Sven Sven Sven Goran Eriksson.....

[Stumpy Tim]

It amazes me that people dont understand that Lampard and Gerrard aren't meant to play together.

Name any team that uses or has used a similar central mid pairing and done well.

Man Utd were ok when Keane & Ince played together

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I watched all the games - though having been a season ticket holder at the Albion a number of times, I'm not sure I can claim to have "watched a football game"

Personally I thought they were effective at the Euro's and to say Gerrard was pish is very harsh. Backpass apart Gerrard & Lampard out-played the French midfield, and the rear-guard action against Portugal was actually excellent, though it was a shame John Terry wore lead boots for their equaliser

I thought Neville, Cole, Campbell and Lampard where the only ones that really had a decent tourny.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Man Utd were ok when Keane & Ince played together

Both defence minded.

Even Brazil had Dunga for many years as a holding player.

 

[enigma]

Man Utd were ok when Keane & Ince played together

Keane and Ince? Be serious.

Both of those players are better defensively than Gerrard and Lampard, in particular Keane, and this therefore gave them good balance.

 

[Silent Bob]

I thought Neville, Cole, Campbell and Lampard where the only ones that really had a decent tourny.

And Rooney?

King was good in the one game he was given. Should of played rather than Terry.

 

[NMH]

I want to see him get fully and really ANIMATED and ECSTATIC if England stick a goal or two past Sweden and beat them.

Especially if it sends them OUT of the World Cup.

Then I will believe that he wants to win because he loves money and personal success!!
(well it couldn't possibly be out of patriotism otherwise he'd want the Swedes to win)

 

[Easy 10]

Gerrard

Then we are in agreement. I got no beef with you.

 

[enigma]

Why not have a mid of

Beckham-Lampard-Holding Mid-Gerrard

with Joe Cole as a super sub, given he can play wide-left or right or in the middle, albeit further forward than most centre mids

 

[Silent Bob]

I'd rather start Joe Cole, he's awesome.

Gerrard as supersub if we need some impetus.

 

[Easy 10]

Look, theres only 1 debate, and its:

Robinson
Neville Terry Campbell A. Cole
Becks Lamps King/Carrick/Parker J.Cole
Owen Shrek

All Sven has to do between now and June is decide between King/Carrick/Parker.

Thats it.

 

[Silent Bob]

I wouldn't play Terry and Campbell. Neither are particularly quick, you need at least one quick centre back.

It has to be one of Terry/Campbell/Carragher partnered by Ferdinand/King.

I'm increasingly thinking it should be Carra and King.

 

[enigma]

Look, theres only 1 debate, and its:

Robinson
Neville Terry Campbell A. Cole
Becks Lamps King/Carrick/Parker J.Cole
Owen Shrek

All Sven has to do between now and June is decide between King/Carrick/Parker.

Thats it.

Well, Campbells place depends on him being fit.

Also, if Owen did miss the World Cup, who would play? None of the strikers are setting the world alight.

 

[enigma]

campbell isnt slow. he might not be that fast but hes certainly not slow.

 

[Silent Bob]

campbell isnt slow. he might not be that fast but hes certainly not slow.

Not slow but he's not got the pace to be counted as a quick centre back. I wouldn't partner him and Terry, I felt that was another reason we didn't play too well at Euro 2004. Because neither have got that pace we had a tendency to sit deeper.


If Owen was out we've got Bent and Crouch in good form. Alright neither are in Owen's class but still would do ok imo.

 

[Easy 10]

Well, Campbells place depends on him being fit.

Also, if Owen did miss the World Cup, who would play? None of the strikers are setting the world alight.

Assuming all are fit, that team picks itself as far as I'm concerned. Sven just needs to earn his £3 million this year by stumbling over whoever best fits the holding midfield role in that team.

I'd probably go for Parker, but then I'm not being choked to death by cash falling all around me.

 

[enigma]

Not slow but he's not got the pace to be counted as a quick centre back. I wouldn't partner him and Terry, I felt that was another reason we didn't play too well at Euro 2004. Because neither have got that pace we had a tendency to sit deeper.


If Owen was out we've got Bent and Crouch in good form. Alright neither are in Owen's class but still would do ok imo.

Fair enough. Also Campbell's inability to pass properly annoys me. Thats where the likes of Ferdinand and King are better.

Crouch fair enough, and he is getting good experience. I rate Bent a lot, always have done. But is it not asking a lot of someone who has only just played their first season in the prem?

Defoe would have been the man, but he's out of sorts so far this year, and noone else really stands out.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Keane and Ince? Be serious.

Both of those players are better defensively than Gerrard and Lampard, in particular Keane, and this therefore gave them good balance.

The question was, "Name any team that uses or has used a similar central mid pairing and done well". Keane & Ince were two very similar players - maybe I read your question wrong?

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Why not have a mid of

Beckham-Lampard-Holding Mid-Gerrard

with Joe Cole as a super sub, given he can play wide-left or right or in the middle, albeit further forward than most centre mids

I think that will almost definitely be the midfield that he plays. Joe cole coming on as a sub if we're losing, Hargreaves coming on if we're winning.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Regarding the defence debate. Ferdinand and Campbell look a bit dodgy against the mediocre teams but against the top teams they always seem to rise to the occasion. So, as long as they were fit I'd play those two. Against the not so good teams we can give Terry and King a run out.

Our relatively easy group means that we can give several players a try out during the competition. Both Carrick and Parker should be able to get a full game in to show what they can do, likewise Gerrard and Lampard(to see who works best with a holding midfielder) and the central defensive contenders should all get some competitive game time too. That way we can go into the knock out stages with all of the principal players and contenders having tasted competitive world cup football and a little bit fresher than otherwise might have been the case.

 

[NMH]

We want the best players for the position.

Upfront the lineup is likely Rooney and Owen, with Crouch. Wright-Philips, Darius Vassell, and Defoe in reserve.

Alongside Gerrard and Lampard will be Beckham and Joe Cole. JC is known for being a decent back-tackler occasionally. Smith looks like good back-up for the middle, nowadays he plays in the old Nicky Butt role. The transition to defence requires that the midfielders drop back, or are ready to bring the ball out of defence. Our full-backs should be able to close up strongly, and although no-one is a superman and can stop every attack alone, they 'should' be able to work well as a team.

Personally I like Ledley King over Mills, Campbell over Ferdinand. Terry over Young, Robinson over James.
Woodgate I wouldn't comment on, not having seen him play in years.

One thing I really wish we had on the team, is a Ryan Giggs or a John Arne Riise style of left-sider.
Andy Cole is still playing fine football - I don't see why he shouldn't still be considered. Jason Roberts looks good for Wigan, Beattie from Everton too.
I believe Hargreaves has been tried enough to know he's not good enough to play for England. Jermaine Pennant does look better as an option to me. Ashley Cole is still in the frame, not a shoe-in.