England World Cup Starting line-up

[enigma]

You know what Brazil do have a dodgy defence, but Lucio is a good player, he is no less reliable than Rio Ferdinand for example, if that.

People do rate Rooney etc but Messi and Ronaldinho are incredibly skilful players. That is why they are admired all over the world, its not just a question of ability, those guys are entertainers. Rooney may well prove to be better than them, but he will never have the same dribbling skill, he is more British, power and pace.

James does definitely not deserve a chance. he cant be relied on he has shown that time and again. Remember the France game of 2004?

 

[pishhead]

Whoever suggested James should be sectioned, with regards to rio he will be svens starting 11 but if I had the choice I would pick King ahead of him and probably wes brown on current form also.
Also yes they are skillfful players but do they posess a player such as Rooney who has the power to drop of the front two and play the killer ball or shoot from range, only one I can think of is Adriano but he is more of a number 9 who plays off the shoulder of defenders, I can see it being Rooneys tournament, just look at him at the euros he was the best player in the tournament, but time will tell.

 

[enigma]

I tend to agree with you on Rio. If Woodgate was fit, I would pick him. He is the most naturally talented out of all of them, just too injury prone.

I think you underestimate the power of Ronaldinho... He is deceptively strong, while not being as strong as Rooney. He kept his balance well the other night. He drops off a lot, and while he doesnt have huge power in his shot, he is very accurate. Dont forget Kaka as well, more of a midfielder than Rooney, but very quick and stronger than Ronaldinho, hard to knock off the ball. He is capable of sliding passes through and hammering long shots.Adriano is more of an out and out striker, you're right.

Could well be Rooney's tournament, he is two years older this time.But two things could affect him. Much as he has improved since then, other teams will be more aware of him than they were before. Secondly, and most importantly, he has played a lot of games for united this year, unlike 2004 when he was still at Everton, and he may be slightly tired when he gets there....

But he should be one of the stars of the tournament, if all goes to plan.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

To win the World Cup we'll need all our world-class players firing 100% on all cylinders. We also need to PLAY all our world-class players. Carrick is a good player, but not World Class. Beckham, Cole, Lampard, Gerrard, Owen, Paul Robinson & Rooney are all world-class players. They MUST all play. That leaves the team below as the only viable option.

[GK] Robinsion
[RB] Neville
[LB] A Cole
[CB] Ferdinand
[CB] Terry
[LM] J Cole
[RM] Beckham
[CM] Lampard
[CM] Gerrard
[CF] Rooney
[CF] Owen

If we play Carrick we'll lose in the 1/4's or semi's IMO. If we play the team above either we'll lose in the 1/4's if the midfield can't gel or we'll come close to winning it if the players work it out & play to their potential.

And if Carrick was to play, Beckham is the weakest link & should miss out (make Stevie captain)

 

[Easy 10]

To win the World Cup we'll need all our world-class players firing 100% on all cylinders. We also need to PLAY all our world-class players. Carrick is a good player, but not World Class. Beckham, Cole, Lampard, Gerrard, Owen, Paul Robinson & Rooney are all world-class players. They MUST all play. That leaves the team below as the only viable option.

[GK] Robinsion
[RB] Neville
[LB] A Cole
[CB] Ferdinand
[CB] Terry
[LM] J Cole
[RM] Beckham
[CM] Lampard
[CM] Gerrard
[CF] Rooney
[CF] Owen

If we play Carrick we'll lose in the 1/4's or semi's IMO. If we play the team above either we'll lose in the 1/4's if the midfield can't gel or we'll come close to winning it if the players work it out & play to their potential.

And if Carrick was to play, Beckham is the weakest link & should miss out (make Stevie captain)

We've known for 3 years that that midfield doesn't gel.
Your team is spot on, except that for the shape of the team, Gerrard MUST be dropped for either Carrick, Parker or Hargreaves. Gerrards not done the business for England for very, very long time, so its time we stopped blithely banding about all this "world class" nonsense, bite the bullet, and play a holding MF in his place so that Lampard can be properly unleashed.

 

[blockhseagull]

We've known for 3 years that that midfield doesn't gel.
Your team is spot on, except that for the shape of the team, Gerrard MUST be dropped for either Carrick, Parker or Hargreaves. Gerrards not done the business for England for very, very long time, so its time we stopped blithely banding about all this "world class" nonsense, bite the bullet, and play a holding MF in his place so that Lampard can be properly unleashed.

 

[Redhead]

We've known for 3 years that that midfield doesn't gel.
Your team is spot on, except that for the shape of the team, Gerrard MUST be dropped for either Carrick, Parker or Hargreaves. Gerrards not done the business for England for very, very long time, so its time we stopped blithely banding about all this "world class" nonsense, bite the bullet, and play a holding MF in his place so that Lampard can be properly unleashed.

We need to play all our best players to win, which for me, means playing Lampard and Gerrard. If they can get it right we will win the World Cup.

 

[enigma]

But playing all the best players together doesnt necessarily mean the best team. I would use Real Madrid as an example of that. They probably have more "star" players than Barcelona, but tell me who is the better team......

Its all about a sense of balance and having a team that allows the best players to play the best.... I dont think a system where Lampard and Gerrard play together gets the best out of either them, whoever you think is better.

History suggests that attacking midfielders/playmakers need a more defensive midfield alongside them to play to their best. Therefore unless Gerrard can play as a defensive midfield, chances are it wont work.

 

[Marshy]

[Sven is incredibly loyal to his players (rightly or wrongly) so unless Lampard is caught with his cock in Nancy's mouth, he will play.

: [/B][/QUOTE]


He he now that would be funny and a story the NOTW would definately print !

 

[BUTTERBALL]

With all the Lampard v Gerrard stuff on here I would just like to point out that bar any injuries/bans the starting 11 for our opening game will be a 4-4-2 formation exactly as follows.-

Paul Robinson (gk)
Gary Neville (rb)
John Terry (cb)
Rio Ferdinand (cb)
Ashley Cole (lb)
David Beckham (rm) + captain
Steven Gerrard (cm)
Frank Lampard (cm)
Joe Cole (lm)
Wayne Rooney (cf)
Michael Owen (cf)

I think that is spot on, not that Sven is predictable in any way of course!