David James Dropped ?

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Good job if true, maybe Sven can keep his job if he shows he has some guts. James is not fit to be a ballboy at international level, and Robinson is the clear next choice, at least until Kirkland can prove he is fit enough to provide competition.

Defoe is on fire, and I don't care how similar they are, I go with the two best players. He is a little selfish, but this is not always bad in a striker - he has room to improve, but so does Rooney, so does Smith, and the latter looked ineffective and average against Austria, at least Defoe was dangerous and exciting.

 

[Marc]

yeah true, shows how much we need a decent holder of the ball up front or if anything another Sheringham, maybe Rooney is the answer as he likes to drop back leaving Owen doing the Lineker in the 6 yard box. But you need to have strength in depth and we just dont seem to have that right now.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Why is Smith even being considered? He's just an average striker! I don't think he would even stan out in the Championship!

Well, you've managed to render any opinions you have on the game completely useless.

He's scoring goals for one of the top clubs in the country.

Those who think Defoe is the answer have a LOT to learn as well.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Well, you've managed to render any opinions you have on the game completely useless.

He's scoring goals for one of the top clubs in the country.

Those who think Defoe is the answer have a LOT to learn as well.

I would not bother Max, it comes down to people viewing it on the fact that a player is not scoring ala Scholes, rather than understanding what they may do off the ball and for the team.

My main problem with Smith is he does not score enough goals, but he has come out of the blocks well at United and with Rooney's injury he offers something different up front.

 

[Lammy]

I would not bother Max, it comes down to people viewing it on the fact that a player is not scoring ala Scholes, rather than understanding what they may do off the ball and for the team.

My main problem with Smith is he does not score enough goals, but he has come out of the blocks well at United and with Rooney's injury he offers something different up front.

My point exactely! How many games has he played for United? Let's see if he has over 20 goals by the end of the season.

A strikers job is to score goals. Barrett did a lot of ball winning and held to ball up well but was a shit striker.

Smith is not a bad striker but not good enough for England IMHO.

 

[Seagull73]

Personally, I couldn't give a monkey's shite about the centre forwards, we aren't having a problem scoring goals. The goalkeeper has cost us far too many goals in recent games, and I am a believer that we should be looking to change the keeper and soon.

Some may see it as a gamble which it probably is, but David James is not international quality, and we must start finding out who amongst our goalkeepers actually is.

 

[Lammy]

Anyone read the article in the Tims today about TINA?

 

[sleepynick]

About right, but I think the injury to Rooney has forced his hand and it showed against Portugal that Owen and Vassell do not work together and he is hardly justified in picking Heskey, when the guy has not scored for Birmingham yet.

For the record, Heskey scored the winning goal against Man City about two weeks ago.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

how many chances has smith been given, a load more than defoe smith is not the answer

 

[Lammy]

For the record, Heskey scored the winning goal against Man City about two weeks ago.

So does that mean he's "managed to render any opinions he has on the game completely useless"

 

[NMH]

Yeah that is right mate, Defoe is the answer. Him and Owen are too similar and Defoe at present is not ready. Smith gives a different option and holds the ball up and will not go missing in this sort of game.

I hate to say it, but with no Rooney, Heskey should have been in the squad, as Owen, Defoe and Vassell are all much the same, just Owen is streets ahead of the others.

Hmm, a bit too early to be ruing the missing Rooney, imo. As for shaping the side with regard to alternatives, I just think that Smith did a decent job the other day and has some presence in the middle, whereas with Defoe I'm in doubt of that.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

James Beattie is the player we should have in games like this. Big, strong, good in the air and most important offers us something different to Owen, Vassel, Smith and Defoe.

Beattie for England!

 

[NMH]

Personally, I couldn't give a monkey's shite about the centre forwards, we aren't having a problem scoring goals. The goalkeeper has cost us far too many goals in recent games, and I am a believer that we should be looking to change the keeper and soon.

Some may see it as a gamble which it probably is, but David James is not international quality, and we must start finding out who amongst our goalkeepers actually is.

Yep. All this about 'standing by James' and supporting the 'poor suffering lad' etc is worthy from mates and everything, but the country of England is represented here by this clown who makes more blunders than saves - and I keep hearing "but what are the alternatives?" as if there are none greater than him.
Well, my Gran, for starters, and she's brown bread !

 

[sleepynick]

So does that mean he's "managed to render any opinions he has on the game completely useless"

eh?
what?

maybe I`m being again but I don't understand your question.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

robinson should start

 

[Bluejuice]

Robinson in for James is a must. I've been saying it ever since Seaman retired and his most recent blunder will hopefully consign him to the bench tonight.

As for Smith, I'm afraid I'm with the doubters on this one. I don't think he's world class, or ever will be. Of course I would love to be proven wrong but at the end of the day I just don't think he has what it takes.

Defoe may be a little selfish but he is sparky and has confidence at the moment. I feel excited when he wins the ball, which I don't get with Heskey or Smith.

I do agree that Beattie deserves a chance though. He has hardly been given a go yet and he's just the sort of presence we're missing at the moment, a burly predator. However, to stick him in a match like this without a few caps practice would be wrong I feel. Just why he hasn't been given a fair trial yet I don't know and I must admit that the theory of big club players automatically getting picked over their smaller club rivals does seem to ring true on this one.

Prediction: 1-0 England

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

robinson had a good game, didnt have to do much but nor did james on sat

 

[¡Cereal Killer!]

I think Robinson will be able to stay between the posts for next match, unless David James has a very good few games before the next international.