, and is one of the most focussed players in the side.
We play the best midfield in the friggin' World - that consists of Beckham Lampard and Gerrard, add Joe Cole . Why would we play any other?

WHERE you GOONS get the idea that Gerrard is not material is unfathomable.

 

[NMH]

He may not be quick but he is the hardest fotballer alive.

There's nothing a striker likes more, than to bully a defender off the ball as he waltzes into the area. Sorry German pratts and Argie ponces, but Terry will be there ready to wipe the shit-grovelling grin off your faces.

If only Campbell could live up to his cv, we would be sorted.

 

[Easy 10]

Sheesh, he scores goals on a regular basis for his club, and is one of the most focussed players in the side.
We play the best midfield in the friggin' World - that consists of Beckham Lampard and Gerrard, add Joe Cole . Why would we play any other?

WHERE you GOONS get the idea that Gerrard is not material is unfathomable.

Thats exactly Svens mindset on the issue. "Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world, therefore obviously he MUST be in the team". But as we've seen time and time again, it DOES. NOT. WORK.

We could all pick what we perceive to be the best 11 players in England, sling them on a football pitch and say "off you go then". But a coaches job is not to simply pick the most talented players or flamboyant players. His job is to build a TEAM that functions effectively as a unit. No doubt Brazil could fielded four all-singing all-dancing samba superstars in their midfield, but they still found room for the likes of Dunga to help shore things up and balance the team. Chelsea, with all their attacking array of superstars still leave room in their midfield for Makalele. Its a recognition that every team needs a solid foundation to allow the most talented attacking players to go and do their thing.

Gerrards a terrific player, no question. But I'm afraid there simply isn't room for him in Englands midfield. FACT.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Sven will start out with a flat midfield of Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Cole for the group games. When we get to play one of the top teams he will put in King as the holding player and play a narrow three of beckham, Gerrard and Lampard in front of him.

This is not opinion or conjecture, right or wrong, it is FACT.

 

[NMH]

Thats exactly Svens mindset on the issue. "Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world, therefore obviously he MUST be in the team". But as we've seen time and time again, it DOES. NOT. WORK.

We could all pick what we perceive to be the best 11 players in England, sling them on a football pitch and say "off you go then". But a coaches job is not to simply pick the most talented players or flamboyant players. His job is to build a TEAM that functions effectively as a unit. No doubt Brazil could fielded four all-singing all-dancing samba superstars in their midfield, but they still found room for the likes of Dunga to help shore things up and balance the team. Chelsea, with all their attacking array of superstars still leave room in their midfield for Makalele. Its a recognition that every team needs a solid foundation to allow the most talented attacking players to go and do their thing.

Gerrards a terrific player, no question. But I'm afraid there simply isn't room for him in Englands midfield. FACT.

So, how is it that the most talented players in the World can be percieved to be non-functioning, unable to play as a team, overqualified for the position?
When and where have you noticed Gerrard to be a greedy ball-hoggin non-team-player? Not for England matey, that has NOT been a criticism that could be levelled - and for Liverpool he's a revelation and the first name on the teamsheet.

I may harbour doubts about Sven as a manager, motivator and tactician - but he cannot help but pick the midfield - it picks itself, starting with Gerrard and Beckham and Lampard.

Incidentally, Lampard was always a huge talent, but wasn't as noticable or successful at West Ham due to the team surrounding him.

 

[NMH]

What we need for England that we do not have, is a John-Arne Riise or a Giggs (young version) to give problems for oppositions down the left side. Luke Young isn't international material either, imo.

And PLEASE let's not play Hargreaves again as he's not England material either.

 

[Easy 10]

So, how is it that the most talented players in the World can be percieved to be non-functioning, unable to play as a team, overqualified for the position?

Nope, but its horses for courses. You can't have similar players doing the same job in the same team, no matter how good individually they are. There comes a point when you have to choose the most effective player for that position. We MUST have a holding player in there, so who do you suggest out of Lampard or Gerrard takes up that role ? Neither are suited, as both like to bomb forward and have a crack. A sacrifice has to be made for the shape of the team. At least if Lamps is having a 'mare, we've got the likes of Gerrard to come on. But starting together ? Naah, it doesn't work. Never has, never will.

When and where have you noticed Gerrard to be a greedy ball-hoggin non-team-player? Not for England matey, that has NOT been a criticism that could be levelled - and for Liverpool he's a revelation and the first name on the teamsheet.

Yup, no argument there. Still doesn't mean he should start allongside Lamps for England thuogh. It mucks us up.

I may harbour doubts about Sven as a manager, motivator and tactician - but he cannot help but pick the midfield - it picks itself, starting with Gerrard and Beckham and Lampard.

No, it doesn't pick itself at all. He has to find a combination that WORKS. My 10 year old could pick 4 great names and lob them on a bit of paper and say "yep, thats my midfield". But there's more to it than that - they MUST work together as a unit. And great players that they are, that Lampard/Gerrard combo has never really come off. Tough decision, but it has to be made.

 

[dunno]

Play 3-5-2 and we can accomodate Gerrard, Lampard & Beckham - albeit not in Beckham's best position....on the right hand side, but it would mean we could play all three, negating the need for a holding player - it would also sort out the left side problem by playing Ashley Cole as a left wing back and as for the three centre backs...take your pick...Ferdinand, Terry, Campbell, Woodgate, King, Carragher, Brown, Woodgate etc etc.

GK Robinson
CB Terry
CB Ferdinand
CB Campbell
RWB Wright- Phillips or G/P Neville or even Hargreaves
LWB Ashley Cole or Bridge or Barry
MF Beckham
MF Lampard
MF Gerrard
CF Rooney
CF Owen

 

[Easy 10]

Play 3-5-2 and we can accomodate Gerrard, Lampard & Beckham - albeit not in Beckham's best position....on the right hand side, but it would mean we could play all three, negating the need for a holding player - it would also sort out the left side problem by playing Ashley Cole as a left wing back and as for the three centre backs...take your pick...Ferdinand, Terry, Campbell, Woodgate, King, Carragher, Brown, Woodgate etc etc.

GK Robinson
CB Terry
CB Ferdinand
CB Campbell
RWB Wright- Phillips or G/P Neville or even Hargreaves
LWB Ashley Cole or Bridge or Barry
MF Beckham
MF Lampard
MF Gerrard
CF Rooney
CF Owen

Beckham/Lampard/Gerrard all in the middle would be a horror show. I can only imagine the field day the likes of Ronaldinho would have against us, bearing down on our chronically exposed defence as our entire midfield goes AWOL 50 yards up the pitch.
Your suggestion has just given me some sleepless nights. PLEASE Sven, no. Just say no.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Easy,

do you not think that we can play with a holding player (King, Carrick, Parker) behind the midfield three of beckham, gerrard and lampard ?

 

[Easy 10]

Easy,

do you not think that we can play with a holding player (King, Carrick, Parker) behind the midfield three of beckham, gerrard and lampard ?

Its the lesser of the evils, but I like Joe Cole on the left, I think he's done superbly there and always carries a real threat to the opposition.
Otherwise, with your suggestion, it once again means that Lamps/Gerrard/Beckham are not being deployed in their ideal roles. And it leaves a lack of width in the team - we'd tend to get too narrow and congested, with no natural outlet. Its a big price to pay just to obey the law that Gerrard Must Not Be Dropped.

For me, the best option is the simplest option. 4-4-2, with Becks/Lamps/holding MF/J Cole.

 

[enigma]

Gerrard and Lampard cant play together in the middle that much is obvious.

Lampard would be my choice for the central midfield position. I would then play Gerrard on the left, where he could be very useful. This would leave Joe Cole as a sub, a particulrarly useful option as he can play wide left or right, therefore presenting Sven with a range of options that he will never use.

 

[BensGrandad]

Sheesh, he scores goals on a regular basis for his club, and is one of the most focussed players in the side.
We play the best midfield in the friggin' World - that consists of Beckham Lampard and Gerrard, add Joe Cole . Why would we play any other?

WHERE you GOONS get the idea that Gerrard is not material is unfathomable.

I am not saying that Gerrard isnt a good player its just that he isnt as good as either Beckham or Lampard and to my mind should be behind them in the order to be picked. My midfield would be Beckham wide right Lampard central Carrick central/holding Barry wide left possibly even try Bridge/Cole on ther left one as a full back one in midfield then swapping during the game one going forward other one covering

 

[El Presidente]

He may not be quick but he is the hardest fotballer alive.

Bollocks, Charlie Oatway would make mincemeat of Terry, as would Hartson or Roy Keane

 

[Yoda]

We've moved up 8 places in the FIFA rankings in that time.

 

[NMH]

We've moved up 8 places in the FIFA rankings in that time.

Exactly. These authorities who keep ranting that Gerrard Lampard "do not work" need to tell me how and in what way they don't, and what do they mean by saying our midfield is AWOL?

I would agree that the Portugal game saw us lose the middle once Rooney was injured, but that was Sven having no idea how to retain our momentum in attack after losing just one good player. Until Rooney was out of it, we were all over Portugal.
Their equaliser came when Terry ducked (!) and let them score a nod-in from point blank. The winner was on the same side of our area too. James was in goal though wasn't he? We'll always fail with James.