Gerrard

[Easy 10]

David James is an odd one. For all his faults, we are not blessed with keepers and if Carson is the next one, then we have really issues. James was playing 2 years ago because there was nobody else. Robinson was still very raw and playing in a struggling Leeds side, Kirkland was and is always injured and Green, again was raw and I suspect not good enough and Martyn would not come back unless he got to play. James was and is almost in by default as we lack any depth in the keeping position.

He continued playing James for the last couple of years when Robinson was, in my opinion, more than ready to step into his shoes. But I take your point, we're no longer blessed in the goalkeeping stakes. That 4-1 in Denmark really was a blessing in disguise, as even Sven could no longer gloss over his abject performances (the 2-2 in Austria still fairly fresh in the memory).

I still think Sven stuck with DJ for far too long, but at least he's finally made a decision on it. And the right one.

 

[enigma]

David James is an odd one. For all his faults, we are not blessed with keepers and if Carson is the next one, then we have really issues. James was playing 2 years ago because there was nobody else. Robinson was still very raw and playing in a struggling Leeds side, Kirkland was and is always injured and Green, again was raw and I suspect not good enough and Martyn would not come back unless he got to play. James was and is almost in by default as we lack any depth in the keeping position.

Sadly, you're right. James has to be number 2, Kirkland is too unreliable physically. I'd rather have James than Rob Green, and who else is there? Carson isnt even the 2nd best keeper at Liverpool.Martyn may be the answer, but a very old one.

Unfortunately, with the exception of robinson, England have got shit goalkeepers.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Sadly, you're right. James has to be number 2, Kirkland is too unreliable physically. I'd rather have James than Rob Green, and who else is there? Carson isnt even the 2nd best keeper at Liverpool.Martyn may be the answer, but a very old one.

Unfortunately, with the exception of robinson, England have got shit goalkeepers.

I suspect if Kirkland stays fit then he will give Robinson some healthy competition as he is a very good keeper, but that is the issue, he cannot stay fit. If he is fit in much he needs to play at least some part in a couple of the friendlies as I do not like the idea of going to the World Cup with a back up keeper who has never played international football.

Martyn will not come back, he has said he is not willing to be a squad member, shame as he is still competant. After that you start to struggle, which is a shame as 15 years ago we were blessed with decent keepers, but then we had left footed midfielders then as well.

 

[Easy 10]

Sven axed Seaman after the Macedonia game. When Seaman was left out of the squads for Leichenstein and Turkey he then called it a day.

I stand corrected then. I thought he jacked it in before being dropped.

 

[Del Boy]

I stand corrected then. I thought he jacked it in before being dropped.

Me 2.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I watched the game four hours after it was played, and Gerrard was the third best England player in the team - Rooney & Robinson being the best two. Lampard on the other hand was pony and missed a couple of chances he should have scored. So why is it that Gerrard should be dropped? Gerrard is a big match player - when it's the big stage, when it matters, I would rather have Gerrard on the pitch than Carrick or King.

England played their best football when Cole came on & Gerrard played alongside Lampard in the middle. So they struggled for a couple of games, but that was more down to poor form rather than bad shape. By the time the World Cup comes round, especially with the all the friendlies we'll have, they'll be fine.

To be honest, I don't care too much if they're playing well now - it's only in Germany when it matters. In the last Euro's they played together and were the best midfield in the competition. There's no reason to change it now

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I watched the game four hours after it was played, and Gerrard was the third best England player in the team - Rooney & Robinson being the best two. Lampard on the other hand was pony and missed a couple of chances he should have scored. So why is it that Gerrard should be dropped? Gerrard is a big match player - when it's the big stage, when it matters, I would rather have Gerrard on the pitch than Carrick or King.

England played their best football when Cole came on & Gerrard played alongside Lampard in the middle. So they struggled for a couple of games, but that was more down to poor form rather than bad shape. By the time the World Cup comes round, especially with the all the friendlies we'll have, they'll be fine.

To be honest, I don't care too much if they're playing well now - it's only in Germany when it matters. In the last Euro's they played together and were the best midfield in the competition. There's no reason to change it now

Saying that if it was not for Robbo it would have been 3-1 when those two where in the middle.

It is a bit harsh saying King had a bad game when there was a lot worse on the pitch and he started the move for the England goal in the first half, I for one would like us to carry on with the holding midfielder for now.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Gerrard is a big match player - when it's the big stage, when it matters, I would rather have Gerrard on the pitch than Carrick or King.

Why?

He's probably a better player, but playing two attacking midfielders in the centre simply doesn't work, certainly not from the start; it may be a viable option when you're chasing the game. For the sake of the team, we need a holding player in there, be it King, Carrick (who isn't far behind Gerrard ability-wise) or Hargreaves.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

It is a bit harsh saying King had a bad game when there was a lot worse on the pitch and he started the move for the England goal in the first half, I for one would like us to carry on with the holding midfielder for now.

I didn't say King had a bad game, but I think Gerrard is a better player - one of our best players. I would start Lampard & Gerrard together, they just need to communicate better

He's probably a better player, but playing two attacking midfielders in the centre simply doesn't work, certainly not from the start; it may be a viable option when you're chasing the game. For the sake of the team, we need a holding player in there, be it King, Carrick (who isn't far behind Gerrard ability-wise) or Hargreaves.

Gerrard is a far better player than Carrick. My point is that Lampard & Gerrard played together in the middle in the Euro's & were the best midfield in the competition. Just because they had a couple of bad games together doesn't mean playing them together is fundamentally flawed. When they both get their form back they'll be fine

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I didn't say King had a bad game, but I think Gerrard is a better player - one of our best players. I would start Lampard & Gerrard together, they just need to communicate better





Gerrard is a far better player than Carrick. My point is that Lampard & Gerrard played together in the middle in the Euro's & were the best midfield in the competition. Just because they had a couple of bad games together doesn't mean playing them together is fundamentally flawed. When they both get their form back they'll be fine

They havent played well together more than twice - Carrick doesnt hold a team together on his own thats why he doesnt look as good as Gerrard but in the last few times they met Carrick has well and utterly outplayed Gerrard.

 

[Wozza]

Last time Gerrard turned in an truly AMAZING performance for England?

Munich in 2001?

 

[enigma]

They havent played well together more than twice - Carrick doesnt hold a team together on his own thats why he doesnt look as good as Gerrard but in the last few times they met Carrick has well and utterly outplayed Gerrard.

Carrick has a better tactical brain than Gerrard.

And Gerrard is a big game player for England? He himself said he couldnt remember the last time he had a good game.He made that horrendous mistake v France.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Last time Gerrard turned in an truly AMAZING performance for England?

Munich in 2001?

I concur

 

[Del Boy]

That is the point. Gerrard is awesome for Liverpool but hardly every turns up for England!

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

That is the point. Gerrard is awesome for Liverpool but hardly every turns up for England!

Thats because he carrys Liverpool

 

[fatboy]

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut at right back.

 

[enigma]

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut at right back.

Glad someone realised that Gerrard can play there.

In fact, when Pepsi retires he would be a great replacement for him at right wing, although I suspect W-Phillips will get the nod

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Glad someone realised that Gerrard can play there.

In fact, when Pepsi retires he would be a great replacement for him at right wing, although I suspect W-Phillips will get the nod

Got to start playing well first, chelsea was the wrong choice

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Just because they had a couple of bad games together doesn't mean playing them together is fundamentally flawed.

I think it is fundamentally flawed, though. Both play at club level in front of a holding player, and try to replicate this at international level. Any team needs defensive ability in midfield to go with attacking prowess, and Gerrard can't play this game.

 

[enigma]

Got to start playing well first, chelsea was the wrong choice

Yeah I agree. He should have joined Chelsea after the world cup.

Once Beckham goes, I think a midfield of

Gerrard-Lampard-Defensive Mid-Cole

would be pretty good, much as I like W-Phillips.